For me it's price. I could cope with range issues and inadequate infrastructure, I think that will get better in time, but for me there's insufficient data on how long batteries last, what happens when they need replacing and the likely cost of that. The thought of paying maybe £30k for a car which might become useless after say 10 years makes it a non-starter for me even taking into account the fuel savings over those 10 years. I paid £20k for a 3 years old petrol car in 2020, I do about 8k miles a year and I expect it will do me for at least another 10 years without incurring too much cost. EV's just can't stack up against that. I do drive ev's in my capacity as a volunteer van driver and I do like them but the sums just don't add up.
I must admit that I did worry about the cost of a new battery. However, on the car I bought there is an 8 year or 100k miles warranty on the battery so that gave me about 6 years from the time of purchase which I thought was ok as I tend to keep a car about 5 or 6 years. As you say though it is a consideration.
I guess the charging is a massive issue in urban areas. My last 2 properties were apartments in Hull City Centre so I would not have even considered an electric then. Now I have a drive its great. As part of the deal when I bought the car they paid for a charging point and I have changed my electric tariff so from midnight to 5am its about the quarter of the cost. Its unbelievably cheap to charge.
We're in the process of getting a Cupra Born VZ. It definitely ticks a lot boxes - - Suitable for the family - Great for going around town or around bends - Cheap to run - Available on my wife's Salary Sacrifice and is an All Inclusive package - VERY capable off the start line - Doesn't look as sporty as it is (so I don't feel too old to drive it) What's not to like?
It depends on how you look at it. I can't be arsed to drive to a petrol station and stand there in the bad weather to fill up.
Cost, range, convenience, safety and being told what to do by people I despise (all of them). I have a 19 plate petrol car which I will run, and repair, until it dies. As I'm 71 it will probably do me. Also not interested in all the driving aids either.
Do you use the waving hand signal out the window, instead of indicators? When my kids learned to drive, I found out that they don't teach it anymore...
The 2012-2016 ones you could charge off an extension lead and standard plug and most of the cars came with this type of charging cable, but since around 2017, it's been advised not to do so - the more modern batteries draw off more power and you can damage the car and your home's fusebox and wiring. Supposed to have a dedicated charger on a separate circuit with a higher amp fuse. Not that this helps if you've got on street parking.
I had a 2012 Tesla for 12 years and only ever fast charged it, because it was free charging, against supposed advise to maintain battery life. Did nearly 400,000 km in it. Battery lost 14% of it's range, so it wasn't that much really over the time and driving period. Modern el cars have a heat pump, which warms before charging in cold weather, which supposedly extends charging life. Servicing and mechanical work is cheaper due to simpler engines and most batteries guaranteed for 8-10 years now. For me, the only obvious extra expense is tyres, due to a heavier vehicle. Having said all this, I'm back to an old Peugeot diesel due to a change in life circumstances... Anyone know how to top up particle filter additive.. cos i don't want to pay a garage £500 to do it?
I use the full range of hand signals from within the car. One or two fingers plus the cupped hand sign.
Amount of times I get in the car to go to 5aside and my wife's left it empty, I haven't allowed time for a petrol station detour so I go on the way back, just about make it to Tesco and then realise their pay at pump machines don't take contactless so you need to have your physical card with you, which I haven't brought with me to nip to 5aside because I almost never need it these days, so I leave without filling up. An embarrassing amount of times I've learned and then forgot that information again. So I end up going to the one at Dunswell because it's open late and takes contactless, but pay more for the privilege. The car is pretty much only ever used for little trips around Hull. If it could be plugged in on the drive at home it'd be constantly charged, that would be immensely convenient for us. Alas, it's a diesel. As you say, it depends how you look at it and depends on your situation. There are pros and cons for different people. But with this electric car debate you only ever hear from people who need to drive 300 miles a day and don't live near a charging station and can't get one at their house cos they live in a flat and so on and on. You see electric cars everywhere these days so they clearly work for a lot of people but if you go by online opinions you'd think no one ever wanted one.
That's the car ive got and love it. There are a few little things that annoy me but that's more to do with the central unit display not the car itself. They've dropped down in price massively in the last 2 years as well
Cheers Marv, that's good to hear! That seems consistent with what I've read about it. Is the issue with adjusting the temp one of them? I think that has been resolved, at least! Edit - Yeah, the depreciation is mad, even if I got one with only 6000 miles on the clock the price has dropped by around 15k!
OVO Charge Anytime have just doubled their rates from 7p per kWh to 14p. It did seem too good to be true …
