Electricians Vans, any of you have electric vans? How good are they now?

[Risteard]

Have a 75kWh Citroën ë-Dispatch and almost never need to use public charging (although it can take up to 100kW DC rapid charge when needed). Really can't fault it. Great van. Generally only charge it from around 30% to around 70% unless I need greater range.

Had a free charging offer yesterday between Midnight Wednesday to Midnight Thursday so stopped off at a rapid chargepoint to top it up for free on the way home even though I didn't remotely need the charge to get home.

I honestly think they can work for most people, but it's a lack of confidence in them which puts people off. That's not to suggest that they're for everyone though of course.

 

[MDJ]

I changed my pickup to a model Y

do around 35K miles per year.
pickup at 30mpg
1166 gallons or 5297 Litres per year
at an average of £1.55 that makes £8210 per year in fuel

model Y
real life uses about 280Wh per mile or 3.6 miles to the Kwh
I do not drive it gently, the official figure is more like 4 to 4.5 miles per kwh
on a motorway run, i get about 4.3 miles to the kwh.

so for 35K per year
at 3.6 miles to the kwh
makes 9722 kwh
not done the maths yet but lets assume that charging is only 95% efficient
makes my energy use per year 10208 kwh

my yearly stats show 80% charging at home and 20% at fast chargers
8166kwh at home 8.5p per kwh = £694
242kwh at fast chargers 55p per kwh =£132
Total fuel cost per year £826

8210 - 826 = £7384 saving.

not doubting you but I know of a guy who spent 120 K on a porche electric car and after 2 years tried to trade it in and got offered 40 kk, also when the batteries go the costs are crazy. I personally am neutral, I have heard good and bad things so appreciate the post mate.

 

[James]

I get what you are saying,

however a couple of points to note.

if you spend 120k on a sports car, you will expect it to depreciate by 50% even if it is a petrol version.

batteries are massively expensive and would cost a fortune if you had to replace it.
the comparison is, if you need to buy a new engine for a car, expect to pay in the region of half the original car purchase price.

i.e. my last pickup truck cost 24k and a new engine costs 11k, expect the engine to break down after 200k miles even if well serviced.

when it breaks down you don't run to the nissan dealer and say "put a new engine in please" generally speaking, they change the part that has failed,
and in serous cases a rebuilt or second hand engine is sourced for 2k to 5k

with an electric car, you are in a similar position, you can if you wish say to the dealer, put me a new battery in please and they will bill you 10k to 15k. or you ask for it to be fixed or replaced with a refurb unit.
they are modular, containing multiple modules that contain multiple battery cells.

they can diagnose the modules that have failed and replace them individually,
or in the worst case they can change the battery for a reconditioned unit, depending on the condition of the battery you are giving them, the costs range from 30% to 60% of the new battery cost. 4.5k to 9k (working on the 15k replacement cost)

I was not a believer in electric cars a few years ago and kind of smirked a little when other family members got them and sang there praises.

they are absolutely NOT RIGHT FOR EVERYONE.
however, for me over the next 10 years i expect to save
£7300 x 10 =73k in fuel
£250 x 10 =2.5k servicing
£300 x 10 = 3k road tax (although they may well reduce that incentive)
£30 x 520 =15.6k emissions charges for driving into birmingham, sheffield and bristol. (based on 2 x per week average)
£94k savings over 10 years buys a lot of spare batteries if i ever need one.

but to top it off, it is the most fun car I have ever driven and will do 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds and that on occasions brings a smile to my face!!!!

 

[baldelectrician]

I have a Nissan Townstar and, in my opinion it is garbage

It has glitches such as when you change the driver profile it switches on 'approach unlocking' EVERY TIME. I asked about this and it is not a fault?

In winter the milage (stated at 180) went to 96 on a full charge. The range has never been above 150 since I got it.

Also- when you open the driver door it unlocks ALL doors (making it easy for someone to seal your tools), when I mentioned to Nissan I was told I did not bring up this issue before the purchase and they would do nothing

I will NEVER buy another Nissan / PSA vehicle

 

[pirate]

When one door closes, another door open...
Other than that, it's a great car!

 

[pirate]

on the Porsche question, I have a very good friend who specializes in Porsche cars, has done so for 40 years, and works for one of the biggest dealerships anywhere. He often tells me tales of buying in cars he sold a few months ago, and paying more than cost price if it's a rare model. Similarly, the original owner can see a massive drop if it's a common model, so not unusual to drop £30k on a car that's 6 months old. Those guys and gals usually have a fleet of top end vehicles and such losses are of no concern. He recently called by my place and showed me a Lamborghini he had just bought in for £250k...not my type of car...(for every reason!) and this belonged to an 89 year old lady in Perth. She was fed up with folks saying they didn't like the colour (it was a shocking green affair) so decided to trade it in for a black one. At that point, it was still on her private plate which alone was worth £300k! I can only wonder as to what her insurance premium is!
I digress...the point is, my friend has been told NOT to buy back any electric Porsches, unless the owner is prepared to drop at least 70% of cost AND is buying a new one at full price.

 

[nicebutdim]

The Porsche Taycan has been a bone of contention among owners as its depreciation has been far beyond that expected of common models. The issue is quite simply one of demand and its being far, far outstripped by supply.

I'd be very happy to buy one if depreciation continues into four digit prices