BATTERY POWERED VEHICLES.... YES or NO?

[oldbadger]

I purchased a battery powered vehicle in 2021 and used it until July 2024 (this summer).
It was a 50mile range 60volt 40kw motorcycle with surprising acceleration but some negative characteristics.
In my tatty old age I now use a Chinese electric bike ........... !

I've learned so much about EVs in that time, and after several shocking news articles I converted an outside dog kennel in to my battery charging and storage centre. I stopped bringing motorcycle lithium batteries in to my home in 2022, and have purchased lithium fire extinguishers because we still have smaller lithium batteries for drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, torches, mobile phones and computers. The UK does not yet have a recognised specification for Lithium Fire extinguishers but a national supplier has developed and marketed one of its own because government can sure drag its heels.

I'll post more details if this thread gets going.

So...... what do you think? Luv 'em? Hate 'em? Prefer Hybrids? Still want petrol/diesel powered? How do you feel?

 

[SalixIncendium]

So...... what do you think? Luv 'em? Hate 'em? Prefer Hybrids? Still want petrol/diesel powered?

Electric vehicles are still not perfected (degradation of range in cold weather, disposal of batteries, etc.) but they are getting better. At this point, I prefer a fuel efficient petrol powered car.

How do you feel?

 

[ChristineM]

We bought a Citroen Ami for the twins on their 14th birthday. (2020) It's a 2 seater 6kw car* that can ve driven without a license here.

* Its actually classed as a quadracycle.

It got them to school and back and now to college and back with just enough range with an overnight charge.

Problem now is they are 17 and pestering to buy them each a "real" car... Not going to happen, they can buy their own.

 

[Altfish]

I'm all for electric cars but it is just kicking the most serious problem down the road (pun intended)

 

[SalixIncendium]

View attachment 97430

I'm all for electric cars but it is just kicking the most serious problem down the road (pun intended)

48 people? This is all the space you need...

 

[Revoltingest]

I like plug-in hybrids.
But we have a hybrid Toyota Sienna.

 

[oldbadger]

Electric vehicles are still not perfected (degradation of range in cold weather, disposal of batteries, etc.) but they are getting better. At this point, I prefer a fuel efficient petrol powered car.

Yes, batteries are getting better, and battery safety is getting slowly better.

If you travel far a wide, or in severe weather then you do still need an IC powered vehicle. For sure.

 

[oldbadger]

We bought a Citroen Ami for the twins on their 14th birthday. (2020) It's a 2 seater 6kw car* that can ve driven without a license here.

* Its actually classed as a quadracycle.

It got them to school and back and now to college and back with just enough range with an overnight charge.

Problem now is they are 17 and pestering to buy them each a "real" car... Not going to happen, they can buy their own.

We call that the Citroen Ami e-car. I wanted to buy one but they are only for purchase via the internet here, there is no maintenance or mechanical support close by and I'm too old to wait for things to develop. But my wife would certainly buy one when they are more available.

We only needed to travel within a ten mile radius and most local roads are 20,30 and 40 mph restricted.

The Citroen Ami e-car is quite amazing.

 

[oldbadger]

I like plug-in hybrids.
But we have a hybrid Toyota Sienna.

They are the very best around private vehicles at present. They are so popular around where I live.

All electric battery cars are only good for shorter range journeys and since lithiums do not like very low discharges the maker's ranges should be cut down by 30% at least, and then halved for a safe out-back range. That really does knock down the reasonable range of an e-car.

My motorcycle had a 'range' of 50 miles so it's true safe operating radius was about 18 miles....ok for my journeys but not so good beyond that

 

[oldbadger]

View attachment 97430

I'm all for electric cars but it is just kicking the most serious problem down the road (pun intended)

The most serious problem for old folks is how to get to the shops or doctors.
We will leave the national problem to you, if you've got the clout, that is.

 

[Altfish]

The most serious problem for old folks is how to get to the shops or doctors.
We will leave the national problem to you, if you've got the clout, that is.

I'm an 'old folk' and I use public transport as often as possible, which is more often than I use the car.
Yes, there are times when using the car is the sensible option but in the long run (for all of us) building more roads is not the answer. Persuading as many people off the road as possible is the answer, this can be done with improved (and cheaper) public transport.

 

[oldbadger]

I'm an 'old folk' and I use public transport as often as possible, which is more often than I use the car.

Just as I was ready to ditch private transport for the buses, together with a wonderful bus application for my mobile, the stagecoach company cut the service in half and the hospital service to one bus a day.
So it's e-bike and wife's little ATV for me from now until that gets sorted out.

Yes, there are times when using the car is the sensible option but in the long run (for all of us) building more roads is not the answer. Persuading as many people off the road as possible is the answer, this can be done with improved (and cheaper) public transport.

We live on a private estate with infamously dreadful roads which is why (years ago) we bought a Suzuki Jimny for my wife, a wonderful machine, and now that public roads are declining it's the perfect vehicle for local travel on those.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I purchased a battery powered vehicle in 2021 and used it until July 2024 (this summer).
It was a 50mile range 60volt 40kw motorcycle with surprising acceleration but some negative characteristics.
In my tatty old age I now use a Chinese electric bike ........... !

I've learned so much about EVs in that time, and after several shocking news articles I converted an outside dog kennel in to my battery charging and storage centre. I stopped bringing motorcycle lithium batteries in to my home in 2022, and have purchased lithium fire extinguishers because we still have smaller lithium batteries for drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, torches, mobile phones and computers. The UK does not yet have a recognised specification for Lithium Fire extinguishers but a national supplier has developed and marketed one of its own because government can sure drag its heels.

I'll post more details if this thread gets going.

So...... what do you think? Luv 'em? Hate 'em? Prefer Hybrids? Still want petrol/diesel powered? How do you feel?

The bikes might be all right but the fire hazard is certainly real.

it's smart you took those precautions as I would not buy a fire and explosion prone EV if you put a gun to my head until the technology is superior to fossil fuels in every way and the safety of the batteries is reasonably on par with the safety of a fuel tank that is not as prone to spontaneously catch on fire.

Additionally I can almost picture in the future with these things the label that states, battery not included! Purchase separately.

 

[Altfish]

Just as I was ready to ditch private transport for the buses, together with a wonderful bus application for my mobile, the stagecoach company cut the service in half and the hospital service to one bus a day.
So it's e-bike and wife's little ATV for me from now until that gets sorted out.

We live on a private estate with infamously dreadful roads which is why (years ago) we bought a Suzuki Jimny for my wife, a wonderful machine, and now that public roads are declining it's the perfect vehicle for local travel on those.

This is down to town planning.
There is a large development happening about 2km from where we live. The area is not on a railway line, there is talk of a new tram line in one corner, but won't go in the right direction. Buses may be added, who knows. It is c1500 houses, which probably means 3000 more cars.

 

[Secret Chief]

I purchased a battery powered vehicle in 2021 and used it until July 2024 (this summer).
It was a 50mile range 60volt 40kw motorcycle with surprising acceleration but some negative characteristics.
In my tatty old age I now use a Chinese electric bike ........... !

I've learned so much about EVs in that time, and after several shocking news articles I converted an outside dog kennel in to my battery charging and storage centre. I stopped bringing motorcycle lithium batteries in to my home in 2022, and have purchased lithium fire extinguishers because we still have smaller lithium batteries for drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, torches, mobile phones and computers. The UK does not yet have a recognised specification for Lithium Fire extinguishers but a national supplier has developed and marketed one of its own because government can sure drag its heels.

I'll post more details if this thread gets going.

So...... what do you think? Luv 'em? Hate 'em? Prefer Hybrids? Still want petrol/diesel powered? How do you feel?

Currently got a 6 year old petrol car. I have no idea what to get next. There seems to be various rules n regs coming in which may or may not be changed or ditched... so how am I supposed to decide? All electric is no option for much of the UK, because many houses don't have front yards or gardens to put their car on for plugging in... you can't have pavements covered in cables.... the whole country can't plug in at the two charging points at the local supermarket... just ridiculous. I've also been told (by someone who knows what they're talking about) that if we all suddenly swapped to plug-in electrics the national grid couldn't cope. So what to do? Realistically I need a car for my job...

 

[Twilight Hue]

Currently got a 6 year old petrol car. I have no idea what to get next. There seems to be various rules n regs coming in which may or may not be changed or ditched... so how am I supposed to decide? All electric is no option for much of the UK, because many houses don't have front yards or gardens to put their car on for plugging in... you can't have pavements covered in cables.... the whole country can't plug in at the two charging points at the local supermarket... just ridiculous. I've also been told (by someone who knows what they're talking about) that if we all suddenly swapped to plug-in electrics the national grid couldn't cope. So what to do? Realistically I need a car for my job...

Not only that all batterys lose their charge if not used, it's like the equivalent of having a perpetual leak in a petrol tank.

Also families with multiple vehicles at their house, how can everyone plug in their cars if they don't have multiple outlets installed much less the massive electric bill that follows I would think.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I purchased a battery powered vehicle in 2021 and used it until July 2024 (this summer).
It was a 50mile range 60volt 40kw motorcycle with surprising acceleration but some negative characteristics.
In my tatty old age I now use a Chinese electric bike ........... !

I've learned so much about EVs in that time, and after several shocking news articles I converted an outside dog kennel in to my battery charging and storage centre. I stopped bringing motorcycle lithium batteries in to my home in 2022, and have purchased lithium fire extinguishers because we still have smaller lithium batteries for drills, saws, vacuum cleaners, torches, mobile phones and computers. The UK does not yet have a recognised specification for Lithium Fire extinguishers but a national supplier has developed and marketed one of its own because government can sure drag its heels.

I'll post more details if this thread gets going.

So...... what do you think? Luv 'em? Hate 'em? Prefer Hybrids? Still want petrol/diesel powered? How do you feel?

I'm used to petrol/diesel and understand how to operate and maintain them. But I'm not against viable alternatives to power transportation. And that is not limited to electric. Hydrogen fuel cells, hybrids, gas/ethanol, and new engine designs like advanced rotary engine technology have the potential to reduce or remediate our use of carbon fuels. I have concerns about the batteries and the amount of materials required for electric vehicles. For instance, the vast amount of copper needed in their production, the sourcing of metals needed for batteries and mechanisms for the recycling of them, available charging and the duration of the charges. All probably typical issues that would need to be addressed. I like that electric has the potential to eliminate issues with petroleum use and some more minor traditional maintenance needs like oil changes.

Personally, I wonder if hybrids are the best compromise, but they retain issues associated with each motive source individually. Though to a lesser extent.

 

[oldbadger]

The bikes might be all right but the fire hazard is certainly real.

Sadly even e-bicycles batteries can be very dangerous if they ignite. I've watched a video of a mobile phone battery taking fire because it over heated on a car dashboard in sunshine......an explosive reaction....a terrifying experience for the driver.

My motorcycle batteries, each one was four times larger than an e-bike battery.

E-

it's smart you took those precautions as I would not buy a fire and explosion prone EV if you put a gun to my head until the technology is superior to fossil fuels in every way and the safety of the batteries is reasonably on par with the safety of a fuel tank that is not as prone to spontaneously catch on fire.

Additionally I can almost picture in the future with these things the label that states, battery not included! Purchase separately.

E-car fires are quite dreadful and our fire brigades are still researching how to deal with these.

There are two kinds of lithium battery, those with isolated and cased cells and those with sachet cells .....the sachet cells seem to be the ones that are most explosive.

Research is still being undertaken in to 'grapheen' batteries for a more efficient,/safe battery but that is all a long way off, even if it can be successful.

 

[oldbadger]

This is down to town planning.
There is a large development happening about 2km from where we live. The area is not on a railway line, there is talk of a new tram line in one corner, but won't go in the right direction. Buses may be added, who knows. It is c1500 houses, which probably means 3000 more cars.

Ah yes......around here thousands of houses are being built around Canterbury.
Croydon borough council has purchased scores and scores of houses here, as has the London borough of Hillingdon, or was it Harrington? I forget which. Now what's all that about?

Somewhere up North a wonderful road repair compound has been invented which uses car tyres as a main component.....very easy to lay, no hammer drill preparation needed, and it is flexible and so does not suffer such fast wear. Let's hope that science can do yet more.

 

[Revoltingest]

We live on a private estate....

Well lah dee dah!