Are we being forced to go electric?

[classic33]

Tesla Model S crashes and the battery goes up in flames, firefighters put to the test

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[Alex321]

Apparently, 'estate cars'; the name is in the implication ( ) are a British peculiarity, very rare in any other country.

They are usually called station wagons in other (English speaking) countries. They aren't that rare, although becoming more so.

 

[youngoldbloke]

It is if you go by the definition of an estate car which is a vehicle that can prioritise passenger capacity or luggage space. The Y has a lot of space.

Your Ford Focus Wagon has 575 litres of space expanding to 1620 litres of space
Tesla Y has 854 litres of space expanding to 2158litres if you include the frunk (about 1900 if you exclude the frunk).

I no longer have a Ford Focus estate - mine was an early model. I would have traded it in for a later model but the later ones have a lot less usable space, as the volume was compromised by styling 'improvements' of sloping back door and sloping roof, which made it unusable given my requirements. Litres are all very well but can you give me dimensions - Height, Width, Length. Door opening height? An e Berlingo XL would probably suit me fine, but the EV range is hopeless and the price too high, so it's going to have to be second hand petrol or diesel and hope that sees me out.

 

[Alex321]

One EV advertised claimed that the battery life was about seven years on a 'depreciating level' implying a gradually shorter & shorter range.
On the basis that any decent ICE engine will last around 100k. miles / 10 years plus driving, that's not very reassuring when the battery pack may have to be replaced at whatever price in about 70k. miles of driving.
Would you be happy to need an ICE replaced after that short time - ?

Most ICE car manufacturers only guarantee the engine & gearbox for 1-3 years.

 

[vickster]

Apparently, 'estate cars'; the name is in the implication ( ) are a British peculiarity, very rare in any other country.

They’re called station wagons in the US. Volvo made loads, I’m sure other nations bought those, not least the Scandis!

 

[icowden]

Tesla Model S crashes and the battery goes up in flames, firefighters put to the test

Every year in the UK, over 100,000 cars which equates to nearly 300 a day go up in flames and around 100 people die as a result. Around 65% of these fires are started deliberately to cover criminal activity, to make a fraudulent insurance claim or as an act of vandalism

So 100 ICE fires per day. Where is the headline for those?

 

[presta]

The Tesla is particularly good at being asked.

But not good at being asked not to break down.

49% faulty & 23% break down in this month's Which magazine.

 

[CXRAndy]

Id like to read that article please post a link

 

[classic33]

So 100 ICE fires per day. Where is the headline for those?

It's more the fact that the batteries caught fire which was the issue.

 

[cougie uk]

Tesla Model S crashes and the battery goes up in flames, firefighters put to the test

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https://news.sky.com/story/fire-has...-large-liverpool-car-park-police-say-11191272

 

[cougie uk]

One EV advertised claimed that the battery life was about seven years on a 'depreciating level' implying a gradually shorter & shorter range.
On the basis that any decent ICE engine will last around 100k. miles / 10 years plus driving, that's not very reassuring when the battery pack may have to be replaced at whatever price in about 70k. miles of driving.
Would you be happy to need an ICE replaced after that short time - ?

Which EV was that then ?
Sounds made up to me.

7 years is still better than the three years my diesel Vectra made it before that had a major failure.

 

[cougie uk]

https://news.sky.com/story/fire-has...-large-liverpool-car-park-police-say-11191272

Sorry I should add that it caused so much damage that they had to tear down and entire multi storey carpark!

 

[fossyant]

Any car can go up, and it doesn't take much for an ICE car to go up - split hydraulic plastic pipe and a hot engine - poof. Happened to my son a few weeks ago - fortunately he had a fire extinguisher. A pipe split causing a small fire. Melted his clutch line.

Well a few folk had fun with the leccy cars. Those that drove them thought they were great, loved the regen braking - i.e. were able to drive without using a brake, and they all found them real easy to drive. Lots of positives, but the rental costs are way outside what most can afford.

One of my colleagues booked a few, but we suspect he was testing performance, as he didn't do the suggester route and found somewhere he could 'boot' the Genesys we had. Recconed 0-60 in 3 seconds. Used up 20 miles of range in a 10 minute test drive - ahem...

 

[fossyant]

Musk just dropped it to 44K and it's a family car capable of transporting people and luggage. That's what an Estate Car was designed for. It' just properly aerodynamic unlike an Estate. That's why very few models have an Estate version now.

You asked for an estate version of the Tesla small hatch EV that could take two bikes in the back. I showed you one. It's bigger. It costs more.

It's a fat b'stard coupe !

 

[geocycle]

Has anyone put a bike rack on an EV? I imagine the aero loss would impact the range but I wonder if it’s measurable.