Electric Charging

[BTB 500]

(imho) the only reason that the hybrid format exists is because the official test cycle produces low emissions and enables car manufacturers to sell large, expensive, high margin, environmentally unfriendly cars without being fined for not meeting emissions targets.

I suspect hybrids will be the 'go to' solution for many van users in the short/medium term while there's pressure to drop pure ICE but BEV technology doesn't (yet) work for many use cases. Ford and VW are launching 2.5L petrol hybrid versions of the Transit and Transporter this year (as well as diesel and BEV models).

 

[BTB 500]

It's a good case scenario... but I'd argue that it's not best case.

For best case, you need to add a daily commute range that is within the battery range.

That's what I meant although it's late so it might not have come out right!

 

[markjay]

I suspect hybrids will be the 'go to' solution for many van users in the short/medium term while there's pressure to drop pure ICE but BEV technology doesn't (yet) work for many use cases. Ford and VW are launching 2.5L petrol hybrid versions of the Transit and Transporter this year (as well as diesel and BEV models).

That's exactly what happened with the London black cabs back in 2018.

 

[Skd884]

I have a GLE400E 2024 and fuel
Consumption is poor. I have just charged the vehicle at an Osprey charging unit which cost £19.00 to allegedly give me 42 miles. I drove home which is less than 3 miles and on a B road and the car had apparently used up 3 miles of the electric and 2 miles of the petrol. I had the car in hybrid mode and never exceeded 30mph. What is the whole point of the single electric, i may as well keep using petrol even though the consumption is poor. For note it also cost me £8.50 in Costa coffee!!

Sell it and purchase a i3, my 2019 is epic!

BMW’s Discontinued i3 Is Already an EV Cult Classic

As bigger electric cars take precedence, some lightweight models are disappearing from the market — and few little EVs are as beloved as the i3.

www.bloomberg.com

 

[markjay]

Sell it and purchase a i3, my 2019 is epic!

BMW’s Discontinued i3 Is Already an EV Cult Classic

As bigger electric cars take precedence, some lightweight models are disappearing from the market — and few little EVs are as beloved as the i3.

www.bloomberg.com

Good advice

But it's probably on a lease (like my EV).

 

[Skd884]

Fully charged range was 149 not 115, in the warmer months it's closer to 200.

Sell it and purchase a i3, my 2019 is epic!

BMW’s Discontinued i3 Is Already an EV Cult Classic

As bigger electric cars take precedence, some lightweight models are disappearing from the market — and few little EVs are as beloved as the i3.

www.bloomberg.com

 

[Will]

IMHO there’s very few ‘one size fits all’ vehicles out there, regardless of the method of propulsion. Some are surprisingly practical though.

I guess what I mean is regardless of power plant type, cars are suited to different purposes.

E.g. a large heavy SUV is a waste being used for short journeys/shopping trips if you don’t need the space or seats. But is great for example on longer journeys and holidays etc.

A city hatchback would not offer the experience of an open-top vehicle in summer, but is often more economical and easier to park in town - ideal for commuting in traffic.

Something with a manual gearbox wouldn’t be appealing for a commute sitting in traffic, but maybe just want you want for a rewarding drive in a sporty vehicle on the open road.

Appreciate sometimes you are restricted with space though.

It’s only my logic but I’d rather run a few older vehicles than one new hybrid for example for both commuting and weekend use etc but I do understand everyone is different

I do like the i3, only downside in practical terms for some is that it only has 4 seats?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Good advice

But it's probably on a lease (like my EV).

With an enormous tax break because it’s new.

The solution is simple. Only charge it at home, preferably overnight, if you can, at anywhere between £1 to £4 for 45 electric miles from that 30KwH battery, in normal weather.

Or just do what most hybrid company car users do and never plug it in at all, and enjoy electric driving in town powered by petrol and electric braking

 

[BTB 500]

That's exactly what happened with the London black cabs back in 2018.

Yep TfL were heavily into hybrid buses for about 10 years - slowly replacing them with electric now. Currently 3,500 diesel, 2,800 hybrid, 1,400 electric.

 

[BTB 500]

IMHO there’s very few ‘one size fits all’ vehicles out there, regardless of the method of propulsion. Some are surprisingly practical though.

I guess what I mean is regardless of power plant type, cars are suited to different purposes.

E.g. a large heavy SUV is a waste being used for short journeys/shopping trips if you don’t need the space or seats. But is great for example on longer journeys and holidays etc.

A city hatchback would not offer the experience of an open-top vehicle in summer, but is often more economical and easier to park in town - ideal for commuting in traffic.

Absolutely. But if you're limited to a single vehicle (as many are) a larger one (SUV etc.) is often the only option as that can still be used for popping to the shops etc. (even if not ideal for that purpose).

 

[Skd884]

IMHO there’s very few ‘one size fits all’ vehicles out there, regardless of the method of propulsion. Some are surprisingly practical though.

I guess what I mean is regardless of power plant type, cars are suited to different purposes.

E.g. a large heavy SUV is a waste being used for short journeys/shopping trips if you don’t need the space or seats. But is great for example on longer journeys and holidays etc.

A city hatchback would not offer the experience of an open-top vehicle in summer, but is often more economical and easier to park in town - ideal for commuting in traffic.

Something with a manual gearbox wouldn’t be appealing for a commute sitting in traffic, but maybe just want you want for a rewarding drive in a sporty vehicle on the open road.

Appreciate sometimes you are restricted with space though.

It’s only my logic but I’d rather run a few older vehicles than one new hybrid for example for both commuting and weekend use etc but I do understand everyone is different

I do like the i3, only downside in practical terms for some is that it only has 4 seats?

Yep only four.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It’s only my logic but I’d rather run a few older vehicles than one new hybrid for example for both commuting and weekend use etc but I do understand everyone is different

Me to a tee.

I like to have a car suited for each purpose. That’s why I have a selection of cars at my disposal. All optimised for each specific task in my motoring life, as I don’t believe in compromise. Compromise means everyone loses, so why do it?

I have some red Astra Mk2, some blue Astra Mk2, some burgundy Astra Mk2, a silver Astra Mk2, a white Astra Mk2 and even a carabic blue Astra Mk3 estate for those very rare moments in which an Astra Mk2 isn’t the perfect tool for the job.

 

[m80]

It’s only my logic but I’d rather run a few older vehicles than one new hybrid for example for both commuting and weekend use etc but I do understand everyone is different

Where that fails is on the road tax, MoT, and insurance fronts.

Every car need some attention, older cars need more. And they don't like not being used.

Some have room to store their fleet, most don't.
Bobby Dazzlers pics remind me of the butterflies comedy, but worse.

 

[markjay]

Absolutely. But if you're limited to a single vehicle (as many are) a larger one (SUV etc.) is often the only option as that can still be used for popping to the shops etc. (even if not ideal for that purpose).

A decent crossover will also work for many.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Me to a tee.

I like to have a car suited for each purpose. That’s why I have a selection of cars at my disposal. All optimised for each specific task in my motoring life, as I don’t believe in compromise. Compromise means everyone loses, so why do it?

I have some red Astra Mk2, some blue Astra Mk2, some burgundy Astra Mk2, a silver Astra Mk2, a white Astra Mk2 and even a carabic blue Astra Mk3 estate for those very rare moments in which an Astra Mk2 isn’t the perfect tool for the job.

View attachment 166362

Don't forget the Sherpa...pride of the fleet.

 

[BTB 500]

A decent crossover will also work for many.

Absolutely, all depends on personal circumstances.

If we could only have one vehicle it would have to be the Vito (or a direct equivalent). We do take it to supermarkets etc. sometimes, and it's not ideal for that. But getting 3 people and 10 dogs into anything smaller would be tricky! Actually we have 17 dogs at the moment, but 7 of them are quite tiny

 

[m80]

Absolutely, all depends on personal circumstances.

If we could only have one vehicle it would have to be the Vito (or a direct equivalent). We do take it to supermarkets etc. sometimes, and it's not ideal for that. But getting 3 people and 10 dogs into anything smaller would be tricky! Actually we have 17 dogs at the moment, but 7 of them are quite tiny

View attachment 166366

Your gonna have to use the hypermarket when those 7 grow.

 

[BTB 500]

Your gonna have to use the hypermarket when those 7 grow.

Luckily we are 'only' keeping two of them

 

[Will]

Where that fails is on the road tax, MoT, and insurance fronts.

Every car need some attention, older cars need more. And they don't like not being used.

Some have room to store their fleet, most don't.
Bobby Dazzlers pics remind me of the butterflies comedy, but worse.

Some cars have free/low road tax (EV/classics etc)
Some cars have classic insurance/MOT/tax statuses too. And often insuring more than one vehicle can be reasonable cost wise with multi-car policies/reduced annual mileage etc.

Fair comment with regards to servicing etc but then if the cars are being driven less miles then generally they won’t be going through quite as many consumables.

Where it can work out better is minimising depreciation - which is usually the biggest motoring expense you can get.

Some vehicles can hold their values very well or even appreciate in time.

By comparison, I expect something like a 2024 GLE400E would cost an awful lot more in depreciation - especially in the first few years

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Some cars have free/low road tax (EV/classics etc)
Some cars have classic insurance/MOT/tax statuses too. And often insuring more than one vehicle can be reasonable cost wise with multi-car policies/reduced annual mileage etc.
Fair comment with regards to servicing etc but then if the cars are being driven less miles then generally they won’t be going through quite as many consumables.
Where it can work out better is minimising depreciation - which is usually the biggest motoring expense you can get.
Some vehicles can hold their values very well or even appreciate in time.
By comparison, I expect something like a 2024 GLE400E would cost an awful lot more in depreciation - especially in the first few years

Oh, what's 50% depreciation for the first three years of GLE400E ownership between friends? £45k maybe ? £15ka p.a.?

Or £12k "plus the VAT" on a business lease....