Electric cars.

As I see it, ICE fires are preventable with fuel cells and automatic shut off valves etc. Also when one does occur it can be extinguished using readily available methods. Foam, dry powder etc.
I think it's been explained on here before but due to the chemistry of many EV batteries, once they start to burn there's no way of stopping them it just has to burn out. Furthermore the intensity of the fire causes much more secondary damage.

 

Just look at the aftermath of the fires in California. They had massive headaches figuring out the logistics of removing all of the EV battery remains and doing it safely.

Not so with the ICE's.

If an EV could regenerate it's power from built in/on board solar panels and didn't need a huge battery simply because it would continuously regenerate "on the run", I would fully support their marketing. All they do is use power generated, in most places, from fossil fuels. What the heck does that accomplish?

 

Some airlines have either restricted or banned 'power banks' because of the risk from lithium-ion batteries. They aren't doing that for fun. As @Allotment Boy says, once they start to burn they are near impossible to extinguish. The likelihood may be low, but the potential damage could be catastrophic. I realise I'm wandering away from the specifics of the issues for e-vehicles.

 

I charge my car at home and the bulk of the energy from my supplier is wind rather than fossil fuels. Lots of providers in the UK (eg octopus) also provide cheap charging times when there is a surplus of energy in the system that would otherwise be wasted. I am considering solar panels too which would give me free green fuel but the cost is currently putting me off this. EVcharging infrastructure of is a bit of a dilemma. You read a lot about people with range anxiety who want longer range which means less need for public charging so less investment if people just charge at home, but then not everyone can charge at home due to living in apartments or no driveway for charging. Without access to good/cheap public charging (like Norway) the UK adoption of EV will be held back.

 

I've never understood how an energy supplier can state their electricity is wind produced, I thought it all went into the grid regardless of how its produced.

Unless there a two National grids, one for gas generated and one for wind.

 

Maybe those who claim their electricity comes from renewable sources should have their supply modified i.e. cut off on cloudy windless days. That would at least show them how unreliable renewables actually are.
Just to be clear, I'm not against renewable energy, I just wish the suppliers would be honest and admit they can't promise to provide power via wind/solar all the time.

 

I am solar powered in summer, lay out on the grass for half an hour to recharge my batteries. I dont think coal or oil in my diet would be a good idea... Ethanol "biofuel" on the other hand!

 

@Fat Controller I certainly agree that nuance has left the building. There is no middle ground any more. You must be 100% for or 100% against something.
I'm not against immigration for example. I am against uncontrolled and illegal immigration, just as I am against providing hotel accommodation for illegal immigrants. Using empty factory units as dormitories for all the single males coming across on rubber boats may discourage some, but still provide a dry place to sleep.

 

I don’t think anyone was claiming 100% renewable use. As you say, there are times of windless days, heck there are times it can be too windy apparently. That said,having increased renewables in the mix helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and is that not a good thing?

 

I couldn’t agree more with how polarised everything isbecoming, listening to and discussing different opinions rationally seems to be a thing of the past for many.

 

My move from diesel to EV was not based around the environment but on financials. I am no Environmentalist, merely a tight Scotsman. I took the leap not sure if it was the right thing to do or a huge mistake. My EV is 25% a month less than my last diesel. Insurance came down a few quid but is basically the same. Short term Servicing is cheaper, no oil change, brake pads/discs last longer thanks to regenerative braking and there is no clutch/exhaust/timing belt for long term costs. My charger, while costing a few hundred, has paid for itself and I now save over €100 a month in fuel and pay about €3.50 per 300km as I have a driveway for home charging (my electricity costs have actually come down as I now run washing machine/dryer/ dishwasher etc at the low EV rate of 6c vs 35c a unit). 18months on I have to say that for me and my usage, an EV is the better car. It is just nicer to drive, I enjoy the responsiveness, quietness, no gears etc. This will not be the case for everyone and they will still buy petrol/diesel.
As we liked my car so much my wife is in the process of swapping her old Panda for an EV too. Again, for her needs and usage it’s ideal. As she has mobility issues the lack of gears is a huge benefit, and the fact she only does short trips it’s ideal for her.
If you had asked me 18months ago if we would have 2EVs in the drive I would have said no way. Having actually lived with one I don’t think I would go back, unless it was financially beneficial (like my old diesel was over petrol) as I would not pay more to have/use an EV, it’s just a car, but if the maths makes them similar then it’s EV for me.

 

@Fat Controller statistics are probably always skewed in an attempt to support the argument being put forward by those requesting the stats. In the early 2000's diesel engines were pushed by the Labour Government (just happened to be them at the time) as the greatest thing ever for the environment. Not too many years later the Government (I'm not sure of the date, so can't say what flavour they were) had diesel engines as the Devil's Spawn!
@Emptyheadtime As you say, EV suits your needs but won't suit everyone. Despite that fact, Government is forcing people down the EV route. We still do quite a lot of long runs, for example to Scotland and the North of England from home in Gloucestershire. I can do those runs on a single take of petrol, without having to worry about where I can recharge. I can even do them without stopping if I so wish, apart from swapping drivers on the runs up to Scotland. If/when we stop these long trips I may well consider the EV route. Battery range and life will hopefully be much improved, and prices lower, (wishful thinking) by then.