Electric Vehicle: Will you buy one

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Electric Vehicle: Will you buy one - if not why not?

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#1777470 8-May-2017 07:07

alasta:

old3eyes:

alasta:

Buying an EV isn't the only way to achieve this. Walking and public transport, the latter of which will soon be fully electrified in Wellington, works for most of my daily travel.

So no, I don't feel guilty about using my diesel vehicle on odd occasions when an EV wouldn't have sufficient range anyway.

What public transport is going to be fully electric in Wellington, I thought the trolley buses were being scrapped??

Both the trolley and diesel buses are going to be replaced with battery equipped electric buses over the coming years. Apparently the technology has advanced enough to keep them running all day.

They will be pluggable hybrids, as I understand it. Electric but able to make electricity if their batteries get too low. Sort of like the BMW i3 with a range extender.....but buses.

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Linuxluver

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#1777472 8-May-2017 07:11

Aredwood:

Would love to buy an EV. But I have to replace my Van soon, and EV vans are definitely not suitable for my use case. So that just leaves short trips like popping over to friends houses or the supermarket. Sure an EV would be perfect for that, but would be no more than approx 2000Km per year. So no point in buying an EV for such a small amount of driving. As the $15K or so cost would have to be on finance. So it just won't stack up compared to buying a secondhand ICE car for no more than $5K. Or just keeping my current Van after I buy the new one. At least until something major fails on it.

I would love to get an EV as I get cheap power with Flick Electric. And my switchboard is in the garage, so installing a high current charger connection will be easy. But at the moment for me the maths just doesn't work out.

You may want to check this LDV electric van out. The spec / size looks good but price initially may be a problem if you aren't buying a fleet. I know prices of almost any vehicle tend to fall 20% if you buy several......

They are coming....this is just the first.

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Linuxluver

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#1777473 8-May-2017 07:22

frednz:

Incidentally, I think most drivers charge to only 80% capacity at charging stations, so this also needs to be taken into account.

Despite the results of this demanding test, I would quite like to own the $60,000 Ioniq and I think its "normal" 200km range would suit about 90% of my driving needs.

For daily use 80% is a guide...but when you need to travel further absolutely charge it to 100% and then drive it. Just don't leave it sitting around for days.

Much of the battery 'lore' is based on Nissan LEAF Gen 1 (2011 and 2012 models) experience. Later versions of the battery (with different chemistry) are more robust and appear to be much more tolerant if charged to the top when needed....and used very soon after (like....in the morning).

The Ioniq is an impressive car. I have just driven up from Bluff to Auckland with two of them. The other night an Ioniq drove from Tauranga to the Sky Tower in Auckland on a single charge. A second Ionig drove from the Sky Tower in Auckland to Tauranga....again on a single charge. I just happened to be in the parking area when he pulled in to our hotel in Tauranga.

If I tried that in my LEAF, I think I'd get from Tauranga to about the BP at Drury...and be gasping. Technically "Auckland".....but 25-30km short of the CBD. I say this because a new 30kWh LEAF owner recently drove from Tauranga to Auckland....and made it to that BP station.....and asked if they could help her charge as she was almost flat. They unplugged a freezer for her and she plugged in. She was on her way in an hour. I don't push it that far. But good to know I could. Much easier to charge for 15 mins at Thames and then hoon home.

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Linuxluver

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#1777476 8-May-2017 07:27

sonyxperiageek:

Yes, I saw the trial signs go up then take them down again hence wasn't sure if it was still on. Didn't see anyone using it on the North Western in peak hour traffic though haha so I guess not a huge uptake so far or possibly many didn't know it was available for EVs to use.

NZTA sent a letter to all Auckland EV owners (from rego info) that included the needed sticker for the car window and information about the ramps involved and how to take part in the trial.

Most people I know who own EVs didn't live or work anywhere near the ramps involved. I certainly don't.

Among those who do, a good proportion didn't use the lanes because they don't want to get in the way of buses.

The remainder probably had a go......but the numbers would have been very small.

In the survey after the trial completed I said it was of little use and that I opposed the policy anyway. At worst, it's a back door for "pluggable hybrid" vehicles with flat traction batteries to gain advantage by pretending to be electric vehicles.....but burning as much petrol as ever.

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Linuxluver

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#1777477 8-May-2017 07:32

shk292:

I could envisage buying one as a third vehicle when my kids are old enough to drive. We currently have an MPV and a sports car, and there are no affordable EVs that fill these niches just yet.

I'm far from convinced about PHEVs - just too much complexity for little return in terms of fuel economy.

I recently changed from a SUV averaging around 10ltr/100k to a sports car that averages around 7, so I feel I'm doing my bit for carbon footprint ;)

Not a great believer in the alarmist AGW predictions

Interestingly, the actual measured rate of climate change is far exceeding the conservative estimates of the IPCC.

Everyone should be very alarmed by that. "Alarmist" is an insulting word used to denigrate the people who are actually paying attention and trying to warn others that this isn't going to be OK if we ignore it.

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Linuxluver

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#1777479 8-May-2017 07:39

timmmay:

An EV would be perfect for my daily commute. When I'm ready to replace my Corolla I'll definitely have a look. Purchase price could be higher, but you'd have to factor in petrol savings.

...and much lower servicing costs.

There is almost nothing to service in the LEAFS, in particular. Brakes, tyres, 12v battery, windscreen fluid......um.....yeah. Eventually the wheel components will need servicing....like any car.

We recently spent $1,850 keeping our 2012 VW on the road. The pin on the main cooling fan sheered off and the fan drilled itself into the radiator. The whole lot needed to be replaced. It took a month and two attempts at getting all the *correct* parts from Singapore.

EVs tend to not have have events like that. No rods to throw. No gaskets to blow. No oil to leak or change. No belts to break and replace....etc....etc.

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Linuxluver

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#1777481 8-May-2017 07:45

WyleECoyoteNZ:

The other gripe I have is the 'free' charging parks that are available to EV. As far as I can tell, and I'm happy to be proven wrong, they look to be free to use, except they're not really. If you take the Vector EV charging as an example, every Vector customer will be paying for an EV driver to be able to charge there vehicle...

If this isn't the case, I'm happy to be proved incorrect\wrong.

EVs tend to cost more to buy. Many people are knowingly making a sacrifice to support lower CO2 (and other) emissions for the benefit of all of us. If we had a carbon tax, this would become very obvious as far as balancing out "who pays for what".

Also, by using locally generated electricity they improve NZ's balance of trade by reducing our fossil fuel imports and thus improving our balance of trade. There are many positives if one chooses to see them. EV owners already have.

EV drivers tend to also be Vector 'customers' (via their lines charges passed on by power retailers....who are the ons who actually 'own' the customer relationship).

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Linuxluver

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#1777483 8-May-2017 07:52

ilovemusic:

a pure ev ?

probably not until someone makes one that handles like a sportscar and devoid of gizmos.

closest at the moment would be a bmw i8.

I saw a Tesla P100D complete smoke a (far more expensive) McLaren 4 times in a row yesterday at Ardmore.

If that's not sporty enough for you, nothing ever will be.

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Linuxluver

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#1777485 8-May-2017 07:59

KrazyKid:

My concern with EV is replacing the battery - say you get 5 years life out of a battery.

What then? There don't seem to be many replacement options.

So will I have just purchased an expensive disposable car?

Ask the vendor. Nissan has been useless on battery issues in Australia and New Zealand, but other vendors are well aware of this and have very different support policies around batteries. (Hyundai and BMW and Tesla in particular).

Thankfully with Gen2 24kWh and 30kWh batteries in the latest LEAFS (2013 and later) battery issues haven't really arisen. It's the older Gen 1 LEAFS that are suffering from 'first draft' on the battery chemistry...and the ones Nissan NZ sold after baking in the Aussie sun for two years certanily didn't help.

My own LEAF is now near 26,000km and over 500 charges of any kind (slow or fast, long fills or short top-ups)....and the battery is 100% mint condition.

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old3eyes

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#1777508 8-May-2017 08:50

Linuxluver:

alasta:

old3eyes:

alasta:

Buying an EV isn't the only way to achieve this. Walking and public transport, the latter of which will soon be fully electrified in Wellington, works for most of my daily travel.

So no, I don't feel guilty about using my diesel vehicle on odd occasions when an EV wouldn't have sufficient range anyway.

What public transport is going to be fully electric in Wellington, I thought the trolley buses were being scrapped??

Both the trolley and diesel buses are going to be replaced with battery equipped electric buses over the coming years. Apparently the technology has advanced enough to keep them running all day.

They will be pluggable hybrids, as I understand it. Electric but able to make electricity if their batteries get too low. Sort of like the BMW i3 with a range extender.....but buses.

Here's where Wellington Wrightspeed (hybrid) testing is up to .. Not very far it appears.. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/92140044/wellingtons-trolley-buses-to-continue-as-uncertainty-remains-over-replacements

I predict the same will happen in Wellington as it did in Auckland. They'll scrap the trolley system and then bail out of the Wrightspeed contract and buy more noisy and dirty diesels gain..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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#1777515 8-May-2017 08:56

Linuxluver:

ilovemusic:

a pure ev ?

probably not until someone makes one that handles like a sportscar and devoid of gizmos.

closest at the moment would be a bmw i8.

I saw a Tesla P100D complete smoke a (far more expensive) McLaren 4 times in a row yesterday at Ardmore.

If that's not sporty enough for you, nothing ever will be.

Yep.

I don't get the perception that folks have that EV's are not sporty of fast. You do not have to wait to get maximum power it is there from the moment you touch the pedal until you take it of. I have seen a video of a Tesla leaving a Walkenshaw HSV V8 and a Holden V8 Supercar in its dust.

edit; I found the clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eGhjhx8O9M

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#1777526 8-May-2017 09:14

MikeB4:

Linuxluver:

ilovemusic:

a pure ev ?

probably not until someone makes one that handles like a sportscar and devoid of gizmos.

closest at the moment would be a bmw i8.

I saw a Tesla P100D complete smoke a (far more expensive) McLaren 4 times in a row yesterday at Ardmore.

If that's not sporty enough for you, nothing ever will be.

Yep.

I don't get the perception that folks have that EV's are not sporty of fast. You do not have to wait to get maximum power it is there from the moment you touch the pedal until you take it of. I have seen a video of a Tesla leaving a Walkenshaw HSV V8 and a Holden V8 Supercar in its dust.

edit; I found the clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eGhjhx8O9M

Hardly surprising given the instant torque on offer from an EV. A P100D will walk most stock stuff this side of the Hypercar\Mega car range.

But, calling a P100D a sports car? Nope. It's stupidly fast in a straight line, we all know that and has been done to death on the internet, but this video review of it suggests as a sports car\drivers it falls short of that. More super limo than supercar, a Mercedes-AMG S63 rival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9MHajPfJU

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#1777611 8-May-2017 11:41

old3eyes:

Here's where Wellington Wrightspeed (hybrid) testing is up to .. Not very far it appears.. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/92140044/wellingtons-trolley-buses-to-continue-as-uncertainty-remains-over-replacements

I predict the same will happen in Wellington as it did in Auckland. They'll scrap the trolley system and then bail out of the Wrightspeed contract and buy more noisy and dirty diesels gain..

That is exactly what Sue Kedgley and others fear....

I hope they are wrong.

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Linuxluver

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#1777621 8-May-2017 11:46

WyleECoyoteNZ:

MikeB4:

Linuxluver:

ilovemusic:

a pure ev ?

probably not until someone makes one that handles like a sportscar and devoid of gizmos.

closest at the moment would be a bmw i8.

I saw a Tesla P100D complete smoke a (far more expensive) McLaren 4 times in a row yesterday at Ardmore.

If that's not sporty enough for you, nothing ever will be.

Yep.

I don't get the perception that folks have that EV's are not sporty of fast. You do not have to wait to get maximum power it is there from the moment you touch the pedal until you take it of. I have seen a video of a Tesla leaving a Walkenshaw HSV V8 and a Holden V8 Supercar in its dust.

edit; I found the clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eGhjhx8O9M

Hardly surprising given the instant torque on offer from an EV. A P100D will walk most stock stuff this side of the Hypercar\Mega car range.

But, calling a P100D a sports car? Nope. It's stupidly fast in a straight line, we all know that and has been done to death on the internet, but this video review of it suggests as a sports car\drivers it falls short of that. More super limo than supercar, a Mercedes-AMG S63 rival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9MHajPfJU

I read an interesting article that said when you buy a Tesla you're getting all the versions below the one you bought as well. The reviewer was driving it around NZ's winding highways and thought the awd P100D - edit: WAS awkward /edit ....so he went into the settings and turned off pretty much everything and drove it as a rear wheel drive and thought it handled much better.

His summary was that the software configurability of the vehicle meant it was actually several different cars rolled in to one.

That may be relevant here.....

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dickytim

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#1777629 8-May-2017 11:58

Linuxluver:

WyleECoyoteNZ:

MikeB4:

Linuxluver:

ilovemusic:

a pure ev ?

probably not until someone makes one that handles like a sportscar and devoid of gizmos.

closest at the moment would be a bmw i8.

I saw a Tesla P100D complete smoke a (far more expensive) McLaren 4 times in a row yesterday at Ardmore.

If that's not sporty enough for you, nothing ever will be.

Yep.

I don't get the perception that folks have that EV's are not sporty of fast. You do not have to wait to get maximum power it is there from the moment you touch the pedal until you take it of. I have seen a video of a Tesla leaving a Walkenshaw HSV V8 and a Holden V8 Supercar in its dust.

edit; I found the clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eGhjhx8O9M

Hardly surprising given the instant torque on offer from an EV. A P100D will walk most stock stuff this side of the Hypercar\Mega car range.

But, calling a P100D a sports car? Nope. It's stupidly fast in a straight line, we all know that and has been done to death on the internet, but this video review of it suggests as a sports car\drivers it falls short of that. More super limo than supercar, a Mercedes-AMG S63 rival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E9MHajPfJU

I read an interesting article that said when you buy a Tesla you're getting all the versions below the one you bought as well. The reviewer was driving it around NZ's winding highways and thought the awd P100D wasn't awkward....so he went into the settings and turned off pretty much everything and drove it as a rear wheel drive and thought it handled much better.

His summary was that the software configurability of the vehicle meant it was actually several different cars rolled in to one.

That may be relevant here.....

I am definitely not a fanboi of the EV, but respect where it is due, I did see a Leaf launch off the line at the traffic light GP at Mt Wellington on ramp, I dare say it would beat most 200-250hp cars, so that was actually pretty impressive. I dare say that up to 80km/h it looked like it would be not far off my car.

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