Complete Car | Search Questions

Are EV range figures based on 100% battery?

Hi,

All the articles I read say that electric car batteries should only be charged to 80/85 per cent. Are the published range figures based on 100 per cent or 80 per cent charging?

Thanks, Philip

PS: For me, electric cars will only become realistic when they have a real world range of 600km.

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Jan 2020 Filed under: electric cars

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Well, Tesla already sells a Model S long range that will go for a claimed 610km...

Yes, the maximum range figures are quoted at 100 per cent charge, but the 80-85 per cent charge only really matters when you’re fast-charging. Using high-speed charge for the final 15-20 per cent can, in theory, affect the battery chemistry and cause faster degradation. To get to 100 per cent charge, you’re better slow-charging from a domestic source (preferably a 7.4kW wallbox) overnight. The slower the charge, the better it is for overall battery health and longevity.

BMW 320d or 330e?

Hi lads,

I'm trying to decide between a 2016 BMW 320d or a 330e... I do about 40,000km a year, my work commute is three days local (about a 50km round trip) and two days to Dublin (350km round trip). I live in the countryside as well, so not an urban driver as such. I'd like to move away from diesel, but I'm concerned that I won't at least match my current mpg on my existing diesel Audi A5.

Any thoughts would be most welcome!

Thanks, Brian

Brian Duignan (Kilkenny)

Jan 2020 Filed under: hybrid

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

It’s a tricky one. The problem is that a 330e gets amazing fuel economy as long as you keep it plugged in as much as possible (which would work nicely for your short commutes), but that all goes to pot a bit on long motorway journeys (which is obviously not going to be good).

We think it’s a good idea to start moving away from diesel and towards hybrid and electric, but you’re going to struggle — overall — to match your A5 TDI’s economy with the 330e. Now, the thing is you can maybe make this work from the perspective of overall running costs. If you can charge up at work as well as at home, and stick to electric-only power as much as possible for your three short commuting days, then it’s just possible that might balance out the thirstier longer runs on the other two days.

Unfortunately, we can’t be more certain than that — the only way to know for sure is to try it out. If you don’t fancy making that leap of faith, then I guess it’s back to 320d diesel power and wait for truly long-range electric cars to arrive.

Should a disabled driver buy a new commercial?

I am a disabled driver. Would I be better off to purchase a new five-seat commercial SUV given that I am exempt of VRT and VAT?

Hugh Cormack (Blacklion Co Cavan)

Jan 2020 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Hugh,

Sort of, yes. The thing is that there aren’t any five-seat commercial 4x4s anymore — the N1 certification loophole for that kind of car was closed off in 2018, so now five-seat SUVs pay a full rate of VRT. However, if you’re exempt from paying both VRT and VAT then one of those very cars (Toyota Land Cruiser, perhaps? Or maybe a VW Touareg?) would be an ideal car for you as you will be getting one at an effective 50 per cent discount compared to the rest of us. Well worth investigating.

Where to go to get an EV home charger?

Hi,

Any advice/recommendations for EV home chargers? I’ve ordered an EV and have no clue where to start when choosing what size/type home charger to install.

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks.

Iobhán Smith (Ennis)

Jan 2020 Filed under: electric cars

Expert answer

Hi Iobhán,

If you’ve bought a new electric car, talk to the dealer from whom you bought it. All of the major electric car brands have their own charging recommendations and can usually offer you a supply and fitting service. If it’s a second hand one, talk to the guys at ESB e-cars as a first port of call — lots of knowledgable people there and they’re very helpful. As a rule of thumb you’ll need to be able to run a charger with a power output of at least 7.4kW or you’ll not be able to fully charge the car overnight, especially if it’s one of the new big-battery models.

Any change to the taxing of commercials?

Hi,

Has there been any change to the taxing of commercial as private? I bought a 2015 Berlingo van so will I have to pay under the old system?

Thanks in advance

Chris

Chris Lawlee (Buttevant)

Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

No, you’ll be grand. If the vehicle was originally registered as a commercial then it will retain that designation. The change in the rules only affected cars registered from July 2018.

Why different tax for these Zafiras?

Hi!

I can't understand something. How come my Opel Zafira 161 is in the €570 tax band and a 141 is in the €280 tax band? The two cars are identical.

Tamas Giran (Enniscorthy)

Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Tamas,

Well, it depends on which version of Zafira each one is. From the detail you’ve given there on the tax costs, I’d suspect that the 141 car has the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine, the 129g/km of CO₂ emissions of which would put it in Band B2 for a €280 tax cost. Is the 161 car a 1.4 turbo petrol? Because that version’s 156g/km emissions put it just into the €570 Band D. Or the discrepancy could be down to one having an automatic gearbox, instead of a manual. Without more details, I’m afraid, we can’t be sure.

Do I have to fix the stop-start system?

Hi, my auto stop-start stopped working and a symbol keeps on flashing on the dashboard. Will it damage my car if I don’t get it fixed right away? I’ve a Nissan Note.

Sandra Clarkson (Dundee)

Dec 2019 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Sandra,

It shouldn't cause any damage, but it could indicate a weakness in your battery or electrical system, so it's best to have it looked at when you can.

Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for more information

When to replace Ford Focus timing belt?

When should I replace the timing belt on my Ford Focus Style 1.6 TCDi? And should I replace the water pump at the same time?

Rosalind Duke (Dublin 16)

Dec 2019 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Rosalind,

You've not given us the model year, so let's take 2011-2015 as an example. The 1.6 TDCi diesel engine's belt should be replaced at least every 180,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first. Apparently, for cars built up to July 2011, the interval is 140,000km or 10 years.

And yes, it's advisable to change the water pump at the same time.

Are crew cab rules ok for used vehicles?

Do the new crew cab tax rates apply to second hand cars? For example, if I buy a 2008 SUV that's classified as a crew cab and taxed as such can I continue to tax it at the commercial rate? I am a limited company director and VAT-registered so the car would be for business use.

Pete Watters (Dublin)

Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Pete,

Yup, if it’s been registered as a commercial vehicle in the first place, and you’re using it only for work purposes, then you’re entitled to continue to tax it as a commercial.

Trying to get insured on a 2004 Golf...

Hi,

I am a 21-year-old female with a provisional licence and looking to get insured on a car. I have been asking insurance companies and they have given me quotes of roughly €3,000 on a 2004 Volkswagen Golf. Am I better off buying a newer car? Will this bring down the price of insurance?

Alannah C (Dublin)

Dec 2019 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi Alannah,

Probably not much, no, though insurers seem to be wary of cars over 10 years old. Saying that, when you’re under 30 and on a provisional, you’re the risk factor, not the car. Keeping the engine size as small as possible will help (closer to 1.0-litre is better), but it won’t make a huge difference.