Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

michaels

Superscrooge said:

Another cut to the electric car grant

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-10312335/Government-slashes-electric-car-grant-40.html

Whilst other countries like the US are looking to increase the support to EVs and this follows the removal of the RHI making heat pumps more expensive.  This govt really does seem to have lost its bearings on the environment.

JKenH

One in five car buyers expect their next purchase to be an EV

The percentage of car buyers saying their next car will be an EV increased from 12% in March 2020 to over one-fifth (21%) in November 2021, outpacing the rate of growth for hybrid, which remains the most popular alternative fuel choice for 28% of buyers, compared to 22% in March 2020.

The accelerated increase in consumers keen to purchase an EV has been achieved at the expense of petrol, which fell 14 percentage points from around half of all buyers (49%) to just over a third (34%).

Significantly, preference for diesel was 16%, down just 1% since March 2020, suggesting that benefits of diesel, such as range for motorway driving, are still not fully satisfied by EVs and hybrids.

https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-news/one-five-car-buyers-expect-next-purchase-ev-17-12-2021

philologus

I am seriously considering an EV as my next mode of transport but I'd like some first hand knowledge from members if possible concerning leg room and head room. I'm 6'4" and have an arthritic spine (and everywhere else too I think) so I need something that is easy to get in and out of.

Any recommendations please?

I'll test drive whatever comes up to see if an EV is for me.

Martyn1981

I don't know if anyone else has been tracking the Lightyear One, I think I mentioned it some time back. It seems to have good specs and solar charging, but at a very high price ($170,000). But the news here is off a second model, that may launch ~2025, and at about 1/5th of the price.

I don't know if this is reasonable, or pie in the sky, but it certainly caught my eye.

Lightyear Two Coming In 2025 — A Little Less Range, A Lot Less Money

The Lightyear One is a transformative car — the first long range electric car powered in part by solar panels embedded in the hood, roof, and trunk. It will be built by Valmet Automotive and feature 5 square meters of solar panels. The company says it could allow owners to “drive for months without charging” as those panels can add about 7.5 (12 km) miles of range for every hour it’s parked in the sun. With a fully charged battery, the Lightyear One has a range of 450 miles (725 km) as determined by the WLTP test cycle.

But all that goodness comes at a price, $170,000 (€150,000) to be exact. For that kind of money, the line of people waiting to buy one will be quite short. But not to worry, EV fans. Lightyear announced this week it is bringing a second solar-powered car, the Lightyear Two, to market in late 2024 or early 2025. That car will have a smaller battery and a shorter range — how much shorter is unknown at this time — but the company says it will start at a mere $33,779 (€30,000).

Superscrooge

philologus said:

I am seriously considering an EV as my next mode of transport but I'd like some first hand knowledge from members if possible concerning leg room and head room. I'm 6'4" and have an arthritic spine (and everywhere else too I think) so I need something that is easy to get in and out of.

Any recommendations please?

I'll test drive whatever comes up to see if an EV is for me.

I'm also 6ft 4 and test drove several EV's and as far as leg and head room is concerned I found them all fine to drive. Obviously the smaller EV's tended to have less head and leg room in the back. eg. My Zoe is fine for me to drive. But I wouldn't want to sit in the back on a long journey. 

Most EV's seem to have a high driving position as you are sitting above the battery which makes getting in and out easier. Tesla M3 had the lowest seating position so might be best avoided if you have difficulty getting in and out?

It is impossible to say which is best for an individual. My suggestion would be to visit the main dealers and see which seating position and getting in and out worked best for you?  

  

 

Verdigris

Allso there are plenty of Fully Charged and Autotrader reviews on Youtube. There is a new series is of Fifth Gear, on the Quest/Discovery channels on Freeview/sat, that is all electric, too.

Swan_Valley

philologus said:

I am seriously considering an EV as my next mode of transport but I'd like some first hand knowledge from members if possible concerning leg room and head room. I'm 6'4" and have an arthritic spine (and everywhere else too I think) so I need something that is easy to get in and out of.

Any recommendations please?

I'll test drive whatever comes up to see if an EV is for me.

We had the 2018 version of the Kia Soul EV & now have the 2020 Kia e-Soul 1st Edition. They both have plenty of headroom & a high sitting position, making it easy to get in & out off.

When looking to upgrade I tried a few others, including the Niro, but still preferred the Soul seats (and the way the car was equipped for the price).

Martyn1981

Nuremberg trials tests for Audi. Folk will be looking to see how the charging goes.


Audi opening a unique charging hub concept with 320 kW chargers and exclusive upstairs lounge

Next week, Audi will open what it is calling “world’s first” charging hub concept in Nuremberg, Germany, complete with reservation options and a lounge area. Audi’s pilot project is intended to test charging solutions for the impending demand for EV infrastructure, particularly in urban areas where drivers might not have access to charging at home.

EVandPV

Dobbies Garden Centres rolls out EV charging

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is partnering with sustainable energy pioneer and charge point operator, GRIDSERVE, to install EV chargers at stores nationwide. The move will provide Dobbies’ shoppers, commuters and local residents easy access to affordable and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging.

https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rolls-out-ev-charging/

thevilla

EVandPV said:

Dobbies Garden Centres rolls out EV charging

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is partnering with sustainable energy pioneer and charge point operator, GRIDSERVE, to install EV chargers at stores nationwide. The move will provide Dobbies’ shoppers, commuters and local residents easy access to affordable and fast electric vehicle (EV) charging.

https://365retail.co.uk/dobbies-garden-centres-rolls-out-ev-charging/

I was pleased to see Telford included.  Hardly needed as our far sighted local council has already covered the market with some two or three 3kw chargers.  Hard to see how Dobies will get a look in🤣