Thread: EV general discussion

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of an EV but the infrastructure needed is what worries me.

I live (according to Google Maps) 72km from the Melbourne CBD. You cannot say that is “in the middle of nowhere”.

My house was built on a brand new estate - approximately 17 years ago. We have:

- Underground power (good)
- Mains water (good)

But that’s about where the good stuff ends

- No street lights
- No gas
- No sewage
- No footpaths
- No MAIL delivery
- No green waste bin
- 1 bar of 4G on the mobile (meaning poor mobile reception)
- NBN using copper (14mb down / 4mb up)

But here is the EV slant…

I installed solar panels on the roof about 2 years ago. My solar cannot send into the grid (not that I would make much money on that anyway) because the local infrastructure doesn’t support it…

Let’s say I buy an EV.
5 months of the year I leave home in the dark and get home in the dark.
Last time I checked - my solar doesn’t work at night.
My place of work does not have an EV charger
I do 700km a week (average week)
How do I charge my car?
I can’t charge it at home during the week - unless I install an expensive battery pack.
I can’t charge it at work.
(I work in 4 locations - none of them have an EV charger)
I can’t go a week without charging it (unless you know of a EV that has a 700km range)

What happens if I want to buy a car for my wife as well?

Why should my boss have to install multiple EV chargers?

Remember - I only live 72km from the Melbourne CBD, which is hardly on the Oodnadatta track….

I would love an EV - but at the moment it just doesn’t suit me.

I can’t be the only person with these infrastructure issues? The investment to fix these issues must be huge - who is going to pay for it? I can’t even get my mail delivered!

Personally I would love gas, mail, a green bin and decebr NBN speeds before an EV at this point…

And all the while electricity prices are increasing, with increases of 20+% predicted when they close down the coal power station.

For the time being - I don’t have any choice other than to stick with my trusty Landy’s!

Cheers,
GG

Good post and points. My tight arsed ev might not struggle in your situation IF a normal power point from midnight to 6am was used 2-4 times a week costing about $28 ( 700km @20kWh per 100km @ about $0.20c per kWh off peak charging) A wall plug add 2-3kWh per hour.

Fuel cost for my Disco over 700 km is $200ish. Maintenance cost SHHHHH (EV is almost zero)

The price parity between ICE and EV needed of course and that might be a year or three away yet. Nothing yet can replace our Landrovers

Originally Posted by PhilipA

Ever checked out how much they charge to fit 3 Phase?

I think I have heard about 5K a long time ago.
Regards PhilipA

Its not just the charge for new mains,switchboard,etc, at your place,its the infastructure,substations,transformers,etc,etc.

Its a huge amount of work,going to cost Billions,and take decades to do.

By then EV's will probably be old hat,and they will have found something more convenient and suitable.


This is interesting,if its true.

China is building more than half of the world's new coal power plants | New Scientist

Originally Posted by NavyDiver

First EV ute?

Tradies and all of those people just wanting to “ruin their weekend,” rejoice – an all-electric ute is finally being made available to Australian drivers.
In what is being labelled a “fundamental step-change” in its strategy, SAIC-owned LDV has confirmed it will introduce the eT60 all-electric ute to the Australian market.

"

“In the first half of 2022, 2.4 million EVs were delivered to customers in China, more than double the total annual new car market in Australia,” Chinnappa said.

"

Link

Its range will suite some. "It is already on sale in New Zealand (billed as the “EV for the Kiwi” on LDV’s NZ website) for $NZ79,990. Although LDV Australia today has not announced local pricing, a quick conversion suggests pricing may fall around the $A70,000 mark.
That’s about the same as the latest Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6, or Toyota Hilux Rogue."

Pricing might be of interest give it is comparable to wildtrak and a rogue

The acknowledged possible 50% hit to range for towing and "

charged from 20-80% in 45 minutes on a DC fast charger, or from 5-100% on an 11kW AC charger in around 9 hours.

"

A trickle charge at a work site for 8 hours would add at about 2 -3 kWh per hour meaning range recover for a <100km daily round trip is very easy. It would be a few hours off peak with a home wall box.
LDV Australia web site

Not for me unless a suitable hydrogen Fuel Cell Generator for my vaccine fridge arrives soon

Hands up who’d spend $70K on an LDV rust bucket with depreciation steeper than a cliff face…?
.
.
.
I can only hear crickets….

If someone did have a mental blackout and went and bought one just don’t park it near the ocean, and you may still get warranty on it when it poops its pants.

Originally Posted by scarry

Not many houses are 3 phase,but yes 3 phase would be a lot better.
That is an issue for the Rivian,and LDV,and probably many others?

LR are pushing a 7KW charger for the new RRS,charge from home
I presumed it was single phase.

Years back when it was ETSA you had to really, really justify the need for a 3 Ph connection to a Residence (for AC) but today it is SA Power Networks so no idea what the situation is but I doubt it would be an inexpensive operation.

Originally Posted by Homestar

Hands up who’d spend $70K on an LDV rust bucket with depreciation steeper than a cliff face…?
.
.
.
I can only hear crickets….

If someone did have a mental blackout and went and bought one just don’t park it near the ocean, and you may still get warranty on it when it poops its pants.

BLIMEY! I have seen what it has done to Air Cond Condenser Coil Fins.

Originally Posted by Homestar

Hands up who’d spend $70K on an LDV rust bucket with depreciation steeper than a cliff face…?
.
.
.
I can only hear crickets….

If someone did have a mental blackout and went and bought one just don’t park it near the ocean, and you may still get warranty on it when it poops its pants.

Never heard of them before. I found the case DON'T BUY WARNING: Why owning an LDV in Australia is a mistake — Auto Expert by John Cadogan - save thousands on your next new car!

Note my old LADA ute survived a lot of WA beach driving but DID show a little sign of it


Caption on above was LDV says Do NOT do this

Ok I am going to list a website that has SHOCK HORROR one swear word in it.

I will not link it but you should be warned that if you go to it your woke sensibilities may be offended.

It is Cadogan commenting on a recent industry meeting in Perth attended by Lithium battery makers forecasting a great shortfall in Lithium production over the next ten years.

(1) Electric vehicle prices set to soar - here's why. | Auto Expert John Cadogan - YouTube
Regards PhilipA

EVs won't suit everyone all the time, but I really think a lot of the objections are exaggerated.
If the range is say 300ks then that's plenty for a 70km trip and return. The money saved by not buying fuel will more than cover the cost of recharging at home, even if it is at night. Plus you still save by running the house on solar during the day.
The $30b I mentioned earlier is federal funding towards upgrading the major East Coast transmission network, including three corridors in Qld and one each in NSW and Victoria.
Cadogan's vids are amusing, but he's playing to an audience to get subscribers, so allow for that.