Electric Vehicles & Infrastructure - Positive & Negative

[Gibbo2286]

Here's Imogen again.

[mickthemaverick]

Having watched that video a thought occurs to me. They are creating places where the residents have no bills to pay and don't have to worry about the arrangements of their systems because it is all done for them by the people that do have the power and the control. We have had places like that for over a century, we call them Zoos!!

[Gibbo2286]

Try this one Mick but switch you brain to on full before you start.

[Gibbo2286]

Another podcast.

[myglaren]

Battery news of the week.
‘Biggest’ electric car battery breakthrough unlocks 500 miles on single charge

The researchers have developed a new lithium-metal battery technology capable of powering an electric vehicle for 800 km (497 miles) on a single charge and recharging in just 12 minutes.

(Interesting Engineering)©

[myglaren]

Government considering new tax on EV drivers in Budget

[mickthemaverick]

Best news I've read for ages!! perhaps while they're at it they could introduce £10 a year for bikes!!

[Gibbo2286]

The UK’s transition to electric vehicles is accelerating, and October’s figures highlight just how ready drivers are for change. According to New AutoMotive, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) captured 26% of all new car sales, the strongest market share of 2025 so far and comfortably above the real Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate target.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel cars continue their decline, hitting their lowest market shares in years as UK drivers increasingly embrace clean, efficient alternatives.

It’s not just cars that are making the switch: the electric van market also maintained strong momentum, reaching 9.7% of new registrations, up from 9.1% year-to-date. Even with lower overall van sales, BEVs remain the most resilient segment, as UK businesses electrify their fleets to reduce both costs and emissions.

[Gibbo2286]

Best news I've read for ages!! perhaps while they're at it they could introduce £10 a year for bikes!!

Why is that good news Mick?

[mickthemaverick]

For the simple reason that EV's are heavy and cause as much, if not more, wear on the roads as ICs so in my view should pay an equal share to the upkeep of the roads and systems. Bikes and horses likewise though with contributions accordingly weighted. The idea of EVs being free of road duty was to encourage the swap and is not relevant now. The network needs more maintenance as is evidenced by the ever increasing pothole issues and that needs to be paid for by ALL the users as far as I am concerned!!

[bobins]

As I've said before, quoting vehicle registrations, or 'sales' as they have it here, is a little bit pointless. Dealers are under immense pressure to register as many EVs as possible and so it's entirely possible that the 'sales' figures grossly misrepresent the actual 'vehicles on the road' figures. It's not that people aren't buying EVs - many are - it's that there don't appear to be any meaningful figures on how many registered vehicles are converted to 'vehicles on the road'.
To put it crudely - if a dealer registers 10 vehicles and then immediately SORNs 9 of them (or the dealer equivalent of that) then it leaves the statistics wanting. I'm not saying this is happening, but I am saying that we don't know what is happening.
The figures from New Automotive could be considered as marketing statistics..... and therefore should be taken with a pinch of salt

[Gibbo2286]

For the simple reason that EV's are heavy and cause as much, if not more, wear on the roads as ICs so in my view should pay an equal share to the upkeep of the roads and systems. Bikes and horses likewise though with contributions accordingly weighted. The idea of EVs being free of road duty was to encourage the swap and is not relevant now. The network needs more maintenance as is evidenced by the ever increasing pothole issues and that needs to be paid for by ALL the users as far as I am concerned!!

Your first sentence is not true Mick EVs in general are no heavier than petrol and diesel cars especially the SUVs mums take their kids to school in, equal share of the tax is fair enough but the anti EV brigade have consistently exaggerated the negatives.

"The weight difference between electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is a significant factor to consider when choosing a vehicle. While EVs are generally heavier than ICE vehicles, the difference is not as pronounced as it may seem. Here are some key points regarding the weight differences:
Battery Packs: The weight of EVs is primarily due to their large battery packs, which can add 10-30% to the weight of an ICE vehicle. For example, the Hyundai Kona electric weighs 3,891 pounds, while its gas sibling weighs 3,483 pounds, resulting in a 408-pound difference.

Vehicle Size: The size of the vehicle itself also plays a crucial role in weight. Smaller vehicles with larger batteries can be more efficient and lighter than larger vehicles with smaller batteries.

Driving Habits: The way you drive can impact the weight and efficiency of your vehicle. Smooth driving habits and proper maintenance can reduce the real-world effects on tires, safety, and infrastructure.

Battery Technology: As battery technology improves, the weight difference between EVs and ICE vehicles is expected to decrease.


In summary, while EVs are generally heavier than ICE vehicles, the weight difference is not as significant as it may seem, and the choice of vehicle size and driving habits can have a more substantial impact on weight and efficiency.

[mickthemaverick]

I think my sentence was correct Gibbo, I didn't say that EVs were heavier than ICs, I just said that they were heavy, which is a fact!! The potential for increased wear comes from faster acceleration which is provided by extra force onto the road surface to generate the momentum which in turn means more stress on the surface.

[PaulC5]

From above ev are around 10% heavier so not insignificant. I also often notice they are accelerated a lot faster than petrol/diesel, we have many roundabouts near us with 2 lanes and they seem to often overtake going round them and squeeze in leaving, never mind on the straight bits. I do not even bother trying to compete in the race.
Many cars now look quite ugly, no idea where the designers are being trained, I was saying this to Mrs P as we walked passed a Defender.

[Gibbo2286]

The differences in weight and driving are insignificant if you take all into consideration, boy racers may do Le-Mans starts but average motorists don't, then the opposite end of the scale braking is less damaging because battery regeneration does most of it as is shown by brake pads lasting often to 100 thousand miles.

Road damage from EV passenger cars is really a non argument while we have 44 tonne trucks pounding them day and night.