Random EV thoughts.....

IIRC it's slightly shorter but slightly wider than the Transporter. It can look smaller because the wheels are pushed right to the ends of the vehicle

Yes they are quite small, quite a lot of interior space though. They use the interior a lot better than the likes of a caravelle does. If it was to be your only car - or you're getting a van one for business - then it may make sense.

We went to look at one before settling on the funky cat as our intended second EV. The cost of the ID Buzz is now 10k more than a performance Y and its simply not worth that. It's a fun quirky novelty car, with retro styling. As is the Cat!

I'm in wexford but I'm in and out of Dublin, meath, kildare on a regular basis and occasionally up and down to NI. There is literally no stress on my route. I actually have my choice of charging - Ionity Gorey, Tesla Sandyford, AG Coynes Cross, Ionity Kill, and if heading up north, Castlebellingham and Belfast Tesla.

Even if I were not in a Tesla, the combination of Applegreen and Ionity has pretty much covered the country (or at least the routes I travel). I don't buy the argument that the charging network isnt adequate. it's not ideal for sure, and I've been in some ladestau at Ionity for under 3 minutes, but for the day to day driving up to 250-300km I don't need to charge anyway so I don't get the need for a phev.

That is a super site! I can see much if the day being lost there now. Interesting that the dimensions aren't all that different but yet the visual impact made it look much smaller. I'm guessing the black colour didn't help along with the more rounded corners.

The Rav4 PHEV has a decent battery (18kw) and reports are that it gets close to its advertised range on electric mode only of 70+km.

The new Mitsubish Outlander PHEV (based on the Nissan X-trail platform) also has a similar size battery. But alas Mitso are not suppling this to Europe which is a pity, as it is available as a 7 seater.

Whilst they are not mainstream and I agree with the notion that arent that green, they do suit certain needs especially if travelling distances, but it is almost probably bordering on a niche market.

Biggest drawback with me going full EVs with both cars at the moment is towing capability. Towing a 1500+kg van any distance with kids is not practical at the moment with EV.

Forget trying to charge whilst still hooked up and even if you can get to where you want without charging, chances are you will need to hunt down a charging station upon arrival. Im sure it can be done, but would take planning and extra time, which can be limited if you are only away for 3 days. Not exactly convenient if you out in the far west of this country. PHEVs are the best compromise available at the moment.

If I wanted a decent phEV for towing I'd like something like the mercedes 350de, diesel engine with 30kWh battery and CCS charging. Or the new BMW X5 50e with nearly 30kWh too.

Laghy is donegal right? I think I actually charged there once in 2016, weird pull through garage setup near the picnic table.

Agree on Dublin, it's badly served for FCP use. But... for people commuting in and out of Dublin theres Coynes Cross (4HPC plugs), Ionity Kill (4HPC), Tesla Sandyford (4 Tesla only HPC), Kells (2 50kW plugs and 1 HPC), Kilcullen (1 50kW + 1 HPC) etc, there's lots of options on the trunk routes.

The north west in particular is badly served also. But if you're anywhere south, east, north east, or west of Westmeath, you have brilliant charging options.

John Deere's First All-Electric Riding Mower: Everything You Need to Know

https://www.gearpatrol.com/home/a42788969/john-deere-electric-riding-mower/

It's pretty interesting the difference between the US and here, seemingly in the US the main buyers of ride on mowers are homeowner's, whereas here it's probably mostly commercial operators

I wonder if that would count for Accelerated Capital Allowance like an EV or charging equipment, might be enough to swing some operators over

The article claims it can mow the same as the petrol version before needing a recharge, but a hot swappable battery would definitely be an ask for commercial use

It'd be nice as well if you could charge it on the trailer while being towed by an electric van

A bit silly really as an iCE is an ICE regardless of what fuel it burns and at best it would be no more than 30% efficient…

The point being red diesel is a fraction of the price of derv fuel for road use

I guess it depends on the price of the diesel and the price of home electricity.

I doubt it would pay based on Irish prices anyway and obviously its not environmentally friendly since its 100% fossil based whereas our grid is 30% renewable.

Did he give any figures? Unit prices in the UK are a lot higher than here, I don't know how much red diesel costs but our green diesel isn't cheap enough to justify it.

Its right up there with Nissan's e-power bollox.

I think i heard it advertised along the lines of "all the advantages of electric without the worry".

...all the advantages...except the ones that relate to the environment.

slight tangent, wilst people are arguing about how great solar panels are for cars.

Suppose I have an EV for commuting, and solar panels - what use are the solar panels for charging the car when I am at work (10, 20 or more kms away) ?

In the morning you get a bit of charge maybe, then youre gone from 7am or whenever, and back at 5 or 6pm when the sun is either completely gone or quite low in the sky.

You'd really need to shell out 1000s more on a domestic battery in order to harness the energy wouldnt you? On top of the 10s of thousands on an EV and 5 to 10 grand on solar panels ?

Might be easier to ask if you could work all night and sleep contently all day knowing the EV is charging free from the sun