What's the problem with electric cars?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by GMcL

I find it quite ironic how defensive people get on here about safety and Volvo being the best then a cheap Dongfeng Nano Box gets rebranded Dacia Spring, gets a one star EuroNCAP rating, and interest is piqued.

Nowt as queer as folks as they say in 'ow much land.

It's about budget and choice. Dacia are a company that make cheap cars out of other peoples leftovers (they would say proven technology), usually Renault, who also own them. Hence their R&D budget is likely very low.

They have made something viable that is almost HALF the price of its nearest competitors, yes it is likely an inferior product in most areas as a result but everything is relative. It is safe, otherwise it could not be sold, but it's not as safe as most others, in the same way it is not as fast or does not have the range of most others. It could have been worse, it could have had a NCAP rating of 0 but still meet the mandatory standards for crash protection enabling it to be sold.

NCAP is an independent organisation, their assessments are entirely unrelated to the EU type approval process that cars must pass before they can be sold. The latter lays down the standard of what makes a car safe enough to sell and the Spring meets it.

And I did point out that I would not be ordering one...

It is what it is.... a "Minimum Viable Product" like the 2CV, Classic Mini, Reanult 4, Fiat 128. Good at nothing, acceptable at most.

And, believe it or not, there are worse cars you can buy :

https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/fiat/panda/34191

[Whippy]

It serves a niche, those people who need an EV but can't afford a super silly price need to buy something. It serves a purpose.

[GMcL]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

It's about budget and choice. Dacia are a company that make cheap cars out of other peoples leftovers (they would say proven technology), usually Renault, who also own them. Hence their R&D budget is likely very low.

They have made something viable that is almost HALF the price of its nearest competitors, yes it is likely an inferior product in most areas as a result but everything is relative. It is safe, otherwise it could not be sold, but it's not as safe as most others, in the same way it is not as fast or does not have the range of most others. It could have been worse, it could have had a NCAP rating of 0 but still meet the mandatory standards for crash protection enabling it to be sold.

NCAP is an independent organisation, their assessments are entirely unrelated to the EU type approval process that cars must pass before they can be sold. The latter lays down the standard of what makes a car safe enough to sell and the Spring meets it.

And I did point out that I would not be ordering one...

It is what it is.... a "Minimum Viable Product" like the 2CV, Classic Mini, Reanult 4, Fiat 128. Good at nothing, acceptable at most.

And, believe it or not, there are worse cars you can buy :

https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/fiat/panda/34191

Of course it meets the requirements to be sold as does Diet Coke, doesn't mean it's good for you. Drink 2l of soda/week reportedly causes a 20% increase in the chance of an irregular heartbeat. It's still legal and meets all current requirements for general sale.

Interesting you compare a car on its last knockings Vs a new model for the worst car to buy:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/dacia/spring/44197

Here's another car on its last knockings:
https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/ford/focus/33017

Edit: my point being, I know diet Coke is not a car, if the standards did the job why does euroNCAP exist and why do people give it a second thought ?

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by Whippy

It serves a niche, those people who need an EV but can't afford a super silly price need to buy something. It serves a purpose.

I agree. If you want a round town runabout, an EV would be ideal. My Mrs is a classic example. She goes 65 miles a week so an EV would be perfect. We have a hybrid so we’re sort of there but a full fat EV would be preferable for her needs. Sadly, living in a terraced street, charging would be a big no

TT

[baggy798]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

If that's how they decide to calculate road tax in future (weight), then us Volvo owner's will definitely pay higher prices. Volvo's aren't light cars, even the older ones are heavy compared to other similar cars.

Not true!



Likewise, a 2007 S80 is around the same as its German exekutive rivals.

[baggy798]

Originally Posted by the thong

consumerism is the big polluter and this is what people can’t get their heads around. Separating your recyclables and turning your thermostat down a degree is not going to make one bit of difference. People wouldn’t be prepared to go to the lengths required to make it happen. Meanwhile the targeted sales tempt people to buy more and more. It’s even easier when you can buy from the comfort of your home and put more vehicles on the road to deliver it all. That’s a subject for another thread.

Tt

hOW'S THAT NEW SUBARU, ALRIGHT IS IT?!??

[Moose Test]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Dacia are a company that make cheap cars out of other peoples leftovers (they would say proven technology), usually Renault

Ah, a kind of reverse Delorean!

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Moose Test

Ah, a kind of reverse Delorean!

Er... Yes, that is logically correct. But I can't see brushed stainless steel finish or a flux capacitor in the options list for the Spring.

[Moose Test]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

But I can't see brushed stainless steel finish or a flux capacitor in the options list for the Spring.

I wouldn't want to take it to 88 MPH either..

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Moose Test

I wouldn't want to take it to 88 MPH either..

That's just as well because you can't. Maximum speed = 77mph, 0-60 = twice in the same day, maybe....