The EV fact thread

[markjay]

BMW claimed to have sold their 500,000th EV at the beginning of last year. (Global, to include i3, MINI and all the others.

But did the i3 really reach / create its target market, and is an Electric MINI still just an EV for MINI owners?

The emergency services seem to like them:

(Scale model by Shedring Hobbies)

 

[markjay]

Here are a couple of real ones for your viewing pleasure:

Police cars arrive, at a free drive-through for the emergency services at The Berkeley Hotel as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus Stock Photo - Alamy

Download this stock image: Police cars arrive, at a free drive-through for the emergency services at The Berkeley Hotel as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. - 2BJ24AE from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.

www.alamy.com

 

[190]

Actually that's a good point - you'd think the Japanese would come up with a way to make electric kei cars NCAP compliant??

Big in Japan: Here’s why this tiny electric kei car is all the rage

The Sakura, a microcar from Nissan and Mitsubishi which launched last year, has become the top-selling EV in Japan, beating out Tesla.

electrek.co

I doubt it would make us buy them in quantity if they did, even as 2nd cars.

The big difference between them and us is that Japan is a society with a collectivistic culture and shared values. They actual believe in the Kei car concept for the greater good. It's been going since 1949. For the most part our society doesn't really have shared values other than "I'm alright Jack" which is unlikely to lead to us purchase very small cars for the sake of the country as a whole or for environment. Consciously or otherwise, "I'm all right Jack" is leading us selfishly in the exact opposite direction of ever larger and heavier cars.

 

[BTB 500]

I doubt it would make us buy them in quantity if they did, even as 2nd cars.

The big difference between them and us is that Japan is a society with a collectivistic culture and shared values. They actual believe in the Kei car concept for the greater good. It's been going since 1949. For the most part our society doesn't really have shared values other than "I'm alright Jack" which is unlikely to lead to us purchase very small cars for the sake of the country as a whole or for environment. Consciously or otherwise, "I'm all right Jack" is leading us selfishly in the exact opposite direction of ever larger and heavier cars.

I'm not so sure ... small cars have sold pretty well in the UK, starting with the original Mini. Fiat 500, Fiat 126, Smart ForTwo, Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto, VW Up!/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo, etc. ... most of those are barely any bigger than a Kei (some are definitely smaller).

 

[Deleted member 55947]

Actually that's a good point - you'd think the Japanese would come up with a way to make electric kei cars NCAP compliant??

Big in Japan: Here’s why this tiny electric kei car is all the rage

The Sakura, a microcar from Nissan and Mitsubishi which launched last year, has become the top-selling EV in Japan, beating out Tesla.

electrek.co

This is a perfect solution.
The EV argument usually stems from inner cities with their perceived pollution problem, so instead of getting everyone in the Country to drive EV’s just get those residing in city centres to get a small nifty car like this. Why get a big Tesla etc for pottering around when a little car will be far better, as well as having a smaller carbon footprint.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I doubt it would make us buy them in quantity if they did, even as 2nd cars.

The big difference between them and us is that Japan is a society with a collectivistic culture and shared values. They actual believe in the Kei car concept for the greater good. It's been going since 1949. For the most part our society doesn't really have shared values other than "I'm alright Jack" which is unlikely to lead to us purchase very small cars for the sake of the country as a whole or for environment. Consciously or otherwise, "I'm all right Jack" is leading us selfishly in the exact opposite direction of ever larger and heavier cars.

It’s a very modest, self-controlled culture, and I recognise your argument for a collectivist vibe.

But lawksamercy, the Xenophobia, the introversion, the disciplining of children, wives, and salarymen, that lifetime commitment to one company….

Wouldn’t you find it scary?

They’re fascinating and disciplined but…those crowded cities at night. Those trains !

 

[markjay]

I'm not so sure ... small cars have sold pretty well in the UK, starting with the original Mini. Fiat 500, Fiat 126, Smart ForTwo, Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo, Kia Picanto, VW Up!/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo, etc. ... most of those are barely any bigger than a Kei (some are definitely smaller).

...and the Micra.

 

[BTB 500]

...and the Micra.

I've owned two of those (a gen 1 and a gen 2), and a gen 1 Honda Jazz. All of those were a bit bigger than Kei size (3.4 x 1.48 metres). But I've also had an original Mini and a Fiat 126, which were both smaller

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hands up who personally has bought (or financed) a brand new unregistered city car - regardless of drivetrain - in the last five years.

Bought personally for yourself (not family members or friends), and brand new spec-to-order (not demo/nearlynew, etc).

So cars like Smart, Fiesta, Corsa, Ka, 500, Zoe, etc (or smaller).

 

[markjay]

Some good news:

Used car market is thriving and is being bolstered by second-hand EVs

The UK's used car market grew by 5.1 per cent in 2023, thanks to re-energised supply, levelling prices and a record year of electric vehicle (EV) sales.

mol.im

 

[Noitz]

The emergency services seem to like them:

(Scale model by Shedring Hobbies)

 

[clk320x]

For the people who think that those of us with EVs get to chargers that don’t work

 

[Noitz]

Lithium batteries may have caused large Auckland scrap yard fire

The fire's area of origin was where lithium-ion batteries were stored.

m-g.uy

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Lithium batteries may have caused large Auckland scrap yard fire

The fire's area of origin was where lithium-ion batteries were stored.

m-g.uy

“New Zealand” & “are being looked at?”

 

[markjay]

I have a business idea. A subscription-only website that examines articles from all over the Internet in realtime for anti-EV news and provides subscribed EV bashers with a news feed to use in their anti-EV posts on social media. Do you think I can make money?

 

[Deleted member 55947]

I have a business idea. A subscription-only website that examines articles from all over the Internet in realtime for anti-EV news and provides subscribed EV bashers with a news feed to use in their anti-EV posts on social media. Do you think I can make money?

Why pay, there’s a free one about

The EV fact thread | Electric Mercedes models

BMW claimed to have sold their 500,000th EV at the beginning of last year. (Global, to include i3, MINI and all the others. But did the i3 really reach / create its target market, and is an Electric MINI still just an EV for MINI owners? The emergency services seem to like them: (Scale...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Ted]

I have a business idea. A subscription-only website that examines articles from all over the Internet in realtime for anti-EV news and provides subscribed EV bashers with a news feed to use in their anti-EV posts on social media. Do you think I can make money?

So you’re going to CHARGE anti EV people?..
Loving the business case!

Should go down like a house, sorry, car on fire.

 

[Mactech]

So you’re going to CHARGE anti EV people?..
Loving the business case!

Should go down like a house, sorry, car on fire.

Sorry, but I see that as an assault on battery

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
I was passing through Doha airport on Sunday and spotted this unusual police EV there!



Cheers
Steve

 

[Mactech]

Hi,
I was passing through Doha airport on Sunday and spotted this unusual police EV there!

View attachment 153004

Cheers
Steve

Looks like a Segway with a training wheel, for the police who haven't quite mastered the real thing yet