Summertime and many EVs on the road

[RobertArthur]

@ DaveW, even if you have a 12 kVA supply in monophasé (the max) you'll get 'only' 7.4 kW to charge your EV or hybrid. More power and shorter charging times: go to a triphasé supply of at least 18 kVA (puissance souscrite) to keep the electrons flowing for simple things in life as lights, the fridge and other standard equipment. Needs also a bit of reorganising of your tableau électrique.

@ Blaze: as long as there is enough water in the French rivers to cool all the nuclear power stations, feeding our hungry metal animals with electrons is cheaper than the fuel options. But: for many in France a single-phase supply of 6 kVA or 9 kVA is enough, limiting the charging options for EVs. Not more than 3.7 kW charging capacity available, enough for plug-in hybrids.

[Polarengineer]

I have a 3 phase 11kW wallbox from china and usually charge for 2 to 3 hours. I keep an eye on the meter and a day with charging increases the cost (€0.1612/kWh Tempo blue day rate) by about €4.50. That gives me 200km range. OK that does not include all the crap tax nor part of the monthly abonnement for 30kVA. It is a real saving over hydrocarbon ICEngine fuel. My old Subaru would cost about €25/100km today, so I do not drive it much, only for towing. The lease car is covered for 10,000km/year and I am insured for that too, my km/y are low enough to get a refund each year on the premium.
EDIT… I got the fuel usage wrong on the Subaru. It should be €16 to €17/100km

[Hotrodder]

Blaze. I think you will find that there are very few downsides to the EV. Myself, I have leased an EV Renault 4 as it fits my use for shopping (15km away). It has a useful range of more than 250km and costs less than €2 per 100km when charging at home. EVs are so easy to drive, no stalling the engine, you get regenerating power on the downhill run, connect your phone for music and sat-nav. speed limiters to hold you at the correct limits (can be switched off) and avoid fines. No smelly exhaust, oil leaks, petrol or worse gas oil. no warming up the engine, Lots of automatic bells and whistles (hotrodder do not cry) that actually work. Take a 3 year lease then change it for a new one with even more whistles and bells.
Downside.. Well some ferrys will not carry EVs and some request they have only 40% charge if they do take them. I’m sure, ferry designs will have EV tanks where, if on fire, the tank can be flooded. Fires on EVs are probably no more than normal cars, they are just very difficult to put out, so avoid accidents- drive carefully like always. As for battery life, they are guaranteed for 8 years and if you lease for 3 years, who cares? If you do the sums, I think leasing is the cheapest way to own a good car.

Very interesting to read your very detailed post about your real-world experience with an EV. Absolutely nothing on your "Upside" list would be a deal maker for me, and in actual fact your comments on EV fires wouldn't really put me off having one if I was interested. Fires are certainly minimal compared to those involving ICE cars. The issue of home charging to save money would involve bumping up my connection from a 6kva to a more expensive level plus the expense of a charging unit and the hassle of using it only during the low tariff times. My 20 year old Peugeot has a speed limiter but I almost never use it. I have never stalled it, nor does it leak fuel, water, or oil.

You say for you leasing is the cheapest way to own a good car. Is leasing the same as owning? I am aware leasing is embraced by a huge number of French people but after paying the monthly rental (?) for X years it is yours or do you have to sign up for another period? I probably do less mileage than you and already benefit from cheaper insurance because of that and a much lower value because it is an older car. One positive point I have discovered is that the batteries are lasting much longer than first expected. Battery technology and usage/charging methods have improved so battery life is less of a concern than it once was. This will help maintain resale value.

An EV would appear to make sense for you and your specific situation. I will continue to use an ICE car of van as long as they are legally allowed. A new car offers nothing I want or need.

[DaveW]

@ DaveW, even if you have a 12 kVA supply in monophasé (the max) you'll get 'only' 7.4 kW to charge your EV or hybrid. More power and shorter charging times: go to a triphasé supply of at least 18 kVA (puissance souscrite) to keep the electrons flowing for simple things in life as lights, the fridge and other standard equipment. Needs also a bit of reorganising of your tableau électrique.

I have 15kw 3 phase, the charger tends to charge at 10kw. I use it when not much else is on, particularly electric kettles. My electrician has it fairly well balanced, I’ve had no problems - so far

[Polarengineer]

I recognize Hotrodder that you are a true petrolhead and quite happy with the old style. I was too, to an extent, but now the years make diving under the wheel arch a bit of a task and I was shocked at the technological advances made since I bought my 2005 Subaru Forester new. For example, I was driven by a friend in his Peugeot hybrid and could not imagine the tech behind the change from battery to engine. All that could be detected was that the dials went from blue to grey at the changeover. I hate to think of the poor mechanics that have to deal with faults to the system and balance the power.

There are two types of car lease, a 3 or 4 year monthly fee with the right to buy at the end of the lease and a lease and return to the garage after the lease is finished. Usually the price to buy is given at the start of the lease contract. During the lease, you are not the owner and must take out a fully comprehensive insurance on it. The lease contract can include spare parts, maintenance etc at extra cost but not tyres. The car will come with summer tyres and cost extra to change them. I did not bother with all the extras and one should be very careful as the dealers try to push the price of the monthly fee. Note that the web advertised monthly fee is unobtainable and the dealer will have his reasons. The deal is always to the advantage of the dealer, so don’t be afraid to walk away and choose another make of car if the deal is getting out of control. I visited Citroen and walked away from an insulting offer, Next I visited Hyundai, but could not get clear answers to my questions. Finally Renault, where I got the best trade-in deal, a very clear explanation to their lease requirements and a bonus free month of fees. As for maintenance, there is none for the first year. brake pads will last forever as with regenerative braking, the brake pedal only gets used to stop the car on a slow roll to a junction or on emergency. I never use the brakes for bends and sharp corners at any speed, I did this also with the ICE to slow me, but this EV is more effective and you gain electric power too.

[Hotrodder]

Thanks for that. Worth a whole lot more than advertising hype and any showroom sales pitch.

[Wilbro]

When I read these posts I'm glad I've kept our petrol car. If it was affordable I would have a second electric car and home charge to use for local runs, shopping, doctor's etc. but for long journeys the convenience and peace of mind of petrol wins every time.

[Liz]

So far when listening to friends here who lease I am shocked by the monthly payments and the initial down payments. They make motoring expensive to me.
Another issue is that it is hard to find a dog friendly modern car i.e. one with an easy access loading bay.
I need another car but don't see us going down the ev route.....

[RobertArthur]

Not on the autoroutes, urban traffic, parking made easier. User manual, page 1: left = front, right = rear.

[Hotrodder]

Perfectly practical for big city use, but why do they have to be so ugly? The original Mini was very little larger and it was decent looking, took four adults, and cornered like a cat.