If we're going to all be driving electrics one day

pavulon · 03-30-2019, 05:40 AM

I might be okay with my first looking like the Audi e-tron GT concepts.

petrolhead611 · 03-30-2019, 06:21 AM

Already drive a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid.Probably buy a Hyundai Kona electric next,once this car nears the end of its 5 year warranry

petrolhead611 · 03-30-2019, 06:22 AM

100 electric only refuelling stations being built in the UK starting now

Jims5543 · 03-30-2019, 06:25 AM

Already using one for daily commuting duties in stop and go traffic, keeping the miles off the fun cars.

As a 2X former Audi owner with horrible experiences, especially in the electronics category, an electric Audi terrifies me.

petrolhead611 · 03-30-2019, 06:25 AM

7 households out if 30 in my road already have an electric or hybrid car

Jims5543 · 03-30-2019, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

100 electric only refuelling stations being built in the UK starting now

We have a solar powered one downtown that is free, my wife uses it once a week when running errands downtown.

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Its just the beginning. Many car companies are committed to electric as well as countries. Akin to the dawn of the car replacing the horse. It also presents opportunities. Fel-Pro gaskets started out as Felt Products - they were making felt blankets for horses and in 1918 started to make engine gaskets out of felt. The brand is over 100 years old and that is changing too.

HardDrive · 03-30-2019, 08:06 AM

As long as the reliability is there, I honestly don't care for my daily driver. But in sports car, the relationship of the driver with the engine RPMs and the sound would be a deal breaker. I don't care if it goes 0-60 in 3 seconds. If it does it silently, that would be quite sterile and boring. Loud gear whine is not my jam.

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

I switched to driving a full electric last year, and my wife's been driving a plug-in hybrid for eighteen months now. Of course, plenty of charging stations round here, but we have an extensive solar array at home, and my electricity costs are zero. Whether you think it makes any significant difference to polar bears or not, I'm basically running my car for tag fees, I don't need a smog check, and maintenance is basically rotate the tires.
As the OP hinted, there are a lot of electric cars coming out at the moment that look good, and have sensible range. They're still not going to suit everyone, and the charging network needs expanding, but I'm looking forward to having plenty of options when I come to replace mine.

Sooner or later · 03-30-2019, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerkuld

I switched to driving a full electric last year, and my wife's been driving a plug-in hybrid for eighteen months now. Of course, plenty of charging stations round here, but we have an extensive solar array at home, and my electricity costs are zero. Whether you think it makes any significant difference to polar bears or not, I'm basically running my car for tag fees, I don't need a smog check, and maintenance is basically rotate the tires.
As the OP hinted, there are a lot of electric cars coming out at the moment that look good, and have sensible range. They're still not going to suit everyone, and the charging network needs expanding, but I'm looking forward to having plenty of options when I come to replace mine.

You are doing the correct thing. The problem is that most people don't have the up front funds that you put together. The solar array, charging station, and premium for the vehicle all add up to a significant amount than many can't afford.

jcwade · jcwade's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavulon

I might be okay with my first looking like the Audi e-tron GT concepts.

Looks more Porsche than a Porsche.

Or maybe just the same.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I wonder if you could swap the bumper from the Audi to the Porsche?

I look forward to a nice eSUV with great torque; and maybe a GT type car.

RKDinOKC · RKDinOKC's Garage

SUV or GT? Just for driving across town.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

I keep waiting for that nitch market of producing electric vehicle conversion kits to go mainstream. I know it probably won't (too many hurdles), but I do think there are plenty of older cars that make a good candidate for conversion.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I heard something the other day... ...not sure if its actually true...

...but it was that your average neighborhood transformer couldn't hold up to more than 7 electric cars being charged simultaneously. Not sure if thats true - but was an interesting take. Anyone want to calculate that?

Seems specious to me - when everyone is running AC full blast in the summer that has to be a huge draw too.

masraum · 03-30-2019, 08:21 PM

The last time I was in NYC, there were tons of prius taxis and some other tiny mini-van that was either electric or hybrid.

I'm game, but I have to say, to me, at least so far, hybrid seems like the way to go.

masraum · 03-30-2019, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstreit

I heard something the other day... ...not sure if its actually true...

...but it was that your average neighborhood transformer couldn't hold up to more than 7 electric cars being charged simultaneously. Not sure if thats true - but was an interesting take. Anyone want to calculate that?

Seems specious to me - when everyone is running AC full blast in the summer that has to be a huge draw too.

I'm guessing maybe that's more about the quick chargers than the slow chargers. A woman in my complex the other day said that her leaf would charge in 30 mins on a quick charger vs 6 or 8 hours on a slow charger.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

That would depend on the car. A Chevy Volt draws 3500 watts while an electric stove uses 110000.

Jims5543 · 03-30-2019, 08:28 PM

With the use of my electric car my electric bill has changed $40-$50 a month.

We used to buy $300 a month in gas.

We set the charger to come on around 1-2 in the morning. It is a phase 2 charger, it will charge the car from dead to full in 4 hours. Typically it has 30% batter so charging takes 2-3 hours.

I seriously doubt it is having an impact on our grid.

I hope to be solar in the next couple of years then my impact on the grid wil be minimized. Also my power comes from a Nuclear plant so I am not contributing to belching coal.

We purchased the car with 20K miles and put 30K miles on it in one year (it has 51K miles on it now) it has needed nothing more than tires. It is a maintenance free vehicle.

If there was a pickup version that was affordable (as in used and took the depreciation hit already) I would be all over it for a work truck.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Don’t know about all electric cars. I owned a Prius until a reckless driver totaled it out. It was a great car and would be hard to find a more economical car. However, an all electric would make a great commuter. But, would rather have a hybrid for the occasional long trips.