EV general discussion

[Rroff]

If you think the UK govt is bad, In Rep Ireland, diesel sales are increasing and EV sales decreasing, with coverage black spots for public charging in many parts of the country.

Not Ireland but I've had the dealer ask recently about buying back my diesel Qashqai due to seeing a resurgence in demand for diesel vehicles like this. Not sure if related why they seem to be selling the Leafs relatively cheap.

 

[Ace Modder]

The only reason someone with access to off street parking and with a £10k + car budget would pick ICE for typical use cases… would be because they do so few miles, are ignorant, or an idiot.

Or maybe, just maybe. My ICE car is so much more fun to drive that my wife's EV car.

370z vs a hyundai ioniq5 (we have both on my drive) I much prefer the 370z over the 5.

The hyundai is a great car compared to other EV cars, but has nothing compared to the fun of my 370z.

If a car is just a basic tool then fine, but if motoring is a hobby then you are so so so off the mark calling people idiots. It's embarrassing.

 

[ICDP]

Jesus, can we compare any more apples to oranges please? Then gets all upset I used the term idiotic.

That’s like comparing an I-Pace dynamics to a Qashqai and saying EVs are more fun (I’ve owned both).

 

[Jonnycoupe]

And this is the problem with EVs. Someone once drives a Tesla then feel they have a grasp of all EV attributes.

Case in point is owner 1 week in is comparing cars which will no doubt be an experience of a great Summers day drive to their EV in only cold and damp weather.

 

[OspreyO]

Or maybe, just maybe. My ICE car is so much more fun to drive that my wife's EV car.

370z vs a hyundai ioniq5 (we have both on my drive) I much prefer the 370z over the 5.

The hyundai is a great car compared to other EV cars, but has nothing compared to the fun of my 370z.

If a car is just a basic tool then fine, but if motoring is a hobby then you are so so so off the mark calling people idiots. It's embarrassing.

I dunno what you mean my Porsche 918 Spyder EV is much more fun that my manual Astra 1.3 CDTI diesel.

 

[OspreyO]

There's been a lot of unchallenged Fud in the media in Ireland like a lot, and poor charging network capacity. They also reduced the grants, got rid of toll discounts, and no penalties for diesel and no Ulez like initiatives. Hence the sales of diesel are increasing and EVs failing.

 

[ICDP]

There's been a lot of unchallenged Fud in the media in Ireland like a lot, and poor charging network capacity. They also reduced the grants, got rid of toll discounts, and no penalties for diesel and no Ulez like initiatives. Hence the sales of diesel are increasing and EVs failing.

The same has been happening here in the UK to be fair.

 

[OspreyO]

That’s why I said if you have home or work charging. The lack of government planning to introduce on street charging for the rest of car owners has been a problem.

I don't think its solvable. It's too much faffing around for most people without a home charger.

I noticed in London how few small EVs compared to premium luxury EVs and hybrids. Then I realised it's only only wealthier people with home charging infrastructure London.

There's also very little downside to owning a modern ice thats allowed under the ULEZ rules. You'd have to say that's perfectly reasonable rationale.

 

[m4rmite]

Can't imagine that being the price when everyone's doing it.

You mean like petrol/ diesel, government taking their duty and tax on top of the oil company skimming off the top as well?

 

[Ace Modder]

I dunno what you mean my Porsche 918 Spyder EV is much more fun that my manual Astra 1.3 CDTI diesel.

The 370-z new was £40k, my hyundai ioniq5 was £43k. So comparable prices as new.

Your 918 EV isn't the same price as a ICE Astra now is it?

 

[ICDP]

I mean you even compare apples to oranges with conviction. I’ll give you that.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

The 370-z new was £40k, my hyundai ioniq5 was £43k. So comparable prices as new.

Your 918 EV isn't the same price as a ICE Astra now is it?

Same number of seats on the comparison though?

 

[Ace Modder]

Same number of seats on the comparison though?

I assume this is rhetorical? As you surely already know the answer to that.

My point is budget for budget being (around) the same, you can get a far more fun ICE car than an EV car.

An EV has a purpose, but typically for £40k that is not "fun" in the same sense a £40k ICE car is.

If people want a car purely as a "tool" then EV is fit for purpose, but for my preference of car being one of my hobbies, then nope.

 

[bloodiedathame]

I disagree with removing the option for people to spend money on what they want.

If the Government really wanted people to be in electric cars, they'd sort out the charging infrastructure and the grid as a matter of urgency. Make it stupidly cheap and convenient to run an EV.

As it stands, I would not bother owning one if I didn't have a driveway and a 7p tariff.

 

[Ace Modder]

I disagree with removing the option for people to spend money on what they want.

If the Government really wanted people to be in electric cars, they'd sort out the charging infrastructure and the grid as a matter of urgency. Make it stupidly cheap and convenient to run an EV.

As it stands, I would not bother owning one if I didn't have a driveway and a 7p tariff.

agreed, but it is not just the UK that has expensive public charging, the USA is even more off the mark vs their low petrol (gas as they call it) prices. I found this post from reddit.

Now, many level 2 chargers charge $0.60 per kwh. Free chargers are rarer and difficult to get a spot at. Electrify America charges $0.48 per kwh. What used to be a $3-$5 fillup is now over $9.

This is kind of a heads up as if you can't take advantage of residential electricity rates by charging at home, it is getting quite inconvenient and pricey to charge. Chargers are typically full during peak time (inconvenient) and with the price increases, can cost more than gas depending on your car and location.

 

[bloodiedathame]

agreed, but it is not just the UK that has expensive public charging, the USA is even more off the mark vs their low petrol (gas as they call it) prices. I found this post from reddit.

You've just described the 'business' of the whole energy industry. As the reliance (demand) on something increases, and the supply stays relatively the same, the price increases.

 

[Ace Modder]

As a car hobbyist, imagine doing the NC500 run in Scotland in an EV car, you will likely need to call the RAC or AA as you run of our power! Unless the whole trip is planned around charging your car, that really does take the fun out of it.

 

[Ace Modder]

You've just described the 'business' of the whole energy industry. As the reliance (demand) on something increases, and the supply stays relatively the same, the price increases.

So as the demand increases with more EV cars, the price of power will continue to rise for everybody, that is not soemthing anybody wants surely. Look at the price of electricity costs in the home vs 6-7 years ago. Doubled pretty much, and yes it's touted as Ukraine/Russia but that has some effect, and yes the demand of EV cars has some also. It surely will continue to increase based on your statement.

 

[bloodiedathame]

So as the demand increases with more EV cars, the price of power will continue to rise for everybody, that is not soemthing anybody wants surely. Look at the price of electricity costs in the home vs 6-7 years ago. Doubled pretty much, and yes it's touted as Ukraine/Russia but that has some effect, and yes the demand of EV cars has some also. It surely will continue to increase based on your statement.

Yup, I expect it to. The only way I can see prices coming down is with investment in electricity generation, which will have a long-term cost implication, either via tax (if the Government builds stuff) or energy prices (if energy companies build stuff). I doubt the consumer will see any price benefits in the short term.

Happy to be convinced otherwise though...

 

[MartinPrince]

First charge went well, local quick charge point. Was done before we finished our shop. Was only about £20 for a 60% charge. More costly than home charging, but far cheaper than petrol. Granny charger arriving later and will then eventually sort out a home charging station, but no rush given the mileage and charging points near us.

There are still a few free charging points dotted around. I used one in the centre of Peterborough recently. It was a hassle to work out how to use and space was a bit tight for my Polestar 2 but I got it working and it was free. You can use ZapMap to see if there are any in your area or route.