Genuine question for EV owners

[A]

It's not beyond most rational people's thinking that whilst updates are free now, largely as an incentive to buy for the most part quite expensive vehicles (certainly measurably more expensive than an equivalent ICE model in a manufacturer's range), it is highly likely updates become an ongoing, and increasing cost factor in terms of TCO.

It's putting a heck of a lot of trust to believe updates will remain free and let's face it, some manufacturers have mislead us in the past eg diesel emissions

 

[SmallTown]

software updates are free currently. There is absolutely no indication as to if this will remain once the parts and service revenue reduces due to the fewer moving parts and reliability of EV's that we hear so much about.

If there is money to be made, the car makers and dealers will take a slice (or even the whole pie), as they have repeatedly lobbied against legislation that forces certain servicing information, data and communication protocols etc to be made publicly available to the 3rd party aftermarket.

The car makers themselves are currently arguing that seeing as the cars of today are so complex, the manufacturers themselves should be the only ones allowed to carry out maintenance and repairs. Think about where that goes in time.

So it’s an argument based on a supposition but without a single thread of evidence. Got you

 

[SmallTown]

I am ignoring ST, it helps with my mental health. I am guessing the above includes one of the following: Troll, lier, ignorant, coward.

Oops I missed Stalker

You’re ignoring me because you can’t answer my question. And you know you can’t

 

[Lightweight]

You’re ignoring me because you can’t answer my question. And you know you can’t

You do realise that you are on his ignore list ?

 

[NYboro]

You do realise that you are on his ignore list ?

I'm rather surprised that sab is not on more ignore lists.

 

[A]

The argument that updates will remain free in the future is as much a supposition as that they won't. Nobody on here is privy to the future commercial decisions made at board level

 

[NYboro]

The argument that updates will remain free in the future is as much a supposition as that they won't. Nobody on here is privy to the future commercial decisions made at board level

It also likely to become a legal requirement as in right to repair.

 

[A]

It also likely to become a legal requirement as in right to repair.

One would expect so

 

[SmallTown]

You do realise that you are on his ignore list ?

I reckon even if I wasn't he wouldn't be able to answer my question. I imagine he's lying

 

[Nano]

Just because some companies currently offer software upgrades for free it doesn't mean they all do. My BMW has auto full beam headlights as an option. If I try to use it the system tells me I don't have the functionality but I can upgrade for £100.

That functionality to charge "microtransactions" will more than likely become commonplace. People are used to paying for options on their car so why wouldn't manufacturers charge for them if they can?

Security updates etc will almost certainly continue to be free but anything that is an upgrade will more than likely come with a charge.

 

[SmallTown]

Just because some companies currently offer software upgrades for free it doesn't mean they all do. My BMW has auto full beam headlights as an option. If I try to use it the system tells me I don't have the functionality but I can upgrade for £100.

That functionality to charge "microtransactions" will more than likely become commonplace. People are used to paying for options on their car so why wouldn't manufacturers charge for them if they can?

Security updates etc will almost certainly continue to be free but anything that is an upgrade will more than likely come with a charge.

What BMW do you have?

My point being was that gents was literally just making things up thay suited his prejudice with no evidence at all. Instead of a supposition it's an actual fact that VW and Tesla and Nissan give free software updates. Not a supposition but actual fact

 

[Nano]

What BMW do you have?

My point being was that gents was literally just making things up thay suited his prejudice with no evidence at all. Instead of a supposition it's an actual fact that VW and Tesla and Nissan give free software updates. Not a supposition but actual fact

iX3

 

[NYboro]

Just because some companies currently offer software upgrades for free it doesn't mean they all do. My BMW has auto full beam headlights as an option. If I try to use it the system tells me I don't have the functionality but I can upgrade for £100.

Don't waste the money. I disabled it on my car within a week of getting it.

 

[SmallTown]

Don't waste the money. I disabled it on my car within a week of getting it.

Oh really? I had auto full beam (with adaptive headlights) on my merc and thought it was simply spectacular.

My current car, b3ing a Tesla, has the worst auto full beam imaginable. The headlights are garbage anyway, and auto main beam is downright dangerous

 

[NYboro]

Oh really? I had auto full beam (with adaptive headlights) on my merc and thought it was simply spectacular.

My current car, b3ing a Tesla, has the worst auto full beam imaginable. The headlights are garbage anyway, and auto main beam is downright dangerous

I hate it, but I also disable the lane assist as that's something else I can't be doing with. The last car I had in the States had lane assist and I used it for a trip to Philly and back and then disabled it.

 

[JustTheGent]

As of the latter part of 2021, Which have stated that the average failure rate of EV batteries from their data stands at 8%. This covers vehicles from 2014 onwards. Considering use of vehicles was very much down in 2020/21, you're basically looking at around 6 years of reliability. That doesn't look good at all, as the Which data states their previous data showed a failure rate of 3%. That's a big rise in a short period of time but fits in with the fact that batteries degrade as time goes on.

Of course, longer warranties will provide some protection; but as these warranties expire, there looks almost certain to be a very significant chance of battery failure on the horizon. Not so good for the used market. Especially when buyers will have to attempt to differentiate and navigate between original, refurbished and replacement batteries.

COP26: Should you be worried about diminishing electric car battery life? - Which? News

Our annual survey of thousands of vehicle owners reveals the truth about the longevity of EV batteries

www.which.co.uk

 

[SmallTown]

As of the latter part of 2021, Which have stated that the average failure rate of EV batteries from their data stands at 8%. This covers vehicles from 2014 onwards. Considering use of vehicles was very much down in 2020/21, you're basically looking at around 6 years of reliability. That doesn't look good at all, as the Which data states their previous data showed a failure rate of 3%. That's a big rise in a short period of time but fits in with the fact that batteries degrade as time goes on.

Of course, longer warranties will provide some protection; but as these warranties expire, there looks almost certain to be a very significant chance of battery failure on the horizon. Not so good for the used market. Especially when buyers will have to attempt to differentiate and navigate between original, refurbished and replacement batteries.

COP26: Should you be worried about diminishing electric car battery life? - Which? News

Our annual survey of thousands of vehicle owners reveals the truth about the longevity of EV batteries

www.which.co.uk

Drivers are covered by warranties though? I love the way you even correct your own arguments. SO you're basically spreading more misinformation

 

[BoroMart]

EVs simply can't compete at the moment, this is due to their list price and likely future problems with batteries and technology, etc - if the vehicle is kept long term.

you can't really argue that the price is too much while arguing that there are 'likely future problems' if you kept it long term. Because the reality is the price long term is far cheaper than ICE. If you are looking at the long term view then the price isn't a problem, if you are looking at problems long term, well ok there will be some battery degredation but unless you are planning on keeping it 10 years these issues you think are 'likely' simply aren't going to materialise.

 

[SmallTown]

you can't really argue that the price is too much while arguing that there are 'likely future problems' if you kept it long term. Because the reality is the price long term is far cheaper than ICE. If you are looking at the long term view then the price isn't a problem, if you are looking at problems long term, well ok there will be some battery degredation but unless you are planning on keeping it 10 years these issues you think are 'likely' simply aren't going to materialise.

That's a good point. It's like Genty is trying too hard with his anti EV rhetoric, I guess he hasn't realised or doesn't care he's contradicting himself

 

[BoroMart]

It's not beyond most rational people's thinking that whilst updates are free now, largely as an incentive to buy for the most part quite expensive vehicles (certainly measurably more expensive than an equivalent ICE model in a manufacturer's range), it is highly likely updates become an ongoing, and increasing cost factor in terms of TCO.

It's putting a heck of a lot of trust to believe updates will remain free and let's face it, some manufacturers have mislead us in the past eg diesel emissions

of course it is possible, but motor manufacturers like brand loyalty. Springing a new set of yearly costs on your fanbase is going to destroy consumer loyalty. So I don't see it happening. You can of course carry on driving a vehicle with no further updates if you wish