Are we being forced to go electric?

[Deleted User]

Our son passed his driving test at 18 and has never sat behind the wheel of a car in the ten years since.

That proves no more or less than the pro- car examples above.

You're absolutely right but in this instance my reply was to someone who reckons times are changing with regards to the 'younger generation ' and I pointed out that probably some do and some don't.

I dare say City dwellers throughout the ages have driven less because there was less need to do so and certainly not a pleasure whereas in more remote areas people would have relied more on personal transport.

Either way who really knows how much petrol/diesel will cost in 30yrs time and most on here will be too old to care I would imagine.

 

[All uphill]

Does he live in a big city, London, Manchester?

The big city of Taunton He had 5 years in Manchester and saw just how much of that great city is dedicated to motor vehicles.

 

[CXRAndy]

The big city of Taunton He had 5 years in Manchester and saw just how much of that great city is dedicated to motor vehicles.

Cities could be so nice if vehicles were banned. walking and cycling.

Manchester asked to delay the congestion zone charge.

 

[DRM]

This is at odds with your previous statement that EVs would need their drive train oil changed regularly.
So now you agree with me that it doesn't need changing at all as part of regular maintenance?

If you go back and read what I said, it was to be changed at intervals set by the manufacturer, nowhere are the words changed regularly in the post
in fact

Brake fluid will need changing every 2 years, just like an ICE car, it’s hygroscopic, which means it absorbs water from the atmosphere, then if left and you have to brake hard, or whilst travelling down hill can cause the absorbed water to boil, causing the brake pedal to go to the floor and then you aren’t stopping any more.
the drive train will also need to have the oil changed, at intervals specced by the manufacturer

 

[icowden]

If you go back and read what I said, it was to be changed at intervals set by the manufacturer, nowhere are the words changed regularly in the post
in fact

Yes, and my point is that no EV manufacturer that I am aware of has specified that "drive train" or "reduction gear" oil has to be changed at all, let alone on any sort of regular schedule - hence this is not present in the routine maintenance specifications of any EV. Your implication is that the customer has to have this oil changed at regular intervals.

Spoiler - not on EVs you don't.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Electric buses recharging in Gothenburg tonight

 

[vickster]

My bus route has leccy buses too
There‘s even a geeky YouTube vid shows lots of the roads I cycle and walk often!

View: https://youtu.be/_DQXvJ8pojQ

 

[gbb]

Yes, and my point is that no EV manufacturer that I am aware of has specified that "drive train" or "reduction gear" oil has to be changed at all, let alone on any sort of regular schedule - hence this is not present in the routine maintenance specifications of any EV. Your implication is that the customer has to have this oil changed at regular intervals.

Spoiler - not on EVs you don't.

It [perhaps depends on which maintenance instructions you're reading. There's an awful lot of maintenance required for any vehicle, most of which is not printed in the maintenance section of an owners handbook, that just covers basic requirements.
Look at proper tech docs (such as servicing docs used by garages / dealerships, they will state intervals and requirements waaaay beyond anything you see in aforesaid owners manual.
Personally,I don't see why EVs would be any different .

 

[gbb]

I think that might be changing. A lot of them support extinction rebellion, and want to have a planet to grow up on.

I've not seen any evidence of it with my kids, grandkids and young colleagues. Not a big example of course but with a caveat. Most kids i do know do worry about the future....but at the same time they're running a ton of electronic devices, still wanting and learning to drive and want all the accoutrements that come with modern life we live now.

 

[icowden]

It [perhaps depends on which maintenance instructions you're reading. There's an awful lot of maintenance required for any vehicle, most of which is not printed in the maintenance section of an owners handbook, that just covers basic requirements.

And yet Tesla say:

Your Tesla does not require annual maintenance or regular fluid changes. Check your Owner’s Manual for latest maintenance recommendations for your Tesla.

Essentially the OTA diagnostic capability means that a Tesla is only "serviced" when there is a problem. As stated before, the only items that require routine maintenance in terms of replacement are the air filter, A/C and tyres. They suggest that you clean and lubricate brake calipers if you live in an area where roads a regularly salted in the winter).

https://www.thedrive.com/news/27109...fter-realizing-its-cars-are-just-too-reliable

EVs just don't require as much maintenance as ICE cars because they are not powered by controlled explosions. Not only that but maintenance requirements have decreased over time. Tesla used to require that battery coolant was changed - now they don't as it will last for the lifetime of the battery.

​

 

[Milzy]

I was going to order a Polestar 2 but with electric prices going silly high, should I just buy a small petrol engine car?

 

[youngoldbloke]

I was going to buy a new Berlingo SL, but they no longer make petrol or diesel versions, and the electric versions have limited range and cost getting on for 50% more . We need a Berlingo size/shape vehicle to get an unfolded wheelchair in the boot with back seats left unfolded. I can't find an equivalent affordable EV with adequate sized boot and good range. I'll just have to keep the existing diesel Peugeot 5008 going as long as possible.

 

[midlife]

I was going to order a Polestar 2 but with electric prices going silly high, should I just buy a small petrol engine car?

A Polestar II is £40k to £50k whilst a second hand small car is £3-4K

If you can afford the Polestar I don't think the cost of electric will be a problem ?

 

[cougie uk]

I was going to order a Polestar 2 but with electric prices going silly high, should I just buy a small petrol engine car?

What's your tariff? I was paying 1/10 the price of petrol per mile but with the new increase it will be more like 1/7th the cost.

If you're looking at making financial sense you'll never break even if you order a brand new expensive EV though.

 

[icowden]

I was going to buy a new Berlingo SL, but they no longer make petrol or diesel versions, and the electric versions have limited range and cost getting on for 50% more .

The range isn't *that* limited - how far are you needing to go usually?

We need a Berlingo size/shape vehicle to get an unfolded wheelchair in the boot with back seats left unfolded. I can't find an equivalent affordable EV with adequate sized boot and good range.

Nope. At this point in time that would be impossible. EVs aren't routinely affordable by any stretch. If your existing vehicle has a few more years left in it, I'd stick with it. The prices will drop as uptake increases and efficiencies are found. At the moment the cheapest EVs are around £22,000. That said, a new Berlingo used to cost about £27,000 to £33,000 depending on model and before accessories and the EV appears to be priced the same. "Affordable" is thus doing a lot of heavy lifting here...

All of the box mpv EVs that I have looked up (VW e-Caddy, VW combo life EV, Peugeot e-Rifter and the eBerlingo have about the same range (circa 180 miles). Ford Torneo Connect EV is apparently coming out next year.