Thanks David. In rural areas there are distinct problems with the grid connections to support EV charging requirements. We both drive hybrids currently, and I will be changing to a full electric car next year. There are quite a few steps to go through with the network providers, energy provider and the EV charging point installer - and that's before you get to insure your car where the insurance industry is currently charging a significant premium for full EV cars. It surprises me that the EV car manufacturers and sellers don't offer a full package when you buy an EV, and they handle the rest and also extend beyond purchase financing deals and then take on insurance too. Given that EVs are fully connected and so tracked by manufacturers they are in a great position to use the use data to derive better deals around repair and maintenance, and also insurance. Perhaps when the market tips to mass EV take-up we might see a few developments.
Several years ago when we needed a new (replacement) car, we chose to buy a hybrid because of its high reliability rating, and because of its high fuel economy. In the rural areas where we live, we are glad to have such features as regenerative braking that contribute to our getting just over 50 miles per gallon. A battery just wouldn't be practical, as there are few charging stations in the wooded and farmland areas we frequent. A wonderful feature of hybrids is that we get to make real-time decisions. We can get great mileage on highways by using our dashboard instantaneous mpg indicator and driving slightly under the speed limit, and accelerating at fuel-efficient rates. But having that gasoline engine available--and choosing speed over immediate economic efficiency--is priceless in some situations, like when my wife was in labor and we chose to get to the hospital fast, without excruciating attention to fuel efficiency. It seems to me that hybrid systems provide more choice, so hybrid is the way to go.
Thanks David. In rural areas there are distinct problems with the grid connections to support EV charging requirements. We both drive hybrids currently, and I will be changing to a full electric car next year. There are quite a few steps to go through with the network providers, energy provider and the EV charging point installer - and that's before you get to insure your car where the insurance industry is currently charging a significant premium for full EV cars. It surprises me that the EV car manufacturers and sellers don't offer a full package when you buy an EV, and they handle the rest and also extend beyond purchase financing deals and then take on insurance too. Given that EVs are fully connected and so tracked by manufacturers they are in a great position to use the use data to derive better deals around repair and maintenance, and also insurance. Perhaps when the market tips to mass EV take-up we might see a few developments.
Several years ago when we needed a new (replacement) car, we chose to buy a hybrid because of its high reliability rating, and because of its high fuel economy. In the rural areas where we live, we are glad to have such features as regenerative braking that contribute to our getting just over 50 miles per gallon. A battery just wouldn't be practical, as there are few charging stations in the wooded and farmland areas we frequent. A wonderful feature of hybrids is that we get to make real-time decisions. We can get great mileage on highways by using our dashboard instantaneous mpg indicator and driving slightly under the speed limit, and accelerating at fuel-efficient rates. But having that gasoline engine available--and choosing speed over immediate economic efficiency--is priceless in some situations, like when my wife was in labor and we chose to get to the hospital fast, without excruciating attention to fuel efficiency. It seems to me that hybrid systems provide more choice, so hybrid is the way to go.