Electric car poll

Hi Everyone,

I am interested to know the reason for poor EV sales in Ireland and it would be great if as many people as possible could participate.

The question is,

If you would not choose an electric car as your next car then please select the main reason why not or choose option "i'm considering EV for my next car" if you intend to buy an EV.

Thanks everyone.


1 not interested.

2 uncertainty about public charger costs

3 range

4 battery life

5 resale value

6 recharge times

7 I'm happy to stick with petrol/Diesel.

8 I'm considering EV for my next Car.

Cookie_Monster

1,3,4,5,6 & 7

and they all look terrible as well.

650Ginge

2 uncertainty about public charger costs

Call me Al

2&3

Atlantic Dawn

9 Price - I'm generally not going to spend the money the cheapest used EV currently costs on a used car.

Poll now posted.

shietpilot

1,3,4,5,6,7

The interior of a Nissan Leaf looks hideous. Absolutely horrible for a new car.

Select an option folks please, poll is now posted.

emo72

the feckin cost of buying one. why in the name of jaysus is that not an option?

emo72

emo72 wrote: »

the feckin cost of buying one. why in the name of jaysus is that not an option?

It's not an option because they , i.e Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe can be bought for similar cost of petrol/diesel of the equivalent size and class.

Then there's the BMW I3, which is a different class.

The VW E-Golf is over priced.

noel100

I have a Renault Fluence Ze... I love the car only thing is I would like is more range.

TrailerBob

Range selected, I know i'm a relative minority but I have to consider that an EV can't currently replace my 4x4. I don't know if electric motors can ever replace the easily controlled, low speed torque of a big diesel, and battery life would be woeful for towing. I genuinely think, that with current technology, affordable electric cars will be limited to urban commuter use (Teslas are not affordable). Having said that if I was working 10 miles from home, and only needed a car, then i would consider EV

biko

I like petrol but would consider electric if I got a bargain.

Cookie_Monster

Deleted User wrote: »

Select an option folks please, poll is now posted.

needs to be multiple choice rather than just one.

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

needs to be multiple choice rather than just one.

No I specifically chose not to have multiple options because I am trying to get a picture of the actual main reason people wouldn't choose an EV.

TrailerBob

TrailerBob wrote: »

Range selected, I know i'm a relative minority but I have to consider that an EV can't currently replace my 4x4. I don't know if electric motors can ever replace the easily controlled, low speed torque of a big diesel, and battery life would be woeful for towing. I genuinely think, that with current technology, affordable electric cars will be limited to urban commuter use (Teslas are not affordable). Having said that if I was working 10 miles from home, and only needed a car, then i would consider EV

300 - 340 and possibly 360 with gentler driving coming 2018, 1.5 years time.

That's a lot of range from your own home charge point at 8 cent per Kwh if you got 60 Kwh of storage would cost 5.28 Euro on night rate electricity.

TrailerBob

Deleted User wrote: »

300 - 340 and possibly 360 with gentler driving coming 2018, 1.5 years time.

That's a lot of range from your own home charge point at 8 cent per Kwh if you got 60 Kwh of storage would cost 5.28 Euro on night rate electricity.

That's fair enough, and decent range. Still won't pull a 16ft Ifor Williams with a couple of ton on board across a field, so not for me!! (As I said, minority) Maybe some day when i face a Mad Max style fight for Diesel to keep it on the road, they will have an EV that can do that

Electrics have much more muscle than a Diesel and instantly available torque and the torque is available for much longer, the Tesla has a 4x4 option.

Electrics have the power, think of Diesel trains, they are electric motors that drive the wheels.

The problem is stress on the battery. Although I wouldn't have thought the Model S would have much issue with 760 HP and 730 lbs of torque, would pull an truck with trailer at that rate.

I'm sure they could limit the power to something like 200 HP and 300 lbs torque to reduce stress ?

wotswattage

Strictly speaking about my next car it has to be Not Interested, but I'm 100% going to have one within the next 8-10 years.

TrailerBob

Deleted User wrote: »

Electrics have much more muscle than a Diesel and instantly available torque and the torque is available for much longer, the Tesla has a 4x4 option.

Electrics have the power, think of Diesel trains, they are electric motors that drive the wheels.

The problem is stress on the battery. Although I wouldn't have thought the Model S would have much issue with 760 HP and 730 lbs of torque, would pull an truck with trailer at that rate.

I'm sure they could limit the power to something like 200 HP and 300 lbs torque to reduce stress ?

I don't doubt its technically possible in years to come, but its the current battery tech thats the problem. You need to pay Tesla money to get that capacity, but how it would fare with the additional load is as yet untested.
It's unlikely to ever happen though, as the market is too small for one, (I'm talking real 4x4, not soft roader haldex clutch nonsense) and the need to use these vehicles in remote environments keeps it from becoming a reality for now.

I'm not trying to be an electric buzzkill (:pac:) at all, more pointing out the reality for a certain motoring category

heroics

I selected happy to stay diesel for the moment. Mainly range and how to charge it. Easy if you have a driveway but not so easy if you park on the street. I do about 35k a year so using public chargers is a no go.

I could be tempted by the new BMW hybrids though like the 330e but cant see myself going full electric for a long time if even.
I also don't like the look of any of the mainstream all electric vehicles. Maybe the tesla model s but still not mad about it could just be the performance of the P90D ludicrous mode that is persuading me .

Cookie_Monster

Deleted User wrote: »

No I specifically chose not to have multiple options because I am trying to get a picture of the actual main reason people wouldn't choose an EV.

in that case option 1 because of the others.

When they:
look like normal cars, ie something nice, not bottom of the barrel average junk.
can do 800km+ on a charge
can charge in under 5 mins
can deal with hills and towing without dramatically reducing the range
have batteries that will last the same 15-20 years that the car will or not have a huge replacement cost

I might think about one.

Even the Leaf, for 104 HP isn't short on performance given the weight.

I hope the Gen II in 2018 has more power though,

The GM Bolt / Opel Ampera-E will have 200 HP and 300-350 odd kms as standard, the Leaf may have multiple battery options to keep costs down. It's unlikely Opel Ireland is going to import it, it goes into production next year before Leaf II. I do hope they do though, 200 HP in EV is nothing to laugh about.

The ESB are looking into charging availability for apartment owners etc and people that only have street parking.

I'd imagine that eventually people will have the option to go to a super type charger and top up in 10 mins for the week, "eventually"

Cookie_Monster

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

in that case option 1 because of the others.

When they:
look like normal cars, ie something nice, not bottom of the barrel average junk.
can do 800km+ on a charge
can charge in under 5 mins
can deal with hills and towing without dramatically reducing the range
have batteries that will last the same 15-20 years that the car will or not have a huge replacement cost

I might think about one.

I don't think batter life will be an issue from next year with the arrival of the GM Bolt/ Ampera-E, it's battery will be large enough that they won't be under nearly the same stress as a Leaf battery for instance and won't be cycled so much by charging it so often either that will help a lot. And even if that battery degrades 10% in 5+ years it will still have enough range.

The current gen Leaf battery from 2014+ is holding up pretty well compared to the 2011-2013.

The E-Golf looks the same as normal but it's over priced and too tiny in my opinion.

There needs to be more choice in vehicles.

Nissan's entire fleet will have an EV option from 2020.

The BMW 3 series will have an EV option with 450-500 km range in 2018/19 with a 90 Kwh battery which will be excellent. The cost will probably be prohibitive.

CorkMan_

Range for me is the biggest issue, then looks and space in the car as I use my car for a lot of stuff. I do a lot of long drives and do not want to be stuck in a services waiting on the car to charge. I regularly go to Sligo, West Cork, Galway, Tipp etc. and back in a day. At the moment an electric car would not be of any use to me. Plus my wife is from East Lincolnshire so we'd need extra days just to drive to/from there!

jackofalltrades

Some options that your poll needs.

Because I can't afford one.
No electric option in the class of car that I buy.
No electric option from the brand that I usually buy.

Range would be the main issue for me at the moment.
I once drove a car that had the range of a modern electric car.
You had to constantly monitor the fuel gauge, I nearly ran out once at night.
I don't need that stress in my life again.

All I'm looking for at the moment is the absolute main reason. I know there are other issues.

Definitely there needs to me many more makes and models to choose from.

Manic Moran

I have a Passat diesel, mainly because it was the only large diesel I could afford last year. However, the latest guesses are that I may prove to be better off letting VW buy it back as opposed to getting it fixed and taking compensation money. My commute is about 30 miles each way, and predominantly freeway, so the diesel mileage I'm getting is quite cheap. My primary requirement for selection was the cost of commuting, and what I'm paying right now is very good indeed, even if it's a kindof meh car to drive. I've other cars for weekends etc.

However, I'll run the numbers when I finally get the offer. If it makes sense, I'll turn it back in and get something like a 2014 Tesla P85. They're running about $60k right now.

Dord

Ideal for me would be an EV family car and a classic for the weekends/myself.

I think the range is useable but could be better on some. The 3 might change that or cause other manufacturers to take a hard look at their own cars.

Ignoring all that Nissan just needs to make a Qashqai EV and half the county will be driving them. :P

testicles

This post has been deleted.

s14driftking

Nope cause most of my driving is long distance and no available places to charge.

RedorDead

Needs to be multiple choice option. Could be pretty much 5 or 6 of the first 7 options for me.

Also - Madlad are you out to learn why people dont want to drive an electric car or out to preach to them why they should by shooting down their valid reasons why they wont? I certainly cant make which you actually want to do here.

stesaurus

testicles wrote: »

Where's the EV cars are as bad for the environment as ICE, with no other benefits option?

In the tinfoil hat forum where it belongs!

stesaurus

RedorDead wrote: »

Needs to be multiple choice option. Could be pretty much 5 or 6 of the first 7 options for me.

Also - Madlad are you out to learn why people dont want to drive an electric car or out to preach to them why they should by shooting down their valid reasons why they wont? I certainly cant make which you actually want to do here.

We sent him over here from the EV forum to get a break!

Wibbs

OSI wrote: »

The logistics of it all is entirely unsuitable to someone that doesn't have a set and regular route that can guarantee they are always within range of an electric charge point. If you like to take varied and extended trips, a purely electric car makes that difficult. Last week I covered 1,000km across England and Wales, spent a few days camping in a field and another couple of days driving the mountains of Wales. Not once did I have concerns about range anxiety, and the one time I stopped to refill took a grand total of 3 minutes. Not possible with an Electric without a considerable amount of logistics planning, of the numerous service stations we stopped in only one had a charging point and it was out of order. I can imagine ringing every hotel in the Snowdonia area and asking if they'd mind me dragging an extension lead across their parking lot.

This. And most loo bloody awful and the ones that don't cost mad money and the tech isn't around long enough(when put together in a car) to know how long they will reliably last. And electric car evangelists. Like vegans on four wheels.

_Kaiser_

I do 1500 km a week of mainly motorway driving. I also like my big comfortable car. I also live in an apartment so overnight charging not an option.

Plus there's the cost of them and the models on sale currently aren't the most attractive. I think I'll be sticking with my diesels a while yet.

_Kaiser_

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I saw that in the UK one of the suppliers is upping the standard charge rate so its cheaper to run diesel now. Think a load of the Renault Zoe's went for sale on the day of the announcement.

The same would happen here if EVs took off in any serious numbers. Not a chance would it remain free/effectively free to recharge them at that point.

fancy pigeon

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

I do 1500 km a week of mainly motorway driving. I also like my big comfortable car. I also live in an apartment so overnight charging not an option.

Plus there's the cost of them and the models on sale currently aren't the most attractive. I think I'll be sticking with my diesels a while yet.

Another high miler here (:p) and my current situation does not allow me to facilitate an elec car.

Even if my mileage dropped I'd still keep my old reliable Merc and Z32. I would not invest in an elec car, they don't appeal to me

wotswattage

Over the past 18 months or so there has only been one occasion where I drove more than 300km in a single day. Generally it's far less than 100km so an ev would suit me well. Most of my journeys are <10km

Current issues are the price (my current car cost €4600 so I'm miles outside the price bracket) and that most current evs do absolutely nothing for me. Only teslas and some of the premium brands coming on stream would be of interest to me.

bmwguy

My reason is I tend to stick with older near luxobarge cars (525i at the moment) although I was tempted by 330e PHEV recently. But think I am going to stick to older big engines for a while. So probably initial outlay and not wanting to get a loan is the real reason. I don't do big mileage so depreciation far outweighs fuel costs for me. But I do see electric in my future now that you can get a merc/Audi as well as other brands doing electric options in mainstream models. No interest in the likes of a prius/leaf

dar83

Deleted User wrote: »

All I'm looking for at the moment is the absolute main reason. I know there are other issues.

There is no "main reason", as everyone will have their own idea/opinion on why they don't want one. You may find a trend of people who have mileage that's too high, or others that would never buy a new car so would put cost as the factor, but even then this reason won't be definitive as they wouldn't consider a new ICE car either, so where does that leave you?

Poll needs to be multiple choice as that's the only way you'll get any clear outcome of an overall most popular choice.

GustavoFring

Range gets me. For my weekly commute an EV would suit me no bother at all. The problem is I can be in the office and have to go to the other end of the country at the drop of a hat. Doesnt happen much anymore thankfully but all I need to do is keep an overnight bag in the boot at the moment. Having to sit down and plan the journey out when you're against the clock is a right pain in the backside if you're going somewhere that you're not overly familiar with.

Next is looks - a Zoe, fluence, leaf all look a little odd. My car isn't an oil painting but it's not got the oddness.

Del2005

No option for want one but can't. My commute and most journeys are ideal for EV but since I live in an apartment I can't have one. For my occasional long run I can take the bike or hire something, if I know that charging won't be an option.

stesaurus

Del2005 wrote: »

No option for want one but can't. My commute and most journeys are ideal for EV but since I live in an apartment I can't have one. For my occasional long run I can take the bike or hire something, if I know that charging won't be an option.

There's at least one user here who has a chargepoint in his underground apartment. Might be a pain in the ass to get it done but it is 'possible'

AMKC

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

1,3,4,5,6 & 7

and they all look terrible as well.

Really? Have you seen the new Hyundai Ioniq not a bad looking car at all. It should be on sale soon too. The Renault Zoe is a good looking car too. If you want something a bit more boring and ordinary there is the VW e-Golf. Then there is the Tesla,s and the BMW 18 all stunning looking cars. Ok maybe them last few are out of the budget of the ordinary person but a person can dream.

Oafley Jones

dar83 wrote: »

There is no "main reason", as everyone will have their own idea/opinion on why they don't want one. You may find a trend of people who have mileage that's too high, or others that would never buy a new car so would put cost as the factor, but even then this reason won't be definitive as they wouldn't consider a new ICE car either, so where does that leave you?

Poll needs to be multiple choice as that's the only way you'll get any clear outcome of an overall most popular choice.

The poll is absolutely pointless and just fails at the most basic of levels. There's little point looking for a single point of information when the other options may represent almost as much of a turn off. I'd select recharge times, but there's other deal breakers in there.

Del2005

s.welstead wrote: »

There's at least one user here who has a chargepoint in his underground apartment. Might be a pain in the ass to get it done but it is 'possible'

Unassigned parking in my complex. So even if I got a charger installed other people could park there.

stesaurus

Del2005 wrote: »

Unassigned parking in my complex. So even if I got a charger installed other people could park there.

Oh that's frustrating, real short-sightedness when it comes to planning regulations in this country.
If you outlined a specific proposal to the management company would they be willing to at least discuss and consider having assigned spaces for instances like this? You could then put in your own security bar or signage to prevent others parking there.

Sounds a pain though

soups05

where to begin? its been a while since i checked out the electric range but last time i did the problems were as follows:

range too short, cost to purchase equal to normal car, running cost of charging and renting batteries would work out more expensive for me than costs of a normal car considering fuel costs at the moment.

now i am sure other will throw in facts like depreciation, maintenance, ins cost etc and i will be honest in saying i gave up before checking every single variable. but if i'm honest i see no point changing from a proven technology (diesel) to a equal or more expensive technology which has little support and too many limitations.

Plopli

I'm definitely considering one for the next car.
Wife commute is ~ 90km round trip and they have charger close to where she works.

Only reason to not get one is returning to the continent to see the family for the holidays (with the dog) but at some point it get cheaper to rent a larger car for that.

robtri

choice is so low....
range is crap
generally ugly looking cars.. lets be honest the leaf is up there with the fiat Diablo (first gen)
refueling times are a pain
they are not anyway green (electricity in this country is just as bad as modern diesels)
they suck the fun out of driving.... while driving u are constantly watching the way you drive to maximise range
not anywhere near enough chargers
the savings are not enough to make it worth it
people who currently drive them are generally pretentious and annoying, they always seem to think they are so green and take any opportunity to bring it up in conversation

Besides a small annual saving, the question should be why in gods name would I want one!