Electric cars - to buy or not to buy?

TerriBull

Yes I agree Mamie that seems a good deal. Maybe where France leads others will follow. There is too much complacency as to the affordability of green iniatives, cars, heat pumps. As usual an out of touch elite who appear to think the already struggling public can magic up a money tree when the time comes to replace.

It's all very well France leading in grants for EVs as France generates the vast majority of its electricity around 70%+ through nuclear so can service a huge EV ownership. The UK generates approx 13% from nuclear and is getting ever more dependent on renewables - for which the UK neither has the infrastructure nor future potential electric generation to service large EV ownership.Even when we get more cable lines laid to import solar power from the likes of Africa etc - even when we cover Scotland in imported massive wind turbines and huge battery storage facilities - it remains a gamble as to whether the wind and sun will provide enough energy for our needs. Meanwhile the cost of renewables will rise and rise to pay for the upgrades (wind turbines have a 20-25 year life) and the profits these (non British) companies demand.

That wasn't aimed at you TerriBull , unintentionally added your quote. Apologies.

The emission fines will start in 6mnths time in Edinburgh so anyone with a non compliant vehicle will have to change.

My df in her mid 80s bought an EV 3 years ago under a Scottish Government interest free loan scheme. She loves her 2nd hand car and gives lifts freely. She charges it at home every night and only does shortish journeys.
She has inspired at least 3 of her friends to change.

My 12 yr old small petrol Toyota keeps on going. I use public transport most of the time so use the car seldom.
Our buses are gradually going electric.
Like the OP I am concerned about the batteries and all that but love the cleaner air in cities
My DD has an electric bike which she loves. DS1 leases a hybrid.
Life is so full of dilemmas.

I think the answer must come from improvements in battery technology already underway such as the move to solid state, the increase in solar for home charging, the "electric roads" being pioneered in Sweden etc etc. It is no good just looking at existing technology and saying that will never work.

There are quite a few Teslas that have more miles than that and batteries are generally 90% plus, the highest milage Tesla has done 1.2 million miles with 3 battery packs, each was replaced at 75% so thats around 300,000 each battery.

The quietness of EVs worries me - people will go to cross the road and get knocked over. I was nearly mangled by a tram in Manchester as it crept silently up on me.

They are quiet but there is a noise just no loud revving and belching exhaust.

Our veg box delivery service have used their all electric fleet for many years.

www.eastcoastorganics.co.uk

We all resist change more as we get older but change happens and for my part it's long overdue.
I just wish public transport would improve alongside because electric or not, there will still be congestion.

Luckygirl3

The quietness of EVs worries me - people will go to cross the road and get knocked over. I was nearly mangled by a tram in Manchester as it crept silently up on me.

Another misinformed individual they do make a noise, it’s a low wirring sound, probably louder than a small petrol car, hybrids are the same.

I suspect leasing an EV is the answer for now ( if not too costly!) until a more environmentally sustainable solution is possible? Repairing upgrading, recycling components and materials, car pooling/sharing alternative fuels such as hydrogen will be needed for the near future.

Luckygirl3

The quietness of EVs worries me - people will go to cross the road and get knocked over. I was nearly mangled by a tram in Manchester as it crept silently up on me.

They are quieter than other cars and anyone listening out for an engine may not hear one coming. We know ours is quiet - any number of people have wandered along in front of us in the road, chatting away, before noticing we are behind them. Car parks are particularly bad. I don't like beeping the horn and making people jump but that's what it's going to come to.

Since the age of about 3 people born in this country have been taught road craft - don't wander into the road, check both ways before crossing, use pelican crossings when you can, check for bikes as well as cars, stay on the path... it's not news that there are cars, lorries and buses on the road so why do so many people wander around as if they're not expecting them?

Well said, AreWeThereYet. Ours makes a whiney/whirring noise so is not silent. Use common road sense when there is traffic about. If people were looking at traffic instead of their phones (not that GNetters do this, of course😄) there wouldn't be a problem.

Katie59

Luckygirl3

The quietness of EVs worries me - people will go to cross the road and get knocked over. I was nearly mangled by a tram in Manchester as it crept silently up on me.

Another misinformed individual they do make a noise, it’s a low wirring sound, probably louder than a small petrol car, hybrids are the same.

I am not sure what you mean by this not entirely pleasant comment. All those I know with electric cars say how quiet they are and express concern for pedestrians.

It might be stating the obvious but as a driver I pay attention to pedestrians and don't run over them if they don't hear me coming.
Do other people rely on making a loud noise to get them out of the way? How strange.

Mamie, of course you don’t and neither do people make noises, but even French pedestrians step into the road without looking or noticing an almost silent car. They certainly step off carelessly in front of diesel cars.

Mamie

I think the answer must come from improvements in battery technology already underway such as the move to solid state, the increase in solar for home charging, the "electric roads" being pioneered in Sweden etc etc. It is no good just looking at existing technology and saying that will never work.

Sweden is planning 10 new nuclear power reactors by 2045 that's why they can experiment with electric roads and support EV expansion.

Mollygo

Mamie, of course you don’t and neither do people make noises, but even French pedestrians step into the road without looking or noticing an almost silent car. They certainly step off carelessly in front of diesel cars.

They are not almost silent though are they? It is a very distinctive whine and always reminds me of milk floats!

OldFrill
Sweden is planning 10 new nuclear power reactors by 2045 that's why they can experiment with electric roads and support EV expansion
Can you imagine the outcry in the UK if that was suggested?

Mollygo

OldFrill
Sweden is planning 10 new nuclear power reactors by 2045 that's why they can experiment with electric roads and support EV expansion
Can you imagine the outcry in the UK if that was suggested?

Deafening. Being sold a turkey (very seasonal!)

France is not relying solely on nuclear for cars though. The development focus is solar and wind, with the large charging stations built to use solar power. Our nuclear output was quite dodgy last year when stations had to close, as climate change and consequent drought lowered the levels of rivers used for cooling.
I think most countries are looking at a range of options and at new battery technologies that will improve range without using more electricity. It isn't as if technological development is something that stands still. My mother in law never thought washing machines could advance beyond the twin tub. 😂

Mamie

Mollygo

Mamie, of course you don’t and neither do people make noises, but even French pedestrians step into the road without looking or noticing an almost silent car. They certainly step off carelessly in front of diesel cars.

They are not almost silent though are they? It is a very distinctive whine and always reminds me of milk floats!

If you can’t hear an electric car there is a problem with your hearing, not electric cars.

I have a Mini EV. It is wonderful. A bit like driving a computer on wheels but you get used to all the gizmos and there are some marvellous Utube videos to help you get your head round it all. I especially like the heated seats for winter and in the summer can turn a lot of stuff off and run "green",
It was an 80th birthday present so I was on a steep learning curve for a couple of weeks but I think it is important for the elderly to embrace new technology to keep an active mind.

Hot surprisingly S Korea has the most advanced EV charging infrastructure.

Katie59
Think how many grans/people do have hearing problems. You just have to read the threads on electric scooters to realise that. It’s not a reason to give an EV a sound, but it is a concern for people with hearing problems.

Mollygo

Katie59
Think how many grans/people do have hearing problems. You just have to read the threads on electric scooters to realise that. It’s not a reason to give an EV a sound, but it is a concern for people with hearing problems.

I’ve always had hearing on one side only so I know how careful you have to be, just occasional I have to explain why I missed something.

I don`t have a hearing problem at all, electric cars are too silent and that makes them a big problem eg if I need to turn a corner on my bike. I creep out as it is but I had an electric car whizz past, exceeding the 20mph speed limit. We all share the roads and that includes people who are a bit hard of hearing.