Pro's and con's for buying an electric vehicle

That's what we use Oneputt and the car has it's own computer map, even telling us if a charger is in use. We have signed up for ecotricity, this gives us card access to motorway chargers etc., £3.50 for each charge plus the cost of the "fuel." So far we've only charged up away from home twice in several months of ownership because the 94ah battery and rex (range extender) are more than adequate to get us to most places. Most of the time we use the fast charger at home.

 Very interesting OP. Thanks

Not many points around us and the ones that are have, at most 2 points at present.

Not something I would want until something increases the number of available charging points, which I'm sure will happen when the cars become more popular.

The ecotricity system (linked on my post) provides access to the "electric highway" on the motorways where a range of charge times is available. These will certainly have to be increased if EV use grows.

Fast charge access is the most important, at home or away.

 Yes Brue, thanks.

You are certainly right that there needs to be a major increase in charging points, especially for full EV's. Hybrids are  better choice at present, I guess?

I must admit to having been thinking about getting a "milk float" in addition to the Land Rover, just for all the multitude of short runs that I do.

No way any electric vehicle in the next 20 years will have the capability to go where the Land Rover goes (or to tow two tonnes of caravan at legal maxima) with any sort of confidence that it will keep going for the whole journey.  No charging points up mountains, and one can't walk out should the worst happen and come back with two gallons of electrons!

But a wee electric runabout could be fun, and it would not be going far enough to worry about other people providing charging points. So a second or third hand one with older technology would be the choice, as long as I am reassured that scrappage is not going to be a hidden huge cost. One can probably get snow chains to fit, and a paraffin heater would keep it warm.

As to how long a diesel or petrol engine lasts, I don't know. There are some going strong after 70years, so could whoever asked that question wait another three decades for a more accurate answer. I have a friend who has an 1905 Renault - if anything breaks he just makes a new bit, so it will probably keep running for ever.

Yes.

Call it drop money or fuel allowance, it's the same thing, nothing changed.

The Smart Electric battery has an eight year guarantee.

Have you read the full conditions of the "eight year?"guarantee 

Or 52k miles. For your mileage Malcolm around 5 years/