Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[Apple fanboy]

True. Porsche came out with an electric vehicle in the late 1800s or so. Tesla was the first to focus on the entirety of the EV ownership experience and designed their EVs from the ground up not added a battery like some other manufacturers.

For me, Tesla wasn’t in my long list either until it became the one and only car on my list.

Each to their own. I’m not planning to be in the new EV market for a long time. Tesla is unlikely to be on my long list then unless they have a change in design philosophy.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I agree that Tesla is the EV king, the traditional car makers are well behind and currently seem to focus on high end vehicles which helps their margin but puts them even further behind imho. The exception probably being Hyundai/Kia, but their disadvantage for now is the tax credit, here in the US.

What is missing are choices in the “affordable” segment, that space is pretty vacant right now here in the US.

The affordable segment isn’t quite as bad in Europe as the likes of Vauxhall, Ford, VW, Skoda, MG and the French makers are making small to mid size EV’s more available. Hopefully the US get more choice. The UK is apparently the fifth biggest EV market in the World now, with 200k more EV’s registered on our roads. I’d say the most common are Tesla Model 3’s, MG’s and Kia’s due to them being affordable.

The market will grow even faster soon as the 20mph speed limit has replaced 30mph in a bid to drive up emissions and introduce ULEZ zones more widely. Diesel cars especially will be more problematic and this will ultimately drive people towards EV’s.

 

[Strelok]

There's no real competition in the Model 3/Y price range in my opinion. Everything else ends up either more expensive or with a worse driving experience, and at least in the US CCS looks like it will lose out to NACS. Tesla's biggest issues are the inconsistent service centers and this idiotic focus on beta software. I recently had my 12V battery and some other minor issues fixed by mobile service and it was great. The two times I had to bring it to the service center were awful.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

if I understand from your previous posts the EV you got was a company car, please correct me if I’m wrong, but, would you have chosen the same vehicle if it were your own money? Just curious…

It is a company car yes. We chose it because we liked it out of all the cars we tested.

If it’s my money? No, I would never spend that much money on a car and would probably have looked more at the £35k to £40k bracket for an EV. Either that or I’d do a salary sacrifice and lease per month which I have the option to do now but am happy with my A4.

 

[HDFan]

the screen is nearly not needed during driving.

When using GPS I set screen resolution so that I can just see the next turn. Since this is changing constantly as I drive I am constantly resizing the screen using the resolution size wheel on the console. Quite easy to do since my hand is already resting there. Not really something I would likely do if I had just a touch screen.

 

[diamond.g]

When using GPS I set screen resolution so that I can just see the next turn. Since this is changing constantly as I drive I am constantly resizing the screen using the resolution size wheel on the console. Quite easy to do since my hand is already resting there. Not really something I would likely do if I had just a touch screen.

Zooming in and out that way is more cumbersome since they removed the +/- buttons on the screen.

Sometimes the screen auto zooms in for turns, but it is inconsistent.

 

[I7guy]

Tesla have certainly driven the EV market to where it is currently.

As a consumer I don’t view it as competition, but options on the market. We don’t really care about profits or cars sold, but more what appeals to our tastes. Cars are one of the few products where popularity is less of an attraction when buying. There are three Model 3’s in my street now and for me, that is a partial incentive to look at what else there is on offer. Tesla have a great user interface apparently, but I’m fine with using knobs to adjust my AC and heaters for now and our EV is more advanced than we really need.

All manufacturers are improving and Tesla is no longer alone at the front when it comes to options which is good. In Europe we also have a lot more options from the German makers which are decent. For me, the aesthetics of the car are just as important as the user experience inside and this is why a Tesla was not on our short list. We could have got a Model Y £10k cheaper on the budget, but we simply didn’t like the car. The fact the Model Y is the best selling EV in the world doesn’t make an iota of difference on that for me.

I got to each their own in what they like in an automobile. I find my model 3 zen like when I enter. The driving experience is different and to me quite enjoyable. My point in mentioning about the model Y being the global best seller is that Tesla did something right to get those sales. In fact in my state Tesla is third in the country.

Competition is good so they say. So 2024/2025 should be interesting.

 

[Eric5h5]

What is missing are choices in the “affordable” segment

Not to mention in the "NOT a big honking heavy oversized vehicle" segment.

 

[I7guy]

When using GPS I set screen resolution so that I can just see the next turn. Since this is changing constantly as I drive I am constantly resizing the screen using the resolution size wheel on the console. Quite easy to do since my hand is already resting there. Not really something I would likely do if I had just a touch screen.

I find if i really don’t know the area, navigation guidance and the turn previews are good enough for me.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I got to each their own in what they like in an automobile. I find my model 3 zen like when I enter. The driving experience is different and to me quite enjoyable. My point in mentioning about the model Y being the global best seller is that Tesla did something right to get those sales. In fact in my state Tesla is third in the country.

Competition is good so they say. So 2024/2025 should be interesting.

What they’ve done right is price them starting at just £44k. The most expensive is £59k for the performance model. It’s an ideal company car and now a very common one. Why is the BMW 3 Series also one of the most common cars on the road? For the same reason. I think there’s at least 10 BMW 3 series in my street alone and 3 Tesla. They are cheap to lease, road tax is zero and monthly tax is minimal. The Audi Q4 is starting to grow in popularity too, I’m seeing several on my way to work and again, they are ideal company cars, although slightly more pricey than a Model Y. All good cars depending on taste.

I just like the fact our EV is almost free. It’s around £20 a month in tax, charged mostly at my wife’s work for free and there is no lease to pay. It’s the cheapest car we’ve ever had.

 

[Apple fanboy]

A longer watch, but lots of interesting facts about EV's and the anti EV propaganda you can read every day.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

Even the auto makes understand practicality

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

What they’ve done right is price them starting at just £44k. The most expensive is £59k for the performance model. It’s an ideal company car and now a very common one. Why is the BMW 3 Series also one of the most common cars on the road? For the same reason. I think there’s at least 10 BMW 3 series in my street alone and 3 Tesla. They are cheap to lease, road tax is zero and monthly tax is minimal. The Audi Q4 is starting to grow in popularity too, I’m seeing several on my way to work and again, they are ideal company cars, although slightly more pricey than a Model Y. All good cars depending on taste.

I just like the fact our EV is almost free. It’s around £20 a month in tax, charged mostly at my wife’s work for free and there is no lease to pay. It’s the cheapest car we’ve ever had.

Monthly car tax? That’s a hard pass


Also working in BMWs and Audis meh, especially if you don’t have money to burn playing the new car game


How is the electricity ”free”?


For a company car I’d buy used Toyota corollas and take all the money I saved and put it back into payroll or attracting talent

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Monthly car tax? That’s a hard pass


Also working in BMWs and Audis meh, especially if you don’t have money to burn playing the new car game


How is the electricity ”free”?


For a company car I’d buy used Toyota corollas and take all the money I saved and put it back into payroll or attracting talent

The monthly tax is benefit in kind and £20 a month is very cheap compared to ICE vehicles where it can be £250-£400 a month depending on the vehicle. The car cost us nothing as it was purchased by the company my wife works for and enabled us to get it within a couple of months rather than wait 12-18 months for a lease company to source it. The electricity is free when she’s charges it at work because her company does not charge a fee for doing so. We top it up at weekends if needed and it’s a few pounds. It’s the cheapest car we’ve ever had.

We could have opted for a much cheaper car and had a bit of extra cash but thankfully we are in a comfortable position where it’s not so much of an issue.

 

[4sallypat]

Even the auto makes understand practicality

When that trailer was at the LA Auto Show, it was being towed by a Lightning EV truck.

I remember, because inside the trailer were the ticket purchase kiosks....

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

The monthly tax is benefit in kind and £20 a month is very cheap compared to ICE vehicles where it can be £250-£400 a month depending on the vehicle. The car cost us nothing as it was purchased by the company my wife works for and enabled us to get it within a couple of months rather than wait 12-18 months for a lease company to source it. The electricity is free when she’s charges it at work because her company does not charge a fee for doing so. We top it up at weekends if needed and it’s a few pounds. It’s the cheapest car we’ve ever had.

We could have opted for a much cheaper car and had a bit of extra cash but thankfully we are in a comfortable position where it’s not so much of an issue.

I pay $0 in monthly car taxes

Depending on where I register and don’t even pay tax on the car when I first buy it, outside of stupid state fees, which are under $60 a year, which is far too high for what I get in return from the state and the condition of the roads


What’s the ROI on that expense?

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

When that trailer was at the LA Auto Show, it was being towed by a Lightning EV truck.

I remember, because inside the trailer were the ticket purchase kiosks....

Ha!


So they switch it out after it’s out of the show

Oh salesmanship

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I pay $0 in monthly car taxes

Depending on where I register and don’t even pay tax on the car when I first buy it, outside of stupid state fees, which are under $60 a year, which is far too high for what I get in return from the state and the condition of the roads


What’s the ROI on that expense?

Not trying to compete with you here, just glad we both seem to have cars that we are happy driving.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I pay $0 in monthly car taxes

Depending on where I register and don’t even pay tax on the car when I first buy it, outside of stupid state fees, which are under $60 a year, which is far too high for what I get in return from the state and the condition of the roads


What’s the ROI on that expense?

Getting into a conversation comparing taxes from the US to the UK isn’t really sensible. After all where @The-Real-Deal82 lives he gets free healthcare, prescription and university fees!

 

[Tagbert]

I pay $0 in monthly car taxes

Depending on where I register and don’t even pay tax on the car when I first buy it, outside of stupid state fees, which are under $60 a year, which is far too high for what I get in return from the state and the condition of the roads


What’s the ROI on that expense?

Most states in the US have annual registration fees. Most also get fees from the gasoline tax that goes to road maintenance. Many states have instituted an addition annual registration fee for EVs that is intended to replace the gas tax money for road maintenance.

I’m not sure where you live but in the US we often do pay regular fees like what was mentioned but either annually or with fuel purchase (Perhaps The-Real-Deal82 was prorating and annual payment to monthly?).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Most states in the US have annual registration fees. Most also get fees from the gasoline tax that goes to road maintenance. Many states have instituted an addition annual registration fee for EVs that is intended to replace the gas tax money for road maintenance.

I’m not sure where you live but in the US we often do pay regular fees like what was mentioned but either annually or with fuel purchase (Perhaps The-Real-Deal82 was prorating and annual payment to monthly?).

BIK tax is very different to vehicle tax here in the UK and additional. With EV’s though they are exempt from annual road tax at the moment because they do not produce CO2 emissions. You still have to tax the car, but it’s £0. BIK is calculated by the value of the car, your salary banding and the amount of emissions it produces. EV’s are very cheap as they don’t produce the latter however. This tax exists because it’s a perk and deductible from a persons salary. Having servicing and tyres, repairs etc included is also factored in.

For example if someone was to go for a BMW 520D, the tax would be much higher as it produces emissions and you’d be liable additionally for an annual vehicle tax based on this, plus it would have an additional £355 annual premium as the car is valued over £40k. Confusing, but it means at the moment EV’s are very cheap company cars and my wife pays £20 a month in tax, doesn’t have to pay for maintaining it and 90% of our charging is free.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

BIK tax is very different to vehicle tax here in the UK and additional. With EV’s though they are exempt from annual road tax at the moment because they do not produce CO2 emissions. You still have to tax the car, but it’s £0. BIK is calculated by the value of the car, your salary banding and the amount of emissions it produces. EV’s are very cheap as they don’t produce the latter however. This tax exists because it’s a perk and deductible from a persons salary. Having servicing and tyres, repairs etc included is also factored in.

For example if someone was to go for a BMW 520D, the tax would be much higher as it produces emissions and you’d be liable additionally for an annual vehicle tax based on this, plus it would have an additional £355 annual premium as the car is valued over £40k. Confusing, but it means at the moment EV’s are very cheap company cars and my wife pays £20 a month in tax, doesn’t have to pay for maintaining it and 90% of our charging is free.

Does the bimmer cause that much more damage to the road? If not I think that’s a scam


Also why is it anyone’s business what you paid for the car? What’s that have to do with the price of tea in china, I mean if it’s got studded tires or weighs so much it could hurt the public roads, sure I see a larger fee making sense, but otherwise it’s just a plane ol’ shakedown IMO

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Does the bimmer cause that much more damage to the road? If not I think that’s a scam


Also why is it anyone’s business what you paid for the car? What’s that have to do with the price of tea in china, I mean if it’s got studded tires or weighs so much it could hurt the public roads, sure I see a larger fee making sense, but otherwise it’s just a plane ol’ shakedown IMO

It’s not judged by how much damage a car causes to road surfaces, that’s paid for via something else but we won’t go down that rabbit hole.

Motorists are penalised financially and it’s a drive to get more people using public transport or going for more greener types of cars. Unfortunately there are not enough hours in the day for me to get to work, work all day and then return home on public transport, so it is what it is.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Does the bimmer cause that much more damage to the road? If not I think that’s a scam

Only if the tax is ring fenced for road maintenance. Not many countries in the world do that. It's just a tax.

Also why is it anyone’s business what you paid for the car? What’s that have to do with the price of tea in china, I mean if it’s got studded tires or weighs so much it could hurt the public roads, sure I see a larger fee making sense, but otherwise it’s just a plane ol’ shakedown IMO

Sure, whatever? And what are you going to do about it? Negotiate it? Move somewhere else where you don't have to pay it? As someone who's lived in 17 countries, there is always something else that fills the void.

It is an entirely futile discussion you are trying to have.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

It’s not judged by how much damage a car causes to road surfaces, that’s paid for via something else but we won’t go down that rabbit hole.

Motorists are penalised financially and it’s a drive to get more people using public transport or going for more greener types of cars. Unfortunately there are not enough hours in the day for me to get to work, work all day and then return home on public transport, so it is what it is.

That sounds horrible


So they loot you for being successful and not living like someone who isn’t?