Which electric car to buy?

[Wildcamper]

The EU, UK and the USA are losing interest in battery EVs. Governments will eventually see the move to EVs as being another poorly considered decision. One thought the "millennium bug" debacle was bad enough but will pail into insignificance compared to the growing EV debacle.

EU news: Electric car disaster as ports fill up with 100,000s of Chinese EVs no one wants | World | News | Express.co.uk

Chinese EV companies have aggressively targeted European markets as they look to take advantage of the EU's green agenda.

www.express.co.uk

Maybe the realisation of the economic dangers of buying from China is also starting to kick in.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

But not all houses have driveways

I delivered a Hyundai Tuscon PHEV to a customer in SW 14 yesterday. He lives in a one way street without allocated parking, some lampposts had a charge capability, but no marked bay. Unfortunately the charge point on the car was on the offside, too far away from the lamppost for the cable to reach, and as it’s a one way street no chance of parking the opposite way round. He wasn’t a happy bunny. Not that it matters as most PHEVs aren’t plugged in anyway, just bought for the tax break.

 

[Boomer]

My opinion, and it is just my opinion, is that EVs will continue to grow market share. It is still relatively new tech, but look at the progress made over the last 10 years from cars that struggled to do 100 miles on a charge to those that can comfortably do 200 - 300+. The next ten years could see similar advances (but what if I want to do 1000 miles without stopping etc etc....)

Anyway.

I think one of the issues currently is that legacy car makers jumped in to the market and turned out poor products based on ICE platforms rather than bespoke vehicles that took advantage of the removal of the engine. They also charged too much for these poor products. That's catching them out now with the likes of BYD and other Chinese manufacturers offering good products at more reasonable prices - sounds very similar to what happened with Japan starting to offer better cheaper products in the 60s and 70s.

But this should just spur western manufacturers to try harder and not take customers for granted. So it could be seen as a threat, or the kick some needed to make cheaper, better, more efficient products. That's how the market works.

Out of interest, I recognise that the EV market currently is driven by company car buyers given the tax breaks. But this seems to be having a knock on effect in the second hand markets with the percentage share of EV second hand sales growing rapidly (albeit from a low point) https://www.smmt.co.uk/2024/05/used-car-market-hits-five-year-high-as-evs-reach-record-share/

I believe this shows that quite a few people (not all) will buy EVs at the right price.

 

[Boomer]

And one other thing, then I will shut up! From an infrastructure perspective, this is a snapshot of current Tesla charger availability. Loads basically, and a significant proportion are 250kwh chargers. But add to that gridserve, ionity, BP pulse etc etc.

 

[Corradobrit]

With apparent increased flood risk, something to consider

Tesla catches fire in flooded garage during Helene

The family in the home made it out safely before their house was completely destroyed from the fire.

www.bbc.com

 

[Velma's Dad]

With apparent increased flood risk, something to consider

Tesla catches fire in flooded garage during Helene

The family in the home made it out safely before their house was completely destroyed from the fire.

www.bbc.com

Was it being charged at the time? I won't allow anything with a large-ish battery (including power tools etc) to be plugged in on charge in anywhere I'm living/sleeping. I certainly wouldn't plug in an EV in a garage attached to my house, if I had one. Maybe I'm over-cautious.

 

[Corradobrit]

Was it being charged at the time? I won't allow anything with a large-ish battery (including power tools etc) to be plugged in on charge in anywhere I'm living/sleeping. I certainly wouldn't plug in an EV in a garage attached to my house, if I had one. Maybe I'm over-cautious.

More details in the CNN report. House was completely gutted. Owner said it wan't plugged in although I can see the charger in the corner. The connector looks holstered. Owner said the Tesla caught fire as the water receded.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/us/video/tesla-fire-florida-hurricane-helene-digvid

 

[2haw]

I really think manufacturers are missing a trick not doing an Electric 2 seater convertible about the same size as original Audi TT roadster or Z3.

I know that MG are now doing one but looks far too big to me!

Would love a little Electric weekend roadster!

 

[Corradobrit]

I really think manufacturers are missing a trick not doing an Electric 2 seater convertible about the same size as original Audi TT roadster or Z3.

I know that MG are now doing one but looks far too big to me!

Would love a little Electric weekend roadster!

Wasn't that the orginal Tesla concept?

1,200 × 675

 

[andyinluton]

This was one of our vans yesterday, hit in the side by a BMW electric thing, it's a wide residential road, 30mph limit.

Van was hit hard enough to lift it onto 2 wheels it was sitting on the front wing & tyre of the car.

Fire brigade were sent out as the car whilst still working was just wheelspinning & couldn't extract itself. We were expecting them to jack the van up & then the car extracted & road re-opened.

Thats not how it works when an electric car is involved. They cut all the cables on both vehicles to isolate all electrics, immobilising both & that was it. We were then left waiting for about 3 hours for a recovery wagon to just drag the car out.

 

[2haw]

Wasn't that the orginal Tesla concept?

1,200 × 675

It was but I still think the original Tesla was a larger car.

I’d like a back to basics small roadster with no electrical switchgear / dials.

Like this:

 

[andyinluton]

It was but I still think the original Tesla was a larger car.

I’d like a back to basics small roadster with no electrical switchgear / dials.

Like this:

View attachment 129535

The original Tesla Roadster was a Mk 2 Lotus Elise / Vauxhall vx220 body shell , which is about 400mm shorter than an Audi TT

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Well I just last week took delivery on my new 74 plate Model Y and am busy moving to Octopus energy's EV tariff for the 7.5p per kWh 11pm-5am tariff.

This means under 2p per mile - a tiny fraction of even the most frugal ICE car. It also has 348bhp and is amazingly FUN to drive, plus tons of room for 5 adults and 5 heated seats and steering wheel that I switch on from the app before leaving the house.

I can't tell you how much fun it is to be punched in the back every time I floor it, not to mention the fart-on-demand and other goodies in the Musk-inspired toolbox.

I have been to the local Supercharger (Merry Hill in West Mids) where it charges at upto 1000 miles per hour! (250kWh) and this is at a cost of just 39p per kWh. It also has the newer LFP batteries, so much safer statistically than any ICE car too. I could go on, but suffice to say as a petrolhead that came out of a GL Merc AMG, I'll never go back to ICE cars again.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

And one other thing, then I will shut up! From an infrastructure perspective, this is a snapshot of current Tesla charger availability. Loads basically, and a significant proportion are 250kwh chargers. But add to that gridserve, ionity, BP pulse etc etc.

View attachment 123511

...For those unsure, the number pertain to the amount of chargers free at each location at that point. They are also automatically chosen by the car's Google Maps sat nav when planning a trip that will require supercharging en-route.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

On the subject of EV's I've got a question that some of the more technically minded members maybe able to answer for me. I'm of the maybe cynical view that PHEV's are a waste of time other than the tax breaks and you only get anywhere close to the claimed MPG if you manually charge it up all the time.
For example the new RR Sport PHEV has a 32kwh battery which has an electric only real world range of 50 miles. So by my reckoning at say 32p/KWH charging at home on a standard tariff from empty those 50 miles would cost £10.24 in electricity. Have I done my calculations right? as if this is the case you're better not charging it and running it on petrol instead which to me defeats the point?

See my previous comment re off peak programmable tariffs from just 7.5p per kWh = around 2p per mile!

 

[2haw]

The original Tesla Roadster was a Mk 2 Lotus Elise / Vauxhall vx220 body shell , which is about 400mm shorter than an Audi TT

Oh wow, I’ve only ever seen one on the road (many years ago) and thought it was bigger than that.

 

[MarkRatcliffe]

I think I have decided that the perfect complement to our Cali ocean is to have an electric car for the everyday journeys we make. I wondered if I might pick you collective brains on the following questions that I am pondering.

1. Should I go for the VW ID3, Hyundai Kona or Kia E Niro? Any thoughts or experiences of these cars?

2. What's the best way of going about buying a new car? is it best to go with the cheapest Carwow/drive the deal quotes or are there advantages of going direct through dealers? How do you go about getting a good price?

3. Any other tips you have?

Thank you in anticipation.

The only reason to purchase a new EV is a lifestyle choice, especially as a second car. What ever saving you make on "fueling" or VED is more than completely taken away by depreciation. So go with the one you like the looks of and drives the best to your style.
Even a car like the Toyota Prius second hand makes much more sense if its about practicability.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

As long as your not in London, get a smart 451 diesel for about £3k, zero tax, 85 mpg, 30 litres tank takes seconds to fill up and does 500 miles on it

 

[Czmitche]

I really think manufacturers are missing a trick not doing an Electric 2 seater convertible about the same size as original Audi TT roadster or Z3.

I know that MG are now doing one but looks far too big to me!

Would love a little Electric weekend roadster!

A UK company is making an electric beach buggy

I really think manufacturers are missing a trick not doing an Electric 2 seater convertible about the same size as original Audi TT roadster or Z3.

I know that MG are now doing one but looks far too big to me!

Would love a little Electric weekend roadster!

try this https://www.sebring-works.com/

 

[Czmitche]

And how much was it to buy? That's the main negative for most people running 2 grand cars to get to work cleaning hotels and working in restaurants.

2nd hand ev prices now in the 5k range and for that you get a car that doesn’t have a dodgy engine leaking oil and fumes everywhere or a knackered clutch. Due to reduced number of moving parts 2nd hand EVs are a much less risky to buy - and battery degradation has been shown to be a much lower than hyped risk too.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I’m enjoying eating my popcorn watching this debate rage (nearly as quickly as that Tesla fire raged).

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

2nd hand ev prices now in the 5k range and for that you get a car that doesn’t have a dodgy engine leaking oil and fumes everywhere or a knackered clutch. Due to reduced number of moving parts 2nd hand EVs are a much less risky to buy - and battery degradation has been shown to be a much lower than hyped risk too.

Just remember to pack your fire blanket, your powder extinguisher and your wetsuit for when your ev breaks down, spontaneously combusts or is involved in an rta

 

[Wannabecamperman]

The only reason to purchase a new EV is a lifestyle choice, especially as a second car. What ever saving you make on "fueling" or VED is more than completely taken away by depreciation. So go with the one you like the looks of and drives the best to your style.
Even a car like the Toyota Prius second hand makes much more sense if its about practicability.

Or do as I did and take the amazing 3 year contract hire deal with 30k miles for just £299 per month for a brand new Model Y.

I collected it from Tesla Longbridge last week - just 3 weeks after ordering it and will be paying around 2p per mile once Octopus install my home charger. Around 9p per mile (still cheaper than almost all ICE cars) while supercharging until then.

Oh, and it's the most FUN I've ever had in a car, and I have had a few with 6 and 8 cylinders...

 

[Borris]

I'd much rather gouge both my eyes out with a blunt spoon than charge an EV anywhere near my home. Yes the chances of it catching fire are relatively small but it does happen and when it has the results have usually been catastrophic.

Furthermore, since I would have to charge it elsewhere at hyper inflated prices, owning one just isn't remotely likely. Add to that the stone like depreciation and the whole EV thing for me, is very much a Canard Mort.

Yes, I could lease one but I've always sought a deeper and more meaningful relationship with my vehicles. Hiring a duracel on wheels just wouldn't cut it. They might fart to order and accelerate like the clappers but they are also soulless and very boring.

No, I'll be sticking with my current Euro 6 diesel fleet until they too get banned. All things considered, they are a much cheaper proposition and almost certainly cleaner for the environment as well.

Just my take.

 

[Kayleigh]

It was but I still think the original Tesla was a larger car.

I’d like a back to basics small roadster with no electrical switchgear / dials.

Like this:

View attachment 129535

I have a friend with a 3.2 V6 TT. They have done 300k miles over the last 15 years and the engine sounds like brand new! Amazing car!