ianl

Yep, infrastructure is more likely to be an issue than competent cars being developed and sold at affordable prices.

Interesting that Tesla are cutting out the weak link (politicians) and developing their own charging infrastructure.

Nick Graves

It's almost definitely got to be a private consortium that does it - as soon as politco-experts get involved, it all goes Big Pants.

Nottm_S2

But the big energy generators are all ex pubic (sp) sector and about as slick a bag of sand.

I heard there is less than 1 charging point to every 10 pumps currently. Given it takes 2hrs to juice up petrol stations (on motorways) become large car parks and the rest are thinned out just for us fringe luddites driving great sounding but slow, lightweight petrol cars

The change wont be driven by the ban imo, we'll be close by then anyway

It'll be ****ing boring i think.. like electric chainsaws electric cars are just so gay...

i'll want an autonomous one

Soggybottomboy

I now understand that that the ban is for purely petrol or Diesel engines. If you are selling a hybrid then you would appear to be exempt.
Golf Gte or the like.

Rapscallion

charging wont be much fun if you live in a city 2nd floor flat, or in a street where you can never park anywhere near your house etc.!!

I think electric cars will become pretty standard in the next 20 years, especially if graphene based batteries can be made to work. i have read of potential energy densities 1000-1300wh/kg and higher against the 200wh/kg or so for current li-ion. which would make a 500 mile range on a cold winters night very possible

or a short range, very light sports car!

Siemens have made an 250kw (353hp) electric motor weighing 50kg. Currently being tested in an extra 330.
improved battery weight with technology and you can build one hell of a fun sports car - albeit slightly quiet!

Nick Graves

Just need a few Tesla coils around the globe...

GarethB

I agree with Lovegroova, infrastructure is the sticking point.
A few years ago I lived on Battersea Rise* in London and needed a car for work. The building was converted into 3 flats. I shared one of those flats with three other guys, all of whom could have owned a car. How the hell would we charge our cars? This is not unusual for London. And Zip / Uber wouldn't have been practical either or cost effective.

*here, up the steps next to Kim's Kitchen https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.46...7i13312!8i6656

lovegroova

One possible solution is to have the charging points built into street lamps like this: London street lamps are being turned into electric car charging points | The Independent

Failing that, wireless charging is possible: https://www.pluglesspower.com/learn-about-plugless/

ianl

I visit Oslo on a regular basis. As you'd expect for a city, most people live in apartment blocks. Increasingly each and every parking space is acquiring a charging post. It really shouldn't be a big issue (certainly over 20-odd years) to achieve the same in the UK - it's not as if any parking space is ever going to be far from electrical supply in a city.

prince buster

103 year old lady still driving her Packard on Chasing Classic Cars last night. Best be looking at electric conversion for your S.