A Fuel Choice Dilemma
Discussion
Having finally decided on my next car... a potential job change comes along and confuses me. So, I'm looking for comments and experience from the forum on which fuel you'd choose for this driving profile, as they could all work, but all have their Pros and Cons.
The journey's would look something like this:
100 mile drive to work, staying locally at the other end. Some local EV charge points are around, but not right where I'm staying.
Local driving for a couple of days (within a 5-mile radius).
100 mile drive home.
Local sub-5 mile journeys for the rest of the week.
Once a fortnight (sometimes weekly) a horrible mix of stop-start city driving and some faster roads, but definitely lots of crawling in local city traffic.
The work mileage is just about within EV territory, with some tactical charging along the way.
The two 100 mile journeys would make a diesel safe...
...but total mileage would make a modern petrol viable too, especially with the fuel price difference.
And then there's plug-in hybrid. I can charge at home and get the benefit locally, but the 100 mile journeys would likely deplete the battery and it's not easy to charge at each end.
Then, of course, there's overall convenience, value for money, performance, fun factor, etc.
Budget would be circa £25k for any new car, or up to £450-500/month for a lease.
What would you do?
The journey's would look something like this:
100 mile drive to work, staying locally at the other end. Some local EV charge points are around, but not right where I'm staying.
Local driving for a couple of days (within a 5-mile radius).
100 mile drive home.
Local sub-5 mile journeys for the rest of the week.
Once a fortnight (sometimes weekly) a horrible mix of stop-start city driving and some faster roads, but definitely lots of crawling in local city traffic.
The work mileage is just about within EV territory, with some tactical charging along the way.
The two 100 mile journeys would make a diesel safe...
...but total mileage would make a modern petrol viable too, especially with the fuel price difference.
And then there's plug-in hybrid. I can charge at home and get the benefit locally, but the 100 mile journeys would likely deplete the battery and it's not easy to charge at each end.
Then, of course, there's overall convenience, value for money, performance, fun factor, etc.
Budget would be circa £25k for any new car, or up to £450-500/month for a lease.
What would you do?
_Rob said:
The journey's would look something like this:
100 mile drive to work, staying locally at the other end. Some local EV charge points are around, but not right where I'm staying.
Local driving for a couple of days (within a 5-mile radius).
100 mile drive home.
Local sub-5 mile journeys for the rest of the week.
Once a fortnight (sometimes weekly) a horrible mix of stop-start city driving and some faster roads, but definitely lots of crawling in local city traffic.
If I was going EV, I would want to know how far away are they and how quick is the charge. Could you leave it safely plugged in e.g. overnight? If that was the case then an EV is totally viable.100 mile drive to work, staying locally at the other end. Some local EV charge points are around, but not right where I'm staying.
Local driving for a couple of days (within a 5-mile radius).
100 mile drive home.
Local sub-5 mile journeys for the rest of the week.
Once a fortnight (sometimes weekly) a horrible mix of stop-start city driving and some faster roads, but definitely lots of crawling in local city traffic.
I have never owned a diesel and wouldn't buy one so nothing from me on that.
I had a BMW M240 before my Tesla and that was a great car, reasonably economical on a run, good fun. But just seen that second hand isn't an option here.
Second hand is definitely viable, that would be my preference to be honest to get the best value for money.
It's interesting and I'm kind of please at the first responses... one EV, one diesel, one saying a petrol could work. At least I know I'm not going bonkers in thinking this isn't obvious!
It's interesting and I'm kind of please at the first responses... one EV, one diesel, one saying a petrol could work. At least I know I'm not going bonkers in thinking this isn't obvious!
_Rob said:
Second hand is definitely viable, that would be my preference to be honest to get the best value for money.
It's interesting and I'm kind of please at the first responses... one EV, one diesel, one saying a petrol could work. At least I know I'm not going bonkers in thinking this isn't obvious!
As a work car, I would totally go EV if it could work from a charge point of view at the other end. Do you know what company/speed the chargers are? I've done 30k in my car in less than 2.5 years and range anxiety is not a thing, but that's due to the supercharger network. If you could park it somewhere overnight on a third party charger, it sounds like it would work. It's interesting and I'm kind of please at the first responses... one EV, one diesel, one saying a petrol could work. At least I know I'm not going bonkers in thinking this isn't obvious!
I wouldn't swap my Tesla back for my M240 - but I also would not mind if my old BMW was my every day car either - just to confuse things a bit more!
lj04 said:
have a few friends at work who were turning the .... radio off during the cold spells through range anxiety
That did make me laugh! I can't believe turning the radio off does much to the consumption. They are probably better off taking a really big dump before they get in.
limpsfield said:
As a work car, I would totally go EV if it could work from a charge point of view at the other end. Do you know what company/speed the chargers are? I've done 30k in my car in less than 2.5 years and range anxiety is not a thing, but that's due to the supercharger network. If you could park it somewhere overnight on a third party charger, it sounds like it would work.
I wouldn't swap my Tesla back for my M240 - but I also would not mind if my old BMW was my every day car either - just to confuse things a bit more!
There is a Shell Recharge nearby with 50kw and 100kw options so not too bad in this regard. Otherwise there's just an 'EZ-Charge' location with 22kw stations, so not exactly plentiful.I wouldn't swap my Tesla back for my M240 - but I also would not mind if my old BMW was my every day car either - just to confuse things a bit more!
_Rob said:
limpsfield said:
As a work car, I would totally go EV if it could work from a charge point of view at the other end. Do you know what company/speed the chargers are? I've done 30k in my car in less than 2.5 years and range anxiety is not a thing, but that's due to the supercharger network. If you could park it somewhere overnight on a third party charger, it sounds like it would work.
I wouldn't swap my Tesla back for my M240 - but I also would not mind if my old BMW was my every day car either - just to confuse things a bit more!
There is a Shell Recharge nearby with 50kw and 100kw options so not too bad in this regard. Otherwise there's just an 'EZ-Charge' location with 22kw stations, so not exactly plentiful.I wouldn't swap my Tesla back for my M240 - but I also would not mind if my old BMW was my every day car either - just to confuse things a bit more!
I'd embrace the adventure, and buy an EV!
lj04 said:
limpsfield said:
That did make me laugh! I can't believe turning the radio off does much to the consumption.
They are probably better off taking a really big dump before they get in.
Noticed you deleted the heater bit but your usage is completely different from the posters usage. They are probably better off taking a really big dump before they get in.
It still sounds a bit b
ksy to me, but we all have different experiences. limpsfield said:
On the odd occasion (perhaps 5) I have used Shell Recharge, they have always worked. 50kw would fill my car in about an hour and a half - and no one does empty to full, in reality. On the useage you outline above, you might be doing 40% to 80% charge when you get to the end of your 100 mile trip.
I'd embrace the adventure, and buy an EV!
"Embrace the adventure" is the quote of the day, love that! Thanks for your thoughts, appreciate it.I'd embrace the adventure, and buy an EV!
Mammasaid said:
Yeah agree for 100 miles each way it should get you there and back hopefully even in Winter. However 100 mile trip there should be at least 1 fast charger you can use just for 20 mins.And hopefully if you can charge at home at around 40p per KW this is way less than the 80p- £1 per KW at chargers now.
I’d say only in Winter range will drop where you would need to top up.
Edited by Downward on Monday 27th February 20:50
Stopping along the way for a top up would be relatively easy, so I agree that sort of range would work. I’m not sure how I feel about buying a used Model 3 though… how well are they holding up to use? Tesla build quality isn’t the best from new, so what does a few years of use do to it?
_Rob said:
Stopping along the way for a top up would be relatively easy, so I agree that sort of range would work. I’m not sure how I feel about buying a used Model 3 though… how well are they holding up to use? Tesla build quality isn’t the best from new, so what does a few years of use do to it?
My work leased 2020 3SR+ is just coming up to 3 years old, 23000 miles. I have one year left.No issues with reliability, no rattles, 'leather' seats all good. I can't really fault the build quality tbh, even the panel gaps are all good! Pre-heat or cool, get in and drive.
The only issues have been a replacement o/s headlamp assembly due to the indicator failing, which was replaced under warranty. I had a service carried out by the Stratford Upon Avon service centre, probably one of the easiest drop off, comms/updates and pick ups I've ever had.
Real world range in the summer is 180-190, in the winter 150. I've taken it to the French Alps and Skye, as well as regular trips to Nortumberland.
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