Electric vehicles

[Just4Fun]

Yet Finland sales of EV top ICE this year. I would expect the charging infrastructure to be accelerating rapidly.

I have no idea TBH. The state of the charging infrastructure is of no consequence when my goal would be to not use it, but to charge at home.

I haven't checked but I'm guessing there are tax incentives at work there.

I don't know much about it but I believe there are tax incentives. I have heard (but don't know if this is true) that the incentives are distorting the market for little benefit. The story I have heard is that the tax incentives, particularly for company cars, mean that by buying the hybrid version of a car at a discounted price you can afford a better spec car than if buying the ICE version. Apparently there are "many" people who buy a hybrid but never charge it. The result is that now cars are being traded in with the charging cables still in their original wrappings, never having been used. People only bought the hybrid version to get a better car at a discounted price and never had any intention of plugging it in.

 

[Just4Fun]

The battery degredation that occurs when charging to 100% only happens for the time the car is at 100%. If you driven soon after reaching the 100% mark theres very little impact on longevity. Some cars like BMWi3 and some of the MG4's youre recommended to charge to 100% and it has no bearing on longevity at all.

That's interesting. As my calculations are approaching a tipping point a small change like this can make a significant difference. I am still not quite ready to pull the trigger on an EV, but it is certainly getting closer. Close enough that I may try test driving a car or two. I'll probably wait until winter to do that so I can get some impression of how low temperatures affects things.

 

[johnb80]

That's interesting. As my calculations are approaching a tipping point a small change like this can make a significant difference. I am still not quite ready to pull the trigger on an EV, but it is certainly getting closer. Close enough that I may try test driving a car or two. I'll probably wait until winter to do that so I can get some impression of how low temperatures affects things.

Look for LFP battery chemistry, theyre good for 100%, some manufacturers (eg BMW i3) put an internal buffer into the battery pack so you always charge to 100% which equates to 90% in real terms.

 

[mg123]

I have no idea TBH. The state of the charging infrastructure is of no consequence when my goal would be to not use it, but to charge at home.

I don't know much about it but I believe there are tax incentives. I have heard (but don't know if this is true) that the incentives are distorting the market for little benefit. The story I have heard is that the tax incentives, particularly for company cars, mean that by buying the hybrid version of a car at a discounted price you can afford a better spec car than if buying the ICE version. Apparently there are "many" people who buy a hybrid but never charge it. The result is that now cars are being traded in with the charging cables still in their original wrappings, never having been used. People only bought the hybrid version to get a better car at a discounted price and never had any intention of plugging it in.

I may be wrong, but aren't the batteries in hybrid cars charged when using the ICE?

 

[johnb80]

I may be wrong, but aren't the batteries in hybrid cars charged when using the ICE?

Not always, it depends on the car and configuration. BMWi3 REX for example can only be set to maintain the SOC whereas Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV can be configured to charge, maintain or use the engine.

 

[Lons]

The story I have heard is that the tax incentives, particularly for company cars, mean that by buying the hybrid version of a car at a discounted price you can afford a better spec car than if buying the ICE version. Apparently there are "many" people who buy a hybrid but never charge it. The result is that now cars are being traded in with the charging cables still in their original wrappings, never having been used. People only bought the hybrid version to get a better car at a discounted price and never had any intention of plugging it in.

If that is the case then it's counter productive as the cars are carrying excess battery weight being pulled by an often smaller ICE having to work hard which means more pollution. It also means the battery is not being used at all for the term of the lease so not in great condition when sold on to a new owner. Not good.

 

[Just4Fun]

If that is the case then it's counter productive

Agreed. If true it means the politicians have screwed things up so badly that their solution is doing more harm than good. Colour me shocked.

 

[ShavedSpoke]

Not unsurprising, but somewhat stupid given the savings to be had if you use a PHEV on electric only mode when running around close to home.

I ummed and ahhed about a PHEV for a while, but one big downside is that you then have 2 entire power units to service and maintain. Personally I don't think the potential to do a longer journey, or 'go anywhere' without planning where I might charge (because there's probably a petrol station) in any way outweighs the extra cost. But I think a huge number of people getting PHEVs are doing so because of the company car tax breaks, and given they'll all be leased, then they're probably not paying for maintenance.

 

[Just4Fun]

The EU voted to tax electric vehicles from China. This changes my calculations, unless I buy this month, which is not likely. Oh well, I guess I'll be keeping my diesel for a while longer.

 

[Vulcan]

I ummed and ahhed about a PHEV for a while, but one big downside is that you then have 2 entire power units to service and maintain.

Yes. Car manufacturers particularly like this revenue stream.

I understand that unlike some other EV manufacturers, Volkswagen still want you to regularly “service” their fully electric models?

 

[Jameshow]

So just good old mechanical failure to worry about. My main car is a 300Tdi defender 110. It has a single electrical component in the entire drive chain, the fuel solenoid, ironically I had to get towed home on one occasion when that failed…

Really you hand crank it?
No glow plugs?

 

[paulrbarnard]

Really you hand crank it?
No glow plugs?

It will bump start (our drive has a slope) with a battery that can’t turn it engine over so pretty much without the benefit of glow plugs.

 

[Vulcan]

I was told many years ago by an old boy that the old lorry’s wouldn’t start in winter unless you started a small fire under the sump to warm it up a bit first.

 

[johnb80]

I was told many years ago by an old boy that the old lorry’s wouldn’t start in winter unless you started a small fire under the sump to warm it up a bit first.

A burning rag held at the air intake was a favourite on big old diesels, a bucket of burning fuel to heat the fuel tank was often needed before the advent of winter diesel which stopped the fuel 'waxing'.

 

[woodieallen]

I was told many years ago by an old boy that the old lorry’s wouldn’t start in winter unless you started a small fire under the sump to warm it up a bit first.

I've seen it done and it works.

 

[paulrbarnard]

I've seen it done and it works.

Still done in some extreme climates today.

 

[gcusick]

Yes. Car manufacturers particularly like this revenue stream.

I understand that unlike some other EV manufacturers, Volkswagen still want you to regularly “service” their fully electric models?

But the engine and transmission on an ICE vehicle are not the only items requiring maintenance, even if that is mainly inspection. And, of course, those items are also present on EVs. Or do you not maintain the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights and ancillaries on your vehicle?

 

[johnb80]

But the engine and transmission on an ICE vehicle are not the only items requiring maintenance, even if that is mainly inspection. And, of course, those items are also present on EVs. Or do you not maintain the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights and ancillaries on your vehicle?

Of course all of the suspension and steering, lights, wipers etc. The brakes on an EV last for ever with such little use, my i3 has done 98,000 miles still on the original disks and pads and there's still loads of life left in them.

 

[Vulcan]

But the engine and transmission on an ICE vehicle are not the only items requiring maintenance, even if that is mainly inspection. And, of course, those items are also present on EVs. Or do you not maintain the brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights and ancillaries on your vehicle?

Yes of course Electric Vehicles still have brakes and suspension, I thought everyone knew that? No spark plugs, Oil and filters to change every year though.

 

[Fergie 307]

Of course all of the suspension and steering, lights, wipers etc. The brakes on an EV last for ever with such little use, my i3 has done 98,000 miles still on the original disks and pads and there's still loads of life left in them.

Worth checking what the manufacturer says about changing pads. They may have a life expectancy in terms of time as well. So even if not worn out, if they are several years old it may be advisable to change them. Sometimes the backing plates can corrode, potentially causing the friction material to become detached. Certainly something that should be checked at each service.