New cars (5 Viewers)

[Boicey]

Just over a week with my first ev.

I can't charge at home (not yet anyway - my charger is being installed in a week or so!) and do a lot of miles and it's been great so far

You can very cheaply and easily add about 130 miles range a day via a home charger.
Kerbside solutions (kerbo, gul-e) are increasingly being approved as well by councils. With some like Cov having more on street and lamp post units.
The number and reliability of 'on the go' rapid chargers has increased dramatically over the last few years. The big problem remains their relatively high cost. 20% VAT doesn't help, it's 5% at home....

 

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[shmmeee]

Probably but JLR do have a manufacturing facility in China to serve that market.

That’s how they’re reverse engineering them

 

[shmmeee]

Borrowing my Dads Zoe again this weekend. Really is lovely to drive but I’m not a fan of fighting lane assist. No charging and I’ve done all my weekend errands in it with 30% left.

 

[MalcSB]

Borrowing my Dads Zoe again this weekend. Really is lovely to drive but I’m not a fan of fighting lane assist. No charging and I’ve done all my weekend errands in it with 30% left.

Lots of the so called safety kit is a bit ott. My car keeps bleeping to remind me that the car I know is on the inside lane to my left is, in fact, on the inside lane to my left. Typically when exiting a roundabout in to a dual carriageway. It startles me tbh, and I have to look about to see if it’s something else I haven’t spotted hence diverting my attention from the manoeuvre I’m half way through raising potential for an accident. Lane assist comes in even when indicating left to return to the left hand lane after completing an overtake. Why? This is the only car with the feature that has done that.

All part of the process of softening everyone up for autopilot driving systems.

 

[eastwoodsdustman]

I was told when I bought mine that the lane assist is on all new cars now. It's definitely a ballache if you forget to turn it off.

As for rapid chargers, some are really good. Went to Middlesborough and Sunderland games and charged on the way home from 5 miles to 280 in half an hour at Wetherby services. Price wise its about what you'd pay for petrol so not the end of the world.

 

[PVA]

Yes lane assist is mandatory on all new cars.

Some are more aggressive than others in trying to keep you in the lane though!!

 

[Boicey]

The best part of having an EV this time of year is hearing all the neighbours out starting up their cars and scraping ice off for 5 mins when I go on an app and warm everything up while having breakfast

 

[shmmeee]

Lots of the so called safety kit is a bit ott. My car keeps bleeping to remind me that the car I know is on the inside lane to my left is, in fact, on the inside lane to my left. Typically when exiting a roundabout in to a dual carriageway. It startles me tbh, and I have to look about to see if it’s something else I haven’t spotted hence diverting my attention from the manoeuvre I’m half way through raising potential for an accident. Lane assist comes in even when indicating left to return to the left hand lane after completing an overtake. Why? This is the only car with the feature that has done that.

All part of the process of softening everyone up for autopilot driving systems.

Haha yesterday it just started beeping at me and I had no idea why I just started shouting “what do you want from me??” At it. The missus thought it was hilarious. Thing nags me more than any backseat driver “you’ve not got your seatbelt” yes dear “you’re going slightly over the speed limit” yes dear “WATCH OUT THERES A WALL THERE!!” I see it dear.

 

[Grendel]

Borrowing my Dads Zoe again this weekend. Really is lovely to drive but I’m not a fan of fighting lane assist. No charging and I’ve done all my weekend errands in it with 30% left.

There must be huge deals on those cars. The MRP is absurd.

 

[Grendel]

The best part of having an EV this time of year is hearing all the neighbours out starting up their cars and scraping ice off for 5 mins when I go on an app and warm everything up while having breakfast

Thats not just restricted to EV's to be fair

 

[Grendel]

Lots of the so called safety kit is a bit ott. My car keeps bleeping to remind me that the car I know is on the inside lane to my left is, in fact, on the inside lane to my left. Typically when exiting a roundabout in to a dual carriageway. It startles me tbh, and I have to look about to see if it’s something else I haven’t spotted hence diverting my attention from the manoeuvre I’m half way through raising potential for an accident. Lane assist comes in even when indicating left to return to the left hand lane after completing an overtake. Why? This is the only car with the feature that has done that.

All part of the process of softening everyone up for autopilot driving systems.

Heads up display I see as a distraction especially on one of my cars as the outline screen reflects poorly

The MB has auto sensor braking and sometimes in picks up vehicles moved passed and the brakes slam down and I think someone has hit me.

It does have some auto drive facility which I have not used at all

 

[wingy]

You can very cheaply and easily add about 130 miles range a day via a home charger.
Kerbside solutions (kerbo, gul-e) are increasingly being approved as well by councils. With some like Cov having more on street and lamp post units.
The number and reliability of 'on the go' rapid chargers has increased dramatically over the last few years. The big problem remains their relatively high cost. 20% VAT doesn't help, it's 5% at home....

Guess the way it's going it won't be 5% in the future, I'd be amazed if they keep that differential, big business will see to that!

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Haha yesterday it just started beeping at me and I had no idea why I just started shouting “what do you want from me??” At it. The missus thought it was hilarious. Thing nags me more than any backseat driver “you’ve not got your seatbelt” yes dear “you’re going slightly over the speed limit” yes dear “WATCH OUT THERES A WALL THERE!!” I see it dear.

 

[PVA]

The best part of having an EV this time of year is hearing all the neighbours out starting up their cars and scraping ice off for 5 mins when I go on an app and warm everything up while having breakfast

Mine is scheduled to come up to temperature by 8am and then at 5.15pm each week day.

The clever bit is it’s based on location, so it only warms up at 5.15pm if my car is at work, if I’m at home it doesn’t do it.

 

[lewys33]

Borrowing my Dads Zoe again this weekend. Really is lovely to drive but I’m not a fan of fighting lane assist. No charging and I’ve done all my weekend errands in it with 30% left.

blame euro NCAP for that.

 

[SBbucks]

You can very cheaply and easily add about 130 miles range a day via a home charger.
Kerbside solutions (kerbo, gul-e) are increasingly being approved as well by councils. With some like Cov having more on street and lamp post units.
The number and reliability of 'on the go' rapid chargers has increased dramatically over the last few years. The big problem remains their relatively high cost. 20% VAT doesn't help, it's 5% at home....

Agree with everything you say but 130 miles is very conservative. I have put 240-250 miles in overnight at home on Octopus at the 7p rate; set it to ask for 100% on smart charge and plug it in early enough in the evening. In practice I don’t often let it get that low, so more normal is putting in 80% (52kW or about 200 miles). This is easily achieved overnight and costs about £3.50.

 

[SBbucks]

Definitely going for a PHEV next (in about three years, currently on a '71 plate).
As I'm a bit risk averse, I'll probably go for a second hand Kia used approved. Initial depreciation gone but still with the full 7 year warranty.

I recently bought Kia used approved (a demonstrator with 2000 miles on it) but it’s the full EV. Great peace of mind from the 7 year warranty and incredibly cheap to run (as long as you can charge at home).

 

[Boicey]

Agree with everything you say but 130 miles is very conservative. I have put 240-250 miles in overnight at home on Octopus at the 7p rate; set it to ask for 100% on smart charge and plug it in early enough in the evening. In practice I don’t often let it get that low, so more normal is putting in 80% (52kW or about 200 miles). This is easily achieved overnight and costs about £3.50.

Yeah a bit conservative. For a 7.4kw charger, 6 hours Intelligent Octopus. Probably give you close to 180 miles.
Ps. Obviously this is for the cheapest rate. You can easily fully charge overnight to give 250+ miles.

 

[SBbucks]

Yeah a bit conservative. For a 7.4kw charger, 6 hours Intelligent Octopus. Probably give you close to 180 miles.
Ps. Obviously this is for the cheapest rate. You can easily fully charge overnight to give 250+ miles.

But if you use the Octopus smart charge schedule then you get the 7p rate for car charging irrespective of how many hours you use (not limited to 11:30 until 5:30) hence why I’ve had 8 or 9 hours at 7p sometimes.
Obviously you only get 6 hours at the 7p rate for the rest of your house usage.

 

[San Francisco]

Yeah a bit conservative. For a 7.4kw charger, 6 hours Intelligent Octopus. Probably give you close to 180 miles.
Ps. Obviously this is for the cheapest rate. You can easily fully charge overnight to give 250+ miles.

But if you use the Octopus smart charge schedule then you get the 7p rate for car charging irrespective of how many hours you use (not limited to 11:30 until 5:30) hence why I’ve had 8 or 9 hours at 7p sometimes.
Obviously you only get 6 hours at the 7p rate for the rest of your house usage.

My neighbour told me a few days ago that Eon have a decent EV tariff at 6.7p per KWh between 12am-7am. He gets about 220-240 miles range for less than £4 which is absurdly cheap.

 

[MalcSB]

I recently bought Kia used approved (a demonstrator with 2000 miles on it) but it’s the full EV. Great peace of mind from the 7 year warranty and incredibly cheap to run (as long as you can charge at home).

There is so often that “charge at home” caveat

 

[MalcSB]

Haha yesterday it just started beeping at me and I had no idea why I just started shouting “what do you want from me??” At it. The missus thought it was hilarious. Thing nags me more than any backseat driver “you’ve not got your seatbelt” yes dear “you’re going slightly over the speed limit” yes dear “WATCH OUT THERES A WALL THERE!!” I see it dear.

Every time I park and open the drivers door, mine tells me I have left my phone in the car. No I fucking haven’t, Its in my pocket!

 

[MalcSB]

Heads up display I see as a distraction especially on one of my cars as the outline screen reflects poorly

The MB has auto sensor braking and sometimes in picks up vehicles moved passed and the brakes slam down and I think someone has hit me.

It does have some auto drive facility which I have not used at all

You must have adaptive cruise or whatever MB call It. My previous car was a BMW 4 Gran Coupe. With adaptive cruise selected and a route entered, it would automatically slow down coming in to roundabouts and “drive round” them. Weird feeling, but then the first time I used ordinary cruise control that felt a bit odd.

AutoPark is also a bit odd and so ponderous I rarely use it. And me being shit at parking too.

The auto brake thing is pretty common with adaptive cruise, its people overtaking and then cutting back in too sharply, particularly annoying when it’s so they don’t miss the exit they want to take. Why not just stay behind me?

 

[SBbucks]

There is so often that “charge at home” caveat.

Not sure what the problem is, it’s true. If you can’t charge at home then public EV charging is comparable cost to other fuels.

 

[MalcSB]

Not sure what the problem is, it’s true. If you can’t charge at home then public EV charging is comparable cost to other fuels.

But not comparable in terms of time it takes.

The problem is that we are being pushed down the EV route and so many say they are great - but.

The “but“ means they aren’t quite as great as people are making out. The 20% VAT on public chargers is an issue for which the solution is entirely within the government’s gift. In addition, why not impose a cap on the unit prices as they do for domestic properties?

There are a few EVs I would consider ( quoted range > 400 miles). All have a new list price of over £40k. Can’t afford it, the VED would be prohibitive.

Make EVs more financially attractive for me. And others, Please.

Additional rate (expensive car supplement)​

New electric and zero emission vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 with the list price exceeding £40,000 will attract the standard rate, plus the expensive car supplement for the first 5 years from the start of the second licence.

 

[Grendel]

Not sure what the problem is, it’s true. If you can’t charge at home then public EV charging is comparable cost to other fuels.

Which kind of defeats the object as it takes longer and the car itself will be more expensive than the non electric version (as well as poor RV's)

 

[SBbucks]

But not comparable in terms of time it takes.

The problem is that we are being pushed down the EV route and so many say they are great - but.

The “but“ means they aren’t quite as great as people are making out. The 20% VAT on public chargers is an issue for which the solution is entirely within the government’s gift. In addition, why not impose a cap on the unit prices as they do for domestic properties?

There are a few EVs I would consider ( quoted range > 400 miles). All have a new list price of over £40k. Can’t afford it, the VED would be prohibitive.

Make EVs more financially attractive for me. And others, Please.

Additional rate (expensive car supplement)​

New electric and zero emission vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 with the list price exceeding £40,000 will attract the standard rate, plus the expensive car supplement for the first 5 years from the start of the second licence.

Surely the vast majority of people do not need >400 mile range? If you really need it then EVs are probably not for you.
For most people, there are plenty of medium range (230-280 mile) cars in the £25-35k bracket which would suit the majority of people. If you’re happy to buy a low mileage used EV then the options are multiplied and the entry price is reduced even further. I don’t disagree with anything you said about the cost of public charging, of course it would be better if it were cheaper and more regulated.
But back to the earlier point, according to the RAC foundation, 65% of households have off-street parking for at least one vehicle so the home charger option is very viable for approximately 18 million homes.

 

[Grendel]

Surely the vast majority of people do not need >400 mile range? If you really need it then EVs are probably not for you.
For most people, there are plenty of medium range (230-280 mile) cars in the £25-35k bracket which would suit the majority of people. If you’re happy to buy a low mileage used EV then the options are multiplied and the entry price is reduced even further. I don’t disagree with anything you said about the cost of public charging, of course it would be better if it were cheaper and more regulated.
But back to the earlier point, according to the RAC foundation, 65% of households have off-street parking for at least one vehicle so the home charger option is very viable for approximately 18 million homes.

The basic point though is what is the cost benefit to buy one as the List price is more and the RV is shite

 

[MalcSB]

Surely the vast majority of people do not need >400 mile range? If you really need it then EVs are probably not for you.
For most people, there are plenty of medium range (230-280 mile) cars in the £25-35k bracket which would suit the majority of people. If you’re happy to buy a low mileage used EV then the options are multiplied and the entry price is reduced even further. I don’t disagree with anything you said about the cost of public charging, of course it would be better if it were cheaper and more regulated.
But back to the earlier point, according to the RAC foundation, 65% of households have off-street parking for at least one vehicle so the home charger option is very viable for approximately 18 million homes.

I don’t need 400+ range, but I also know that I would be unlikely to get anywhere near 400 miles in the real world.

Im one of those people who dont really like stopping en route if it can be avoided, so stopping off for a coffee and a break whilst charging isn’t for me I’m afraid.

So, you have established that EVs aren't suitable for everyone, in a similar fashion to air source heat pumps, certainly on a cost basis and, at least in part, on a practicability basis. We are being forced down these routes by governments who could do something about reducing the cost element. Will they? Not going to hold my breath!

 

[Grendel]

I don’t need 400+ range, but I also know that I would be unlikely to get anywhere near 400 miles in the real world.

Im one of those people who dont really like stopping en route if it can be avoided, so stopping off for a coffee and a break whilst charging isn’t for me I’m afraid.

So, you have established that EVs aren't suitable for everyone, in a similar fashion to air source heat pumps, certainly on a cost basis and, at least in part, on a practicability basis. We are being forced down these routes by governments who could do something about reducing the cost element. Will they? Not going to hold my breath!

Perhaps the new homes will all come with chargers installed. Then again......

 

[PVA]

Just stopped to charge for half an hour with a coffee while watching Trailer Park Boys on the screen

 

[Grendel]

Just stopped to charge for half an hour with a coffee while watching Trailer Park Boys on the screen

Just fuelled up and now going home

 

[SBbucks]

I don’t need 400+ range, but I also know that I would be unlikely to get anywhere near 400 miles in the real world.

Im one of those people who dont really like stopping en route if it can be avoided, so stopping off for a coffee and a break whilst charging isn’t for me I’m afraid.

So, you have established that EVs aren't suitable for everyone, in a similar fashion to air source heat pumps, certainly on a cost basis and, at least in part, on a practicability basis. We are being forced down these routes by governments who could do something about reducing the cost element. Will they? Not going to hold my breath!

You have a very specific set of requirements so I would agree that EVs are not for you. However EVs are clearly meeting the needs of many thousands of people and this number will only grow, especially when the incoming tidal wave of cheaper Chinese EVs really hits our shores. Like everyone else I know who has gone the EV route, once you have taken the leap there is no going back to an ICE.
As an aside, when looking at real work range, a good rule of thumb in my experience is to use 80% of WLTP for a realistic motorway range, and maybe 85-90% for mixed driving.
So your hypothetical >400 range is realistically 320+ motorway miles, more than enough for most people. Personally I don’t know many people who like to drive 300+ miles non-stop.

 

[Sick Boy]

Is there a reason why LPG never took off in the UK? I pay €20 to do something like 300km in an Audi A3.

 

[Grendel]

You have a very specific set of requirements so I would agree that EVs are not for you. However EVs are clearly meeting the needs of many thousands of people and this number will only grow, especially when the incoming tidal wave of cheaper Chinese EVs really hits our shores. Like everyone else I know who has gone the EV route, once you have taken the leap there is no going back to an ICE.
As an aside, when looking at real work range, a good rule of thumb in my experience is to use 80% of WLTP for a realistic motorway range, and maybe 85-90% for mixed driving.
So your hypothetical >400 range is realistically 320+ motorway miles, more than enough for most people. Personally I don’t know many people who like to drive 300+ miles non-stop.

You do seem to be ignoring the fact they are being sold at huge finance subsidies with zero hope of any equity at the end of the contract. The range isn’t the issue. They aren’t value for money for the average private consumer.