Random EV Thoughts 2 - The Jimnying

I have had 2x RAV4 PHEVs over the past 4 years. Combined they have covered about 100k kms. The ICE only comes online if you run out of charge, set the heat to max, or put it auto EV/HEV mode and mash the pedal to the floor.

Average monthly fuel consumption is less than 1.5l/100km and most of that is due to the fact we live just slightly further than the EV only range to allow a round trip from Cork City and to take account of longer spins. The car does about 6l in HEV mode. It’s an outrageously cheap car to run and holds its value very well.

When plugged in regularly the PHEV has all the benefits of an EV (cost to run, power), with no downsides (depreciation, range anxiety, public charging).

And real world it's probably closer to 60k, so around 30kwh/100 km plus over 1L petrol.

So triple the fuel costs of a Model Y for example. Doesn't seem great to me 🫣

Hopefully the EV depreciation has normalised now after the price drops. Was just thinking about the 4 EVs we have had between two of us, shortly to be 5

First one bought at two years old and lost approx 1K over two years.

Second one bought new and sold for similar money almost 2 years later. (Sold straight)

Third one bought new at good price, still own, expect average or lower depreciation.

Fourth one more than average depreciation (And I bought before prices went up further). But trading in next week and new prices are significantly lower.

So overall we are quite happy with the swings and roundabouts.

Surprised it's that low

Sorry for your loss.

There will be probation etc. Best to talk to the solicitor who handles the estate. In the meantime your sister will be able to use the car if everybody involved agrees but she will probably need to insure it separately.

Sorry for your loss buddy. Can't help on the PCP you'll need to speak to the bank I guess.

Sorry to hear you lost your Mam. It’s probably sensible to check out what options exist with the finance company first. It’s likely they will only deal directly with the Executor to settle the debt/take back the car or refinance with an alternative family member. If the monthly PCP payments were low and the deposit was small, it may have additional debt to be cleared to hand it back.

FT did an interesting piece on how connectivity restrictions on software and hardware in cars are becoming more powerful trade tools than traditional tariffs for controlling market access, particularity for the US. The news is not so good for the EU unfortunately.

https://archive.ph/ooKCj#selection-2019.0-2019.110

As cars become "computers on wheels" the origin of digital components is now a critical national security concern, as connected vehicles are vulnerable to remote espionage and sabotage. We saw this with China placing restrictions on Tesla for these very reasons some years back.

Reminds me of the Tesla scene in Netflix's Leave the World Behind (as much as it was a sh!t film).

First time Ev’er-and only winter experience so far -.my god- 14 degrees today outside temp- and what a revelation around battery range and normal driving - my KWh range dropped/improved magically from around 18.5 to 15.5kwh per 100kms- to paraphrase The Police- “bring on the Summer, I couldn’t stand another hour of Win-ter” 😀

PS- do temps like 20 degrees to 25 degrees bring even more benefits or does air con cool usage kick in then?