Diesel & petrol alternatives? Your thoughts please
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I’m not sure it ever died.
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Somebody on the Volvo Forum says his XC90 is now down to 12-14` on battery only in winter (after three years and 95000`- high mileage) but it won`t be long before tales of woe about batteries start to emerge. I am sticking with diesel for the time being, when the technology proves itself (or to put it another way cost effectiveness is proved) I will no doubt look again.
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One of the statistics I cams across shows the problem with electrics is the recharging on the road. This takes up to an hour for a full charge but in that time a normal motorway services can refuel 280 cars. If we go electric times will improve but you will still need something the size of Heathrow to park the cars while recharging is done. To compound the problem most people are going to stop for something to eat and drink to pass the time and if they are late back that will block the charging point.
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Thank you for your many and varied replies. I agree with those who say that the technology is very new and subject to rapid change. It will I think, take more years than I have left before the systems have evolved sufficiently well to justify a gamble.
Battery technology is of course rapidly improving. Lithium may well be superceded by new experimental technologies. As for fuel cells; yes currently not a solution, however, that is another technology undergoing rapid improvement. As was pointed out by 'DougS', infrastructure would be another problem to solve.
I spoke to a club techie the other day, who said that the club currently still recommend diesel. That is modern diesel vehicles that are more efficient and less poluting than earlier designs. I imagine that my 12 year old C-RV is a bit of a Dinosaur now.
I shall have to consider what to do in the next year or two, so I guess it may have to be Diesel, unless legislation gets in the way.
I hope everyone agrees that Climate Change is for real, and that we make our choices with that in mind.
Those 'Prophets of doom' are serious scientists who are doing a marvellous job of trying to unravel the complexities of climate science. It is a huge subject: it can no longer be denied that the polution that we are all responsible for is doing massive damage to our fragile planet. I am a scientist, who reads papers on the subject, from all points of view: the concensus is frightening reading. ( I'm sure this will stir up a hornets nest!)
DougS also made a point that towing caravans may one day be banned. If climate change is to be seriously addressed, then who knows, we may lose our hobby and return to using tents.
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towing caravans may one day be banned. If climate change is to be seriously addressed, then who knows, we may lose our hobby and return to using tents.
Doing a quick calculation on the back of an envelope shows me that using a tent would be much worse for global warming/climate change. Still have to carry the same amount of kit to go in the tent, plus lots of insulation and more fuel to keep tent warm; damage to grass as not going to move all that lot every day to lift groundsheet; long set-up and take down time; bigger vehicle to carry all the stuff.
Having it all in a nice tidy cosy box makes far more sense unless the "tent" suggestion was for bare legged hairshirt camping!
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But closing showrooms and switching to online sales. How does one try before one buys?🤔
Returning it after 7 days if it doesn’t suit isn't the quite the same hassle free experience as sitting in a car in a showroom then going for a test drive.😄😄
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Yes, I hit Reply before I meant to.
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Hello,
As I work in the Automotive sector I watch with interest the proposals of many of the Car manufacturers around the Diesel/Petrol/Hybrid debate, when will we see a hybrid car competing in the Tow car awards? With all of the uncertainty I have just purchased my Honda CRV at the end of its PCP and intend to run it for another 3 years, by then I hope the industry and government will see that there is a place for a diesel car, but if an alternative came along that got easily 50+mpg solo, 26mpg towing 1500Kg and costs £140 a year road tax I would consider it!
Lets wait and see!
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This link takes you to a survey of latest Diesel cars conducted by ADAC and shows Diesel is no worse then Petrol.
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I tow with a Diesel crv well above euro 6 very clean.I cannot see my self getting to Scotland on an electric car.this nonsense about them being clean the precious metals mined will be a disaster for developing country's ,not in our back yard mining giants.The caravan industry will suffer also people's love of carravaning and motorhomes
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I, too, will be sticking with my 50+mpg solo, 26mpg towing 1500Kg and £140 a year road tax diesel car until such times as something comes along to match that kind of performance.
Every time I hear "government" spouting the petrol bad/diesel good (or vice versa) argument I take it with a VERY large pinch of salt....I suspect a ruse to justify further "soaking" of the motorist wallet (pure & simple).
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While we were away, I was talking a Dutch member also a exec member of ADAC ,and during our conversation,he talked about electric vehicles and said they had called Teslas "bluff"and had a towbar fitted to one of their vehicles,and after 50 k they had to turn back as the battery would not get them to the destination that Tessa said it was easerly capable of
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The C&CC have had been able to test the new Jag. Even with a lightweight trailer its towing range appeared to be about 100 miles which looks about the same as the Tessla. It might work for a farmer needing only short towing trips but not for us.
Electric cars have a long way to go before they become suitable for towing.
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just read that several parts of UK suffering blackouts power down
feel sorry for those with electric cars that need charging to get home or do they get someone with a diesel to tow them home?
to my knowledge this prospect has not been discussed ref electric cars stranded due to power failure
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Great point R, I had the same thoughts during the multiple power outages overnight(note to self-track down the kit that beeps when powering up😤) we can’t trust the power network to supply the very power that will be driving the economy. As per, the politicians blunder into major decisions that affect everyone without looking at the bigger picture. My advice-‘slow down, use baby steps’ we need a reliable infrastructure prior to banning fossil fuels. Better yet. . .Use all available options😱. I now realise why we are not in Govt, we look at the bigger picture👍🏻
PS-I’m taking a stab in the dark here. . .Maybe go hybrid first🤔
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I think it’s the energy needed for charging the batteries that is of concern to the posters above, PD.
The inference is that we’re trying to run before we can walk or, to put it another way, we’re building the cars before we build the power stations.
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When it can be guaranteed I’m in👍🏻. Promises from politicians are worthless I’m afraid, promises don’t get you moving😕
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