1 hour ago, toot said:

@lol-lolI have decided if the Corsa is sorted and comes back behaving i will extend the lease with Motability and keep it beyond August since it has the winter tyres fitted and the wind deflectors and does what is needed really. It can get handed back at anytime after August.

 

My circumstances are changing though and if it was handed back now i would have the £71 a week and my VED exemption & i do not pay much in the way of insurance or maintenance running the vehicles i have. 

 

I have enjoyed the best of free and much cheapness EV motoring and am more than happy to give 'charger wars' a miss for a year or 3.

Last weekend driving a BMW diesel estate reminder me just how economic they can be.

 

Good news that you keep your EV for us who care about total CO2 emissions and hopefully it will be economically good for you too.  Challenging times ahead with using economical chargers and a big lack of readily available information as to get good range out of EVs, especially in cool weather. Even in mid April my Zoe is only showing 176 mile range on a 97% level of charge, not going to win new converts over with sub 200 mile range for those who need to do proper distance in EVs.  But there are ways of increasing this but it requires research and adoption of techniques the average motorist probably does not want to get in to.

 

I think charger wars for those "in journey" chargers, trying to rip us of with rates of 79p per kWh will melt away as more and more places, pubs, fast food outlets, even recreational centers, have chargers in the 25 to 49p per kWh range and more of us will use them, even if they are only 7 to 22 kWh inc 11 and 16 for those of us who can use 3 phase AC, as we will take out time on the journey, stop for a bit to eat, charge the car and go on our merry way and then those powerful DC chargers will drop their rates to 59 or 69 p per kWh or go out of business.  1,000 to 2,000 charge points being added to the network each month so choice is becoming more diverse.

 

I happily recall my Audi A4 with its 130 hp 1.9 PD engine clattering along, 66 litre odd fuel tank and seeing almost 1,000 miles of range displayed after a fill up. No AdBlue so polluting like a 20th century motor vehicle, NOX particularly as CO2 was probably quite good with it doing over 60 mpg, similar with the A3 but not such a big tank.  Many mid 2010s BMW diesels are Euro5 and not Euro6 so owners are trying to get shot of them to avoid big London and other cities ULEZ charges which I suppose is OK as long as they are well maintained and not smoking like a 19th century black country chimney as some wiesels that one sees on the road occasionally.  Change is inevitable it is optimising the sweet spots in these changes, tax advantages as well to preserve as much income as we can in these ultra high peace time taxation times needed to pay down the UK astronomic debts. 

 

Van became a pita just after I posted this.  Back tyre was flat. That was me that ran over a screw yesterday.  Back door latch would not open.  There is where the security socket is in a bolted down cabinet that needs the door open to get at, and the tools are in there. It is 17 years old though only 117,000 miles.  Also the tyre weld is in the drawer.  So in a borrowed Audi A1 which I really do not fit in very well and it came up with TPMS warning.  So been to Asda twice already to pump up tyres and get tyre weld.  1.4 TSI 122ps A1 nice enough and handles better than a MINI. 

On 16/04/2023 at 10:49, toot said:

@lol-lolI have decided if the Corsa is sorted and comes back behaving i will extend the lease with Motability and keep it beyond August since it has the winter tyres fitted and the wind deflectors and does what is needed really. It can get handed back at anytime after August.

 

My circumstances are changing though and if it was handed back now i would have the £71 a week and my VED exemption & i do not pay much in the way of insurance or maintenance running the vehicles i have. 

 

I have enjoyed the best of free and much cheapness EV motoring and am more than happy to give 'charger wars' a miss for a year or 3.

Last weekend driving a BMW diesel estate reminder me just how economic they can 

 

The supply of electricity for our cars is a weird world increasingly so.  Some places free, just plugged in at work and as Tammy Wynette would say, " No charge" and of course those lucky enough to have drive ways etc can charge over night at 7.5p or 12p per Kwh and compare that with those EV who do not access to such low priced and free lecky the running of an EV, quite a part from buying or leasing etc, is on a completely different level of running cost.

 

Inequality is rife with little government correcting acting like installing some chargers in public locations like community centres and the like ? 

 

@lol-lol Scotland is not England or Wales so Councils giving electricity away for free is ending.

http://chargeplacescotland.org/charge-point-tariffs

 

17 hours ago, toot said:

@lol-lol Scotland is not England or Wales so Councils giving electricity away for free is ending.  http://chargeplacescotland.org/charge-point-tariffs

 

 

EV charging seems so haphazard.  So many non functioning charging posts and ones from the big oil companies exorbitant rates of payment required.

 

I thought I heard that all hydrocarbon fuel stations above a certain size, unless the site was so constricted that the EV charging station could not be safely put on site ie be far enough away from the HC fuel pumps, had to plan to add EV charging. 

Good to see that Tokheim/ Dover Fuel solution, a branch of is in Dundee, (the city of EVs is it not), is getting to integrating the EV charge points in to its HC pump offering as an integrated refuel station offering as described here and pictured below.............   https://www.doverfuelingsolutions.com/dxpower

Edited 19 April, 20233 yr by lol-lol

I have heard nothing from Arnold Clark other than them getting the car dropped off with them a week ago.

Maybe today i will get a call but i am not chasing them up as not missing the car as not going far anytime soon and really do not need it.

Probably it has not even been looked at so any fault or repair might be simple enough, or it could need parts that will take time and need ordering.

If that is the case i will happily just return the car, end the lease and get my £71 a week to spend on liquid fuel. 

On 21/04/2023 at 09:14, toot said:

I have heard nothing from Arnold Clark other than them getting the car dropped off with them a week ago.

Maybe today i will get a call but i am not chasing them up as not missing the car as not going far anytime soon and really do not need it.

Probably it has not even been looked at so any fault or repair might be simple enough, or it could need parts that will take time and need ordering.

If that is the case i will happily just return the car, end the lease and get my £71 a week to spend on liquid fuel. 

 

It is such a shame that the UK is either slow to get the massive wave of cheap EVs and the prices which are falling massively in many countries but the UK, with its less common Right Hand Drive format seems to mean we get new models a few weeks later and at a somewhat higher price, maybe 5% or the like of, perhaps even having a less used currency ie GBP instead of Euros translates to the RRP, book price being higher in the UK.

 

Car market is very volatile as there are hundreds of manufacturers chasing the shrinking pool of car buyers money in the current  cost of living crisis. 

Since 9.30 am i have called Arnold Clark's 6 times between then and 10.00 am asking to get directed to the service department.

I left it 1 hour from opening at the Service Centre.

Person answering did the direction, just wringing until it cuts out, or redirected to sales who redirected to it just ringing.

6th time i left the request for them to message the Service Department to contact me.

Has the car even been looked at so far, or where are they with things. 

 

Silence so far.

Taking the pith really since they told me they had the car on Friday 14th April. 

......................................

EDIT.

I missed their call back as it went straight to Voice Mail. Funny how that only happens with AC and any other time the phone rings.

 

Anyway.

My car was not 'booked in' seemingly cars need booked in before being delivered by the RAC.

I actually called early while waiting on the RAC to say the car was coming in, then the RAC person called, told the same person said it was coming in.

I called before closing time to say it would be next day.

Friday the same service desk person confirmed in and a backlog before it would be looked at.

 

The EV Technician is off. 

This is Arnold Clark Service Centre Dock Street Dundee. 

My car is in the car park, they have lack of space, lack of interest, and total lack of Customer Service. 

But i knew that and is why the car was delivered by the local family owned dealership.  They are only KIA now for sales, service, Motability. 

Still Vauxhall Servicing though, and with EV trained techs obviously.

 

Now.

I called Motability the wonderful lady has the car booked in, earliest is 11th May 2023 to be looked at.

Lots of good things from her about Flexible Lease Extension etc. 

Great customer service.

 

I can get taxis or a hire car but declined, so i can claim 'Loss of use' after this is over with and get my weekly payments back.

 

Larry. 

Edited 24 April, 20233 yr by toot

1 hour ago, toot said:

Since 9.30 am i have called Arnold Clark's 6 times between then and 10.00 am asking to get directed to the service department.

I left it 1 hour from opening at the Service Centre.

Person answering did the direction, just wringing until it cuts out, or redirected to sales who redirected to it just ringing.

6th time i left the request for them to message the Service Department to contact me.

Has the car even been looked at so far, or where are they with things. 

 

Silence so far.

Taking the pith really since they told me they had the car on Friday 14th April. 

 

Arnold Clark, the EV experts, over 60 EVs to choose from with expect advice from the staff, hmmm.

 

@lol-lol& the EV Technician at the Service Centre Dundee is off.  First possible booking is the 11th May 2023 and my car is in the car park.

http://arnoldclark.com/find-a-dealer/dundee-vauxhall-service-centre/ref/arnbfs

 

 

 

Edited 24 April, 20233 yr by toot

I have been looking, thinking and figuring what to get next.

 

Well a couple of weeks non EV i have decided to stay non EV after i get my car back or not.

 

WTF is it with these pillocks with Green Flashes on their registration plates.

They seem unable to keep up with the NSL's with other cars that are because the roads are good and clear.

They are not even tourists because often they will let you past.

These EV drivers want to get up your jacksy, so you how quick they can pass you then settle into getting some range back in their battery as the hypermile.

 

Then as i have been not driving an EV north of Perth / Dundee and around the Cairgorms i checked out Chargers when near.

Out of order or blocked etc.

Absolute horror show stuff if you need to get places.

Haha, yes, I used to do it with Leaf: "50"mph along A10 before M1, then settle down to 60-65mph on M1, everyone I just passed then pass me.

 

Thanks for the update, the golden period of EV early are now over. Now is growing pains as we transition into mainstream. Come back in 2-3 years hopefully things are better.

I am just used to getting a move on when i can and there is nobody around and no chance points / fine and back into insurance getting loaded.

 

In EV's i am happy to pick something going quick, locals, vans, coaches and stay far enough back, see their mirrors, get a tow and hypermile.

 

Many EV drivers seem to not get it, they are up onto vehicles and then out in front doing the hard work. Breaking wind!

 

As for no use of indicators or headlights and never off the brake pedal into corners / bends or just the car type putting brake lights on when using regen, that does my nut in. 

Edited 29 April, 20233 yr by toot

A surprise message came into my phone on a Bank Holiday Monday about the car 'currently going through our service process' and an advisor being in touch etc.

 

The only time i had a massage like this was when in for a Service & software updates and the Tech / dealership wrongly sent the video of the new discs and pads needed which was meant for a private owner but they said Motability would not approve.

 

Maybe the car was looked at last week, plugged in and some procedure started.  Maybe it is getting updates while there is Band width at the dealership to complete them and not the usual shutting down when 96% or so complete. 

Very positive thinking.

 

In my recent experience it has been that the car dealer / service shop is looking to fleece you on selling you brakes part or tyres as this is where they make much of their profit.

I share you concern that the local servicing site does not have enough EV technicians and this leads to both waiting for them to get round to the work and perhaps the quality of the work done on EV as car technicians oft do not have the training or experience.  My lad has done his automotive level one and two in the least few years but almost no coverage of EVs despite the many thousands of EVs on the road ie LEAFs and Zoes.  

 

10 hours ago, toot said:

the Tech / dealership wrongly sent the video of the new discs and pads needed which was meant for a private owner but they said Motability would not approve.

Dealership trying to con private owner for an unnecessary brake change? why I'm not at all surprised!

 

The sort of scary language when Westway Nissan told me I needed brake disk and pads changed when servicing were excessive to say the least. It sailed through MOT a months later no problem.

53 minutes ago, wyx087 said:

the Tech / dealership wrongly sent the video of the new discs and pads needed which was meant for a private owner but they said Motability would not approve.

 

Dealership trying to con private owner for an unnecessary brake change? why I'm not at all surprised!  

The sort of scary language when Westway Nissan told me I needed brake disk and pads changed when servicing were excessive to say the least. It sailed through MOT a months later no problem.

 

I have one of my employers, who provide us with company cars, say the would replace tyres at 2mm of tread left, ie 0.4mm above the legal limit.  Knowledgeable people know summer tyres start strongly losing performance around the 3mm tread depth, 4 mm for winter if I recall correctly.  I was glad to leave that firm and its car scheme and choose myself when to change tyres. 

 

@wyx087Usually that is the case.

But the discs were actually shagged and i told them that before the car ever went in & the video confirmed that, but then because Motability will demand they are done under warranty they said not a safety issue.

I told Motability and AC's that the car would be staying with them then. 

As it is, those replacement discs are in as bad a state again and now sitting with them for 3 weeks they will be no better.

Car first registered August 2020 but built late 2019 and then delivery delayed due to lockdown. 

 

This was what i posted here this January.

These are the new discs fitted last September.    I hardly touch brakes on cars as i have one leg and am used to not using brakes and they need little use with an EV.  But really these are more crappy than Skoda fit.  VW are right to have drums on the rears of EV's, Even if not RWD. 

 

Edited 1 May, 20233 yr by toot

Some movement.

The App on my phone showed the Charge & range for the car this morning at 8.45 so it had been turned on and then at 3.15.

I missed a call but got a voice main that they have looked at the car and ordered parts and will be in touch when they are fitted. 

Phone app shows me the car was turned on again this morning.

Just 3 weeks today since it would not go into Drive & move.  Then it was showing @80% and 138 miles range.

Tuesday it was 80% and 147 miles and later 142.

This is it today. 79% and 140 miles.   

Maybe i will hear before long how it is going with whatever they are repairing.

 

 

Edited 4 May, 20233 yr by toot

Call at 5.25pm. 

Car repaired, micro switch in the shifter for 'park' seemingly and drop link replaced.  They would like to charge it before i collect it which is nice. 

So tomorrow sometime. 

 

PS. Car has not communicated with my phone that it has been turned on since 10.48am.

I wonder if they are aware i can see this, and that the 'Service is incomplete' as showing on the app. 

PPS. 

5.48pm turned on again and range showing 139 miles.

Edited 4 May, 20233 yr by toot

On 13/04/2023 at 12:22, toot said:

That's one of many fault codes fixed. But I can't see how electric motor ECU no communication with BSI, communication fault with traction battery and onboard charger could be fault of a gear lever micro switch.

 

May be low 12v battery? That's often the problem with EV's not charging 12v enough.

I will see when i look at the worksheet which i will be looking at as the Secret Service stuff is guff. Last time the guy held it in his hands because he never wanted to allow me to turn the page.

I will not drive it until i know what was done and i am happy with it.  As they should know, the driver is always responsible for a vehicles safety.

 

Someone put it on a charger about 7 pm but it looks like stopped charging at 92%. 

Happy as Larry.  Actually pleased to get the car back.  Valeted.  It was Park lock finger acctuator replaced.  Also drop links replaced.   Car drives great. There are a few changes on the information and car settings I need to check.  It is on a 7kW public charger now but not showing a charging speed in the car but it is on the phone. I will see when I get back and start a charge again.  Drive great and finally no knocking.  Tighter steering in Sport.      For now I will extend the warranty until maybe something I fancy becomes available.  If there are any problems it will go back in August.  Mot will be done in June or July when Motability ask it to be done. 

 

Edited 5 May, 20233 yr by toot

So all those error codes were caused by parking lock actuator? (is that the automatic transmission parking pawl)