Random EV thoughts.....

I'd be happier if we moved to a system where tax was required to get insurance or vice versa, and remove all paper discs like they have in the uk. But thats not here

Agreed, a joined up system would be better. It’s a bit ridiculous to have 3 paper discs here when they can manage with 1 in the UK.

The paper plastered on the screen proves that you had insurance the day the insurance company sent the letter. The data might be already out of date between then and when the disc is displayed. The certificate of insurance is the same i.e. not worth the paper is printed on. "Show the bigger piece of the same printed page at the local station, yo". It should be just an automatic charge and eventually a fine if your car is either not taxed or declared off road. No ifs and buts. The system would then also flag if a car is taxed but not insured.

Above can be updated practically in real time whenever a transaction happens and the cops mobile app would then be used to query the DB. Just use those Irish data centres since we have plethora of them here.

They have no discs in the UK

Not "most", only a few. I actively make sure I have insurance cover for all cars, regardless of insurance, tax, or NCT status of the other car. I use my third party extension for a couple of reasons, and most times the cars wouldnt have active insurance policies. Spouse is the only one that is not covered for me. It all depends on your policy document.

Confirmations on the phone are worth the paper they are written on, in times of an accident or checkpoint you're covered as per your policy documentation not a random phonecall. I've been covered in an at fault accident under third party extension. The car didnt have an insurance disc in the window and I was not even asked about it once I provided my cert showing I was insured to drive the car. You are however correct, non display of insurance disc is a traffic infraction punishable by 80 euro fine and no points. I've never been done for it, despite being through multiple checkpoints on third party cars (including one that didnt even have a disc holder, let alone a disc, in the window). You are always - although it is not mandatory - given 10 days to produce. I generally have my policy on my phone to show them at the checkpoint though so maybe that's why?

I agree with you about the severity of driving uninsured and I have never and would never drive uninsured. I used to drive untaxed cars, run cars on agri or kero etc but I always always had insurance.

Nah, couldn't be bothered.

The 3 disc system is archaic in 2023. The need for a physical disc is completely redundant after Garda finally decided a few years back to join the 21st centrury adopting of ANPR technology that makes use of the unqiue identification number in the registration plate.

Also not exactly sustainable to be producing these things, along with the cost associated with making and distributing them. I had a relative visit from Aus last year find our 3 discs a complete laugh and said their state govt did away with their annual registration stickers in 2005!

So how does one use 3rd party extension to drive a car that does not have its own active policy?

I'd say you're pretty close to the money, but given there's so many thirsty electric CUVs, a figure closer to 19kWh/100km would be closer IMO

So that gives 2,850kWh per year

I've only started tracking month by month consumption from the charger recently, so pop back next June and I'll have detailed data to show you 😁

My figures above are if anything a bit on the high side price wise. Most of my solar charging is included at my night rate electricity price of 8c/kWh. About a month ago I changed the costings on app so that any day time home charging is at zero cost, the only time we ever charge during the day is on solar.

I was surprised my last 12 months mileage was lower than normal, previous number of years was around 18-20k kms. But I was away for about 2 months..☺️

Took a leaf 40k 192 model to my parents, 165km door to door all N and Motorway so average speed was around 105kph untill I got 50km from home and saw the range has been hammered to 70km remaining dropped the speed to 90kph and arrived with 25km or 10% remaining at the house. 100% fully charged but the headwind killed the range but I do wonder did I really have 25km range at the speed or would it fall away quicker.

Anyway on granny charge now for the return trip tomorrow, hopefully no headwind as the wife is driving and will be stuck to 120kph 🤣

Looks like Christmas came early in Lower Saxony 😁

First of three plants across Europe and Canada which will produce enough cells for two million cars annually by 2027. Interestingly they said they would produce 200GWh so some quick math tells me that's 100kWh per car

That's....quite a lot considering that's currently the capacity of the largest and most expensive VW ID cars

So it's possible they could make a lot more cars if the ID.2 does well

Saw an ad today for this on rte

the range quote of “up to 1,100km” caught my eye - does any other “hybrid” manufacturer quote range ?