2024 Irish EV Sales

I have read horror stories of ice car fuel destroying the ice engine within a few hundred metres of the station. So you wont buy ice either then?

Actually your stories don't really meet the genuine 'horror' definition that those ice owners suffered, more a collection of mild inconveniences and complaints you do not believe you have the capacity to deal with.

And don't forget the ice jeep that reversed into the petrol station shop in Headford in Galway disabling the tills, so no fuel available for the day.

Card machine wasn't working when I had already filled up with diesel at a station once, I had to call in on my return trip later that day with cash. Still suffer from the horrors over that one.

"Horror stories? Really?"

That's suggesting they don't exist for people.

They do, real and perceived.

And suggesting they don't won't win friends and influence people that's for sure.

I used to try talk people into EVs, it's a waste of everyone's time if they don't want them. Sales have stalled, only money will talk from now on.

There will have to be huge financial incentives to get mass adoption now.

Is that the only bit of my post you read? Because it sure seems like it. Doesn't help that you didn't quote the actual post where I said that.

Ah come on now, Ballina is a very small town. There is no difficulty finding somewhere to eat (or relieve yourself) within short walking distance from anywhere in the town. It has never been a town that receives much investment so not surprising that they are predominantly slower chargers. WAW does not receive much traction north of Galway (compared to the section south of Galway) and Westport is the primary gateway tourist town, not Ballina. Interestingly Mayo Co Co must have foreseen the drop in EV sales as their current draft LAP for Westport identifies only 2 additional charge stations within the town. Seriously. Given the possible tourist developments that may be coming to the town over the next few years this is a fairly miserable effort. That is not going to help the adoption of EVs at all.

If you're doing 350-400km 3 times a week you're looking at around 11 hours (10mins every 1000km) a year of refueling vs 12 hours a year of fast charging for a saving of 5k plus.

Not sure how much you make an hour but 5k an hour would be above the average industrial wage.

Kona would be the cheapest option that would be over 300km of range on the motorway, and probably available for 15k in 2years.

All for a reasonable debate as it's an interesting topic but you have to at least try be fair. What are you doing spending 10 minutes to fuel a car? Takes me 2ish minutes to fill up and pay if paying at pump otherwise an extra minute to go inside. Even when charging at home, if you add up the time it takes to unravel cable and plug it in/out, I'd argue it won't be much different timewise to an ICE.

I agree there will be savings at such mileage but it just leads to a lot of hassle and wasted time having to detour, plan and wait at public chargers which are not guaranteed to be working/free. Some of the public charging also ends up more expensive than travelling by ICE when at motorway speeds so this would slightly eat into the savings in addition to the hassle.

I think this needs to be said more. EVs are far more comfortable to drive than any ICE car I've ever had/driven. Its not even close. Its on a par with SD vs HD tv for me.

I'm going to fill up the petrol car today at the local self service filling station (card operated pumps) and time it. 🤣

Absolutely agree with you. Driving an EV longer term is a very relaxing experience with smooth effortless driving and also I believe a calming experience- you don't need to keep the revs up - you know you have extra instant power if you need it. That along with proven environmental benefits- less greenhouse gases and much improved air quality should provide the motivation for those who can afford to, to switch to electric. Unfortunately for the planet this is going to be a slow process until further nudges combine to reduce the "risk" of switching. Some of these nudges will be...............

• Introduction of faster charging batteries- say 10 minutes (20%/80%)
• Batteries with 30% extra energy density and 30 % lighter
• Less need of NMC batteries and more of LFP/LFMP/Sodium/Silicon/semi- solid electrolytes etc. etc.
• Cheaper batteries and manufacturing scale up leading to EVS pricing close to/ comparable to ICE cars
• Build out of uniform charging infrastructure throughout the country with strategically placed multi hub electric locations
• Targeted Govt intervention to accelerate EV take up on an as needed basis.

So here's my report on the fill up.

First of all I didn't fill up, It was a pay at the pump jobbie and I stuck €60 in. Thought that would be a nice average fill.

I had to queue!!! Arrived at the filling station and three of the four pumps were occupied. The fourth was partially blocked by one of the cars filling and a parked car. Decided to wait. Almost two minutes from arriving to getting out of the car.

Total time from arrival to driving off the forecourt was six minutes. Take off the wait and it would be between four and five minutes.

are you including the travel time, there and back ?

Fair play for the on the ground research even if rounded to the minute 😜 coming up to refill time for me too so can add to the data soon!

At least my EV doesn't spray electrons all over me like a recent visit to fill a diesel which air locked..😋