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20 May 2019, 08:02 (Ref:3904809) | #1 | ||
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Looking for Advice - Buying an Electric Vehicle (EV)
Hi Guys,
I am new to the forum and have been looking across a load of sites for information on purchasing my first EV. I couldn't find a section on Tentenths so please direct me if there's a better area on the forum to post on! I'm basically really interested in buying an EV, not too sure where to start and which models are good. I know that a lot of people are recommending brands that aren't very common in the UK so was wondering if people had any of these / could recommend a brand. I wouldn't mind looking at Tesla if needs be but seems that there are better brands out there. Thanks, Laurence |
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20 May 2019, 18:15 (Ref:3904934) | #2 | |||
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Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! |
20 May 2019, 19:07 (Ref:3904953) | #3 | |
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How far would you ever want to drive?
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21 May 2019, 07:22 (Ref:3905022) | #4 | |||
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Laurence,
A query relating to your post, which might help to understand your current research and knowledge. You say Quote:
What leads you to conclude that there are better brands than Tesla? |
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21 May 2019, 11:39 (Ref:3905054) | #5 | ||
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I have actually driven a Nissan Leaf when they first came out, I enjoyed the drive but I can't see myself buying one in the near future until they are sorted to do more miles between charging and of course charging points that don't take hours.
The one that I tried belonged to a guy that I know who "thought" that it was the dogs "do dars" but he sold it a few months later at a hell of a loss because of the problems that I state above. Saying that, one would probably suit my other half that will only drive locally in a 10 mile radius of our house in the UK. One other thing, I almost got run over by one in a local car park the other week because of the lack of any noise, and I can see it being a problem in the future unless some sort of audible noise is introduced especially in places where there are people walking about. Obviously they will replace the ICE vehicles in the future but not for a fair time, and as for busses and freight transport even further ! although I did see an electric JCB type digger performing the other day but I can't see them catching on either until the tap is turned off for good |
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Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! |
21 May 2019, 13:04 (Ref:3905058) | #6 | |
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[QUOTE=GORDON STREETER;3905054I almost got run over by one in a local car park the other week because of the lack of any noise[/QUOTE]
No, you nearly got run over because you weren't paying attention. There are deaf people all over the world who manage to avoid being run over every day, despite not being able to hear cars coming. I agree that they are spooky and it's easy to be caught out, but people should be bright enough to look where they're going and not need some audible signal that a car is approaching. I think the problem at the minute is with range. Even if I only drive more than 100 miles in one trip every few months, it's often enough that would make electric too much of a hassle. Plus I don't want one. I'm keen to see them improve, I don't imagine I'll still have ICE in 15 years or so. In terms of a buyer's guide, there are plenty of sensible articles already on the internet. Most will highlight the positives and negatives of each option https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/electr...-cars-and-evs/ |
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21 May 2019, 13:07 (Ref:3905059) | #7 | |
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Basically the only reason to get an EV is because of tax breaks, and that depends on the country you live in.
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21 May 2019, 14:24 (Ref:3905067) | #8 | ||
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Say what you like sunshine, I just hope you don't get hit by an inconsiderate driver that wasn't even looking where she was going and was looking and talking to the woman next to her !
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Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! |
21 May 2019, 14:31 (Ref:3905071) | #9 | ||
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Yes there is that, however electric cars aren't exactly cheap to buy at the moment and of course the government can change things at the drop of a hat and start sticking road tax on when they feel like it !
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Balls of steel (knob of butter) They're Asking For Larkins. ( Proper beer) not you're Eurofizz crap. Hace más calor en España. Me han conocido a hablar un montón cojones! Send any cheques and cash to PO box 1 Lagos Nigeria Africa ! |
21 May 2019, 14:34 (Ref:3905073) | #10 | ||
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I've a little experience with hybrids as we service a few where I work, and slight experience with a put EV as my sister has a Renault Zoe (I refer to this as her milk float!).
2½ years ago I was asked if I would ever have an EV or a hybrid, and dismissed the whole idea out of hand, 'I will always want an engine' was my reasoning. However, I also enjoy a driving challenge, 40 years ago the challenge was to drive everywhere as fast as I could. Nowadays (although I still don't consider myself a slow driver) my challenges are mainly to drive as safely and as efficiently as possible. Road testing the hybrids has opened my eyes to the possible advantages of this type of system, and not being purely electric, they don't carry the risk of stranding you because you've run out of volts, a problem that would still put me off the idea of a pure EV. I enjoy the challenge of driving the hybrids, on my road tests I try to drive half on totally electric power. I'm now mellowing to the idea, and would like to see what it's like to live with one for a week (so much so that yesterday I even checked if my local car hire company rent them out so I could try that - they don't!), just so I could see. |
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21 May 2019, 15:15 (Ref:3905077) | #11 | ||
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I've seen some hype from Geneva & more recently Shanghai Motor Shows that were showing these newer brands that I haven't really seen (from the UK) I think I was quite vague in saying better brands I meant better for price. From my limited understanding of EVs so far, it seems as if companies are starting to try and make affordable options?
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21 May 2019, 16:01 (Ref:3905086) | #12 | ||
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Quote:
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21 May 2019, 16:02 (Ref:3905087) | #13 | ||
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Pay attention. It not being your fault doesn't matter when you're in hospital. |
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21 May 2019, 19:43 (Ref:3905132) | #14 | ||
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Apologies for just noticing this thread, but have been away playing with noisy 101 octane leaded petrol cars....
BEVs. I’ve been driving a BMW i3 for two years, without any issues. It has a smallish range due to being a small car with smallish battery. That isn’t a problem for most of the time, but does mean a bit of planning for long trips. The owner of 2 cars I am privileged to race with him is on his 3rd Model S. He had one of the first to arrive in the UK and has upgraded now to a P100D. In the 3 cars he has covered around 90k miles, all around Europe. Simple fact- A Tesla is the only EV that you can drive around the UK or across Europe without charger issues. Their Supercharger and Destination network is way and above superior to any other. The new Jag, Merc, Audi etc models boast a very rapid charging rate, BUT at the moment there are hardly any chargers able to supply that rate. Most max at 50kwh. The new Kia and Hyundai BEVs are the best so far for good range at a more affordable price. They both have a waiting list..... In the next couple of years there will be several alternatives worth consideration from Euro and Far East manufacturers, but I will be saving for a Tesla Model Y. That charging infrastructure of theirs is the clincher..... |
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21 May 2019, 22:28 (Ref:3905154) | #15 | |||
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21 May 2019, 23:12 (Ref:3905157) | #16 | |||
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Some get them for tax breaks, others because it suits their life, some because they prefer them. Of course the range can be an issue. If you don't need the range then they are more convenient if you have a drive/garage, You never waste time filling up (and it is cheaper). I like them. Doesn't mean I like E-Types any less. After all I'm a petrolhead. |
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21 May 2019, 23:51 (Ref:3905158) | #17 | |
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22 May 2019, 01:14 (Ref:3905162) | #18 | ||
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I hope your not acting like an old dude.
I put it in context of a modern daily car, which are heavy anyway. The low c.o.g. can allow for some decent helmsmanship especially with 400hp on tap. A tank? Nah? I wouldn’t put them in that category. It’s no MX5 or Elise, but then I’m comparing to everydayers. And when just travelling as opposed to driving the ability of the motor is even nicer than a V8 or diesel. Even the quietness adds to that kind of journey. It wouldn’t be my only car, but I’ve enjoyed having one and will probably again soon. Although I’m looking for something light at the moment. Not for daily use though |
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22 May 2019, 07:21 (Ref:3905183) | #19 | |
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They're cheaper to "fill up", even when you have expensive electricity. Seems like a good reason to me.
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22 May 2019, 11:23 (Ref:3905205) | #20 | |||
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If you’re charging at a slow or fast (3.5 to 22kwh) charger that requires you to use your own cable, there is a common standard on the charger. If you want to use a rapid (50kwh) post that has a dedicated cable, then there are two types. One (chademo) charges Leafs, the other (CCS) most other makes. The latter is now becoming the accepted standard. Tesla have a unique plug/socket combo for their cars and charge points. It is very rapid, old Superchargers were 120kwh but the latest V3 is 250kwh, which is way higher than anything else currently in use. The new Model 3 has a second socket (CCS) so it can be charged at other locations easier, but other models can only be charged elsewhere by using an adaptor. One of the Charger infrastructure problems that is holding things back is that Ecotricity, the pioneer in motorway installations, managed to get an exclusivity agreement with service area operators. So if, for example, BP Chargemaster want to put a charging station on a motorway, it will be off site, like the new one at Milton Keynes. Tesla took EcoT to court over the arrangement but lost. They did however, get some Superchargers in service areas by paying a lot of money.... This would be no problem if EcoT were putting more investment in, but after the initial money (Nissan and grants) ran out they have spent nothing. Their chargers are becoming unreliable and the tech is falling behind. It needs someone to buy them out! |
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22 May 2019, 23:25 (Ref:3905301) | #21 | ||
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I think the home charge stuff is getting more reasonable, but does depend on your current house.
When in the UK the e-Golf could be easily charged over night on standard 240V. So you could drive the range and if staying over night charge and come back. That was an enabler to some journeys. In the US the 110V was next to useless, albeit with a bigger car. I got about 20 miles additional range overnight (battery just over half full at start - this makes a difference). And a cup of tea takes so much longer to make! |
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22 May 2019, 23:27 (Ref:3905302) | #22 | |||
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What else do you need from a car. Size? Family? What current car do you have/cars you like? |
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Brum brum |
23 May 2019, 04:41 (Ref:3905317) | #23 | ||
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I think building regs now require new builds to have sufficient h/d wiring to allow a 7kwh charger to be installed. I installed a unit in my garage and it will recharge my i3 from low to full overnight without problem. My provider was chosen because they sell 100% 'renewable' energy. And if at my workshop during the day and needing a charge, I can 'fill up' with power produced by the rooftop panels on every unit in the estate and the solar farm immediately behind. Not unusual to get a full charge without using any national grid electricity...
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Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. (Einstein) |
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