EV for a very hilly, very small island?
Discussion
Hi
I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
iDrive said:
Hi
I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
They'll reduce the range for sure. Ideally you'd have a vehicle with regen braking to recover a good chunk of the power when going downhill. I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
You'll struggle with a Twizy, purely because you have to lease the battery so taking one out of the country is a no-no (unless you can buy one there?)
Anything with regen braking will be fine, most EV's will be fine TBH but it is a small island isn't it? Surely an electric scooter or something will be sufficient?
Anything with regen braking will be fine, most EV's will be fine TBH but it is a small island isn't it? Surely an electric scooter or something will be sufficient?
iDrive said:
Hi
I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
St Helena is 10 miles by 5 miles. I'd imagine that even with hills, you won't find yourself with crushing range-anxiety. An electric car would seem to be a wise choice!I have the prospect of working on StHelena - an island in the middle of the South Atlantic, with lots of hills, a 30mph speed limit and good access to UK 240V power supply
Would an EV be a realistic proposition? Would the hills kill the car?
I'm thinking Twizzy, perhaps 2nd hand?
I'd appreciate your views!
Having worked for an engineering consultant who was commissioned to look at the St. Helena water system, and the logistics of a site visit you need to think beyond the basic car.
Who on the island will be able to maintain the car?
Who is going to install the charging equipment?
What are you going to do about spares?
Bear in mind that right now (there's one planned) there's no airport and the only way onto the island is by fishing boat or the RMS St Helena (postal ship). Even then, the RMS St Helena doesn't dock at the dock, but anchors offshore and 'things' are offloaded to a barge and transferred to the dock.
Oh yes, and you'd have to ship it from Cape Town.
Who on the island will be able to maintain the car?
Who is going to install the charging equipment?
What are you going to do about spares?
Bear in mind that right now (there's one planned) there's no airport and the only way onto the island is by fishing boat or the RMS St Helena (postal ship). Even then, the RMS St Helena doesn't dock at the dock, but anchors offshore and 'things' are offloaded to a barge and transferred to the dock.
Oh yes, and you'd have to ship it from Cape Town.
The idea of moving to a place as remote as St Helena got me so interested that I started reading about living there - and found this bit of advice in the process:
"Cars are expensive on St. Helena (which is why we have so many Classic Cars in daily use). If you can, bring one, but be very selective. Forget the Lamborghini - the roads aren’t up to it and in any case the speed limit is only 30MPH, so it would be a waste. Bring something immensely reliable with a long service interval and a good turning circle (the corners can be tight), and preferably not something too dependent on modern technology, which almost certainly cannot be maintained here. Indeed, why not bring a Classic Car? Bring as many spare parts as you can."
( source)
"Cars are expensive on St. Helena (which is why we have so many Classic Cars in daily use). If you can, bring one, but be very selective. Forget the Lamborghini - the roads aren’t up to it and in any case the speed limit is only 30MPH, so it would be a waste. Bring something immensely reliable with a long service interval and a good turning circle (the corners can be tight), and preferably not something too dependent on modern technology, which almost certainly cannot be maintained here. Indeed, why not bring a Classic Car? Bring as many spare parts as you can."
( source)
On a driving route with constant hills an IC engine is pretty efficient. On the ups the engine will be operating at highish load and low to mid speed (which puts you on the sweet spot), then on the descents you're in fuel cut off so although you're not recuperating you're not burning anything either. A small, light simple hatchback with good ride and handling is all you need.
I'd use a Peugeot 205 DTurbo or maybe a 106 1.5 D.
Saying all that, as much as I live breathe eco (house is kitted out to the max, I ride to work and I design PHEVS, and RExs) I'd love a nice nice 106 S1 Rallye!! I remember on our honeymoon in Madeira (hilly as owt just like SH) we saw loads of S2 106 Rallyes (we already had an S1 at home and ordered an S2 when we got back). You wont need much more than the odd bushing or CV boot.
I'd use a Peugeot 205 DTurbo or maybe a 106 1.5 D.
Saying all that, as much as I live breathe eco (house is kitted out to the max, I ride to work and I design PHEVS, and RExs) I'd love a nice nice 106 S1 Rallye!! I remember on our honeymoon in Madeira (hilly as owt just like SH) we saw loads of S2 106 Rallyes (we already had an S1 at home and ordered an S2 when we got back). You wont need much more than the odd bushing or CV boot.
dmitry said:
The idea of moving to a place as remote as St Helena got me so interested that I started reading about living there - and found this bit of advice in the process:
"Cars are expensive on St. Helena (which is why we have so many Classic Cars in daily use). If you can, bring one, but be very selective. Forget the Lamborghini - the roads aren’t up to it and in any case the speed limit is only 30MPH, so it would be a waste. Bring something immensely reliable with a long service interval and a good turning circle (the corners can be tight), and preferably not something too dependent on modern technology, which almost certainly cannot be maintained here. Indeed, why not bring a Classic Car? Bring as many spare parts as you can."
( source)
Perhaps then the answer is the cheapest electic moped or scooter you can find - bring two and then you've got a spare "Cars are expensive on St. Helena (which is why we have so many Classic Cars in daily use). If you can, bring one, but be very selective. Forget the Lamborghini - the roads aren’t up to it and in any case the speed limit is only 30MPH, so it would be a waste. Bring something immensely reliable with a long service interval and a good turning circle (the corners can be tight), and preferably not something too dependent on modern technology, which almost certainly cannot be maintained here. Indeed, why not bring a Classic Car? Bring as many spare parts as you can."
( source)
blueacid said:
Perhaps then the answer is the cheapest electic moped or scooter you can find - bring two and then you've got a spare
Having read a bit more about StH it may indeed be a solution if you're so inclined to drive an EV. I've seen a mention of a new A4 which spent a year waiting for some and then some other parts. Just hope that said moped doesn't have some "known issue" and you end up with two mopeds with the same problem. 
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff