Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

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DeskJockey
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by DeskJockey »

mr_jon wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:33 pm Any type2 7kW charger will be fine unless you have solar, storage etc. You'll be eligible for the OLEV grant so, realistically, will only have a choice of a few unless you want to pay more out of your own pocket for a fancy one. Ensure they fit it as a separate board coming off your meter. The Zoe uses the motor for DC conversion so can cause a lot of electrical noise if the charger comes off your consumer unit.

Get the Zoe with the 50kW CCS charge port, it will be more money but worthwhile in and around London. They are French so not the last word in quality but you get what you pay for.
Thanks, much appreciated.
---
Driving a Galaxy far far away
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PaulJ
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by PaulJ »

GG. wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 9:26 am
PaulJ wrote: Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:03 pm This thread seems to have struck a bum note!
All rather appropriate... You do know what etron means in French... :lol:
I do now. :D
mr_jon
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by mr_jon »

Rich B wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:56 pm
mr_jon wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:33 pm

Get the Zoe with the 50kW CCS charge port, it will be more money but worthwhile in and around London. They are French so not the last word in quality but you get what you pay for.
For £27k I'd be wanting a lot!
True but you are getting a £11-12k battery in that. I think you can get the top spec for low-ish 20's given no-one would pay list for a Renault. Leasing is the way to go if you just want to dip your toe, no worry about battery deg or expensive 3rd/4th year servicing etc.
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Rich B
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Rich B »

mr_jon wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:34 pm
Rich B wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:56 pm
mr_jon wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:33 pm

Get the Zoe with the 50kW CCS charge port, it will be more money but worthwhile in and around London. They are French so not the last word in quality but you get what you pay for.
For £27k I'd be wanting a lot!
True but you are getting a £11-12k battery in that. I think you can get the top spec for low-ish 20's given no-one would pay list for a Renault. Leasing is the way to go if you just want to dip your toe, no worry about battery deg or expensive 3rd/4th year servicing etc.
woah, battery degradation and expensive 3-4th year servicing? I thought they costed pennies to run and the batteries would last forever?!!?
mr_jon
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by mr_jon »

I said worries, not reality. Best to leave the anti-EV stuff in the locker, you can just come off sounding like a knob.
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Rich B
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Rich B »

mr_jon wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 2:40 pm I said worries, not reality. Best to leave the anti-EV stuff in the locker, you can just come off sounding like a knob.
I'm not anti EV - I just like facts and not burying heads in the sand. Stuff like ignoring the ICE fuel production pollution is a prime example of one side trying to manipulate the figures to suit their cause.

We have some people talking about battery degradation being negligible and then you start talking about it as a problem avoided by buying new. One is a not the same as the other.
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Mito Man
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Mito Man »

What expensive service does it need in the third/fourth year?
How about not having a sig at all?
simon_g
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by simon_g »

It's relative, they need next to nothing usually so anything beyond checks can be thought of as a "big" service.

Zoe is:

Every 1 year or 18,000 miles - Pollen filter change and alternate between an A or B inspection
Every 3 years - Replace 12V auxiliary battery
Every 54,000 miles - Check and remove dust from brake linings
Every 4 years or 72,000 miles - Replace brake fluid
Every 5 years or 90,000 miles - Replace coolant
Every 6 years - Check and top-up refrigerant
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Rich B
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Rich B »

What does the A & B inspection involve?

Reading up, it seems like they're fairly normal type inspections - definitely looks like servicing on a Zoe is like the budgie.
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Mito Man
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Mito Man »

Hmm most of these unnecessary and wasteful. Sounds like the dealer network desperately trying to keep an income on car maintenance. I guess by having the car return to them yearly they can try and pressure customers to do other pointless crap like changing the tyres because they’re on only 3mm of tread :shock:
How about not having a sig at all?
simon_g
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by simon_g »

Rich B wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:54 pm What does the A & B inspection involve?

Reading up, it seems like they're fairly normal type inspections - definitely looks like servicing on a Zoe is like the budgie.
Numpty stuff really. Lots of owners skip services entirely, DIY the pollen filter and do 12v battery when needed (EVs are more sensitive to weak 12v but even so the 3 year cycle is overkill). Brake fluid needs a special Renault computer to work the ABS but lots of specialists can do it.




The A inspection consists of:
Check the levels, condition and sealing of the brake circuit
Check the exterior lighting and signals
Check the condition and sealing of the shock absorbers
Check condition and pressure of the tyres and road wheel security
Check the presents of the wheel valve caps
Check the wear of the brake discs and pads
Check the wiper blades and screen washer fluid level
Check the 12V battery with test tool
Check the computers with the diagnostic tool
Reinitialise the maintenance service display
Documentation and positioning of the maintenance label

The B inspection adds the following to the above:
Check the interior lighting
Anti-corrosion check
Check and lubricate the bonnet lock
Check the levels, condition and sealing of the coolant circuit
Check the condition and sealing of the gaiters, rubber mountings, ball joints and shock absorbers
Check the condition of the windscreen and door mirrors
Check the presence of the airbag and engine compartment labels
Check the operation of the instrument panel warning lights
V8Granite
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by V8Granite »

Mito Man wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:06 pm Hmm most of these unnecessary and wasteful. Sounds like the dealer network desperately trying to keep an income on car maintenance. I guess by having the car return to them yearly they can try and pressure customers to do other pointless crap like changing the tyres because they’re on only 3mm of tread :shock:
Utter piffle.

Cars need looking at and considering the way people view a modern car and how it just needs fuel then stopping servicing is ridiculous.

I know Toyota had a problem with the Prius as the brakes would seize as they went for months with little use. More white goods logic which shouldn’t be allowed with a car no matter the fuel type.

Dave!
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Swervin_Mervin
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Swervin_Mervin »

V8Granite wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:38 pm
Mito Man wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:06 pm Hmm most of these unnecessary and wasteful. Sounds like the dealer network desperately trying to keep an income on car maintenance. I guess by having the car return to them yearly they can try and pressure customers to do other pointless crap like changing the tyres because they’re on only 3mm of tread :shock:
Utter piffle.

Cars need looking at and considering the way people view a modern car and how it just needs fuel then stopping servicing is ridiculous.

I know Toyota had a problem with the Prius as the brakes would seize as they went for months with little use. More white goods logic which shouldn’t be allowed with a car no matter the fuel type.

Dave!
Yeah but Dave, most of those checks above are covered by the MOT :lol:
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Mito Man
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Mito Man »

Say what you like but when a dealer presents a 200 point check list like that they're just trying to pull your pants down. But go and support it if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
How about not having a sig at all?
V8Granite
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by V8Granite »

I passed brake efficiency tests on my old Peugeot with all the front sliders seized!!!

Failing an MOT on brakes means they have to be pretty bad. Plus what about suspension bushes etc, they are only checked visually.

This is all presuming that when in for a service they actually check the car over properly which is also in doubt.

Dave!
mr_jon
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by mr_jon »

I skipped both the 12v and brake fluid change as I'm toight, but Renault want 500 squid for those two, which comes as a shock to people who were sold on it being a budget car.

Regarding battery deg the only one that suffers is the Leaf, as has already been mentioned. Probably why I mentioned that, it's natural to consider things from your own direct experience. In my case the battery is still at 100%, albeit only 6k miles in. But it won't be 'my' problem in the 2yr lease, and I suppose not an industry problem as everyone will go liquid cooled eventually. The industry has learned the lessons.

I just find the negative attitude all too easy and British. The electric future is quite exciting and something to embrace, not to help spread 'the fear' to the gullible masses. The 2030 phase-out date is great news, it gives clarity to everyone. Fossil fuel cars will become a pasttime and still something we will be able to enjoy.
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Mito Man
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Mito Man »

I think it’s a bit shit.
Replacing electric cars for run of the mill stuff is good but I think it’s a shame that the ban applies to small volume manufacturers.
How about not having a sig at all?
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Jobbo
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Jobbo »

simon_g wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:35 pm
Rich B wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:54 pm What does the A & B inspection involve?

Reading up, it seems like they're fairly normal type inspections - definitely looks like servicing on a Zoe is like the budgie.
Numpty stuff really. Lots of owners skip services entirely, DIY the pollen filter and do 12v battery when needed (EVs are more sensitive to weak 12v but even so the 3 year cycle is overkill). Brake fluid needs a special Renault computer to work the ABS but lots of specialists can do it.




The A inspection consists of:
Check the levels, condition and sealing of the brake circuit
Check the exterior lighting and signals
Check the condition and sealing of the shock absorbers
Check condition and pressure of the tyres and road wheel security
Check the presents of the wheel valve caps
Check the wear of the brake discs and pads
Check the wiper blades and screen washer fluid level
Check the 12V battery with test tool
Check the computers with the diagnostic tool
Reinitialise the maintenance service display
Documentation and positioning of the maintenance label

The B inspection adds the following to the above:
Check the interior lighting
Anti-corrosion check
Check and lubricate the bonnet lock
Check the levels, condition and sealing of the coolant circuit
Check the condition and sealing of the gaiters, rubber mountings, ball joints and shock absorbers
Check the condition of the windscreen and door mirrors
Check the presence of the airbag and engine compartment labels
Check the operation of the instrument panel warning lights
So: look at stuff and reset the service indicator 😂
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Barry
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by Barry »

They're inventing stuff to "service" because they know they'll lose a lot of business with EV compared to ICE vehicles. My parents Ioniq service (annual check) cost £79.

My last basic annual service on my Triumph was £180. An oil change and "inspection" :lol:
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jamcg
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Re: Why I won’t be buying an EV anytime soon...

Post by jamcg »

Anyone already with an ev planning on fitting one of the new green number plates? They launched today

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/road ... n-uk-roads
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