I'm back in a diesel after 4yrs running both EV & PHEV. What needs to change to get me to go back?

Summary

In this video, Harry from Harry's Garage explains his decision to choose a diesel vehicle over electric options in 2024, despite growing environmental pressures. He critiques the electric vehicle (EV) market, highlighting issues like high depreciation, inefficiency, and lack of transparency regarding battery health. Harry argues that EVs, while an important step, won't solve the global CO2 emissions problem, as road transport is only a fraction of the total emissions. He also emphasizes that, for private buyers, diesel remains more practical and cost-effective than the current crop of EVs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker chose a diesel Range Rover Sport over an EV due to the high costs and depreciation of electric vehicles, especially for private buyers.
• 🚗 Diesel cars are more fuel-efficient for long trips and offered a more affordable option with manageable monthly payments compared to expensive plug-in hybrids and EVs.
• 💸 The high costs of EVs, combined with rapid depreciation, make them less attractive to private buyers who face high insurance and fast value loss.
• ⚡ The market for electric vehicles is skewed towards business buyers due to government incentives, which results in high-end, luxury EVs dominating the market, while private buyers are sidelined.
• 🔋 Battery health is critical for determining the long-term value of an electric car, but there’s currently no transparent way to track battery degradation, which affects resale value.
• 🔍 Tesla's EVs are praised for being more efficient than most competitors, due to better battery technology, lighter design, and superior aerodynamics.
• 💡 The speaker highlights that many EVs, especially from traditional automakers, are large, inefficient, and rely on oversized batteries to extend range, rather than focusing on improving efficiency.
• 🌍 While EVs are part of the solution to reducing CO2 emissions, they only address a small portion of global emissions, with road transport contributing around 7% of total man-made CO2.
• 📉 The push for electric vehicles risks being premature, as the technology is still evolving and consumers are hesitant to buy EVs that may soon be outdated by newer, more efficient models.
• ⚙️ The speaker advocates for stricter efficiency standards for EVs and greater transparency in battery health data to help private buyers make informed decisions.
• 💭 The broader approach to reducing CO2 emissions should include technologies like synthetic fuels and hydrogen, alongside electric cars, to make a more significant impact on global warming.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to buy a diesel Range Rover Sport instead of a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle?

The decision was primarily driven by cost and depreciation. The diesel Range Rover Sport was significantly cheaper to lease compared to a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle, with a much lower monthly payment, making it more affordable for a private buyer like the speaker. Diesel also suited the large size of the vehicle, offering better fuel efficiency.

What factors are influencing the decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales, according to the speaker?

Several factors are contributing to the decline in EV sales: high purchase prices, low interest from private buyers, rapid depreciation, and poor resale value. Additionally, there is frustration over unrealistic range expectations, cold-weather performance, and lack of transparency regarding battery health, which affects the second-hand EV market.

How does the speaker view the electric vehicle revolution in terms of environmental impact?

The speaker is skeptical about the potential of electric vehicles to significantly impact global warming, noting that road transport accounts for only 7% of global CO2 emissions. They argue that electric vehicles alone won't drastically reduce emissions, and alternative solutions like hydrogen, e-fuels, and continued improvements in energy efficiency need to be considered.

What role do government incentives play in the electric car market, according to the speaker?

Government incentives, particularly for businesses, have led to a market dominated by high-end, expensive electric vehicles. These incentives are designed to reduce CO2 emissions, but the speaker argues that they have resulted in a glut of expensive vehicles that private buyers cannot afford, distorting the market.

What issues does the speaker have with the current state of the electric vehicle market?

The speaker criticizes the inefficiency of many electric cars, especially larger, more powerful models that consume more electricity to achieve longer ranges. They also express frustration with the lack of transparency about battery degradation, the challenges of charging infrastructure, and the cold-weather performance of electric cars.

Why does the speaker believe that battery health should be a more prominent factor in valuing second-hand electric cars?

The speaker argues that battery health is critical to determining the value of a second-hand electric car, as it directly affects the range and lifespan of the vehicle. They believe that information about battery degradation should be displayed prominently, similar to the car’s mileage, to help consumers make informed decisions.

What impact does battery degradation have on the resale value of electric cars?

Battery degradation reduces the capacity of an electric car to hold a charge, thereby lowering its range. This leads to a decrease in the vehicle's resale value, as buyers are less willing to purchase a car with reduced battery health, especially when they are uncertain about how the battery has been treated by previous owners.

What does the speaker suggest should change in the way electric vehicles are regulated and marketed?

The speaker suggests that the focus should shift toward efficiency standards for electric vehicles, similar to the fuel efficiency regulations for internal combustion engine cars. They also propose that the industry needs to be more transparent about battery health, and that a reality check is needed regarding the environmental benefits of electric cars.

How does the speaker view the future of electric cars in the UK?

The speaker believes that while electric vehicles have potential, they are not ready for mass adoption due to various challenges, such as high prices, limited range, and inefficiencies. They foresee significant improvements in electric vehicle technology in the next few years, but they caution against rushing into widespread adoption before the market is ready.

What does the speaker think about the role of hydrogen and e-fuels in reducing CO2 emissions?

The speaker sees hydrogen and e-fuels as viable alternatives to electric vehicles for reducing CO2 emissions. While hydrogen may have efficiency challenges, it could play a crucial role in decarbonizing transport, particularly for commercial vehicles. The speaker believes a multi-pronged approach, rather than relying solely on electric vehicles, is necessary to tackle global CO2 emissions.