The results of the diagnostics is not something that I have any knowledge of - my job is the communication protocols that get the messages from A to B and back, not the content of the messages, if that makes sense.Interesting, to the extent you can say - how do the diagnostics compare to with the other more traditional brands at this stage ?
I would have thought that with the extra safety features built into Chinese cars that they would have become cheaper to insure.If the winds blow from the East the insurance prices increase, they don't need an excuse to rip off the average motorist.
The results of the diagnostics is not something that I have any knowledge of - my job is the communication protocols that get the messages from A to B and back, not the content of the messages, if that makes sense.
I get the impression that Chinese customers don't work to the same quality levels as Europeans, but that's only a personal feeling and not based on any hard data.
I would have thought that with the extra safety features built into Chinese cars that they would have become cheaper to insure.
As an example, the Jaecoo won't let you move it until your seatbelt is fastened.
Well, they're using our software, so that's state of the art :)Sorry should have made myself clearer, I didn't mean the results of the diagnostics, I meant the nature and sophistication of the software itself relative to existing stuff.
That seems like a problem waiting to happen. I can't drive to work because the sensor that detects whether I've got the seatbelt plugged in is broken.I would have thought that with the extra safety features built into Chinese cars that they would have become cheaper to insure.
As an example, the Jaecoo won't let you move it until your seatbelt is fastened.
I've a mate who is an RAC man and his biggest "warning" about electric cars is the life span of the batteries. Its still relatively early to tell, but they have a limited life cycle and currently the cost of replacing them is HUGE.
This will have a big impact on resale value in 5, 10, 15 years.....so handing the car back after a PCP type deal, or selling privately could be very difficult
How often does that sensor fail though?That seems like a problem waiting to happen. I can't drive to work because the sensor that detects whether I've got the seatbelt plugged in is broken.
I had one in my KiaHow often does that sensor fail though?
In the entire 38 years i've been driving, i've never had a driver seat belt sensor fault.
Saying that, it is still a very stupid feature of that car! (it actually allows you to drive, it just doesn't release the parking brake, so drags the wheels!)
Not driven a Vauxhall lately then!
Had a new one as a loaner while my car was being fixed. Couldn't believe how poor they are. Looked good but at least 10 years behind dynamically and ergonomically. So i parked it up and just drove my van!
But some of us love tinkering with old cars. Taking bits off, adding other bits. It's part of the fun. See also Motorbikes.Being an RAC man doesn't mean he's right. From what you say he said, it seems he actually has a very limited knowledge of EV's. Or at least a modern EV. His whole income depends on unreliable cars BTW.
Early EV batteries from the cheaper brands like the Nissan Leaf had aircooled/unmanaged battery cells. So they did indeed have some issues. In fact a cottage industry popped up to do repairs or secondhand swaps to keep the cars going. This even extended to battery upgrades that gave more miles than the original batteries.
Early stories about £40k Tesla batteries also did the rounds (was actually £18k). Nobody repaired them then, so you had to buy new from Tesla. As it is, many Tesla are still managing 400k+ miles on the original batteries.
Even if my current EV with a 65kw battery needed an entirely new pack, it would now cost around £6000 fitted by the main dealer. I would imagine even a simple low powered ICE engine would be similar. Since EV's tend to have at least 8 years battery warranty, it's not really a problem.
Most bad information was from a decade ago. Modern EV's are a different beast all together. The reality is that the newer battery packs are lasting longer, are very reliable and are much cheaper. The latest ones are expected to outlive the actual car.
You have to weigh up how much a modern internal combustion car costs to maintain, how unreliable they are, and how much they cost when something does go wrong. Even relatively minor things can now cost astronomical amounts to rectify.
I won't go over it again, but some of my previous posts cover the reality of running a car fitted with CATs/EGR's/DPF's. The emissions stuff just kills an engine. Regular servicing makes little difference. Then look up "Wet Belts" if you feel brave.
We are just in a period of transition. EV's are far from perfect. But neither is ICE.
There is a whole industry geared up and making money from ICE. So of course they don't want EV's.
And some people are just pigheaded. They don't like change, simple as that! :)
That is what a lot of people don't get, a car should have a soul or character, ev's are domestic appliances on wheels.But some of us love tinkering with old cars. Taking bits off, adding other bits. It's part of the fun. See also Motorbikes.
Seems to me that while EV's have a bigger range now and are really reliable they are just soulless boxes designed to go from A to B with as little fuss as possible. Fine if you are bored with life. Where's the noise? The excitement? The wondering if it will start? Where's the character? I want to tinker in my shed/ garage.
I drove a Tesla recently. Everything on one screen. Minimalist cabin. Comfy. Quick. No range issues. Easy and cheap to charge. Just felt soulless.
Not for me.