Quote:
Originally Posted by xavierx
I don't want to get into any sort of argument with the angry EV fanatics, but there is one important thing you need to consider when going to an EV .....
With a petrol diesel car, you can keep then running with regular maintenance for DECADES
Unless you are super unlucky (or neglect maintenance) there is nothing bar a total engine failure that can't be fixed on a petrol/diesel car.
With a used EV, almost the entire value is in the battery. When the battery fails (which it can do at any time at all) it almost never makes sense to replace it, as it will cost more than the entire price of the car, especially with older EVs. So the car is disposable.
You will never see someone driving a 20 year old EV, but goto any supermarket car park, and you'll find plenty of early 2000's cars still in use as daily drivers.
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That is a fair point, but in the same sense, repairs on an old petrol or diesel car can eventually outweigh the value of the vehicle. The cost to fix the car will keep it on the road, but it'll mean nothing come sale time. You aren't going to get £1,000 extra because it has new suspension for example.
There becomes a point where its no longer financially viable to keep throwing money at a car when things go wrong. Things will break on old cars, just with age.
EV batteries are expensive, but all the same, an EV doesn't cost nearly as much to keep on the road. What you save in fuel, insurance, road tax and servicing costs alone over a prolonged period of time would pay for a battery replacement. That only applies if you're keeping the EV long term of course and you buy one with a decent state of health to start with.
Then there's the emissions zones. Old/non-compliant petrol or diesel cars have to pay £12,50 to travel in them. Manchester's is currently "under review", but that means nothing. If the Government decide that it'll be like London, then older cars are goosed and subject to charges. Then it definitely won't be worth owning an old car. Time will tell on that front, but its only a matter of time before a decision is made. The signs are up, as are the cameras. Its basically "ready to go".
Andy Burnham (Mayor) doesn't want cars to be charged if Manchester was to have an emissions zone - Its other vehicles like HGV's that would be charged if they didn't meet emissions standards. We know what you want and what you get are two different things... The Government will decide. They've spent millions on all the signage etc... its highly unlikely that there's going to be a u-turn on it.