Out of interest, 2nd hand LEAFs are dropping to around £11k now at two years old.

Remember that they still have one year of Nissan warranty and 3 years on the battery/motor/air-con etc...

 

But interestingly all the early PCP LEAFs (a few hundred were bought like this) will start hitting the auctions next year.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could pick one up for around £8k or so.  Or less if they flood the market.

Ohhh meet the Venucia e30! With a fake grille over the charging flap!

 

http://www.carnewschina.com/2013/11/07/nissan-leaf-will-be-made-in-china-from-2015-but-it-wont-be-called-nissan-leaf/

 

UK i3 RE review:

 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/i3/first-drives/bmw-i3-range-extender-first-drive-review

 

Sounds good but refueling it every 80 miles (if you really want to drive to Edinburgh from London without 90 minute recharge stops) sounds not so good.  But I think adding that £3,150 RE to the thing makes it too expensive, adds weight, stunts performance and well, tries to make something of this car that it really isn't: a long distance car. So save the three grand I say and just drive it like a Leaf (and use BMW's point based rental scheme for a "real" car as when you need it).  Job done.

Besides being expensive, I'd not bother on the grounds its fugly. But then, so is the Leaf (sorry Richard). I'd back my original argument and get a good diesel any day - IMO of course. Others are free to disagree.

Besides being expensive, I'd not bother on the grounds its fugly. But then, so is the Leaf (sorry Richard). I'd back my original argument and get a good diesel any day - IMO of course. Others are free to disagree.

 

No offence taken.

I didn't buy the LEAF because it's a looker.

That's why I have a Yeti.

 

Even BMW don't seem that convinced by the Range EXtender, saying the EV is expected to account for most sales.

It's only for people that are worried about running out of electric.

Funny thing is, it adds weight, reduces performance (which is admittedly still good) and shortens the i3's EV range.

That's why it's a two cylinder motorbike engine in there, it's really for occasional use only.

I might have one of these though

 

http://www.TOPGEAR.com/uk/car-news/next-nissan-gt-r-will-be-electrocuted-2013-11-07

I'd be happy with something like the Tesla's range but without the £70k+ price tag.

 

Oh, and I need to be able to afford a house with a driveway so I could charge one. :(

Wonder how the eGolf will perform vs the Leaf?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf/first-drives/volkswagen-e-golf-first-drive-review

Wonder how the eGolf will perform vs the Leaf?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/volkswagen/golf/first-drives/volkswagen-e-golf-first-drive-review

 

The spec, weight, battery capacity etc... are almost the same.

So in terms of real world range and use I'd not expect it to be that different.

 

What will matter more is if buyers like a more normal looking car and the VW badge.

Saw a leaf today that had bumped a few lampposts and was looking very sorry in Nuneaton.

 

Fire brigade had a tablet thing, so guessing they were checking how to make it safe for them to cut the occupants out.

Im keeping an eye on the EV market, espec with Autoexpress test driving a new EV  pretty much every week from all the major manufacturers.

 

The way im thinking is once my 3 years are up with the Citigo, my next car will be EV if its financially viable.

Seeing a lot of new chargers going in now.

 

By the end of this year every IKEA will have a Rapid 30 minute charger in every store car park.

Welcome Break have been putting them in for some time, but MOTO have now joined in.

Plus Road Chef are making moves.

 

Looking at the map, there are now a nice string of them round the M25, Up the M1 and M6, plus along the M4.  All 24 hour.

Plus other major routes of course.

 

MOTO ones are not showing on www.zap-map.com yet though.

But they are shown on the Ecotricity site: http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/for-the-road/our-electric-highway

Whats the deal with these rapid chargers? - is there a standard amongst EVs?. 

Whats the deal with these rapid chargers? - is there a standard amongst EVs?. 

 

That would be far too simple and mean the different companies are working together!

 

The Rapids have a DC "CHAdeMO" lead+plug.  The newer models also have an AC "Mennekes" lead+plug so there is two cables from each Rapid.

All these Rapids are being subsidised by Nissan (and to a lesser degree Renault) so they all have the DC plug.

 

The CHAdeMO fits the LEAF and is an optional extra on the Smart EV and upcoming BMW.

The "Mennekes" Rapid fits the ZOE.  It doesn't fit the LEAF, even though a LEAF with a type 2 (Mennekes) lead can plug into a regular socket of this type...

The LEAF can't use the AC Rapid as it's onboard charger is no where near fast enough.

 

Other makes are doing adapters, but the Mennekes is becoming the industry standard by the looks of it going forward.

Even so, as Nissan is pushing and subsidising the Rapid Network all the Rapids use the DC system as it bypasses the onboard AC charger and delivers charge direct to the batteries.

 

I believe any quick charing station now has to have a Mennekes plug, which is why they now have both systems.

Although you can only use one of the cables at a time.

 

Away from Rapids, all the public charging stations (other than some old ones using a household plug) are now the Mennekes socket that you use your lead for.

 

This is the key.

The Rapids use a tethered lead, you don't use your own cable.

All the regular slow (7 hour) and Fast (4 hour) charge posts require you to use your cable, so any EV can use them as you buy the cable you need for your EV. (1 cable as all AC posts are Mennekes, which is called "Type 2").

 

I hope that makes sense... :wonder:

 

 

This is why the Renault Fluence tanked.

It has no rapid charge connector and can only slow charge at 16A, which takes 7 hours to get a range of 80 mies.

Here are some pics, showing the two lead types on a Rapid.

As you can see, they are clearly marked Renault and Nissan.

 

 

That would be far too simple and mean the different companies are working together!

 

The Rapids have a DC "CHAdeMO" lead+plug.  The newer models also have an AC "Mennekes" lead+plug so there is two cables from each Rapid.

All these Rapids are being subsidised by Nissan (and to a lesser degree Renault) so they all have the DC plug.

 

The CHAdeMO fits the LEAF and is an optional extra on the Smart EV and upcoming BMW.

The "Mennekes" Rapid fits the ZOE.  It doesn't fit the LEAF, even though a LEAF with a type 2 (Mennekes) lead can plug into a regular socket of this type...

The LEAF can't use the AC Rapid as it's onboard charger is no where near fast enough.

 

Other makes are doing adapters, but the Mennekes is becoming the industry standard by the looks of it going forward.

Even so, as Nissan is pushing and subsidising the Rapid Network all the Rapids use the DC system as it bypasses the onboard AC charger and delivers charge direct to the batteries.

 

I believe any quick charing station now has to have a Mennekes plug, which is why they now have both systems.

Although you can only use one of the cables at a time.

 

Away from Rapids, all the public charging stations (other than some old ones using a household plug) are now the Mennekes socket that you use your lead for.

 

This is the key.

The Rapids use a tethered lead, you don't use your own cable.

All the regular slow (7 hour) and Fast (4 hour) charge posts require you to use your cable, so any EV can use them as you buy the cable you need for your EV. (1 cable as all AC posts are Mennekes, which is called "Type 2").

 

I hope that makes sense... :wonder:

 

 

This is why the Renault Fluence tanked.

It has no rapid charge connector and can only slow charge at 16A, which takes 7 hours to get a range of 80 mies.

Well thats as clear as mud, thanks!   (seriously, good explanation of a complicated subject!)

Tesla Model S pricing released...

 

http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/models/design?utm_campaign=EU_EN_GB_MODELS_PRICING_NOV_2013.html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=d6f2d7bdeed84634b91065524bf47930&elqCampaignId=715

 

60kW = £49,900 + options.

80kW = £57,300 + options.

80kW Performance = £68,700 + options.

 

Plus I'm test driving the BMW i3 in a week.

 

 

 

I got mine up to £94,000 with kit I'd like.

Tesla Model S pricing released...

 

http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/models/design?utm_campaign=EU_EN_GB_MODELS_PRICING_NOV_2013.html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elq=d6f2d7bdeed84634b91065524bf47930&elqCampaignId=715

 

60kW = £49,900 + options.

80kW = £57,300 + options.

80kW Performance = £68,700 + options.

 

Plus I'm test driving the BMW i3 in a week.

 

 

 

I got mine up to £94,000 with kit I'd like.

Boss your one lucky fella testing these vehicles

Boss your one lucky fella testing these vehicles

No luck, just go ask for a drive yourself.

You will be amazed at what they will let you drive if there is a potential sale in it for them.

I had a new RS4 for a weekend last month even though I made it clear to the sales guy it would be a year before I bought my next car. It worked because I seriously will consider buying one next.

Now where is the number for that Ferrari showroom..........

No luck, just go ask for a drive yourself.

You will be amazed at what they will let you drive if there is a potential sale in it for them.

I had a new RS4 for a weekend last month even though I made it clear to the sales guy it would be a year before I bought my next car. It worked because I seriously will consider buying one next.

Now where is the number for that Ferrari showroom..........

Only showrooms here are for john Deere and Massey ferguson

How little things have moved on in 99 years eh?

 

http://autofocus.kinja.com/this-electric-car-from-1912-had-a-better-range-than-the-1463443046/@travis

So I went into the Park Lane BMW i showroom/dealership today...

First off, forget your preconceptions about the i3 and it's quirky looks.
It's small on outside and big on the inside and the styling looks fine in the metal.
For me the LEAF is too conventional.

The i3 is different enough to be interesting, it's not a car for blending in. I like that.

First off, I have to say it's the best dealer experience I've ever had, and I do buy a few cars.
Last count was around 14 in the last three years...

Now the car.
Well, where do I start.

It feels light, agile and really responsive. I love that you can drive it on the accelerator and the regen is strong enough that it will bring the car to a halt while showing brake lights.
It handles well and for a small light(ish) car it feels very well built and sturdy. Really capable.

In the dash area I did find a few of the controls not very intuitive, but then I've never considered buying a BMW so maybe that's how they are. Having the volume knob popping out of the top part of the dash when the rest of it are all buttons looks a bit odd to me. As initially did the bare wood in the passenger side and the floating screen effect of the Menu/nav screen and the display behnd the steering wheel.
But I found I very soon got used to them.

I do have concerns as it's early days with thier DC Rapid charge plug.
Obviously you don't have the ability to go any distance in the i3 right now as you can't use the 43kW AC/ Nissan DC Rapid chargers.
But that's the only thing holding the i3 back in my opinion.

I've driven so many cars in the last few years, from a Lotus Exige S and my own Nissan GT-R to the LEAF and various other cars including the Ampera and many ICE cars.

The BMW i3 is one of the best cars I've driven in terms of comfortable, very responsive and great design for it's intended job.

I really liked it and would buy one tomorrow. No question. It's that good.

The only real negative about the car or it's spec is the heat pump for pre-warming the car.
If you spec the REX, there is no space for the heat pump. So having the REX for range back up means you can't pre-warm the car or defrost it before you come out on a cold morning.
I find that a real shame as pre-warming is one of the best bits in winter about an EV.

Oh and it top level trim the interior including quality of the leather is better than a Tesla Model S that I drove a month or so back. Noticably better.

Yup I like the i3.  As you say I find the Leaf et al too conventional in looks and more importantly in terms of their technology - i.e. in using a steel monocoque chassis and simply replacing the engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery pack.

 

As I said before the REX on the i3 is a pointless waste of money.  It is NOT a long distance car.  Even with the REX you will have to stop at fuel stations (and waste time) nearly as much as just finding rapid chargers. So save the over £3,000 on that and then you have the heat pump and a perfect city commuting car. The REX is only for people that have the i3 as their only car and don't have the option of other cars for long distance. Did the BMW salesperson explain the BMW rental scheme to you for when you want a "real" car? Again completely makes the REX pointless.  How many points do you get on the BMW rental scheme for £3,000? 

 

I'd say an i3 will be a keeper and slowly crawl under your skin, whereas the Leaf will always just be an appliance.

Ah...  you get 700 points for free every year as standard with your i3!  That's neat. I wonder how much rental you get for 700 points? And how many points will £3,000 buy you? A FAR better bet than the REX in my book.

 

http://bmwelectricpackages.atosb2b.com/services#services-bmw-access

 

BMW Access offers flexible mobility by providing members with the use of other BMW vehicles.

This service is particularly useful for those that have the BMW i3 as the only car within their household. It opens up choice and flexibility should they wish to access another BMW vehicle for a driving holiday or that special occasion. Members can also use the car to travel abroad for an additional charge.

Members receive an allocation of 700 points each year which can be redeemed against a selection of BMW vehicles. Booking is easy, simply log in and manage all your points and bookings online. You are also able to purchase additional points if you'd like to have use of another BMW or have use of the car for longer.

Just for fun...