EV's and Long Journeys
Discussion
Cobnapint said:
SWoll said:
As mentioned he must have been driving at some serious speeds for that to be the case, at real world speeds you are looking at 250 miles.
TBH I don't think you're likely to be impressed with anything EV related based on your recent posts, so no surprise there..
Well thanks. TBH I don't think you're likely to be impressed with anything EV related based on your recent posts, so no surprise there..
If he'd said he'd used about 50% I'd say that was a result.
I'm not against EVs, I'm against people saying they're absolutely brilliant at the moment when they aren't quite.
I'd love one. The new EV6 looks fantastic. But I don't want a barrel load of inconvenience entering my life that I don't currently have.
That's my opinion. If you don't like it, fair enough.
Not sure where a 'barrel load' of inconvenience factors into it?
SWoll said:
As per you're post on another thread an EV would suit you perfectly for the vast majority of your journeys, and your assumption it would be horribly inconvenient for the others is just that, an assumption.
Not sure where a 'barrel load' of inconvenience factors into it?
It's not an assumption, it's from video and written stories I've seen in the media about taking an EV on a long journey.Not sure where a 'barrel load' of inconvenience factors into it?
In town they're great, long journey, ball-ache time (at the minute)...
Cobnapint said:
It's not an assumption, it's from video and written stories I've seen in the media about taking an EV on a long journey.
In town they're great, long journey, ball-ache time (at the minute)...
Might be the case for you, but I've done long journeys, and it's never been a ballache, far from it.In town they're great, long journey, ball-ache time (at the minute)...
phil4 said:
Cobnapint said:
It's not an assumption, it's from video and written stories I've seen in the media about taking an EV on a long journey.
In town they're great, long journey, ball-ache time (at the minute)...
Might be the case for you, but I've done long journeys, and it's never been a ballache, far from it.In town they're great, long journey, ball-ache time (at the minute)...
There are some journeys that are a pain in an EV (depending on where, when and what in), but I have managed 60k electric miles in an i3 (39k) and an iPace (21k) over 5.5 years. Including about a dozen trips to Edinburgh (385-390 miles round trip, mostly in a day) and in the last six weeks also been to Malvern (380 miles over 3 days) and Kelso (400 miles over 3 days).
A couple of Edinburgh trips I have taken my wife’s freelander due to v v cold conditions (minus 9 would have made using the ipace a lot harder) and lack of rapid chargers in good locations (there is a bit of a desert from Gretna to Edinburgh). On some of the trips it has been a bit painful (only a bit) and I have never conked out - though when plans a, b and c failed it was a bit hairy once.
I don’t like the “EVs are useless” or the “there are no problems with using an EV” positions because those are extreme answers and neither give a complete picture.
I may get an ice to replace my ipace as daughters at uni in different directions (Edinburgh to the north east by 190 miles and Aberystwyth by 150 miles south west) is a painful combination and the iPace boot isn’t quite big enough, especially not with a space saver spare in the boot. In fact only the Enyaq looks to have both a decent boot and decent range - the EV packaging advantages are all being poured into massive cabins with no attention to boot capacity.
Oh, and over the next 3-4 years I will need to tow a sheep trailer to market regularly as well as do lots of local running round and university trips and hols, tip runs etc. And I won’t have a Tesla thanks - apart from anything else, new Xs aren’t available for 18 months, look hideous, and several (but not all) owners have had utterly miserable experiences with them
Forgot to say that there is some doubt in my mind how things will develop - every time I have public charged in the last couple of months there has either been a queue behind me or ahead of me when I have wanted to rapid charge (about 10 times in total). Three times had to go to a different charger, including at the three new Gridserve chargers. That has never been the case before in 5.5 years, and the Gridserve replacements will be heavily used until additional ones are added in
oop north said:
A couple of Edinburgh trips I have taken my wife’s freelander due to v v cold conditions (minus 9 would have made using the ipace a lot harder) and lack of rapid chargers in good locations (there is a bit of a desert from Gretna to Edinburgh). On some of the trips it has been a bit painful (only a bit) and I have never conked out - though when plans a, b and c failed it was a bit hairy once.
I don’t like the “EVs are useless” or the “there are no problems with using an EV” positions because those are extreme answers and neither give a complete picture.
I may get an ice to replace my ipace as daughters at uni in different directions…
Some contradictions in there.I don’t like the “EVs are useless” or the “there are no problems with using an EV” positions because those are extreme answers and neither give a complete picture.
I may get an ice to replace my ipace as daughters at uni in different directions…
Pica-Pica said:
Some contradictions in there.
They're not really contradictions... They're the full story. And in context those few occasions are, as stated over a fair distance and time: "I have managed 60k electric miles in an i3 (39k) and an iPace (21k) over 5.5 years". So that's 120,000 miles over 5.5 years, and those are the standout issues in that time.I had a flat tire once in my ICE, and once had to stop when smoke was billowing out of the back. Shall I list those as issues with ICE? Nah, they're minor in the scheme of things (indeed the flat tire isn't an ICE issue alone). He's been honest about the length and miles covered in his experience, and the few times issues have occurred. This far more honest, than a journalist or youtuber wanting to create some agro, not planning and doing a journey once. But yet here we are, with people hopping on the journo bandwagon, sample of 1, vs sample of thousands. And yet describing it as gospel, "they all do that".
essayer said:
8mpg in an RS7 is some good going though - I'm sure if you drove a Tesla in the same way you'd not be doing a long journey 
Yeah that was some man maths right there, but probably £60 of super unleaded vs £10 of electricity. My RS7 was pretty heavily tuned so MPG was not its forte.I don't drive the same way on a long journey, but I like to stay in the 80's (kph obviously) on a long journey. I reckon 180 miles ish of range at those kinds of speeds. You could probably eek 250miles out of it driving at 60mph but that's not how I want to drive.
I'm hopefully taking the Tesla to Le Mans in August (covid permitting) and I'll be on cruise at 130kph (where allowed) all the way so it will be interesting to see how I get on away from the crappy UK motorways when I can cruise at a steady speed for a long journey.
Edited by RobbyJ on Wednesday 14th July 17:12
The thing is that i dont really have to plan (and i dont want to) to use my X3 apart from inputting a destination in the sat nav as i can be confident of numerous fuel stops in any direction. You cant realistically expect everyone to change behaviour when we have a 100 years of ICE useage ingrained in us. When the EV experience matches the ICE experience, happy days.
The point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
As it happens i have just discovered the Porsche Taycan Cross Utility and that is tempting on a company car scheme but c£100k. Not really going to happen!
The point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
As it happens i have just discovered the Porsche Taycan Cross Utility and that is tempting on a company car scheme but c£100k. Not really going to happen!
Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 14th July 17:25
andy97 said:
The thing is that i dont really have to plan (and i dont want to) to use my X3 apart from inputting a destination in the sat nav as i can be confident of numerous fuel stops in any direction. You cant realistically expect everyone to change behaviour when we have a 100 years of ICE useage ingrained in us. When the EV experience matches the ICE experience, happy days.
The point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
So don't get one, if it's not for you right now then it's not for you. Hopefully at some stage in the future they will meet your use case.The point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
andy97 said:
The thing is that i dont really have to plan (and i dont want to) to use my X3 apart from inputting a destination in the sat nav as i can be confident of numerous fuel stops in any direction. You cant realistically expect everyone to change behaviour when we have a 100 years of ICE useage ingrained in us. When the EV experience matches the ICE experience, happy days.
The point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
As it happens i have just discovered the Porsche Taycan Cross Utility and that is tempting on a company car scheme but c£100k. Not really going to happen!
This is filtered for Hotel/AccommodationThe point about having to queue now is also interesting - EVs are getting a bit more popular but even where chargers exist there are not many of them.
I explained previously that there was no charger at either of the hotels i use currently for work in N Devon and was advised to change hotels or change jobs. Very helpful. Believe it or not there are not many hotels in many parts of the country with EV charging points. And i generally stay in Premier Inns for work. This one is only 3 years old. And what happens when loads of people have EVs?
The current infrastructure can support a small % of EVs but needs to be massivley increased to encourage the ubiquitous use. And yet this is a country where we still havent got universal 4G internet in the country so how likely is it that we can expect the EV infrastructure required?
As it happens i have just discovered the Porsche Taycan Cross Utility and that is tempting on a company car scheme but c£100k. Not really going to happen!
Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 14th July 17:25
phil4 said:
They're not really contradictions... They're the full story. And in context those few occasions are, as stated over a fair distance and time: "I have managed 60k electric miles in an i3 (39k) and an iPace (21k) over 5.5 years". So that's 120,000 miles over 5.5 years, and those are the standout issues in that time.
Apologies - I obviously wrote that badly. 39k miles in an i3 and 21k miles in iPace, so a total60k miles not 60k miles in each
Pica-Pica said:
Some contradictions in there.
So what? Do you think life is entirely binary? It’s not - it’s far more complex than that. My wife says I am a mass of contradictions
I would be more likely to buy an EV again if I could find one that has a really large boot (two renegade daughters and wife who don’t know how to pack light): the iX would be on the list but its boot is actually smaller than the X5’s (smaller than the iX3 which is ridiculous) - the iX, the Kia EV6 and Hyundai ioniq5 all have quite shallow boots with the sloping rear door limiting scope to pile high. None has a spare wheel or any facility to have one other than in the boot, which makes it even smaller. Don’t fancy driving across rural Wales (to and from Aberystwyth) or Scottish Borders (to and from Edinburgh) in winter months without a spare
NDA said:
andy97 said:
I am working in Appledore at the moment. And there is one garage in Bideford with an instavolt charger.
Where I was brunged up.... I haven't been back for years.Last 2 weeks. From Shrewsbury
Edinburgh, via Newcastle 700 miles
Norwich 400 miles
Brands Hatch 400 miles
All done in a Tesla M3, with no issues. No more than 1.45 min stops for the Edinburgh run. I would stop for at least an hour in my ICE car, if only for a slash and to pick up emails.
Would I do it in anything other than a Tesla, nope.
I think range anxiety has been replaced by will-it-be-working/unavailable anxiety. My Kona will do 300 miles and I have recently drove ~800 miles
- Bristol to Lake District - stopped at Sandbach for a wee, noticed the Gridserve charge was free to topped it up to 85% in 20 mins (£5.46)
- Lakes to Bristol - Stopped at Garstang where there are 4 Instavolts. 2 were out of service but 1 became free while phoning them. 45 minute charge (£14.47)
- Topped up at home using Octopus Go rate (1.40p)
- Bristol to MK - Stopped at Cherwell Valley on M40 - 1 Gridserve would not start the charge, so moved to the next and that was fine. back up to 85% while I had a coffee. (£8.10)
- back home with 40% and now gradually getting back to 100% via solar.
So 800 miles for £29.43
- Bristol to Lake District - stopped at Sandbach for a wee, noticed the Gridserve charge was free to topped it up to 85% in 20 mins (£5.46)
- Lakes to Bristol - Stopped at Garstang where there are 4 Instavolts. 2 were out of service but 1 became free while phoning them. 45 minute charge (£14.47)
- Topped up at home using Octopus Go rate (1.40p)
- Bristol to MK - Stopped at Cherwell Valley on M40 - 1 Gridserve would not start the charge, so moved to the next and that was fine. back up to 85% while I had a coffee. (£8.10)
- back home with 40% and now gradually getting back to 100% via solar.
So 800 miles for £29.43
gmaz said:
I think range anxiety has been replaced by will-it-be-working/unavailable anxiety. My Kona will do 300 miles and I have recently drove ~800 miles
- Bristol to Lake District - stopped at Sandbach for a wee, noticed the Gridserve charge was free to topped it up to 85% in 20 mins (£5.46)
- Lakes to Bristol - Stopped at Garstang where there are 4 Instavolts. 2 were out of service but 1 became free while phoning them. 45 minute charge (£14.47)
- Topped up at home using Octopus Go rate (1.40p)
- Bristol to MK - Stopped at Cherwell Valley on M40 - 1 Gridserve would not start the charge, so moved to the next and that was fine. back up to 85% while I had a coffee. (£8.10)
- back home with 40% and now gradually getting back to 100% via solar.
So 800 miles for £29.43
I agree - I have a Kona too and have done several long distance journeys (Lakes to Leics return, Lakes to Cotswolds return, Lake to Manchester return). To Leicester (360 miles return) and the Cotswolds (440 miles) I picked out Instavolt chargers at the destination and used them for 45 minutes (one not working and need to used another), Lakes to Manchester is 180 miles return and easily achievable with 100+ miles spare. It's not quite as straight forward as using an ICE car for long journeys , but the charging situation is starting to get better and will only improve. If you have no range anxiety (with the Kona's 300 mile range) it's also a far more soothing and relaxing way to travel. I understand that if you need to tow/have a lot of boot space/have more than two kids/are a badge snob then this particular Hyundai probably isn't for you, but I really can't see any scenario that involves me using an ICE car as my daily driver again.
- Bristol to Lake District - stopped at Sandbach for a wee, noticed the Gridserve charge was free to topped it up to 85% in 20 mins (£5.46)
- Lakes to Bristol - Stopped at Garstang where there are 4 Instavolts. 2 were out of service but 1 became free while phoning them. 45 minute charge (£14.47)
- Topped up at home using Octopus Go rate (1.40p)
- Bristol to MK - Stopped at Cherwell Valley on M40 - 1 Gridserve would not start the charge, so moved to the next and that was fine. back up to 85% while I had a coffee. (£8.10)
- back home with 40% and now gradually getting back to 100% via solar.
So 800 miles for £29.43
I agree - I have a Kona too and have done several long distance journeys (Lakes to Leics return, Lakes to Cotswolds return, Lake to Manchester return). To Leicester (360 miles return) and the Cotswolds (440 miles) I picked out Instavolt chargers at the destination and used them for 45 minutes (one not working and need to used another), Lakes to Manchester is 180 miles return and easily achievable with 100+ miles spare. It's not quite as straight forward as using an ICE car for long journeys , but the charging situation is starting to get better and will only improve. If you have no range anxiety (with the Kona's 300 mile range) it's also a far more soothing and relaxing way to travel. I understand that if you need to tow/have a lot of boot space/have more than two kids/are a badge snob then this particular Hyundai probably isn't for you, but I really can't see any scenario that involves me using an ICE car as my daily driver again.
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