The cost of running an electric car

[Stockden]

Most of the ancillaries on an electric car use a negligible amount of power compared to the motors. That includes, lights, wipers, radio etc. The only things that use significant power are heating and aircon. These can definitely affect the range.

Not only that but (on my Leaf at least) the ancilliaries run from a separate 12v accumulator and not from the traction battery, so turning on lights, wipers, radio, heated seats etc has precisely zero effect on range.

Hugh

[Cobaltblue]

Most of the ancillaries on an electric car use a negligible amount of power compared to the motors. That includes, lights, wipers, radio etc. The only things that use significant power are heating and aircon. These can definitely affect the range.

That's correct the climate control is the only one that significantly affects range and on the model Y its surprisingly small since it uses a heatpump it seems to recover heat from everywhere to increase its efficiency in heating mode. Its a standard fitting on this model sadly its and extra on most other manufacturers and costs between 1K and 2K dependent upon manufacturer.

On my regular trip to Poole and back (160 miles door to door) It probably makes about 10 miles difference range summer to winter. That's probably because on the dark winter mornings and evenings driving tends to be "less enthusiastic" in the cold and wet.

Cheers

Mike T

[Cobaltblue]

Daylight running lights were made compulsory to ensure
cars can be seen.
It is high time that EV's were made to emit some noise
so they can be heard.
In my village the EV creeps about the narrow lanes like
silent death on wheels.

Unless accelerating most modern cars the engine is barely audible and low speeds and most of the sound comes from tyre/road noise.

I'd be interested to know what you would have them sound like mine makes a spaceship noise when reversing the Mitzi PHEV makes a spaceship noise in forward and reverse.

Granted you'll hear a rattly old Diesel Landy a mile off but most newer cars you'll only hear tyre noise (and that's the same for EV's)

Cheers

Mike T

[Cobaltblue]

Most of the ancillaries on an electric car use a negligible amount of power compared to the motors. That includes, lights, wipers, radio etc. The only things that use significant power are heating and aircon. These can definitely affect the range.

Not only that but (on my Leaf at least) the ancilliaries run from a separate 12v accumulator and not from the traction battery, so turning on lights, wipers, radio, heated seats etc has precisely zero effect on range.

Hugh

That's true the ancillaries are driven off in my case a 16V Li-ion battery but that in turn is charged by the traction battery. This is one of the things that catch people out and result in being broken down at the roadside. The Ancillary battery is charged by the traction battery but when the traction battery reaches a certain state I thinks its 5% it stops charging the ancillary battery. Not a problem unless you leave it like that and go on holiday or leave it in the drive once the ancillary battery gets down to a certain level it will no longer accept a charge even though your traction battery is 100% then you drive off and the ancillary battery fails so now you have no power for the management systems lights and even door locks.
Top Tip don't leave your car in Sentry mode for long periods of time   one of my colleagues won't do that again.

Cheers

Mike T

[Stockden]

It is high time that EV's were made to emit some noise so they can be heard.
In my village the EV creeps about the narrow lanes like
silent death on wheels.

Actually EU law has required EVs to emit a noise since 2019 and UK law has had the same requirement since 2021. If the EV you're encountering isn't make a noise I'd strongly suspect that it's been disabled. Like others who've commented my EV makes a spacehip noise and yes, you can disable it if you're minded to.

Hugh

[Doodlebug]

EV at speed is no problem, they emit noise.
But where cars have to travel slowly they are in low gear and can be heard.
The EV at these lower speeds are silent.
As I said, in village lanes cars travel slower, hence the problem
If EVs are supposed to make a noise, the drivers around here have
turned it off !
What sound should they emit? ...."Get out of my way, I'm rich and have an EV!" :-)

[Cobaltblue]

Well I'm certainly not rich, to me cars are tools I'm at the end of my career I have worked for the same company for almost 49 years.

Cheers

Mike T

[Doodlebug]

It was a joke, Mike (smiley added).........I still have
a sense of humor at 91 ! See my signature :-)

[Kalee20]

It is high time that EV's were made to emit some noise so they can be heard.
In my village the EV creeps about the narrow lanes like
silent death on wheels.

Actually EU law has required EVs to emit a noise since 2019 and UK law has had the same requirement since 2021.

Isn't it a requirement that all motor vehicles are fitted with a device (bell, horn, whistle, etc) to give warning of approach?

I often ride (horse!) along narrow country lanes, happen to look round and see there's a car following me a discreet distance behind, that I've not heard... a polite toot-toot (same at corners!) would alert me to their presence and negotiate passing at a suitable spot. It needn't be loud or aggressive - just, as the law requires, 'to give warning of approach.'

[Stockden]

Isn't it a requirement that all motor vehicles are fitted with a device (bell, horn, whistle, etc) to give warning of approach?

I often ride (horse!) along narrow country lanes, happen to look round and see there's a car following me a discreet distance behind, that I've not heard... a polite toot-toot (same at corners!) would alert me to their presence and negotiate passing at a suitable spot. It needn't be loud or aggressive - just, as the law requires, 'to give warning of approach.'

Good point, I should have said "in addition to the requirement for a horn etc, EU law has required EVs to emit a noise when moving... ".

Hugh