EV first proper experience - my thoughts.
Discussion
Just got back from a marvellous couple of weeks in Lofoten, Norway. Absolutely stunning and you really have to go if you haven't been before, but I digress.
Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
FarmerJim said:
Just got back from a marvellous couple of weeks in Lofoten, Norway. Absolutely stunning and you really have to go if you haven't been before, but I digress.
Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
Is this the intro? Could be a long piece.Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
FarmerJim said:
Just got back from a marvellous couple of weeks in Lofoten, Norway. Absolutely stunning and you really have to go if you haven't been before, but I digress.
Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
If the UK was as wealthy as Norway and subsidised new EV purchases the way Norway has, I suspect a lot more new cars here would be EVs by now. Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
"No purchase/import tax on EVs (1990-2022). From 2023 some purchase tax based on the cars’ weight on all new EVs.
Exemption from 25% VAT on purchase (2001-2022). From 2023, Norway will implement a 25% VAT on the purchase price from 500 000 Norwegian Kroner and over
No annual road tax (1996-2021). Reduced tax from 2021. Full tax from 2022.
No charges on toll roads (1997- 2017).
No charges on ferries (2009- 2017).
Maximum 50% of the total amount on ferry fares for electric vehicles (2018)
Maximum 50% of the total amount on toll roads (2018-2022). From 2023 70%
Free municipal parking (1999- 2017)
Access to bus lanes (2005-). New rules allow local authorities to limit the access to only include EVs that carry one or more passengers (2016-)
25% reduced company car tax (2000-2008). 50% reduced company car tax (2009-2017). Company car tax reduction reduced to 40% (2018-2021) and 20 percent from 2022.
Exemption from 25% VAT on leasing (2015-)
The Norwegian Parliament decided on a national goal that all new cars sold by 2025 should be zero-emission (electric or hydrogen) (2017).
«Charging right» for people living in apartment buildings was established (2017-)
Public procurement: From 2022 cars needs to be ZEV. From 2025 the same applies to city buses
2023: The Norwegian Parliement launces a new goal: In 2030 all new heavy-duty vehicles must be zero emissions or run on biogas.
2025: Practically all new passenger cars sold, are EVs. Norway reaches 10 000 fast chargers and 800 000 EVs."
https://elbil.no/english/norwegian-ev-policy/
FarmerJim said:
Just got back from a marvellous couple of weeks in Lofoten, Norway. Absolutely stunning and you really have to go if you haven't been before, but I digress.
Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
And?Norway, I think, has the highest uptake of EVs in the western world, with around 90% of new cars sold now being BEVs. This seemed like a good opportunity to try one out for a couple of weeks, with the expectation that the 'or similar' hire care lottery would probably throw one up anyway, whatever box I ticked. I booked a VW Id4 'or similar from Avis and they provided a Toyota bZ4X SUV as a free upgrade. It soon became apparent that that a significant proportion of bZ4X production appears to have made its way onto various Norwegian hire fleets.
A bit of background. My daily is a 2015 Benz E350d estate, with my Sunday afternoon car being a 1927 Alvis 12/50. Herself drives a 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman, which gets the occasional Italian tune up from me. I have generally been drawn towards interesting ICE engines, with previous convictions including an earlier V6 diesel Benz, several V8 Rovers / Land Rovers, a 2.5 V6 Mitsubishi, a 4.0 V8 Jaguar and a 6,750 cc Royce Silver Shadow.
We all know that the whole EV question can rouse passion on both sides of the argument, but I was determined to approach this with an open mind. I have always favoured two very different types of engine; either effortless tourqey waftiness, or red line in every gear, 'drive it like you stole it' weekend fun. My current fleet provides all of that in abundance. The Benz will take the four of us, effortlessly, to southern France and make light work of the daily A to B stuff, while the Alvis is as raw as you can get, with a near racing spec 1920s engine and crash gearbox to help me to keep it real at weekends.
Zero Fuchs said:
Stanley Rous said:
Ah Jesus… the suspense! Come’on man, we wanna know!!!
Really.I'll tell you now.
He's got a high revving sports car and a 350d that'll do the south of France easily.
Also he's rented a Toyota Bz4x
uktrailmonster said:
Zero Fuchs said:
Stanley Rous said:
Ah Jesus… the suspense! Come’on man, we wanna know!!!
Really.I'll tell you now.
He's got a high revving sports car and a 350d that'll do the south of France easily.
Also he's rented a Toyota Bz4x
But even as someone that's 100% into EV, and a Toyota fanboy, I'd struggle given the introduction
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