REx thread

ELM327 · 26-01-2021 11:51AM

It would be so much easier if we didnt bother with this battery faff at all and just run the rex all the time, eh mad lad

26-01-2021 11:53PM

ELM327 wrote: »

It would be so much easier if we didnt bother with this battery faff at all and just run the rex all the time, eh mad lad

As more time goes by it gets more annoying how far we are away from having an adequate network of chargers, the Rex offers 100% freedom from the public charging network and what's wrong with that ? freedom from the extended cold battery charge times, freedom from broken chargers and queues.

Some day in the near or far future I'll have no choice but to buy whatever is the best EV I can get and suffer the charging network but I may just end up taking the diesel because as it stands today, 10 years after the release of the Leaf the public network is still crap and charge times still too long.

ELM327 · 27-01-2021 11:00AM

I agree with you re the network.
But if you buy a 85-90-100+ kWh EV then you dont need the network much if at all.

27-01-2021 11:12AM

ELM327 wrote: »

I agree with you re the network.
But if you buy a 85-90-100+ kWh EV then you dont need the network much if at all.

I don't need it much at all as it is but only if I were to go on much longer drives and stay away from home like countless others but this is the issue, if I'm staying in the West like we usually do in normal times then the network is completely and utterly inadequate and slow, 50 Kw max chargers simply isn't good enough.

Now imagine all the People with no home charging ? this is why Rex is really the best solution for most People right now, including me, having to take the 2nd car proves both the EV and network are both still inadequate. Suitable for most of my driving isn't good enough but I do accept if I change the i3 that I will just have to make do with taking the Diesel, not the end of the world but still it's sad that since 2011 we're at this point.

AndyBoBandy · 27-01-2021 11:14AM

Deleted User wrote: »

this is why Rex is really the best solution for most People right now

most people that stay in the West?

27-01-2021 11:20AM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

most people that stay in the West?

Most People who want a car to give them the freedom that an ICE provides while at the same time offering substantial reductions in running costs and that is the majority of People.

ELM327 · 27-01-2021 11:29AM

I can't say I have the same problems. My car has the same freedoms an Ice provides.

optimal · 27-01-2021 11:36AM

ELM327 wrote: »

I agree with you re the network.
But if you buy a 85-90-100+ kWh EV then you dont need the network much if at all.

Maybe buy a battery size that will do the vast majority of your driving with home charging.
Eventually we will reach an equilibrium between battery sizes / efficiency, public charging infrastructure and the local distribution infrastructure.

As more people charge at home, the pressure will rise on local distribution leading ESB to figure out are they better to upgrade local infrastructure or invest in the network.

Factor in efficiency improvements (see https://www.arrow.com/en/research-and-events/articles/automotive-electronics-and-car-fuel-efficiency-history for what happened to ICEs), a push to micro-generation, improved public transport, driving automation and transport as a service (Uber style) and I can see why investors (including Government) might be a little iffy about investing in the infrastructure.

We just have to face that we are living in that transitionary period from fossil fuel to electric / hydrogen and that people will have to adjust, think, plan and be creative.
Rex, fossil fuel, hybrid, infrastructure..., I think there is no one right answer right now.

ELM327 · 27-01-2021 11:39AM

Let's get one thing clear, there's no hydrogen.

redcup342 · 27-01-2021 11:47AM

Deleted User wrote: »

As more time goes by it gets more annoying how far we are away from having an adequate network of chargers, the Rex offers 100% freedom from the public charging network and what's wrong with that ? freedom from the extended cold battery charge times, freedom from broken chargers and queues.

Some day in the near or far future I'll have no choice but to buy whatever is the best EV I can get and suffer the charging network but I may just end up taking the diesel because as it stands today, 10 years after the release of the Leaf the public network is still crap and charge times still too long.

More AC Points would solve that, it's a shame there is a DC only strategy.
More places to plug in means less time waiting to charge up.

liamog · 27-01-2021 12:01PM

Mod Note: I've moved the discussion re REX from the eCars Expansion topic into this thread as it's not related to eCars, can we also avoid bringing this off topic and into an AC/DC debate

27-01-2021 12:03PM

ELM327 wrote: »

I can't say I have the same problems. My car has the same freedoms an Ice provides.

Same freedom as ICE my ass, you choose to put up with public charging the majority of the public are not willing to do this.

ICE fill up time 5 mins or less another 5 mins to pay or less. That's a lot more freedom than any EV currently provides, and there's no increased filling time either due to a cold tank lol.

redcup342 wrote: »

More AC Points would solve that, it's a shame there is a DC only strategy.
More places to plug in means less time waiting to charge up.

More AC would help but it's going to be hard to convince management companies to install loads and loads of charge points and the residents who don't own any car at all are not going to want to pay increased management fees for EV drivers to have the ability to charge. Then there's the company who will sort all the billing, this won't be free either.

liamog · 27-01-2021 12:07PM

What does spread of I3's look like here in terms of with/without the REX?
I have the impression that the market is more than willing to put up without it.

ELM327 · 27-01-2021 12:11PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Same freedom as ICE my ass, you choose to put up with public charging the majority of the public are not willing to do this.

ICE fill up time 5 mins or less another 5 mins to pay or less. That's a lot more freedom than any EV currently provides, and there's no increased filling time either due to a cold tank lol.

I have no Rex if thats what you mean?
But I dont need it. Even in these cold days I have 250-300km motorway range. We had 2 long trips this year so far, one for childcare (500km - charged once in Kells at 150kW HPC) and one for medical reasons post surgery (700km, charged twice at Tesla superchargers).

Outside of those once in a blue moon trip, I don't need the public network. Why would I pay to have a rex in my car that is not needed. Extra weight and more inefficiency.

Rex was a great transition tech, one ahead of real PHEVs and one behind a full BEV. But the solution is here now, more range and better charging.

Deleted User wrote: »

More AC would help but it's going to be hard to convince management companies to install loads and loads of charge points and the residents who don't own any car at all are not going to want to pay increased management fees for EV drivers to have the ability to charge. Then there's the company who will sort all the billing, this won't be free either.

I have a "home" charger installed in my apartment complex, given the OK by management company. I know of others that are the same.
But that's for those that can home charge.
If you have AC everywhere in public (paid for of course, free is not realistic) then home charging is not as essential as it is now.

redcup342 · 27-01-2021 12:17PM

Deleted User wrote: »

More AC would help but it's going to be hard to convince management companies to install loads and loads of charge points and the residents who don't own any car at all are not going to want to pay increased management fees for EV drivers to have the ability to charge. Then there's the company who will sort all the billing, this won't be free either.

Sounds like a problem where there isn't a problem.
The Provider take care of the Installation and maintenence of EVSE

Miscreant · 27-01-2021 12:43PM

I can certainly see the advantage of a REx from a long distance point of view. I would be of the same opinion as Mad_Lad here as I am making a twice monthly trip to the West of Ireland and would rather not have to rely on the public infrastructure for this or a granny lead at the other end if I need to make a sharp exit home again.

Other than the i3 and at one point the Opel/Chevy models, there has really not been much choice in relation to REx vehicles. I believe Mazda are coming out with a rotary powered one soon enough for the MX30 so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

For the moment, and in the absence of a REx I would be interested in purchasing (second hand of course), I have gone for a PHEV that I think will be sufficient for my family for the next 3 years or so.

I do see the advantage to having a REx onboard though as it is the perfect thing to keep you moving when you are running low on battery power. Running at a constant RPM is going to aid in the efficiency of the engine and you can top it up in seconds.

AndyBoBandy · 27-01-2021 12:56PM

What is the EV range in the Rex?

And what is the petrol tank capacity?

And how much additional range will it give the car?

so full battery & rex tank, what's the maximum range without charging or filling up?

DrPhilG · 27-01-2021 01:19PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What is the EV range in the Rex?

And what is the petrol tank capacity?

And how much additional range will it give the car?

so full battery & rex tank, what's the maximum range without charging or filling up?

EV range depends whether its the 60ah or the 94ah. I have the 94ah and I get anywhere from 145 to 180km before the REx kicks in at 6.5%.

Petrol capacity is 9L I believe.

Again dependant on the usual range factors. Anything from 70-125km extra charge.

Max range for me and my lead foot in the summer, 300km. A more sedate driver could easily get 370+.

27-01-2021 01:51PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What is the EV range in the Rex?

And what is the petrol tank capacity?

And how much additional range will it give the car?

so full battery & rex tank, what's the maximum range without charging or filling up?

I drive the 94 Ah, Rex was removed from the 120 Ah, BMW said that the Rex has enough range so it wasn't necessary but when I plug in at a fast charger and see only 22 Kw due to a cold battery I'm highly glad I have the Rex, obviously the BMW engineers don't drive the i3 or they wouldn't say charging at 22 Kw justifies removing the Rex

But BMW removed it for other reasons I won't get into now.

I get around 130 Kms with a heavy foot, you can't use the last 6.5% but in a BEV you'd normally be plugged in at no less than 20-30%. The 6.5% is used as a buffer to ensure the Motor has plenty of power for the Motorway, Hills etc. The idea is to use the Rex on the Motorway and keep the Battery for slower roads and City/Town driving and if the battery is cold you can fire up the Rex drive and by the time you get to the next charger the battery should be plenty warm for max charge power.

Petrol tank capacity is 8 Litres but you'll squeeze in a litre maybe 2 more good enough for 80-130 more kms depending on speed, you might even get more on petrol, but you can fill up in 8 seconds and drive off again.

There's no reason a Rex can't run on bio fuel or Hydrogen and burn it directly meaning no need for a Fuel cell.

27-01-2021 01:53PM

DrPhilG wrote: »

EV range depends whether its the 60ah or the 94ah. I have the 94ah and I get anywhere from 145 to 180km before the REx kicks in at 6.5%.

Petrol capacity is 9L I believe.

Again dependant on the usual range factors. Anything from 70-125km extra charge.

Max range for me and my lead foot in the summer, 300km. A more sedate driver could easily get 370+.

lol you're a more "sedate" driver than I am lol. Though I can make my 140 Km commute in bad cold weather if I drive 100-110 Km/Hr more in Summer. In Summer I'll get around 170 Kms at that speed.

I've got 220 Kms and still had I think if I remember correctly 20% left but that was off the motorway on slower country roads in the Summer.

Alkers · 27-01-2021 01:55PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

What is the EV range in the Rex?

And what is the petrol tank capacity?

And how much additional range will it give the car?

so full battery & rex tank, what's the maximum range without charging or filling up?

Is this thread just for the BMW i3?

The Ampera is a similar style of car, can be got much cheaper than a new EV and covers your AVERAGE daily mileage on EV and then have the range extender for longer trips.

Petrol tank - 35l
Range - 500km from petrol (+ 50km battery)

27-01-2021 01:58PM

Alkers wrote: »

Is this thread just for the BMW i3?

No but I suppose it's more of interest because it's the only PHEV in the world that has the longest EV range and has absolutely no mechanical connectivity to the wheels.

It's a shame the Ampera was never sold in Ireland.

liamog · 27-01-2021 01:59PM

Mostly it's a thread to stop Mad_Lad derailing every conversation with how the REX solves whatever the problem the thread happens to be about

, but yes general discussion of range extenders in other cars, or as an overall concept!

Alkers · 27-01-2021 02:07PM

It's all down to each person's needs.

For us the Ampera is perfect as it covers the OH's commute without using any petrol and we have the capacity to go on a long drive if we need.

If we wanted to have a pure EV to cover all our needs, we'd need to spend a lot of money to get one with a decent motorway range, that we wouldn't use too frequently. It's more like have a crappy range EV and a standard petrol hybrid.

The i3 would be suited to people who more-regularly do longer drives, has fast-charging capability etc but it only makes sense if you will regularly use all or most of the battery capacity.

REx thread

Comments