Are we being forced to go electric?

[nickyboy]

I fully understand your financial rationale but imo large ESUV buyers are still ****wits for sticking two fingers up to the rest of the world albeit possibly unwittingly.

I think we will have to agree to differ. 🙂

History has shown that people generally make choices based on what's good for them, not the greater good. SUVs are just a very small part of this

If we want people out of SUVs, calling them ****wits isn't the answer. Governments have to surcharge certain vehicle types.

To give you a practical example I've ordered a PHEV. It's a medium SUV. It costs about £200 more per month to run that (incl lease costs) than say, a Nissan Leaf. That is a premium I'm willing to pay. Now if the premium was much higher I wouldn't have order it

 

[figbat]

I have been seeing the Hyundai Ioniq 5 around and find it quite compelling, so I took a look at their online configurator. You'd think that OEMs would take the opportunity of a brave new world to have a bit of fun with their cars, but no - here is the UK colour palette selection:

It looks more like a greyscale printer test sheet than a car paint selector.

 

[icowden]

Yuk..still a saloon and looks like one. The colour is the only acceptable aesthetic
I’ve sat in the back of a Tesla cab in Amsterdam. Complete lack of legroom and headroom, and struggled to actually get out of it with my non bending knee.
never be one for me

I'm getting one of these (eventually), which I think look nice. Goodish boot space too.

 

[vickster]

I'm getting one of these (eventually), which I think look nice. Goodish boot space too.

View attachment 633529

Nope ugly lights I’m afraid (I’m pretty fussy) and looks like the rear visibility would be poor with a bike in the back.
If you like it, that’s the key
I really do have no need for a new car. Petrol would need to increase even more and electricity to be free for me to recoup any outlay before my death! I don’t have a company car allowance for example.
My current car has depreciated about £6K in 10 years and doesn’t cost much in insurance, tax, upkeep

 

[icowden]

If you like it, that’s the key
I really do have no need for a new car. Petrol would need to increase even more and electricity to be free for me to recoup any outlay before my death! I don’t have a company car allowance for example.

To be fair, Company car allowance is the sole reason I'm able to get one. Too expensive otherwise. But prices will go down*.

*unless Russia starts a nuclear war, in which case we won't be worrying about the price of cars

 

[vickster]

To be fair, Company car allowance is the sole reason I'm able to get one. Too expensive otherwise. But prices will go down*.

*unless Russia starts a nuclear war, in which case we won't be worrying about the price of cars

I could afford one, but I have no need or justification to change my car (especially as there's nothing I would want to own!). IF the perfect EV came along, I might consider, but I can't see that being the case for a while yet/if ever!

 

[MrGrumpy]

I barely charge our EV twice a week in day to day use. We actually have x2 32 commando sockets already installed so if needed to we can charge x2 EVs at once - The amp load will be around 70amps so well below the 100amp main fuse limit.

The only thing stopping us getting x2 EVs is ££££, and the fact our 2nd car only does 3000 miles a year so hardly worth changing till it breaks.

Still think it will be musical chairs moving cars around on the drive ! 2 chargers might not be an issue albeit I may need a new fuse board as well . New kitchen going in hopefully this year and with only 2 spare ways I’m gonna run out !

 

[icowden]

Still think it will be musical chairs moving cars around on the drive ! 2 chargers might not be an issue albeit I may need a new fuse board as well . New kitchen going in hopefully this year and with only 2 spare ways I’m gonna run out !

You can always go back to the strategic solution of getting your kids to move out... !

 

[Cerdic]

I see vickster’s problem. The Skoda Fabia is basically a small hatchback similar to Fiestas, Corsas, Polos etc. Very few manufacturers make an estate version of this size of car anymore as the market for them seems to have died. It’s unlikely that an electric option will be a thing anytime soon.

Cars are getting bigger and bigger. It’s partly better crash protection, partly more gizmos squeezed in, and partly marketing. Todays VW Polo is bigger and heavier than a Mark 1 Golf for example!

And did I read it right? Somebody paid a grand for new brakes!!! How the hell can you pay that much for brakes? Pads and discs for all four wheels about £150 for parts and a mechanic with a whizzy gun can get them all swapped in under an hour. A bag my arse…

 

[cougie uk]

How much are replacement batteries?

How much are replacement engines ?

 

[vickster]

I see vickster’s problem. The Skoda Fabia is basically a small hatchback similar to Fiestas, Corsas, Polos etc. Very few manufacturers make an estate version of this size of car anymore as the market for them seems to have died. It’s unlikely that an electric option will be a thing anytime soon.

Cars are getting bigger and bigger. It’s partly better crash protection, partly more gizmos squeezed in, and partly marketing. Todays VW Polo is bigger and heavier than a Mark 1 Golf for example!

And did I read it right? Somebody paid a grand for new brakes!!! How the hell can you pay that much for brakes? Pads and discs for all four wheels about £150 for parts and a mechanic with a whizzy gun can get them all swapped in under an hour. A bag my arse…

Indeed, I don’t think there’s even a Golf or Focus estate any more, let alone an electric one (in fact it looks like VW have even done away with the e-golf, I had a Mk 5 Golf hatchback that got nicked, a similar length to the Fabia)
The Kia xCeed looks ok as a car but the electric Kia Nero is huge! I don’t want a small hatch or city car as I like to get the bike in with seats down and wheels on, but I don’t want an SUV either!

 

[vickster]

How much are replacement engines ?

No idea, I’ve never had to replace one (a few k?), but I believe batteries have a finite lifespan and do need to be replaced? Whether that is age or mileage related, let me know, and also the cost? Not all IcE cars will ever need a new engine, but do all EVs eventually need a new battery?

 

[cougie uk]

No idea, I’ve never had to replace one (a few k?), but I believe batteries have a finite lifespan and do need to be replaced? Whether that is age or mileage related, let me know, and also the cost? Not all IcE cars will ever need a new engine, but do all EVs eventually need a new battery?

Nope. The batteries will likely last longer than the car. And even then they can be repurposed for storage.

 

[gzoom]

And did I read it right? Somebody paid a grand for new brakes!!! How the hell can you pay that much for brakes? Pads and discs for all four wheels about £150 for parts and a mechanic with a whizzy gun can get them all swapped in under an hour. A bag my arse…

I think you might want to realign your expectations how much modern brakes/suspension costs.

The 'real life' weight of something like a X5/Q7 is near 3 tons. Our Model X is closer to 3.5 tons. These cars can accelerate as fast as Ferraris from the 1990s, so stopping them is not an easy task.

Our X is essentially using the same Brembo brake setup as a Ferraris from the 1990s, and there is no way you are getting 4 discs and pads for £150......Whilst Ferrari (and BMW/Porsche etc) are now on to carbon-ceramic stuff, which makes £1k for pads + discs look cheap!!!

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?p=17510598

 

[MrGrumpy]

You can always go back to the strategic solution of getting your kids to move out... !

Believe me I’m trying !!!