Learner Electric Car

Dr_Crypto

For the first time I saw a driving school electric car - some sort of Nissan I think. Seemed a funny sort of car to learn in - no gears, odd sort of engine etc. What sort of licence would the learner get?

a.turner

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

For the first time I saw a driving school electric car - some sort of Nissan I think. Seemed a funny sort of car to learn in - no gears, odd sort of engine etc. What sort of licence would the learner get?

Same as any other a provisional.

Once they pass their test if it's not got a manual gearbox their full licence would be automatic cars only.

AdrianC

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

For the first time I saw a driving school electric car - some sort of Nissan I think. Seemed a funny sort of car to learn in - no gears, odd sort of engine etc. What sort of licence would the learner get?

If they pass their test in a car with two pedals, they get an automatic-only restricted licence.
If they pass their test in a car with a clutch pedal, they get a normal licence.

AnotherJoe

No one aged under about 7 now will want to take a test in a manual car when they get to test age, because electric cars will be the default by then, cheaper (and faster and better) than petrol cars plus if theyd like to drive into a town centre petrol cars most likely wont be allowed anyway.

Whats the attraction with gears? What indeed is the point of learning to drive in a manual when you've got 101 other things to learn as well as p*ss*ing about with a clutch and gears when a machine can change for you (with an automatic ) or its not even necessary (electric)

There have been a few electric only driving schools for a while now just as there have been auto only driving instruction. There will be more. Its also a cheaper for the driving school to run them which might percolate down to cheaper lessons.
A sweepstake on the last manual driving instructor would be interesting. I wouldnt give it more than 20 years.

Dr_Crypto

I’ve never driven an electric car. Are they automatic or can you get manual ones?

I drive an auto these days but I’m glad I can drive a manual if only for hiring a car on holiday or something.

d123

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

I’ve never driven an electric car. Are they automatic or can you get manual ones?

I drive an auto these days but I’m glad I can drive a manual if only for hiring a car on holiday or something.

Electric cars don’t need gears.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a12019034/why-dont-electric-cars-have-multi-gear-transmissions/

DUTR

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

I’ve never driven an electric car. Are they automatic or can you get manual ones?

I drive an auto these days but I’m glad I can drive a manual if only for hiring a car on holiday or something.

They have a gearing system (electric trains don't have gears per se)
I don't think you can get manual ones.

almillar

I’ve never driven an electric car. Are they automatic or can you get manual ones?

Any run of the mill electric car I know of, has no gears (not automatic, just, no gears). Just forwards or backwards. You can fit a gearbox if you like, Formula E teams were experimenting with different numbers of gears, but it's not necessary for road cars.

If you want to pass a test easily, an EV would be very helpful, and easier. For the moment, I'd still want to pass on manual, for hire cars, courtesy cars etc. I never had to operate a choke (on the road!) which I imagine was pretty essential motoring knowledge previously. Most people passing today won't know what a choke is.

AdrianC

almillar wrote: »

I never had to operate a choke (on the road!) which I imagine was pretty essential motoring knowledge previously. Most people passing today won't know what a choke is.

You make it sound like it's some ancient arcane skill from motoring pre-history... New cars were being built with manual chokes into the 1990s, while autochokes were very fallible in the early '80s, with manual conversion kits popular. Injection doesn't have a choke at all, of course, but was far from ubiquitous even in the mid 80s.

I never had you pegged for a yoof, Al.

alan_d

Am I unusual in preferring manual?
I've had a few automatics, but don't really like them. I generally seek our a manual version when buying cars. On one of mine the manual version falls into a lower tax bracket than the auto version

AdrianC

alan_d wrote: »

Am I unusual in preferring manual?
I've had a few automatics, but don't really like them. I generally seek our a manual version when buying cars. On one of mine the manual version falls into a lower tax bracket than the auto version

It's the old balancing act.
Old-tech torque converter autoboxes were less efficient than manuals, but sellotaping electrickery around the outside, and shoving more ratios inside, brought them closer.

Most modern "autos" aren't. They're manuals (often two strapped together) with Metal Mickey doing the cog-stirring. So they're often more efficient than fallible humans who forget to change gear, even when there's a light on the dash telling 'em.

But, as far as driving tests are concerned, it's very simple - count the pedals.