Electric cars

[hilts]

It’s not the size it’s the design it’s like a yolk, it wasn’t round so the vision through the wheel wasn’t as good as a normal round one

That explains your problem, you're supposed to look over it not through it like a normal steering wheel, it gives a better view of the dash.

 

[Pontypool Blue]

Rubbish.lol
Liton Airport... fire and all that ; )

Stop spreading FUD.
The Luton airport fire was started by a diesel land rover. Ev are the least likely of vehicles to combust.

 

[HypnoticBlue]

Just had a look at and sat in the new Hyundai Ionic 5.(with the back window windscreen wiper)

Fantastic!

Even though I've looked at the Volvo EX30 and the Kia EV3, the Ionic 5 is the car I've wanted. More so the upgraded 2nd edition.

Great car, I have the Ultimate spec MY25 (with the rear wiper) I can highly recommend it.

 

[HypnoticBlue]

Quick question, does it matter which home charger you have, either in regards to the car itself or to the electric company (now or in the future)? I'm with EDF and they'll fit a Pod home charger for free as long as you take their EV tariff (I've not checked out the finer details of that bit yet).

Octopus has requirements if you want their intelligent tariff, which is cheaper than the Go tariff (up Vs 9p). They need to be able to either communicate with the car or the charger so they can decide when it charges. If you go on their site it should allow you to put in the car and it'll tell you if it's compatible, if not you need a compatible charger. We had to go with an Ohme Pro as they couldn't communicate with the car

We have an Ohme Pro and we’re with Octopus, when we first went got it they were charging 7p per Kw on cheap rate (11.30pm-5.30am) and the charger charges at 7kw per hour so 6 hours x 7kw = 42kw which is 50% of the 84kw battery, cost £2.92 It was costing me about £30 a month charging 2 or 3 times a week.
Then they offered a new deal, £20 a month charge up to 3 different vehicles and up to @ 2000 miles a month, they’ve since changed it to £30 a month. Just plug it in at any time and tell it what time you need the car for (anytime between 4am-11am) and what % you want to add, and it picks the best time for the grid to charge the car. So before I could only add 50% on cheap rate, but now I could add 100% if needed. It’s saved me about £300-400 a month, and means I can go and visit my dad in his care home everyday now.
I can thoroughly recommend an EV if you get a home charger.

 

[BimboBob]

That's the bit most people avoiding EV's miss. But you do need a home or work charger.
Some people are just anti something and don't really know why. EV's are NOT perfect for everybody though. Older EV's deserved some of the negative comments. It's not really the case these days.

An example is older people. They rarely do big miles per day. So diesels don't actually fit their use due to DPF's clogging up.
So they buy little petrol cars. These can then suffer the oil clogging up, and exhausts rusting, due to not getting to full temp. (the engine and cabin). Flat batteries due to lack of recharging miles can be an issue.
Older people are also the type to have a driveway. So an EV that actually loves short journeys without harm, get's the cabin warm instantly and is smooth and quiet should be first choice. The car will also defrost itself, while they sit warm inside the house. What's not to love?
The anti EV brigade are putting them off from getting a car that actually suits them.

I keep hearing "Soulless", or "Appliances on wheels", when referring to EV's. The truth is, most normal ICE cars fit in that category. Some hate the fact that a middle of the range EV can out drag most petrol sports cars!

You have to wonder why people spread misinformation. You need to ask what are they getting out of it?

I'd like a land where choice, be it EV or not is allowed. You bang on about EV's like your life depends on it. I'm happy that you love your choice of transport. Really I am. I am happy that you get enjoyment out of it and it works for you. And a few millions of others.

But...

I like to be able to tinker with my cars. I like an engine noise. I like buttons (EV's, and increasing more other cars) appear to be moving away from physical buttons and shoving everything on a touch screen. that's safe...leaning over fiddling with a touch screen...I love changing gears...must be a weirdo. But I love driving. Sitting in a cabin with no noise, no buttons and no gears is my idea of something I hate.

Each to their own I suppose.

And yes I've driven a few electric cars as my Wife is thinking of moving away from petrol seeing as she does around 60 miles a day. And we have a drive. They do the job. A to B. I want more than that though.

 

[East Level 2]

Mal.

Not pushing Kia honest, as I’m also looking at the Volvo EX30, and ultimately my preferred choice, a Hyundai Ionic 5. I can get the 1st version from £16,000 upwards now. A couple of years ago when they first came out the base model was over £30,000. TBH I want a 2nd versions with the rear windscreen wiper and numerous improvements on the 1st version. Going back to the Kia. If you re buying new, Kia are offering a 7 year warranty, a 5 year battery warranty, but you have to service the car at Kia. Kia also offer a -15% charging offer across UK charges. TBH there are loads of electric cars across all the car manufacturers, so choosing one won’t be easy, unless you want a specific make and model. I’ve found the numerous Youtube electric car review videos a great help. Go to car dealers. They will fall over themselves to offer you a test drive as the driver or as a front seat passenger. You can also sit in the cars in the showrooms to get a genuine feel for the cars.

Why wouldn't you want to drive it? Electric cars drive exactly as normal automatics drive unless you use full regen. Put it in drive and leave it there. Obviously there's no engine noise but that doesn't make it more difficult to drive. - And the instant oomph is worth experiencing unless you can't control your right ankle, in which case you shouldn't be driving anyway.

 

[jrb]

Why wouldn't you want to drive it? Electric cars drive exactly as normal automatics drive unless you use full regen. Put it in drive and leave it there. Obviously there's no engine noise but that doesn't make it more difficult to drive. - And the instant oomph is worth experiencing unless you can't control your right ankle, in which case you shouldn't be driving anyway.

I was quite happy to sit in the front passenger seat just to go around the block in the EV3.

I'd already told the sales person I wasn't ready to buy a car just yet.

He still offered me a test drive. Sitting in the car as a passenger and having a good look around the car once we got back to the showroom was good enough for me.

There's nothing wrong with my right ankle. :-)

 

[jrb]

Great car, I have the Ultimate spec MY25 (with the rear wiper) I can highly recommend it.

Thanks.

Lucky you.

With the rear wiper as well. :-)

I'm jealous.

Yeah, I really liked the Ionic 5.

Apart from the cabin which is huge, roomy, bright, with great visibility, very good cabin materials and finish, a great tech display, I really like the look of the Ionic 5 externally. The body and cabin colours could be better in my opinion. They are a little dull.

TBH I'm leaning towards the Ionic 5, but I haven't discounted the other 2 cars yet.

Have you driven the 1st version without the windscreen wiper? They are really affordable now, from £16K upwards. If so, are the upgrades across the car on the 2nd version with the windscreen wiper worth the extra money?

 

[HypnoticBlue]

Thanks.

Lucky you.

With the rear wiper as well. :-)

I'm jealous.

Yeah, I really liked the Ionic 5.

Apart from the cabin which is huge, roomy, bright, with great visibility, very good cabin materials and finish, a great tech display, I really like the look of the Ionic 5 externally. The body and cabin colours could be better in my opinion. They are a little dull.

TBH I'm leaning towards the Ionic 5, but I haven't discounted the other 2 cars yet.

Have you driven the 1st version without the windscreen wiper? They are really affordable now, from £16K upwards. If so, are the upgrades across the car on the 2nd version with the windscreen wiper worth the extra money?

I had a drive of the Mk1 model and it was as pretty much the same. The battery is bigger in the new one so you get about an extra 25 miles on the range.
One thing they’ve took off the newer model is the blind spot camera that shows the camera view on the dashboard which is a shame. The new N-Line model is a bit sportier looking but I wanted the Bose sound that comes with the Ultimate spec and couldn’t afford to get the N-Line S which also has Bose & Pan Roof.
The original cars are bargains secondhand I think at £15k, the Ultimate is @ £50k which I didn’t pay as it’s a Motability car. The Volvo is a nice car as well but you have to use the screen to change everything which I thought was too much of a distraction when driving.
I thought long and hard about the jump to electric, and I’m surprised how much I like it, and once you have a home charger it’s a doddle.
Charging when you’re out and about is expensive but it’s only really in emergencies for me.

 

[fulabeer]

I'd like a land where choice, be it EV or not is allowed. You bang on about EV's like your life depends on it. I'm happy that you love your choice of transport. Really I am. I am happy that you get enjoyment out of it and it works for you. And a few millions of others.

But...

I like to be able to tinker with my cars. I like an engine noise. I like buttons (EV's, and increasing more other cars) appear to be moving away from physical buttons and shoving everything on a touch screen. that's safe...leaning over fiddling with a touch screen...I love changing gears...must be a weirdo. But I love driving. Sitting in a cabin with no noise, no buttons and no gears is my idea of something I hate.

Each to their own I suppose.

And yes I've driven a few electric cars as my Wife is thinking of moving away from petrol seeing as she does around 60 miles a day. And we have a drive. They do the job. A to B. I want more than that though.

Did you miss the bit at the start of that post?
Ok, here you go "EV's are NOT perfect for everybody though."

Read my recent other posts. I give the good with the bad. (Example, my recent Southampton trip)
I'm not in anyway biased. I have both. (x2 diesel 1 EV)
Just one is better "in my opinion". If that triggers you, that is your problem.

You sound very set in your ways and want a hobby, not transport. Most people just want A to B as cheap as possible.
Apart from fuel savings, EV's require much less maintenance. So ultimately, they will win out.

Like steam engines enthusiasts, there will be plenty of clubs for you to continue your passion.
Maybe start a internal combustion thread and gain some new mates. Will save you wasting your time here etc.

 

[itsnevereasy]

Coming up for my company car change currently have an ID.4 which has been faultless. Really like the look of the new CLA and reported real world 420 mile range, the new BMW iX3 looks amazing and then there is the Tesla Y which my colleagues rave about.

I get the argument petrol Vs electric and I grew up wanting to be a rally driver and love motorsports but personally for day to day driving my ID.4 has by far been the best car I have had. I think there will always be a place for petrol and so there should be, nothing wrong with being able to make your own choice! I think the dislike of EVs is driven by the government trying to force it and not allow the natural development of EVs becoming a decent alternative to combustion.

 

[fulabeer]

Coming up for my company car change currently have an ID.4 which has been faultless. Really like the look of the new CLA and reported real world 420 mile range, the new BMW iX3 looks amazing and then there is the Tesla Y which my colleagues rave about.

I get the argument petrol Vs electric and I grew up wanting to be a rally driver and love motorsports but personally for day to day driving my ID.4 has by far been the best car I have had. I think there will always be a place for petrol and so there should be, nothing wrong with being able to make your own choice! I think the dislike of EVs is driven by the government trying to force it and not allow the natural development of EVs becoming a decent alternative to combustion.

Good post.

To drive new things sometimes you have to set a deadline. Sometimes you have to stop something, even if some don't like it. It's not as if they are banning ICE vehicles entirely. You can keep what you have.
Smog is a real thing. So manufacturers had to innovate to clean up emissions. Without stricter limits, manufacturers wouldn't have done it by themselves. So each year it gets stricter. I'm no "save the earth" type. But even i know pumping emissions into the air we breath cannot be good. Leaded fuel is a good example.

Therein lies the problem. The emissions solutions lately have killed the modern motor. Servicing regularly no longer protects a motor. Direct injection engines and EGR's effectively kill an engine, and ironically make it more polluting eventually than if they weren't on it. The solution is to dismantle the engine for a thorough clean. Just adding to the high costs of running a modern engine.

I was a complete car nut in my youth. It was a passion and a hobby. Most of my money went on cars.
The problem was how complicated cars have become. The problem is how expensive they are to maintain.
Even my mechanic is frustrated he cannot take on certain cars, because of the software or specialist tools required to fix them. Even simple jobs now cost silly money. Hence my love of ICE diminished with each huge repair bill.
We now have an alternative. They were never going to get better without some sort of push/deadline. Everything has its time. Diesels will die out first.

The internet is a cesspit of mis-information. Hence the need for this thread.
Gas Light companies used to advertise how dangerous electricity was. They were right(it is), but always omitted how dangerous gas was too. Some resisted, but now we all have electric lights . (maybe "some" on here don't!)

I think i'll start a "Electric lighting thread". I'm sure somebody will come along telling me how sterile electric lighting is, and how much they prefer the softer glow of gas lamps... :)

 

[Centurions]

Good post.

To drive new things sometimes you have to set a deadline. Sometimes you have to stop something, even if some don't like it. It's not as if they are banning ICE vehicles entirely. You can keep what you have.
Smog is a real thing. So manufacturers had to innovate to clean up emissions. Without stricter limits, manufacturers wouldn't have done it by themselves. So each year it gets stricter. I'm no "save the earth" type. But even i know pumping emissions into the air we breath cannot be good. Leaded fuel is a good example.

Therein lies the problem. The emissions solutions lately have killed the modern motor. Servicing regularly no longer protects a motor. Direct injection engines and EGR's effectively kill an engine, and ironically make it more polluting eventually than if they weren't on it. The solution is to dismantle the engine for a thorough clean. Just adding to the high costs of running a modern engine.

I was a complete car nut in my youth. It was a passion and a hobby. Most of my money went on cars.
The problem was how complicated cars have become. The problem is how expensive they are to maintain.
Even my mechanic is frustrated he cannot take on certain cars, because of the software or specialist tools required to fix them. Even simple jobs now cost silly money. Hence my love of ICE diminished with each huge repair bill.
We now have an alternative. They were never going to get better without some sort of push/deadline. Everything has its time. Diesels will die out first.

The internet is a cesspit of mis-information. Hence the need for this thread.
Gas Light companies used to advertise how dangerous electricity was. They were right(it is), but always omitted how dangerous gas was too. Some resisted, but now we all have electric lights . (maybe "some" on here don't!)

I think i'll start a "Electric lighting thread". I'm sure somebody will come along telling me how sterile electric lighting is, and how much they prefer the softer glow of gas lamps... :)

You've made me wonder if the dippers have a "Candle Lighting" thread now :)

FB is the same, the EV groups are always infested with petrol nuts telling people they'll never get one. Why? Is the name of the group or the title in this case not a clue?

 

[tweety]

I've nothing against electric cars but I do have a problem with the government banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the near future. I along with half the country don't have access to off road charging so what do we do? As usual with government no joined up thinking about the consequences.

 

[Centurions]

I've nothing against electric cars but I do have a problem with the government banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the near future. I along with half the country don't have access to off road charging so what do we do? As usual with government no joined up thinking about the consequences.

They're "only" banning the sale of new ICE cars, there'll be a very healthy 2nd hand market for them long after. Hopefully, the infrastructure will be much better after that.

It also depends on your usage BTW if that's a problem, I think we'd only need to top up about every 4 weeks for instance given an EV with half decent range.

 

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

Pretty amazing how well the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N can mimic gas-powered cars.

 

[tweety]

A healthy second hand market! how long will that last? How long will manufacturers and dealers support ice cars? We'll end up like Cuba! The government have given two fingers to half the population, basically walk or get the bus.

 

[Blue Since 76]

I've nothing against electric cars but I do have a problem with the government banning the sale of petrol and diesel cars in the near future. I along with half the country don't have access to off road charging so what do we do? As usual with government no joined up thinking about the consequences.

Do you have access to an off road petrol pump?

The ban won't be coming in for at least another 4 years, possibly longer as they keep changing their mind. Even then, it'll only be on brand new cars, so you'll still be able to buy or drive a 2nd hand one. As the number of EVs continues to increase, the number of chargers and options will increase as the market expands.

There are a number of companies coming up with different ideas for home charging without a drive and I'd expect those technologies to consolidate over the next few years to something that can be more widely rolled out. People will need to be able to charge, which means there's money to be made by solving problems.

 

[Bazzmand Show]

I like to be able to tinker with my cars. I like an engine noise. I like buttons (EV's, and increasing more other cars) appear to be moving away from physical buttons and shoving everything on a touch screen. that's safe...leaning over fiddling with a touch screen...I love changing gears...must be a weirdo. But I love driving. Sitting in a cabin with no noise, no buttons and no gears is my idea of something I hate.

Each to their own I suppose.

Each to their own indeed. The first time I drove an EV, I saw absolutely no reason to go for a petrol car - the experience is like night and day. I've never drive a petrol car which give you that bullet like acceleration in the first second and I hate engine noise.

 

[tweety]

Do you have access to an off road petrol pump?
Eh, what's that supposed to mean?
I live in Warrington, a town of 200k people, not some village in the middle of nowhere, the nearest public charger is 2 miles away from home, what do you suggest?