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Original poster

Would you buy a electric car?

169 replies

ghtt · 07/02/2023 19:44

So I need a car for my new job after only having one car that my husband uses, I can only drive a automatic, so debating a electric car, would you get one?

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 07/02/2023 21:23

FairyBatman · 07/02/2023 20:13

If you can install a charger at home I’d definitely go for it. DH does similar and it’s perfect. Commercial charging has got really expensive as electricity prices have gone up , but we are on an EV tariff so 2-6am we pay just over 10p per unit and it’s way cheaper than petrol (we also run the washer and dishwasher at the same time!)

Just out of interest, do you run the washing machine and dishwasher when you are sleeping?

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 07/02/2023 21:23

We have a VW ID4 and I love it! Not just for the ease of electric but also because it practically drives itself.

Rainsdropskeepfalling · 07/02/2023 21:25

I would. We did.

We have an electric as most of our trips are easily <100 miles and then we have a big ugly poluting diesel for the longer journeys.

The majority of car journeys in this country are < 10 miles. Can't deny the expense of EV and not practical if you don't have a drive way, but unless you drive for your job (rather than drive to your job) it can make sense.

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Cars & vehicles
Neighneigh · 07/02/2023 21:30

We have a polestar which DH has pottered off tonight to test a super fast charger while the eldest is at a sports club.

It goes like STINK so if you like incredible acceleration then yes it's fab. Visibility out of the back isn't good - you are supposed to rely on the camera and tilting mirrors but the camera gets blocked with road gunk and I hate the mirror thing (I've turned it off).

Charging cost wise, even on our regular electric it's cheaper than diesel. We've found that some fast chargers don't deliver the full voltage, and are often busy but DH can charge his at work for free at the moment so does that two days a week and we top up at home. Which is still cheaper than diesel.

I do have a bit of a love/hate with it but I think that actually I am starting to enjoy driving it. It is incredibly different to a regular car - bit like going from a mountain bike to a fixie if anyone cycles!

FixTheBone · 07/02/2023 21:31

I'm on my second tesla.

Would never drive an ICE car again.

Cleaner, faster, cheaper to run, virtually no servicing, quiet, smooth relaxing drive...

LabiaMinoraPissusFlapus · 07/02/2023 21:33

I've got a leaf and I only ever charge it at home, as I haven't had to charge it when out. It's really good but I only need it to do 90 miles max in a day. If I was going on frequent long journeys it wouldn't be great, but I don't need it for that. I absolutely hated getting petrol, so that's a massive bonus. Twice I forgot to charge it before work the next day, which was a pain! Other than that I think they're really good cars.

Xiaoxiong · 07/02/2023 21:35

Rent one for a month or two through On.To to test it out first - this will help you figure out the charging, range, what you really need etc. before taking the plunge to buy. I started with a DS3 ev and liked it but it was just a bit too small, now I have a Hyundai Kona EV and it's perfect. I don't even need a charging point fitted as the battery is big enough that I only have to charge once a week overnight at the slow charger, or in 45 mins or so at the fast one (these are public chargers in my local area - shell, BP, chargepoint and VendElectric). I absolutely love mine, we only need a petrol car if we are on a long driving holiday and I don't know where the chargers are.

JugglingJanuary · 07/02/2023 21:39

No

The environmental impact of manufacturing them is far too high.

the fact the fire service can't extinguish a fire in an accident.

Lack of charging infrastructure.

WTAF are we going to do do with all the dead batteries??

WandaWonder · 07/02/2023 21:41

I beleive they are a fire risk, and I think if it needs anything like a new battery it is very expensive

Maybe one day

StillWantingADog · 07/02/2023 21:41

Oopswediditagain2023 · 07/02/2023 19:56

Nope wouldn't touch with a bargepole. Everyone I know who has an electric car has got rid of it in the past 6 months. Too unreliable and not the sufficient infrastructure in place.

That’s funny everyone I know who bought one loves it.

we’d had ours for 4 years and no regrets whatsoever. Range wasn’t great when we bought ours but things have improved dramatically - we have a 300mile range car on order.

however I would say it’s a lot more difficult if you don’t have off street parking for your Charging port

BareBelliedSneetch · 07/02/2023 21:46

We’ve had one for a year and would never go back to petrol.

On the days we need to use both cars we argue over who gets stuck with the old petrol car. We are looking to replace it and will get an electric in its stead.

I regularly drive a few hundred miles. We’ve taken it abroad. It’s all been fine. it’s not a Tesla. and I would never choose to drive one of those, so we aren’t relying on their charging network.

There is a HUGE amount of misinformation out there. Tonnes.

That said, it’s not the right option for everyone yet. The infrastructure definitely isn’t good enough for us all to have electric cars. But it’s good enough for me at the moment. So I make use of it.

StillWantingADog · 07/02/2023 21:51

Op there are lots of similar threads. Usually one every few days tbh

usually people trot on and say

infrastructure not good enough
too expensive
batteries need replacing
expensive to service (this is total rubbish)
takes too long to charge
range not good enough

….I guarantee 99% of those don’t know what they are talking about. You won’t find hardly anyone that got an EV and regretted it. You will however find plenty that got one and never looked back

It does however require a bit of a shift in attitude. For us that means plugging it overnight (once a week) which takes about 10 seconds. Never visiting a petrol station ever again. Sure having to make slightly longer stops when doing long journeys (in fairness we don’t do many). Saving a small fortune on fuel bills.

oh and the car is dead easy to drive too,

Mark19735 · 07/02/2023 21:52

I've got one. Love it. Will never go back.

Daydre4mer · 07/02/2023 21:54

Everyone I know who has one )probably 8/9 people) love it.

I’ve ordered a new Renault Megane fully electric. Looks gorgeous and can’t wait.

SunsetOverEasterIsland · 07/02/2023 21:54

JugglingJanuary · 07/02/2023 21:39

No

The environmental impact of manufacturing them is far too high.

the fact the fire service can't extinguish a fire in an accident.

Lack of charging infrastructure.

WTAF are we going to do do with all the dead batteries??

We will never have one for the same reasons. People are going to get a huge shock when their battery needs replacing - we looked into a Nissan Leaf a while ago and the cost of replacing the batteries was eye-watering. Electricity is expensive to make and I dread to think about disposing of all these batteries at the end of their life.
Hydrogen is the way forward - fill up at gas stations as we do now and all that is expelled is water.

Flaunch · 07/02/2023 21:55

“Cleaner, faster, cheaper to run, virtually no servicing, quiet, smooth relaxing drive...”

cleaner - maybe? Unless you count the hideous environmental
damage done by heavy metal
mining of course.

faster - the fastest we can legally
drive in the country is 70pmh

servicing- what’s the shelf life of batteries?

Quiet - all modern cars are quiet

smooth relaxing drive - so’s my euro 6 diesel (which I can expect to run for 15-20 years with a 200k engine lifespan.)

ABigSpot · 07/02/2023 21:59

Yes. I have one. I use it for school run and all our nipping about type drives. It saves me about £250 a month in fuel costs as I charge at home on an overnight tariff, and it costs the same per month as my old petrol lease car. Plus no tax (for now).

It's a no brainier if you don't have to go far and can charge at home.

feliciabirthgiver · 07/02/2023 22:00

Yep I'm on my second. Would never go back and do approx 20,000 miles per year.

cushionfiend · 07/02/2023 22:03

I have a Zoe, it's fab. But I wouldn't have an EV without home charging and being on a cheap nighttime EV tariff. I use mine for local journeys and commuting to work, roughly a 40 mile round trip. The Zoe is surprisingly roomy and would be fine for an adult plus 2 kids. The main thing to note with Zoes is that many require you to take on a monthly battery lease - mine is £49 per month. Means that if anything goes wrong with the battery or it degrades past 75%, you're covered. Also includes roadside recovery. But needs to be factored into the cost - £600 a year adds up over time.

pissssedofff · 07/02/2023 22:05

No because they are a stop gap to make us feel good until Hydrogen kicks in.

EV needs 3 phase for fast charging, millions live with no drive way, so can't install an at home charger & the 2030 deadline will be extended... how are people like carers going to afford an EV ? even a 2nd hand one, what good is a 40/60mile Leaf to a community carer? and to get a better range the EV has to be bigger... rising its environmental impact and costs.

Hydrogen has its issues too but nothing like providing enough charging points and the time it takes to charge on long journeys nor does it have the eco impact of EV batteries, which are also v expensive and don't last oh and EV batteries have half life in cold weather :(

EVs will see the death the UK car making though, as manufacture has to be near the battery plants as they are so heavy to transport.

FairyBatman · 07/02/2023 22:07

Selfesteem22 · 07/02/2023 20:23

@FairyBatman who is your electricity provider is it octopus?

Currently bulb but will be moving to Octopus shortly.

FairyBatman · 07/02/2023 22:08

ghtt · 07/02/2023 20:14

@FairyBatman that sounds like something we could do at ours, what car have you got?

We have an e-208. It’s nippy!

corcaithecat · 07/02/2023 22:12

I've got a hybrid and love it and plan to go fully electric next time.

2Bornot · 07/02/2023 22:15

Flaunch · 07/02/2023 19:53

No because I have a hobby that takes me off the beaten track and I’d likely o be able to guarantee I can get home!

Also, I’m not sure using batteries is any better for the planet than using fossil fuels.

Dunno about batteries vs fossil fuels but I can’t wait until all cars are electric! My rural village is used as a cut through by London commuters going to the motorway, and at rush hour our high street is just standing traffic pumping out disgusting fumes. It’s a shame that the primary school children have to walk through the toxic fog to get to school. Pavement very narrow too 😔

Mojoyoyo · 07/02/2023 22:15

I wouldn’t get electric because of poor infrastructure, limited mileage per charge etc.
Also, I’d be concerned about the carbon footprint in their manufacture. When you consider the deforestation and mining for lithium for the batteries plus the fossil fuels used for their transportation, electric cars are not that ‘green’.
I would go for a small petrol car that’s reliable and economical.

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