EV Owners Thread

[classic33]

You only have to look at how quickly Tesla can ramp up production on a model, by looking at their other models.

How fast they "ramped up previous models" isn't relevant. The thing holding them back, according to Musk, is battery production. There's not enough to fill current production which in the case of the Semi will be "ramped up" in 2026, not before, and US customer orders will be given priority. According to Musk.

 

[Jenkins]

A bigger bit of news announced today is Tesla Semi will be available worldwide. This will be a seismic shift in HGV trucking

Aren't they going to be a bit tight on weight for UK roads for container transport?
From what I can find out, the maximum total weight for road transport is 44,000kg. Allowing 7,000kg for the chassis, 4,000kg tare for the container, 20,000kg for the load (although this can frequently be heavier) and 10,500kg for the 500 mile range tractor unit you're already at 41,500kg. The only seismic event may be the ground shaking.
I can see the use for lighter palletised type loads and charging can be done during madatory rest periods (assuming there's enough chargers available in the right places), but for the big container haulage jobs from ports not so much.

 

[DRM]

Aren't they going to be a bit tight on weight for UK roads for container transport?
From what I can find out, the maximum total weight for road transport is 44,000kg. Allowing 7,000kg for the chassis, 4,000kg tare for the container, 20,000kg for the load (although this can frequently be heavier) and 10,500kg for the 500 mile range tractor unit you're already at 41,500kg. The only seismic event may be the ground shaking.
I can see the use for lighter palletised type loads and charging can be done during madatory rest periods (assuming there's enough chargers available in the right places), but for the big container haulage jobs from ports not so much.

I also strongly suspect that they will also, like all American bonneted tractor units, will be too big to be used legally any where in Europe or the UK

 

[DRM]

Aren't they going to be a bit tight on weight for UK roads for container transport?
From what I can find out, the maximum total weight for road transport is 44,000kg. Allowing 7,000kg for the chassis, 4,000kg tare for the container, 20,000kg for the load (although this can frequently be heavier) and 10,500kg for the 500 mile range tractor unit you're already at 41,500kg. The only seismic event may be the ground shaking.
I can see the use for lighter palletised type loads and charging can be done during madatory rest periods (assuming there's enough chargers available in the right places), but for the big container haulage jobs from ports not so much.

A quick google would suggest a Krone Trailer can weigh around 6,000 kg for a flat bed, 6,700 kg for a curtainsider and 7,600 kg for a refrigerated trailer, the Tesla Tractor unit weighs 9072 kg for the 300 mile range version and the 500 mile range is 10,433 kg, so long range with curtainsider is 17,133 kg before you put anything in it, leaves a load of 26,867 kg also bear in mind any HGV basically needs to be running constantly to earn it’s keep, these will take far longer to turn a profit than current HGV’s,I’ve said it before, these will be no good for tramping or Continental work, until a full network of chargers are in place

 

[CXRAndy]

A quick google would suggest a Krone Trailer can weigh around 6,000 kg for a flat bed, 6,700 kg for a curtainsider and 7,600 kg for a refrigerated trailer, the Tesla Tractor unit weighs 9072 kg for the 300 mile range version and the 500 mile range is 10,433 kg, so long range with curtainsider is 17,133 kg before you put anything in it, leaves a load of 26,867 kg also bear in mind any HGV basically needs to be running constantly to earn it’s keep, these will take far longer to turn a profit than current HGV’s,I’ve said it before, these will be no good for tramping or Continental work, until a full network of chargers are in place

I don't doubt there are weight limitations for the Tesla Semi to overcome or legislation amended to allow greater capacities of load. But a huge factor in road trucking is fuelling.

Figures reported that a Tesla Semi is 83% cheaper to run than a conventional diesel engine. Then there is the maintenance aspect also.

We all know EVs require far less in servicing, I would not expect Tesla Semi to be any different.

Then we can add in emissions savings too. There are many upsides to having a fleet of EV HGVs whether class 1,2,3 compared to diesel apart from load capacity.

 

[BrumJim]

Back to ICE whilst my car is being repaired.

Good things?
1. I get a chance to stir that strange stick in the middle of the car randomly.
2. No need to refuel twice this weekend.
3. Acceleration that doesn't tail off as I get faster.

What am I missing?
1. Preconditioning, although it won't be cold this weekend, so not a problem.
2. Not having to go out to refuel.
3. Not contacting my bank manager before filling it. That's a couple of weeks of groceries I'm going to have to put in the tank!

 

[CXRAndy]

I don't understand point 3 of negative EV ownership. All vehicles do this. You have to be going at some triple digit speeds to actually notice a loss of torque from an EVs acceleration or a tiny city EV. Our nissan leaf packs a punch at 70+ mph until it hits 90+

 

[figbat]

I don't understand point 3 of negative EV ownership. All vehicles do this. You have to be going at some triple digit speeds to actually notice a loss of torque from an EVs acceleration or a tiny city EV. Our nissan leaf packs a punch at 70+ mph until it hits 90+

I agree - an e-motor is usually lauded for its instant and continuous torque output. The whole reason for multi-speed transmissions and clutches/torque converters in ICE cars is because engines can't do that. That said my EV hits a wall at 94 mph, since it is speed limited. It's a horrible feeling to be pulling hard and than BAM, nothing.

 

[icowden]

That said my EV hits a wall at 94 mph, since it is speed limited. It's a horrible feeling to be pulling hard and than BAM, nothing.

But surely that's only relevant to people going to a track day? There is literally no point in going faster than national speed limit in an EV - which is usually 70mph or thereabouts.

 

[figbat]

But surely that's only relevant to people going to a track day? There is literally no point in going faster than national speed limit in an EV - which is usually 70mph or thereabouts.

Absolutely agree. The reason why we have fast cars is that to get great acceleration you need a lot of power, which then leads to high top speeds. With an EV you get the acceleration without the by-product of high top speed.

 

[icowden]

Absolutely agree. The reason why we have fast cars is that to get great acceleration you need a lot of power, which then leads to high top speeds. With an EV you get the acceleration without the by-product of high top speed.

Although you can get it if you try. Apparently the Tesla S Plaid with ceramic brakes fitted and fully unlocked can hit 217mph.

 

[CXRAndy]

Heads up, Just received letter from DVLA

VED changes from next April if you'd forgotten. Most vehicles will be £190 for pure EVs registered after 2017. £20 for those before 2017

Be aware, If you buy new or lease a car after April '25 and it's over £40k be prepared for premium VED additional costs.

 

[BrumJim]

I don't understand point 3 of negative EV ownership. All vehicles do this. You have to be going at some triple digit speeds to actually notice a loss of torque from an EVs acceleration or a tiny city EV. Our nissan leaf packs a punch at 70+ mph until it hits 90+

I only have a Zoe, so not much power. If I'm doing 50 down a country road behind a car that is dwadling a little, in a petrol or diesel I would drop a couple of gears (or more), wait for a gap, floor it, and be passed in moments. In my Zoe, I have to be a little more cautious.

The payback is that from a standing start, the electric car takes off like a scalded cat.

Got the courtesy car for another week and a half. Will have to scare the bank manager again next time I fill up.

 

[CXRAndy]

I only have a Zoe, so not much power. If I'm doing 50 down a country road behind a car that is dwadling a little, in a petrol or diesel I would drop a couple of gears (or more), wait for a gap, floor it, and be passed in moments. In my Zoe, I have to be a little more cautious.

The payback is that from a standing start, the electric car takes off like a scalded cat.

Got the courtesy car for another week and a half. Will have to scare the bank manager again next time I fill up.

Ah that explains your experience , down on grunt.

 

[Gunk]

Be aware, If you buy new or lease a car after April '25 and it's over £40k be prepared for premium VED additional costs.

So the £40k plus VED only for cars Registered after April 2025?