Going electric? Here’s our guide to buying a used Nissan Leaf

[calnorth]

Westway and Auto Express.

Anyway, having spent my life working in electronics and computing I initially thought that this stuff would be real good. That was until I woke up... it is car manufacturing and those dealers.

The induction motors are certainly something and apparently battery drive is going to get better/cheaper. Never would be sure about the latter!

Reduced and cheaper servicing with minor oily stuff. Thats good but keep paying for the RAC. Sadly, there will be no owner hands on around the electronics and power electronics which will be a big disappointment. We've been heading that way with ICE cars for quite sometime. Non franchise garages will slowly die by the look of it. Manufacturers will not feed them with info and parts so competition will be limited IMO.

Wind/Solar leccy can only achieve 25% grid variable supply safely-ish, so unless Nuke supply rapidly increases these cars and everything leccy dependant is unreliable. Thats what a Climate Emergency really means and the likes of little Greta/Extinction Rebellion et al want. By 2025 it appears?

Wish I'd kept my simple 2010 Focus really.

[DaveBerlin]

Colin, as you are still a “Leccy” this might also be worth a read on what is happening here with Mechanical vs E-Cars - Dave

Note : Language is a bit mixed with the translations -
Watch "Will Germany's car industry survive? :

[calnorth]

Saw some of that last week Dave...China leaping away with e-car production. Helpful when you have your clampers on the rare earth materials required. I've seen with Tesla cars that some of the electronics is Made In England which gives us a chance if it actually is and not to/fro to China. Just need to do something good about that big battery....like exterminate it!

I think I saw a Beetle e-conversion kit somewhere. Swap in.

[DaveBerlin]

Colin, did you mean this give this a read it has just been launched by eClassics from Rennigen near Stuttgart & VW - Dave

VW to start offering electric conversion of classic Beetles, unveils first prototype : https://electrek.co/2019/09/05/vw-electric-conversion-classic-beetles-first-prototype/

[gloucester]

That charger point is INSPIRED !!!

[calnorth]

Thats it Dave...I had not looked closely. Just trying to imagine my 1955 oval window getting up to 60 mph in less than 5 secs. The interior heating will be better? Then there are the Busses and Variant types. Likely difficult for the Variant types because that is a true flat engine as with Porche. I had all 3 at different times.

[DaveBerlin]

Here are a few more facts from the DM which might be of interest - Dave

VW has launched an electric conversion kit for the classic Beetle : https://mol.im/a/7434959

[calnorth]

8 secs to 50 mph is slightly better than my 1.6 QQ. And of course no gear changes. I won't be going back to that thing though...be too difficult to get in/out of.....

The original 12v battery was under the back seat...circumstances various could get you a pretty warm back seat ...

[calnorth]

More on German Auto stuff Dave:

"Stripped-back auto show in Frankfurt mirrors German car industry gloom"

https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/world-news/article/stripped-back-auto-show-in-frankfurt-mirrors-german-car-industry-gloom/484728

[DaveBerlin]

This Company looks a great Option for Conversions of Older vehicles to Electric, but obviously there is a cost involved most probably not for our pockets, but interesting. Colin take a look ! - Dave

“Our experienced team will convert your dream vehicle into an environment-friendly electric vehicle. For us and our customers, quality and driving pleasure take precedence over the cheapest offer for an electric car conversion. Employing the latest electromobility technologies, we offer a variety of high-quality conversion packages, each tailored to your preferences and customised for your car.”

Conversion — Conversions & Prototypes I eCap Mobility : https://ecap-mobility.eu/conversion