Meanwhile back on topic I am still enjoying our new Skoda Elroq. We have yet to go on a long journey that needs charging at a public charger but we should be doing that in a couple of weeks.
Hopefully, it will prove a good experience too as at most chargers we should be able to either use Skoda’s own charge card or plug-in and charge like Tesla drivers enjoy. So, it could prove easier than the previous EV.
I have been looking at that EV.. looks rather appealing…
As far as I remember it was a proposal for replacing the vehicle excise duty so drivers would have ended paying two variable rates instead of one variable and one fixed charge. I raised it because it’s not at all clear where the pay per mile charge could end up when, inevitably, vehicle charging will need further rationalisation.
I really liked it compared to the other cars we test drove such as the Kia EV3. I think it has the nicest interior and comfy seats especially in the front. The boot space is more than enough for the two of us but someone needed more then the Enyaq might suit better. It’s the same size in the cabin but the boot is bigger.
The range is good and although it has been cold lately the loss of range due to temperature is not bad. We shall see what the max range will be in the summer temps but I suspect around 10% less than the WLTP of 355 miles.
The infotainment system is good and has some good physical buttons for functions and menu shortcuts unlike other VW group offerings.
It was also important for us that the car can tow enough to transport my small sailboat on its trailer.
Agree, as said, half cocked, and no doubt done under pressure… but I do think it’s a small step in the right direction .
Yep.. can’t abide non tactile touch screens….
I am not saying that it is right or wrong, fair or unreasonable. I am just saying how I believe it is likely to be implemented using tried & tested technology.
As far as the relevant authorities are concerned, presumably HMRC, they won’t worry or care & will use whatever it takes to collect the tax owed. Their view will be that the more vital your vehicle is to you, the more likely that you will make sure you pay. Don’t pay your utility bills & you will, eventually, be cut off. I don’t see road tax being treated differently.
I’m not comparing road tax to software rental. I am just saying the payment method is already in operation & is tried & tested.
It won’t be done the way you describe and in particular passing control to the government/third party if you can use your car or not. This is far too authoritarian and would be political suicide.
There are many ways to implement but it won’t be as you describe. It is not the same as a monthly set fee to use software compared to metered use.
You and we all should read the Government’s consultation paper on how it will ne implemented and the principles behind it. The 3p per mile rate will be half of what the average equivalent of fuel duty is per mile and will be calculated by submitting mileage each year as part of the VED system and backed up by the MOT mileage reporting in short.
You are misunderstanding me. I am not claiming it’s the same as a set monthly fee.
I am saying that the technology behind the method of payment is the same. It would be exactly the same as the way smart meter users paying by DD already, have their payments taken.
As already stated, HMRC won’t care how authoritian their collection methods are. They, & the Treasury, will just want their money. I can’t draw money from my pension pot without tax being paid at source. The government doesn’t trust me to pay them after the money has been paid me.
I am not claiming that this is how the tax will be collected. I am just suggesting that this would be one way of doing it.
Read the consultation paper. It will not be implemented as you describe.
Anyhow, that is far as I will go as this is not the thread or forum to discuss these things in detail as it will become too political.
And with respect, what do you base that on. HMRC absolutely are mindful how they engage to simplify and improve tax payment journeys and experiences for their ‘customers’… they realize there is much to continue improving… but to suggest they don’t care what authoritarian methods are used to collect tax is simply non factual.
Can we return to discussing EVs rather than Govt agencies/policies?
It would be a shame for this thread to be mired in such matters. It has generally been informative and interesting as a parallel to the ‘What are you driving.. ‘ one.
In that spirit I must, finally, have a grumble at Kia. The MOT and routine 40k service on my EV6 was over £500! I thought BMW were pricey with our old i3. I really struggle to get my head around the justification for that. A couple of hours work at most plus some brake fluid. Maybe I should have taken out a service pack deal after all. I suspect this sort of pricing is not unique to Kia though.
Bruce
That does seem a lot. When we bought our Megane in December last year we were offered a three year service plan for the princely sum of £99. How could we say no? Its first service is coming up in about three weeks.
Having owned it for virtually a year now we really like it. I did miss the driving experience of our former Audi A3, which while only 150bhp has the S Line sports suspension and was just fantastic to drive. The Megane isn’t the same but is still pretty good. We have it on a four year PCP and it will be intersting to see what’s around in a couple of years time. There is apparently an electric A3 replacement on its way, but I imagine it will be too expensive for us. My favourite is still the Alpine A290.
It would be interesting ( as a non-paying onlooker) to see the “service” cost breakdown.
I would be surprised if my BMW specialist charged me £500 for a routine oil plus various filters service and a brake fluid change on my 730d.
I imagine that, given the relative lack of consumables, the labour charge component has been correspondingly enhanced.
Main dealer prices for BMW can be fierce. I’ve had to have both front and rear brake pads and discs replaced in the last 9 months and I’ve only done 40k miles (X3 M40d). Around £1,200 all in, plus ~£500 at each service. If I could find a decent BMW specialist locally (rural location) that I could trust I’m sure it would be cheaper. But I’m not sure by how much.
I agree, the point being I am sure HMRC or which ever agency it is will use technology where possible to collate information telemetry such as miles driven… rather than simply rely on citizens issuing mileage readings like old style electricity meters.
I suspect the hourly rate from a franchised dealer is well north of £100 an hour if not £150, MOT £55, then VAT @20%.
It doesn’t surprise me….sadly.
Our Mazda has a 3 year service plan (4 year old car) & that works out over £1000, but would exclude anything not on the service schedule.
Got to pay for showrooms somehow.
Ah. I forgot that we would be talking “main dealer” prices. I have only ever used such an establishment once, for any of my BMW’S, and that was for the EGR cooler recall.
Which, tbf, they executed well.
Coincidentally enough, Brian on EV Odyssey covers service in his latest video.
He does mention in it what “supposedly” causes the higher price for the 4 year / 40,000 mile service and does caution against service plans.
Not too long a video and probably worth a watch. He also claims that if you book a service through the Kia app it will be cheaper than booking direct with the garage which is something I may try myself but whether Ireland and UK are the same in this respect I don’t know.
.sjb
I tried booking through the app actually and couldn’t seem to be able to book a courtesy car through that route, which is essential for me.
Bruce