My Electric Car thread!
Discussion
Crease said:
very intresting thread OP.
i was wondering though, will all this charging, wouldnt it be easier if a alternator could be adapted onto the motors drive, and thus recharging the batteries while driving, so in theory, you could drive forever.
Due to efficiency losses, I think the main battery will never gain as much energy as it uses.i was wondering though, will all this charging, wouldnt it be easier if a alternator could be adapted onto the motors drive, and thus recharging the batteries while driving, so in theory, you could drive forever.
However, the car actually has a small car battery in the front which powers the lights, power steering and a few other bits'n'bobs. This must somehow be topped up in the way you describe.
I think it is the physics that dictate that is will use more energy than it can generate.
It’s like setting up a system where a solar panel is connected to a low energy LED light which provides enough light for the panel to power the LED, etc. You will always lose some of the energy.
I like the idea though!
It’s like setting up a system where a solar panel is connected to a low energy LED light which provides enough light for the panel to power the LED, etc. You will always lose some of the energy.
I like the idea though!
Lots of interesting debate here! As Thinforth said though, I was hoping this thread would be more about me sharing my experiences and to answer people's questions about living with an EV on a daily basis, rather than a general discussion on the future of electric car and how green they really are, etc.
Anyway, some more of my experiences and observations:
Steaming up can be an issue. As previously mentioned, the aircon and heater sap power from the main battery so I tend to minimise their use. This can lead to problems with steaming up - especially if it's raining outside and you get damp clothes. My solution is to use RainX Antifog on the inside of the windows. I have never used this on my other cars, but it has really worked a treat here. I still get moisture on the inside of the glass, but it tends to be a thicker film rather than the tiny droplets that scatter the light.
With the strange weather this week, I have discovered that the car gets really blown around by the wind! It's a fairly tall car and quite narrow. You really have to be concentrating when you get sudden strong sidewinds or you will end up in the wrong lane.
The rear windows are heavily tinted as standard. As first I didn't like this as I felt my view of the cars behind was impaired at night. However, I have got used to it and now think it is brilliant! I no longer get dazzled by numpties with those powerful aftermarket HIDs that people are fitting on their old bangers. Whichever car I get next, I'm tempted to get the rear windows tinted.
The driving position is very high as the floor of the car is raised to accommodate the batteries. I am 6ft tall and need to pretty much "step up" into the driver’s seat. I am finding that this elevated driving position actually gives a much better view of the traffic ahead and reduces the amount of dazzle you get from oncoming cars. It doesn’t feel very sporty though.
I'm still enjoying the experience! My Wife loves to drive the iOn and every morning I have the freedom chose to take her Golf or the iOn. Unless I know I have got lots of meetings I always reach for the keys to the Peugeot.
Anyway, some more of my experiences and observations:
Steaming up can be an issue. As previously mentioned, the aircon and heater sap power from the main battery so I tend to minimise their use. This can lead to problems with steaming up - especially if it's raining outside and you get damp clothes. My solution is to use RainX Antifog on the inside of the windows. I have never used this on my other cars, but it has really worked a treat here. I still get moisture on the inside of the glass, but it tends to be a thicker film rather than the tiny droplets that scatter the light.
With the strange weather this week, I have discovered that the car gets really blown around by the wind! It's a fairly tall car and quite narrow. You really have to be concentrating when you get sudden strong sidewinds or you will end up in the wrong lane.
The rear windows are heavily tinted as standard. As first I didn't like this as I felt my view of the cars behind was impaired at night. However, I have got used to it and now think it is brilliant! I no longer get dazzled by numpties with those powerful aftermarket HIDs that people are fitting on their old bangers. Whichever car I get next, I'm tempted to get the rear windows tinted.
The driving position is very high as the floor of the car is raised to accommodate the batteries. I am 6ft tall and need to pretty much "step up" into the driver’s seat. I am finding that this elevated driving position actually gives a much better view of the traffic ahead and reduces the amount of dazzle you get from oncoming cars. It doesn’t feel very sporty though.
I'm still enjoying the experience! My Wife loves to drive the iOn and every morning I have the freedom chose to take her Golf or the iOn. Unless I know I have got lots of meetings I always reach for the keys to the Peugeot.
I haven't driven many small cars to compare the handling to, so I can't give you a definitive review as they might all be like this! I will just describe how it feels to me.
First of all, the suspension feels very stiff. I think they have done this to minimise body roll as with the narrow wheelbase, the thing might topple over on softer springs! You do tend to feel the bumps in this car and you can see the projection of the headlights jumping up and down the road if it has a rough or uneven surface. Could this be down to the tiny wheels?
With the stiff suspension and low centre of gravity, it sounds like a winning combination, right?
Well... It's not the kind of car that you would chuck around a corner with confidence. It feels like it wouldn't take much of a corner to cause the front tyres to lose traction - they could do with being a bit wider. Plus, (it might just be me, but) the high seating position also puts me off from flinging it about.
The thing is, it's not a car that you want to thrash around. It's a very quiet, relaxing drive (except for the bumps!) and it feels at home just cruising along with the usual commuting traffic speed. In my old V6, I was always looking for an opportunity to overtake and to get past the 50 mph dawdlers, but in this, i'm happy to just cruise.
First of all, the suspension feels very stiff. I think they have done this to minimise body roll as with the narrow wheelbase, the thing might topple over on softer springs! You do tend to feel the bumps in this car and you can see the projection of the headlights jumping up and down the road if it has a rough or uneven surface. Could this be down to the tiny wheels?
With the stiff suspension and low centre of gravity, it sounds like a winning combination, right?
Well... It's not the kind of car that you would chuck around a corner with confidence. It feels like it wouldn't take much of a corner to cause the front tyres to lose traction - they could do with being a bit wider. Plus, (it might just be me, but) the high seating position also puts me off from flinging it about.
The thing is, it's not a car that you want to thrash around. It's a very quiet, relaxing drive (except for the bumps!) and it feels at home just cruising along with the usual commuting traffic speed. In my old V6, I was always looking for an opportunity to overtake and to get past the 50 mph dawdlers, but in this, i'm happy to just cruise.
Quick update;
1) The iOn went in for some warranty/recall work to activate the Peugeot Assist button, SOS button and Blutooth connectivity. Peugeot Assist is a button that calls the recovery team to get you if you break down or run out of juice. The SOS button calls 999 (automatically if the airbags go off). The Blutooth means you can use your mobile hands free, etc. I presume this is a common feature of new cars now, but it is the first time I have had it in a car. Any useful tips would be appreciated!
2) I got the guy to show me how to turn traction control off - only for when I’m stuck in snow you understand
1) The iOn went in for some warranty/recall work to activate the Peugeot Assist button, SOS button and Blutooth connectivity. Peugeot Assist is a button that calls the recovery team to get you if you break down or run out of juice. The SOS button calls 999 (automatically if the airbags go off). The Blutooth means you can use your mobile hands free, etc. I presume this is a common feature of new cars now, but it is the first time I have had it in a car. Any useful tips would be appreciated!
2) I got the guy to show me how to turn traction control off - only for when I’m stuck in snow you understand
hadenough! said:
Not convinced this is the best idea in the world, what if its not an emergancy? Also what does it tell the operator?
No too sure to be honest. I imagine it just dials up and sends a status report on airbags? If you are unconscious I’m not sure what will happen next. Also, the engineer explained that you can't hang up to end the call. He also said that the 999 operator is not allowed to hang up. It could be a long phone call then.
I'm still here!
I haven't really noticed a massive drop in range to be honest, but I never really test the range limits. It tends to get a top-up charge as soon as I get to work so it rarely has to go more more than 40 miles between charges (work - home - work). Having said this, I dont think we have had more than 3 or 4 degrees below. At minus 15, it might be a different story!
I try and keep the heater off to preserve power, so it is usually a cold place to sit. I'm so glad I got a nice warm down jacket for Christmas! A few days ago, I was forced to keep the heater on, as ice was forming on the windscreen mid journey!
(I'm glad I didn't have it during all the snow last winter!)
Still no major complaints and I'm really glad I am taking part in the trial.
I haven't really noticed a massive drop in range to be honest, but I never really test the range limits. It tends to get a top-up charge as soon as I get to work so it rarely has to go more more than 40 miles between charges (work - home - work). Having said this, I dont think we have had more than 3 or 4 degrees below. At minus 15, it might be a different story!
I try and keep the heater off to preserve power, so it is usually a cold place to sit. I'm so glad I got a nice warm down jacket for Christmas! A few days ago, I was forced to keep the heater on, as ice was forming on the windscreen mid journey!
(I'm glad I didn't have it during all the snow last winter!)
Still no major complaints and I'm really glad I am taking part in the trial.
Edited by FreeLitres on Saturday 11th February 19:49
Thanks MrCheese,
To be honest, there hasn't been much to report as its very much been "business as usual". At the start of the trial I was convinced that I would run out of juice at least once. I haven't really got close to doing so yet. [TOUCH WOOD!!]
I would say that if I do want to push the car a bit harder, it tends to be in a "point and squirt" stylee. I have found that if you try to press on around corners or roundabouts, you can feel those skinny front tyres start to slide and the car just understeers wide. Even if you had more grip, you sit so high that it would feel a bit unstable if you fling it around corners.
It is always fun to give it some welly off the lights though
. It's nice knowing that the "fuel" for the car will cost me £10 a month regardless of me driving in Eco mode or absolutely flat out. I wish the same was true for the TVR!
To be honest, there hasn't been much to report as its very much been "business as usual". At the start of the trial I was convinced that I would run out of juice at least once. I haven't really got close to doing so yet. [TOUCH WOOD!!]
I would say that if I do want to push the car a bit harder, it tends to be in a "point and squirt" stylee. I have found that if you try to press on around corners or roundabouts, you can feel those skinny front tyres start to slide and the car just understeers wide. Even if you had more grip, you sit so high that it would feel a bit unstable if you fling it around corners.
It is always fun to give it some welly off the lights though
. It's nice knowing that the "fuel" for the car will cost me £10 a month regardless of me driving in Eco mode or absolutely flat out. I wish the same was true for the TVR!Thanks Rebz!
I agree, I think EVs are here to stay and will make up a (probably fairly small) proportion of next year's new car sales. The more cars that are sold and the greater the number of players in the market, the more money will be invested in R&D. Hopefully, this will lead to range increases of 200+ miles!
So, after the trial, will I buy an iOn or a Leaf?
Well, I have just committed to my next car - but this time it's not going to be Electric.
A recent change in job means that I will have to travel a lot more for work, so the EV just doesn’t fit with my new requirements. However, if I was sticking with my old job and if I could find a lease at the right price or a 2nd hand EV, I might just consider it for a commuter vehicle!
The trial continues...
For completeness, my new car will be a VW Passat 2.0 TDi SE company car
I agree, I think EVs are here to stay and will make up a (probably fairly small) proportion of next year's new car sales. The more cars that are sold and the greater the number of players in the market, the more money will be invested in R&D. Hopefully, this will lead to range increases of 200+ miles!
So, after the trial, will I buy an iOn or a Leaf?
Well, I have just committed to my next car - but this time it's not going to be Electric.
A recent change in job means that I will have to travel a lot more for work, so the EV just doesn’t fit with my new requirements. However, if I was sticking with my old job and if I could find a lease at the right price or a 2nd hand EV, I might just consider it for a commuter vehicle!
The trial continues...
For completeness, my new car will be a VW Passat 2.0 TDi SE company car
I’ve only got the iOn for another 2 weeks - It’s going back a month early!
My new company car is arriving at the start of April and I wouldn’t really have space for all 4 cars at home, so SwitchEV have arranged for the next trial candidate to take the car a month early.
Wow, these last 5 months have flown by!
I have really enjoyed being part of the trial. I am sure that my experiences have been helped by the mild weather this winter. I would NOT have liked to commute in this car though last winter’s snow and freezing conditions for several reasons including;
- Worries about the range substantially dropping off below -5 degrees C
- Uncertainties of how the car would behave in the snow (torque + RWD + short wheelbase)
- Regularly getting absolutely frozen being sat in the car with no heating
On reflection, I think I am going to miss the car and some of the freedoms it brings such as guaranteed free parking spots during busy times and as much “fuel” as I want for £10 a month. Looking at how many new EV and Hybrid models seem to be emerging at the moment, I would imagine that by the time my 3-year company car lease is up, we could have seen a significant improvement in EV technology and the future cars might be more tempting to the mass market.
I'm interested to see how things develop!
My new company car is arriving at the start of April and I wouldn’t really have space for all 4 cars at home, so SwitchEV have arranged for the next trial candidate to take the car a month early.
Wow, these last 5 months have flown by!
I have really enjoyed being part of the trial. I am sure that my experiences have been helped by the mild weather this winter. I would NOT have liked to commute in this car though last winter’s snow and freezing conditions for several reasons including;
- Worries about the range substantially dropping off below -5 degrees C
- Uncertainties of how the car would behave in the snow (torque + RWD + short wheelbase)
- Regularly getting absolutely frozen being sat in the car with no heating
On reflection, I think I am going to miss the car and some of the freedoms it brings such as guaranteed free parking spots during busy times and as much “fuel” as I want for £10 a month. Looking at how many new EV and Hybrid models seem to be emerging at the moment, I would imagine that by the time my 3-year company car lease is up, we could have seen a significant improvement in EV technology and the future cars might be more tempting to the mass market.
I'm interested to see how things develop!
TimJMS said:
Smiths, Peterborough.
Tim,I just had a look at your profile and you seem to have a nice collection of cars!
What is your motivation for the Leaf test? Are you just trying out the technology, or are you thinking of getting one for the family?
I am interested to see what others think of EVs after actually trying them out rather than just quoting Clarkson, etc.
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