Electric car?

Hastings said:
Is it too early? I think there is enough infrastructure there for my needs. Thoughts....
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I personally wouldn't Nige...

I think the cost outlay negates any potential benefits and the 'green environment' argument is a load of tosh tbh as most electricity is still generated by coal fired power stations.

Now then, if you talk about buying a hybrid, it's another matter altogether and one which I'd advocate on buying.
 
I have a hybrid but you can get more mph from a diesel the best hybrids are the plug in ones you get the best of both worlds.
 
No such thing as a green car. Simples. Heavier weight of electric cars due to batteries means more particulate emissions from tyres. The mining of the lithium etc is environmentally damaging but if you have solar panels the carbon cost of the electricity is less of a problem. To make your decision Nigel you need to analyse the kind of journeys you will be doing.. If looking at a secondhand one the BMW i3 with the range extending generator is a viable option. I know 2 folk who are very happy with theirs.
 
Thanks guys. Prem is right re diesel they are so efficient. Hybrids are an odd thing, two motors to maintain and efficiency isn't a lot better than a petrol.

Bear I get their aren't green cars it's impossible to be so. I live semi rural and about 2 buses a day going to places I don't need to go to. I test drove an i3 about 6 years ago. with the petrol extender it was ok but about 3 stops to drive to Blackpool only a city car really I think.

I am going electric I think and solar panels, buying otherwise would be like buying a low spec PC and being surprised it osn't future proofed.

Roll on hydrogen but i won't be driving by then. I won't be buying Chinese either
 
I just bought a 2012 Diesel Golf from friends who had had it from new and main dealer serviced it annually. It is supposed to do 65 mpg but modifying my driving habits based on the instrument panel feedback I got 83 mpg on a trip from Bridlington to Bath. I usually get about 75mpg. The carbon cost of manufacture is already amortised and I don't use it to drive into town so on a cost benefit analysis I reckon it is my greenest option. It is only 30 quid a year road tax too. The Europeans don't seem to have the same downer on diesel as the UK and, as a Euro 5 it meets the ULEZ requirements of the big French cities but doesn't comply with Brizzle or Londinium.. Tis a joy to drive too.
 
Hastings said:
Is it too early? I think there is enough infrastructure there for my needs. Thoughts....
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I intend to run my existing diesel VW Tiguan until the electric cars become more affordable and there is a better network of faster chargers. My existing car does 800 miles on a full tank and I don't have to queue to refuel it.
My son has just got an electric one through work, a Skoda Enyaq - a roomy SUV which has a good spec and a very comfortable and quiet ride. He has had a charger put in at home and can charge at work. The carecan do a maximum of 320 miles on a full charge (which they don't recommend).
 
Wise words Pete. Interestingly I just checked out the criteria for getting the badge that allows one to drive into the ULEZ zones in France. Those 🧀 eating surrender monkeys are a tad more rational than us and permit my diesel 5 Golf in. They have no charge for polluting vehicles. They're simply not allowed in the zones on pain of fines.
 
Bear1951 said:
Wise words Pete. Interestingly I just checked out the criteria for getting the badge that allows one to drive into the ULEZ zones in France. Those 🧀 eating surrender monkeys are a tad more rational than us and permit my diesel 5 Golf in. They have no charge for polluting vehicles. They're simply not allowed in the zones on pain of fines.
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If you go on the Transport For London website you can also check if your car is excluded from the Ulez charge. I was a little surprised to find my 2018 VW Tiguan 2L diesel is exempt. Mind you it is eco friendly, having an additional Ad Blue tank and meeting EU emission limits.
 
bfcpete said:
If you go on the Transport For London website you can also check if your car is excluded from the Ulez charge. I was a little surprised to find my 2018 VW Tiguan 2L diesel is exempt. Mind you it is eco friendly, having an additional Ad Blue tank and meeting EU emission limits.
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Nearly all diesels from 2015 are euro 6 and hence exempt. Euro 5s are not ...mine has to pay despite only being rated at £30 Road tax. Irrational.
 
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