Just caught up with my part time job, so decided to try reading thru this thread.
I'll state my position right now - I'm a greenie. We bought a Nissan Leaf late last year. So far we're loving it.
Positive
- very low running costs for the time being (but the battery disposal is a concern).
- no carbon emissions while driving it (but see power generation comments below)
- Great to drive it into the garage and not fill the garage with petrol fumes.
- quiet, comfortable and easy to drive
- potential to use "spent" battery as a storage battery for our soon-to-be-installed solar panels (but eye-watering cost to set this up?)
EV negatives
- high energy and carbon cost in manufacture
- small amount of cobalt of questionable sustainability
- range anxiety while driving (ours has a claimed range of 95 kms when the battery is 80% full - but real life range on motorways closer to 60 Kms)
- basically just a round town shopping cart
- high depreciation/loss of value
- the battery will be down to 70% state of health in 2 to 3 years and at this stage we'll have to give it away, or maybe replace the battery if a viable option is available.
To comment on some of the early contributions to this thread, they read like a conspiracy theory.
The government is dealing with a climate crisis - read the news.
Early EV's are somewhat experimental and not fully developed and supported in NZ.
That is not to say they don't have great potential, and that most governments see a great future in them.
Despite all the pessimists, battery disposal and recycling is being planned, but I agree that right now, options are few or very expensive.
"The global EV battery recycling market is expected to exhibit 19% compound
annual growth rate between 2019-25 with the total value of about US$ 3 billion by 2025"
The percentage of carbon fuels in generating or electricity in NZ averages around 20%. It may peak at 40% on cold windless days in winter but so what?
Electric utes will be available in NZ within 2 years. While I feel for hard-pressed farmers having to pay a $3000 premium for a gas guzzler there is a net societal benefit.
Just to complete the picture, I have an electric bicycle. I sold a Honda 110cc scooter and a non-electric bike to pay for it. To be honest I don't use the electric bike much, but it's nice to have it.
We've ordered solar panels for installation in October. As far as I can see, they will pay for themselves in under 10 years, so a good investment. They have the sunk-carbon cost of manufacture as a negative, but over their life they will be carbon positive. By reducing our use of electricity from the grid, we are providing a societal economic benefit. So far we haven't committed to battery storage but we'll consider our options when the Leaf battery needs upgrading.
I expect the above comments to be ripped apart, but I don't mind and won't respond. However comments on the SX4 replacement below are very welcome and I'll reply where necessary.
I use a Suzuki SX4 for towing my wee FC390 boat. No plans to upgrade the boat, but will consider hybrid or EV replacement for the SX4 when needed. Needs to have 4WD, and so far second hand 4WD hybrids are over $25000, so a bit dear compared to the SX4. I have a minor concern about EVs when launching in salt water. Corrosion and electrical problems?