Reply to: Electric Vans

[xoggoth]

Buy a second hand milk float.

[Paddy]

[vetran]

Most batteries don't like fast charging as it raises the chance of crystals on the electrodes. In large installations trickle charging is the norm.

[d000hg]

There is also debate on the use of fast charges whether or not fast charging reduces the overall batter life.

My latest phone deliberately charges very slowly overnight knowing when my morning alarm is, to optimise performance - it will aim to be at 100% just before the alarm. If you just plug in during the day it will charge normally. One imagines the same principles apply to all battery devices using similar battery tech... but surely fast charging is only ever seen as "by necessity" because the idea is your EV is plugged in as much as possible - at home, at work - fast charge is just to top-up as needed?

[fabios]

There is also debate on the use of fast charges whether or not fast charging reduces the overall batter life.

Fast charging for me is a huge no-no due to the cost of it on some stations. So I would only use it on a long trips (once every couple years). To me EV only makes sense when you can utilize night tariffs (go, intelligent E7). Otherwise it's a more expensive car which also costs more to run which is fun to drive.

[Paddy]

These numbers can change significantly if someone (likes me) often uses EV for short trips. The battery takes a lot of energy to get it to operating temperature. I used to have (from sept22) average over 2k miles of 24kWh/100miles and it's now closer to 29kWh. In December I quite often ended short trip with >40kWh/100m.

There is also debate on the use of fast charges whether or not fast charging reduces the overall batter life.

[fabios]

Ditto on the cold weather driving (-5ish deg) and reduced millage, I know this isn't EV vans, but here's the average millage in the warm / cold from a mate of mine:

Tesla 320 / 260
Golf EV 220 / 150

That's a 20-30% drop and that's with mostly short trips.

These numbers can change significantly if someone (likes me) often uses EV for short trips. The battery takes a lot of energy to get it to operating temperature. I used to have (from sept22) average over 2k miles of 24kWh/100miles and it's now closer to 29kWh. In December I quite often ended short trip with >40kWh/100m.

[Paddy]

I always wondered if EVs have any smart circuitry to keep the batteries from getting too cold in extreme weather, maybe as a localisation option?
In Finland it's common to leave your (petrol) car plugged in to a power socket overnight to stop it getting damaged - you see sockets installed as standard in the more northern areas - and I assume that's seen in other cold nations too.

In Siberia, they take the batteries out and keep them indoors when cold. Interestingly, the AN2 aircraft has removable batteries for the same reason.

[d000hg]

I always wondered if EVs have any smart circuitry to keep the batteries from getting too cold in extreme weather, maybe as a localisation option?
In Finland it's common to leave your (petrol) car plugged in to a power socket overnight to stop it getting damaged - you see sockets installed as standard in the more northern areas - and I assume that's seen in other cold nations too.

[dsc]

Ditto on the cold weather driving (-5ish deg) and reduced millage, I know this isn't EV vans, but here's the average millage in the warm / cold from a mate of mine:

Tesla 320 / 260
Golf EV 220 / 150

That's a 20-30% drop and that's with mostly short trips.

[DoctorStrangelove]

1400 miles in an EV doesn't sound very sensible

It's even more stupid when there's snow on the ground for most of the way there.

[RSoles]

The thing which worries me most about EVs is that I live in a cold climate; I probably drive about nine months of the year with the heating on.
I know that modern EVs use heat-pumps for heating, but still....

[courtg9000]

A tradesman I know is in theory quite keen because he only drives a few miles a day to jobs, but the prices are eye-watering currently. We have chatted about if/when you'd be able to retrofit your own EV drivetrain (he's also a competent mechanic who rebuilds cars as a hobby).

I know a local charity who has an EVan - they collect food-waste from supermarkets etc using it. But I think they got a grant or something to make it affordable.

I suppose you could have greater battery storage in a van to offset the problems of transporting heavy stuff around.

It wont be carrying heavy stuff, the heaviest thing it will carry is the driver!
It will be used for B2B advertising only (subscriptions and long shelf life intellectual products mainly), so strategic drives and strategy parking. Looking to keep the cpm figure below £2.00 over 5 years if possible.
Looking like sticking to proper engines from here.

[d000hg]

1400 miles in an EV doesn't sound very sensible

[DoctorStrangelove]

Charging the damn things in the cold is problematic too:

https://uk.mer.eco/news/how-does-col...y-performance/

This must have been a fun trip:

https://news.yahoo.com/brother-siste...090000489.html

1400 miles apparently with 6 stops to charge the damn thing.