Anyone on here have an Electric car?

........and renewables.....think "supply chain"
Is there an analysis of this that you're aware of? Until there are 100% renewables, any marginal increase in demand must come from fossil fuel. Also, if night-time car battery charging is predominant, the requirement to keep fossil fuel power plants running in periods of low demand will keep electric cars running on fossil fuels. On the positive side, less fossil fuels will be used to in ICEs to compensate. Be interested to see the whole eco comparison of electric cars.

The figures for hybrid mpg above look worse than my petrol saloon. Is this because of the increased battery weight in hybrids?
 
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I actually looked at the golf GTE before I got my Merc. I know the batteries have to go somewhere but the lack of boot space shocked me. Even the Merc c class estate hybrid has a tiny boot. What's the point of buying an estate car with a small boot!
I get that hybrids are good for city driving but then agains so are fully electric cars.

They didn't have them in stock anywhere before I got mine so I bought it blind. I looked at the GTI and the guy in the shop told me what it would be like but it's hard to visualise. It was about the same as the Kia Rio it replaced. The BMW X1 is an SUV shape so there is more room underneath the car so it doesn't take as much space. I'm not making the same mistake again though so I'm going to have a look at one before I think about committing to it.
 
About half of electricity generation in UK is from renewable sources at the moment. That proportion will increase year by year

Not if usage outstrips production it won't. So suppose its down to what the uptake on electric cars is.


I have two by the way. Was thinking of getting a couple more but don't use the Scalextric much these days;):cool::giggle:
 
Is there an analysis of this that you're aware of? Until there are 100% renewables, any marginal increase in demand must come from fossil fuel. Also, if night-time car battery charging is predominant, the requirement to keep fossil fuel power plants running in periods of low demand will keep electric cars running on fossil fuels. On the positive side, less fossil fuels will be used to in ICEs to compensate. Be interested to see the whole eco comparison of electric cars.

The figures for hybrid mpg above look worse than my petrol saloon. Is this because of the increased battery weight in hybrids?

It is a strange one isn’t it.
The Science appears to be directing us to electric cars.
We have all, in the last 6 months or so, been told the importance of following The science (whether it has been followed is very debatable). On this issue though there appear to be lots of science deniers. I’m no techy but I’m inclined t trust them on this.

The key, I guess, is what will happen over the medium to longer term.
The German’s (I think) are developing motorway technology that charges the battery as you drive. Maybe ‘solar’?
 
It is a strange one isn’t it.
The Science appears to be directing us to electric cars.
We have all, in the last 6 months or so, been told the importance of following The science (whether it has been followed is very debatable). On this issue though there appear to be lots of science deniers. I’m no techy but I’m inclined t trust them on this.

The key, I guess, is what will happen over the medium to longer term.
The German’s (I think) are developing motorway technology that charges the battery as you drive. Maybe ‘solar’?

Need to look at the full picture. What is the impact for the whole process from where materials are sourced to where they are disposed of, all the way through. I'm not sure the science is always used effectively to answer that question and instead they concentrate on just one step in the process.

There are other things worth paying a price for though. If the total environmental impact is identical for ice, electric, hydrogen but ICE causes pollutants in towns where people will be affected then the other options are better. If hydrogen is even cleaner but they occasionally explode then electric is better.

This shouldn't be something that consumers decide. The "science" and the governments of the world should be able to definitively tell us. If electric is just a stop gap until hydrogen then don't encourage electric, skip ahead.
 
They didn't have them in stock anywhere before I got mine so I bought it blind. I looked at the GTI and the guy in the shop told me what it would be like but it's hard to visualise. It was about the same as the Kia Rio it replaced. The BMW X1 is an SUV shape so there is more room underneath the car so it doesn't take as much space. I'm not making the same mistake again though so I'm going to have a look at one before I think about committing to it.
Yeah. I'm not a fan of the SUV shape at all. It goes against how I think cars should be designed. However there is a distinct advantage of a tall car hybrid. Room low down for the batteries and fuel tank and room up top for the tallest of passengers . The X1 should be fine
 
Need to look at the full picture. What is the impact for the whole process from where materials are sourced to where they are disposed of, all the way through. I'm not sure the science is always used effectively to answer that question and instead they concentrate on just one step in the process.

There are other things worth paying a price for though. If the total environmental impact is identical for ice, electric, hydrogen but ICE causes pollutants in towns where people will be affected then the other options are better. If hydrogen is even cleaner but they occasionally explode then electric is better.

This shouldn't be something that consumers decide. The "science" and the governments of the world should be able to definitively tell us. If electric is just a stop gap until hydrogen then don't encourage electric, skip ahead.

Yes - transparency is needed. I think the whole ‘Diesel’ nonsense clouds (?) the issue too. We were all told that was a great environmental step to take.
 
Yes - transparency is needed. I think the whole ‘Diesel’ nonsense clouds (?) the issue too. We were all told that was a great environmental step to take.
To be fair the "diesel is bad" nonsense is over the top. For long motorway distances it's probably still one of the most efficient ways of travelling.
 
To be fair the "diesel is bad" nonsense is over the top. For long motorway distances it's probably still one of the most efficient ways of travelling.
That is true ST, but I recall from my diesel that it was rubbish on short trips until it warmed up, in terms of fuel consumption.
 
People think that they are saving the enviroment when buying a car for £50000 when it does a better mpg but in truth the man buying a 10 year old fiesta is doing more for the enviroment.
 
People think that they are saving the enviroment when buying a car for £50000 when it does a better mpg but in truth the man buying a 10 year old fiesta is doing more for the enviroment.
I presume you are trying to have a dig at me? Odd really as I have said a few times I’m not buying the car for environmental reasons. Also a ten year old fiesta doesn’t really fit into what I look for in a car, also it’s over £60 grand
 
I am not having a dig at any body except if we don't have action instead of words we are ultimately doomed.another example is why we make cars that do 150mphwhen the speed limit is 70 and cars that accelerate 0-60 in 3 to 4 seconds these are just killing machines.
 
I'm with RedH, I am looking at a xk8 for a fun car, before 'government' agree to ban petrol/ diesel cars. i appreciate that maybe 20 years away. Considering L.P.G duel fuel conversion which should give an effective m.p.g of around 40 at todays prices. It will be a weekend/high days bit of fun whilst I can still get in and out of one!
 
I am not having a dig at any body except if we don't have action instead of words we are ultimately doomed.another example is why we make cars that do 150mphwhen the speed limit is 70 and cars that accelerate 0-60 in 3 to 4 seconds these are just killing machines.
I'll turn that around and ask why the speed limit is still 70? this was set when cars were much more primitive and so much more deadly it's unbelievable. My new car goes from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and it does it because it's fun!

There is a serious, safety feature to having such quick acceleration but if you're as anti car as you appear to be you won't understand it.
 
I love cars bit i don't need or want powerful cars that frankly have no place except for mine is bigger/faster than yours
ie americans
Not a case of that though. I love cars. I just my new one based on performance and driving dynamics. I'll be utilising the acceleration you think should be illegal!
 
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