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Well yeah, okay, but they might want heavier ICE vehicles too.
Not sure how relevant it is to your specific point but isn't one part of the non exhaust particle problem that most EVs are about a quarter to a third heavier like for like so naturally are going to be relatively hard on tyres and road surfaces (all else being reasonably equal).
Of course we have this ghastly habit at a societal level of going ever bigger with our cars - Range Rover culture it's not just the size either it's the power outputs and performance. I am guilty in the sense that I'm currently running an MPV because I was trying not to buy a trailer for camping trips (I now have an MPV and a trailer 🙄).
Next car is coming down in size and I'm hoping by then an EV or at least hybrid at mainstream prices, with a 750kg towing capacity and 75kg nose weight and the ability to do 200 miles fully loaded on a cold day with a trailer will be a reality along with a home charger and a charging network that means I can charge up without hassle on long work trips. What do you reckon for five years time? I reckon it will still be a hybrid to tick the boxes.
Zoé 1475kg + two passengers, say 160kgs dressed = 1635kgs
lightest Clio 1140kg or 1170kg with enough petrol and fluids to get the Zoé's range. + two passengers = 1330kg
305/1330 = 23% heavier.
When magazines compare weights they forget that it takes a fat slob journalist to make the vehicle move and another to film them. And they probably threw a brolly, wellies, a flask a brief case and some other kit in the boot.
You never know you might get a Hammond not a Clarkson 😜
I think the “heavier” EV thing is also a reference to desire for ever bigger ranges meaning ever bigger battery capacities. Now whether than means heavier batteries (with accompanying heavier suspension and bodywork to support them) I don’t know. A Nissan gen4 battery is significantly higher capacity per kilo than a gen2 was. But it is unlikely to lead to lighter cars short term. That said some of the manufacturers I speak to suggest battery capacity will reduce as people realise the benefits of lighter cars and cheaper batteries and start to relax about range anxiety.
Again we’ll see.
Other than that I think we’re all agreeing on the basics, I’ve learnt some things and everyone seems to like the idea of having an EV (albeit with some demands on functionality and price that aren’t quite there yet, and an acceptance that good though they might be no vehicle will be perfect - other than an Orange Five of course 😉)
Orange Five
No call for those anymore. I've gone paperless to save the planet as I can't afford an EV yet. 😉
Now whether than means heavier batteries (with accompanying heavier suspension and bodywork to support them) I don’t know
The latest 52kWh Zoé battery weighs 326kg, the previous 41kWh battery 305kg and the original 23kWh batterie something over 200kg. The capacity : weight ratio of EV batteries is improving constantly. I'm confident EV drive train weight will come down as well. Meanwhile the depolution equipment is driving the weight of ICEs up. I forgot to add the weight of filling the AdBlue tank in my comparision with the Clio earlier.
I forgot to add the weight of filling the AdBlue tank in my comparision with the Clio earlier.
But you did say it was a petrol Clio 🙂