Electric/Green Cars

Helen224488

I am thinking of buying an electric car. I need a new car as I am without a car at present. I am looking for a small new car to purchase. I had decided upon Kia Picanto strike & I took it for a test drive last week. I am just waiting until I have enough money as I want the model with central locking & air con.

As an alternative I am very interested in buying an electric car but I didn't think I would be able to afford one. I was browsing the web & discovered that the government have come up with a scheme starting in Jan 2011 where you receive 25% upto 5K off a new electric car.

I have searched electric cars but most which are due to be out end of this year or 2011 don't have prices.

How much would an electric car cost with the discount?

Is it worth me waiting until Jan 2011?

I would need the 4 seater not 2 & I would like it to go upto 80 m.p.h as I know some electric cars only go 6o m.p.h.

Any advice?

somech

:)i think they give 25% because electric cars are rubbish:)

hybrids are a better option but are'nt cheap.

i would hold out for a normal car:)

w.dws

Think you need to see if they suit your driving needs, eg if just for 5 mile commute each day then good idea but then again you'd probably better off buying a bike and cycling it. I have my doubts on the reliabilty and battery life of vechicles over long journeys (range of about 200 miles) using current battery technology plus where do you charge them at the other end of the journey as there are very few vechicle charging points around the country also i'd guess these vechicles take 6 - 8 hours to recharge.

jeannieblue

Can I just ask why? Not being sarcastic or anything, but it helps to understand why you want these particular vehicles.

thescouselander

There are still many problems with electric cars. I dont know why electric cars are advertised as green - they are not. By the time you have taken into account the losses in generating the electricity and getting it into your car (in addition to the normal losses you would expect in the car) the overall efficiency is probably less than you would get out of a diesel or hybrid.

Also, you see various things advertised like a top speed of X mph and a max range of Y miles. But what is the maximum range at the top speed? Nowhere near the maximum range advertised.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Prius's seem to be very good value and are apparently available used at good prices at some of the car supermarkets, if you've never driven one do so they are supremely comfortable and smooth with seamless transition from electric to engine power when needed, the drive train is effortless too.

I would certainly consider one, the almost silent low speed and town running is quite uncanny, i don't think they are any more fuel efficient overall than a Diesel engined car but in terms of quiet refinement they are streets ahead and have the bonus of no congestion charge if thats of any use...might be worth taking into consideration as i'll wager other metroplitan boroughs see congestion charging as a handy way of financing borough officers lucrative pensions.

I daresay electric cars will become better over time, i don't think it will be next year though, and you'll always have the problem of a limited range until battery swapping points etc become established.

jeannieblue

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Prius's seem to be very good value and are apparently available used at good prices at some of the car supermarkets, if you've never driven one do so they are supremely comfortable and smooth with seamless transition from electric to engine power when needed, the drive train is effortless too.

I would certainly consider one, the almost silent low speed and town running is quite uncanny, i don't think they are any more fuel efficient overall than a Diesel engined car but in terms of quiet refinement they are streets ahead and have the bonus of no congestion charge if thats of any use...might be worth taking into consideration as i'll wager other metroplitan boroughs see congestion charging as a handy way of financing borough officers lucrative pensions.

I daresay electric cars will become better over time, i don't think it will be next year though, and you'll always have the problem of a limited range until battery swapping points etc become established.

Driving wise, the mk2 has better all round visibility than the mk3

movilogo

Don't believe what all those climate change experts say about doomsdays

Forget electric cars - they are just not practical. You may go for it only if you live in London as this is the only city in UK which has at least some drivers who regularly drive electric cars.

If you are worried about environment, just buy a small fuel efficient car eg. VW Polo Bluemotion etc.

fifipat

how much would it cost to charge up the car and would you need to install a special socket outside our house? What would happen if you don't have a parking space outside your house?

It seems rather impractical for many reasons and the electricity still has to be produced from nuclear reactors, coal powered power stations etc Not entirely green.

flyingscotno1

Electric Car...


Mmm, yes please but the price is a bit hard to justify.

Kurtis_Blue

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

Electric Car...


Mmm, yes please but the price is a bit hard to justify.

Went out in one of these at Hethel test track and have now placed an order (refundable deopsit) on the bigger brother
Model S.

If it comes out on spec and on price it will be awesome.