Cheapest/best Electric./Hybrid

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#1433325 23-Nov-2015 14:28

robjg63:
I really can't understand why the NZ government is not assisting the adoption of Electric/Hybrid cars. We have one of the most renewable power generation grids anywhere - the savings in not importing so much oil must be massive...

There is rumoured to be some sort of annoucement from the Transport Minister this side of transport on supporting EVs uptake in NZ, I would doubt it will be any major financial incentive, but it could possibly be some sort of support for a charging network,

robjg63: On another note I actually saw a Tesla S parked in a driveway yesterday in Mt Eden. I was going for a walk and thought this particular car was unusual - then thought I recognised the Tesla symbol - which it was. It was a LHD though - that would suck I reckon - Still awesome looking car - they are quite large.

And now with the total recall of all "S"s for seatbelt checks, it is technically unsafe to drive,

It will be interesting to see how Tesla recalls its fleet that has dripped into countries around the world (like NZ) where it has no dealer or service presence in......
I'm guessing a tech/mechanic from OZ is gonna get a trip to this side of the ditch out of it... Welcome to being a global car company....

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#1433329 23-Nov-2015 14:36

wellygary:
And now with the total recall of all "S"s for seatbelt checks, it is technically unsafe to drive,

It will be interesting to see how Tesla recalls its fleet that has dripped into countries around the world (like NZ) where it has no dealer or service presence in......
I'm guessing a tech/mechanic from OZ is gonna get a trip to this side of the ditch out of it... Welcome to being a global car company....

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/teslas-model-s-seatbelt-recall/

Doesn't sound like a very big deal to me at all. I'd rather have an accident in a Tesla than nearly any other car available today.

Cheers - N

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#1433489 23-Nov-2015 19:53

robjg63: There are actually quite a few hybrids we dont get here - Hyundai (for one)have a Sonata hybrid.
I gather there is also a plugin Toyota available in some markets. Peugeot make a hybrid as well - I think its a diesel/electric. Taxi drivers always tell you the Toyotas are extremely reliable (as per the Toyota reputation). I understand they get good deals from Toyota on the Camry as well.

I really can't understand why the NZ government is not assisting the adoption of Electric/Hybrid cars. We have one of the most renewable power generation grids anywhere - the savings in not importing so much oil must be massive...

Some of the power companies have been putting a few fast chargers around the place. The fast chargers can apparently do a 20min (or so) charge.

On another note I actually saw a Tesla S parked in a driveway yesterday in Mt Eden. I was going for a walk and thought this particular car was unusual - then thought I recognised the Tesla symbol - which it was. It was a LHD though - that would suck I reckon - Still awesome looking car - they are quite large.

Same reason they don't assist the adoption of solar power on houses etc I guess.

nakedmolerat

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#1433563 23-Nov-2015 21:28

No one here has mentioned Outlander PHEV. First 40 - 60 km can run on electric alone. 3 driving modes. Good twin 4wd and can tow decent weight. It carries petrol for long distance with rating of 1.8l/100 km.

Aredwood

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#1433633 24-Nov-2015 00:56

Wade:

Everytime i go out to the Airport there are at least 50 bazillion Prius's and hybrid camry taxi's, it is almost as if they are the cab of choice, one thing i know about cabbies is they generally do not buy trouble so this has to say something about expected reliability

Taxi drivers like hybrid cars as people will choose to travel in a hybrid taxi over a non hybrid one. Thinking they are helping the environment. (even though you can get non hybrid cars that use less fuel than a hybrid). And considering how crowded the airport taxi rank is. It would probably get quite alot more fares for a taxi driver who has a hybrid. And all the motorway running to and from the airport will keep the traction batteries charged.

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#1433635 24-Nov-2015 01:21

Reluctant to say it (because they have been a sh!tty company with their diesel engines), but the VW e-Golf has about 130 KM range and would be in the price range of the Leaf. Its a very popular car in Norway at the moment.

Don't know how available it is in NZ at the moment though, it doesn't appear on the NZ VW site.

Edit: Wrong range info when I looked at the US site. Norwegian site claims up to 190 KM range.

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Dreal

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#1433637 24-Nov-2015 02:12

jarledb: Reluctant to say it (because they have been a sh!tty company with their diesel engines), but the VW e-Golf has about 130 KM range and would be in the price range of the Leaf. Its a very popular car in Norway at the moment.

Don't know how available it is in NZ at the moment though, it doesn't appear on the NZ VW site.

Edit: Wrong range info when I looked at the US site. Norwegian site claims up to 190 KM range.

Interesting prospect. Not available via any private importing method that's obvious, but does look to have a good range.

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Dreal

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#1433645 24-Nov-2015 02:19

nakedmolerat: No one here has mentioned Outlander PHEV. First 40 - 60 km can run on electric alone. 3 driving modes. Good twin 4wd and can tow decent weight. It carries petrol for long distance with rating of 1.8l/100 km.

Yeah, this, and the more expensive holden volt are solid looking PHEVs. I think I'd probably go with the outlander, if I felt like spending 40K on a car was a reasonable proposition (not that this is in fact even expensive next to other new cars, I am just reluctant to divert too much money that could invested, saved, put towards a house etc).

I think PHEV is kind of ideal - electric whenever you can, and petrol for convenience and range. At least until longer Tesla ranges move into the affordable markets.

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robjg63

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#1433662 24-Nov-2015 07:30

I understand the volt is not being made in RHD anymore and had very disappointing sales (in Australasia at least) - mainly because its extremely expensive The Mitsubishi phev suffers from its own popularity. Huge seller in Scandinavia and Europe and pretty good sales here. They desperately want to sell it in the states but keep delaying for various "official" reasons. Apparently the real problem is they can't build enough to supply the US.

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afe66

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#1433739 24-Nov-2015 09:36

Can't see the government making any real world subsidies for electronic cars for policy reasons. Would open flood gates for claims other things should be subsidied.

Would require significant event to encourage change.

Only one I can think of it Tewai smelter closing down completely (?10% of national output) and power companies start building charging stations all over the place to rapidly increase new consumption to try maintain power prices.

A.

I have friends with a Leaf who might visit me so might take it for spin, check boot space etc, it could be interesting day to day city Car , leaving the petrol one for distance driving.

RUKI

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#1433740 24-Nov-2015 09:38

...
Taxi drivers like hybrid cars as people will choose to travel in a hybrid taxi over a non hybrid one. Thinking they are helping the environment. ....

I suspect taxi drivers do care more about minimising costs rather than people's choice...They are generally not technically savvy and I would imagine do not aware of the long term side effects of being exposed to EM fields...

As for people's educated choice, specifically taking into consideration this forum has plenty of specialists in electronics - has anyone here ever tested Electromagnetic Field in their Hybrid/EV car with the Gauss meter?

I did in a particular hybrid (do not want the brand and model to be mentioned here) and I was not impressed with the readings.

Everything adds-up and we already have unnecessary RF and EM pollution irradiating us at work and at home daily from the numerous sources - Cellular, Wi-Fi access points, Smart Meters, Power Lines, Microwave Radio Links etc. Invisible but dangerous, when combined all together.

It will be probably few decades from now for scientists to come to conclusion what effect did the extensive use of EVs (and Hybrids) had on people's health.
Taxi drivers will probably be the best Guiney pigs for that kind of research.

richms

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#1433784 24-Nov-2015 10:48

The change I would like to see the govt make is owning a second small EV or similar practical along side a large car, since IMO the best way is 2 cars, a small EV like the leaf etc for all the daily stuff and a big powerful petrol one for the bunnings trips, towing, long drives etc.

I get so p'd off at paying 2 rego's for having 2 cars, a small MR-S which is pretty efficiant and good for everyday use, and a falcon for moving stuff around. I would fully support an overhaul of the car rego system to make it more affordable.

Richard rich.ms

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#1433806 24-Nov-2015 11:15

richms: I get so p'd off at paying 2 rego's for having 2 cars, a small MR-S which is pretty efficiant and good for everyday use, and a falcon for moving stuff around. I would fully support an overhaul of the car rego system to make it more affordable.

You're the first person I've heard of owning two cars for those reasons so it's hard to imagine an overhaul of the system just for you.

There are some that own multiple cars and are therefore paying more in registration charges, but I would imagine most are typically for personal choice reasons rather than necessity. Personally I think if you want and can afford more than one car, you can pay the extra running costs. No doubt there will be some out there that genuinely need multiple cars and could do with a break (hardship such as disabled family member perhaps?), but I would imagine these are few and far between.

richms

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#1433808 24-Nov-2015 11:17

ghettomaster:
You're the first person I've heard of owning two cars for those reasons so it's hard to imagine an overhaul of the system just for you.

There are some that own multiple cars and are therefore paying more in registration charges, but I would imagine most are typically for personal choice reasons rather than necessity. Personally I think if you want and can afford more than one car, you can pay the extra running costs. No doubt there will be some out there that genuinely need multiple cars and could do with a break (hardship such as disabled family member perhaps?), but I would imagine these are few and far between.

I know many people with multiple vehicles because of running cost on the large one. Usually a prado or something hugely fuel hungry.

I get a discount on insurance for multiple cars, why not the rego too? Not like I can drive more than one at a time.

Richard rich.ms

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#1433811 24-Nov-2015 11:22

A scenario where you often do see people own multiple vehicles is tradespeople, and I can understand not wanting to take the kids out in the van with the back full of electrical gear.

I think in this scenario the rego of the trade vehicle is a business expense and you just have to factor it. If we did give them a discount on their rego for having multiple vehicles, could this be perceived as an unfair advantage, even if it is marginal? How do you get on when one person is the primary user of two vehicles but they have different owners? How do you stop the tradesman pretending the wife's car is his second primary vehicle?

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