Electric Cars

Mr H replied on 27/01/2017 20:51

Mr H

Posted on 27/01/2017 20:51

After reading a car magazine I started thinking about the increase of electric cars. The article implied that in five years a quarter of car production will be electric. Now as an ex design engineer I totally embrace new technology (in case you think I am a killjoy). My concern is with the recharging infrastructure. Down our roads there are cars parked in a continuous progression. I have a mental picture of hundreds of wires coming out of houses across the pavement connected to their cars. But what happens if you get home and your space is taken by someone else? Would you then have another extension lead? Are I hear you say, you can just pop down to the garage to share the charging facilities there and have a chat for three or four hours either while you are charging or waiting for one to come free. What are your views?

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42 replies

Metheven replied on 15/02/2017 18:24

Member

Metheven

Caravanner

Posted on 15/02/2017 18:24

I don't think electric is practical for everyone and everyday use, already service stations are begining to charge extortionate amounts for the charging of vehicles, when only last year it was free.

The range is not there for most of us but for some uses it is ideal. To give you an idea of battery longevity my daughter runs the only electric fleet of taxis in Cornwall and is retiring her first one bought in 2013.
Her Generation 2 Nissan LEAF 'Wizzy' has been rapid charged 3786 times & Level 2 charged 8925 times in three and a half years, and covered 170,000 miles at 2p per mile.
Granted they have to go some way yet to improve the range but she swears by their reliability and fuel savings compared to the old diesel fleet. Also servicing costs are minimal with no drive train, axles, engine etc.

They have single phase charging points at their home/premises but also rent a small industrial unit with the availability of 3 phase rapid charging pods, unfortunately not everyone has this option.