Electric Vehicles (EV) Thread

[Dannie Boy]

Back to the EV issue, the “problem” with having a powerful EV that can hit 0-100 kph in about 4 seconds is that they tend to be “relatively cheap” whereas in the past, an ICE car with that sort of performance was “relatively expensive”, so now more people will be able to afford performance vehicles.

[buksida]

Hmmm, you never had a GTi in the 90s then ... good acceleration has never been a "problem" for me, its pretty much a necessity on Thailand's loony roads!

[STEVE G]

Off Topic somewhat But I'd also love to know the safety of EV's vs ICE's with breaking down a steep hill for example. I can control all through both the actual breaks and the gearbox - EV's rely on "Regenerative Breaking" (which in turn generates further power)..... But to be honest I still have an issue with.

I've been up and over the road past Hin Lek Fai lookout a couple of times in my Atto 3 and it was no problem at all, you just lift your right foot and the car slows down.
At the moment we have a petrol car, an electric car and a diesel pickup and the EV is by far the easiest for driving around Hua Hin and the local area and it's also the safest with all the technology it has.
One thing that is handy is you can put the rear camera onto the central screen which gives you large rear view mirror with no blind spots so you know when motorbikes are coming around you in town.

[Dannie Boy]

Hmmm, you never had a GTi in the 90s then ... good acceleration has never been a "problem" for me, its pretty much a necessity on Thailand's loony roads!

Obviously depends on the exact model, but as an example this one was something of a snail with a 0-60 time of more than 10 seconds https://www.encycarpedia.com/volkswagen ... -gti-hatch

[buksida]

Anything over 10 secs isnt a "GTi". Back to topic, one thing I have noticed is that EV drivers are pretty slow despite all that extra power. Maybe they're worried about the battery!

[Dannie Boy]

It was mentioned a few posts up that using the full performance of an EV does drain the battery quite quickly although I guess that having a heavy right foot does similar in an ICE vehicle - the difference is that when your tank is empty it’s a 4-5 minute fill up, whereas an EV could be anything between 30-60+ minutes!!

[STEVE G]

I was reading recently that in a European survey, 85% percent of over 65 year olds were opposed to EVs but only 20% of under 30s.
Such a large difference has got to be beyond any logical reason, boomers just seem to have a reluctance for any change.
It's also suggestive of where the future is going to go.

[Dannie Boy]

The future is completely predictable with the majority of governments bringing in the guillotine on ICE sales after 2035

[KhunLA]

OK, you're completely biased against, others very much biased for. Personally, I'm still for hybrids at the moment, but only based on the UK. We all have our own opinion, but there are still some questions to be answered with regards to EV's for me - like the one regarding breaking (above) for example.

I rarely use my brakes. Regen slows me down with no problem. Almost like 'one foot' driving.

When over at Nan, on a hilly, windy road, regen works so good, for a stretch of road, I was adding more energy back than using.

If I leave the cruise control on, it almost drives itself. In congested traffic, it will pace with traffic in front of you, and come to a complete stop by itself. No need to touch the brakes. Need to tap the accelerator to get moving again, and why it 'almost' drives itself.

I can't imagine we'll need to replace the brakes for a really long time.

And to the anti BEV fella, I've yet to get in & out of any petrol station in 4-5 mins, with our ICEV. More like 10-15 mins. At home it takes all of 30 seconds to plug in and out. So add all those 10 mins a week up, that's a few hours every year at the petrol station to top up.

AND, since we charge with 'excess' solar ... it's FREE. That saves over 50k baht every 20k kms driven locally. We put 20k on the 1st year havingo (Nov 2022-2023), and just passed 40k about a month ago. We'll probably be near 50+k kms come Nov 2025.

[Lost]

I find it funny watching these electric cars beat supercars in a sprint such is the instant torque. I'm sure if cornering came into (and longer straights of course) the supercars would wash the floor with them? Or would the low center of gravity of electric cars give them a fighting chance? (Edit: I'm not a car guy so all of what I just said might be absolute waffle )

[pharvey]

I find it funny watching these electric cars beat supercars in a sprint such is the instant torque. I'm sure if cornering came into (and longer straights of course) the supercars would wash the floor with them? Or would the low center of gravity of electric cars give them a fighting chance? (Edit: I'm not a car guy so all of what I just said might be absolute waffle )

Ahh, but the sound and feel of a 5.2ltr V10!!

With regards to cornering, it's a pretty moot question regarding ICE "Supercars" - their ground clearance is that low, I'm not too sure where you can actually drive the feckin' things (Potholes, Sleeping Policemen etc. etc...). I test drove a top of the range "Long Range" (then 2020'ish) Tesla Model S which had ridiculous acceleration (a smidgeon under 4 secs 0-60mph). The cornering of the car was incredible quite frankly, though it is itself a Saloon and low profile (not extreme). It is similar in "Power" and performance to the ICE "Supercars".

This raises questions and huge differences in attitudes with suppliers/manufacturers and customers though. The likes of Porsche, Mercedes (AMG/Brabus) and Ferrari insist on training clients in the handling of their cars due to the immense power and performance - I've certainly not seen the same with the likes of Tesla - the latest (Extreme) Model S will apparently do 0-60mph in around 2 seconds - a blink of an eye and utter stupidity to allow/insure any feckwit to drive on the public roads without suitable training IMHO.

Also, related to my previous comments regarding "Minivans" - they simply aren't designed for extreme performance and cornering!!

[Lost]

the latest (Extreme) Model S will apparently do 0-60mph in around 2 seconds - a blink of an eye and utter stupidity to allow/insure any feckwit to drive on the public roads without suitable training IMHO.

Begs the question... what the hell will the new Tesla Roadster do when it comes on sale!

Elon isn't a fan of humans driving though. He wants the computers to do it. Says humans have too many variables to be safe on the roads.

[pharvey]

Elon isn't a fan of humans driving though. He wants the computers to do it. Says humans have too many variables to be safe on the roads.

I refused to use the whole "FSD" (Full Self Driving Mode) when test driving EVs... I've driven multiple ICE vehicles in numerous countries, both Auto and Manual gearboxes with performances ranging from crap to incredible. Truly limited experience with EV's, but there's no way I'm allowing a computer/car/company/country (China ) to control things when I'm on the road. That said, could be great if the Muppets on Thailand's (and others) roads were controlled!!

[Lost]

Elon isn't a fan of humans driving though. He wants the computers to do it. Says humans have too many variables to be safe on the roads.

I refused to use the whole "FSD" (Full Self Driving Mode) when test driving EVs... I've driven multiple ICE vehicles in numerous countries, both Auto and Manual gearboxes with performances ranging from crap to incredible. Truly limited experience with EV's, but there's no way I'm allowing a computer/car/company/country (China ) to control things when I'm on the road. That said, could be great if the Muppets on Thailand's (and others) roads were controlled!!

It's absolutely guaranteed mind that, at some point over the next century, give-or-take, all cars on the road will fully-automated. We'll look back on humans driving cars like... I dunno... folk using an abacus to do maths.

[pharvey]

I dunno... folk using an abacus to do maths.

Can you use one, or a Slide Rule for example? I guess this is why I'm a tad against "Total EV's"... People need to understand the "Basics" - the reliance on "Modern Technology" is ludicrous... Sorry, another subject.