Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

michaels

Increase from 2.2% to 5.1% in 2 years is probably the big take away - and that with only really 'a few' models available.  IF there was availability across all ranges then I don't see why adoption shouldn't actually be at close to European levels.

Martyn1981

michaels said:

Increase from 2.2% to 5.1% in 2 years is probably the big take away - and that with only really 'a few' models available.  IF there was availability across all ranges then I don't see why adoption shouldn't actually be at close to European levels.

Yep, incredible lack of supply in the US till now(ish). But they also had very, very cheap petrol till this year (Ukraine/Russia issues), and weak(ish) national legislation, so had to lean on California's state regs, which sadly Trump removed, but are now back, though some Republican's are fighting against them, again.

gefnew

Scrapping of electric car grants sparks backlash - BBC News
Some bad news but not unknown for the government.

michaels

gefnew said:

Scrapping of electric car grants sparks backlash - BBC News
Some bad news but not unknown for the government.

Just come to post that, what a 'strange' gov we have, fine change policy but why not give warning and timescales so consumers and suppliers can plan ahead.

Looking big picture, UK will have mandated targets, eu will have grants.  Net effect is UK prices will rise (EV supply will go to Europe so UK sellers will just reduce sales of lower margin ICE vehicles to get the required proportions in the UK) basically pricing a proportion of new cars off the road to an extent that will then be felt all the way down through the second and third hand markets.

Policy really does seem to be that private vehicles are only for the rich and everyone else can wait however long for a bus or train or not travel at all in rural areas.

JKenH

The money from a lot, if not all, government support schemes aimed at reducing purchase costs usually ends up in the hands hands of the suppliers; witness the recent fuel duty cut. The last time the grant was cut manufacturers responded by adjusting prices downwards. 

The purpose of the PICG was to boost EV demand/sales. Demand is now exceeding supply so job done. There is no point in perpetuating a subsidy if it is no longer needed. Whatever the government spends it has to raise in taxes. That money can now be better targeted. 

Once demand exceeds supply, prices rise, so it could in fact be counterproductive to try and inflate demand by keeping the grant in place as it would cause prices to rise even further. VW were in 2021 discounting ID3s to around £24k but now you can’t get one for less than £30k, probably more. 

Coastalwatch

Our Leaf, being four years old now, had it's second MOT today which it duly passed, albeit with a couple recommendations. Firstly two front tyres due to their being but a minimum of 4.5mm of tread remaining upon each and the second to replace the front windscreen wipers. Naturally the former was declined with the option of the latter being accepted. While there is approaching 24k miles on the clock it may suggest the tyres will need replacing due to age rather than wear. Unless I embark on a twelve month equivalent of circumnavigating the globe. It also rather dispells the argument that EV's suffer from increased tyre wear over Ice vehicles due to their additional weight. While on that matter I've just realised that no figures were given for wear on brake pads, another favourite I found in the distant past on normally aspirated vehicles so presumably there is little wear worth recording on these as yet.

The battery health check revealed a "very good state of health with twelve full bars still showing". Unfortunately it does not state any figures percentage wise as confirmation, so cannot be too sure exactly what this means other than seemingly very good!

Checking back on this years monthly stats the Leaf averaged 3.19 miles/kwh in January rising to 4.42 miles/kWh in May. That is over the 3378 miles covered. I'm no boy racer so it's all conducted in a reserved manner while ensuring we keep warm in the cold months and that we don't hold up articulated commercial vehicles on Her Majesty's Highway's.

Total cost of fuel, up to end of May being £385.45 for the 23450 miles covered or circa £0.0165/mile.  So fingers crossed for the next twelve months!

JKenH

Ford Halts Mustang Mach-E Sales: Safety Recall With No Current Fix

https://insideevs.com/news/592075/ford-mustang-mache-safety-recall-stop-sale/

JKenH

BYD Plug-In Car Sales Surged To 114,000 In May 2022

https://insideevs.com/news/592015/byd-plugin-car-sales-may2022/

JKenH

Tesla Accused of Shutting Off Autopilot Moments Before Impact

https://futurism.com/tesla-nhtsa-autopilot-report

JKenH

New Citroen Ami available now with monthly payments starting at £20

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/citroen/ami/303491/new-citroen-ami-available-now-with-monthly-payments-starting-at-ps20

It should be pointed out, however, that a deposit is payable equal to a couple of years monthly payments.