6 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

I agree, with 2 cars, any EV will do the job. Not a lot of people drives 100 miles a day, even first-gen Leaf will be able to cover the journey most of the days.

 

In Europe at least, I think we have a solid standard. Type 2 for up to 32 amp AC (7kW or 22kW); CCS for rapid (50kW) or hyper (175kW) DC charging. If I were a betting man, I'd say Australia will follow Japan with charging standard: Type 1 and Chademo.

 

 

For the next car I buy, I'd be looking to replace our long distance car. A Tesla is pretty much the only option, most rapid charging network locations only have 1 or 2 stalls, Tesla supercharger locations are usually 4 minimal, 8-12 stalls per location are popping up these days. Then there's the ease of use with Superchargers, compared to minefield of payment methods by different companies.

 

I mean, I wouldn't dream of driving a likes of Kona across Europe, due to so many different payment methods and membership requirements one has to research. It's easy with a fossil fuel car, it's even easier with Tesla supercharger network.

 

So yes, I still think Model 3 SR is very special with cheaper/more range competition out there, it is the cheapest (with warranty) ticket into supercharger network.

Not sure if this is known but the Model 3 will not include free charging on the network it will be a paid for option, at least in the UK

I imagine the Kona/Niro/Leaf will dominate in oz.

There is zero enthusiasm shown by the dealers and I would not know of a single place I could even look at an EV.....new or second hand.

 

Edited 25 February, 20197 yr by Ryeman

1 hour ago, TonyTonic said:

Not sure if this is known but the Model 3 will not include free charging on the network it will be a paid for option, at least in the UK

It is widely known and not a big deal. Free supercharger is never sustainable from the beginning.

 

It's the high availability of the supercharger, and high number of stalls per location that is important. Payment is easily done through Tesla account. Though I'd be happier to wave a contactless bank card at a charger.

 

It's the countless apps (Ecotricty EH, Shell Recharge, Pod-point), broken webapp (Source London, Polar Instant), or the monthly membership fee (Polar Plus) I don't want to deal with.

I hope the law of survival of the fittest applies to the recharge networks.

That will be Qatar /VW, House of Saud, Wallmart, Marriot / Trump, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Virgin, George Soros etc, etc then.

Edited 25 February, 20197 yr by Skoffski

In the news today.

Infrastructure & a EV Charging Business.

 

A bonfire of/by the hedge funds ?

 

https://electrek.co/2019/02/26/tesla-model-x-mysterious-burning-fire-frozen-lake/

Standby -

https://electrek.co/2019/02/28/tesla-update-website-model-3-announcement/

Is a RWD electric car a sensible choice for northern Britain in winter?.

Yes, with the right tyres. Not as if that extreme climatic conditions.

Northern Britain is Islands off the mainland and then the rest of Scotland and the North of England & Northern Ireland.

Scandinavian Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, have plenty EV's, Northern European, Canadian, North America / Alaska then Japan

many coming out and on the roads are going to be rear wheel drive.

Edited 1 March, 20197 yr by Skoffski

3 minutes ago, Skoffski said:

Yes, with the right tyres. Not as if that extreme climatic conditions.

Northern Britain is Islands off the mainland and then the rest of Scotland and the North of England & Northern Ireland.

Scandinavian Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, have plenty EV's, Northern European, Canadian, North America / Alaska then Japan

many coming out and on the roads are going to be rear wheel drive.

With stability control I’m not sure what RWD has beyond it’s aura for being a real ‘mans’ car.   Steering feel aside, as an allrounder, pretty much capable of getting me home no matter the weather, I would take FWD.  A second (fair weather) car is another matter entirely.

Pushers, Pullers or Pushers & Pullers have been debated for years.

Lots of torque with a front engine and front wheel drive and front wheel steering is not that great really like as with rear engine and rear wheel drive.

 

These have no engines just motors and battery packs and a different balance, and an accelerator pedal can go up and down and it is 'fly by wire'. 

Lots of 'sensors' and controls 'Anti Slip Regulation' / Traction Control.  

EV's are getting tyres to suit the ECO credentials presently which are  likely not be the best 'All Weather' or All Season fitment for many regions. 

So the WLTP or what ever testing should be on Summer and Winter Tyres, or All Weather Tyres that the vehicles might well be fitted with

not what gives the best results for range on perfect weather and road conditions on ECO tyres .

More arrangement for Tyres changes / storage will be necessary for many i would think.

Edited 1 March, 20197 yr by Skoffski

4 minutes ago, Skoffski said:

Pushers, Pullers or Pushers & Pullers have been debated for years.

Lots of torque with a front engine and front wheel drive and front wheel steering is not that great really like as with rear engine and rear wheel drive.

 

These have no engines just motors and battery packs and a different balance, and an accelerator pedal can go up and down and it is 'fly by wire'. 

Lots of 'sensors' and controls 'Anti Slip Regulation' / Traction Control.  

EV's are getting tyres to suit and ECO tyres will likely not be the best 'All Weather' or All Season fitment. 

More arrangement for Tyres changes / storage will be necessary for many i would think.

The only difference that matters to me is the ability to direct the thrust rather than push 2 blunt rudders on an icy cambered road and in which it’s no advantage to have all that instant torque either.

Edited 1 March, 20197 yr by Ryeman

Best try them and see then. 

RWD Rally cars get around OK. Practice your Scandinavian flick.

6 minutes ago, Skoffski said:

Best try them and see then. 

RWD Rally cars get around OK. Practice your Scandinavian flick.

Not exactly ice cambered roads and normal tyres George.

No obviously.  So dont use 'normal tyres' use suitable ones, & Drive to the conditions and don't get cars that do not suit your needs then.

I found a Jimny in RWD very good on real cambered icy roads for 2 decades now, never much selecting drive from the front on road.

 

 

 

 

How many people will buy a car without even sitting in one?

 

(Tesla are going online only with all stores to close)

Model 3 standard range plus with partial premium interior looks fantastic, only $2000 more than standard and you get slightly more range, headed + motorised seat and central console bits.

 

200 miles all weather EV, with good interior for less than £35k after grant. Perfect for me

 

AP has also been reduced in price if all you want is ACC and lane keep. Another fantastic move.

?

How long now until TESLA merge with a major Car Manufacturer, or in truth are bought out by one.

 

VW Group possibly.  They are the biggest manufacturer in the world and the one without the batteries or the actual knowledge technology or  technicians that want to trust being employed by the biggest cheating Corporation in the world.

Maybe it will be Geely that actually buy TESLA but then The Donald will have a hairy cannary. 

Edited 1 March, 20197 yr by Skoffski

7 hours ago, Ryeman said:

Is a RWD electric car a sensible choice for northern Britain in winter?.

NO, at least not until real world range with heater and headlights on at least doubles.

 

 

 

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-3/106152/the-35000-tesla-model-3-standard-range-has-arrived

 

Anyone know what it’s ground clearance is?.

Another decapitation -

https://electrek.co/2019/03/01/tesla-driver-crash-truck-trailer-autopilot/

More Tesla news -

https://us9.campaign-archive.com/?e=87fda1886a&u=53ec2d4dd6eb242346cdddfa2&id=ed88a55379