Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Was in the company of Mercedes Man yesterday, sampling his homemade Damson infused Gin. Interestingly he said his bosses at his Building firm had suddenly gone very lukewarm on the company scheme for electric vehicles and free charging for employees. Reason?. Costs. And the dwindling Government incentives.
Many of his colleagues are now similarly less impressed with running an Electric Company car. Two of them had identical experiences visiting family - one in Devon and the other in Caithness. Using the Zap Map Apps lead them both to over subscribed charging points and huge waits with cars full of narky wives and kids. The costs at these quick chargers have also shot up to almost (and at one station, over ) the costs of fuel. One of the other issues is the Granny lead to charge at their relatives houses and the swingeing increase in their reli's electricity use for a small increase in battery range. One of his friends just parked his car up and relied on reli's to drive him and his family about such was the paltry range left in his car and the slow rate of recharge.
Mercedes Man has also found that charger hogging is not confined to the outside world. At many of the company sites he visits he finds that he can't get recharged as a site employee has hooked up and just plain disappeared off the face of the earth leaving cars blocking the charging points, add to Memos now being sent out to staff threatening charging for charging - if you see what I mean.
Life is not Rosy in the Electric Car real world.
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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Interestingly, yet again, my son in law is expressing an interest in the new Dacia Jogger Hybrid. Does anyone out there have any experience of Renaults with this system?
Gibbo2286
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Dormouse wrote: 30 Dec 2022, 12:10 Interestingly, yet again, my son in law is expressing an interest in the new Dacia Jogger Hybrid. Does anyone out there have any experience of Renaults with this system?
No experience of the hybrids but some on the earlier petrols, not good, I was in my local garage and the mechanic had his head under the bonnet of one of the latest ones, I asked if they had improved since the ones I used to work on, his response "Same old s**t."
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. (Albert Einstein)
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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Yes, I don't rate Renaults/Dacias too highly but I couldn't really fault the Sandero we had a few years ago. It was bland and not that great at anything but it was "OK". My daughter would/does use our cars. including the Sandero, if she comes up by train or plane. He is planning to replace their Fiat 500L MPW 7 seater and everything else is expensive in comparison. He has completely ruled out Electric as an option.
I can't see any "death rattle" negatives and neither can they. Being Hybrid, the Dacia would be very economical driving locally as it would use a lot of electric power under those circumstances - just like our Hybrid4 and the other in-laws' Mitsubishi PHEV. The Lodgy was a hit in Europe but was only ever LHD. The Jogger is it's replacement and seems to sell just as well so there must be something going for it as a family car.
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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Just in case anyone wonders how I pick cars nowadays. Well, I sit in the driving seat, and get as comfy as I can by adjusting the seat. I then close my eyes and bring my arms together straight in front of me to see if the steering wheel is central and adjust the seat if necessary. Next step is to see if my legs are not pushing against the seat squad uncomfortably (adjusting the seat if necessary again) then, almost finally, I try to work the pedals normally with my "winter" shoes on including the foot rest. Last test is to put LOML in the driving seat and have her adjust it to suit her. I then see how far away from "comfy" the driving position has become. Ideal is no seat adjustments - only sliding the seat in and out on the rails.
Very few cars pass this initial test. The Sandero was one of them. Our 3008 is another.
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myglaren
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Half the ones I have bought I haven't even sat in, never mind test driven.
Couldn't even get close to the current one as it was hemmed in by a dozen other cars.
I don't expect much from cars and usually get less that that, but sometimes there are pleasant surprises.
Current one I struggle to get into and out of. Otherwise I don't have much to moan about.
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CitroJim
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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myglaren wrote: 30 Dec 2022, 14:21 Half the ones I have bought I haven't even sat in, never mind test driven.
Likewise :wink: :lol: My last one arrived on the back of a car transporter... All part of the fun...

I very much expect my next car will do too... Likely dead and needing extensive work. Again, all part of the joy of life...

The first sight I got of my Saxo was it sitting in Alasdair's garage. That same day, if I recall accurately, I drove it 120 miles home... Previously I'd not even sat in a Saxo much less test driven one - spice of life :-D 8-)

I drove my last AX home from the same place with a potentially dodgy rear hub...

When I change my opinion on this, I suggest you check me for a pulse, order a wreath and save the date for when I go up in smoke :lol:
Jim

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moizeau
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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I hadn't driven or sat in any of our 3 cars. The van was bought on here and shipped to me in my mates lorry from Newcastle neck to the centre of France with a MIL on, The 407 was for sale in the UK, someone my brother knew, bought it then travelled over and picked it up, the C4 Coupé was my mate's who I played football with, owned from new but overdue an extensive, very full service, body work mint and he only wanted 400€ for it, couldn't say no.
To be honest if it's a Peugeot or Citroen because I can get parts from the tat yard here and have driven them almost all my driving life, except my first car, a Mk1 900 Polo and my grandad's Saab 900C, which I've still got and used as a shed for the kids toys the missus won't chuck, if the price is right fine. I have never sold a car. If I can't keep it on the road it is really is knackered. Buy 'em cheap, keep 'em going for as long as possible then chuck 'em in the bin. I got 10 years out of my BX that was going to auction in the UK when my mum changed her car, another 8 out of the 406 that I paid 500 squid for. The 407 (650 quid) and C4 are in their 5th year and.......touch wood......still going strong.
Pete
Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
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CitroJim
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Like you Pete I've not sold a car for years... My last two transactions have been swaps with friends :) After a few finger-burning experiences I won't ever sell a car again unless it's to a friend and/or a well-known forum member from here...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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myglaren
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Never sold a car yet, they all end up as bean tins.
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NewcastleFalcon
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Joined the SWARCO club, and the RFID card did work where the EE signal didn't.
Not expecting it to remain so but for now at 35p/kWh one of the lowest around.
DSC03354.JPG
Sorted this out...
NewcastleFalcon wrote: 07 Dec 2022, 18:51 Another day/ Another charger

Thing is, its a bit out of civilisation in the sense that "mobile phone signal" 3,4,5 G or whatever you call it is a bit patchy. So was in contact with the provider SWARCO to see if they could initiate a charge, seeing as the "App" was coming up with a network error. Surprise surprise they couldn't communicate with the charger post either.

Doesn't do a simple bank card transaction, so in 10 to 15 days when the RFID card arrives, may stand half a chance of starting the electricity pump without having to rely on apps and signals...or will it be just the same in that the RFID card needs to send messages to HQ over the mobile network for the thing to work?
regards Neil
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Gibbo2286
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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myglaren wrote: 30 Dec 2022, 19:12 Never sold a car yet, they all end up as bean tins.
All my working life has been buying selling and repairing cars, any make or model from the pre war ACs to the Yugo Zagato and almost anything in between. enjoyable and frustrating in about equal terms. :-D
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. (Albert Einstein)
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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Neil might not like this one.





and this one is interesting






don't like the presentations on this channel though
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Dormouse
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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Here is a clip for charging costs in America for comparison to British rates.

Screenshot 2022-12-31 9.20.38 PM.png
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myglaren
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Re: Electric Vehicles-Infrastructure

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I've been watching the charging rates in Sweden that have now dropped to ¼ of what they were last week.
A shower then cost £2, now 50p.
Screenshot from 2023-01-01 20-44-23.png