To not get the hate thrown at EVs?

[EngineStart]

We have an EV. We didn’t get it for environmental reasons, we got it because I have access to an EV lease scheme via work and it was the most cost effective way for us to get a new car. I don’t think I’m morally superior for having one. It serves us well, is nice to drive, and cheaper (for us) than running a petrol car.

What I don’t get is the visceral hatred some people have for them. I understand they aren’t for everyone, there are definite logistical challenges with on-street parking and long journeys particularly. However, I expect range and logistics to improve as time goes on. I also get that some car fans might find them a bit sanitised. But I don’t really get why some people are so viciously against them?

AIBU?

I dont think new diesel cars are going to be banned from sale 'very soon', its now not until 2035 is it?

Although I suppose a question is, where are those new diesel and petrol cars coming from if the manufacturers wont make them. Car businesses arent just going to make petrol and diesel cars for the british market are they, its not big enough

When is the EU banning the sale of new ICE cars?

I looked into the fire/explosions thing. They are not at more risk of catching fire. Less risk in fact. Any fire would be more intense though. We don’t know yet about long term and in older cars.

Our risk assessment was: we have to drive. Being in or near a car on fire is bad. ICE cars are more likely to catch fire and we don’t avoid driving because of that so why avoid an EV because of that. Crossing the road involves risk.

@Colddespiteduvet

I looked into the fire/explosions thing. They are not at more risk of catching fire. Less risk in fact.

Er, yeah, that's wrong.

It's EV Bingo in here.

No, you won't get the full range of a diesel yet.
But many newer EV cars have a range of 300+ miles.

How many people do 300+ miles regularly?

Hint: according to most insurers the average UK driver, drives 7400 miles a year.

A standard fleet car for business is leased at 15000 miles, which in maths is an average of 58miles a day.

So how often does the average driver go over 300 miles?

Also 300 miles takes 4hr17 at a constant speed of 70mph. You SHOULD NOT be driving that without a break.

So the range is moot. As a travelling sales person in the UK, that covers very far flung areas, I can honestly say I've never had an issue finding a charger when I've needed one.

The environmental factors: they're fair. But ICE vehicles aren't good either.

Catching fire?
ICE cars are more likely to catch fire than an EV.
But an EV is harder to put out.

Being hacked? Well....random, but that's so random I've not even thought about that. You know ICE cars are heavily computerised too?

I'm not remotely interested in what other people buy, but I wouldn't have one.

I've seen this a lot especially on Facebook,and the Tesla group. Lots of people like to spout off about the charging, having to stop every mile to charge it,cars bursting into flames etc. I just put it down to jealousy.

This. ^ Some people clearly only tootle to the local shops (1-3 miles away,) twice a week, and have everything they need to get to - work, family, friends, GP, hairdresser, dentist etc, within 10 miles. SOME of us need to travel further to see family, and travel with work, and cannot possibly function with the shitty amount of miles you get with an EV.

EVs have been around for some years now, and yet they have not really improved at all. No way should they EVER stop making petrol and diesel cars. EVs are too shit really.

No it's not wrong

www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/how-much-fire-risk-are-electric-vehicles#:~:text=Electric%20car%20fire%20statistics%20UK&text=According%20to%20Honeywell%20Safety%20and,2023%20were%20linked%20to%20EVs.

I don't "hate " them and probably couldn't afford to buy all but the very oldest models on the market (which probably have useless batteries that need replacing and appalling range.)
Even cheaper new EV,s have a range which wouldn't get me through a day on certain regular journeys. I don't want to be forced to look for somewhere to stop, queue for chargers/wait for charging . Also, living rurally, there are few charging points and even fewer are the fast ones.
For all these reasons, I would be unlikely to buy one any time soon.

Yes. Honestly. People get really vexed. My DSis tries to love the conversation on to cars just so she can angrily tell me how awful EVs are. I have to very carefully steer the conversation to avoid a tirade.

They are quiet. They sometimes make an angelic choir noise. All of them have a noise at lower speeds for the benefit of pedestrians but we are not used to it yet. I guess it’s a bit like having to look out for cyclists when crossing the road too.

I do think they need a horn especially for notifying pedestrians though. A polite cough I thought might do it. A nice ‘ahem’ sound.

I met someone who designs car batteries for EVs and she said she doesn't own one and wouldn't for ten years. But in 10 years time the tech will be far superior so she would definitely get one then.

So that's we've gone on, we are going to wear our current car down to the ground and then hope that we hit the EV market when the batteries are better.

@gould

Electric cars are being sold as more environmentally friendly but if you look at what it takes to create the battery it's bs.

Yep this too. People seem to hilariously 'forget' the fact that the bloody things have to be charged with electric! Where's that coming from? The sky!

Oh, and there is also something else... I saw an item on the news the other week, where breakdown companies were saying EVs are impossible to move if they break down. They simply don't move, and cannot be towed, or even rolled/manoeuvred onto the back of the breakdown truck! If every vehicle was EV, and a bunch of them broke down on the motorway, it would be total 100% gridlock. Probably for days!

@JustFrustrated

How many people do 300+ miles regularly?

Hint: according to most insurers the average UK driver, drives 7400 miles a year.

HINT: Many people do 3 X that. Some do 4 X that. Some do much more...

HTH.

Look, I know some of you clearly worship EVs. Some of us think they're shit. We are as entitled to our views as you EV worshippers. Capiche?

EVs have also been proven to be dangerous/catch fire easily.
You are very certain about that @SabreIsMyFave so please quote the proof you have so we can all educate ourselves.

When the Luton airport parking fire happened last year, it was all over social media that it was an EV but no, it was a standard diesel after all. But still the rumour persists that it was caused by an EV being charged.

I’ve very rarely had to queue to charge. The cars keep improving. The range is over 300 on the newest models. They can draw down power at a much greater rate so take very little time to charge.

It's probably also true to say a lot of car enthusiasts are proud of how powerful and fast their cars are.

Unfortunately for them there are a lot of bang average EVs out there that make ICE vehicles look like like shopping trolleys in the performance stakes.

So the only way to counter that and claim the superior car in the car hierachy is to claim theirs is better because they can drive to Scotland and back on one tank of fuel.

Yes some. But not the average by a long shot.

And I'm talking averages.

I'm someone just does far more than 7400 miles a year, I'm closer to 40,000.

Still have an EV.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but it's what the company wants

I don't like misinformation though.

Also most people with EVs that I know use green energy providers. A couple have invested in solar panels with batteries.

(I don’t have an EV but can’t understand the hatred for them. It can’t be climate change deniers).

I also don't get it. I have an EV, 500km range, unlikely I would drive more than that without stopping. It's clean and efficient and requires no maintenace. I got a really good deal as well. Perfect for me.

If it's not for you, don't buy one. I am not spending my time on convincing you that you have to buy one anyway, because I have one. But it's quite astonishing how many people lecture me why I shouldn't have or like my car - an issue that should not affect them in any way.

Yes. We are all entitled to opinions. Some things, however, are just facts. Lots of new EVs can do over 300 miles and take 20 mins to charge.

I’ve been on the fence about them but I’m the last 3 months I’ve seen 3 that have gone up in flames - one on the m3 on Friday. I’ve never seen that with a petrol car except for one arson attack. That makes me nervous about them. I also think you have to be great at planning and my life isn’t quite like that.

i could charge at work but they have 8 chargers so what if all are in use? I’m screwed and stuck until one becomes free. I think it depends on your lifestyle whether they are viable. There’s also some very ugly ones imo. Hates a string word though.

Mine has already taken over my house and is going to be running for PM in the next election.

That could well be true! 😂

Bull shit.

They can be towed on flatbed trucks.

And what exactly is there to breakdown in an EV car? Make your mind up, either garages and technicians don't like them because they will be out of jobs due to lack of service needs, or they have many parts to break down on them

Can't be both.

I have no hatred towards EVs. What I don't like are SUVs, cars that most owners cannot drive properly, for which roads and car parks are not designed for the proportion there are. Many of the EVs are SUVs and so it becomes a way of trying to be 'green' which is in reality greenwash. People still driving short distances instead of walking, not concentrating, and contributing to the issues seen outside schools.