Are we being forced to go electric?

[youngoldbloke]

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

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.

I was being quoted a lot less. I need a real life winter range of over 180 miles, for non-stop door to door trips. I could easily install a home charger, but my destination does not have one at the moment. Currently we make the 360 mile return trip in one day - 6+ hrs driving . Having to recharge on the journey would probably increase time so as to require us to staying overnight which would make the journey impractical.

 

[cougie uk]

I was being quoted a lot less. I need a real life winter range of over 180 miles, for non-stop door to door trips. I could easily install a home charger, but my destination does not have one at the moment. Currently we make the 360 mile return trip in one day - 6+ hrs driving . Having to recharge on the journey would probably increase time so as to require us to staying overnight which would make the journey impractical.

Are you not stopping during your 3hour plus drive ? Motorway services have fast chargers so by the time you've had a wee and got a coffee you'll be almost back to full.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

you've had a wee and got a coffee you'll be almost back to full.

yep - the never ending cycle of wee, coffee, wee.......

 

[icowden]

I was being quoted a lot less. I need a real life winter range of over 180 miles, for non-stop door to door trips. I could easily install a home charger, but my destination does not have one at the moment. Currently we make the 360 mile return trip in one day - 6+ hrs driving . Having to recharge on the journey would probably increase time so as to require us to staying overnight which would make the journey impractical.

SO this is what the EV Database has to say about the e-Berlingo..

Real Range Estimation between 85 - 190 mi​

City - Cold Weather *	130 mi
Highway - Cold Weather *	85 mi
Combined - Cold Weather *	105 mi

City - Mild Weather *	190 mi
Highway - Mild Weather *	105 mi
Combined - Mild Weather *	140 mi

So yes, you are right that you would need a 30 minute wee break en-route in each direction.

 

[BrumJim]

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 .

There is a whole load of difference between the oil change requirements on an engine, a gearbox (lots of gears) and a reducer (single/multiple pairs of gears permanently connected to the shafts). In the former ones, contaminants from combustion and wearing from components will degrade the oil. For a simple gear pair, the only wear components can be captured using a magnetic plug.

I'll check what we can run train reducers to without oil changes, but it could be around 0.5 - 1 million miles between oil changes with synthetics.

 

[Gunk]

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 ?

Many are company cars driven by young powerfully built execs living the dream in their help to buy new builds. For them cost of electricity may well be a problem, they’re the generation that spend what they earn.

 

[Milzy]

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 ?

Polestar will be a company car…. Obviously 🙄

 

[gbb]

There is a whole load of difference between the oil change requirements on an engine, a gearbox (lots of gears) and a reducer (single/multiple pairs of gears permanently connected to the shafts). In the former ones, contaminants from combustion and wearing from components will degrade the oil. For a simple gear pair, the only wear components can be captured using a magnetic plug.

I'll check what we can run train reducers to without oil changes, but it could be around 0.5 - 1 million miles between oil changes with synthetics.

Of course, that goes without saying but...theres going to be less to maintain but nevertheless, its not unreasonable to expect there to be dealer specific maintenance , longer term stuff. Reduction gear, brakes, fluids, general wear and tear etc. Its lots less than an Ice car, definately a positive in that respect.
That brings another question, servicing vs battery warranty, are you stuck with dealer servicing to maintain your battery warranty ?

I have no leanings particually for or against EVs BTW, , but have heard some people think they are effectively maintenance free...which of course is wholly wrong. Just a pedantic point of course.

 

[icowden]

but have heard some people think they are effectively maintenance free...which of course is wholly wrong.

So Tesla have got rid of their maintenance plan and any regular servicing because???

 

[CXRAndy]

Polestar will be a company car…. Obviously 🙄

If I had the option I would get a Tesla over a Polestar. Model Y would be my first choice

 

[CXRAndy]

180 miles is easily 3.5 hours non stop. I would never drive that far without a break. 20 to 30 minute rest around 120 miles would make the journey much safer for you and others road users

 

[gbb]

So Tesla have got rid of their maintenance plan and any regular servicing because???

So nothing wears out on a Tesla ?
Nissan i read regularly inspect brake and suspension, fluids, etc...add in any other consumables, wipers etc, seems quite prudent for safety reasons if nothing else. Not all EVs are Teslas, perhaps they use the very best parts that are virtually indestructible, Nissan at least think its prudent, perhaps most others do too

 

[Gunk]

So nothing wears out on a Tesla ?

The MOT tester will be the judge of that

 

[CXRAndy]

So nothing wears out on a Tesla ?
Nissan i read regularly inspect brake and suspension, fluids, etc...add in any other consumables, wipers etc, seems quite prudent for safety reasons if nothing else. Not all EVs are Teslas, perhaps they use the very best parts that are virtually indestructible, Nissan at least think its prudent, perhaps most others do too

Nissan kick the tyres, put some fluids in and charge you £250 for the honour.

Yes you keep your warranty, but really there is very little to do.

The brakes will be hardly worn from new. Maybe a brake fluid change around 3 years.

Other than faults under warranty everything else is consumables that any tyre place could easily do.

I had Kwik fit put a new set of hoops on our Nissan. Wouldn't dream of going to Nissan for tyres far too expensive as are Tesla. Kwik fit for both our cars for tyres

Wipers and fluids should be really done by the owners, they're simple tasks any ham fisted ape could complete

 

[BrumJim]

Of course, that goes without saying but...theres going to be less to maintain but nevertheless, its not unreasonable to expect there to be dealer specific maintenance , longer term stuff. Reduction gear, brakes, fluids, general wear and tear etc. Its lots less than an Ice car, definately a positive in that respect.
That brings another question, servicing vs battery warranty, are you stuck with dealer servicing to maintain your battery warranty ?

I have no leanings particually for or against EVs BTW, , but have heard some people think they are effectively maintenance free...which of course is wholly wrong. Just a pedantic point of course.

No.

There is much less servicing required, but the main dealers still seem to be able to charge the same. Suspension and steering bushes wear / degrade quicker. We should see improved non-OEM parts for these for most electric cars. They are a bit more tetchy about brake fluid, and the 22v battery needs changing before it goes pop.

Generally electric vehicles should be much more reliable, although that does depend on the electronics being up to scratch.