Would you have an electric car if you had the money for a new car and were in the market for one?

[Slenver]

My Toyota Landcruiser Amazon 4.2 TD had a moderate under bonnet fire when the alternator decided to let go.
Thankfully a fairly small dry powder extinguisher I kept in the car managed to extinguish it, and with a bit of cautionary piping replaced and a new alternator saw it back on the road.

I have an Ampera with a 14kWh battery.
I'm more concerned (though only a small amount) about the Ampera catching fire than, say, my V6 diesel Discovery (even if it has c.500kWh of diesel in it) because I charge the battery in the Ampera at home most nights.
That might be the most likely timing for it to burst into flames, when it is unattended, whereas for the Discovery it's more likely to be either when I'm driving it or, most likely if I don't keep an eye on things, on a cold morning startup as the auxiliary diesel heater fuel pipes perish and spray diesel onto the hot (enough to ignite the diesel) exhaust pipe as has happened to quite a few of this particular model.
I keep a fire extinguisher in most of my cars, along with tow rope, hi-vis jacket, breaker bar, jack, socket set and, in stormy weather, a chainsaw.

Be prepared!

No snow shovel?

[ChrisW]

I used to keep a fire extinguisher in my auld BMW E30 with the lowered suspension and sport seats, but only 'cause I thought was cool, being a random BMW optional extra. It even had the BMW roundel on.

Is that a W212?

[Mr. Dazzle]

It's whatever Google images found Couldn't find an actual BMW E30.

EDIT: Found one! Same cloth pattern and everything.

[Slenver]

Is that a W212?

It's an F10 5-series.

[ChrisW]

Is that a W212?

It's an F10 5-series.

The 'BMW' on the mat should probably have give me a hint

[Slenver]

Is that a W212?

It's an F10 5-series.

The 'BMW' on the mat should probably have give me a hint

Well, that's what I noticed first but it didn't seem conclusive. So I did a reverse image search and found the whole set of photos Which are actually advertising the extinguisher bracket for an F10 on Etsy.

[Mr. Dazzle]

My bracket was OE BMW. Just saying.

Flogged it in the owner's forum when the car died of brown cancer.

[Kneerly Down]

No snow shovel?

I thought that went without saying!
And chains of course.

[ZRX61]

We're a two PREE-US family now. No other vehicles.

It feels good to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

I'll be sure to cruise along in front of one next time I'm burning 100LL

[Taipan]

The enslavers must pay!

[ZRX61]

Chickens coming home to roost....

https://www.businessinsider.com/auto-ex ... ng-2023-10

[Horse]

@Mr. Dazzle Heard about this - seems no more than a gimmick?

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/toy ... r-AA1iZRm6?

Toyota intends to offer its manual transmission for electric cars as an option on its next-generation of EVs to ensure they’re not a “commodity”, and remain as fun and involving to drive as internal-combustion-engined cars.

The system, which has been in development for three years, will be a factory option buyers can select in models created on the new modular architecture being developed for launch in 2026. This will include a production version of the FT-Se sports car concept, which is being seen as a spiritual successor to the MR2. The system is likely to be standard in cars with this kind of performance focus.

The system is almost entirely software-operated, with hardware tweaks limited to a clutch pedal and gear shift borrowed from a Toyota GR86, and a rev counter and some new switchgear to select the mode. Paddle shifts are possible, too.

Engineers say the system is created as part of a drive to make electric cars “fun to drive” and respond to chairman Akio Toyoda’s brief to ensure electric cars are not simply a “commodity”.

Toyota is also developing ‘On Demand’ software for BEVs that changes the performance of the car to mimic certain other models. Installed on a Lexus RZ, a prototype version allows the performance of the car to cycle between a Toyota Passo supermini, a Toyota Tundra truck and a Lexus LFA supercar.

[Mr. Dazzle]

It's kind've an obvious thing to do TBF. Gearbox manufacturers use leccy motors on a rig to simulate engines after all. One motor can be many engines. S'not a huge leap to put it in a car.

Won't do much for the price though

[ZRX61]

Was reading a thread about a guy doing a round trip of about 1900 miles on another forum. He had a spreadsheet for distance/charging stops/Kw etc, but left out charging times... this was mentioned & he duly provided the info.

It occurred to me that it's actually faster to refuel a horse than an EV, altho they don't got quite so far on a bucket of oats & a flake of hay...

[Slenver]

@Mr. Dazzle Heard about this - seems no more than a gimmick?

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/toy ... r-AA1iZRm6?

Toyota intends to offer its manual transmission for electric cars as an option on its next-generation of EVs to ensure they’re not a “commodity”, and remain as fun and involving to drive as internal-combustion-engined cars.

The system, which has been in development for three years, will be a factory option buyers can select in models created on the new modular architecture being developed for launch in 2026. This will include a production version of the FT-Se sports car concept, which is being seen as a spiritual successor to the MR2. The system is likely to be standard in cars with this kind of performance focus.

The system is almost entirely software-operated, with hardware tweaks limited to a clutch pedal and gear shift borrowed from a Toyota GR86, and a rev counter and some new switchgear to select the mode. Paddle shifts are possible, too.

Engineers say the system is created as part of a drive to make electric cars “fun to drive” and respond to chairman Akio Toyoda’s brief to ensure electric cars are not simply a “commodity”.

Toyota is also developing ‘On Demand’ software for BEVs that changes the performance of the car to mimic certain other models. Installed on a Lexus RZ, a prototype version allows the performance of the car to cycle between a Toyota Passo supermini, a Toyota Tundra truck and a Lexus LFA supercar.

The new Hyundai EV5 N does this. It has 'gears' with a rev limiter and associated engine noises. Entirely subjective, but the Top Gear editor really liked it.

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/hyu ... irst-drive

[Mr. Dazzle]

Was reading a thread about a guy doing a round trip of about 1900 miles on another forum. He had a spreadsheet for distance/charging stops/Kw etc, but left out charging times... this was mentioned & he duly provided the info.

It occurred to me that it's actually faster to refuel a horse than an EV, altho they don't got quite so far on a bucket of oats & a flake of hay...

When I worked at R-R there was a guy who commuted by horse

My 'rents have just picked up their electric Mini, which now makes me the only member of my immediate family without an EV.

[636mick]

I’ve spent the last couple of months looking for a hybrid, mainly because I can charge it at work so have nil travel costs.
The problem I’ve encountered is that, I assume due to the weight of the battery/motor, most hybrids have a massively reduced towing capacity. My caravan weighs about 1400kg, which my 4 series can tow easily, most hybrids seem to be a max of about 750-1200kg tow limit.
Still looking but going off the idea a bit!!
Mick

[Mussels]

I’ve spent the last couple of months looking for a hybrid, mainly because I can charge it at work so have nil travel costs.
The problem I’ve encountered is that, I assume due to the weight of the battery/motor, most hybrids have a massively reduced towing capacity. My caravan weighs about 1400kg, which my 4 series can tow easily, most hybrids seem to be a max of about 750-1200kg tow limit.
Still looking but going off the idea a bit!!
Mick

Towing calculations don't seem to be that simple, for a braked trailer a heavier car should be better, most EVs are bad but I assumed it was because they didn't want anyone towing with them.

[636mick]

I’ve spent the last couple of months looking for a hybrid, mainly because I can charge it at work so have nil travel costs.
The problem I’ve encountered is that, I assume due to the weight of the battery/motor, most hybrids have a massively reduced towing capacity. My caravan weighs about 1400kg, which my 4 series can tow easily, most hybrids seem to be a max of about 750-1200kg tow limit.
Still looking but going off the idea a bit!!
Mick

Towing calculations don't seem to be that simple, for a braked trailer a heavier car should be better, most EVs are bad but I assumed it was because they didn't want anyone towing with them.

I’m guessing it’s to do with the gross train weight, but I thought the same, a heavier car should be a higher towing capacity, perhaps it is because they aren’t sure about towing with an EV. I’ve seen plenty that do though.
Mick

[Mr. Dazzle]

EV's should be ideal for towing - electric powertrains are almost perfect for the application, hence why any kind of industrial draggy-thing is often electric. Trains being the obvious example, even Diesel trains use electric motors for the actual traction.

The Tesla 4x4 for example can tow >2 tonnes. It's the range which takes a spanking when you drag a parachute behind you

I suspect the low published figures are based on what OEMs have bothered to homologate, based on what they expect people to actually do. None of the cars I work on have a towing rating, they wouldn't even if they were ICE, so it's not something I'm exposed to.