Breakdown insurance for EV's
Discussion
As per the title, is there such a thing for if you run out of juice in the arse end of nowhere and need a charge to get home or to your nearest rapid charge point. If so who is the best and what sort of costs are people paying.
The milk float lands at the end of the month and I will drive it a lot so whilst careful planning will be in order until I learn the range & where I can charge when I am in banjo country I need this as a back up!
EVLATECOMER said:
IIRC they only charge at 3kw though, so it takes a while to add any useful range. Generally speaking there is no excuse for running out of charge in an EV.
Just compare google maps and "distance left". If necessary turn heating off and drive slower.
Driving slower can increase the range by 50%.
Note, even shallow gradients use a lot more power, (or a lot less when going downhill), which can be very concerning if you don't know what's going on.
I got to Oxford (NZ) the other day with 35% left on the van, normally good for 35k - and I had 44k to the nearest charger. Made it with 3% left as it is all downhill. The previous week I got to the charger with 11% left, on a much warmer day (which increases range).
Maximum speed was 40mph, single carriageway roads, so I frequently pulled over to let people pass.
caziques said:
Generally speaking there is no excuse for running out of charge in an EV.
Just compare google maps and "distance left". If necessary turn heating off and drive slower.
Driving slower can increase the range by 50%.
Note, even shallow gradients use a lot more power, (or a lot less when going downhill), which can be very concerning if you don't know what's going on.
I got to Oxford (NZ) the other day with 35% left on the van, normally good for 35k - and I had 44k to the nearest charger. Made it with 3% left as it is all downhill. The previous week I got to the charger with 11% left, on a much warmer day (which increases range).
Maximum speed was 40mph, single carriageway roads, so I frequently pulled over to let people pass.
I’d do the same. Shame nobody else does!Just compare google maps and "distance left". If necessary turn heating off and drive slower.
Driving slower can increase the range by 50%.
Note, even shallow gradients use a lot more power, (or a lot less when going downhill), which can be very concerning if you don't know what's going on.
I got to Oxford (NZ) the other day with 35% left on the van, normally good for 35k - and I had 44k to the nearest charger. Made it with 3% left as it is all downhill. The previous week I got to the charger with 11% left, on a much warmer day (which increases range).
Maximum speed was 40mph, single carriageway roads, so I frequently pulled over to let people pass.
shep1001 said:
As per the title, is there such a thing for if you run out of juice in the arse end of nowhere and need a charge to get home or to your nearest rapid charge point. If so who is the best and what sort of costs are people paying.
RAC and AA will both tow you somewhere, we have family cover provided by the AA with Lexus as its cheaper than going through the AA direct. I've checked they will simply treat the EV as 'unrepairable' at the roadside if we run out of charge and recover it where we want as per standard AA cover.The real answer is don't run out. All EVs will tell you how much range is left, when its cold/wet take at least 30% of the reported figure and you will be fine.
Running out of charge in any EV involves waiting hours for a tow truck, than the faff of finding a working public charger, than waiting even longer to recharge. Unless you really like waiting its not something to be tried.
In 5 years of EV ownership tclosest I've come to running out is arriving home at 3% SOC, not an experience I would repeat.
If range is an issue and recharging mid way looks difficult we use the combustion car.
The most important range figure for any EV isn't the max best situation one, its the worst possible range in winter, with rain, and 0 degrees - usually 30% less than the manufacturer quoted range. Plan you're trips with the worst figure in mind and you'll be fine.
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 10th October 07:05
kambites said:
IIRC they only charge at 3kw though, so it takes a while to add any useful range.
Surely its actually quicker to be towed home or to a rapid charger. After charging losses, HVAC use if during a typical UK winter with rain/wind even on a Zoe that's less than 10 miles of range per hour added, on something like our X it'll be 5 mile.....gangzoom said:
kambites said:
IIRC they only charge at 3kw though, so it takes a while to add any useful range.
Surely its actually quicker to be towed home or to a rapid chargerYes an electric car is carbon neutral....
Combustion for me still, let tech develop to s level I am happy with and I will buy an electric car but not just yet. Yes I find it too much hassle have plug in my car everyday. My phone is bad enough along with laptops, etc. yes plugging a car everyday would annoy me. Maybe if I could do it once a week I wouldn’t mind it so much.
It’s not hard and takes a few minutes and then unplugging in the morning in the cold and raining. It’s not a huge effort but it’s a faff I don’t need. In that respect I guess I am also a Luddite.
Combustion for me still, let tech develop to s level I am happy with and I will buy an electric car but not just yet. Yes I find it too much hassle have plug in my car everyday. My phone is bad enough along with laptops, etc. yes plugging a car everyday would annoy me. Maybe if I could do it once a week I wouldn’t mind it so much.
It’s not hard and takes a few minutes and then unplugging in the morning in the cold and raining. It’s not a huge effort but it’s a faff I don’t need. In that respect I guess I am also a Luddite.
The only way I can be carbon neutral is to stop breathing ): . I have a Mini Cooper electric and a 3.5 kw solar array to charge it, topped up with 5p a unit off peak. The last 1500 miles is less than £15 in power. This only works as I can charge the car during the day however, and the set up cost has been huge. The Mini is super quick off the line, super smooth and quiet, it really does make the ICE seem barbaric in comparison. Don't get me wrong I like a V8 as much as any petrol head, but going electric certainly does not mean dull.
gangzoom said:
kambites said:
IIRC they only charge at 3kw though, so it takes a while to add any useful range.
Surely its actually quicker to be towed home or to a rapid charger. After charging losses, HVAC use if during a typical UK winter with rain/wind even on a Zoe that's less than 10 miles of range per hour added, on something like our X it'll be 5 mile.....I am not against it but at present it doesn’t suit my needs. In your case you went electric because you wanted but it was neither cost effective and it’s not carbon friendly. Which tend to be what people advocate that it’s cheaper per mile, well it isn’t when the cost of the car is many thousands more and the choice is still limited.
One major benefit of the electric cars is that it reduces air pollution in town centres and that’s important, because I live in the middle of nowhere I think my contribution to local air pollution levels by using an ICE is negligible when most houses here have a wood burner going most of the winter.
No doubt it will be bought in the future but just not yet.
One major benefit of the electric cars is that it reduces air pollution in town centres and that’s important, because I live in the middle of nowhere I think my contribution to local air pollution levels by using an ICE is negligible when most houses here have a wood burner going most of the winter.
No doubt it will be bought in the future but just not yet.
motco said:
You cannot tow an EV (well a Leaf anyway) with the driven wheels on the road. It must be a flatbed or a suspended tow.
And try not to go totally flat as the recovery company might um and ah about loading you without damaging your vehicle. Ask me how I know, 5 hour wait!I had to do 20mph on the hard shoulder once on a hill or I wouldn't have made it. I am liking petrol cars more now, but try to keep all driving local.
CrgT16 said:
Yes an electric car is carbon neutral....
Combustion for me still, let tech develop to s level I am happy with and I will buy an electric car but not just yet. Yes I find it too much hassle have plug in my car everyday. My phone is bad enough along with laptops, etc. yes plugging a car everyday would annoy me. Maybe if I could do it once a week I wouldn’t mind it so much.
It’s not hard and takes a few minutes and then unplugging in the morning in the cold and raining. It’s not a huge effort but it’s a faff I don’t need. In that respect I guess I am also a Luddite.
Having run EV's for 2 years now I can confirm that spending 1 minute every few days day plugging in and un-plugging it is a far better experience than visiting petrol stations on a weekly basis. No more queuing, struggling with faulty pay at pump machines or standing in the cold for 5 minutes filling the tank and getting smelly fuel all over you hands. It's also obviously hugely cheaper.Combustion for me still, let tech develop to s level I am happy with and I will buy an electric car but not just yet. Yes I find it too much hassle have plug in my car everyday. My phone is bad enough along with laptops, etc. yes plugging a car everyday would annoy me. Maybe if I could do it once a week I wouldn’t mind it so much.
It’s not hard and takes a few minutes and then unplugging in the morning in the cold and raining. It’s not a huge effort but it’s a faff I don’t need. In that respect I guess I am also a Luddite.
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