Who Knows What About Electric Cars?

[1581960]

Only mulling over the possibility of buying one at the moment but wondering about how realistic the quoted mileage figures are. Having just driven for a couple of hours on a cold (but not the coldest) day with the heater and/or demister going all the time I’m wondering how much effect that would have on the available mileage.

I’ve also read that to keep the batteries in good condition it’s advisable to limit charging to 80% full, and not use it to below 20%. That being the case you would obviously only be using 60% of a full charge.

Another thing I have in mind is how much effect constantly driving up and down hill (I live and do most of my driving in the Cotswolds) will have on the mileage.

Comments on the above and about anything else I should consider would be very welcome.

[sunny-dave]

From personal experience : (MG4 electric)

1. You'll lose about 10%-15% of the quoted range in cold weather with the heater on.

2. The advice on charging is good - but you can charge up to 100% fairly regularly without problems - just don't keep 'topping up' from 75%-100% every day.

3. Hills make very little difference overall (you get a down for every up, after all) - as long as you let the recovery system do the braking as much as possible on the descents, rather than using the brake pedal too much.

We love the MG4 - it's great fun to drive and incredibly cheap to run - but we wouldn't have it (or any other BEV) as our only car out here in the wilds of Ireland - the charging infrastructure is (ahem) 'bloody useless' and very expensive - so we have a PHEV for journeys that would test the range of the MG.

 

[sunny-dave]

You're welcome ...

[1581960]

Thanks Dave and sorry for the late reply, posted the question and then got waylaid for a couple of days.

Would still be very interested to hear any other thoughts, anyone?

[Old_Geezer]

Only that my opinion that they are another knee jerk reaction in the wrong direction. Costs a fortune to try to put a national charging network in. Fails miserable for many home suppliess, especially for flats. Batteries are very heavy, use rare materials, and so costly that once gone you may as well forget selling it on and just scrap the car. Fires in one are left to burn out, hopefully away from everything else nearby. The repair industry is wary of accidents and need to treat the vehicles with "kid gloves" when moved and where left. And that's just off the top of my head. Treating exhaust from petrol cars would be more cost efficient and convenient; besides road vehicle emissions are not as big a problem as power stations, and most responsible nations have already done what they can there, so it's all for little gain, maximum disruption. Best not to encourage it.

[1581960]

Thanks OG, it seems as though we'll have no choice in the future with all the manufacturers having to produce electric vehicles, but it might well be best to stay internal combustion at the moment.

[ToraToraTora]

If you have to do journies that require charging away from home then they don't really work.

[1581960]

We are a two car family TTT so it would be a replacement for an old Mitsubishi Colt that is only used for local day outings, wouldn't consider electric otherwise.

Thanks for your input.