Discounts available on BEVs

[GarethC]

So we're saying that, as Bjorn's test proves, IF you have a good charging network, you can get away with significantly smaller batteries/ranges without much time penalty.

At least, once policy or whatever is sorted out, this is a problem which can be fixed -relatively- easily. There are no major technical challenges. I suspect it's probably going to remain a mess for the next 2-3 years, but by then what's needed will be clear and a rapid roll out of fast charging points will ensue. I think things will be a lot better in 5 years and 'solved' in less than 10, with rapid charging available almost everywhere.

Looking out to that horizon, the way things are going peak charging rates will probably be 250kW-500kW as standard, as the very latest EVs already achieve. 15 minute stops would suffice to add 200 miles of range (or whatever). At that point I suppose EVs with smaller batteries could be very popular as the extra cost and weight of the larger batteries just wouldn't be worth it.

[Mart]

However, you don't need a 500 mile BEV, what you need is a Tesla. Their supercharger network is incredible, reliable and simple. It's probably a major reason behind the Hertz purchase in the US, since renting out any other make/model would be a nightmare, as their charging infrastructure shares similar issues to the UK.

I did rant a bit there it was not a pleasant experience and I’ve been electric since 2017. As I drove down I did notice the Tesla chargers were very well spaced out on zap map and did experience a pang of jealousy. They did get the right idea by investing heavily I do hear they are maybe being opened up to non-Tesla owners but as uptake increases even they may run into problems until numbers are increased again.

I have tried the long journey twice now. Once in a 30kWh leaf in 2018 and again in the 48kWh Mg5 more recently. What struck me was how the network had hardly improved in the intervening period. Leaving it to the individual companies is not working. I’m not sure is wrong with the chargers. I went to a park and ride with 10 or so bp pulse chargers and it took me 4 attempts to get a working charger. I was spitting by then. Reliability seems to be a big issue.

Actually I think you have the right to a rant. We had an absolute nightmare with the Leaf (ironically when we drove to Bristol to test drive a Tesla), planned chargers were broken or wouldn't accept our credit/debit cards, our fall back chargers on the motorway were all off, so Wifey didn't enjoy the test drive as she spent it trying to find a charger for the Leaf, and we ended up scouting out a 50kW charger at Aldi, but that was actually a great way to see how the Tesla operated in city driving.

More bragging (that can easily come over as 'fanbio', but it's simply recognising something done well) but Tesla expanded their supercharger network 50% over the last year, that includes new locations or increased charger numbers, and are now building pre built chargers, a long strip with multiple chargers attached, that can be carried by lorries to new locations. Also, on top of the 50% net increase in total chargers, almost every new one is now a V3 250kW unit*, so the 50% increase might not reflect the actual increased throughput capacity.

*I'm so boring, I watch the 'new supercharger' section each week on Tesla Time News, and have noticed that non V3's only seem to go into locations were they make sense, such as Israel or Hong Kong.

Again, whilst I think Tesla showed massive forethought, I don't think they are doing anything that the other companies can't do, and it does upset me when I see people justifiably 'slagging off' the charger networks, and the hassles that brings to non-Tesla BEV drivers. Wifey and I were discussing this recently, and how we approach chatting/recommending BEV's to people we chat too - there's an almost schizophrenic approach, where we would recommend a Tesla to anyone asking about a Tesla, but would be far less positive to anyone contemplating another brand BUT planning to do lots of longer distance travel.

It upsets me that the negativity about charging will undermine somewhat a BEV rollout, but upsets me even more that the negativity is deserved, and 'rants' like yours are valid and reasonable ...... when they shouldn't be, IYSWIM.