EV general discussion

[hyperseven]

Presumably because your not a new customer?

Electric Cars (EVs) - Deals, Leasing, Tariffs and Charging Points

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www.edfenergy.com

Signed up for the tariff at the end of March and started April 1st.

Do you get cheap rate during the evening?
Our electricity bill has come down from £120 a month to £80 (and that includes the EV now) because my wife puts the washing machine and tumble dryer on from 8:30pm.

it's a cheap rate from 23:00-06:00.

 

[Rroff]

Range anxiety isn’t something I’ve experienced. You just plan your journey accordingly and ensure you’ve got the required range in the first place to make the trip.

Which is missing the point - if you have to make a longer distance trip to some relatively unknown to you part of the country on short notice that is a whole different ballgame to planning accordingly and ensuring you've got the required range in the first place.

 

[Rroff]

I challenge the notion the charging network isn’t good enough. It’s actually decent.

I even tow a caravan behind our Tesla and I’ve never had any material issues charging. For context, the caravan turns a long range and quick charging EV into a car with slightly better the range and charging speed of a 40kwh Nissan leaf.

It’s expensive but that’s because of the U.K. electricity market.

My only real criticism is that other countries focus more on pull through style bays for rapid chargers on the strategic road network. These are much better for long term usability but take up more space.

Rows of chargers at the back of spaces in rows create unnecessary accessibility issues for disabled people. They also make it more difficult or impossible to use them if you have a bike rack or trailer on the back of the car.

It isn't terrible if you are able to plan your trip, etc. and I expect if you are pulling a caravan with an EV you've probably done your research ahead rather than leave it to relative chance.

 

[jpaul]

It’s expensive but that’s because of the U.K. electricity market.

... that myth that charging in europe is much cheaper https://eleport.com/price-report/#France
nonetheless it's the faster charging now available that would make regular ~300miles weekend outings, with no dest charging, viable, without having to put in a 30minute stop somewhere

[

Was quite an interesting watch, and reflects back the BMW isn't some sort of Harry Potter magical revolution, pretty average for everything other than a huge battery, and charging speed - I was honestly surprised they found it least exciting to drive, but not surprised that it is the quieter for motorway driving. I think people disregard the Juniper Model Y as they judge on the previous model, any it isn't super new and exciting, and feelings rather than ability or quality.

didn't seem to mention the rear passenger space is because Y is 2M wide and yes handling might suffer with +300kg versus ix3 40 version;
Had peace discussions with a Model X driver who squeezed through gap with myself on a bicycle, a while back.
]

 

[Vita]

Which is missing the point - if you have to make a longer distance trip to some relatively unknown to you part of the country on short notice that is a whole different ballgame to planning accordingly and ensuring you've got the required range in the first place.

That is why you ensure you have a minimum of 80% battery/180-220 miles in the first place. Best practice if possible (should you have off road parking) is to always have your EV plugged in and a set schedule in terms of charging.

Depending on the EV there’s loads of chargers on major routes around England.

I never once ran out of range or couldn’t take a job when I used mine for passenger services.

IMO, this range business is blown way out of proportion. I suppose one benefit is eventually we will see faster charging which will help those who are impatient.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

It isn't terrible if you are able to plan your trip, etc. and I expect if you are pulling a caravan with an EV you've probably done your research ahead rather than leave it to relative chance.

You’d do a bit of planning when towing anyway because camp sites tend to be in the back end of nowhere and you are very limited on where you can stop anyway due to the size of your outfit.

The only real addition is to check there is a charger (and you can get to it) at the most sensible services to stop because you can’t really stop anywhere else. If anything that makes it easier because there is very little choice in the matter.

It’s not actually that different to ICE in that you’d probably look for a local filling station off motorway because you’d need to fill that at some point and most avoid motorway services due to cost.

 

[Rroff]

You’d do a bit of planning when towing anyway because camp sites tend to be in the back end of nowhere and you are very limited on where you can stop anyway due to the size of your outfit.

The only real addition is to check there is a charger (and you can get to it) at the most sensible services to stop because you can’t really stop anywhere else. If anything that makes it easier because there is very little choice in the matter.

It’s not actually that different to ICE in that you’d probably look for a local filling station off motorway because you’d need to fill that at some point and most avoid motorway services due to cost.

Hence my point that towing a caravan isn't a good comparison to other trips which might be less planned.

That is why you ensure you have a minimum of 80% battery/180-220 miles in the first place.

Still missing the point though - it isn't uncommon for some people to have to make relatively unplanned / short notice trips well outside of their regular pattern and that is a much bigger consideration ICE vs BEV than the normal daily usage or planned trips and for some people it is a bigger stumbling block than some seem to think who probably don't have a lifestyle which includes it the same way.

 

[VincentHanna]

Its honestly insane the excuses people come up with. Their loss.

There's an anti EV campaign by lots of the right wing press and unfortunately the older generation lap it up.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Rroff you drove an EV yet?

 

[TheVoice]

There's an anti EV campaign by lots of the right wing press and unfortunately the older generation lap it up.

Plenty of it on YouTube and social media too, you very quickly start to see the same types of comments (and often the same usernames) popping up under every EV preview or review.

 

[Demon]

I still think charging infrastructure has a considerable way to go..

It's stellar on most city journeys where infrastructure has scaled quite nicely, but places like West wales (Tenby) were a complete nightmare last year.. 6 failed chargers, and then a 2 hour wait for the 1 fast charger that still worked, and on the midweek top up, I had to drive 60 miles and wait 45 mins to get a charge at the nearest large fast charger location.. that took over 3 hours in total.. and the number of people at their wits end when I was on the fast charger in Tenby shows how disgruntled many people can get when faced with either a 3 hour wait in a queue, or a 90 minute 60 mile round trip + charging and hope the queue isn't out the car park..

Where as, in the Tesla, I can jump in the car with 20% battery and do an ad-hoc shopping trip to London with the car just sorting out seamless and instant charging and not have a care in the world, to go from that to Tenby reminded me that we still have plenty left to go to start winning over those who want the experience to be somewhat as available as they current have in an ICE car.

 

[kefkef]

I had range anxiety in North West Wales a few weeks ago, but i was down to 3% charge by that point but it was because i couldn't be bothered to charge until going home from Anglesey......

I also had range anxiety on Sunday, but that was with my electric golf trolley and trying to get 2 rounds of golf out of what is supposed to be a 1 round of golf battery, which it did manage......

 

[Shadowness]

I still think charging infrastructure has a considerable way to go..

This is my main concern as we (my partner and I) consider getting an EV to go with some planned solar panels/battery on our new house. I feel we'd fall back on my thirsty 140i for longer journeys, and use the EV just to get to work and back, and general shorter trips.

The experiences I've had in colleagues EVs on longer trips hasn't been encouraging.

 

[mattyg]

I had range anxiety in North West Wales a few weeks ago, but i was down to 3% charge by that point but it was because i couldn't be bothered to charge until going home from Anglesey......

I also had range anxiety on Sunday, but that was with my electric golf trolley and trying to get 2 rounds of golf out of what is supposed to be a 1 round of golf battery, which it did manage......

Bought an RSQ8 and get range anxiety too.. at 15 Mpg it feels like the Mway Services are way out of reach when it goes BONG!!!....

 

[tom_e]

I had range anxiety in North West Wales a few weeks ago, but i was down to 3% charge by that point but it was because i couldn't be bothered to charge until going home from Anglesey......

I also had range anxiety on Sunday, but that was with my electric golf trolley and trying to get 2 rounds of golf out of what is supposed to be a 1 round of golf battery, which it did manage......

We're off to Prestatyn next month for a couple of days in a caravan and it looks like the site has a couple of 22Kw chargers so we're taking the ID3 as the Kona doesn't play nicely with them and fingers crossed they're working as otherwise it looks a little sparse.

The fact I've had to look and pick which car to take based on charger availability means it's definitely still no where near as seamless as ICE never mind what people say.

 

[Rroff]

I still think charging infrastructure has a considerable way to go..

It's stellar on most city journeys where infrastructure has scaled quite nicely, but places like West wales (Tenby) were a complete nightmare last year.. 6 failed chargers, and then a 2 hour wait for the 1 fast charger that still worked, and on the midweek top up, I had to drive 60 miles and wait 45 mins to get a charge at the nearest large fast charger location.. that took over 3 hours in total.. and the number of people at their wits end when I was on the fast charger in Tenby shows how disgruntled many people can get when faced with either a 3 hour wait in a queue, or a 90 minute 60 mile round trip + charging and hope the queue isn't out the car park..

Where as, in the Tesla, I can jump in the car with 20% battery and do an ad-hoc shopping trip to London with the car just sorting out seamless and instant charging and not have a care in the world, to go from that to Tenby reminded me that we still have plenty left to go to start winning over those who want the experience to be somewhat as available as they current have in an ICE car.

When we were on holiday in Wales last year people were having similar problems - an issue with the more rural chargers is often people just leaving their car plugged in rather than just using them when they need to or parking blocking access, etc.

Doing a bit of Googling looks like there are a few extra bays, etc. since last year.

 

[VincentHanna]

I avoided holidaying in Wales a few years back because the charger situation.

Probably wouldn't worry about it now.

 

[Vita]

Hence my point that towing a caravan isn't a good comparison to other trips which might be less planned.



Still missing the point though - it isn't uncommon for some people to have to make relatively unplanned / short notice trips well outside of their regular pattern and that is a much bigger consideration ICE vs BEV than the normal daily usage or planned trips and for some people it is a bigger stumbling block than some seem to think who probably don't have a lifestyle which includes it the same way.

I see your point and yes to an extent I agree with it. However, if as an EV owner you can shift the mentality to ensure you’ve got a minimal charge incase an unplanned / short notice trip does pop up, then you’re set.

Most of it’s just using common sense Rroff. Something which is quite rare these days I have found.

 

[OspreyO]

We're off to Prestatyn next month for a couple of days in a caravan and it looks like the site has a couple of 22Kw chargers so we're taking the ID3 as the Kona doesn't play nicely with them and fingers crossed they're working as otherwise it looks a little sparse.

The fact I've had to look and pick which car to take based on charger availability means it's definitely still no where near as seamless as ICE never mind what people say.

I agree. I think an optional onboard 22kw AC would be handy for those kinda of trips.

I've been in rural towns where DC charging is just more convenient. But I've also been in towns where AC at 22kw would also be useful.

 

[GravyMonster]

So BMW MK quoted me £547 for the first service on the wife's i4, which only includes a brake fluid flush, cabin filter, windscreen washer top up and 'vehicle check'. Even after querying this complete BS the best she should do was a 15% discount to £465. I was expecting an increase from my last brake fluid flush they did at £180, but this is taking the ****.

Booked it in at Autoworx instead for £260, which I'll be honest still isn't great for the amount of work being done, but better that what it was.