Volvo Owners Club Forum - What's the problem with electric cars?

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- - What's the problem with electric cars? (https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=330305)

I'm a confirmed petrol head. I like the sound of a tuned engine, its intake noise and its balanced exhaust. I prefer normally aspirated engines and enjoy variable valve timing. There is no Tesla that I would rather have than any of the vtec Hondas I've owned. (Except maybe the Semi Truck.)

One day, though, this will change. A petrol or diesel alternative, along with the necessary infrastructure, will be ready for me just as I am ready for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNP (Post 2873764)

One of the problems I find with electric cars is being able to cut through all of the talk on my the internet to get to the facts and reasoned debate. I watched about half of the linked video and gave up after another assertion without evidence, and even if I accept that there were Tesla’s waiting 15 hours to charge at a services, it wasn’t too long ago that ICE drivers were allegedly following a cement tanker from Birmingham to Kettering in their desperation to get fuel. No car can be the optimal solution for all users, but a shortcoming in one particular situation doesn’t mean it’s totally useless elsewhere.

It happened to a veg oil tanker too….. We seem to be very good at pushing these ideas without keeping up with the infrastructure needs. It sounds good in the media as all these lectric cars are being sold and we use it to wave our green credentials but we don’t mention the negative sides of it readily. I see it all the time in the Ophthalmic industry. Best thing since sliced bread but it takes a few years to iron out the wrinkles. Our Government have become obsessed with it while country starve.
For me, it’s what the future cost of it is. How are we going to be taxed? How recyclable are these batteries? Is it a future fly tipping issue and environmental pollution problem. I’m sure that batteries will become more efficient as the tech develops but what’s the repair and replacement costs gunna be like? More info required

TT

Quote:

Originally Posted by S60D5-185 (Post 2873753)

Not often I bother posting in there so you're honestly not missing much SnineT.

Personally, at times I find it rather Toxic now...............

Opinions eh? 😉

Re Electric cars, the performance is beyond question but as many others have said, currently 😁, the infrastructure is woeful for the amount on the roads now, so that is going to be a massive task in itself prior to 2030 with no easy answers.

I'm missing the word association and Jokes of the day threads though :nerd::traurig001:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimarilo (Post 2873560)

except a hybrid defeats to object ........by using more fuel per mile, not to mention the up front costs of buying such an effort and maintenance. More to go wrong imo

There is nothing as yet, that can replace fossil fuels as a means of energy ....fact !!

It is impossible to get to netzero and if we did, everything on earth would die....fact !!

a hybrid volvo will be noticeably more economical than the diesel engine only version..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan (Post 2873843)

a hybrid volvo will be noticeably more economical than the diesel engine only version..

Yes. 72mpg average over the last year for me, compared with probably 45mpg for a D5 with Polestar upgrade and no battery. Not bad for a heavy estate with on demand AWD?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulrikas PA (Post 2873926)

Yes. 72mpg average over the last year for me, compared with probably 45mpg for a D5 with Polestar upgrade and no battery. Not bad for a heavy estate with on demand AWD?

Is that with or without additional electric charging? and any idea how much if it's with?

I'm not 'challenging' your mpg, actually interested in how the sums work out on a hybrid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor (Post 2873791)

For my daily commute I'd love an electric car that would be heated or cooled to perfection on my entry and could waft me with minimum input from me to my destination. Sounds serene

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNP (Post 2873936)

Is that with or without additional electric charging? and any idea how much if it's with?

I'm not 'challenging' your mpg, actually interested in how the sums work out on a hybrid.

Kevin McCloud had a D6 when they came out, he was getting over 120 mpg as it suited his journeys perfectly .

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveNP (Post 2873936)

Is that with or without additional electric charging? and any idea how much if it's with?

I'm not 'challenging' your mpg, actually interested in how the sums work out on a hybrid.

The V60 is a plug in rather than a self charger, so my average has included overnight charging at home, and using the 20-25m range that gives me. The trip computer works it out, and I'm sure you could debate the mpg accuracy versus the actual, just like you could with a regular diesel or petrol.

What I can say (like Clan cited) is that it you do lots of trips in the (say) 5-40 mile range, you end up with a massive range extender.

My previous Audi diesel had a big tank and would do 650-700 miles. The V60 has a small tank but I did one ridiculous tank full at over 130mpg (brim to brim) over a few weeks when I wasn't working but doing lots of short trips, building up a big mileage.

One of my colleagues has a plug in hybrid Kia and only puts fuel in it when he goes away longer journeys it sits with a full tank of fuel from week to week as his commute is about 16 Mike's total 5 days a week.