Electric cars there may be trouble ahead for battery production in Britain.

[johnofgwent]

A lot of people already drive big, heavy petrol or diesel SUVs that they don't really need. They're quite happy to put up with the extra weight, excess power and expensive tyres to satisfy their egos.  And if the big petrol or diesel SUV is an automatic, they'll wear out their brakes quicker too because of the lack of engine braking.

So putting up with a bit of extra weight in return for something that's much cheaper to run and which uses regenerative braking for much of the time ought to be attractive to motorists. And even if electric cars are a bit heavier, all the extra weight is low down, under the floor, which is good for handling. Another advantage of electric cars is that, apart from the battery under the floor, there's a lot more space for designers to play with and car design will evolve to take advantage of this beyond the 'frunk' that Teslas and others have already.

Do you have one ?

When Nissan launched the Leaf in 2012, they bullshitted that their 24kw battery would do over 100 miles.

Downhill, at 20mph, it might.

Fact is, it takes 250 watts min, on the dead flat, to travel a mile at 20-30. At 50mph, or at 30 with the slightest hill, it will need 300-350. In winter, with the heater or demister, or the Aircon in summer, add another 100 watts a mile.

So what this means is, you will be lucky to see 60 miles on a charge, or 50 with the heater.

I've been looking at the forum for the MG Long Range EV. Its clear MG are bullshitting in the same fashion at the range of their newest offering, as those who bought one last month are now finding out. In cold weather the range is less than half that stated in the bullshit, and the makers blame inefficient charging software.

My Zap Map shows me I'll be lucky to get a kilowatt from the new 100kwH superchargers for less than 45p (I can't use them) but the chacademo chargers cost at least 35p per kilowatt and often want a connection fee on top which makes a mile in the leaf MORE expensive per mile than the 14p the Suzuki Diesel cost me.

I don't know where you get your ideas on EVs from but if you owned a 100% zero emission one you might have different ones....

[HDQQ]

Stop !


Like the rush to diesel its all going to end in tears . Apparently the brakes dont work long term with the extra weight of the battery the tyres wear out quicker and with the brake dust create more pollution than petrol engines .

Bicycle anyone ?

A lot of people already drive big, heavy petrol or diesel SUVs that they don't really need. They're quite happy to put up with the extra weight, excess power and expensive tyres to satisfy their egos.  And if the big petrol or diesel SUV is an automatic, they'll wear out their brakes quicker too because of the lack of engine braking.

So putting up with a bit of extra weight in return for something that's much cheaper to run and which uses regenerative braking for much of the time ought to be attractive to motorists. And even if electric cars are a bit heavier, all the extra weight is low down, under the floor, which is good for handling. Another advantage of electric cars is that, apart from the battery under the floor, there's a lot more space for designers to play with and car design will evolve to take advantage of this beyond the 'frunk' that Teslas and others have already.

[Sheepy]

Warning over price rises as cost of diesel reaches new high (msn.com)

[johnofgwent]

That's not correct about the brakes. Electric vehicle can do most of the braking using regen, which slows the vehicle and puts energy back in the batteries.

Only if you drive in that mode. You'd be barking mad not to, but you can avoid doing so. And the stories I have heard about the Tesla are quite untrue, as my boss found out when I suggested he try taking in the view from Christchurch hill up the road. The guy who failed his driving test then had a court reverse that decision in yankville after taking the test in a tesla and not taking his foot off the accelerator to brake won the day because the car was said to stop dead if you did that. 

Not on a one in six downhill it doesn't. My boss had to recall skills last used in his previous diesel automatic VERY quickly.

Wales: teaching drivers what their right foot is really for since the Model T went out of fashion....

[Nick]

Stop !


Like the rush to diesel its all going to end in tears . Apparently the brakes dont work long term with the extra weight of the battery the tyres wear out quicker and with the brake dust create more pollution than petrol engines .

Bicycle anyone ?

That's not correct about the brakes. Electric vehicle can do most of the braking using regen, which slows the vehicle and puts energy back in the batteries. 

[papasmurf]

I do so agree. Didn't I read about them dispensing particles of some sort into the air too? I am concerned that the green race has more to do with creating another industrial revolution.

It may well provoke a revolution the government does not like.

[Streetwalker]

The truth is SW that there are just too many people on the planet,apparently in the days of the horse the London area was as bad or worse because of the coal fires and the air was filled with a fog of horse pee and crap thrown up by the wheels of the carts and carriages.

Its true , the London smog was great , at least you could see it and what with the fuel prices Khant can stuff his clean air zone where the sun dont shine Im getting the chimney swept .

[cromwell]

Stop !


Like the rush to diesel its all going to end in tears . Apparently the brakes dont work long term with the extra weight of the battery the tyres wear out quicker and with the brake dust create more pollution than petrol engines .

Bicycle anyone ?

The truth is SW that there are just too many people on the planet,apparently in the days of the horse the London area was as bad or worse because of the coal fires and the air was filled with a fog of horse pee and crap thrown up by the wheels of the carts and carriages.

[T00ts]

Stop !


Like the rush to diesel its all going to end in tears . Apparently the brakes dont work long term with the extra weight of the battery the tyres wear out quicker and with the brake dust create more pollution than petrol engines .

Bicycle anyone ?

I do so agree. Didn't I read about them dispensing particles of some sort into the air too? I am concerned that the green race has more to do with creating another industrial revolution.

[Streetwalker]

Stop !


Like the rush to diesel its all going to end in tears . Apparently the brakes dont work long term with the extra weight of the battery the tyres wear out quicker and with the brake dust create more pollution than petrol engines .

Bicycle anyone ?

[johnofgwent]

They will ship the things in from China where no one gives a shit about the conditions the workers endure

[papasmurf]

Interesting news item.  I have always had my doubts about the dash for electric cars:-
Far more at link.
https://news.sky.com/story/thousands-of-jobs-at-risk-as-government-falls-behind-in-plans-to-build-battery-industry-12539007

Friday 11 February 2022 19:35, UK
Thousands of jobs at risk as government falls behind in plans to build battery industry

The findings, detailed in documents seen by Sky News, will raise questions about whether Britain's car industry can be maintained at its current levels, as batteries replace engines as the single most valuable component of a motor vehicle.