Electric cars

ElefantEd

gfplux wrote: »

Very interesting, thank you.
In our household we have two cars. A very new large 4x4 used for family trips and long distance and an eight year old Fiat 500 used for Town.
This Fiat is up for changing when a suitable Hybrid or Electric car comes to market.
Eight years ago the Fiat cost €17,000 and we probably will set a budget for the replacement at below €20,000
We think (and that is what matters to us) that the Fiat is cool and stylish. Any replacement has to be cool. Sadly the Skoda does not look very cool.
However in my non technical layman’s eye Hybrid and Electric is cool and I don’t understand why cars in this group do not have LARGE logo’s
“Everyone” knows Tesla is electric but a tiny E or H on the back of a Skoda means you are just a sensible BORING bloke or Gal.
Why do you think there is a great big apple on the lid of a MacBook?

How much is looking cool worth to you? Hundreds or even thousands of pounds? Because that, plus any environmental benefits, are what it will cost you!

gfplux

ElefantEd wrote: »

How much is looking cool worth to you? Hundreds or even thousands of pounds? Because that, plus any environmental benefits, are what it will cost you!

I think you underestimate the marketing and adoption value of “looking cool”
One example. Millions of very expensive smart phones have become part of people’s lives (many who really can’t afford them) because they are “cool”
While there is powerful argument being made by the marketing departments that electric/hybrid vehicles are good for the environment that is not good enough to get massive adoption.

No one will persuade me that the “success” of Tesla is not down to it being cool to own one.

PS My new phone is a Huawei P30 lite that replaced a Huawei P9 lite.

Herzlos

If cool wasn't a big factor, everyone would be driving Honda Jazz's.

ElefantEd

Hence my question: how much is looking cool worth to you. Because if you reduce it to a calculation rather than just being swayed by emotions (emotions fuelled by marketing) you might change your mind.


Also, if you want a cool looking car that's electric, a 3- 4 year old Nissan Leaf has a very definite style (I think it looks quite cool, others may disagree!), promotes its electricityness with a badge and you can get one for about £10k. With an 85 mile range or thereabouts, it should be perfectly adequate for the local trips described.

Herzlos

The Corsa-E looks pretty nice. 136bhp, 211 miles range. No indication of price but the order book opens in a few weeks so not long to wait to find out.

Herzlos

https://int-media.opel.com/en/sixth-generation-opel-corsa-goes-electric

silverwhistle

No mention of price there.. I see also that Renault plan to introduce a budget EV, initially in China - the City K-ZE. The choice in the market is definitely going to expand in the next couple of years.

AdrianC

Herzlos wrote: »

The Corsa-E looks pretty nice. 136bhp, 211 miles range. No indication of price but the order book opens in a few weeks so not long to wait to find out.

The next Corsa is, of course, the same thing as the Pug 208 and DS3 Crossback that're imminent, and the next Cit C3 in a year or so - the electric 208 will be in showrooms first. This is the PSA electric platform (e-CMP) that's coming under all the rest of their smaller range - and you can bet the electric side will be common up the range, too, just scaled up a bit in power and battery capacity.
https://www.peugeot.co.uk/showroom/new-208/e-208/
https://www.dsautomobiles.co.uk/ds-models/ds-3-crossback/exterior/ds-3-crossback-e-tense

Martyn1981

More good news for EV's and battery technology.

Nissan says its Leaf batteries will outlast the car by 10-12 years, looks for reuse solutions

&

Nissan LEAF Batteries To Outlast Car By 10-12 Years

almillar

However in my non technical layman’s eye Hybrid and Electric is cool and I don’t understand why cars in this group do not have LARGE logo’s
“Everyone” knows Tesla is electric but a tiny E or H on the back of a Skoda means you are just a sensible BORING bloke or Gal.
Why do you think there is a great big apple on the lid of a MacBook?

For every one time some posts with your sentiment, someone else posts along the lines of 'OMG EVs are so UGLY! Look at the i3 and Leaf! Why can't they just blend in more!!!!!111!!'

So you can blend in or stick out, your choice.

I see also that Renault plan to introduce a budget EV, initially in China - the City K-ZE.

Zero indications that this will get to Europe - crash test would be interesting.