Zero emission road vehicles.

[Tony Moore]

I remember watching Long Way Up

https://www.longwayup.com/

a while ago and they do have significant issues charging and using their Harley Davidson prototype electric bikes on the trip from Argentina to LA. Argentina in winter was pretty cold and the charging infrastructure not up to the task. The bikes struggled on the first part of the trip but then once the temps came up they performed well. They didn't have pre-conditioning in their batteries though. At least it didn't seem so.

I have a leased company EV now and I love it. Best car I've ever had, both from the company and from private. Very fun to drive and just makes you want to keep driving it. It's been a while since I had a car that engaging. Most modern cars (in the range I am offered!) are just seriously boring. Even more than the acceleration I like the braking, which is mostly regen - so smooth.

The preconditioning function is great, tell it (on the phone app) you're going out in 30 mins and by the time you get in it is warm and toasty, the windows are all clear and the battery is happy. Love it.

[pre65]

The world's first public two-car electric crash test by Mercedes-Benz.

And, there was no fire.

[Greg]

The world's first public two-car electric crash test by Mercedes-Benz.

And, there was no fire.

Yep, and see here.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/mythbu ... ching-fire

[Daniel Quinn]

Any talk of ev fires as no place on such an erudite forum as this , given this comprehensive review .

[Nick]

"Crash Test Dummy Engineer". I tell you, with AI nobody's job is safe

[Mike H]

@ Tony - that is impressive, glad you like it.

[pre65]

A thought provoking video from Harrys garage.

"Why I've gone back to driving a diesel after 2 years with an EV and then 2.5 years driving a PHEV as our family car. What needs to change to get me to go back to EV?"

[Greg]

Hydrogen?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... ssion-cars

[Nick]

At the same time https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/02/1 ... g-stations

[andrew Ivimey]

Just passing through one iof my least favourite places on this small blue green unrewarded planet in the I fashionable Western spiral arm of the galaxy and I not that Terminal Car Park 2 - a.k.a. Phil's car park is still there; burned soggy rusting in the sunlight - how appropriate!

It is of a little comfort that despite it being an appallingly uncomfortable and boring journey back to Beds Towers that it costs nothing but time....

Terminal re- Phil's Par Cark is deffo 'nuanced'. Wicked!

[andrew Ivimey]

N.b. unfashionable, unregarded. - My fingers are cold.

Another cup of coffee to wash down a soap tasting sandwich. There's something peculiar going on here!

[gninnam]

Took deliver of my first BEV a few days ago (BMW i4).
Loving it so far (can charge free at work which is a bonus) and the handling is very similar to an ICE powered BMW 3/4 to be honest.
The preheating of the car is great (can be done whether it is plugged in or not which is good) and driving using the one pedal function is brilliant.

I am a serious petrol head (many large engined and performance cars over the years plus I ride motorbikes) and always will be but before I retire I thought I would see how using a BEV car works for me which will then let me decide which way to go.
So far both me and the wife are impressed but it is very early days.

[pre65]

In New Zealand, EVs used to have no road tax.

Now EVs will have to pay a charge per Km.

With plug in hybrid vehicle, it now seems they have to pay tax on fuel (for the ICE) and also pay per Km (at a reduced rate) as they are also classed as an EV.

Go figure.

"From 11.59pm, Sunday 31 March 2024:

Legislation will be passed before 1 April to enable the reduced RUC rate for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Owners of light EVs will pay $76 per 1000 kilometres, in line with equivalent diesel-powered vehicles.
Owners of plug-in hybrid vehicles will pay a reduced rate of $53 per 1000 kilometres so that they are not double taxed when paying Fuel Excise Duty. The partial rate of $53 per 1,000 kilometres assumes that on average, a plug-in hybrid will consume petrol at a rate of just under 3 litres per 100 kilometres. "

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ele ... ise%20Duty.