The EV fact thread

[markjay]

Yes, my son is working with some of Formula E teams at the moment, and the absurdity of these 'green' races is that there is a line of diesel generators, out of line of sight, suppling the charge for all the cars....
I worked for JP for a couple of years based at the Bedford Autodrome and there are very few people I have ever met with a greater work ethic than he has.
16 hour days were a minimum for him using his own helicopter transport to dart about Europe

I think that the point is that racing bosses understand that the sport needs to remain relevant for years to come, if the commercial success is to continue into a future where all (or most) cars are electric.

Sticking to petrol engine is akin to sticking to chariot racing - it will continue to attract a niche crowd for years to come, but that's it.

The fact that they need to charge the car from Diesel generators is irrelevant, the key here is that future races will be using cars that bear at least some similarly to the cars that ordinary people will be driving.

 

[Mactech]

I think that the point is that racing bosses understand that the sport needs to remain relevant for years to come, if the commercial success is to continue into a future where all (or most) cars are electric.

Sticking to petrol engine is akin to sticking to chariot racing - it will continue to attract a niche crowd for years to come, but that's it.

The fact that they need to charge the car from Diesel generators is irrelevant, the key here is that future races will be using cars that bear at least some similarly to the cars that ordinary people will be driving.

Agreed, just as our road network continues to adapt to the needs of EV's, so do race circuits. The incentives and investment required for a very small market makes it rather less attractive to race circuit owners....at the moment.
What is very relevant to future road going EV's is the technology being developed by EV motorsport. Many of the electrical and power train systems now in use on the circuit will be making more efficient road EV's very soon.
Just as has happened for ICE vehicles.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Entertaining piece in the Times today, as someone who doesn't know what he's doing, despite being a "transport correspondent," tries to drive an EV 867 miles over 16 1/2 hours from Lands End to John O'Groats, over three days, in a new Skoda EV. (At a cost of £180 or 20p/mile)

His conclusion - he won't use an EV until he's retired.

Other conclusions are available: "He's a journalist looking for clicks." And "“Prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance.” But let's not spit feathers.

The run is, of course, an EV cliche. The journey's been videoed in less than a day - from Sunrise to sunset in June.

Such a shame that the Journo "apparently" doesn't know various basics, like using high speed chargers, or preferring to use chargers that he don't need a new charging account, or that it's much faster to top up to 80% than to try to fill to 100%

My (stressful) drive from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in an EV

The Times’s transport correspondent battled range anxiety (and stale croissants) as he put electric cars’ facilities to the test with an 867-mile road trip

www.thetimes.com

 

[Connoisseur]

EV technology popping up all over the place, tho no real surprise with this one. Replacing Diesel powered trains surely high on the list of priorities for all Train Operating Companies and Leasing Businesses….

'UK-first' intercity battery trial train outperforms diesel

A "UK-first" intercity battery trial train proved that single battery technology can outperform diesel engines cost-effectively.

electrek.co

 

[markjay]

Entertaining piece in the Times today, as someone who doesn't know what he's doing, despite being a "transport correspondent," tries to drive an EV 867 miles over 16 1/2 hours from Lands End to John O'Groats, over three days, in a new Skoda EV. (At a cost of £180 or 20p/mile)

His conclusion - he won't use an EV until he's retired.

Other conclusions are available: "He's a journalist looking for clicks." And "“Prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance.” But let's not spit feathers.

The run is, of course, an EV cliche. The journey's been videoed in less than a day - from Sunrise to sunset in June.

Such a shame that the Journo "apparently" doesn't know various basics, like using high speed chargers, or preferring to use chargers that he don't need a new charging account, or that it's much faster to top up to 80% than to try to fill to 100%

My (stressful) drive from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in an EV

The Times’s transport correspondent battled range anxiety (and stale croissants) as he put electric cars’ facilities to the test with an 867-mile road trip

www.thetimes.com

Well, actually, I wouldn't buy an EV either, if I needed to drive daily from Lands End to John O'Groats. Come to think of it, there are very many others scenarios where I wouldn't buy an EV, for example if I needed to drive it on the moon, because there are no chargers there

 

[PXW]

a) The form factor and space are great. The easy-to-remove rear seats make it very versatile, almost like a small van—or even a larger cargo van if you need more space.

b) It’s got a charming design with some nice touches that work really well.

c) It’s definitely not slow—has that EV feel and drives smoothly.

d) Tows beautifully, though it has an 800 kg limit.

However, the UX is a huge letdown. The haptic buttons are frustrating (is it adding 5 mph or 1 mph to cruise? Who knows?). The center console controls are blank and lack backlighting (I think this was fixed in newer versions). Online features don’t reliably save user preferences, and unlike Tesla, it can’t handle multiple user profiles well; logging out completely when you switch drivers.

Also good video here:

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Recognise that feedback from the official Tesla FB group

It’s an interesting vehicle, for sure. Real pity about the low towing limit though

 

[SmartAmg]

Entertaining piece in the Times today, as someone who doesn't know what he's doing, despite being a "transport correspondent," tries to drive an EV 867 miles over 16 1/2 hours from Lands End to John O'Groats, over three days, in a new Skoda EV. (At a cost of £180 or 20p/mile)

His conclusion - he won't use an EV until he's retired.

Other conclusions are available: "He's a journalist looking for clicks." And "“Prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance.” But let's not spit feathers.

The run is, of course, an EV cliche. The journey's been videoed in less than a day - from Sunrise to sunset in June.

Such a shame that the Journo "apparently" doesn't know various basics, like using high speed chargers, or preferring to use chargers that he don't need a new charging account, or that it's much faster to top up to 80% than to try to fill to 100%

My (stressful) drive from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in an EV

The Times’s transport correspondent battled range anxiety (and stale croissants) as he put electric cars’ facilities to the test with an 867-mile road trip

www.thetimes.com

That doesn't suprise me at all.
A so called, professional, motoring writer, talking, Bollox.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That doesn't suprise me at all.
A so called, professional, motoring writer, talking, Bollox.

Have to disagree here.

A journalist, deliberately stimulating debate and clicks., knowing full well that it’s spherical objects

 

[BTB 500]

EV technology popping up all over the place, tho no real surprise with this one. Replacing Diesel powered trains surely high on the list of priorities for all Train Operating Companies and Leasing Businesses….

'UK-first' intercity battery trial train outperforms diesel

A "UK-first" intercity battery trial train proved that single battery technology can outperform diesel engines cost-effectively.

electrek.co

Not doubting that this could be the future but ...

A “UK-first” intercity battery trial train proved that single battery technology can outperform diesel engines cost-effectively.

I didn't see anything at all in there about proving cost-effectiveness. No mention of costs at all, in fact. And what does 'single battery technology' mean?

It proved that powerful batteries offer significant benefits for emissions, fuel savings, and air quality.

We didn't need a trial to 'prove' that. Obviously a battery powered train wouldn't use diesel or produce emissions

The battery trial train delivered better-than-expected results in fuel savings, cutting fuel costs by 35-50%. One key way it achieved this was with an “Eco-mode” where the battery fully powered sections of the route, showing that the technology is more than ready for real-world use.

OK so this trial was actually a hybrid type setup where battery power was only used some of the time. They must have measured the overall fuel saving, so why not state what this was rather than saying 35-50%?

This success gives Hitachi the green light to move on to a full intercity battery-electric train, with an estimated range of 100-150 km.

But Hitachi says 'up to 100 km' of range, not 100-150 km.

Battery Intercity Train Technical Specification | Hitachi Rail

www.hitachirail.com

A journalist, deliberately stimulating debate and clicks., knowing full well that it’s spherical objects

Or, in this case possibly for direct financial gain

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We also use affiliate links when possible as an additional source of revenue for different products.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Not doubting that this could be the future but ...


I didn't see anything at all in there about proving cost-effectiveness. No mention of costs at all, in fact. And what does 'single battery technology' mean?


We didn't need a trial to 'prove' that. Obviously a battery powered train wouldn't use diesel or produce emissions


OK so this trial was actually a hybrid type setup where battery power was only used some of the time. They must have measured the overall fuel saving, so why not state what this was rather than saying 35-50%?


But Hitachi says 'up to 100 km' of range, not 100-150 km.

View attachment 163821

Battery Intercity Train Technical Specification | Hitachi Rail

www.hitachirail.com

Or, in this case possibly for direct financial gain

A journalist in a newspaper is paid to garner interest. At the Torygraph that means attractling the Elderly and pandering to their prejudices.

Like Stockbrokers, they’re not paid to write to be objective or analytical, they are there to move newspapers or shares

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Entertaining piece in the Times today, as someone who doesn't know what he's doing, despite being a "transport correspondent," tries to drive an EV 867 miles over 16 1/2 hours from Lands End to John O'Groats, over three days, in a new Skoda EV. (At a cost of £180 or 20p/mile)

His conclusion - he won't use an EV until he's retired.

Other conclusions are available: "He's a journalist looking for clicks." And "“Prior preparation prevents piss-poor performance.” But let's not spit feathers.

The run is, of course, an EV cliche. The journey's been videoed in less than a day - from Sunrise to sunset in June.

Such a shame that the Journo "apparently" doesn't know various basics, like using high speed chargers, or preferring to use chargers that he don't need a new charging account, or that it's much faster to top up to 80% than to try to fill to 100%

My (stressful) drive from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in an EV

The Times’s transport correspondent battled range anxiety (and stale croissants) as he put electric cars’ facilities to the test with an 867-mile road trip

www.thetimes.com

A quick google over lunch shows that Ben's "expertise" in transport is based on a handful of years doing "travel."

Because covering ski holiday options makes one an expert on "transport."

 

[markjay]

View attachment 163821

Hitachi could use a proofreader....

(says the person who regularly misspells everything )

 

[BIGDOG]

a) The form factor and space are great. The easy-to-remove rear seats make it very versatile, almost like a small van—or even a larger cargo van if you need more space.

b) It’s got a charming design with some nice touches that work really well.

c) It’s definitely not slow—has that EV feel and drives smoothly.

d) Tows beautifully, though it has an 800 kg limit.

However, the UX is a huge letdown. The haptic buttons are frustrating (is it adding 5 mph or 1 mph to cruise? Who knows?). The center console controls are blank and lack backlighting (I think this was fixed in newer versions). Online features don’t reliably save user preferences, and unlike Tesla, it can’t handle multiple user profiles well; logging out completely when you switch drivers.

Also good video here:

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Thanks for this, food for thought.

 

[BTB 500]

Hitachi could use a proofreader....

(says the person who regularly misspells everything )

Yes I spotted that! The assumption today seems to be that if it passes a spell check it's fine ...

 

[GrahamT]

Winter Tyres

Do EV's need them ?

Asking for a friend

 

[SmartAmg]

Winter Tyres

Do EV's need them ?

Asking for a friend

Only if it Snows. ❄❄

 

[markjay]

Winter Tyres

Do EV's need them ?

Asking for a friend

Yes they do. Of course, it will slash the range... driving on winter tyres in cold weather, the available range on full charge will only get you as far as the front gate on your driveway

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Winter Tyres

Do EV's need them ?

Asking for a friend

If you would need them on an ICE then you’d need them in an EV. Where you are in the country will determine how useful they’ll be.Funnily enough I’ll be looking for some for an EV in a minute.

 

[philnewmerc]

This thread is still going... ironically it is the frugal diesel of threads

I read that stupid misleading Times article; there's about one a month. However, a more relevant article would be that electric cars used in the real world have at tops about 2/3 the range advertised (ok fine, so do ICE) and you only really get to use the 20-80% section of the battery once on the go. So that's 2/3*60%= 40% of the range to be within comfortable range anxiety. Given a good range is seen as about 300 miles makes that actually more like a 120 miles range. Queue nasally ev voice: "well that's at least 2 solid hours of driving at the safe motorway limit of 60 mph".

Even with a full 'tank' you only have 20-100% to play with meaning a range of 2/3*80% of 300 = about 150 miles.

But, I have to admit, if you can park on the drive and set off on a full tank for a day's travelling of <150 miles and like doing 60 mph with heating off: EV is perfect and dirt cheap to run (as long as the company is paying for the mega depreciation... and you wear mittens).

 

[markjay]

...you only really get to use the 20-80% section of the battery once on the go...

Yup, that's how people who never had an EV perceive us....

For those who actually do have an EV, it's 10-100%. But what's 30% among friends, ey?