When will you go electric?
Discussion
With the automotive industry now focused on electric cars, oil industry wanting to get into charging, the gov funding big infra projects, having recently been left at the lights by a Tesla S P100D probably with ludicrous mode, I asked myself when I would be going electric.
I bought my 2000 996TT in 2008, my 2007 Cayenne Turbo in 2019, my 2001 Boxster S in 2015 - 7, 12, 14 years after these models came out. I buy when I feel I get best value, and I like a project.
So assuming I am sticking with Porsche and in the next 3 years they bring out an electric model I actually want, I will probably be buying one in the next 10 to 17 years.
Unless It’s a decision accelerated by my better half wanting one sooner, regulation / higher taxation / road use charges means we all have to rush to EV, petrol becomes very expensive, my local specialist garage shuts up because of falling demand, new EV models depreciate quicker than ICE models, or I decide to lead by example for my kids and ditch fossil fuels - all possibilities.
But for now, feels like a long way out for me.
What are others thinking?
I bought my 2000 996TT in 2008, my 2007 Cayenne Turbo in 2019, my 2001 Boxster S in 2015 - 7, 12, 14 years after these models came out. I buy when I feel I get best value, and I like a project.
So assuming I am sticking with Porsche and in the next 3 years they bring out an electric model I actually want, I will probably be buying one in the next 10 to 17 years.
Unless It’s a decision accelerated by my better half wanting one sooner, regulation / higher taxation / road use charges means we all have to rush to EV, petrol becomes very expensive, my local specialist garage shuts up because of falling demand, new EV models depreciate quicker than ICE models, or I decide to lead by example for my kids and ditch fossil fuels - all possibilities.
But for now, feels like a long way out for me.
What are others thinking?
Edited by tracer.smart on Thursday 28th May 10:54
Edited by tracer.smart on Thursday 28th May 10:55
Twinfan said:
I'm thinking electric can "do one" and I'll drive a petrol, manual, NA car as long as a I can physically and legally do so!
This! Saving the planet my arse!Electric cars are nothing more than a stop gap and as the rare minerals used in their batteries get rarer, prices will rocket!
Petrol powered cars are hugely more clean than they used to be and will be around for a long time as they're easier to live with in all regards...
Agree with all the above;
What winds me up is all the political/ green bull concerning EV vehicles I think there is a case for a market segment for them but a wholesale shift of the entire market is mass brainwashing especially by the ignorant mainstream media and even more clueless politicians.
What winds me up is all the political/ green bull concerning EV vehicles I think there is a case for a market segment for them but a wholesale shift of the entire market is mass brainwashing especially by the ignorant mainstream media and even more clueless politicians.
There was a good summary on Harry's Garage a couple of weeks back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFJUxeGFAE
For me I'm waiting on Hydrogen... The BEV 'stop gap' solution just doesn't appeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVFJUxeGFAE
For me I'm waiting on Hydrogen... The BEV 'stop gap' solution just doesn't appeal.
When an electric car can give me 4wd, 5+2 seats, approx 1000litres of load space and the ability to take my kids, fat labrador and all our camping gear to Devon and back (with a week shuttling to/from a campsite to local attractions) - with a total cost of ownership comparable to the existing diesels/petrols or hybrids available.
I'm not against them per se, I just can't see one that does all the jobs I need one to do. I don't want to fit my life around my car.
There are a few hybrids on the horizon that might fit the bill though.
As for my weekend toy, I can't imagine ever wanting an electric sports car to fulfil those duties. I'd rather not have one at all than drive around at speed with the roof down listening to....nothing....apart from road and wind noise.
I'm not against them per se, I just can't see one that does all the jobs I need one to do. I don't want to fit my life around my car.
There are a few hybrids on the horizon that might fit the bill though.
As for my weekend toy, I can't imagine ever wanting an electric sports car to fulfil those duties. I'd rather not have one at all than drive around at speed with the roof down listening to....nothing....apart from road and wind noise.
Given the newest car we bought was 5 years old and we still have it 9 years later I think it may be a while! I cycle to work (well, when I used to work in an office I did!) so my own car was just a weekend toy in reality. If the world really forces me maybe that will get converted to electric power one day, but i'm still holding out hope for fully synthetic petrol. To be fair, if I had to buy myself another car based on where I currently work etc etc I'd consider a BMW i3.
Kawasicki said:
I'm just waiting for huge government subsidies and then I'm buying one for as a town and short runs runabout...basically I'm waiting for taxpayers money.
It's not like the government will be changing legislation so you have no alternative to EV, set RFL based on price rather than CO2, move to short term "smart" motorway tracking before a car based 5g system where you pay per mile/ time of day you decide to use it (with auto speed/ high power use fines built in natch), up insurance tax, up tax on power supply and ensure you are entirely reliant on electricity home and vehicle by removing domestic gas boilers as an alternative. They certainly don't have form for removing subsidies like on solar panels for example...basically I think you'll be waiting a long time and then being bent over...they've got their expenses and advisors to pay...I've not looked into it at all, but assumed one or more of the following must be true:
A. It's really expensive to produce
B. The technology isn't there to produce it / produce it at scale
C. The energy released is less than required to produce it
The idea of a carbon neutral petrol just feels far too good to be true. There will still be air quality issues etc if it suddenly became the norm and we carried on with IC engines too.
A. It's really expensive to produce
B. The technology isn't there to produce it / produce it at scale
C. The energy released is less than required to produce it
The idea of a carbon neutral petrol just feels far too good to be true. There will still be air quality issues etc if it suddenly became the norm and we carried on with IC engines too.
Not soon.
Living in North America, I regularly drive 500 miles each way on trips,and several times a year ( apart from lockdown) , I drive Toronto to Scottsdale Az. All of the recharging stops would drive me crazy and of course couldn't take remote roads.
Thus, the type of electric car I would consider would be a city runabout like a Smart or something of that ilk.I will keep my current Porsches and likely add a 992RS when it shows up assuming it is not electric of course.
Living in North America, I regularly drive 500 miles each way on trips,and several times a year ( apart from lockdown) , I drive Toronto to Scottsdale Az. All of the recharging stops would drive me crazy and of course couldn't take remote roads.
Thus, the type of electric car I would consider would be a city runabout like a Smart or something of that ilk.I will keep my current Porsches and likely add a 992RS when it shows up assuming it is not electric of course.
Almost certainly never is my answer.
The main reason is I (like approximately 100 other people in my street - i didn't go count the houses) live in a flat - anyone volunteering to pay for 100 chargers on the street? - No, no surprise there.
And there's no way i can afford to move house now.
More, half (at best) thought out crap from politicians and environmentalists for me.
Also multiply my street by several hundred thousand all over the UK.
Also where I live you can't move for Range Rovers (in all their forms)/Audi Q7/BMW X5 etc that never have (and never will) be used offroad
Does anyone with half a brain cell think that people who buy these cars (largely as status symbols) are going to get rid of them and run around all day in tiny electric car for the benefit of the environment?
The main reason is I (like approximately 100 other people in my street - i didn't go count the houses) live in a flat - anyone volunteering to pay for 100 chargers on the street? - No, no surprise there.
And there's no way i can afford to move house now.
More, half (at best) thought out crap from politicians and environmentalists for me.
Also multiply my street by several hundred thousand all over the UK.
Also where I live you can't move for Range Rovers (in all their forms)/Audi Q7/BMW X5 etc that never have (and never will) be used offroad
Does anyone with half a brain cell think that people who buy these cars (largely as status symbols) are going to get rid of them and run around all day in tiny electric car for the benefit of the environment?
Call me a dinosaur, but I like aural stimulation, a manual box and a car that provides chassis communication.
I even bought a ZE1 Honda Insight because I wanted to give Hybrids a chance and I realised the technology in Honda's first Hybrid car was cool (22:1 A/F ratio & one cylinder lopped off, with a 3-phase motor fitted onto the end instead; essentially the lowest emissions petrol car made). Was fun thrashing it to see just how bad I could get the economy and it handled OK. Didn't float my boat, though. So I sold it and built something else...
I could poaaibly be tempted by a Hybrid Lexus LC500h coupe, because they're just so cool looking, but its low on the list of cars I want and a Hybrid rather than an electric car. A 911 GT3with a manual box will always be higher in desirability to me than a Lexus LC500h.The fact cool Hybrids exist and I don't really hanker after them, is why I doubt I'll ever own an electric car.
I even bought a ZE1 Honda Insight because I wanted to give Hybrids a chance and I realised the technology in Honda's first Hybrid car was cool (22:1 A/F ratio & one cylinder lopped off, with a 3-phase motor fitted onto the end instead; essentially the lowest emissions petrol car made). Was fun thrashing it to see just how bad I could get the economy and it handled OK. Didn't float my boat, though. So I sold it and built something else...
I could poaaibly be tempted by a Hybrid Lexus LC500h coupe, because they're just so cool looking, but its low on the list of cars I want and a Hybrid rather than an electric car. A 911 GT3with a manual box will always be higher in desirability to me than a Lexus LC500h.The fact cool Hybrids exist and I don't really hanker after them, is why I doubt I'll ever own an electric car.
tonyg58 said:
Does anyone with half a brain cell think that people who buy these cars (largely as status symbols) are going to get rid of them and run around all day in tiny electric car for the benefit of the environment?
Yes, exactly. Change is upon us. Younger generations will have different needs and requirements and driving around in tanks will be very uncool...Going completely against the grain here... I have, at least for my daily driver. Tesla model 3 and although it's early days, I think it's great. Pros; quiet, well equipped, comfortable and silly fast. The cost of running seems to be very cheap and the range is absolutely fine for 95% of my journeys - I haven't used the supercharger network yet. The tax breaks make EVs a complete no brainer, although perhaps not for purely private use. It also makes me really appreciate and enjoy my Boxster Spyder even more as it's a complete contrast. I would absolutely consider a Taycan, and may well do that when it's time to change again in a couple of years assuming I still like the concept. I get it that you might not want to replace a fun car with an EV, but a car that's just a work vehicle? Absolutely. I don't keep daily work cars for more than a couple of years at a time anyway, let alone 15 years, but I agree that the technology of today will be very old hat then. On that theme, the Tesla makes my old A45 (previous daily) feel very old fashioned, and not in a good charming way either.
jackliebling said:
tonyg58 said:
Does anyone with half a brain cell think that people who buy these cars (largely as status symbols) are going to get rid of them and run around all day in tiny electric car for the benefit of the environment?
Yes, exactly. Change is upon us. Younger generations will have different needs and requirements and driving around in tanks will be very uncool...
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff