The phase out of ice engines..

[JBR]

I am not going to end up in a slanging match with the EV brigade. I say, leave them to it if they're happy with all the drawbacks. After all, we live in a free country (or used to). I'm sure that time will tell, and they will quickly do a U-turn!

 

[mointainwalker]

A major concern I have with EV, since I don't buy cars less than six years old, and then keep them until dead, is maintenace. There seems to be no depth of knowledge in everyday mechanics being refered to in anything I read : this is concerning as modern ICE vehicles seem problematic enough with some dealerships, resulting in expensive - and sometimes unnecessary - module changes instead of informed and intelligent diagnosis. EVs would seem to be one step further.

 

[mattylad]

I see the eastern manufacturers are now planning on eject able batteries that can be fired out the side of the car if they set on fire.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

No that's for unruly passengers who are automatically ejected should they dare mention any negativity towards EVs.

 

[norseman]

I see the eastern manufacturers are now planning on eject able batteries that can be fired out the side of the car if they set on fire.

Depends on who happens to be beside the car when this bloody great battery comes flying out !

 

[carmanmemoranda]

A major concern I have with EV, since I don't buy cars less than six years old, and then keep them until dead, is maintenace. There seems to be no depth of knowledge in everyday mechanics being refered to in anything I read : this is concerning as modern ICE vehicles seem problematic enough with some dealerships, resulting in expensive - and sometimes unnecessary - module changes instead of informed and intelligent diagnosis. EVs would seem to be one step further.

This is a genuine concern. But as mechanics are moving on from dealers to private, it's getting less so.

Most of the other anti EV is outdated stuff spouted by people with no experience.

Diesel, avoid unless doing high mileages.
Petrol, ok for now and the near future, but note that there are no "new" engines, and they are not the future. But, tried and tested and the better choice if you don't have access to off road charging
Hybrid, Probably better if still nervous of going EV, or lack of charging facilities etc. But you are not getting the full benefits of either system
EV, not the choice for many still, due to lack of charging facilities mainly, but worthy of serious consideration

 

[Brigadier]

No that's for unruly passengers who are automatically ejected should they dare mention any negativity towards EVs.

Why would an EV driver eject themselves?

After all, we're the ones who will readily talk of the downsides as well as the upsides (and all with the benefit of actual, lived experience )

 

[pcaouolte]

There is no doubt that for people with 2 cars, who live near towns, and have their own drives / charge points it’s tricky to say that owning an EV wouldn’t make sense.

Japanese hybrids ARE hugely proven technology so low risk of issues

Diesels if looked after, will last a long time but would you buy one now?

Manufacturers who go 100% EV are just signing their own death warrants. The Chinese can, and will out produce them with zero penalties so they will end up with the lion share of car manufacturing

I fit into that category. A 2 car family, living within a 20 minute walk of a town centre, have my own drive, could easily have a charge point. Currently 1 car is petrol and the other is an electric/petrol hybrid.

The reason that neither of the cars are EVs so far are:
1. The extra cost of replacing the car which does low mileage local runs with an EV would not offset the saving in fuel during the time that we would own the vehicle.
2. The lack of available charging points at the other end of the journey for the car which regularly travels long distances.

I am not against EVs, I really don't care what provides the power to get me from A to B, but the cost of EVs combined with low availability of charging points in some of the locations that I regularly visit means that they are not currently viable for me.

 

[Brigadier]

I fit into that category. A 2 car family, living within a 20 minute walk of a town centre, have my own drive, could easily have a charge point. Currently 1 car is petrol and the other is an electric/petrol hybrid.

The reason that neither of the cars are EVs so far are:
1. The extra cost of replacing the car which does low mileage local runs with an EV would not offset the saving in fuel during the time that we would own the vehicle.
2. The lack of available charging points at the other end of the journey for the car which regularly travels long distances.

I am not against EVs, I really don't care what provides the power to get me from A to B, but the cost of EVs combined with low availability of charging points in some of the locations that I regularly visit means that they are not currently viable for me.

Thanks given for an honest and non-hysterical post


I agree: squillionaires and wannabees excepted, I really do not see the point of swapping any half-decent and functioning car for another one, "just for the sake of it".

Although I do take issue with the argument that, on one hand EVs are ridiculously pricey yet, on the other, they depreciate like a stone.
If anyone is after an EV then, buy a 2-yr old one and get a mahoosive discount, surely

Also, and this is journey- and person-dependent, you don't need a charger at the destination. Just en route.

For instance, I drive to one of my offices (from sunny Staffs, to nr Canterbury) on the home charge, but don't charge at my destination.
Instead, I drive back some way, then stop for a charge on the way home.

Each to their own. For me, I really would not like to go back to ICE.

 

[StephenStephen]

A major concern I have with EV, since I don't buy cars less than six years old, and then keep them until dead, is maintenace. There seems to be no depth of knowledge in everyday mechanics being refered to in anything I read : this is concerning as modern ICE vehicles seem problematic enough with some dealerships, resulting in expensive - and sometimes unnecessary - module changes instead of informed and intelligent diagnosis. EVs would seem to be one step further.

To be honest, a large part of the reason for this is that EV motors and drivetrains are so simple and robust, compared to ICE systems, that there simply is no maintenance needed...

 

[Avocet]

If looking for another car, is the best way forward to go electric/hybrid?

Depends a lot on your circumstances, really. Can you charge at home? Do you do a lot of long runs? What kind of ICE car would you be replacing? Do you tow much? Personally, I wouldn't have a hybrid. They seem to be the worst of both worlds to me, although some are better than others. "mild" hybrids are a complete waste of time IMO, but some of the range-extended plug-ins aren't bad. Obviously, like any car, how much you want to spend is a crucial factor.

Personally I believe the government are going to pressure ice car owners into electric cars through ever increasing road taxes and also the taxation of fuels.
Plus high increases of fuel prices through reduction of supply to the market , petrol station closures etc..

Yes, that's almost certainly what's going to happen. Although in the short term, we might see small reductions in fuel prices just from simple supply-and-demand, I guess. Ultimately, it will have to happen, of course.

Not sure about timescales, or if farage will reverse net zero after the next elections if he gets in.

I'd put money on him doing exactly that! He's got to keep his Russian oil masters happy for a start, and it's a good "populist" crowd-pleaser in the short term. In the long term, of course, it would be disastrous, but sadly, we inn the West, rather seem to have lost our ability to take a long view on anything.

 

[Avocet]

Well it won't work on me. Electric cars are completely unattractive for several reasons, primarily their cost, relatively short lives, lack of range, expensive to run unless you have your own charger, and...

they do tend to explode and burst into flames!

Except they don't, really, but there are plenty of suckers around who can't distinguish fact from propaganda...

 

[Avocet]

Here we go again (& again & .. )

You know if you don't click on a thread, you don't have to suffer it, don't you...?

 

[Avocet]

Well I thought I knew a bit about the risks with Li batteries ... till I went to a talk/presentation last week. Given by someone from the science arm of HSE, he showed some of the research they've been doing.
* High failure rates
* Failures occur quickly giving little warning - there's a standard for cars that there should be a min 5 min warning or time to exit the vehicle, their tests suggest that might not be possible
* Failures produce large quantities if hydrocarbons, then the a later stage emits lots of oxygen to go with the fuel, plus significant quantites of nasties like hydrogen flouride which will rapidly combine with water to make hydroflouric acid. If that doesn't scare you, it should.
* And then there's the very considerable quantities of carbon monoxide.
* And the fine particles of various nasty heavy metals.
* And when the pack properly goes up, other cell (and fragments thereof) emitted like some sort of shrapnel bomb.
I'd definitely not have a battery pack in the house (where are most people fitting their solar system batteries). And I'd be parking a lecky car a bit further from the house than I do the current petrol ones.

Oh do tell me more! I know a few people at HSE and that sounds like a load of made-up bolleaux, so I'd like to follow it up with them. Where was this talk and who gave it?

 

[Avocet]

There is no doubt that for people with 2 cars, who live near towns, and have their own drives / charge points it’s tricky to say that owning an EV wouldn’t make sense.

Japanese hybrids ARE hugely proven technology so low risk of issues

Diesels if looked after, will last a long time but would you buy one now?

Manufacturers who go 100% EV are just signing their own death warrants. The Chinese can, and will out produce them with zero penalties so they will end up with the lion share of car manufacturing

Trouble is, those that don't grasp the EV nettle will also be toast too. Yes, the Chinese have stolen a march on us and we're the best part of 10 years behind them. We're at the point where e can either put our heads in the sand and become 20 years behind them, or we can grasp the nettle and start trying to catch up.

REMEMBER, the Chinese will only take over our car market if we buy their cars...