Electric car ownership

[Denis99]

Not meant as an evangelical post, more to spark a bit of conversation about the practical of owning and running an EV car , in place of petrol or diesel.

We have had a Nissan Leaf 24kw version for nearly two years, coming up for its first MOT this month.

We don’t tend to drive long distances in one drive, but still probably cover about 6,000 miles a year.

Typically we get 4 miles per KWh, giving a typical range of about 80 miles, but a little less in winter due to the heating being used.

We have the following to help the running cost, but understand this won’t be typical.

Off street parking with a dedicated 7kw charger, utilising the energy from our solar panels.
Additionally we made a decision a year ago to install a Tesla Powerwall 2 storage battery, which stores the energy from the solar panels to be used later.

In the last 12 months we have used 6.1 MWh of electricity ( total household consumption), but have only purchased ( from the grid), 3.1 MWh.

Therefore we have virtually run the car for very little.

Understand that this set up wouldn’t work for everyone, but it can work for a lot of people.

 

[Milzy]

Not meant as an evangelical post, more to spark a bit of conversation about the practical of owning and running an EV car , in place of petrol or diesel.

We have had a Nissan Leaf 24kw version for nearly two years, coming up for its first MOT this month.

We don’t tend to drive long distances in one drive, but still probably cover about 6,000 miles a year.

Typically we get 4 miles per KWh, giving a typical range of about 80 miles, but a little less in winter due to the heating being used.

We have the following to help the running cost, but understand this won’t be typical.

Off street parking with a dedicated 7kw charger, utilising the energy from our solar panels.
Additionally we made a decision a year ago to install a Tesla Powerwall 2 storage battery, which stores the energy from the solar panels to be used later.

In the last 12 months we have used 6.1 MWh of electricity ( total household consumption), but have only purchased ( from the grid), 3.1 MWh.

Therefore we have virtually run the car for very little.

Understand that this set up wouldn’t work for everyone, but it can work for a lot of people.

I would copy you but can’t afford to.

 

[Drago]

AThe average car journey is single digit miles with a single occupant. The only reason more people don't switch are sumply excuses. My next car will, without any doubt, be electric, probably a Smart Fortwo ED. (Current car is a petrol ForTwo)

I am concerned that there are few small town car electric models, the Smart and Twizys being about it. It kind of undermines the environmental credentials to refine and smelt the materials to make a 1600kg electric car when an 800kg one would suit many. We need a seismic shift in car use and the approach to car culture in the UK.

 

[Denis99]

Had the panels installed about 5 years ago, always wanted an EV car and the panels were the first step in the process.

Had a diesel, but was unhappy about owning a diesel due to environmental reasons.

Sold the diesel and bought the EV car.

The battery was the icing on the cake, but has really reduced our energy costs dramatically, even with “fuelling” the EV car

 

[simonali]

I like the idea of an EV, but the filling up time is the deal breaker for me. My car will do around 500 miles on 50 litres of petrol and it takes no more than 5 minutes to refill it and do another 500 miles. Most electric cars do about 300 miles and takes hours to recharge.

 

[Drago]

I too am not a fan of the filth diesels puke. We're only now starting to understand the direct implications for human health, and it's no pretty.

I have no doubt that electric is the coming thing, and my next scoot will for sure be electric. However, for the moment I'm content that my tiny petrol engined pram is, from cradle to grave, less polluting than any electric car. Evein countries such as France where c.75% of their grid is fed by 'clean' (cough) nuclear power, a tiny petrol powered car is less polluting from raw material exteaction, through its service life, to dismantiling/recycling than any electric car.

I like the idea of an EV, but the filling up time is the deal breaker for me. My car will do around 500 miles on 50 litres of petrol and it takes no more than 5 minutes to refill it and do another 500 miles. Most electric cars do about 300 miles and takes hours to recharge.

How often do you do a 500 mile journey?

How often do you do a 500 mile journey with no time for a 40 minute fast charge break? (AKA a wee wee and a coffee)

Like most folk your average journey will be a lone driver covering journeys well within an average electric cars ability.

 

[Denis99]

Yep.

But all my recharging takes place at home when the car is parked, so no 5 minutes to refuel.
Range is still an issue, as is the network of rapid chargers at the moment, but this is improving.

 

[simonali]

It's OK if you're just pootling to work or the shops, but you can't go on holiday to Scotland from Wiltshire, where I live, in one, can you? You'd either be making multiple multi-hour stops or you'd have to rent a proper car that would negate that necessity.

 

[midlife]

Just out of curiosity how much did the leaf cost?

 

[Drago]

It's OK if you're just pootling to work or the shops, but you can't go on holiday to Scotland from Wiltshire, where I live, in one, can you? You'd either be making multiple multi-hour stops or you'd have to rent a proper car that would negate that necessity.

So you'd buy a petrol/diesel car, belch out pollutants all year round solely for the odd occasion you go to Brighton to beat up some mods? These are excuses, not genuine, insurmountable objections. Will we be still be hearing the same excuses when the sea reclaims your house, or when a loved one falls Ill with chronic respiratory issues, or you cant afford to by food because global warming has cause crop failures?

 

[Denis99]

Well, Most of the journeys we make are less than 5 miles, again, a lot of people use their cars for this sort of short journeys.

You’re right about the longer journeys, can’t argue against that, unless you have a Tesla.

Umm, proper car....

 

[simonali]

So you'd buy a petrol/diesel car, belch out pollutants all year round solely for the odd occasion you go to Brighton to beat up some mods? These are excuses, not genuine, insurmountable objections. Will be still be hearing the same excuses when the sea reclaims your house, or when a loved one falls Ill with chronic respiratory issues, or you cant afford to by food because global warming has cause crop failures?

I don't need to buy a petrol car, I already have one. As you do. Plus the sea is hardly likely to be washing over my house any time soon. Are you familiar with the whereabouts of Wiltshire?

 

[Denis99]

One year old when I bought it, Tekna model, all the toys, £12,500

 

[Denis99]

I understand the reluctance to change, but the environment really needs to change.

This also includes a reduction in car ownership due to the traffic congestion.

But the effect of using renewable energy, which we are trying to address, and it can be done at a cost, noise pollution, emissions etc.

One big benefit is that it is very nice to drive, so quiet.
No clutch, gearbox, timing belt, oil filter, brakes last much longer due to regen braking.
Servicing is very cheap, and simple.

One day, all cars will be like this, but I am looking forward to not owning a electric vehicle and just calling up drive less cars, won’t happen tomorrow, but has to be the solution to congestion and the environment.

Would be so nice to see housing estates without cars parked all over pavements etc.

 

[MarkF]

I've looked at the Leaf images and tbh, I wouldn't be seen dead in it (sorry), I'd love a Tesla but can't afford one, most other electric cars are also expensive yet look bleedin awful. Then there are the residual values to consider as technology improves...............I can't see one ever making financial sense for me, somebody who drives so little, less than 3k miles per annum.

I look a lot at scooters too and isn't that the way to go for quicker societal benefit? Leccy cars with sole occupants clog up the roads just as much as diesels, cars (electric or not) usually have sole occupants. TBh I think life threatening "getting wet" will supplant any eco desires for most...............but then I have a 1962 scooter that does 120mpg, how is an electric scooter going to save me any money?

Anyway, £12.5k for the Leaf? I've just bought a £3k, 25 year old car, I expect it to be worth £4k, maybe £5k in 3 years, it's viable transportation (that looks good) that is not going to cost me any money to run.