Electric car anyone?
1 lurker |
76 watchers
Jul 2023
12:43pm, 17 Jul 2023
15,130 posts
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jda
Are EVs more or less speed sensitive for efficiency? Probably more once you get to urban stop-start speeds, but how about 45-75mph? Regardless, the price differential is surely much less for those who are overnight charging at home. I was a bit shocked to see 15mpg on the dash of our friend's car when he gave us a lift on holiday earlier this year. However his commute is a big hill and it was also US gallons. We still did over 40 in our rental car though. |
Jul 2023
12:46pm, 17 Jul 2023
3,166 posts
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Steve NordRunner
Indeed, my fossil car has consumption (set to l/100km) but it doesn't move up and down with the pedal, which I think would encourage economy better, kinda like the regen displays.
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Jul 2023
1:00pm, 17 Jul 2023
21,553 posts
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larkim
I seem to remember reading "something" that said that the efficiency difference between an ICE at 60 vs 70mph was pretty different to that of an EV. Not that it takes any less energy to move a vehicle at those speeds, but I think it was down to the inherent inefficiency of an ICE anyway and a different efficiency curve vs an EV.
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Jul 2023
1:46pm, 17 Jul 2023
47,282 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
Indeed Steve. I remember "playing" with my first small diesel, in 2009, maybe which had an electronic estimate of MPG. It was meant to do 55 mpg and I got nearly 50 when I first got it. Then I started driving normally and it was barely 35. I just accepted that it was 30 something!  G
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Jul 2023
3:00pm, 17 Jul 2023
2,432 posts
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MudMeanderer
In general ICE efficiency is very sensitive to engine speed and torque, whereas an electric motor has much lower sensitivity. This means that if an ICE is operated away from its optimal design point it is much less efficient (hence the reason for gearboxes). It's partly the motivation for hybrids, if exploited properly. If you can use an ICE to charge a battery, you can operate the ICE close to it's optimum, and use the less sensitive electric motor to deal better with changes. However if you're always using a hybrid in cruise conditions, you're just driving a pointlessly heavy car. If you're using a bus around a city it can make more sense. |
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Jul 2023
8:51am, 18 Jul 2023
47,303 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
I've had my first bad experience with my EV. But it isn't really electric motor related. The charge port cover flap was stuck shut! I guess the same could happen with a fuel cover flap too. It was the lock, which is of course electric nowadays. The poor experience was Hyundai service, which I think was a bit chaotic. Called the service number for the leasing company (Hyundai leasing), they said call the garage to book in. Earliest garage could do was 3 weeks - my car's range is good, but not that good! Called service again, they said go to the breakdown number (which is effectively AA). They gave advice (and actually helped me get it open once, but then it stuck again). But they said they wouldn't treat it as a breakdown because I still had range (200 miles). Called service again and they tried to find earlier booking at garage, but couldn't. They said call AA again and they would follow me to a garage and that would get attention at garage who would then treat it as an emergency and possibly get me a courtesy car. Even though AA guy said it wouldn't. So I called AA again. As they had to come out to take me there, the guy looked at it and used a plastic lever to pop the flap open, effectively just "forcing" the lock. This was good, as I can charge. And also the car thinks the flap is still locked so doesn't even alarm to tell me it's open and prevent me driving. So now I'm driving with flap open (which doesn't seem to cause any problems or further damage). Will be fine until the garage booking, which is still 2 weeks hence! G
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Jul 2023
8:54am, 18 Jul 2023
47,304 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
A bit Kafkaesque but fine outcome I suppose. For anyone who is a fast, sporty car fan, have you seen in the Ioniq 5 N (N is Hyundai's sports and rally brand - they do quite well in WRC)? Omgoodness - 3.4s to 60. A beast! G carwow.co.uk |
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Jul 2023
8:59am, 18 Jul 2023
21,568 posts
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larkim
I'd seen charging flaps stuck due to condensation / ice in the winter before on Peugeots, especially as the nature of EV charging means the flap will often be exposed open for long periods at night in cold / wet temps over the winter. But that sounds very annoying HG! And your experience with main dealers seems pretty typical - they are so booked up with work that the good old days of just being able to nip in and get 20 minutes of attention from a dealer doesn't seem to exist any more. Courtesy cars also seem to need booking months in advance! Things like a charging flap should almost be fail-proof these days after so many years of having them for cars of all flavours! One of those things where the simpler the solution the better overall. |
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Jul 2023
9:07am, 18 Jul 2023
15,134 posts
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jda
I always struggle to get the flap open but that's just my stupidity. Such things as locked flaps have never existed on my previous bangers.
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Jul 2023
9:43am, 18 Jul 2023
47,306 posts
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HappyG(rrr)
It's exactly that larkim - an electrically locked flap is all very groovy as a feature. Until it fails! With no manual unlock option. D'oh! And the design is: plastic flap that can easily be levered open, so what's the point in a lock? And if you are going to put a lock on an essential access point, why no manual over ride? And if you want it to work, why make it a weak solenoid, rather than a more robust mechanism? Hmm. And the dealer process is just daft. I think they effectively prefer to use and abuse The AA or other breakdown companies rather than their own servicing. Which means it's always quick tape up fixes, not proper repairs. Weird attitude. G
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