Electric cars are NOT the future, are they?

[Isometimeswonder]

I am genuinely torn. I need want a new car but really don't want electric.
But so few smaller petrol cars are made now.
I haven't got a place to charge a car at home.
AIBU I should accept electric is the future.
AINBU I should get petrol. (Please recommend a small city car)

@OooPourUsACupLoveand arguably, EVs are a downgrade to a petrol car while we wait for the infrastructure to be built. Petrol drivers don’t need to plan their journey barely at all, you know there will be plenty of petrol stations, no over night charging, no getting new infrastructure to your house. I’m not saying these things won’t come, but right now it takes more effort to get an EV than a petrol car- for what benefit? That’s not to say they’re not the future, but we’re not there yet. I’m not spending £10,000s on something that is currently a downgrade to my current way of life. When I am forced to; I’m sure I will adapt 🤷‍♀️

I jumped at the chance to get a mobile phone, I good see the immediate benefit.

I also definitely would not get in a car that someone had been smoking or eating a McDonald's in.

All types of car are bigger whatever the fuel. Bigger baby and child seats plus using them for longer. People are bigger.EVs may be a little heavier.

Please tell me what EV 's do better?

Literally, try one. Hire one and find out. That's what I did, and after that I had no desire to drive a petrol car ever again.

I could not believe how much more relaxed driving was, both on the motorway and in the town.

But what exactly? Enlighten us, what does an EV car do differently? Surely what you’re describing is down to spec as opposed to the fact it’s electric?

Here you go I did a quick Google for you @danij5873

’.Electric cars excel at
providing instant torque for rapid acceleration, significantly lower maintenance due to fewer moving parts, and silent, smooth operation. They offer superior cost-efficiency through cheaper home charging, superior energy efficiency, and regenerative braking that extends brake life.
Carwow +4

• Key advantages where electric cars (EVs) outperform traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles Performance & Driving Experience:EVs deliver instant torque, leading to quick acceleration and a smoother, quieter ride. A low center of gravity from battery placement enhances stability and handling.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: With no need for oil changes, spark plugs, or complex exhaust systems, EVs have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance needs.
• Fuel Efficiency & Cost: Electric motors are highly efficient, converting over 75% of energy into motion, compared to less than 20% for petrol engines. Charging at home is generally much cheaper than refueling.
• Environmental Impact: EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, improving local air quality.
• Practicality: Regenerative braking reduces wear on traditional brakes and captures energy, while home charging eliminates the need for frequent gas station stops.
• Reduced Noise Pollution: The lack of a loud combustion engine reduces noise pollution, creating a calmer driving experience and environment.’

I’m similarly baffled. I get into my petrol car, stick it in automatic mode and pootle off. It’s great around town and holds its own on the motorway. I can head off camping for a week and might possibly need to do a tiny top of fuel on the way home but that takes mere minutes. Now if an electric car would put the bloody tent up for me it might sway my views slightly.,

@StandingSideBySideI was asking the PP, most of that is entirely irrelevant to the drive which is what they were talking about. I very much doubt I would enjoy driving a Chinese EV monstrosity over an Audi S3. Drive is highly subjective.

I do not find the reduced noise a benefit.

I don’t care about cost.

Not convinced on environment when looked at in its entirety.

I did find the maintenance issue interesting though, I only buy new though so don’t have much in the way of maintenance.

@danij5873
Here’s another response re driving experience because I’m on a roll 😆

Key reasons EVs offer superior comfort:

• Quiet and Smooth: Electric motors produce minimal noise and vibration, providing a quiet cabin that reduces driver fatigue.
• Instant Acceleration: Without gear changes, acceleration is linear and immediate, making city driving and overtaking smoother.
• One-Pedal Driving: Regenerative braking allows you to slow down significantly just by lifting off the accelerator, minimizing the need to switch to the brake pedal.
• Stable Ride: Batteries are typically located in the floor, giving the car a low center of gravity, which improves stability and handling.
• Simpler Operation: The lack of a gearbox or clutch simplifies the driving process

While some passengers may experience motion sickness due to the rapid, smooth acceleration, the overall consensus is that the lack of engine noise and,,,,. The cabin experience is often described as more refined, reducing stress during daily commutes

Nope, it's because the car is quiet and the acceleration is so smooth and responsive. No gears changing (even petrol autos have gears, you just don't control them yourself). And one pedal driving is a game changer in town especially in 20 zones.

And then the chillness of just popping the car on a charger while you do your thing, no need to find a petrol station and hang around pumping in the cold and rain.

And that's before we even think about all the maintenance that it doesn't need vs a petrol car, or how much better EVs survive at higher mileages.

But let's face it, whatever I say you'll find reasons to disagree it's a benefit despite never having tried it yourself. You are just looking for reasons to justify your current Nope. That's why I say to try one for yourself.

How many have got rid of petrol and switched to EV? Looking at all the drives near me, 80% of them are EV or hybrid cars.

Every single taxi firm in our area have switched to EV and that tells me all I need to know. If the companies who are driving a lot of miles in their cars have switched, I’m fairly certain that’s an indicator they are cheaper and more reliable.

Here’s some EVs produced in the UK at the moment

UK-made EVs include the
Nissan Leaf, MINI Cooper, Vauxhall Combo Electric, and Munro 4x4s, with major production hubs in Sunderland, Ellesmere Port, and Oxford. The sector is growing rapidly, with over 40% of UK car production being electrified, including models from manufacturers like JLR.
Key UK-manufactured electric vehicles and manufacturers include:
Nissan (Sunderland): Manufactures the Leaf and Qashqai e-Power.
Stellantis (Ellesmere Port):Produces electric vans such as the Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Corsa Electric, and Peugeot e-208.
MINI/BMW (Oxford): Produces the MINI Cooper and Countryman.
Jaguar Land Rover(Halewood/Solihull): Producing Range Rover Electric and other models.
Munro Vehicles (Glasgow):Produces all-electric 4x4 trucks, specifically the Series-M and M280.
Aston Martin: Manufactures luxury EVs in the UK.
LEVC (Coventry): Produces the electric taxi

The Audi S3 is a German-assembled vehicle, though it likely contains global components

See everything you’re both saying there genuinely sounds dreary to me!! I love driving, DH and I are petrol heads. We have 3 cars between us, including a high spec sports car. The louder, the better. I avoid automatics as I like to drive. I love dropping down a gear, hitting the gas, hearing the engine roar!

Come on hitting up a petrol station which is under cover and takes 5 mins is no different to finding a charger, at best they’re the same.

Genuinely not trying to just be argumentative @OooPourUsACupLovebut you must understand we are all different, cars are different things to different people. I’m glad you found your car, but nothing you’ve said has made me think an EV would suit us.

Absolutely. It's a system that only works for the few. Just another opportunity for virtue signalling.

Our is brilliant, we charge at home and yes, they will replace petrol. But improved public transport is the future.

Genuinely I would say the vast majority on our estate are still petrol/diesel, it’s an estate where we all have detached homes on double driveways so it’s not a logistical issue, but I can really only think of a few that are full EV (they may well have hybrid). I’m not sure the infrastructure is all that good in our town though, we’re a bit out in the sticks.

65% of electric in the U.K. comes from non fossil fuels and that is rising every year. 100% of petrol comes from fossil fuels. Petrol cars have toxic emissions when driven, electric cars do not. The difference in emissions from production equals out after about 10k miles. There is no environmental argument for a petrol car. Not a single one.

Yep, exactly.

People really should try it before sneering.

The cost is really the main legitimate issue. I certainly wouldn't suggest people chuck a petrol car that doesn't need replacing. But in ten years or so, pretty much everyone on this thread who owns a car will own an EV and will quietly forget they ever thought they were a bad thing.

I agree infrastructure is one of the biggest problems. In Scotland we seem to be doing it better. For example, you only need one card/ app for charging, no matter who the provider is. I recently took a trip to England and had to download 3 different apps for a three day trip 🤦🏻‍♀️

We are already looking into importing a Mustang from the US so I doubt you’re right with me

But in 10 years a lot of the barriers people are put off by that exist now will probably not be as prevelant so its not really a true comparator. Currently EVs are more expensive to buy, lots dont have the potential to charge at home and some areas are droughts in terms of public chargers, with roads that cant handle the increased weights. If these are resolved i am sure people would be less hesitant.

@OooPourUsACupLovebut I am goading you a little lol. I agree I should, and will test drive one. But I bet we’ll always have a petrol car on our drive. Even if it’s on bricks 😂

Lol, I would have said exactly the same thing about liking to drive - until I tried the EV! Have you tried 0 to 60 in 4 seconds? The smoothness of accelerating out of a country road bend with a low centre of gravity and electric acceleration?

But let's face it, how often do you get to do that fun driving these days? The roads are too congested and too full of roadworks. Everyday driving just isn't fun like it was 20 years ago.

Now I know you enjoy driving, I think you should try an EV even more, just to experience the difference like you would enjoy trying different petrol cars for the drive.

Ok you’ve definitely convinced me I should test drive one before being too sneery. There must be a difference in brand though? Is it like petrol cars where brands/engine size have an impact?

The size of them do genuinely bother me though, they just don’t seem to do small ones?