EV or Not EV?

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Oversize

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I’m currently trying to decide what might be a good option for a daily. PHEV or maybe the new Nissan ePower??

Based on fuel savings alone, it could take BW 19-35 years to pay off the investment, so I doubt I’ll be upgrading anytime soon but rapid tech developments are no doubt interesting.
 

Styria

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Mark, on your time and financial recovery calculations, at my age it is a no-brainer. Don't buy, especially when you consider:

a. Petrol and Diesels are becoming very frugal on a litres per kilometre calculation, especially when considering Hybrids. That configuration would probably be my next choice if and when I upgrade.

b. Once EVs get up in age, say six to eight years, what will be their value on the open market ? Certainly open to conjecture. Regards Styria
 
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Oversize

Oversize

Grand Master
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Yes I’d only consider a hybrid but it seems to me the PHEVs do have issues with practicality. The new Nissan ‘concept’ seems logical but I wouldn’t call it radically economical to make it a worthwhile exercise. I’m leaning towards a Mazda, but only if it drives well & is practical in the real world
 

Patrick_R

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Besides offering you a 14 tonne Volvo electric truck, which would probably take 250 years to break even, the best I have driven that gives unbelievable fuel economy, and has zero range issues is the new 23 Corolla hybrid.
I was in this car for a solid week, and by day 3 without even trying was getting high 2’s in fuel consumption.
The new models have quite a decent size and very usable battery, where the older models would only give you about 1km of battery driving only.
The new model is very smart compared to the old model in many ways, which I thought are brilliant.

As most of you know I have just got a new company X Trail.
Volvo looked at the “e power” as a greener alternative but it is as only roughly 1km /100k better on fuel than mine, but $15k more expensive.

As you said Mark, they are not that economical at all.
Driving to the airport at 3:30am this mornin, a mix of 110, 90, 80 and 60kms, the car returned 6.5L/100k.
pretty good for a bigger SUV.

But the new Corolla hybrid range is very smart and very economical.
you would easily be well under 5’s and down even better everyday.

A friend of ours bought a Lexus PHEV, it has a decent battery range of 90km, but after that, it’s extremely thirsty.

Mazdas are still suffering from bad road noise in their cars, which seems they can’t solve over the last 6-7 years or so.
 

Styria

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Patrick, it's great and much appreciated to read of your truthful and informative opinions. Not always that easy to come by. Regards Styria

N.B. One could also use the word "Unbiassed"
 

Michel

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In simple terms, Toyota has the lead in hybrids and is the most advanced, not to mention reliable.
We have two at home: a Camry hybrid and a Prius C.
Although they are both nearly 10 years old, the fuel consumption is amazing.
Driving as you should with a Hybrid, we achieve low 4s in the Camry and low 3s in the Prius.
 

Patrick_R

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That just goes to show how long Toyota has been perfecting the art of hybrids.
great results Michel.
Plus this shows how good batteries are for anyone worried about battery longevity.
 
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Oversize

Oversize

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Looks like most manufacturers have struggled financing their EV aspirations.. Mercedes, Ford, Volvo & VW have all changed their projections. In fact VW is in serious trouble & if they go under they’ll drag others down with them…

IMG_2490.jpeg
 
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Oversize

Oversize

Grand Master
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Nissan isn’t doing so well either & Toyota is holding off pure EV to focus on hybrids & hydrogen along with BMW.

Meanwhile Porsche have just filed a patent for a 6 stroke ICE. Sound like the ICE isn’t dead yet & will be around for decades to come…
 
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Oversize

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Lamborghini CEO has stated no one wants an electric supercar despite the company having plans to build one. Most models are hybrids.
Rimac have apparently sold only 50 of the 150 EV Neveras hypercars.
 
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Oversize

Oversize

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Ferrari said over a year ago 60% of their range will be EV or hybrid by 2026. I wonder if that’s now changed. I would’ve thought they be the last to phase out the whole supercar experience & opt for a limited & sanitised commute…
 

BHW

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Toyota's move to focus more on hybrids and not go all in on full electric is proving, at least in the short term to be wise. Only time will tell if its a good move long term.
Speaking of if it's a good move long term... You reminded me of what California recently approved. You have no idea the concerns and comments I've read on this decision. "The South Pasadena Police Department became the nation's first law enforcement agency to completely replace its gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). The city's zero-emission police fleet of 20 new Teslas will rely on a bank of new electric vehicle chargers installed at South Pasadena City Hall.Aug 2, 2024".
 

c107

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Speaking of if it's a good move long term... You reminded me of what California recently approved. You have no idea the concerns and comments I've read on this decision. "The South Pasadena Police Department became the nation's first law enforcement agency to completely replace its gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs). The city's zero-emission police fleet of 20 new Teslas will rely on a bank of new electric vehicle chargers installed at South Pasadena City Hall.Aug 2, 2024".
I wonder how that will work out for them
 

sean sherry

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Do Toyota make their own Hybrids ? My memory questions this. An independant Japanese Engineering Company design and manufactur and supply to all who ask.
As always, todays cars are kit cars, assambled from outside suppliers.
An example, Mercedes steering componants are made in Turkey...
But they & Subaru design and manufacture their own Auto Transmissions
Mercedes FWDs I now not ??
 

Patrick_R

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That’s a really good question Sean.
It will be interesting to hear people’s input into this.
From what I’ve been reading, only Chinese cars are made solely with all Chinese made components, but not made entirely under the one roof so to speak.
It has been a very long time since all other cars actually make all of their components under the one roof now, like Holden & Ford were made here.
 
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