[wagolynn]

For a few weeks I have been looking into Used Electric Cars because as I am getting older my left leg and foot are getting weaker, so I thought as I no longer do very long journeys an electric would be an elegant way of solving the problem.

The first shock was how well they hold their value, I had thought that as a buyer would have no idea how the battery had been treated therefore the price would fall very quickly. Rapid charging shortens the life of the batteries.

The second shock, came after reading the Nissan Leaf Forum. I have to travel to Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge from time to time a round trip of approx.120 miles, the view on the forum was I would have to re-charge the batteries before setting off for home.

The other bit of trivia I turned up was that used car batteries are used in household energy storage systems.

[Santa]

Here's a promising candidate. https://www.theaa.com/used-cars/cardetails/134-36914

[wagolynn]

Thanks Santa but have decided to continue with the present car for as long as I can.

[Motman]

If it’s just your left leg, why not get an automatic car - surely that will be no different from driving an electric car?

Edit: Forget that - just re-read your post and see that you mainly do small journeys with the odd longer one.

One thing that puzzles me about electric vehicles is that (providing the range was there) it would be okay for those with one car and their own drive as they could be charged off street but what about those that live in terraces or flats? Just how is that going to work?

[Drivingforfun]

Originally Posted by Motman;n196580

One thing that puzzles me about electric vehicles is that (providing the range was there) it would be okay for those with one car and their own drive as they could be charged off street but what about those that live in terraces or flats? Just how is that going to work?

Exactly, this has been brought up many times with no solution by the electric car advocates.

I wish there was one as in every other way an electric car is absolutely perfect for me, just have nowhere to charge it.

They need to develop an electric car with a range similar to that of a petrol tank, which can be charged at a public charging point in similar time to filling up with petrol!

[Santa]

Or persuade Councils to install street-side charging points on residential roads.

[wagolynn]

I suppose the smart thing would be easily swapped batteries, so the driver calls at a battery swapping station and changes batteries but the price would have to include cost of recharging + cost of depreciation of the batteries.
Would the public pay that?
That is assuming a reliable high current, easily operated connector can be devised.

[Caleb82]

Originally Posted by Santa;n196587

Or persuade Councils to install street-side charging points on residential roads.

I vote for that!

[Caleb82]

Swapping batteries? I won't feel safe swapping mine with a random one at the station, but I would definitely take advantage on street-side charging points if the Council installs some on the residential roads :rolleyes:

[Santa]

You can apply to your local council for one and they can get a government grant. "Coming to a street near you? You can make a case with your local authority to have an electric car charge point - capable of replenishing two vehicles at once - installed on your street."

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...nt-street.html

[David Cockburn]

Hi All,
Do your electric cars have a gearbox?

[Santa]

As electric motors are different in the way they deliver power to the wheels, electric cars generally will just have a simple switch that will mimic the settings you may be used to from a conventional automatic. It will let you select ‘Drive’ to go forwards, R for reverse and N for neutral. Some will have additional modes that allow you to change the way the car drives (such as an Eco or Sport setting) but it won’t actually change the way the transmission operates – instead it will change other functions, such as the throttle sensitivity.

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-...have-gearboxes

[ECCUK]

Originally Posted by Santa;n196587

Or persuade Councils to install street-side charging points on residential roads.

Believe it or not, councils who implement on-street charging provision for residents receive a contribution that covers 75% of the total cost!!
https://electriccarchargersuk.co.uk/...arging-scheme/

We there aren't more being installed on residential streets is totally beyond me!

[mich09]

I wish to buy an electric car now we are planning , so excited :)