I am planning a trip through France to Switzerland and Italy next spring. I haven’t worked out the mileage yet but I know I’d be buggered in an ev, and that open
top driving in the alpine air takes some beating
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With the cost of living increasing massively, it doesn’t make sense to have two cars with one sitting gathering dust most of the time. My mx5 is currently for sale because I can’t justify having two cars and my other car manages up to 68 mpg on long runs (and it’s fun to drive). I don’t really want to sell the mx5 because it’s such a good car to drive with the top down, but I feel guilty about driving purely for pleasure from a cost and environmental perspective. For me, electric cars are too expensive and not as environmentally friendly as claimed. However, everyone can make their own decisions based on their circumstances and preferences. Whatever we do will have an environmental impact. We can only do our best without resorting to wearing sack cloth and ashes.
Friends have solar panels on their house. If the panels are making more electricity than they are using the excess is fed back into the grid. The payment received for this electricity is only 4p per KWh.
They now have an EV and a smart charger. When the car is on the drive and plugged in any excess energy produced is now used to charge the car.
1KWh is about 3 miles of driving. Equivalent to around 12p a litre on a similar sized petrol vehicle.
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Good luck with that one, “we’ll see!” Like I always say “it’s your money”.
I’m waiting for the flying version of the 5.
The battery systems are eye waveringly expensive to replace … So I can see this becoming a “ consideration “ when buying secondhand ones of the future, So, Don’t get a “ shock- ing surprise Sorry for the pun … RAY
My little MX5 is now sold, It now lives in the High Roads and low Roads, of beautiful Bonny Scotland…. Bought by two equally lovely Scott’s 
… oops No it isn’t ! My little rascal decided to play up with a brake seizure during a demo… That put the mockers on the sale bless their hearts, They went back home on a train Maybe my little G.I.T didn’t want to go to Scotland However , it’s seen as an ‘Omen’ by me… I feel more affectionate towards it now …
The MX5 cost £80 to put right, (including new pads) Whilst it was having the seized calliper sorted out….
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Hence why so many are on PCP…
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Thank you for your reply Richard…. Yes, PCP etc…
However I wonder if the “PAR EXCELLENT” R.A.C Battery insurance cover, would cover a £16,000 battery replacement? Te he he 
Incidentally lads, I can vouch for that RAC battery cover It’s an insurance cover that WORK’S It really does ! Or did !! but not
Any more for ME !
It certainly worked for me, 6 times on 6 vehicles over 6 years so 666 doesn’t always mean “ The Devil “
The Only stipulation !! ‘You have to do At least 2000 miles a year’,
( I wasn’t ) So sussed out by an astute Jobsworth with beady eyes ,
But for me, The best £25 quid I’ve ever spent, saved me about £1500 ! Till some smart .a.r.s.e RAC jobsworth looked at my mileage gauge …
I can’t complain, I was ruining very expensive batteries (£270 every time) by not driving my cars enough ! I thought I had found paradise until the “jobsworth” appeared on the ruddy scene,
Anyway Bless you all.
The good news is I’m now still in the MX5 Club and still got my MX5 …
Te he he he…
I bet you are all “so pleased” ?
. See you All soon ! You ain’t got rid of me that easy …
Te he he he 
.
God bless you all Keep safe and happy motoring …Ray and Sue
North Thames group Epping Essex …
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As somebody who was early to the EV party, with my first BMW i3 in 2014, I understand the breathtakingly fast acceleration they have, how annoyed we are when we rock up at a car charge point to find a petrol car parked in the space (we wouldn’t block the pumps in a petrol station) and the anxiety we used to feel with the available miles range between charges v intended destination.
With Tesla Model 3, Kia eNiro and many other EVs on the market, total range has rocketed to over 300 miles per charge which makes them a great option, particularly when petrol prices are now so high.
I also understand those with tight family budgets needing to give up their 5 as the cost of living rockets, especially when it’s not their daily driver.
That said, my folks opted to consolidate our cars into one EV when my job changed to remote working after the pandemic, but kept ‘Mary’ my MX-5, in case I need to take her to the office - or pop out when my wife has the EV.
I love driving both. But as the eternal big kid and a huge fan of top-down motoring - you can’t drop a great and hug the bends on your fav country lanes in an EV. With the computer driving, it can use the dynamic torque controls to make sure the uneven load on the wheels as you corner doesn’t wash the back out but somehow knowing that takes the edge off my fun.
But I guess those who’re already EV owners and those more reluctant to embrace an EV are likely to meet on the electric highway at some point unless one of the other fuel technology projects makes a breakthrough giving it the momentum to rise to the top and be our new eco-friendly fuel of choice.
I’m sad to see any member hang up their hat, so I’ll close by taking this opportunity to wish you well and hope you might consider joining us at the National Rally. I know I speak for everyone in this thread by saying you’ll be most welcome - even when you rock up in your Zoe.
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Thanks for your very kind reply. I’ll certainly remember my MX5 “Katie” for a very long time. She was one of the very few cars I’ve owned that always did what I asked of her and never let me down.
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I thought I should do a quick check on how much it costs to replace an EV battery and how long it might be expected to last, and down to what SOH (State Of Health). I quickly came across this useful article amongst several others similar. Food for thought.
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From the article:
" Generally speaking, EV batteries are expected to last between 10-20 years, or 500,000 miles, though Tesla is already working on ‘million-mile’ batteries. Tesla is confident that with this kind of mileage, the battery will outlast the car!"
That’ll see me out then. 
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Fantastic article you found there Richard… It won’t concern me personally… but great find … Useful to others … Best regards to you Richard…
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Can’t really say my MX5 is a day to day car. However they are the future classic car to invest in. Unfortunately I cant say the same for any EV and unfortunately yours is a Renault.
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Thanks
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Interesting thread this one. Thought provoking point just made. Personally I think Evs will become ‘classic’ or certainly collectable. I think they will be known for their quirks - consider already an early Nissan Leaf has a range of around 60miles I think they will become fascinating conversation points much like the ‘classic’ cars we all view as this now. For example my local classic car auction recently sold a Citroen Saxo for £18900! Re the Renault one of the many fascinating things in this world is everyone having their own taste and I would certainly not criticise as I have no right. I drive a (modern) Skoda Octavia which would not be everyone’s favourite but I think is a brilliant car.
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Erm… whilst ai agree with 99% of your post, Have you not seen the TV advert for the New Audi EV sports car ? WOW !!! If I had the money I once had… my tongue would be dribbling over my shoes. To get that
Outside my door…. It might never be a classic in the true sense of the word But it would be to me … Take care Mad Mc Adder … Best regards from Ray and Sue … Essex…
Skoda Was once viewed as a piece of junk back in the 1960s. A laughing joke was always made about them ! Today They are one of THE best most reliable cars on the road. … Ray In Essex….
Hi. I used to work for Audi. Trust me they are no longer the reliable car they used to be. Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat all run on the same electronics and unfortunately they are not the best. Computer is always saying NO. 
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Yes, I know you have made a good point …. Today it’s all about the Badge You are paying for the badge that no longer truly represents the value that we place upon them. Rolls Royce, Audi. Mercedes , etc etc,
I’ve Owned them all, and over the years the cars (Mentioned above) Have
Lost their meaning of QUALITY… Mercedes’ being the worst BY FAR !
Strangely ! Ferrari, and Lamborghini have gone the complete opposite …
They were Rubbish in the 1960’s But are now far better built ! I should know —- being a petrol head. I’ve owned those too !
Owned a SEAT for 8 years, it is far and away the best reliable and all round practical car I’ve owned. Speaks for itself, I’ve never kept a car more than 4 years previously, MX-5 apart of course. A new battery, a set of tyres, 2 sets of wiper blades is about the sum total spent apart from the services.