BATTERY POWERED VEHICLES.... YES or NO?

[oldbadger]

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.....

I could not advise anybody e-car for anybody without a drive, or who travels far from home, or who lives in a far northern county.
But a hybrid would be very good and our government has extended the timeline for hybrid production to continue.
Our government can't really know how to move forward unless e-car battery technology will advance considerably.

 

[Shaul]

A vehicle's power source should be application based. Electric or battery powered vehicles are ideal for some applications but not for others.

I recently bought a new electric car,

 

[Secret Chief]

I could not advise anybody e-car for anybody without a drive, or who travels far from home, or who lives in a far northern county.
But a hybrid would be very good and our government has extended the timeline for hybrid production to continue.
Our government can't really know how to move forward unless e-car battery technology will advance considerably.

Thanks. I was suspecting a hybrid might be the way to go.

 

[oldbadger]

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.

Hybrids are really good.....my neighbour's runs on battery alone for speeds up to 30,mph and then the IC motor starts up.
If the battery runs low then the IC motor starts anyway.

At present it's best option.
A friend uses a hydrogen fuel but has to drive 28 miles to an airport to fill up!

 

[muhammad_isa]

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.

I couldn't agree more.
I used to use the train before covid .. they were then banned for other than essential workers.

When we were given "the all clear", I found that they had got used to people having apps on
their phones for paying, and the ticket office usually shut.
The staff just seemed to be more interested in fines than issuing tickets, so I don't bother
any more.

Are the trains currently running in their own interests, or for "the public" ?
I'm not sure any more.

 

[oldbadger]

A vehicle's power source should be application based. Electric or battery powered vehicles are ideal for some applications but not for others.

I recently bought a new electric car,
View attachment 97445

Hmmmm......I couldn't get the Missus in to that....no good for shopping.

 

[oldbadger]

Well lah dee dah!

Private roads so bad that the council will not adopt them.
You just have no idea, but a Jimny atv makes them fun!

 

[ChristineM]

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

It looks a little down on its axles, do you think it may be overloaded?

 

[Altfish]

I couldn't agree more.
I used to use the train before covid .. they were then banned for other than essential workers.

When we were given "the all clear", I found that they had got used to people having apps on
their phones for paying, and the ticket office usually shut.
The staff just seemed to be more interested in fines than issuing tickets, so I don't bother
any more.

Are the trains currently running in their own interests, or for "the public" ?
I'm not sure any more.

I love the railways, I'm retired but volunteer as Chair of the local Rail Users Group, and a director on the Community Rail Partnership.
The people on the ground (ie drivers, guards, managers, etc) are committed and good, the problem is the DfT.
We shouldn't have cancelled HS2 ... don't get me started

 

[Twilight Hue]

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-

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.

It makes me wonder why they chose batteries and not some other source of power.

 

[muhammad_isa]

I love the railways, I'm retired but volunteer as Chair of the local Rail Users Group, and a director on the Community Rail Partnership.
The people on the ground (ie drivers, guards, managers, etc) are committed and good, the problem is the DfT..

I don't see it like that .. here in the Midlands, the train company wanted to shut all the ticket offices
except 'Birmingham central', and put the onus onto the customer for getting tickets from
an alternative means .. ticket machine ( that often doesn't accept cash, and any problem dealt
with by post) or internet.

..so I guess I'm the problem, for not readily embracing the "brave new world" (of credit cards).

..so the train companies chase the poor customers i.e. the young and/or jobless .. and me .. a relatively
poor pensioner .. accusing them of "ticket avoidance", which I dare say is often true.

I'm caught up in the cross-fire, with train companies wanting to get rid of staff. They don't get rid
of their inspectors, of course .. and any guard has to do as they are told.


They just are not interested in conventional tickets any more.
I mean, why couldn't they sell a multi-journey ticket, that is clipped on each journey?
No .. they don't care about the convenience of the poor .. just those with credit cards.

 

[SalixIncendium]

It looks a little down on its axles, do you think it may be overloaded?

Nah. It's a Beetle. It could probably hold another 30 or so people if we could figure out where to put them.

 

[oldbadger]

It makes me wonder why they chose batteries and not some other source of power.

If batteries can be more safe then they would be an amazing method of storing mobile power.

One 'thing' about lithium batteries that needs reviewing is the number of houses with solar voltaic panels that store collected energy in huge Lithium batteries. These really need to be located in stores outside and away from the main property but then there is a massive security risk because of their huge value.

My neighbours lithiums are in a cupboard next to her bedroom, lovely and safe until a regulator goes wrong or something like that. Having said that I haven't heard of such domestic tragedies.

 

[oldbadger]

I don't see it like that .. here in the Midlands, the train company wanted to shut all the ticket offices
except 'Birmingham central', and put the onus onto the customer for getting tickets from
an alternative means .. ticket machine ( that often doesn't accept cash, and any problem dealt
with by post) or internet.

..so I guess I'm the problem, for not readily embracing the "brave new world" (of credit cards).

..so the train companies chase the poor customers i.e. the young and/or jobless .. and me .. a relatively
poor pensioner .. accusing them of "ticket avoidance", which I dare say is often true.

I'm caught up in the cross-fire, with train companies wanting to get rid of staff. They don't get rid
of their inspectors, of course .. and any guard has to do as they are told.


They just are not interested in conventional tickets any more.
I mean, why couldn't they sell a multi-journey ticket, that is clipped on each journey?
No .. they don't care about the convenience of the poor .. just those with credit cards.

All true.
If all railways could be owned/controlled by government as a service to the public, then ticket machines, manned offices, train guards and more could increase customer footfall, employ many thousands of people and be a credit to the country. Some services can't all be profit makers in which case the government should be responsible for them.

 

[Subduction Zone]

If batteries can be more safe then they would be an amazing method of storing mobile power.

One 'thing' about lithium batteries that needs reviewing is the number of houses with solar voltaic panels that store collected energy in huge Lithium batteries. These really need to be located in stores outside and away from the main property but then there is a massive security risk because of their huge value.

My neighbours lithiums are in a cupboard next to her bedroom, lovely and safe until a regulator goes wrong or something like that. Having said that I haven't heard of such domestic tragedies.

One thing to remember is that gasoline cars were not safe at all when they were first developed. Electric cars are in their infancy. And then there is the fact that we have to get off of fossil fuels sooner or later. If the choice is walking or an electric car which one will you choose? That is probably fifteen or twenty years away. But it is coming.

 

[RestlessSoul]

I don't see it like that .. here in the Midlands, the train company wanted to shut all the ticket offices
except 'Birmingham central', and put the onus onto the customer for getting tickets from
an alternative means .. ticket machine ( that often doesn't accept cash, and any problem dealt
with by post) or internet.

..so I guess I'm the problem, for not readily embracing the "brave new world" (of credit cards).

..so the train companies chase the poor customers i.e. the young and/or jobless .. and me .. a relatively
poor pensioner .. accusing them of "ticket avoidance", which I dare say is often true.

I'm caught up in the cross-fire, with train companies wanting to get rid of staff. They don't get rid
of their inspectors, of course .. and any guard has to do as they are told.


They just are not interested in conventional tickets any more.
I mean, why couldn't they sell a multi-journey ticket, that is clipped on each journey?
No .. they don't care about the convenience of the poor .. just those with credit cards.

All the Train Operating Companies were under pressure from the DfT to close ticket offices cut jobs, and push all ticket purchases online; but they lost that battle thanks to the excellent work of various Rail User Groups, blind and disabled lobbies, and the RMT. And now we have a new government committed to bringing the railways into public ownership. So the brave new world may not be as dystopian as you think.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

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

EVs are almost to where I'd want one. But I can say I'm loving my Prius.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

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

Hey oldbadger I hope you and yours are well, happy and safe! Absolutely not the way of the future, new technologies will be available.

No good for us, as our next nearest town is over 400km away and we do day trips to a town 500 and 600km away, some time day trips to ones 680 and 760km away.

For work I have up to 720km round trips. Ifeel great by the way, as I hope you do. I would like 2 x electric trikes for my wife and I, to do some cruising out to the water lily holes.

Regards Tony

 

[Secret Chief]

I don't see it like that .. here in the Midlands, the train company wanted to shut all the ticket offices
except 'Birmingham central', and put the onus onto the customer for getting tickets from
an alternative means .. ticket machine ( that often doesn't accept cash, and any problem dealt
with by post) or internet.

..so I guess I'm the problem, for not readily embracing the "brave new world" (of credit cards).

..so the train companies chase the poor customers i.e. the young and/or jobless .. and me .. a relatively
poor pensioner .. accusing them of "ticket avoidance", which I dare say is often true.

I'm caught up in the cross-fire, with train companies wanting to get rid of staff. They don't get rid
of their inspectors, of course .. and any guard has to do as they are told.


They just are not interested in conventional tickets any more.
I mean, why couldn't they sell a multi-journey ticket, that is clipped on each journey?
No .. they don't care about the convenience of the poor .. just those with credit cards.

I'm rejecting a lot of the brave new world. Found out from my wife the other day that if a train is cancelled you can't necessarily get on the next one any more. The cancelled one was Virgin but the next is Avanti? Can't get on it. Wtf?

Parked on a car park? Got the app for paying?

The last gig I went to was a complete nightmare. The icing on the cake was a QR code to get back on the car park....

Perish the thought the download doesn't work or the website is playing up or it's going to the same destination but the train's the wrong colour for the money you've paid out.... could we please renationalise...?

Rant over... for now...

 

[Secret Chief]

All the Train Operating Companies were under pressure from the DfT to close ticket offices cut jobs, and push all ticket purchases online; but they lost that battle thanks to the excellent work of various Rail User Groups, blind and disabled lobbies, and the RMT. And now we have a new government committed to bringing the railways into public ownership. So the brave new world may not be as dystopian as you think.

Public ownership of basic national utilities? The horror... where will it end... socialist lefty communist fascist anti-freedom supression of individual choice bollards bollards bollards...