EV Thread

[mik]

Just seen the new electric Cadillac Escalade, obviously not a car really relevant to uk, but it has a quoted range of 460 miles- downside is the weight- comes in a 4 tonnes

4.15 tonnes apparently. Sheesh.

[Rich B]

What’s the most important selling point for a car in America:



Why won’t the europeans buy American cars!!!?????

[Mito Man]

I remember seeing somewhere that this is the sensible version of the Hummer EV as it's basically the same car underneath but much lighter

[PaulJ]

Does that weight require an HGV licence?

[mik]

Does that weight require an HGV licence?

"That depends".

Us oldies are allowed to drive upto 7.5 tonne trucks on our std licences. (C1 category is active from memory).

That's not true for younger drivers (as they are generally less skilled, obnoxious, and entitled).

[integrale_evo]

Don’t even have to be young!

1997 was when it changed. The year I turned 17 unfortunately, so no, I wouldn’t be able to drive it on a standard license.

Also, aren’t mots / testing more thorough on vehicles over 3.5T?

[Rich B]

Don’t even have to be young!

1997 was when it changed. The year I turned 17 unfortunately, so no, I wouldn’t be able to drive it on a standard license.

Also, aren’t mots / testing more thorough on vehicles over 3.5T?

yeah, i’m the same age - did they not change it at some point?

[integrale_evo]

They only changed the rules for towing as far as I know. From memory we were only allowed to tow to a total train weight of 3.5T, but that bit has gone back to how it was so the total train weight up to 7.5t

[Sundayjumper]

You were restricted to a car with MAM 3500kg plus up to 750kg trailer.

[integrale_evo]

I never really looked into it. I just knew I couldn’t tow a car, but now I can

[nuttinnew]

I'm going to guess it was reinstating 7.5t during covid to get people out delivering etc - or was that something to do easing the hgv test to keep the lorries moving (not the relaxation of hours rules)?

[mik]

https://electriccarsreport.com/2025/04/ ... d-haulers/

“ designed to offer a runtime of 4-4.5 hours across most applications, though high-energy jobs may require more frequent recharging. They can even enjoy a runtime of up to seven hours depending on driving conditions. Ideal applications include downhill load carrying and uphill empty runs, ”

<snort>

[Rich B]

https://electriccarsreport.com/2025/04/ ... d-haulers/

“ designed to offer a runtime of 4-4.5 hours across most applications, though high-energy jobs may require more frequent recharging. They can even enjoy a runtime of up to seven hours depending on driving conditions. Ideal applications include downhill load carrying and uphill empty runs, ”

<snort>

[Sundayjumper]

TBF, strip mining or deforestation of mountainous areas could fit the bill.

[Carlos]

Not strictly an EV post but I couldn't convince my wife to go all electric even though it would fit 95%+ of her usage with only home charging but she did like the Skoda Kodiaq and they recently introduced a PHEV with a largish battery at 20kwh usable.

I managed to convince her to opt for a cheapy short 2 year lease to try it out and so far its been impressive covering 70 miles per charge. On our Octopus tracker tariff that equates to about 6p per mile, less than half the cost of a diesel doing 50mpg. She loves it

It's worth noting that it's a big car able to seat 5 adults comfortably, rear cabin is enormous as is the boot. Although it has a DSG box it feels like an electric motor at all speeds so there something clever going on there. One foot driving and the instant almost silent woosh away from the lights puts a smile on my face

Shame these aren't treated as favourably tax wise as EV's as they are a great introduction to them and I suspect it would help the transition as people realise how great they are to drive as well as the economy and emission benefits.

[nuttinnew]

[Jobbo]

Does anyone know what the ‘best’ 7kW car charger is currently? I’ve not done any research into them previously and now need to get one.

[Carlos]

Hypervolt or Ohme was what I was recommended as they work with solar and all the variable tariffs so pretty future proof.

I ended up with a Podpoint Solo 3 which still won't work with Octopus Intelligent as that was the only big brand charger in stock at the run up to the charger grant ending!

[mik]

No idea.

We have a MyEnergi Zappi which they replaced (including installation) with the latest model for £0 when it was a month past the end of the warranty period (as I’d raised some concerns with them when it was newer).

[Jobbo]

We are having an Ohme Home Pro fitted next Tuesday morning. I guess I should have had a charger fitted when they were subsidised but I didn't need one then. This particular model because it integrates with the Octopus API to charge when electricity is cheapest.