That's part of what I meant. Some charge points only let you stay for an hour, which is no good if you're planning a longer stay or at a meeting, and even then, there are currently lots of different operators who charge[sic] different ways, so cost per kw/per mile isn't always clear. I've nothing against them per se, and it there are a lot of pluses if more people use them, but there's also a lot of misinformation about, largely from marketers, and you do need to consider how you plan to use a car before you decide if electric is for you. They work fine as a second car, or medium range commuter, as long as you have confidence in a charge point being available.
The downtime you mention render it pretty useless as a fleet car. Pay your rep to load his travel expenses with countless coffees and lunch in a motorway service area? If the battery range could be increased, then maybe. Unit sales would bring the price down, but for now all electric seems to be a novelty.
It also assumes there are working charge points available. As more cars come on line, the existing ones will have a longer wait, and the power from the grid is not always available at the places the charging stations are needed. It gets a tad political at this point.
Aren't they usually free for standard charging and £6.50 for the thirty minute rapid charge? Though they're obviously not going to stay free when lots of people have got them.
The Tesla is the only full size car that was designed purely to be an electric car, unlike other makers who just take a standard car and electrify it. The disappointing thing for me, was that they made their cars look like everyone elses, I was hoping for something that looked like it came straight out of the original Blade Runner.
Like DMD I am not anti electric cars. But paying thirty odd thousand for what is in effect a second car is not in my price range.
They're the most well known, but not the only one, plus some of their changes from the normal design, aren't necessarily improvements.
Also it did give the automotive manufacturers a big wake up call. I don't think there had been much effort other than concept cars. Nothing like full production.
The concept cars had been trialed for decades. The issue was the saleability and what changed to encourage tesla. That's another part that moves into politics. The name's an interesting choice, given they don't use Mr Tesla's technology.
Please don't just accept the things I say, because I'm far from an expert, and there are plenty that will have a different view. I just find it interesting, even down to why they seem to be pushing electric over other choices (albeit trying to ignore national infrastructure issues), and why they're still investing in private over public transport.
And, if they ever become widespread, things will alter as governments seek ways of replacing the billions of easy money they get from fuel duties.
Straying to where we can't go, but that's part of what I meant in my previous reply on public v private transport. With no income from VED or fuel duty, the road repairs will fall even further behind. It's part of what I was referring to in the whole cost.
Thanks to everyone who has taken part in the survey, and also to this discussion. I'm not convinced by electric cars, but now that the main manufacturers are moving into the market (I think Audi just announced their first fully electric model is to be released soon), it could be that for all of Tesla's marketing they will just be swallowed up by the establishment ... especially when Merc/BMW announce they are phasing out Diesel (which can't be too long given the bad press). It's all about critical mass and economies of scale, same as wind farms ... as soon as there is enough perceived demand, charging points (not free, nothing in life is free) will be springing up everywhere, and battery range will just get better. When the petrol engine first came out I can't imagine cars could go 500-600 miles on one tank. If nobody objects I might copy this thread to the young 'un, he may fiind some of the comments useful.
Trouble with public transport is doesn't run at times people want, at least in this country. And who would want to be travelling on it in the early hours nowadays? A big mistake was getting rid of trams, and in Hull's case, trolley buses.
Again, it's what I was referring to with the investment required to support electric vehicles, rather than improving public transport.
There are ecological problems with the manufacture, and in time the disposal of, the batteries, surely? Will hydrogen powered cars be the future?
