Nissan Leaf.

Yes a very good car but, that price tag?

Gee Whizz, Electric cars that 'deliver' a decent range between charges will remain on the fringes of overall car sales for next 10/15 years unless they can do something about the price.

Looks like the internal combustion engine has got plenty of years left in it yet.

Saw a recent trial three EV user mates did from Leicestershire all the way to Aberdeen docks. A Generation 1 Leaf, I think it was the bigger 30kwh battery version, a Gen 2 (the new model) Leaf, which has c 40kwh, and a Hyundai Ioniq which has 28kwh if I recall correctly. 

In fairly rubbish weather and driving through the night, with stops to re-charge and drivers to use the loo and get refreshments.

One would assume the newest Leaf, with largest capacity battery, would win the trial.

 

But the Hyundai did best, as it apparently has a battery management system which can heat or cool the battery pack, the latter needed to be able to take advantage of repeated rapid recharges on a long journey.  After one or two rapid-rate charges, the new Leaf went into "only-accepting-a-lesser-rate-of-charge mode", hence the stops became longer, the driver more irritable, and the Hyundai was seen cruising past, as it could accept multiple short, high-rates-of-charge breaks of journey.

I quite like the Renault Zoe, but I've not seen a single EV during nearly a fortnight in North Wales, but then spotted a 4-up Zoe somewhere in Cheshire yesterday.

1 hour ago, Ronn said:

Nissan Leaf.

Yes a very good car but, that price tag?

Gee Whizz, Electric cars that 'deliver' a decent range between charges will remain on the fringes of overall car sales for next 10/15 years unless they can do something about the price.

Looks like the internal combustion engine has got plenty of years left in it yet.

 

I've got offers that are less than what I paid for my octavia 3 years ago. Add in zero road tax and close to zero fuel cost {I have solar panels} and charge place Scotland would cost me £20 a year and the numbers look attractive 

Once the Local Authorities get on with approving new Roadside Service Areas and Charging points on the A90, A9, A77 etc we will be sorted.

There are people and companies trying to get planning approval and as usual those councillors objecting & planning department employees advising on refusal.

 

Fast charging places at comfortable stopping places with toilet and food / drink facilities where normal prices apply.

No use getting on 100 miles or so and needing to queue and hang about then as soon as you get where you are going if that is without being out of range having to again find a charger before doing what you are going someplace to do something.

 

Example of stupidity from local councillors.

If this is not getting backed what is a Stracathro Services Extension or at Finavon?

Something Dalhousie Estates are involved with!

 

There is a KFC & McDonalds at the A90 side at Forfar,  no charging at the packed out busy McD's. 

a few 100 meters the Angus Council HQ building with the couple of chargers.

At least there are 2 fast chargers installed at the filling station beside B&M in Forfar.

But facilities on the A90 are not meeting the demand or requirements.

 

Luthermuir roadside services planning refused - Mearns Matters.mhtml

Luthermuir A90 roadside services provisionally approved - Mearns Matters.mhtml

Luthermuir roadside services proposed - Laurencekirk AB30.mhtml

Edited 29 July, 20187 yr by Offski

I've lived in the UK long enough (all my 72 years infact) to know that the British Authorities are USELESS at engaging with New Technology.

Councillors are just doddering old buggers who want us to continue living in the age of the Horse & Cart. - And this is me at 72 years of age whose saying this, not some 20 year old.

Your 'wish list' of requirements just Ain't Going to Happen.

The least likely of which is 'Normal' prices applying to Refreshments at these charging point facilities. You'll be lucky to get any Refreshments or Toilets at all. - If these charging points are ever set up that is.

Don't hold your breath but, it won't happen in my lifetime!

Edited 29 July, 20187 yr by Ronn

Scotland has a Government that can talk big but as to getting a shift on they are a bit Sharn.

Dundee Council have gone with Electric in a big way, vehicles, charging facilities etc. the Electric Taxi Fleet.

Perth is to be a Low Carbon Emissions Hub so they need to get the chargers in, and Inverness as well, then the Government need the places sorted on the A9.

 

http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-41551535 

 

The Transport Minister is now the Justice Minister and the ex Justice Minister is back in Transport.

They talk the talk and would end up having people walk, or cycle, in blizzards in Autumn, Winter & Spring.

Electric future for A9 and beyond.mhtml

Edited 29 July, 20187 yr by Offski

According to the Motoring Press on the Net, 'Mild Hybrids' are cheaper to manufacture than a proper Hybrid.

By Mild, they mean that the Electric traction motor isn't 'man Enough' to power the car along on its own, it's only any good for boosting acceleration etc:

Also, on a 'Mild Hybrid' the Battery pack is smaller (hence, cheaper) and it is possible to keep it fully charged using the cars regenerative braking system which pumps electricity back into the batteries every time you brake.

But, what they say on price doesn't hold up when you look what's available out there.

The Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid appears just as expensive to buy as the Toyota Yaris (proper) Hybrid!

Both about £16,000/£17,000.

So, it would be the Toyota Yaris Hybrid for me every time.

What you can get with the Suzuki Ignis hybrid is AWD which for some the AWD is something they do want.

The choice of an Auto and AWD even part time would be nice, but that will need to be the New Jimny and the 1.5 petrol.

Just a pity that VW Group can not get on with a small AWD, be that an Arona, Polo, Fabia or Ibiza.

 

They are hinting that it is coming via a Skoda though.

To think that VW owned 20% of Suzuki until they pithed them off, and the night before the VW Emissions Scandal broke Suzuki bought back their last shares.  Coincidence obviously, no suggesting ever that Toyota lent Suzuki the money...

 

 

 

Edited 29 July, 20187 yr by Offski

8 hours ago, Ronn said:

 

Both about £16,000/£17,000.

 

 

I paid £11500 for my Swift with 500 miles on the clock...   ;-)

 

and they do a hybrid Allgrip as well IIRC

Edited 29 July, 20187 yr by skomaz

RRP on the New Suzuki Swift Hybrid Allgrip is £16,499.

On 29/07/2018 at 12:34, Ronn said:

According to the Motoring Press on the Net, 'Mild Hybrids' are cheaper to manufacture than a proper Hybrid.

By Mild, they mean that the Electric traction motor isn't 'man Enough' to power the car along on its own, it's only any good for boosting acceleration etc:

Also, on a 'Mild Hybrid' the Battery pack is smaller (hence, cheaper) and it is possible to keep it fully charged using the cars regenerative braking system which pumps electricity back into the batteries every time you brake.

But, what they say on price doesn't hold up when you look what's available out there.

The Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid appears just as expensive to buy as the Toyota Yaris (proper) Hybrid!

Both about £16,000/£17,000.

So, it would be the Toyota Yaris Hybrid for me every time.

If fuel economy is your primary objective and you can get a good deal on the Yaris, fair enough. If driving pleasure and performance matter to you in any way, the Swift is the way to go. It's a massively better thing to drive. Many people that obsess about fuel economy do so few miles that the savings made in fuel are less than the higher price they pay to buy the high efficiency car in the first place!

On 04/08/2018 at 08:24, Chris GB said:

If fuel economy is your primary objective and you can get a good deal on the Yaris, fair enough. If driving pleasure and performance matter to you in any way, the Swift is the way to go. It's a massively better thing to drive. Many people that obsess about fuel economy do so few miles that the savings made in fuel are less than the higher price they pay to buy the high efficiency car in the first place!

 

Only 24 hours in but the new Leaf is fun to drive and (for now) zero fuel costs - not a patch on my Octavia in terms of interior finish though