Tesla.

[pre65]

Good news for Tesla fans, battery technology and the environment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53067009

[Nick]

Except there isn't actually any new yet, just hat there may be news soon.

[pre65]

Except there isn't actually any new yet, just that there may be news soon.

I'm sure there will be.

By the time I get round to an electric car the difference in mileage available, and charging time, will be far in excess of what's available today. In my hopeful opinion of course.

[Nick]

Except there isn't actually any new yet, just that there may be news soon.

I'm sure there will be.

By the time I get round to an electric car the difference in mileage available, and charging time, will be far in excess of what's available today. In my hopeful opinion of course.

I would argue that for 90% of people (at least) an electric car is already good enough in both those things. Only thing stopping most is purchase price, and that’s directly related to battery cost. BIK for company cars makes it a no brainier for company vehicles. Access to charging points for people in houses without off street parking is a bigger problem than batteries now.

[Ray P]

Yep, there are very few journeys I make in the car that an electric one couldn't cope with easily without having to worry about recharging - I'll be seriously considering one when the old Volvo goes to the scrapyard in the sky.

One of the problems I have are the companies that seem to see an opportunity to make a quick buck from a currently largely captive audience; we have charging points at work that are run by one of these companies and they charge significanly more than the my domestic rate for a unit of electricity, which itself will be higher than commercial rates. I know that they have to put the charging infrastructure in place and that has costs but, perhaps naively, I imagined we would want to incentivise not deter.

[Greg]

I am also in the market for a new car and hope to buy an EV. I’d love a Tesla, but not sure my budget will stretch that far. It’s a pity they don’t sell for the price here that they sell for in the States. I’m hoping the rumour that the Prime Minister will, in early July announce a £6000 scrappage scheme is true. Not as good as the EU 10,000€ scheme but still a grant not to be sniffed at. If I decide not to go for a Tesla Model 3, next presently on my list is a Hyundai Kona Electric. Trying to save like mad at present, waiting for when the time is right to buy.

[Nick]

That Hyundai was looking good until I found the "Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS)" which seems to sound like a cross between a Mac start-up sound and Music for Airports

[Greg]

That Hyundai was looking good until I found the "Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS)" which seems to sound like a cross between a Mac start-up sound and Music for Airports

Yes, I’m banking on there being a way to disable it.

[simon]

Driving a car on electric near people is a bit unnerving at first as they can't hear you. Quite a few times people have been ambling along in the middle of car parks unaware of a tonne and a half of car in stealth mode behind them.

The previous Prius used to beep when in reverse - but only inside the car. Not outside where it might actually be needed. Fortunately the latest doesn't beep.

[simon]

Yes, I’m banking on there being a way to disable it.

I seem to recall it was European legislation that decreed electric vehicles would make an artificial sound? Presumably for reasons above.

[Greg]

Yes, I’m banking on there being a way to disable it.

I seem to recall it was European legislation that decreed electric vehicles would make an artificial sound? Presumably for reasons above.

Yes, I’m still banking on there being a way to disable it.

[pre65]

Yes, I’m banking on there being a way to disable it.

I seem to recall it was European legislation that decreed electric vehicles would make an artificial sound? Presumably for reasons above.

Only at slow speeds as I understand things.

[Ali Tait]

One downside is the cost of insurance currently (arf), Tesla’s are group 50.

[Ray P]

I wonder what the insurance will be on a Tesla Roadster? If the right numbers came up I could be tempted to pre-order one...

[Michael L]

Surely there has to be some noise to alert pedestrians - especially kids and the visually impaired. Anyone who has visited places like Amsterdam, Cambridge or Bordeaux where people whizz about on bicycles or electric scooters will know they daren't change direction as a pedestrian without glancing behind. Many councils are working on road sharing schemes and promoting cycling - the latter especially with Covid. Knowing how many hopeless drivers there are on the roads, I personally would prefer to know where they are when I'm on foot or on my bike.