EV Discussion thread

JKenH

shinytop said:

Magnitio said:

JKenH said:

Sad news today. He will be sorely missed both within and outside the EV community.

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lpww7pw72o

I met Quentin once in the late 90's. He asked me what I drove and I told him that because of my job I had a diesel Passat, which I actually liked a lot. He told me that diesel was a nasty, smelly fuel that only belonged in trucks. It took me a few years to agree with him.

Late 90s diesels were brilliant cars; fast, reliable, economical.  These were the days. 

I had a succession of diesel company cars in the 90s. I did 96,000 miles in two years in a Citroen Xantia and it never missed a beat. The problem was because of the BIK rules some people were getting them and just doing a few miles in town which was not so good. It’s the reverse with EVs. Ideal for short journeys around town but if like me you had to drive 500+ miles to Edinburgh or Dorset in a day, which I did, a modern diesel is still a sensible option. It is a shame when government policy pushes people in to the wrong cars as it did, and still does, by penalising you for having the car that does the job best and most economically. Just occasionally, (and only occasionally, because people who are forced into EVs by their employers aren’t the sort who would want to be on an EV forum) you do see drivers who can’t wait to get rid, (particularly van drivers). 

It should be horses for courses. Could you imagine the (very justifiable negative) reaction if the government decided to penalise people out of their EVs and back into diesels? I’m not saying they should, but some people are happy to see others penalised and pushed around as long as the policies suit them. 

My wife’s  Picanto which does 3k miles a year is the perfect choice for her and hardly a disaster for the environment. A bit of common sense wouldn’t bog amiss sometimes. 

JKenH

QrizB said:

I was at a fireworks show on Friday night. A small primary school event, like dozens that must've been taking place up and down the country that evening.

Usually they bring portable generators onto site to run lighting etc. but this year they were using V2L from one of the PTA member's MG 5. Much quieter and fewer diesel smells around the burger stand!

I think V2L  (and V2G) is great. Such a shame all EVs don’t do it. 

I was tickled, though, by the irony of using it to save emissions at a fireworks night. 

Magnitio

JKenH said:

shinytop said:

Magnitio said:

JKenH said:

Sad news today. He will be sorely missed both within and outside the EV community.

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lpww7pw72o

I met Quentin once in the late 90's. He asked me what I drove and I told him that because of my job I had a diesel Passat, which I actually liked a lot. He told me that diesel was a nasty, smelly fuel that only belonged in trucks. It took me a few years to agree with him.

Late 90s diesels were brilliant cars; fast, reliable, economical.  These were the days. 

I had a succession of diesel company cars in the 90s. I did 96,000 miles in two years in a Citroen Xantia and it never missed a beat. The problem was because of the BIK rules some people were getting them and just doing a few miles in town which was not so good. It’s the reverse with EVs. Ideal for short journeys around town but if like me you had to drive 500+ miles to Edinburgh or Dorset in a day, which I did, a modern diesel is still a sensible option. It is a shame when government policy pushes people in to the wrong cars as it did, and still does, by penalising you for having the car that does the job best and most economically. Just occasionally, (and only occasionally, because people who are forced into EVs by their employers aren’t the sort who would want to be on an EV forum) you do see drivers who can’t wait to get rid, (particularly van drivers). 

It should be horses for courses. Could you imagine the (very justifiable negative) reaction if the government decided to penalise people out of their EVs and back into diesels? I’m not saying they should, but some people are happy to see others penalised and pushed around as long as the policies suit them. 

My wife’s  Picanto which does 3k miles a year is the perfect choice for her and hardly a disaster for the environment. A bit of common sense wouldn’t bog amiss sometimes. 

I wish that EV's had been available when I was doing long distance driving for work. The Passat diesel might have been nice to drive, but it certainly wasn't quiet. It also needed servicing 3 or 4 times a year and a visit to the smelly, sticky black pump every week. During my time with the car it also needed a new cam belt, water pump and discs/pads. Life is so much easier with a decent EV.

Martyn1981

Magnitio said:

JKenH said:

Sad news today. He will be sorely missed both within and outside the EV community.

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lpww7pw72o

I met Quentin once in the late 90's. He asked me what I drove and I told him that because of my job I had a diesel Passat, which I actually liked a lot. He told me that diesel was a nasty, smelly fuel that only belonged in trucks. It took me a few years to agree with him.

That takes me back. Remember when you had to pull up at the single pump out on its own, on the side and not under the canopy, so the trucks could fit. Then you had to stand there and wave at the attendant because they didn't want to activate the pump, or they'd keep announcing 'that's diesel' whilst you waved and gave a thumbs up.

I loved the torque feeling, only beaten by the V8 in the Firebird I owned ........ until I got a BEV, and entered torque heaven. Felt quite bad for all the diesel miles I'd driven after we learnt 15 or so years ago how bad it really is.

The thought of having to drive one now, for a long distance, v's cruising along in a BEV, funny how times change.