Originally Posted by RichardV6
Why are electric cars so expensive? I understand development costs have to be recovered but this could be spread over greater time given the seemingly inevitable switch to pure EV and not covered just by early adopters. Electric motors are very simple with few moving parts, complex transmissions shouldn't be needed given motors torque characteristics, so we are left with a pile of control circuitry which costs next to nothing in terms of raw materials plus the battery. Are the latter really that expensive to produce confused2



Based on my week spent evaluating electric cars I've, as far as is possible, compared the electric car with its ICE equivalent. In some cases, such as the VW IC.3 this isn't easy, but others like the Vauxhall Mokka E and Mini E it is easier.
My conclusion is that there is a 15% to 20% premium for going electric.
Unless you have a significant driving force, such as city centre charging or the ability to write off the cost against tax (limited company) to change it makes, at the moment, no sense as the savings are not that significant.

I suspect the manufacturers are having a laugh, whilst they can. As we approach 2030 prices might fall, but they might not as this deadline presents a wonderful opportunity to push prices up and hold them in the post ICE era.

Peter,
66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S
No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...