What's the problem with electric cars?

[Whippy]

Originally Posted by Forg

I may have exaggerated, slightly, due to it being a fat ugly SUV.

Slightly ugly, or SLUG for short.

[Kev0607]

Renault and Geely join forces for all new ICE and hybrid powertrain production, shortly after Toyota, Subaru and Mazda...

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/sustai...ain-production

Interesting...

[canis]

I don't like electric cars because I don't want handles I have to wait to pop out to open the door, I don't want all the car's functions buried in nested menu systems, and I don't want an enormous bright screen shining into my eyes when i'm driving.

And I definately don't want to replace mirrors with cameras. I like stereoscopic vision, thank you very much.

In terms of the drivetrain - Totally up for it! It's a shame they make the actual cars so ****y though.

Should I even mention the cybertruck at this point?

[foggyjames]

Originally Posted by Forg

So Lotus is releasing a 7800kg SUV.

Hold up...it's around 2.5 tons!

cheers

James

[The Thong]

It’s all getting a bit confusing now. One lot of information is that there’s a decline in EV’s and the writing is on the wall etc. Now, Shell is investing in more charging stations across the UK…… All this misinformation is starting to grate now. Is the future still EV?

TT

[canis]

Originally Posted by The Thong

It’s all getting a bit confusing now. One lot of information is that there’s a decline in EV’s and the writing is on the wall etc. Now, Shell is investing in more charging stations across the UK…… All this misinformation is starting to grate now. Is the future still EV?

TT

I think it is, there is still a range problem though. I've heard stories about broken chargers and conjestion at charge points, queues forming, etc. This makes long distances risky.

But I've also heard battery technology is continuing to develop, and the rumour I heard was that the very latest battery can achieve 80% in around ten minutes, which can manage 200 miles or so. Potentially. I heard. I doubt the 200m figure, but ... let's go with it anyway.

I realise that's a lot of speculation. But if that could be made true, then 600 mile journeys towing a caravan become realistically possible again. Okay, so you'll have to stop every 100 miles (200/2 veh's) but it'll only take ten minutes, and the missus will want the toilet anyway.

If I could afford one, I would definitely have an electric second car. I want the 'biggun' for hauling long distance, but to just nip across town for teabags and catfood, the little 'bug' could just as easily be electric, and it'll be already charged from the house AC supply. Fewer components, less servicing, amazing acceleration, and all the range a town car needs. And it won't be belching smoke into the high street too!

I'm still optimistic for electric. I'm hoping the uptake of electric, and an objective understanding of it, will allow combustion engines to be a bit less demonised environmentally, that they also may be used where practicality demands it.

The actual maths to prove all I've just written will be quite a long job to calculate, I think. But someone will have to do it. Until then, people will make their decisions based on emotion rather than reason. This is evident by the Caterpillar advert I saw, where their main selling feature was that their hydrogen engine "sounds just like a V8". Because that's important apparently.

Good to see you again, Thongy. I'm back in a volvo again. Feels like home.

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by canis

I think it is, there is still a range problem though. I've heard stories about broken chargers and conjestion at charge points, queues forming, etc. This makes long distances risky.

But I've also heard battery technology is continuing to develop, and the rumour I heard was that the very latest battery can achieve 80% in around ten minutes, which can manage 200 miles or so. Potentially. I heard. I doubt the 200m figure, but ... let's go with it anyway.

I realise that's a lot of speculation. But if that could be made true, then 600 mile journeys towing a caravan become realistically possible again. Okay, so you'll have to stop every 100 miles (200/2 veh's) but it'll only take ten minutes, and the missus will want the toilet anyway.

If I could afford one, I would definitely have an electric second car. I want the 'biggun' for hauling long distance, but to just nip across town for teabags and catfood, the little 'bug' could just as easily be electric, and it'll be already charged from the house AC supply. Fewer components, less servicing, amazing acceleration, and all the range a town car needs. And it won't be belching smoke into the high street too!

I'm still optimistic for electric. I'm hoping the uptake of electric, and an objective understanding of it, will allow combustion engines to be a bit less demonised environmentally, that they also may be used where practicality demands it.

The actual maths to prove all I've just written will be quite a long job to calculate, I think. But someone will have to do it. Until then, people will make their decisions based on emotion rather than reason. This is evident by the Caterpillar advert I saw, where their main selling feature was that their hydrogen engine "sounds just like a V8". Because that's important apparently.

Good to see you again, Thongy. I'm back in a volvo again. Feels like home.

If the EV age was left to evolve naturally then things would have been different but as per usual the Politicians and the Eco zealots used it as a way of pushing their agenda’s. All it’s done is pushed people away instead. The Chinese are throwing their weight behind it and no the West is slapping them with tariffs rather than encouraging it. It still seems that revenue trumps the environment and health of the planet and population. In the ideal world we’d all work together towards a common goal…. Nope
While all the wrangling, misinformation and propaganda wars are being fought the shed engineers are doing their magic and making EV’s better.

Good to see you about pal, what’re you driving now? I’m gunna be in a Subaru for a while but in my eyes they’re the next best thing to a Volvo.

TT

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by The Thong

It’s all getting a bit confusing now. One lot of information is that there’s a decline in EV’s and the writing is on the wall etc. Now, Shell is investing in more charging stations across the UK…… All this misinformation is starting to grate now. Is the future still EV?

TT

Its all confusing, I agree. There's major companies pulling away or scaling back from EV's. Some are joining forces to produce new ICE and hybrid engines (Toyota, Subaru and Mazda for example, as well as Renault and Geely).

I'm not so sure the future is solely EV. Yes EV has a future, but it won't be the only option. I think there's going to be more alternatives as time progresses.

[canis]

Originally Posted by The Thong

If the EV age was left to evolve naturally then things would have been different ... While all the wrangling, misinformation and propaganda wars are being fought the shed engineers are doing their magic and making EV’s better.

They always were. We always hear about (typically americans) banging on about V8's and cubic inches and "petrol in the blood", etc. But quietly in the background there always have been electric propulsion devotees. I saw a programme on the telly years ago about people attaching electric motors to the input shaft of manual gearboxes.

Originally Posted by The Thong

Good to see you about pal, what’re you driving now? I’m gunna be in a Subaru for a while but in my eyes they’re the next best thing to a Volvo.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Which one do you have? Is it one of their flat engines? I've never had the opportunity to play with one, but I love the "hot wheels" style - as my son used to call it haha.

I've just bought an XC90, with which I am totally in love! This thread talks about my experience so far, and where I'm up to.

~canis

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by canis

They always were. We always hear about (typically americans) banging on about V8's and cubic inches and "petrol in the blood", etc. But quietly in the background there always have been electric propulsion devotees. I saw a programme on the telly years ago about people attaching electric motors to the input shaft of manual gearboxes.



I'm inclined to agree with you. Which one do you have? Is it one of their flat engines? I've never had the opportunity to play with one, but I love the "hot wheels" style - as my son used to call it haha.

I've just bought an XC90, with which I am totally in love! This thread talks about my experience so far, and where I'm up to.

~canis

I’ve got a Crosstrek (It’s a Glitzed up XV really with improvements). My previous Subaru was a good motor but a lot close to the ground for Boss Thong who’s suffering from arthritis. I wasn’t in the market to upgrade but after being swayed by a favourable trade in value on my Levorg and lots of stuff thrown in as part of the deal I went for the Hybrid Crosstrek. It’s dented the bank balance but if it makes Boss Thong’s life easier, it’s money well spent. I looked at XC40 but the S/H values were a bit steep for me. I bought a new Subaru for what it cost to buy a S/H Volvo. Volvo are not off the Thong radar by any means.
It has the boxer engine coupled with a CVT hybrid box. It’s surprisingly economical, I’ve already managed 50mpg but the more realistic day to day average is between 34-44mpg which does us fine.
Congratulations on the XC90, they’re a lovely motor and still better looking than the Spa generation. I hope it serves you well. I always like driving AWD over 2WD motors, tighter cornering. Enjoy the XC mate.

TT