The sweet spot

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Jun 20, 2005
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The world survived quite well until the Industrial Revolution came along and mankind’s CO2 levels inexorably started to rise and upset natures balance.
It may be worth having a read of the U.K. Research and Innovation papers on climate and weather. They fly an RJ85 scientifically kitted out for the boffins to study and report on these CO2 things. Well beyond me Clive.
Not sure I’d like England pre Industrial Revolution, cooking on an open fire🙀
 
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Perhaps his XC40 isn’t as good as yours 🙀
His XC40 is the same car as mine... (different badge and body shape). In fact, its probably better than mine in terms of range/
But CO2 is crucial to photosynthesis and O production by plants trees etc. can we be totally CO2 free?
No one is suggesting we remove all CO2 from the atmosphere, just that we don't add more by burning fossil fuels. Thats why it's net 0, not 0.
Thanks for the map. Son gets that on his dash screen. Nottingham is his favourite. Yo7 must accept full use of the heating in winter or aircon will affect the figures .
Aircon and heating makes perhaps 5% difference. I.e. a car with 220 mile range not using any aircon or heating will do 200 miles using one or the other. In practice, I use aircon or heating all the time, and get 210 miles of range. If I turn it all off, I might get 230 or 240.
I think we all accept there are improvements but will the OP article be proven right or wrong in say twelve months time?
The OP article suggested that right now, used EVs are good value. That was it, and I agree. In 12 months time the world will be different, and use EV may not be so good value, or may be even better value. My bet is on the latter, as new prices continue to fall.
 
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Interesting thread.
My considerations with a used EV would include, will it tow my caravan without causing ‘range anxiety’ & just like buying a used petrol or diesel, where I would have to consider other costs such as cam belt change etc, how much is a new battery going to cost if necessary?
I don’t like to dawdle & like to get from A to B in one hit. Even if I need to fill up fuel pumps are stop & go!
Battery replacement costs are astronomical.
I live in the ‘now’ so not really interested in
“the prices will come down” argument.
EV’s have their place in the city environment for instance, but for towing distances (I towed my van to Perpignan last year) I can’t be convinced to extend my travel time with multiple stops en route!
The word ‘eventually’ seems to do a lot of heavy lifting when discussing the merits (or otherwise) of EV’s.
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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Interesting thread.
My considerations with a used EV would include, will it tow my caravan without causing ‘range anxiety’ & just like buying a used petrol or diesel, where I would have to consider other costs such as cam belt change etc, how much is a new battery going to cost if necessary?
I don’t like to dawdle & like to get from A to B in one hit. Even if I need to fill up fuel pumps are stop & go!
Battery replacement costs are astronomical.
I live in the ‘now’ so not really interested in
“the prices will come down” argument.
EV’s have their place in the city environment for instance, but for towing distances (I towed my van to Perpignan last year) I can’t be convinced to extend my travel time with multiple stops en route!
The word ‘eventually’ seems to do a lot of heavy lifting when discussing the merits (or otherwise) of EV’s.
I wouldn’t disagree with your views, but how can you say EVs have their place in city environments when travelling on a motorway they are there for all to see. I acknowledge that they will not be the choice for most caravanners but to say “ city environments “ just ignores the solo drivers who are more than satisfied with their EVs.
 
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I wouldn’t disagree with your views, but how can you say EVs have their place in city environments when travelling on a motorway they are there for all to see. I acknowledge that they will not be the choice for most caravanners but to say “ city environments “ just ignores the solo drivers who are more than satisfied with their EVs.
I haven’t ignored’ anyone.
I’ve just given my opinion.
Thought that was allowed?
(Also I have a wife, so I am a master when it comes to spotting those seeking an argument lol)
Have a good evening.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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The OP article suggested that right now, used EVs are good value. That was it, and I agree. In 12 months time the world will be different, and use EV may not be so good value, or may be even better value. My bet is on the latter, as new prices continue to fall.
I think you may be correct but not for the cars you and I think about.
This extract from todays DT tells me what I can buy for Euros 30k

But if you think luxury cars are immune to the Chinese onslaught, just consider this. The all-electric Porsche Taycan sells for an eye-watering €130,000 (£109,000). Its Chinese counterpart, the Xiaomi SU7, which looks similar, and according to most accounts has equally impressive performance, sells for just €30,000.
 
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There will _never_ be a zero pollution diesel or petrol. The act of releasing energy from fossil fuel _must_ release CO2. It's fundamental to the chemical equation.
Same applies to any source of energy as there will never be zero pollution whether ICE or EV however the thread is about the cost of buying a second hand EV and not charging EVs etc. Another poster raised the issue of charging. For once I was NOT knocking EVs!
 
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I haven’t ignored’ anyone.
I’ve just given my opinion.
Thought that was allowed?
(Also I have a wife, so I am a master when it comes to spotting those seeking an argument lol)
Have a good evening.
And like you I just gave my opinion which is allowed too.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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I think you may be correct but not for the cars you and I think about.
This extract from todays DT tells me what I can buy for Euros 30k

But if you think luxury cars are immune to the Chinese onslaught, just consider this. The all-electric Porsche Taycan sells for an eye-watering €130,000 (£109,000). Its Chinese counterpart, the Xiaomi SU7, which looks similar, and according to most accounts has equally impressive performance, sells for just €30,000.
Even with the US 100% tariff and EU 27.4-47.6% tariff/duty the Chinese EVs would still be cheap. But could adding tariffs only drive their supply to market at rock bottom costs?
 
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Even with the US 100% tariff and EU 27.4-47.6% tariff/duty the Chinese EVs would still be cheap. But could adding tariffs only drive their supply to market at rock bottom costs?
I guess time will tell. Two things

don’t BMW have a large share in BYD?
Are MG EVs made or assembled at Longbridge?

I suspect all these cheap Chinese imports are destroying the used EV values.

Will the Chinese made batteries be as good as Tesla or Volvo or are they all the same ?
 
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I guess time will tell. Two things

don’t BMW have a large share in BYD?
Are MG EVs made or assembled at Longbridge?

I suspect all these cheap Chinese imports are destroying the used EV values.

Will the Chinese made batteries be as good as Tesla or Volvo or are they all the same ?
The major EU car makers are against tariffs as it’s not been spelt out yet how a “European “ car made in China will be dealt with. Also their sales to China would be affected if China retaliated.

I think all MGs are now fully manufactured in in China.

BYD are the largest producer of batteries in the world and supply other makes too. Not heard of any issues.

The linkage between European makers and Chinese manufacturing makes predicting the future development extremely difficult. It’s watch this space.

PS BYD supply batteries to Teslas Chinese battery storage systems. A new Mercedes GLC hybrid and Suzuki:Maruti will have BYD batteries.

 
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Same applies to any source of energy as there will never be zero pollution whether ICE or EV however the thread is about the cost of buying a second hand EV and not charging EVs etc. Another poster raised the issue of charging. For once I was NOT knocking EVs!
Yep - my response was to Dustydog, not you. I am grateful for you starting the thread :)
 
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Battery replacement costs are astronomical.
Very true, but the days of buying a cheap reconditioned petrol/diesel engine are fading. A new engine for my V90 from Volvo (fitted) comes in at just over £18K!!!! I remember the days of buying low mileage engines from scrapyards and dropping them into my Escort on a Sunday afternoon for £150.
 

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Not entirely true about replacement battery costs. It will vary obviously according to make.

My daughter has a 2012 Nissan Leaf. The original battery had got to less than 50% of its life and only a range of about 50km. They got a refurbished battery which was at about 75% of its rated lifer for NZ$7000 - about £3,500.
 
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Not entirely true about replacement battery costs. It will vary obviously according to make.

My daughter has a 2012 Nissan Leaf. The original battery had got to less than 50% of its life and only a range of about 50km. They got a refurbished battery which was at about 75% of its rated lifer for NZ$7000 - about £3,500.
You just knew that when critical mass was achieved businesses would spring up to service the market. That’s a very attractive price for the gain in range.
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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Interesting thread.
My considerations with a used EV would include, will it tow my caravan without causing ‘range anxiety’ & just like buying a used petrol or diesel, where I would have to consider other costs such as cam belt change etc, how much is a new battery going to cost if necessary?
I don’t like to dawdle & like to get from A to B in one hit. Even if I need to fill up fuel pumps are stop & go!
Battery replacement costs are astronomical.
I live in the ‘now’ so not really interested in
“the prices will come down” argument.
EV’s have their place in the city environment for instance, but for towing distances (I towed my van to Perpignan last year) I can’t be convinced to extend my travel time with multiple stops en route!
The word ‘eventually’ seems to do a lot of heavy lifting when discussing the merits (or otherwise) of EV’s.
I'm not sure why you have included battery replacement amongst normal day to day running costs. Despite all the dire warnings as EV's began to take off, the batteries (with a few exceptions) are lasting far longer than the naysayers would like.

Its difficult to make a true like for like comparison as its not apples to apples, but in terms of the probability of needing a battery replacement in an EV, is more akin to the need to have an engine replacement in an ICE vehicle. In practice a failing battery is actually a lower probability than an IC engine may need replacing.

Batteries do decline in their capability but generally the rate of degradation is far slower than predicted, and that is why some manufacturers are able to offer a 100,000 mile guarantee of at least 80% capacity. ICE engines also deteriorate they progressively reduce the maximum power as their mileage increases and wear, and during that period they need servicing materials and a strong possibility of new parts such as timing belts and other consumables.

Despite the above, you may still feel an EV is not right for you.
 
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I had a meeting with an industry analyst just this week who informed me that the new batteries have a predicted life of 500,000 miles, worries about battery replacement outside of an insurance claim from an accident will be very much a thing of the past.
 
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One thing strikes me about some EVs where there is no dealer network. Viz Polestar and Tesla. I swopped my last Subaru when a local franchise closed down. The nearest one was north of Swindon and whilst I had bought one from them previously I really didn’t fancy having a round trip of 64 miles for servicing or repairs. So we now have cars where I can walk to the dealership faster than I can drive.

What do Tesla or Polestar owners do? A neighbour with a GTR had it collected for service on a covered car trailer.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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One thing strikes me about some EVs where there is no dealer network. Viz Polestar and Tesla. I swopped my last Subaru when a local franchise closed down. The nearest one was north of Swindon and whilst I had bought one from them previously I really didn’t fancy having a round trip of 64 miles for servicing or repairs. So we now have cars where I can walk to the dealership faster than I can drive.

What do Tesla or Polestar owners do? A neighbour with a GTR had it collected for service on a covered car trailer.
A friend is on his third Tesla. He tried a Porsche Taycan but didn’t like the “tech”. Traded it in , lost £9k and got another Tesla.
Whatever breaks he has it taken to, or drives to Tesla Bristol.
My VW is picked up from my house by my local engineer and returned fully serviced and MOT. Labour is £45 ph.
 
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A friend is on his third Tesla. He tried a Porsche Taycan but didn’t like the “tech”. Traded it in , lost £9k and got another Tesla.
Whatever breaks he has it taken to, or drives to Tesla Bristol.
My VW is picked up from my house by my local engineer and returned fully serviced and MOT. Labour is £45 ph.
My grandson didn’t have his Tesla long enough for a service as he changed jobs and it went back. If he and his partner need two cars then he borrows our Rio. But his new job is 2 days in a nearby office, 3days WFH. But it can change so the Rio is his fallback. At present it’s in Aldershot whilst he does his Reserve training. It tells me we could live with only one car. ☹️
 
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You just knew that when critical mass was achieved businesses would spring up to service the market. That’s a very attractive price for the gain in range.
A 8km/L car costs $2100 to do 10,000km compared to Leaf$7600RUC + $400 (peak domestic kwh rate). These are fuel costs, Leaf could be $200-300 on low cost off peak rate.

Petrol will be another $300-400 for annual service which is optional on Leaf as only brakes need servicing and they last forever on EV.

RUC Road User Charge (tax to fix roads ideally), already added to petrol. EVs only started paying this in mid 2024, were exempt upto now to encourage sales.

Pre RUC the payback on new battery would've been 3 years. Any replacement Leaf with equivalent range would've cost lot more than old car + replacement battery.

Now that EVs pay RUC hybrids like Aqua with 3.5-4kml are about the same cost to run. Old Leafs and Aqua are typical city cars for 2 car households.
If only need one car then RAV4 is lot cheaper to buy than Tesla and not much dearer to run. Cheaper by time factor in depreciation and extra purchase price of Tesla.
 
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A 8km/L car costs $2100 to do 10,000km compared to Leaf$7600RUC + $400 (peak domestic kwh rate). These are fuel costs, Leaf could be $200-300 on low cost off peak rate.

Petrol will be another $300-400 for annual service which is optional on Leaf as only brakes need servicing and they last forever on EV.

RUC Road User Charge (tax to fix roads ideally), already added to petrol. EVs only started paying this in mid 2024, were exempt upto now to encourage sales.

Pre RUC the payback on new battery would've been 3 years. Any replacement Leaf with equivalent range would've cost lot more than old car + replacement battery.

Now that EVs pay RUC hybrids like Aqua with 3.5-4kml are about the same cost to run. Old Leafs and Aqua are typical city cars for 2 car households.
If only need one car then RAV4 is lot cheaper to buy than Tesla and not much dearer to run. Cheaper by time factor in depreciation and extra purchase price of Tesla.
Thanks, an interesting slant. But I’m puzzled as to why a RAV4 is more expensive to run than a Tesla. Is it the hybrid/PHEV aspect?
 

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