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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not want an electric car?

318 replies

Elevenfourteen · 04/04/2022 19:57

I know IABU for asking such a dull question, but my Dh wants to buy an electric car and I’m not convinced.
I guess they’re better for the environment so that’s one thing. But are we set up for them properly yet? Do all garages have charging points? Do you have to hang around the garage for ages while they charge? I just can’t imagine how they can be a practical option.
Driving to work and back and charging at night is fine, but what about going on holiday?

Do any of you have electric cars and can you reassure me?

OP posts:
Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 04/04/2022 22:31

I have a Tesla and have no problems charging it. Charging points need a bit more planning, but there’s plenty of them if you need them. I live rurally and still don’t have an issue. I do go on holiday with it too- don’t understand this “you can’t” business? Why not?

lampygirl · 04/04/2022 22:34

@fourmagpies I’d do the 280 miles to Newcastle with just a quick wee, often have to come back same day as well, so if the location doesn’t have chargers then it’s not viable. We do to Zermatt with one or two quick stops (swapping drivers, not one person doing the whole journey). Having to have 2-3 hours of stops on that journey would probably put us over into having to have an overnight hotel which is a massive waste.

Some people just don’t want to spend time wallowing round service stations or eating a full sit down meal to kill time, or having to drive at 65 across Europe for max range when the speed limit is over 80. Time seems to be the overlooked commodity in the EV case.

NotMeNoNo · 04/04/2022 22:35

I think people need to be less wedded to one car for everything. If 90% of usage is short journeys, commuting etc with a place to charge, you should go for it and hire a bigger/hybrid car for occasional holidays. People who drive all day or who need a commercial vehicle will need a different solution. But if all the school runners and short commuters went for EVs it would take a lot of petrol/diesel cars off the road.

toomuchfruit · 04/04/2022 22:35

Unless it’s a Tesla I wouldn’t bother just yet. The charging network in England is archaic and over complicated. The Tesla charging network works really well though.

SwanBuster · 04/04/2022 22:39

@Whetheryouthinkyoucan

I have a Tesla and have no problems charging it. Charging points need a bit more planning, but there’s plenty of them if you need them. I live rurally and still don’t have an issue. I do go on holiday with it too- don’t understand this “you can’t” business? Why not?
Tesla’s are a totally different breed to every other EV though - at least in mental comfort terms - because the supercharger network is a huge bail out even if you pay for it.

Things are getting a lot better quite quickly with gridserve, shell and instavolt etc with regards to ‘open’ charging networks but until Tesla fully open up the superchargers to other makes, I’d say you have to know what you’re doing and be Ok with a bit of a leap into the unknown.

It’s definitely still doable, but Tesla’s charging network is what makes the car the best proposition. Otherwise I’d have a Porsche Taycan (over my Model S) or the Kia EV6 (over a 3). The Model Y is the best all round Tesla imho - but as there’s no free supercharging I’m not trading it in ever.

SwanBuster · 04/04/2022 22:39

@toomuchfruit

Unless it’s a Tesla I wouldn’t bother just yet. The charging network in England is archaic and over complicated. The Tesla charging network works really well though.
We double posted 😂
jamie8 · 04/04/2022 22:39

Are there EVs suitable for towing a trailer yet?
We enquired about 2years ago, need a small trailer for garden waste and helping youth group camping. No cars were insurable because manufacturers did not recommend towing so no towbars designed for them.

Beercrispsandnuts · 04/04/2022 22:40

Don’t do it, there is a fire risk with the batteries over heating, don’t charge them in an integrated garage and battery replacement cost means you need to basically the car basically every three to five years. Cost of ownership is huge.

They burn so hot that the fire brigade can’t come near you and they will combust if you get in an accident and the battery is pierced.

Two things right now. Don’t ever charge it in integrated garage and have an escape route planned to get the hell out if you hit something.

Yanbu

LastInTheQueue · 04/04/2022 22:43

I was an early EV adopter, and got a Nissan Leaf 5-6yrs ago. I loved it, even if the mileage range was rubbish. Things have VASTLY improved since then - ranges are better, there are considerable more chargers, and I can’t imagine going back to petrol.

I replaced the Nissan with a kia Niro last year and I love this even more! We travel into London quite often, so no congestion charge (likely to change in a couple of years), no ulez, usually free parking while charging, which sometimes is also free.

Ljmumun · 04/04/2022 22:45

We had this discussion agreed on a hybrid with no external charge. Had it 3 months really like it . Filled it up twice. Most local journeys electric with longer if higher speeds petrol/ dual fuel. Only issue is the loss of boot space

SwanBuster · 04/04/2022 22:45

@Beercrispsandnuts

Don’t do it, there is a fire risk with the batteries over heating, don’t charge them in an integrated garage and battery replacement cost means you need to basically the car basically every three to five years. Cost of ownership is huge.

They burn so hot that the fire brigade can’t come near you and they will combust if you get in an accident and the battery is pierced.

Two things right now. Don’t ever charge it in integrated garage and have an escape route planned to get the hell out if you hit something.

Yanbu

Total misinformation regarding the batteries.

How many 2013 Model S’s are there that needed a battery swap?

Answer - a few, but there are plenty that haven’t.

How many have exceeded 250k miles out of a pack? - answer - quite a few worldwide.

Beercrispsandnuts · 04/04/2022 22:47

It’s not misinformation. It’s one hundred percent accurate. 100 percent.

Coffeeonmytoffee · 04/04/2022 22:47

Today I drove into central london. Parked for four hours all for the grand total of….86p

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 04/04/2022 22:48

@Beercrispsandnuts

Don’t do it, there is a fire risk with the batteries over heating, don’t charge them in an integrated garage and battery replacement cost means you need to basically the car basically every three to five years. Cost of ownership is huge.

They burn so hot that the fire brigade can’t come near you and they will combust if you get in an accident and the battery is pierced.

Two things right now. Don’t ever charge it in integrated garage and have an escape route planned to get the hell out if you hit something.

Yanbu

This is total bollocks.
NaiceHamAndHugs · 04/04/2022 22:48

I do around 1k miles a week. I live remotely, I have a large family and need a lot of space in my car for stuff, I regularly tow 2t loads, I also recently went 8 days in an area cut off from civilisation without electricity after a storm.

Electric cars can absolutely fuck right off until someone produces something that’s actually fit for purpose.

Horrible, ugly, useless, silent little shit bins. 7 years to change the views of those who don’t live in urban and populated areas is going to be a challenge.

(And no need for anyone to take that personally, your car may be ugly but I didn’t say you were!)

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 04/04/2022 22:50

@SwanBuster interestingly I haven’t used a Tesla charger yet- my husband has- I tend to use InstaVolt ones. It just happens that they seem to be on my routes. Also often near a Starbucks so I do some emails and have a coffee. Yesterday I charged for 27 mins, gained 98 miles. By the time I’d walked the dogs for a pee, bought my coffee and drunk it was done.

SwanBuster · 04/04/2022 22:51

@Beercrispsandnuts

It’s not misinformation. It’s one hundred percent accurate. 100 percent.
So my 2016 Model S - coming up to 6 years - which is still on its original battery is a figment of my imagination?

And the 2014 one I met when the owner was charging yesterday is also somehow fake?

Give over 😂

Viviennemary · 04/04/2022 22:51

I wouldn't have one either. They are a bonkers idea IMHO.

MrOllivander · 04/04/2022 22:52

I'm sticking with petrol as long as I can. Mostly because I can't have a home charger so I have no idea what people like me will do. My parking space is nowhere near my apartment

WouldBeGood · 04/04/2022 22:52

Totally impractical as yet because of the range.

Frazzled2207 · 04/04/2022 22:53

@gogohm

Is it going to be your only car? If so a plug in hybrid is more flexible. I share your concerns
We have one EV as a family and only car. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever. However we almost only ever charge at home. You need off street parking for this. You don’t necessarily need a charge point at home but a charge point will make charging at home quicker. We only use public charging a handful of times a year.

Best car decision we ever made and since we got one, MIL and
BiL have converted and DPs will get one soon

Frazzled2207 · 04/04/2022 22:53

@WouldBeGood

Totally impractical as yet because of the range.
Really! Many do well over 200 miles. How much can you do in your car?
SparklyLeprechaun · 04/04/2022 22:54

We've got 2 and wouldn't go back to a combustion engine.

Holidays require planning, but we've never had an issue being able to charge on the motorway.

toomuchfruit · 04/04/2022 22:54

Ha! Yes. Also agree about the free supercharging. I will never give mine up for a newer one, for this very reason.

WouldBeGood · 04/04/2022 22:54

About 400. And then I just fill up as opposed to waiting for it to charge.