EVs... no one wants them!
Discussion
greenarrow said:
Thinking about this thread and how the arguments ebb and flow with the rage, I just wondered about conducting a straw poll. Those of you who own EVs, were they a company car purchase (employee kind or through your own business) or a private purchase. I suspect the correct title for the thread should actually be "EVs.....private buyers aren't keen on them" rather than the current title, which clearly isn't true if you're a company car purchaser. have to say I only personally know 2 people with an EV and both are paid through their company.
I tried 6 months ago but only got about 100 answers. Feel free to add to this poll: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I very rarely post on PH now because people just seem to want to argue and/or prove how clever they are, but here goes anyway.
I had company cars for over 25 years, was forced to go diesel around 2000, what was once a free car ended up being a few hundred a month, a bit less when I changed to salary sacrifice. Last car was a 530D, the only thing wrong with it was no soundtrack. I'm absolutely certain that if I hadn't left, I'd be driving an EV now because I'd virtually be back to a free car again. I have a driveway, and they'd probably buy or subsidise a 7Kw charger too. So I can see the viewpoint of other PH-ers in a similar situation.
Now, I'm semi-retired so I still have a driveway, but I don't have £40-50K spare and can't afford £4-500/month. If you can't imagine this scenario, then you can't imagine the position that most of the UK population are in. Most people buy 10 year old cars... I think all of this has been said on here before. So perhaps the thread title should be EV's... the average UK car owner can't afford a decent one (yet).
Finally, as a long time motoring enthusiast, classic single, twin, i4 and V4 motorbikes have soul. Flat 4s, Flat 6s, V6s and V8s have soul. Even some i4 cars. EV's may be quick, and may be very good value if you're being heavily subsidised (which won't necessarily last) but they have nothing that appeals to me. But I'm sure I'll get one one day - we all will.
-Pete- said:
greenarrow said:
Thinking about this thread and how the arguments ebb and flow with the rage, I just wondered about conducting a straw poll. Those of you who own EVs, were they a company car purchase (employee kind or through your own business) or a private purchase. I suspect the correct title for the thread should actually be "EVs.....private buyers aren't keen on them" rather than the current title, which clearly isn't true if you're a company car purchaser. have to say I only personally know 2 people with an EV and both are paid through their company.
I tried 6 months ago but only got about 100 answers. Feel free to add to this poll: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I very rarely post on PH now because people just seem to want to argue and/or prove how clever they are, but here goes anyway.
I had company cars for over 25 years, was forced to go diesel around 2000, what was once a free car ended up being a few hundred a month, a bit less when I changed to salary sacrifice. Last car was a 530D, the only thing wrong with it was no soundtrack. I'm absolutely certain that if I hadn't left, I'd be driving an EV now because I'd virtually be back to a free car again. I have a driveway, and they'd probably buy or subsidise a 7Kw charger too. So I can see the viewpoint of other PH-ers in a similar situation.
Now, I'm semi-retired so I still have a driveway, but I don't have £40-50K spare and can't afford £4-500/month. If you can't imagine this scenario, then you can't imagine the position that most of the UK population are in. Most people buy 10 year old cars... I think all of this has been said on here before. So perhaps the thread title should be EV's... the average UK car owner can't afford a decent one (yet).
Finally, as a long time motoring enthusiast, classic single, twin, i4 and V4 motorbikes have soul. Flat 4s, Flat 6s, V6s and V8s have soul. Even some i4 cars. EV's may be quick, and may be very good value if you're being heavily subsidised (which won't necessarily last) but they have nothing that appeals to me. But I'm sure I'll get one one day - we all will.
Either you are all in, or a denier. Thats how it works on this thread. Usual suspects will be along shortly to tell you are wrong, why cant you spend £500 a month, etc.
The EV game is mostly a new car game in 2024 because we are only a few years in to a concerted 30 year transition.
Of course there are virtually no cheap 10 year old EVs for the average UK person to buy. That is not a problem, no-one is making them buy one, it will evolve over the coming decade (along with charging infrastructure and social attitudes).
-Pete- said:
Now, I'm semi-retired so I still have a driveway, but I don't have £40-50K spare and can't afford £4-500/month. If you can't imagine this scenario, then you can't imagine the position that most of the UK population are in. Most people buy 10 year old cars... I think all of this has been said on here before. So perhaps the thread title should be EV's... the average UK car owner can't afford a decent one (yet).
Alternatively, there is no need to buy an EV if one doesn't want one.
monkfish1 said:
-Pete- said:
greenarrow said:
Thinking about this thread and how the arguments ebb and flow with the rage, I just wondered about conducting a straw poll. Those of you who own EVs, were they a company car purchase (employee kind or through your own business) or a private purchase. I suspect the correct title for the thread should actually be "EVs.....private buyers aren't keen on them" rather than the current title, which clearly isn't true if you're a company car purchaser. have to say I only personally know 2 people with an EV and both are paid through their company.
I tried 6 months ago but only got about 100 answers. Feel free to add to this poll: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I very rarely post on PH now because people just seem to want to argue and/or prove how clever they are, but here goes anyway.
I had company cars for over 25 years, was forced to go diesel around 2000, what was once a free car ended up being a few hundred a month, a bit less when I changed to salary sacrifice. Last car was a 530D, the only thing wrong with it was no soundtrack. I'm absolutely certain that if I hadn't left, I'd be driving an EV now because I'd virtually be back to a free car again. I have a driveway, and they'd probably buy or subsidise a 7Kw charger too. So I can see the viewpoint of other PH-ers in a similar situation.
Now, I'm semi-retired so I still have a driveway, but I don't have £40-50K spare and can't afford £4-500/month. If you can't imagine this scenario, then you can't imagine the position that most of the UK population are in. Most people buy 10 year old cars... I think all of this has been said on here before. So perhaps the thread title should be EV's... the average UK car owner can't afford a decent one (yet).
Finally, as a long time motoring enthusiast, classic single, twin, i4 and V4 motorbikes have soul. Flat 4s, Flat 6s, V6s and V8s have soul. Even some i4 cars. EV's may be quick, and may be very good value if you're being heavily subsidised (which won't necessarily last) but they have nothing that appeals to me. But I'm sure I'll get one one day - we all will.
Either you are all in, or a denier. Thats how it works on this thread. Usual suspects will be along shortly to tell you are wrong, why cant you spend £500 a month, etc.
I’ve got no problem with the people who have EVs enjoying them. What’s irritating is when they assert everyone must be wrong if they don’t want one too. E.g, most people don’t drive more than 200 miles, don’t mind stopping at services to recharge, don’t tow, have a drive with a charger, can afford £500/month. If these contraptions were so effective, people would be spending their own money on them, and they aren’t. Soon the government subsidies will be pulled, taxes equalised, and manufacturers will dump EV production to avoid going out of business. FiF said:
Just saying if someone needs a runabout to do lots of short trips and a short range is no deterrent then a 21 or 71 plate Mazda MX-30 at just under 12k has to be of interest.
Quite a few around with not many miles, and it's a nice place to sit.
Wow, that looks like astounding value as a 2nd car commuter/runabout.Quite a few around with not many miles, and it's a nice place to sit.
Rather put my money here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
riskyj said:
It’s a shame about the door setup, otherwise these seem like a good buy.
dmsims said:
Rather put my money here:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
Yes it's the obvious competition at that price point. Tough choice and will probably depend on range needs. I don't know about their respective reliability though?https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
riskyj said:
It’s a shame about the door setup, otherwise these seem like a good buy.
I prefer the Mazda as it feels far more expensive but the Pug might make more sense.
KingGary said:
monkfish1 said:
-Pete- said:
greenarrow said:
Thinking about this thread and how the arguments ebb and flow with the rage, I just wondered about conducting a straw poll. Those of you who own EVs, were they a company car purchase (employee kind or through your own business) or a private purchase. I suspect the correct title for the thread should actually be "EVs.....private buyers aren't keen on them" rather than the current title, which clearly isn't true if you're a company car purchaser. have to say I only personally know 2 people with an EV and both are paid through their company.
I tried 6 months ago but only got about 100 answers. Feel free to add to this poll: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...I very rarely post on PH now because people just seem to want to argue and/or prove how clever they are, but here goes anyway.
I had company cars for over 25 years, was forced to go diesel around 2000, what was once a free car ended up being a few hundred a month, a bit less when I changed to salary sacrifice. Last car was a 530D, the only thing wrong with it was no soundtrack. I'm absolutely certain that if I hadn't left, I'd be driving an EV now because I'd virtually be back to a free car again. I have a driveway, and they'd probably buy or subsidise a 7Kw charger too. So I can see the viewpoint of other PH-ers in a similar situation.
Now, I'm semi-retired so I still have a driveway, but I don't have £40-50K spare and can't afford £4-500/month. If you can't imagine this scenario, then you can't imagine the position that most of the UK population are in. Most people buy 10 year old cars... I think all of this has been said on here before. So perhaps the thread title should be EV's... the average UK car owner can't afford a decent one (yet).
Finally, as a long time motoring enthusiast, classic single, twin, i4 and V4 motorbikes have soul. Flat 4s, Flat 6s, V6s and V8s have soul. Even some i4 cars. EV's may be quick, and may be very good value if you're being heavily subsidised (which won't necessarily last) but they have nothing that appeals to me. But I'm sure I'll get one one day - we all will.
Either you are all in, or a denier. Thats how it works on this thread. Usual suspects will be along shortly to tell you are wrong, why cant you spend £500 a month, etc.
I’ve got no problem with the people who have EVs enjoying them. What’s irritating is when they assert everyone must be wrong if they don’t want one too. E.g, most people don’t drive more than 200 miles, don’t mind stopping at services to recharge, don’t tow, have a drive with a charger, can afford £500/month. If these contraptions were so effective, people would be spending their own money on them, and they aren’t. Soon the government subsidies will be pulled, taxes equalised, and manufacturers will dump EV production to avoid going out of business. I like to think of myself as fairly chilled when it comes to stuff like cars. There are far more worrying and important things going on in the world now to be worried about. I like to run older cars as being a private buyer, I like the value achieved when buying something 2/3 through its depreciation cycle which still gives good service. But I was only chatting to a mate this morning and saying I really quite fancy an EV as a runabout, so I am by no means against BEVs, its just not for me right now. If everyone just chilled and had a "live and let live" attitude on here, the place would be much less stressful!
braddo said:
FiF said:
Just saying if someone needs a runabout to do lots of short trips and a short range is no deterrent then a 21 or 71 plate Mazda MX-30 at just under 12k has to be of interest.
Quite a few around with not many miles, and it's a nice place to sit.
Wow, that looks like astounding value as a 2nd car commuter/runabout.Quite a few around with not many miles, and it's a nice place to sit.
greenarrow said:
Many people who have bought them seem to have modelled themselves on the new world conquerors of the 16th century. They must spread the word and cleanse the neanderthals of their old ways. Equally from the anti EV brigade some have entrenched themselves very deep and will not see any merits in something which isn't powered by an internal combustion engine.
A good analysis although I reckon the two polarised groups are actually a very small, albeit very vocal, minority here and the huge majority of contributors seem far less emotionally fragile.In support of the adopters however, they seem to be coming from ICE cars so perhaps they have better perspective and speak from experience rather than assumptions.
nickfrog said:
A good analysis although I reckon the two polarised groups are actually a very small, albeit very vocal, minority here and the huge majority of contributors seem far less emotionally fragile.
In support of the adopters however, they seem to be coming from ICE cars so perhaps they have better perspective and speak from experience rather than assumptions.
Yes this is true, but re adopters in reality they are ALL coming from ICE cars unless they are brand new drivers, its just that some of them I see as being like ex-smokers, in that having made the switch they can be more critical of those who haven't. In support of the adopters however, they seem to be coming from ICE cars so perhaps they have better perspective and speak from experience rather than assumptions.
But as an ICE car owner I can definitely see the appeal of a BEV. The silence, fast and instant pick up, ability to refuel from home, all good. For me, I just wish there were more compact, affordable car options out there. The Renault 5 and new Tesla Model 2 will definitely shake things up in that market IMO.
yeah there are some die-hard supporters of each viewpoint on here.
I'm a fan of both EVs and ICEs. Love my Model 3 for various reasons covered many times already. Loved the ICE cars and bikes i've had over the years. I plan on having more ICE toys in the future.
But for daily driving i much prefer EV now. Wouldn't want ICE again for that.
I think from the EV side there's lots of persuading going on because once you've tried one and realised the benefits (if it fits your usage profile) then it's one of those "why didn't i do this earlier?!" moments.
Certainly that was the case for me. I resisted for ages until my son pretty much demanded that i at least tried a Model 3. I did and was smitten with it, but at the time they were too expensive. Tried cheaper ones such as the Kona and Niro and, while good cars, they didn't give me the huge grin that the Model 3 did.
And now prices are more reasonable i've got one for myself.
Each to their own.
An EV isn't probably for you if:
- you're doing 200+ miles regularly and don't want to stop for more than 10 mins every few hrs
- you tow anything further than local running about (tip runs, etc)
- you don't have home charging (depending on your mileage)
- an EV is simply too expensive to purchase next to the equivalent ICE car
- you're worried about some future tech making it obsolete overnight
- you only buy new cars and don't like PCP/leasing (depreciation is heavy)
However, an EV could be for you if:
- your regular journeys are all sub-200 miles, and you don't mind a 1/2 hr stop every 2-3 hrs on occasional longer trips.
- you don't tow, or only do local runs towing
- you have home charging so can take advantage of cheap charging, or your mileage is very low so a trip to a charger once a week/fortnight would be fine.
- you can afford an EV over the equivalent ICE
- you're ok with some future tech making it obsolete, or don't see this happening.
- you're ok owning something on PCP/lease, or buy older used cars
I'm a fan of both EVs and ICEs. Love my Model 3 for various reasons covered many times already. Loved the ICE cars and bikes i've had over the years. I plan on having more ICE toys in the future.
But for daily driving i much prefer EV now. Wouldn't want ICE again for that.
I think from the EV side there's lots of persuading going on because once you've tried one and realised the benefits (if it fits your usage profile) then it's one of those "why didn't i do this earlier?!" moments.
Certainly that was the case for me. I resisted for ages until my son pretty much demanded that i at least tried a Model 3. I did and was smitten with it, but at the time they were too expensive. Tried cheaper ones such as the Kona and Niro and, while good cars, they didn't give me the huge grin that the Model 3 did.
And now prices are more reasonable i've got one for myself.
Each to their own.
An EV isn't probably for you if:
- you're doing 200+ miles regularly and don't want to stop for more than 10 mins every few hrs
- you tow anything further than local running about (tip runs, etc)
- you don't have home charging (depending on your mileage)
- an EV is simply too expensive to purchase next to the equivalent ICE car
- you're worried about some future tech making it obsolete overnight
- you only buy new cars and don't like PCP/leasing (depreciation is heavy)
However, an EV could be for you if:
- your regular journeys are all sub-200 miles, and you don't mind a 1/2 hr stop every 2-3 hrs on occasional longer trips.
- you don't tow, or only do local runs towing
- you have home charging so can take advantage of cheap charging, or your mileage is very low so a trip to a charger once a week/fortnight would be fine.
- you can afford an EV over the equivalent ICE
- you're ok with some future tech making it obsolete, or don't see this happening.
- you're ok owning something on PCP/lease, or buy older used cars
Edited by LowTread on Friday 10th May 09:27
greenarrow said:
But as an ICE car owner I can definitely see the appeal of a BEV. The silence, fast and instant pick up, ability to refuel from home, all good. For me, I just wish there were more compact, affordable car options out there. The Renault 5 and new Tesla Model 2 will definitely shake things up in that market IMO.
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