On the road in Laois: The great EV debacle explained!

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have plummeted, down 24% for 2024, but not just here in Ireland this is mirrored throughout Europe. Why? I am not against EVs. But some realities need to be discussed and these are my personal observations over many years road testing a huge variety of cars. It’s interesting that most discussions around EVs centre on owners quoting the perceived low running costs and ironically not the “perceived” environmental benefit! 

So to the great EV discussion :  The below are simply the facts I have found from the time I first road tested the Nissan Leaf some 10 years ago to today.

 1. EVs are not green!  Their production creates a carbon footprint way greater than an ICE ( Internal Combustion Engine). It takes some 12 years of “average annual km” before the EV will outpace the ICE on carbon footprint. 

2. Because most cars are now sold on a 3 year finance PCP that huge production carbon footprint is therefore re-created every 3 years or so for the majority of EV cars!

3. The electricity used to charge an EV is not always “green”.  According to the SEAI “14.1% of Ireland’s primary energy was renewable in 2023”.  So most of the time you charge your burning fossil fuels!

4. The environmentalists say we need to “save the planet”.  Buying an EV is simply moving the pollution to another part of the planet. Namely the countries where the finite resources to make batteries are mined, then shipped(predominantly to China) and then after manufacture shipped to the country of origin mostly in Europe. Think about that carbon footprint! 

What about ownership?

Range: Manufacturers quote WLTP figures achieved under very favourable test conditions.  I have not had one EV that can match the claimed WLTP range figure. Those numbers are quoted from 100% charge. Yet they then say only charge to 80% to preserve battery life so you can wipe 20% off that predicted range straight away. So a 500WLTP range ( and that’s at the higher end) becomes 400Km except it doesn’t. Use the heat, use the AC etc or spend time on the motorway at 120km or it’s cold and as in a recent new EV I recorded a loss of 200km over the predicted range.

In short EVs are seriously compromised in range should you wish to use a car in a normal fashion. ie. Heat on, do 120 Km/h on a motorway, drive in winter, use the heating etc.

 Depreciation:  Catastrophic. I have numerous motorists who swear they will never buy an EV again. EV insurance premiums are rising as insurers realise a car with relatively minordamage may be an economic write off if any damage to the battery is suspected. Power cuts:  Recent storms and subsequent power cuts left many EV owners stranded at home with no way to drive. Not ideal if you have say a medical emergency at home during a power cut. 

Infrastructure:  unless you can charge at home (it’s estimated 40% of the population can not, apartments, townhouses etc) it’s basically more expensive to run an EV. Rates vary on the public network from about .59 cent to .76 cent per kW. So an80kWh battery could cost .76 x 80 = €60.80.  But at 22kW/100 consumption youmight travel 363 Km for that €60.80.  A diesel burning 5.5 litres per 100km wouldtravel approx 618 Km for the same cost of €60.80. Also manufactures tell you it takes for example 30 minutes to charge to 80% at a 150kW high power charger. Except find one and when you do they almost never deliver 150kW per hour. Most I have tried at best manage 70-80 Kw due to the overall draw on the network.  So of course it takes way longer than quoted to charge. That does not include the often lengthy wait time I have experienced to get on one of just 3 chargers at a motorway service station. 

Summary. 

Over a decade I have asked EV drivers/ owners why they are in an EV. Almost all respond with “it’s a company car so I have no BIK” or “i thought it would be cheap to own “ or “I put it through my company”. Strange only two people, just two I interviewed over the years said it was an environmental decision. Now when depreciation and public charging costs are factored in the economic reasoning makes no sense. Is it any wonder EV sales are in decline? The early adopters have been burnt and others are not willing to follow in their footsteps. Manufacturers are now extending production of ICEs and renewable fuels are coming.

Solution:  If you really care about the environment regarding motoring the best thing you can do is keep your ICE for as long as practical. Your carbon footprint will then be way way less than buying an EV and probably changing it via your PCP finance every 3 years or so. Modern ICE have become very clean and efficient. So keep your ICE and enjoy the experience of travelling at the motorway speed limit with your heated seat on and the cabin at a cosy 22C. If an EV is for you (and there are some very nice ones) just make sure you are buying one for the right reasons.