Electric cars.

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by pete, Apr 7, 2021.

  1. gks

    gks Total Gardener

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    Going by the link, a Mini EV costs 6p per mile charging at home and 8p per mile when using public charging points.

    For a petrol version they have the real MPG @ 35mpg and at £1.60 per litre, that relates to 20.9p per mile. Now if there was no duty on petrol and the vat was 5% then a litre of fuel would be 84p per litre which would bring the cost down to 11p per mile.

    So an Electric mini starts at about 27k while the petrol version starts at 16.5k I would have to be knocking up some miles to justify paying the extra 10.5k

    The treasury will need to recoup the loss in revenue from fuel duty and 15% vat in the future, so the running costs per mile for an EV will probably double in price, if not more.
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      So what costs the money in an EV, the batteries?
      I've been watching that programme where they take a so called classic car and make it into an electric one.
      It seems to be the same old thing every time, take that marvellous piece of engineering out and dump it, then put an electric motor in it, just a sealed lump of copper wire I'm guessing.

      They then try to find enough space for batteries, some up front, some in the back.

      Its pretty boring really after watching a couple, so I dont watch it anymore.
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        What programme/channel - I'd like to watch that @pete
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I think it comes on Quest channel, can't say what time I'm usually just running through the channels when I find it.
        Just looking and I think it's on 10am today :biggrin: it's called vintage voltage.
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I watched Vintage Voltage thanks @pete I have a feeling I've seen it before. Like you say one episode is enough, it's interesting technically but not great entertainment so they make a big thing whenever a nut doesn't fit a bolt and whether the customer is going to be upset about that.

          What I found interesting was there doesn't seem much to an EV, an electric motor and a load of batteries. Much simpler than an internal combustion engine and complex gearbox. It's only because we have been making internal combustion engines for so long that they have become so reliable and refined, compared to what we learnt to drive in. A toolbox and spare spark plugs and points were a necessity plus a bit of practical knowledge.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            That's what struck me about it @JWK, John, it all seems so simple, guess it's not, but quite boring.

            I've never been a hobbyist mechanic but I've always found the workings of the internal combustion engine interesting.

            Looks like those days are on the way out.
             
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            • clanless

              clanless Total Gardener

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              My niece has a Renault Zoe electric car - she told me that a 'service' consists of plugging a laptop into the car and seeing if it has any faults...that's all. She also has one of those 'fast charge' stations plugged into the outside of her house. I must ask next time I see her - was it worth the switch from diesel/petrol.
               
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                I assume they still have to look at things like brakes and suspension.
                Any ideas how they fit in with MOT inspection, rules etc.?
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Do you think in the future electricity theft might become a problem from the outside charging points.
                  I know that you can probably isolate them from indoors, but I foresee that being far too much hassle for some people and they will desperately need a phone app to do it for them. :biggrin:
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    I can't see a thief leaving their ev charging for a few hours stealing electric. It would take a pretty stupid thief but stranger things have happened.
                     
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    I was thinking more like greenhouse heating and a long extension lead.;)
                     
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                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                      Are you saying that I can't continue to run my greenhouse power from the streetlight? :rolleyespink:
                       
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                      • Jocko

                        Jocko Guided by my better half.

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                        Brakes and suspension are not normal parts of a service except for the higher mileage service checks. Brake fluid still needs to be changed at intervals.
                        The MOT is the same whatever kind of vehicle you have, minus the emission checks of course. And they have to check your low-speed warning beeper is working!
                         
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                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                          You haven't got any streetlights.;)
                           
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                          • HarryS

                            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                            I am sure brake pads and discs are inspected at every service. As you say suspension, steering etc may be at a higher mileage.
                             
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