Diesel v EV long distance luxury
Discussion
I do some long work journeys: this can be 520 miles a week a return trips, with one leg being 260 miles.
I’m currently using a 840d which gives me 600 miles a tank. This is around £80, based on current low prices. I was previously paying £115 a tank. The car is luxurious and refined, but I’d like comfier seats.
I’ve been thinking about trading-in my BMW-for a newer in-warranty car, and possibly an EV.
The thinking being that it could be cheaper to run, and I get a newer car. So 6p (I can get this cheap rate at home) kwph, which is £6 for a 100 kwph battery. However this only gives me around 250 max range. It’ll mean a public charger which can be £85 using 89p kwph.
Another variable is that getting big battery car will require another £10k input, and even then I cannot manage a car that will do the 260 miles in one stint (key here being to reduce how many public chargers I use).
Should I consider swapping for an EV, keep the diesel, get a new diesel or go buy a M8?
Edit 1: To add, this is a legit request for input.
Edit 2: I’ve a single motor Polestar 2 which the OH uses. We get around 200 miles from it. It is cheap motoring and we are forever charging it I feel, which at home isn’t an issue. However I don’t like it. It makes too much noise on the motorway, isn’t that comfortable and generally too on stilts for me. It did replace a X5 50d so that does impair my judgment.
I’m currently using a 840d which gives me 600 miles a tank. This is around £80, based on current low prices. I was previously paying £115 a tank. The car is luxurious and refined, but I’d like comfier seats.
I’ve been thinking about trading-in my BMW-for a newer in-warranty car, and possibly an EV.
The thinking being that it could be cheaper to run, and I get a newer car. So 6p (I can get this cheap rate at home) kwph, which is £6 for a 100 kwph battery. However this only gives me around 250 max range. It’ll mean a public charger which can be £85 using 89p kwph.
Another variable is that getting big battery car will require another £10k input, and even then I cannot manage a car that will do the 260 miles in one stint (key here being to reduce how many public chargers I use).
Should I consider swapping for an EV, keep the diesel, get a new diesel or go buy a M8?
Edit 1: To add, this is a legit request for input.
Edit 2: I’ve a single motor Polestar 2 which the OH uses. We get around 200 miles from it. It is cheap motoring and we are forever charging it I feel, which at home isn’t an issue. However I don’t like it. It makes too much noise on the motorway, isn’t that comfortable and generally too on stilts for me. It did replace a X5 50d so that does impair my judgment.
Edited by thebullettrain on Friday 27th September 19:47
If you want to do 260 miles non-stop and not have to consider charging at the other end then it's not for you.
If you want a Model 3 it'll probably near enough do 250 miles, but you'll benefit from a brief supercharger break during a comfort stop.
There are more comfortable cars around, and if you avoid getting a SUV you should still get pretty decent miles/kWh.
If you want a Model 3 it'll probably near enough do 250 miles, but you'll benefit from a brief supercharger break during a comfort stop.
There are more comfortable cars around, and if you avoid getting a SUV you should still get pretty decent miles/kWh.
I'd stick with a luxury barge. You'll get a nicer car for the money, and given you could be charging at public chargers for half your mileage your running cost savings won't be much and you've got the charge challenge.
I'm a fan of EVs by the way (have one), they just don't jump out as being a great choice for you.
I'm a fan of EVs by the way (have one), they just don't jump out as being a great choice for you.
Polestar 2 owner here, but I'd stay diesel if I were you. I'm currently doing a 180 mie round trip twice a week, and ev works pretty well for that.
But that's going to be pretty much the limit come winter when range drops.
But if I was regularly doing the trips you say, I'd stay diesel. Public charging is rarely a pain for me. A journey that requires a charge is always a long one, and so nearly all of the time one where I can access a fast chsrger and need a wee, coffee, breakfast or lunch etc. But the 1 time Im in a rush leave a late meeting and just want to get home- that's really the only (rare) occasion I hate public charging. Perhaps this experience will help you imagine yours.
But that's going to be pretty much the limit come winter when range drops.
But if I was regularly doing the trips you say, I'd stay diesel. Public charging is rarely a pain for me. A journey that requires a charge is always a long one, and so nearly all of the time one where I can access a fast chsrger and need a wee, coffee, breakfast or lunch etc. But the 1 time Im in a rush leave a late meeting and just want to get home- that's really the only (rare) occasion I hate public charging. Perhaps this experience will help you imagine yours.
I asked the same (nearly) question here...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
thebullettrain said:
I do some long work journeys: this can be 520 miles a week a return trips, with one leg being 260 miles.
I’m currently using a 840d which gives me 600 miles a tank. This is around £80, based on current low prices. I was previously paying £115 a tank. The car is luxurious and refined, but I’d like comfier seats.
I’ve been thinking about trading my BMW in few a newer in warranty car and then possibly an EV.
The thinking being that it could be cheaper to run, and I get a brew car. So 6p a kwph and around £6 for a 100 kwph battery. However this only gives me around 250 max range. It’ll mean a public charger which can be £85 using 89p kwph.
Another variable is that getting big battery car will require another £10k input, and even then I cannot manage a car that will do the 260 miles in one stint (key here being to reduce how many public chargers I use).
Should I consider swapping for an EV, keep the diesel, get a new diesel or go buy a M8?
You will need to check that specific journey, try the abrp app as it enables you to check for various EV’s.I’m currently using a 840d which gives me 600 miles a tank. This is around £80, based on current low prices. I was previously paying £115 a tank. The car is luxurious and refined, but I’d like comfier seats.
I’ve been thinking about trading my BMW in few a newer in warranty car and then possibly an EV.
The thinking being that it could be cheaper to run, and I get a brew car. So 6p a kwph and around £6 for a 100 kwph battery. However this only gives me around 250 max range. It’ll mean a public charger which can be £85 using 89p kwph.
Another variable is that getting big battery car will require another £10k input, and even then I cannot manage a car that will do the 260 miles in one stint (key here being to reduce how many public chargers I use).
Should I consider swapping for an EV, keep the diesel, get a new diesel or go buy a M8?
If you can charge at home for cheap that’ll get you most of the way there, is there charging on arrival? At my work it’s 25p.
Worth noting Tesla chargers open to all now and circa 43p kwh - nobody is paying 89p kWh ……
Try a bmw IX. You’ll either think it’s next gen tech, or decide a oil burner is acceptable.
bennno said:
You will need to check that specific journey, try the abrp app as it enables you to check for various EV’s.
If you can charge at home for cheap that’ll get you most of the way there, is there charging on arrival? At my work it’s 25p.
Worth noting Tesla chargers open to all now and circa 43p kwh - nobody is paying 89p kWh ……
Try a bmw IX. You’ll either think it’s next gen tech, or decide a oil burner is acceptable.
I think it's only some of the quieter Tesla superchargers that are open to all now. If you can charge at home for cheap that’ll get you most of the way there, is there charging on arrival? At my work it’s 25p.
Worth noting Tesla chargers open to all now and circa 43p kwh - nobody is paying 89p kWh ……
Try a bmw IX. You’ll either think it’s next gen tech, or decide a oil burner is acceptable.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
I asked the same (nearly) question here...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
You got called out for doing zero research and asking a load of people to assure you specific scenario which was highly unusual would suit you and we answered, you just didnt like the fact we werent playing ball with a post that was frankly engineered for a specific outcome. Dont cry about it.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
For the OP thats a challenge IMHO. One thing to do is check out the prices of charging outside of the high cost you quoted - tesla super chargers can be had for .45p per KwH depending on location.
You would however at that rate have to factor in stops for charging - if you take 250 miles as a pessimistic view. If EV is definitely something you want to do then you would have to make sure the cars got the fastest charging rate possible so that your stop is less time but that can come with an elevated cost in terms of charging.
Personally (like mr obtuse earlier) it doesnt seem to suit your use case unless you can balance the time/cost of public charging out with the cheaper rate at home. So if its 2 charges, one at 7p and one at 47 the average would be lower. However its your time stopped charging which you may or may not enjoy.
I am going to be doing a 310 mile commute every fortnight with no offstreet charging - but plan to charge the car while I work on location.
halo34 said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
I asked the same (nearly) question here...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
You got called out for doing zero research and asking a load of people to assure you specific scenario which was highly unusual would suit you and we answered, you just didnt like the fact we werent playing ball with a post that was frankly engineered for a specific outcome. Dont cry about it.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And got pilloried for it. According to that thread, a Polestar 2 is all you need. According to this thread, it isn't.
I think I'd stick with the diesel mate.
For the OP thats a challenge IMHO. One thing to do is check out the prices of charging outside of the high cost you quoted - tesla super chargers can be had for .45p per KwH depending on location.
You would however at that rate have to factor in stops for charging - if you take 250 miles as a pessimistic view. If EV is definitely something you want to do then you would have to make sure the cars got the fastest charging rate possible so that your stop is less time but that can come with an elevated cost in terms of charging.
Personally (like mr obtuse earlier) it doesnt seem to suit your use case unless you can balance the time/cost of public charging out with the cheaper rate at home. So if its 2 charges, one at 7p and one at 47 the average would be lower. However its your time stopped charging which you may or may not enjoy.
I am going to be doing a 310 mile commute every fortnight with no offstreet charging - but plan to charge the car while I work on location.
.The OP here has an honest question, or isn't very good at taking the piss.
With EV vs ICE there's not a one answer for all yet.
CheesecakeRunner said:
covmutley said:
Polestar 2 owner here, but I'd stay diesel if I were you. I'm currently doing a 180 mie round trip twice a week, and ev works pretty well for that.
But that's going to be pretty much the limit come winter when range drops.
Comments like that need to be put in context by giving the model and age of the car. But that's going to be pretty much the limit come winter when range drops.
I also have a Polestar 2, a 2024 long range single motor. It’ll do 300 miles in winter on the motorway. I know this because I’ve driven Birmingham to Fort William multiple times in January.
To not give the model just feeds into more EV misinformation and misunderstanding.
The OP probably should stick with diesel for now. The cars that will do what they want, in the way they want to drive, are still expensive (EQE, I7 etc). That said, I regularly do similar mileage per week, stopping in hotels. But I don’t mind the odd charging stop. And public charging doesn’t need to be anywhere near 85p/kWh depending on your route. I almost exclusively use public Tesla Superchargers and I don’t think I’ve paid more than 48p/kWh in ages. And that’s without any subscriptions or memberships.
Please dont think I dont like my polestar, its awesome. But EV, as with everything, has some downsides.
I would stick with diesel.
I have a Tesla M3 Performance and a Jaguar XF diesel and sometimes do similar trips to yourself.
Whilst the Tesla is great for day to day motoring (and costs about 3p per mile to run charging at home) often for longer journeys I'll still take the Jaguar.
Reasons:
1) At motorway speeds it is quieter (although I appreciate that newer EV's are probably better than the M3 in this respect so maybe not a point)
2) You can stop wherever.
3) At higher motorway speeds (if you were on the autobahn for example) the range drops massively. This is also true of MPG but given the size of the tank you can still do 400 miles between stops. With an EV at higher speeds it maybe every 150 miles.
I have a Tesla M3 Performance and a Jaguar XF diesel and sometimes do similar trips to yourself.
Whilst the Tesla is great for day to day motoring (and costs about 3p per mile to run charging at home) often for longer journeys I'll still take the Jaguar.
Reasons:
1) At motorway speeds it is quieter (although I appreciate that newer EV's are probably better than the M3 in this respect so maybe not a point)
2) You can stop wherever.
3) At higher motorway speeds (if you were on the autobahn for example) the range drops massively. This is also true of MPG but given the size of the tank you can still do 400 miles between stops. With an EV at higher speeds it maybe every 150 miles.
Shabaza said:
Polestar 4 twin motor will have plenty of performance and has excellent seats.
With the 100kwh battery capacity I'd be surprised if you got less then 300 mile range all year round.
Id disagree with the seats, polestar 2 is the only car ive ever returned 2 days later for a refund for that very reason, seats an odd design with a metal plate that made my legs go to sleepWith the 100kwh battery capacity I'd be surprised if you got less then 300 mile range all year round.
Obviously we're always told that EVs are the best thing since sliced bread nowadays, but for your usage pattern I'd definitely stick with a diesel though.
My missus often does similar journeys as well, and I can't see many EVs being able to do 282 miles, and then still have 492 miles left on the range for example. Always stick to the best tool for the job I reckon.
My missus often does similar journeys as well, and I can't see many EVs being able to do 282 miles, and then still have 492 miles left on the range for example. Always stick to the best tool for the job I reckon.
How about a petrol PHEV, like the DS9?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406200...
BTW, I've got a Skoda Superb 1.5 petrol TSI DSG, which returns around 55mpg on motorways. Supremely comfortable and serene long distance motoring. Plenty of torque on these for motorway overtakes, the lowish bhp figure really belies its abilities, it drives like a diesel without the racket and AdBlue and all that.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406200...
BTW, I've got a Skoda Superb 1.5 petrol TSI DSG, which returns around 55mpg on motorways. Supremely comfortable and serene long distance motoring. Plenty of torque on these for motorway overtakes, the lowish bhp figure really belies its abilities, it drives like a diesel without the racket and AdBlue and all that.
Edited by Skodillac on Friday 27th September 10:47
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