A year with a Kuga, and an issue
Discussion
gmaz said:
Not specifically related to the OP but this is the kind of thing that annoys me when "Fifth Gear Recharged" refers to PHEVs as "the best of both worlds" when in reality they are the worst of both worlds.
- To make the most of a small battery/range you have to invest £1000+ in a home charger
- Extra weight of lugging batteries around hits the ICE MPG
- Extra weight & complexity of the ICE hits the battery range, e.g. taking a tankful of petrol and an ICE 3 miles to the shops and back when in EV mode
- Extra cost of servicing and maintenance, more moving parts = more to go wrong.
- Compromised packaging of the drivetrain affects boot space etc
Depends on your viewpoint though. I agree with the points you made but they are also a vital stepping stone for many people from ICE to full EV.- To make the most of a small battery/range you have to invest £1000+ in a home charger
- Extra weight of lugging batteries around hits the ICE MPG
- Extra weight & complexity of the ICE hits the battery range, e.g. taking a tankful of petrol and an ICE 3 miles to the shops and back when in EV mode
- Extra cost of servicing and maintenance, more moving parts = more to go wrong.
- Compromised packaging of the drivetrain affects boot space etc
gmaz said:
Not specifically related to the OP but this is the kind of thing that annoys me when "Fifth Gear Recharged" refers to PHEVs as "the best of both worlds" when in reality they are the worst of both worlds.
- To make the most of a small battery/range you have to invest £1000+ in a home charger
- Extra weight of lugging batteries around hits the ICE MPG
- Extra weight & complexity of the ICE hits the battery range, e.g. taking a tankful of petrol and an ICE 3 miles to the shops and back when in EV mode
- Extra cost of servicing and maintenance, more moving parts = more to go wrong.
- Compromised packaging of the drivetrain affects boot space etc
I tend to agree. I understand that for those on a limited budget they make great sense - but like lots of cheap solutions... They are a compromise. A worst of both worlds indeed, if price isn't taken in to the equation.- To make the most of a small battery/range you have to invest £1000+ in a home charger
- Extra weight of lugging batteries around hits the ICE MPG
- Extra weight & complexity of the ICE hits the battery range, e.g. taking a tankful of petrol and an ICE 3 miles to the shops and back when in EV mode
- Extra cost of servicing and maintenance, more moving parts = more to go wrong.
- Compromised packaging of the drivetrain affects boot space etc
Yes those points I agree with.
The wife does a 30 mile round commute so it can work in theory, however, it is the constant faff of charging it, having to set up extension lead into extension lead, open window, throw the large bulky cable out, connect it, then live with the draft of cold air coming in through the house. This since new, is not fun, and I have tripped over the wires umpteen times.
Thing is we also use her car for the constant popping out to the shop and back, so if it is empty we then have the 2.5L petrol engine stop starting all the time. Its a big car and this isn't ideal. The electric range seems to nose dive instantly, 10 hrs of charging doesn't seem to get you far in reality.
She loves it. I accept it. The real issue was we were led to believe we would have a home charger installed easily and almost no cost, however this isn't the case, and the impracticality of how we are charging it is sending me bonkers.
The wife does a 30 mile round commute so it can work in theory, however, it is the constant faff of charging it, having to set up extension lead into extension lead, open window, throw the large bulky cable out, connect it, then live with the draft of cold air coming in through the house. This since new, is not fun, and I have tripped over the wires umpteen times.
Thing is we also use her car for the constant popping out to the shop and back, so if it is empty we then have the 2.5L petrol engine stop starting all the time. Its a big car and this isn't ideal. The electric range seems to nose dive instantly, 10 hrs of charging doesn't seem to get you far in reality.
She loves it. I accept it. The real issue was we were led to believe we would have a home charger installed easily and almost no cost, however this isn't the case, and the impracticality of how we are charging it is sending me bonkers.
It’s not the cars fault you have to charge it out the window, if you’re getting a hybrid or a EV you should have the charger fitted before the car comes, or at least have the stuff ready for it, Ie a free breaker in the fuse board or a separate RCD fitted at the meter
Sounds like Bp pulse are doing the install and they are usless, nothing stopping you just paying a electrican who knows how to do car chargers to fit it.
Range drops in winter, nothing you can do.
Sounds like buying a big bad aero SUV with a 2.5 engine is where you went wrong, maybe a Leon PHEV would have suited you better, Ford just seem to hash these things together without much thought
Sounds like Bp pulse are doing the install and they are usless, nothing stopping you just paying a electrican who knows how to do car chargers to fit it.
Range drops in winter, nothing you can do.
Sounds like buying a big bad aero SUV with a 2.5 engine is where you went wrong, maybe a Leon PHEV would have suited you better, Ford just seem to hash these things together without much thought
AyBee said:
If it's a plug-in hybrid, you don't have to charge it everywhere you go. Presumably you asked to plug it in and offered to pay for it? Or were you previously in the habit of going into their shed and taking the fuel from their lawnmower?
Ha, this comment made me laugh, I charged up at my dads the other day and previously in my youth I most certainly did used to take his lawnmower petrol as well…Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff