Is it too early to go all electric?

[J__Wood]

Would really like to get an electric car but it may be too early?

Commuting is walk to work most days, an average a day per two weeks it's 22 mile round trip and often, when I'm working away teaching, a hire car. I'm thinking ideal for an electric car.

But hobbies are all outdoor and I guess the most challenging for an electric car is white water kayaking which means:

Four adults and their boats on roof rack, each ~30kg empty but nearer 40kg with wet safety kit etc on way home.

Four adults worth of kit – dry suit, buoyancy aids, helmets, ~2m paddles, boots and lots more crap.

100-120 mile journey to river, which of course tends to be miles from 'civilisation' (no charging at destination).
Most frequently trip is ~30 miles back lanes to M5/A38 then 70 miles to Ashburton and ~ 5miles back lanes to river. Mway currently at indicated 80 (my speedo massive over reads)...

Requires rain (or snow melt) so tends to be a depths of winter sport.
The driving/journey is massively less fun that paddling so drive time has to be minimised and river time maximised so currently no journey breaks (toilet stop pah that is what fields are for).

I could be cunning as we take it in turns to drive, I could do shorter trips (still~ 90 miles each way but M4 at Newport 'luckily' 50 mph ave...)

Current boat-mobile is 2008 Focus estate 2l diesel, just big enough for task but not too big to leave in riverside lay-by. Usually paddling trip averages 30 mpg, due to huge windbreak on roof and my inability not to press the accelerator. Also another two cars but both unsuitable for paddling.

Price isn't much of an issue except the car becomes a shed after first trip - stinky kit before hitting river, stinky muddy kit and people on return trip, boot full of wet kit. Dumped for hours miles from anywhere in darkest winter, often in bandit country (militant fisher folk love to slash a tyre or two). Clue is had Focus from new and we could probably be self-sufficient in mushrooms.

Edited by J__Wood on Saturday 7th August 15:30

[AB]

You'll be fine.

[Heres Johnny]

A 240 mile round trip without charging in winter with a break in the middle is far from easy and I would say was NOT fine (do some people actually read the question?). You might just make it in something like a Tesla MS100D but I wouldn't like to bank on it (and I've had a Tesla 90D and P90D over the years which both struggled with 200 miles in winter at times). The 180 mile round trip is much more viable, except putting thingsd on the roof will probably hurt range a fair bit too.

It's a pitty as if you could charge and had some spare, you'd find the heating in an EV a positive experience and help you warm up quickly.

[J__Wood]

Heres Johnny said:

A 240 mile round trip without charging in winter with a break in the middle is far from easy and I would say was NOT fine (do some people actually read the question?). You might just make it in something like a Tesla MS100D but I wouldn't like to bank on it (and I've had a Tesla 90D and P90D over the years which both struggled with 200 miles in winter at times). The 180 mile round trip is much more viable, except putting thingsd on the roof will probably hurt range a fair bit too.

It's a pitty as if you could charge and had some spare, you'd find the heating in an EV a positive experience and help you warm up quickly.

Thanks for your advice. I did spot that the River Dart Country Park has a couple of 22kW chargers. It would be an ideal spot for easy run on the Dart as it is one of the usual egresses, but I'm pretty sure everyone would less than delighted if I left it there for half of the day.

Roof rails are high up on my list of 'good to have' due to possibly overloaded roof racks and occasional emergency braking for white vans parked on bridges.

I do like the idea turning the heating on (remotely with phone?) as I get off a river (-8C Sennybridge) and walking to a warm car.

Edited by J__Wood on Saturday 7th August 16:19

[MrGTI6]

Your Focus sounds like the cheapest and most hassle-free solution. Personally, I'd be sticking with that.

[gmaz]

I'd say the MG EV5 long range is the most "Ford Focus" like of the current crop, i.e. bland but practical. Only 250 mile range, but can charge quickly, roof rail load is 75kg for the top model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjrycBqsnd4

Kia eNiro has plenty of space, longer range and good boot so worth considering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UowuQkUKRfs

Edit - Oh and the Skoda Enyaq iV 80x too - loads of space, 4WD but getting expensive

Edited by gmaz on Saturday 7th August 17:00

[J__Wood]

MrGTI6 said:

Your Focus sounds like the cheapest and most hassle-free solution. Personally, I'd be sticking with that.

It is a odd one, low annual mileage and vast majority of journeys are longish the 200 Sundays, a few 190 mile up to Bala non stop of course for long weekends (probably 430 mile return trip with 4 people/boats on one tankful - I must have had a recent 14 day nip scare that time), plenty of long weekends down in my home in Cornwall, couple of Aviemore 1060 mile round trips.

Very few short journeys or servicing, no cambelt change (assuming it has one) has cost me quite a few brake pads, headlight bulbs, batteries and Michelin Cross Climates. Lives outside all year round, spring to early winter is surfing so sloshing in salt water instead of river water. Gets washed for its MOT, plenty of Devon lane close pass paint damage and a few city centre, thanks commuters, parking dents. Overall less than 50k but I would feel guilty selling it to anyone.

It is getting to the age that sooner or later I'll need to take it out to a quiet place and put a bullet between its headlights.

[DMZ]

If you want an EV and you’re willing to work around it as part of the adventure, I’d say you can get it to work. But absolutely nothing can touch a diesel car for simplicity and ability to do much anything.

[J__Wood]

gmaz said:

I'd say the MG EV5 long range is the most "Ford Focus" like of the current crop, i.e. bland but practical. Only 250 mile range, but can charge quickly, roof rail load is 75kg for the top model.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjrycBqsnd4

Kia eNiro has plenty of space, longer range and good boot so worth considering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UowuQkUKRfs

Thanks gmaz, bland but practical is just what I need (I have two other non-bland but less practical cars).
The eNiro thread here was what got me thinking that it was getting close to when I could manage with an electric car. I don't really want a monster SUV size vehicle for the same reason I've never gone for a van - great in most areas but an utter PITA to squeeze into a country lane parking spot.

[MrGTI6]

J__Wood said:

MrGTI6 said:

Your Focus sounds like the cheapest and most hassle-free solution. Personally, I'd be sticking with that.

It is a odd one, low annual mileage and vast majority of journeys are longish the 200 Sundays, a few 190 mile up to Bala non stop of course for long weekends (probably 430 mile return trip with 4 people/boats on one tankful - I must have had a recent 14 day nip scare that time), plenty of long weekends down in my home in Cornwall, couple of Aviemore 1060 mile round trips.

Very few short journeys or servicing, no cambelt change (assuming it has one) has cost me quite a few brake pads, headlight bulbs, batteries and Michelin Cross Climates. Lives outside all year round, spring to early winter is surfing so sloshing in salt water instead of river water. Gets washed for its MOT, plenty of Devon lane close pass paint damage and a few city centre, thanks commuters, parking dents. Overall less than 50k but I would feel guilty selling it to anyone.

It is getting to the age that sooner or later I'll need to take it out to a quiet place and put a bullet between its headlights.

If it's low-mileage but mainly does long journeys, I suspect it has loads of life in it yet. Who cares if it's a bit tatty? It owes you nothing and you're not precious about it; sounds perfect for what you use it for. Maybe I'm just a cheapskate, but I would suggest forgetting about replacing it, just put a few hundred quid towards a new timing belt and water pump when it's in for its next MOT and get at least another decade out of it!

[J__Wood]

MrGTI6 said:

If it's low-mileage but mainly does long journeys, I suspect it has loads of life in it yet. Who cares if it's a bit tatty? It owes you nothing and you're not precious about it; sounds perfect for what you use it for. Maybe I'm just a cheapskate, but I would suggest forgetting about replacing it, just put a few hundred quid towards a new timing belt and water pump when it's in for its next MOT and get at least another decade out of it!

MrGTI6 thanks, all sensible comments.
You are very right, it is still a pretty good tool for the job. I am also a cheapskate but unfortunately too solvent and I've got to the point where I feel I shouldn't still driving an old heap belching out pollution if I could reasonable manage with something that is far less polluting.

Preventative maintenance has always been an anathema to someone who spent 35 years expecting to be killed in an accident tomorrow. Decade pah.

[The Road Crew]

I've got the Niro. It won't do 250 miles in winter with the heater on. It'll do 250 in the summer, if you keep your speed under 70 mph.

I probably only need to charge away from home 10-15 times per year but it's a pain in the ass when you have to.

Not the cars fault, but depending where you live the network is a joke. Needed to charge today.... Gridserve on the A1 not working. Next 2 I tried away from the motorway were in use. 4th+5th charger not working, 6th also in use... Down to sub 20 miles range by now so had to wait 30 minutes to get on the charger then an hour to charge.

What would've been a 10 minute refuel turned into 2 hours wasted and an extra 20 miles driven. Infuriating to say the least.

If I could go back in time I think i'd keep my old diesel. Buyers remorse is kicking in today.

I might feel differently once I get home and don't have any 200+ mile days on my appointments list!

[WestyCarl]

J__Wood said:

Would really like to get an electric car but it may be too early?

100-120 mile journey to river, which of course tends to be miles from 'civilisation' (no charging at destination).
Most frequently trip is ~30 miles back lanes to M5/A38 then 70 miles to Ashburton and ~ 5miles back lanes to river. Mway currently at indicated 80 (my speedo massive over reads)...

Requires rain (or snow melt) so tends to be a depths of winter sport.
The driving/journey is massively less fun that paddling so drive time has to be minimised and river time maximised so currently no journey breaks (toilet stop pah that is what fields are for).

Edited by J__Wood on Saturday 7th August 15:30

I was in a similar position. Work commute is short but I'm a mountian biker so roughly once a month it's usually a 200-300miles weekend round trip (usually wales), plus once a year we drive to the Alps for skiing.

Against my wifes advice I've taken the plunge with a Tesla M3LR. I realsie I may have to slightly compromise compared to my current drive (maybe 20 min stop every few hours) however I'm hoping the advantages will make me forget this small inconvience.

Worst case is my wife is right and it's a pain, in which case I will never be allowed to forget it and my error will be remeber at every opportunity

[rxe]

J__Wood said:

MrGTI6 thanks, all sensible comments.
You are very right, it is still a pretty good tool for the job. I am also a cheapskate but unfortunately too solvent and I've got to the point where I feel I shouldn't still driving an old heap belching out pollution if I could reasonable manage with something that is far less polluting.

Preventative maintenance has always been an anathema to someone who spent 35 years expecting to be killed in an accident tomorrow. Decade pah.

Honestly, there is sod all environmental advantage in swapping out a car that does low miles for something new. There is an air quality advantage to getting an EV in an urban area, but right now you need to be doing fairly serious daily mileage to make an EV a sensible environmental proposition. Getting one and doing 5k a year in it for a decade is not a great outcome.

[P1ato]

I have a house in Ambleside, which is 280 miles from London.

Took the M3 LR there for the first time last week. I think it might just about have got there without charging, but I ended up stopping at Chorley for a 15 minute supercharge. All very easy.

[anonymous-user]

I’m currently doing this equation but it’s now about whether the best time to switch is when we are about to build a house, and not whether it will happen. I’m set on a M3LR. My dad has one and it’s just joyous. I drove it for a week in Switzerland and not once did I have range anxiety. It tells you when to stop, takes you to parking spots with free charging, hotels let you park right outside and charge etc.

The best use case I’ve seen though is my best friend. He drives 750-1500 miles a week in his M3LR and goes to drainage sites all over the uk and Scotland which are in the middle of nowhere. He never has an issue. He’s about the hardest user of cars I know and came from a 320d, says he wouldn’t ever go back to diesel now. His 320d had 200,000 miles on it and was 3.5 years old. Lol.

As a ww kayaker myself, I know how gross the car gets. I’d be sticking with something stty to haul the boats and people round in, though. I suppose you could invest in some nice floor mats and tarpaulins.

[sjg]

News to me that a Focus can take 120kg on the roof.

Sounds like you need a van, plus an old Leaf for your commute.

[Heres Johnny]

P1ato said:

I have a house in Ambleside, which is 280 miles from London.

Took the M3 LR there for the first time last week. I think it might just about have got there without charging, but I ended up stopping at Chorley for a 15 minute supercharge. All very easy.

With paddle boards on the roof? Leaving the car for a day half way to cool down and require all that reheating again?

This is the type of post that really frustrates me. It's ignoring the OPs question, just looking at simple range for a one way journey and proclaiming life is easy when it really isn't

The OPs sitution is the complete opposite of the ideal for EV ownership, Low overall mileage with 1 long trip every couple of weeks gives little environmental benefit and difficulty charging so the fit is pretty poor, whereas if the OP used the car daily for a 100 mile round trip commute and charged at home it would be perfect. .

[LordGrover]

I'm a recent convert to EV and usually advocate for them, but I agree with several above - your usage is not ideally suited.
Maybe wait a year or two, there may be more viable options just around the corner.

[sjg]

If it needs to be a single car solution today, it sounds like a good fit for PHEV.

Do the commute on electric (maybe a little bit of petrol in the depths of winter) with the benefit of preheating, etc. Do the long trips without worrying - hold the battery on the way out and you can preheat from your phone for when you get back to the car.

PHEV estate versions of the Passat, Octavia, Superb, Leon now, Or Peugeot 508, BMW 330e, Merc C350e.