The Ultimate EV Buyer's Guide | Electric Vehicles Made Simple
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Everyone and their dog has an opinion when it comes to EVs. But when making such a big purchase, it's important to get things right. So join me as I take a look at the critical factors to consider when buying an electric vehicle.
About The Channel
-----------------------------------------------------
Dave Takes It On is run by Dave - an EV enthusiast and creator of the videos - and his son Jonas, who supports with thumbnails, titles, and the technical side of things.
Patreon: / davetakesiton
Currently the channel only makes a small amount of money from UA-cam advertising, meaning that it costs more to run than it makes. To help support our content, please consider supporting us over on Patreon. Even small amounts can make a big difference.
And, as always, if you like our videos then please like and subscribe.
Tags
-----------------------------------------------------
#ev #evcharging #newcar - Авто та транспорт
There is another factor affecting choice - Availability. What I wanted to get in my price range was simply not available for 12 to 18 months. I have a work salary sacrifice scheme which puts higher end vehicles into my financial reach and even rotates "stock" from those who have had to hand back. Therefore, whilst I could not obtain a new vehicle for over 12 months, I was able to obtain a lightly used one within 2 weeks from stock ! My needs are ground clearance, simplicity, higher seating, comfort and my standard load measure ..."can I get a fridge in the back?" So I have the Volvo XC40 Twin with probably the next best software after Tesla ... Android Automotive with Google Maps giving onscreen route planning and suggested EV charge points. Having a Google account, I can plan a journey on my laptop at home and it appears on the screen in the car. A Scandinavian understated ethos that doesn't daunt my wife or feel like I'm piloting the Star-ship Enterprise 😁
Plus the twin is quick. Nearly ordered one myself but opted for the model Y in the end.
@@BikeNutt1970 Volvo build quality is better .. no squeaks or rattles and the body panels line up with equal gaps all round. 😁
@@mdshovel looks like xc40 is mage in Ghent and the MY in Shanghai. There are no squeaks and rattles or panel gap issues on my MY. It's the US made Teslas that have quality issues.
Think you need to update your thinking re long trips - non-Teslas can do them just as well as Teslas can. I've done 3,500 mile trip to Spain and back last year in a Kia e-Niro and over 4,000 miles to Norway and back in a Polestar 2 this year. With Ionity and many Tesla chargers open for non-Teslas, it's easy. And with A Better Route Planner, the planning is just as easy, too.
Yes Brian I never said they are not capable, just not ideal. Even the Mini Electric COULD do the journeys you have completed. I just wouldn't like the 53 stops needed to get there. Glad you like your EV, I did mention it is a good choice for commuter and family car, just not my top choice for my road trips. ABRP is a good app, probably the top one, but it is an app on a mobile and it does not monitor and predict charger availability and adjust your route plan live. I like that feature
It's not only about availability but also about affordability. Tesla Superchargers are by far the most affordable, all others feel like an attempt to slow down EV adoption.
Non Tesla's cannot do long trip as well as a Tesla. Ask an Audi Etron driver who was navigated to a charger on a French motorway by Better route planner. The charger was on the carriageway in the other direction. So he had to face a twenty kilometer trip to the exit and a twenty kilometer trip back then another twenty kilometer trip to the exit to turn around. This would have added 80 kilometers to his journey. It did, but 40 kilometers were done on a flatbed as he only had 10 kilometers of range left. His wife was complaining that they should have brought her ICE car. I said that's why we bought a Tesla. Other EVs can do long journeys but the Tesla just does it better, by far.
ABRP does monitor availability (of Ionity and Tesla) though I think you need to be a premium subscriber. Your point that different cars suit different uses is well made, I'm just saying (and despite the Tesla fanboy comments below) that some non-Teslas can do long trips just as well. That has certainly been my experience doing lots of long trips, never had to queue and with the right discounts (a Polestar plugsurfing card), costs of about 30-35p/kWh at Ionity, about same as at Tesla chargers with a monthly membership. @@davetakesiton My return trip to Norway worked out at 9p/mile and charge stops were every 200 miles ish. Tesla M3 LR would probably beat that but not by enough of a margin to say "for long trips it has to be Tesla"!
@@keithdenton8386 It's one of the key reasons we made the decision to go Tesla. I think there are prettier cars but if we were going to go EV again (from Leaf back in 2015 to 2017 as a test), then we wanted one that just worked, effortlessly with 100% integration. Recently did a fab road trip to Switzerland and it was an absolute delight. Already booked the next one to Italy next year.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your reply, I've tried to raise this via other channels and you are the first person to respond, so thanks. We tried fristly our local council and councillor. They contacted the freeholder and they just ignored them. Then we tried our MP and they were also ignored. We have been informed by our MP that the issue of reform to Freeholder law will not take place in this parliament and neither party has any plans to try ande undertake any refkorm in the next parliament. Therefore, for at least the next seven year (and probalbly longer) 21% of the population will not be able to have Ev charging where they live. A fifth of the population and nobody is remotly interested.
Many thanks for your channel.
Sorry to hear, you’ve tried a lot. Big finance is now getting in on EV charging and you are an attractive market. Keep fighting keep hoping, I suspect things are changing at a tremendous pace. I hope it works out
I've just ordered my first EV on Motability last week, It's a Renault Megane Etech. Fully ground up EV as well, very comfortable and loved the test drive. Picking it up the end of January though but looking forward to it
best of luck, you will love it
A few comments, and a smile at the comments about cars not originally designed as EVs.
I have the original Kia Soul, sure, it is no long distance car, the battery is only suitable for 40-50 mile there and back again journeys, but it has tonnes of space - even for a 2-metre tall guy like me, and the efficiency returns are far better than that Mini, with my average KWh/mile - in a really hilly town, and spirited back-road driving - being 4.8 - at 7 years old.
Ok, Urban - I would NOT recommend a Tesla for this, they are BIG cars; I have seen them struggling to get down narrower roads with parked cars, where my old 7 seat Mistubishi could drive through without worry.
I would also not consider buying a Chinese built car - no matter what the badge (Volvo/Polestar for example) - I am not anti-Chinese - the exact opposite - my wife is mainland Chinese; this means I get exposed to news and incidents inside China that DONT get reported to the outside world; or that get buried in CCP propaganda.
I agree with you that a lot of dissatisfaction with new EV drivers is because they buy a brand "they know", rather than a car suited to what they need to do with it.
Why not Chinese? BMW iX3 is built there, Mercedes are invested with BYD. Some of the styling is questionable but components whatever the brand are more than likely Chinese.
@@bigfluffytowels Lots of different reasons.
BYD in particular, have been covering up a lot of spontaneous EV fires; the Chinese government line is the fires are caused by old tech battery packs, but the cars going up in flames seem to include a lot of brand new cars with the new BLADE battery tech.
Electric Viking seems to have fallen for this explanation, after ridiculing me about the fires only a few weeks ago, claiming they weren't real, and I had fallen for anti-China propaganda.
Build quality - Cars built for the Chinese market are not expected to last as long as western consumers demand, so to save money they are not galvanising the frames - however these Chinese market frames have been turning up on export market cars - especially in Australasia, where some cars are rotting out after less than 2 years.
In general, I dont trust unverifiable information coming out of China, nor people who swallow and regurgitate that information without question; and even as pro EV as I am, I have called out all the major EV channels when they have parroted official Chinese reports.
Dont get me wrong, the Chinese can build solid, reliable cars; the best rated Honda model - the Jazz, was made entirely in Guangzhou during the height of its reliability and popularity (to 2008); and the most robust and reliable cars on Chinese roads are Chinese built VWs (Santana/Passat and Jetta).
The problem is, the vast majority of Chinese EV car manufacturers have been producing very poor quality cars to meet CCP investment targets, and they have been cutting a lot of corners with regards to safety; western cars are expected to operate safely for longer than Chinese apartment blocks are expected to last.
If you go get information about China, you get given state approved information; to really know what is going on, you have to spend a lot of time there - well away from tourist trap factory tours.
Go back, year after year, and see how fast that shiny new hi-tech they displayed to the world, crumbles into ruin.
I went on a then brand new High speed rail link, 10 days after it's grand opening; there was already extensive rust showing through the paint on the guard rails and support beams, all along the 350 mile route (Nanning - Guangzhou).
Extensive. I agree with the difference in markets. This was always a problem when MB went to SE Asia and promised home markets only. I think as time has moved on people don't really care as German SUVs are American made, BMW worldwide and MB from places people would be surprised at. Our local LSH Auto has AMG MB Smart and now BYD. Not sure how this will work out for them. MG selling well it seems.
@@bigfluffytowels MG are selling on the big spec/low price aspect; how reliable they will be remains to be seen; their initial return to the UK market with ICE engines didnt go well; engines were failing emissions tests at 3-4 years old, and they were abandoning the customers who bought them - my son for example.
When my neighbour's Ford Focus had engine issues, Ford had the engine replaced - MG just threw up their hands and said there was nothing they could do.
My son, being a highly intelligent idiot, had the car scrapped before I found out and could intervene (sale of goods act).
OK, cant reply for a few hours minimum, I have another visit to the dentist - been oozing puss for over a week, and the antibiotics arent working.
Thanks Dave,
I totally understand why you did this video. As honest reference point. But half of me feels sad that the buying public needs you to help them understand the basics of buying a BEV. Thankfully the massive shortages of 2021 and 2022 are over and buying a BEV is so full of real choice.
Hi Dave, some very good info in this video thx. We have 4 kids and my massive wheelchair to fit with a hoist. If only tesla would make a decent 6 or 8 seater van! We had to settle for the vauxhall vivaro-e 50kw long wheel base model. Should have gotten the 75kw, but disnt know anything at the time. It says on a full charge 143miles on eco mode, but really only does 90 to 100 if you do 60mph. We did a 260mile road trip and had to stop 3 times each way, a 4 hour journey took us 7+ each way. What a learning curve. My wife was really skeptical over EVs to start with, but told me the other day she wouldn't like to go back to ICE cars. I think the fact that its currently costing us £3.50 a week to charge the car at home (7.5p per kw with octopus energy), instead of the £50 in fuel it used to cost per week has something to do with it. Do you think hydrogen cars will ever happen, or take off?
Sorry you had to settle, but you said it; you'd never go back. Its early days in EVs, things will improve. Make the most of it at the ridiculous prices available. I think the next big boom after the Cybertruck and sub £25k will be light vans and motorhomes. No, hydrogen just doesn't make sense. The economics and efficiencies are all wrong. There is no excess electricity to use apart from a few peaks on really sunny and windy days. There are countless people trying to make it work to make a profit to take over from oil, so if it ever succeeded, it won't be cheap,
MG 4 owner very happy. Good video Dave
Yes I know several people who have one and love it
Some great explanation of the complications of choosing an EV. With ICE, historically, I have been more interested in design, handling and performance. Looks like choosing an EV needs a re-consideration of the criteria for your EV.
As the driver of the EV most commonly described as "Sedate" (Mk1 Kia Soul); the only times you might feel even the cheapest new EV is lacking, is in pull away power or accelerating up steep hills
And the power is deceptive, as the surge just keeps going without letting up, rather than that feeling of dumping the clutch, then needing a gear change.
Even in Eco mode, I have never felt the need to unleash my awesome 82KW motor - and that from someone who switched from a 172BHP Mitsubishi (145KW ??)
On the flat, 20-40 is 2 seconds-ish, which is about all you need in urban situations; and 40-60/ 50-70 not much more than that.
In an ICE car, it would take longer unless you were driving some exotica - due to change down and accelerate - or waiting for the autobox to kick down.
And let's be honest, mid range overtaking speed is the most important/enjoyable part of country lanes; not the ultimate top speed or acceleration.
@@ianemery2925 As an owner of the BMW i4 MSport i agree with you. Ironically my previous ICE was an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrafoglio with 0 to 60 of 3.8 sevonds! But I'm much happier now with my greener choice. The BMW handles amazingly well.
Thanks, another excellent video.
Yes you cannot fault the Tesla models for their range, tech and superchargers etc, I nearly bought one, but they are a bit ugly outside and I do not like the touch screen and minimalism, and white M3s are everywhere as company cars. Very happy with my EV6 and the charging network is rapidly improving with more multi point chargers from Ionity, Instavolt, Fastned,MFG, Gridserve etc.
To each his/her own there are some really great cars about. Charging is massively improving, check Gridserve.
I have the Kona and around town and country I am currently getting 325 miles.
On a long motorway run I get 250 miles. Take 15-20% off for winter.
Usable battery is 64kwh.
It's not £32k
Me personally I live in a terraced house and won’t be able to have an ev charger. The only charger near me is a pod point. I’m currently trying to make my mind up for a first time driver for an ev or ice car.
Check out my video Rishi Sunk U Turn, at the end there is a new pavement cable management system for terraced houses that has just been approved by Milton Keynes Council. Might help
At the moment my Renault Zoe ZE50 GT Line is giving 4.6miles per kWh. It is absolutely brilliant for long and short range uses. Ok it only charges at 50 kW but 40 minutes at a rapid charger is probably the longest I have ever charged on a long journey.
we all have our own favourites. Enjoy your EV
Before buying ANY car I suggest sitting down and writing down you normal usage over the past year. How many 'road trips' do you really do, what are your priorities, Speed , Space, Range, Reliability, and how long will you keep the car. Now add on a sensible budget with built in depreciation. Then go looking.
After my initial impulse buy of a very early LEAF, I have stayed with the brand/model, as my wants have changed. Currently I run a 64Kwh LEAF which suits both my budget and driving style. In June we did a 2124miles road trip/holiday with the longest leg being 346 miles with one on route charge. My average MPK was 4.2 , but I don,t hurry. Next week we are off to North Wales from the South Coast, with one planned meal/charging stop.
From what I have read look carefully at where the battery is located in the car, there are horror stories of massive costs simply to remove a battery pack from a poorly designed EV. Look for a car where the batteries are easily removable, not hidden under the rear seat where the petrol tank once was. Hopefully you will never need to remove a battery, but once the car is out of warranty it is a feature worth thinking about.
Great that you have found the right car for you. And great advice to look before you leap which few people do, preferring to stick with familiar brands.
So what would you say about a kona ev conversation, it has great efficiency
You are correct. I have a Kona EV and I am averaging 4.6 miles/kWh.
5:25 You're quoting the Kona's 10-80 charge time @ 50kW but stating it's the 100kW time.
whoops, well spotted
If I have a budget of £10k or less, what long range options are there on the used market?
None yet, but getting closer, I have a video out tomorrow that covers this
What about BMW iX3 or iX1?
The single biggest - by far - catagory of people whe can't charge at their dwelling is apartment owners. 5.5 million homes (22% of total stock) are apartments. The reasons are not technical. We live in an apartment and drive an EV, and our block received the OZEV infrastructure grant of £12k towards instalation. Everything planned and then the freeholder blocked the whole process because they cannot make any money from it. They also stated that the insurance policy for the block would not allow EV charging as it was unsafe. A fifth of homes will never be able to charge at home and nobody is investigating this. The government were going to try and limit freeholder powers but then we had covid and they have dropped the plans. We have to charge our EV at public charging. Dave, isn't a fifth of the population worth investigating?
laws are changing all the time. In France all car parks above about 50 vehicles now require PV panels. In UK have patience. Private Houses already need PV, solar thermal and high insulation standards. In time all apartments will be required to have communal EV charging. Contact your MP
If you can charge at home an EV with over 200 mile range whatever the weather, is ideal as it covers to me for the majority of out and back trips I would do in a day. I am happy to use 100% charge from my home charger on say a weekly basis if needed for longer trips, but would not use this to fill from a rapid charger as the 20-80% time is doubled for 20-100%. A waste of time and blocking a rapid charger.
Most long journies start from home at 100% then used that day with any top up if I have dropped to 50% or less, topping up my charge to 80%. This is usually enough to assist for my return journey. I often find this kind of top up is done within 20-25 minutes, so just enough time for coffee and use of the facilities!
Also to clarify, if you only do rapid charging, that can be the worst battery care, charging at home will never cause the battery to heat up too much so is much better. The charge to 100% is too not kepp your EV at that charge for any length of time. Dr Euan McTurk is a battery specialist and explained the protection systems, such as extra size of the battery not available, the monitoring software, the charging equipment all look after your battery so well, that the charging methods make little difference. But yes best practices will help.
Thinking of taking a car down to very low charge, this is the same as the fuel tanks red light. Most people don't use this bottom range of fuel and must top up. They state the cars range is say 450 miles, but do not take away the 40-50 miles that are unused. EV's are the same that you do not use down to zero. You can fully charge but do not do it all the time. Again do not regularly run the EV towards zero on the battery.
snap, I start on 95% (I never do 100%) and top up as necessary usually only to 75% and the car gets me back home with the minimum possible so I can use my cheap home rate. Even with 14,000 miles in the last 12 months, I have home charged 75% and supercharged 20% (the other 5% was free destination charging). Re empty battery, I have been surprised recently where I expected to have to charge, but the route planner said no stops; arrive with 6 miles. If my Tesla says it's ok, I'm happy. I trust the experts who make and design the batteries over independent experts.
Wow the tesla bias is insane, I get it they are great but damn!
Hey, sorry Dave, I get carried away, but they are good
Yep but it's the iPhone of cars, everything just works and it's all integrated. The rest are "Android". For the record, I dislike iPhone and i'm an Android user but when it comes to the car, I need it to "just work". :)