Volkswagen ID.4 GTX review and what's wrong with the electric life

[@smaemurray]

I do all my charging at home. I could probably count on one hand how many times I've used public charging in the last 3 years. They are wonderful cars.

[@pato10111]

I couldn’t agree more Stephen. I really don’t understand the emphasis car reviewers place on public charging. I have never charged my car at a public charger and I travel from Wexford to Dublin daily for work. People hate change. That’s all it really comes down to. They will run around all day with an iPhone with a battery life of about 12 hours, but can’t grasp the concept of charging your car from home at night like said phone. Ireland is a small country. Unless you work on the road, an EV fits into everyday life very well.

[@keithbarrett9882]

Brilliant video- we need to discuss the reality and push for more realistic charge station forecourts. I'm in UK and recently sold my ev after 3 months.. Been let down so bad by broken/occupied chargers and stations can't help you avoiding my questions..we need a min standard of charge capacity and cars with a min charge speed . Thanks for sharing .

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Thanks Kieth!

[@craiglawlor2749]

The state of play is very different for me and anyone I know driving an EV Bob. After driving 100,000km in a 24kwh Leaf which was free with the savings compared to my BMW 520 and now a Tesla Model 3 SR plus I haven't had an issue with a charge point since 2019 when they introduced a price per Kwh. For example, I added 100km while shopping in supervalu yesterday at one of the 17 chargers in Swords, Dublin. I don't have a home charger but charge when I do something else like grocery shopping, passing by available chargers etc. I guess I must fall into the category of one of those "EV owners that let it slide" as the only honest EV drivers appear to be those that need a car capable of 500km per day, every day. Us peasants that drive the average 300km or less per week and don't freak out over guess-o-meter figures just like we didn't freak out about optimistic MPG figures that were a mile off on previous cars don't count. The car you are supposed to be reviewing will drive from one end of the country to the other without stopping and guess what, people are still recommended to stop for safety reasons and queues for coffee at these petrol stations suggest that they are indeed stopping so why not plug in and the multitude of free chargers beside you in this video. Why not actually interview a number of real EV drivers instead of just repeating the same agenda. At first it was electricity shouldn't be free so they started charging, then it was cars with 300-400km range are needed to cover people needs and they were delivered, then it was "these cars are too expensive" until EV's were manufactured at the 30k average new car price range, now its the range is a lie and the network needs to get faster. When will it end? There's an EV out there for the average consumer right now and by average I don't mean someone that needs to drive 500km per day, although I do notice that you never manage to ask how reliable a diesel car is doing this mileage every day! I would suggest it's rather costly. Happy new year to you and yours.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

I get that there will always be people out there who can make anything work because that's the individual choice but let's look at my home county, Laois. When we aren't in lockdown over 16,000 people leave Laois a day to work in other counties and the vast majority go by car. So not everything comes down to just operating within your city or home town and we must legislate for the population of Ireland. The charging infrastructure needs work and improvement and as I said in the video, it is getting better but there's still so many problems within the systems - apps - signups - no roof - not working and so on that you must see that we need to put pressure on every one to up their game, including the charging network. Double the EV's on the road today and you'll be queuing for a charge almost everywhere.

[@morphelan]

There should also be a mandate that for every charger installed on a motorway or a metro area there should be an equivalent charger installed in a rural area.

[@hugos2475]

Why?

[@morphelan]

@@hugos2475 because there is no financial incentives to put chargers in rural areas as opposed to the main motorways and cities where the main population centers are. If chargers are only based in the cities it will be impossible to make the changeover to electric cars.

[@ericrochford3134]

Happy New Year Bob! Great video, we need more of this, telling it like it is but balanced as well to be fair 👍

[@berniemods]

Dito

[@jimsshed2587]

I was looking forward to this Review on this GTX I've one on order however I was disappointed as it was a Review on Charging EVs more so than the actual car

[@bruts82]

Wat about the leak , that’s incredible

[@pato10111]

@@bruts82 test cars are always glitchy as their are either pre-production or early assembly line versions.

[@xchen2008]

To be fair, if your daily lifestyle involves a lot of motorway or a lot of country road, then there aren't any electric cars on the current market suit your needs. Fast charging is great but also damage to your battery life if you using it most of time to charging your car. Current electric car is more suitable for day to day family life style, school runs, groceries, shopping etc. Also I like this man, he said the BMW iX7, which I think BMW really should reconsider and maybe change the new iX to iX7, as there is an iX3, and this makes more sense :D

[@wilkoone9155]

Good one Bob, I was at that very same charger one evening and got a charge rate of 95kWh, 10 minutes gave me enough to get home in my ID3. I do a lot of long distance driving into remote areas. I never use apps to charge the car I let the car's software do that. I just let Plug Share find the chargers for me.

[@garethtalbot8950]

Happy New Year Bob. Great video, information etc. Video Quality superb.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Happy new year Gareth! Glad you are enjoying the videos

[@paulrose8876]

We need range at a constant 30mph 60 mph and 70 -75mph like we used to have for petrol cars and summer 20 degrees and winter 0 degrees. Then you can compare all the models. Get on it Bob. Great reviews keep up with the honesty. Thanks.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Great point!

[@alanmulcahy7749]

EV database is the trusted source for real world ranges (although winter is assumed to be -10).

[@Id3fornow...]

Bjorn Nyland in norway has spreadsheets on google docs with all the info. I think car dealers need more education. They havent a clue half the time.

[@automotivel3501]

Great video Bob, however I (and a few million other customers In UK) recently had my energy supplier go out of business, OffGen switched me to an alternative supplier, but the unit costs have gone up. I had been just about to order a new EV, and Home Charger. Now this blip means wife wants to wait, before going to EV.

[@GrrMeister]

*Very wise Wife !*

[@alanmulcahy7749]

Bob, you should be able to get to anywhere in Ireland on a 45 min X 50kw charge, if you started with 77kwh... Also, the WLTP range figure is not designed to estimate motorway driving. It is no less accurate for Electric than for petrol or diesel. For real world estimates EV Database is the most trusted.

[@06younger]

So, a regular trip of mine. Naas - Tralee - Dingle - Killorglin - Killarney and back home to Naas. How long will I be spending (and how much) hooked up to one of these faultless motorway chargers?

[@alanmulcahy7749]

@@06younger If you regularly do 8 hour journeys (660km) in a day, then you are in a minority of car drivers where an EV would currently be less convenient than a combustion engine car. Most drivers do less than 300km in a normal day and might do a small number of 300km+ trips. Assuming you would take a proper stop in Tralee and Killarney, then you would want the assurance of access to fast charging in both places (the problem is the infrastructure, not the latest cars - a Kia EV6 would be a lovely way to do this journey). I, like most EV drivers, find that refuelling my EV is a significant time saving, compared to my previous car.

[@gavintobin4912]

@@06younger about 15-30 minutes in supercharger at either Tralee or Birdhill if it’s a Tesla MS or M3 LR. Cost if you started at home with a full charge about 8-10 euro and the SC top up another 9-15 euro depending on how close you want to cut it.

[@MrBucko1990]

@@06younger agree with another reply. If this is a regular trip than EV is not for you at the moment. You are however in the minority as most people do less than 100km each day

[@ahlads]

don’t buy an EV if that’s your driving profile. But since you asked, starting with 100% battery from dublin to Tralee (which I do every month or so) I stop in Limerick on the way down @50KW charger for 30 minutes. If you stopped for 45 minutes (or to 80%) you’d get to dingle on that. You will need another 45 minute charge to 80% in a 50kw charger to get to Killarney via Kilorglin. Charge to 100% in Killarney and again for 30 minutes to 80% at fast charger in Monestarevin (or Limerick since Monestarevin is very close to Naas. I drive an ID4. Don’t waste your time on 22kw chargers unless you’ve got all day. Above charging will give you a nice buffer of never going below 80km or so remaining.

[@Ramorvideo1]

Thanks to your advice Bob, I have ordered a Kia EV6 for March. Will let u know my views when I get it

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Please do! I've had the EV6 for the whole Christmas break and it's a great car apart from the boot. Everything slides around all the time

[@mikeconnolly6845]

@@BobFlavinVideo what’s the size like Bob compared with an ID. 4?

[@michaellawless6893]

On the infrastructure I really hope that at some point people will look at the supply side not just the need for more chargers. No point adding change stations IMO as we won't be able to run them. On one side we push BEV on the other we are hammering data centers for the amount they use. If we can't supply data centers we have no hope of supplying chargers.

[@marktoby8113]

Has to be serious software issues on that VW if its losing charge overnight, I've owned EVs since 2018 and never had that happen. And a free interior waterfall, good quality there so!

[@oceanfroggie]

Charged a GTX at 150kw at that very location this past week. Charging network has improved significantly over the past 24 months. Applegreen are only at the beginning of their high power CCS programme. With home charging and destination charging on this small island, on route motorway charging is not as urgent was most of us anticipated 3 years ago. No problem driving back and forth on this small island in small battery pudgit e208. 15-20mins @ 100kw on CCS enough to complete any trip be it one way or same day return.

[@connclissmann6514]

Happy New Year! Whatever about car manufacturers claiming higher mileage than the car offers, the state-funded ESB has *no* excuse to offer chargers at a certain charging rate, when actual performance is so significantly lower! Eamon Ryan should be alerted by you, Bob, as an experienced correspondent in this area and he should "sit" on them until the true rate is increased (ideally) or the rate advertised matches the poor performance you described.

[@craiglawlor2749]

The rate of charge is dependent on the heat of the battery and the percentage of the battery when it's plugged in just like the phone I type this on. Even Tesla superchargers which are the best in the country and easiest to use all charge at different rates depending on what car is plugged into them. 45 mins at this charger at 50kwh will add approximately 250km to that car which is far more than what is required for the average driver on this small island. Why are people so obsessed with having a full battery all the time? These fast motorway chargers are to assist a driver in getting to a destination or getting home before plugging in.

[@paschalmullins3360]

If i spent that much mula on a new electric car.... and the windscreen had that leak. I would want nothing less than a full refund, it is not a 20 year old corolla on its 4th autoglass windscreen for crying out loud!

[@Simonmc78]

more than likely the sun roof

[@pauladams5673]

Please, please try and quote the correct units for energy (kWh) and power (kW). Also, the GTX is not "just a spec' change", it is the dual-motor version of the ID.4, so has 4wd and 50% more power, (same 77 kWh battery). I have noticed some car reviewers say VW ID cars are not very efficient, whilst other car reviewers say they are very impresively efficient. The ones that say the efficiency is impressive are the ones who put in the effort of driving long distances on known roads, for comparison. I think we have all got used to not thinking very much about the energy we use in our i.C.E cars; for example, you see people braking late for traffic lights, putting heat into the brakes, wasted energy. Experienced EV drivers will get much more efficiency than people who don't think about the energy they are using. Infrastructure in Ireland seems to be way behind mainland Europe.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

I could write a lot of words here but I won't save to say thanks for the comment "The ones that say the efficiency is impressive are the ones who put in the effort of driving long distances on known roads, for comparison." I drive the same road at the same speed with every-single-car for the last decade or more.

[@martino9134]

Honest and informative as ever 👍 two things . 1.WLTP doesn't work with EV'S you have a 'summer range' which is near to stated range and a 'winter range' so many people I know are unaware of the drop in range in the winter months . The smaller the battery + no heat pump the bigger the impact on the usability. 2. Infrastructure has to grow xxx before mass adoption. UK is learning this now with the growth in EV sales . It also has to be simple to use and most of a reliable.

[@JunkerOnDrums]

Regarding charching infrastrukture, look to Norway. I bought a VW ID.3 four months ago. In Denmark I pay 73 GBP a months, an can use as much electricity i want, and even drive to Stockholm, Oslo or Hamburg for the 73GBP. I think it's fair..

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Yeah but this is Ireland and someone will always want to make money from everything! There's nothing fair about Automotive charges or taxation in this country

[@Simonmc78]

costs me 80 a month to charge my ID4 at home and thats me out driving between 60 -100km a day. night rates help

[@martidonegal1]

Very good review. I have to say the fact we have had a green govt in Ireland now for several years and the lack of a reliable infrastructure for charging says it all. The leak in the sunroof Is pretty worrying. Also lack of buttons is annoying vw interior quality not what it was I have been in an id3 space is great but the interior is not vw should be. Agree about your choices for electric cars.

[@Notagain640]

There is no easy answer to the claimed vs real-world range unless more than one efficiency value is provided. What we really need is a 2D graph of average speed versus range, or a 3D graph of average speed vs temperature vs range. The problem is many potential buyers wouldn't be able to read a 3D graph and it also makes comparing multiple vehicles more difficult. There are just too many variables for a single value of efficiency to be meaningful. The WLPT value is only relevant for comparing 2 or more vehicles on a very simplistic basis. To some extent, this is only a short term problem that will disappear when battery/charger technology allows for a range of 600 miles plus and recharge times of under 10 minutes. I would guess this is about 7-10 years away.

[@heyjryan6175]

Top video Bob & very informative. Nice to see the good and not to good aspects brought up. The two big points here I think are first the charging network is just not where it needs to be and won’t be reliable and plentiful for a long time yet. Secondly and importantly who honestly has the time to be waiting around for an hour to charge the car especially if you have small kids to entertain..it’s just not going to happen and a massive waste of time. I really feel for the chap you mentioned travelling the country having to stop for the bones of three hours each day..in his case that’s just stupidity and an ev is not for him. As much as we would all like to do our bit etc the cost and sheer waste of time/reliability of the chargers etc are a huge off putting factor for many I suspect. Honestly have no problem with diesel/petrol for the next decade.

[@Simonmc78]

I have an ID4 GTX. When I stop and charge with the kids we usually hit the toilets and eat. usually takes us around 40mins. with the fast chargers and the ID4 150kw onboard charging I can charge from 10% to 80% in around 40mins. This equates to around 350km

[@onederment]

check in your local area, your city/town might have free incentive chargers. The city that i live in has 4 free chargers. I usually fill up with 5 euros on a 50kwatt charger and just use the free ones for the rest of the week. I don't have to commute great distances. I did notice when we had a cold snap that my 77 kwatt battery would charge up to 370 km (10c) but then we got a heatwave of 25c in January so the battery charged to 470 km (100%). For long distance, best to drive with the seat heater instead of the climate control and use the economy drive mode. I love my ID4. Its a brilliant car.

[@rtfazeberdee3519]

Chargers should have notices on them to say "we can't get enough charge from the grid in this location so we only charge at a reduce rate of XXXX". These places need to stick a battery in between the grid and the chargers like Kempower.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Chargers should also display the price they are charging

[@ThomasMcGuire]

Fair points on the infrastructure end. We need do better.

[@mziyabo]

This is a policy issue which needs to addressed by the government.

[@MrBucko1990]

I have some issue with several points being made in this video as it does not provide the full context or info. This has been repeated in other videos from Bob on EVs too. However, I agree with the underlying frustration he is trying to portray. The vast majority of people don't understand the technical or finer details of EVs and how to optimise their use. Others might do with education but don't want to nor do they want to need to know. They want a car to drive with as little hassle as possible. Currently this is the biggest barrier to those who will already buy new or nearly new cars. I personally am interested in charging curves, kw pulled from a public charger, scheduling home charging to minimise our spend to drive our c. 20,000km each year etc. but the masses that we need to drive EV and who are the same people that EV would work for day-to-day don't want the hassle/need to learn an EV currently requires.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

"The vast majority of people don't understand the technical or finer details of EVs " I would say that the vast majority of people don't understand ICE cars or even want to know the finer details of any car, let alone EV's

[@davidtolley4979]

I’m not ready for a EV yet as a paraplegic in the UK same problem’s I can’t find wheelchair accessible chargers and even if I could imagine in the rain getting my wheelchair out to find out it’s not working chair back in the car move unloading again. Could end up taking hours and a huge amount of effort. My next car will be a diesel.

[@oceanfroggie]

Very professional broadcast quality production. Only problem was it was a review of charging infrastructure with GTX as a mere backdrop rather than a review of the GTX to your normal standard. Would have been interesting to get your opinion on how well 'travel assist' works, efficiency with dual motor v single motor, and 19" wheels v 21" wheels for range efficiency and quietness. One of the things folks would love to know is how the AWD GTX performs on snow/ice when in 'traction' mode. Perhaps another time you might get a chance to review a GTX rather than the charging infrastructure. Sorry for the moan but your reviews are too good to miss.

[@jspuds1]

Not a ID.4 GTX review which I was looking for

[@lookoutleo]

i know what you mean about the infrastructure and i'm in scotland that has lots of chargepoints but so often they dont work and i'm in a 30 kw leaf so not great range. quite often need to phone the company that runs the chargers to get them to sort the issue . other than that love driving electric , so smooth and easy :)

[@Bimmer_e90]

Ah the leaking sunroof is on the electric cars now too...our Tiguan was in the garage 6 tines in the first year with the same issue...leaking thru the electrical switches...

[@aidanmcloughlin8569]

Hi Bob, As you said the cars are getting better but still very expensive. The biggest snag, I think with them all is range. What alot of people don't understand is if you have got a heavy right foot and don't like getting to cold or hot in your car while driving then that range given is really miles out.

[@TheRealBandit69]

I'd love to see something like a really base spec electric car, something with no electrical options on it (manual windows and mirrors, basic radio with Bluetooth, manual seats, no screens, etc. Etc.). Stop having stuff to drain the batteries, and give us full range capabilities and keep the weight down.

[@MrBucko1990]

Dacia Spring does this for city driving but TBC if coming to Ireland and the UK with RHD.

[@TheRealBandit69]

@@MrBucko1990 For city driving absolutely. But outside of that. Id love something spec'd like a 90's Corolla with windy windows and no electronic gubbins, and a big battery with lots of range for distance driving.

[@TheBronx_911]

All of the interior controls that you mention are controlled from the 12v battery. Not the HV battery so no noticeable drain in the car occurs by using these.

[@TheRealBandit69]

@@TheBronx_911 Lugging around a couple of hundred kilos of wiring loom, window motors, seat motors, etc drains the battery though. 🤷‍♂️

[@TheBronx_911]

@@TheRealBandit69 same could be said about passengers or unnecessary luggage/items in the car. The additional wiring look for a radio, Bluetooth, screen etc would be off set by eating a curry or McDonald’s before getting in.

[@alexmn00183]

Paying more then 50 grand on an electric car that has water leaking inside the cabin, while you are sitting on top of a high voltage system? You do get the irony, right?

[@RozzoRules]

Hi Bob, I want to get an Electric vehicle but my parents in law live in Donegal so I drive there a few times a year, in a normal ICE car I can drive from Kildare to Donegal on a full tank without stopping This is the main reason I will not be going electric until the infrastructure with charging gets much better

[@peadargill7565]

Great video, Bob.

[@DublinVideos]

Hi Bob, have you heard of Range Therapy? I've a 24Kw Leaf I was planning to change but now looking at adding capacity instead. 70000 km done in it in 6 years and I'd love to keep it going.

[@PAJOoc]

4:04 Circle K were quick to send the gardai.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Haha! 5-0 on the loose

[@06younger]

Happy New Year to you and yours Bob. It's great to see the actual real world, non rose tinted reality being reported. Also.......with the biggest selling point of these vehicles normally being their range........advertising that a vehicle "can" do 500+ kms when the real figure is more than likely 30% lower should make a case for some sort of a consumer law or trading standards challange.

[@stephendoherty8291]

Yet most fossil fuel cars also wildly overestimate their fuel efficiency. Average European cars are often 25-30% less fuel efficient yet nobody seems to mind.

[@06younger]

@@stephendoherty8291 my 190hp 2.0tdi has "averaged" just shy of 50mpg over its 290,000kms since we bought it in 2016. It's a common theme that the claimed range on any of the EV's is just not achievable......particularly in climates like ours. I can get 1200kms from my Skoda. I "get" that my 80-90,000kms a year is not suited to electric vehicles......but that is simply just a fact. My Superb was 43k in 2016.....to get a similar specced Enyaq now I would have to spend just shy of 60k. It's just not right.

[@alanmulcahy7749]

Keith, there is a requirement to quote the standardised WLTP figure. The car companies quote range in line with market rules. The US standard is more suited for long distance driving. Ideally there should be 2 figures (e.g. WLTP test & a 100kph range). For many taxi drivers WLTP is a good metric, and many can beat it.

[@alanmulcahy7749]

@@06younger "It's just not right" - absolutely, car companies are currently creaming the margins because of supply issues. Hopefully the Chinese are coming in 2022 with properly priced EVs.

[@06younger]

@@alanmulcahy7749 they'll be properly priced until they land in Ireland. Lovely new NEO just launched. Amazing specs and dare I say it......range.

[@kyarichards2894]

Great report.

[@aidanmcloughlin8569]

Hi Bob,happy new year! 1st point ESB really should be getting their act together at this stage. They are fairly new chargers that have went into J14 and already problems not charging correctly and not at the right speeds. There is not enough chargers in Ireland including Tesla chargers but you will never turn up at a Tesla charger and it will not work. ESB have been main Electricity supplier in Ireland for many many years and still can't manage with all the money invested to get this right. What is the problem??

[@MrBucko1990]

Doubt VW will be happy that this 'review' was largely to do with anything other than its car. However, that leak issue is unacceptable for any new car especially a €70k car.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

I've already reviewed the ID.4 standard one

[@kyarichards2894]

Can I ask why there is so much anxiety about charging points. Apart from drives right across Ireland, surely most owners are charging their cars at home overnight?

[@pato10111]

Spot on. I think most of the people charging at garages are car journalists. Haha.

[@kyarichards2894]

@@pato10111 Or travelling salesmen/women. I know there's times we will all get "caught short" and there are apartment dwellers and terrace owners without drives who have difficulty getting a point installed.

[@pato10111]

@@kyarichards2894 I think that in general people don't like change so they find any way possible to prove that something doesn't work without considering how the thing they are using currently actually performs as a product. Petrol/diesel cars are expensive to run and stopping to refuel can be pretty annoying, particularly in the winter when it's cold and wet. Technology is changing all the time and there are early adopters and late adopters. I remember everyone moaning about cordless hoovers and Ipads when they came out but now everyone owns one despite the short battery life of both products. If people stopped thinking about electric cars as replacements for combustion engine cars and learned how to use them, they will figure out pretty fast that they aren't all that bad and fit perfectly fine into daily life. With our EV we spend more time thinking about charging the car and planning longer trips, but on the flip side, we no longer have to stop for petrol when doing our regular Sunday drive from Wexford to Kildare to see family. You see a lot of people flapping about public chargers, but the only time you actually need one is for a holiday or long-distance trip across the country. I think what a lot of people are failing to see is that in the future people won't travel long distances by car for the same reasons they do now. Remote working will improve and it's likely there will be a drive and go network of cars located at stations around the country for traveling salesmen to use for long-distance journeys. In the same way, they stop for petrol now they will stop to jump into another car once the battery runs out on the car they are driving. Electric cars are the future whether we like them or not. They are the only sustainable option.

[@kyarichards2894]

@@pato10111 Well said Niall, though I did enjoy the posted report by Bob, and of course we need a proper working infrastructure. My 87 year old dad has an EV and PV on the roof (retired pilot - engineer's head) which puts a considerable charge into the car in summer at least. We have 4.2kWp PV/6.5kWh battery/water diverter - and are almost ready to jump to an electric car. I love the technology, even with the horrendous pay back. The trouble is I find the designs, bar Audi and VW, to look a bit Space 1999 and edgy, and I'm married to a car snob from Detroit - neither of us can afford what we actually want. We are 100% determined to do it, and in fact I'm hoping to put up a dedicated array on a shed here where my charger will be sited to help to top the car in the sunnier months. I've written a piece called EV/PV based on interviews with owners who have both, which will run in the Irish Examiner on the 29th. Great bunch of guys (tried to get a woman, but it turned out to be a rather blokish chat). Best, Kya

[@PatHiggins-Mayo]

Very informative as always. Happy New year Bob

[@pato10111]

Why the over emphasis on public charging? If you own a home charger, a long range ID4 will see you through a few days on one overnight charge. Driving around the country using public chargers is neither feasible or sustainable and no EV owner really relies on this network. If the pandemic has thought us one thing it is that we can do a lot more than we think remotely and don’t need to travel large distances for work in one day. The family in the car argument I see a lot also doesn’t stand up as a bit of forward planning goes a long way here. I’ve used a public charger once to travel from Wexford to Limerick and back in one day. I stopped to charge for 30mins while I had some food. Yes it added some time to my trip but it’s really not a big deal. That sales rep who was given an electric car to travel around the country needs to phone his boss and either introduce him to zoom or ask for a diesel.

[@niallkelly1985]

Was about to say the same thing about the sales rep. He has the wrong car. He either needs the longest range EV or a diesel. I wonder was the vehicle foisted upon him or was he happy to take it due to the BIK benefits.

[@pato10111]

@@niallkelly1985 it beggars belief to be honest. I find it strange that a sales rep would use an EV as a company car if he had to stop 3 times in one trip.

[@PaulBreretonmusic]

Interesting video. The ESB need to see this. However, many issues you faced had an explanation you didn't cover? I got the impression you don't own an EV? Many issues you faced wouldn't be the case for the entire network or that particular models performance is still a beta car and think you could have explained this better. Not to be critical but the context of the video might scare off potential new EV buyers when in general, EV life is not like this every time. You've covered a worse case scenario but as an EV driver over four years, I've rarely had a bad experience and I travel lots. Not perfect by any stretch but not like this. As soon as I got to grips with apps, connectors, battery pre heating and that some charges like one you covered is known to be deliberately reduced in power, I was fine starting out. But the future of affordable EVs will be 450km with 150kw speed and a destination charger in almost every parking bay. It's a bright future so maybe get some professional advice on these issues for us and explain better what's going on. But I agree it all needs improvement but I'd never go back to diesel. Hope you take my advice in good faith. I like to watch many reviews including you. But I would encourage doing something educational explanation rather than displaying an emotional displeasure as we learn nothing from that sort of thing. Happy new year. :)

[@Conor.Twomey]

Bob, did a round trip to Dungarvan in an eGolf earlier in the week (415 km) M8 - N24 - Dungarvan - N25 - M9 back home. Needed to stop in Cashel, Dungarvan and Knocktoper to charge. Issues with Cashel IONITY but ESB network in rest were fine.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

An enjoyable upload good luck for your channel in 2022 👍👍

[@stevencampbell1150]

Must admit the charging infrastructure plus the price of the cars and indeed in the case of this top of the line car you drove, the build quality would mean a definite no for me. Must admit as a Renault driver I find it rather ironic because folk often praise the alleged build quality of German cars and say that French are crap when I'm sorry but I think the reverse is the case. I work with computers for a living so I'm sorry I'd never trust a car driving on its own for the reason you said of it spotting a speed sign at a junction and suddenly slowing down which could cause an accident. I still don't believe we're there yet. I think maybe in 5 years when I think about changing my car that electric might be worth considering but even if it's not I'll keep my diesel and drive it into the ground if I have to.

[@portland573]

Happy New Year Bob. Cracking insight.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Same to you!

[@Timothyjohnkenny]

Good on you Bob for calling it out as it is ! 👏👏👏

[@stephendoherty8291]

Watched recent highway test of evs range and the best met 91% of official range, the worst 83%.

[@daveb1433]

Great balanced video Bob. I’m considering an electric car but the charging network is causing me to hesitate. If I want a home charger I have been advised by SEAI that I may need to have my house rewired due to its age, it’s 39 years old and I don’t have any issues with my electricity. . Expense Expense Expense!!! Regarding the leaking roof, do you think the placement of the cup holders is to catch the water from the roof?

[@jeffyoung321]

I wouldn't touch an electric car with a barge pole unless I had loads of money and had several cars to choose from. As you've shown in Ireland, the infrastructure just isn't there. The UK isn't much better.

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

You have 6 Tesla Supercharger locations currently in Ireland and 3 more coming soon.

[@timseytiger9280]

What on earth do you want 100% for where are you going?

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Who said anything about 100%, it's the speed of charging that's never right

[@adriancunningham2963]

@@BobFlavinVideo You said about 100%. Here's your actual quote, "in the 45 minutes before the overstay change cuts in you won't get anywhere near a 100% change". That's thinking with a petrol/deisal mindset. That's not how electric cars are used. You only need enough charge to get to your destination or get home, with a little in reserve, and then you plug in again.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

You are missing the point. The charging speeds are too low and there’s not enough of them. The car companies are lying about range and the electric companies are lying about speed but you are fixed on how we are using the cars wrong. If I want 100% then that’s my choice and it should be yours too.

[@adriancunningham2963]

@@BobFlavinVideo I'm not missing the point, you're sidestepping your own statement. You said, and I quote, "Who said anything about 100%'. I'm simply pointing out that it was YOU who said it. Also I've driven electric cars for three years and I have never, EVER, charged to 100% away from home. If you want to do that, then fine, be my guest. But why would you want to. If I'm 50 miles from home and I have 40 miles left on the range, then I only need to charge to get an another 10 miles plus a bit extra for comfort. Why would I stay at a public charger to get to 100% when I have a charger on my driveway which costs a fraction of the public charger rates and will charge the car overnight while I'm tucked up in bed?

[@timseytiger9280]

@@adriancunningham2963 well put and it was a 77kwh battery he was referring to too.

[@ezeJeff]

The Mazda MX30 all electric has a 35.5kWh battery with CCS 50 kW charging capable does that mean you could charge that car before your time allowance is up? Except that they would really be for around town and they are very expensive for a mere 35.5 kWh battery pack or at least they are here in NZ

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

Could be condensation bob and not a leak maybe!, Just noticed you got 70k subs well done.

[@andrewgodfrey4932]

Is the Ioniq 5 on your radar for any upcoming reviews?

[@plaw9999]

Happy new year Bob. Any Ioniq 5 review planned?

[@MrGunca100]

Could we charge card can be used on any electric network or only works for IONITY?

[@richardglover1200]

Absolutely ridiculous prices nobody can afford to get one

[@torresalex]

It's a shame more people don't see this, since Bob is the only one who seems to be objective when it comes to evaluating EV ownership. Happy New year, Mr Flavin!

[@johndillon1226]

Hi Bob could you test the New Ionic 5 please, interested in your opinion. Thanks JD

[@BobFlavinVideo]

I'd love to John but as most of the press in Ireland, I'm having problems getting Hyundai Ireland to loan me a car for review. I've extensively driven the Kia EV6 and I'll have a video of that this week.

[@deeweeuavp]

It's cost. That has us all staying with petrol and diesel. Only when it's the final rung on the ladder will we change 👀😳🙄👍

[@philipshanahan4228]

It seems that circle k are just lashing in chargers weather they have capacity from ESB or not. I believe that Maxol aren't putting them in unless they can put in at least 80kW chargers

[@Id3fornow...]

Happy new year Bob

[@peterurquhart7191]

Happy new year bob !

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Happy new year!

[@oceanfroggie]

Thanks. Will there be a review of the GTX and in particular a demo of any of its driver aids?

[@cityblue0202]

Bob do you think that in the next 8 years that the infrastructure for ev cars in first world countries will be ready and will the electricity system be able to cope with millions of cars vans and hgvs all charging?

[@alanmulcahy7749]

In 8 years, you might find it hard to buy a new combustion car. The increase in EV sales (worldwide) has surprised most commentators. The charging companies business plan did not expect demand to grow so soon. As for the grid, in 8 years, EVs are expected to help in grid stability and moderating wholesale electricity prices. This tech is currently under trial in many markets.

[@alicat398]

Chinese EVs are poised to go worldwide. Multiple companies with 3rd or 4th gen cars. Well built. Well speccd and better value for money. Tesla is their only competitor. Legacy car makers are in a precarious position unless they develop faster.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

I've been shouting about the Chinese cars that are coming into Europe, the competition will be fierce this coming year. Who will be the next Nokia?

[@R-Tap]

If only it was easy. That's why I purchased a Toyota hybrid.

[@osdias]

No mention of the Peugeot e208 in the top ten : / You raved about it while test driving it.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Top cars change all the time as new stuff comes out. I’ll be releasing my top EVs very soon

[@nigelweir3852]

Vw build quality ?

[@nerfpaul2497]

Kia EV6 number 1 but no mention of its near identical twin the Hyundai Ioniq 5, so strange??

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Why is it strange? I don’t really like the looks of the Ionic 5

[@nerfpaul2497]

@@BobFlavinVideo but looks are personal, the car does the exact same thing as the car you gave number 1 to. You could unintentionally push someone away from what is one of the best cars available in the Irish market currently. If they aren't tech or car savvy. Love the looks myself personally over the EV6. Just my 2c.

[@sharonb.9128]

Great video. Another Irish KZbinr recently uploaded a video basically telling viewers the same thing. He was hammered in the comments. It was rough. He returned his Honda e and decided to go for a hybrid until the infrastructure improved. The pro electric car base are almost fanatical and it can be a huge turnoff when they are vicious with people for only speaking their truth. The KZbinr may not have researched thoroughly but lots of people won’t. They’ll believe charging at home is all they’ll need and make the decision simply to go green to do their part.

[@nigelweir3852]

No superchargers up north , feels like North Korea for Tesla owners

[@oceanfroggie]

And as soon as one crosses the border these days its like driving in a 3rd world country the roads are so bad and so badly maintained. Quite the reverse of 35 years ago when the opposite was true. Sadly NI does feel a little like North Korea in terms of infrastructure, we'll certainly east Africa

[@nigelweir3852]

Chademo crap, anyone buying a chademo car is crazy , 95% infrastructure ac 22kw . Dc chargers only sub 40 kw

[@saabaton169]

I'm sorry, but a leak like that on a brand new €70k+ car is simply not acceptable, and the performance isn't as good as a kia for 20 grand less .... Good video bob but the car is terrible

[@bigdougscommentary5719]

NOT ALL EV owners. ALL non Tesla owners.

[@Tec2Nut]

I won't look at electric cars for at least 5 years or maybe never

[@denault3985]

Texaco in Ireland...something is not right here?

[@BobFlavinVideo]

Texaco has been in Ireland since I was a child, it’s always been here I think. Where are you from?

[@denault3985]

I'm from the US, Texaco is a fading company here on the west coast but a brand with Texas in its name seems odd for Ireland.

[@nudgenudgewinkwink3212]

Strange things afoot at the circle k!!.

[@sugs1258]

I stopped the minute you highlighted the leaky roof. In this day and age there is simply no excuse for shoddy workmanship and would suspect the seal around the glass roof. All this from a €70K VW..!!

[@nigelweir3852]

All the models mentioned are all very expensive, even Zoe not cheap

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Don't buy electric car unless you get 24 hour test drive. Do your own real world testing. On my 4th electric car.

[@kevinn1158]

Bob, the voice of reason. I'm so sick of the Tesla nuts pumping Teslas. Thanks Bob.

[@alanmulcahy7749]

Many EV owners become EVangelists based on how much better their car is compared to all previous cars they have driven. Kia and Hyundai owners can be just as "keen" as Tesla owners (guilty as charged!).

[@NikCan66]

Ireland a 4th world service in every facet of life from infrastructure for 1st World prices

[@BobFlavinVideo]

It can feel that way sometimes

[@NikCan66]

@@BobFlavinVideo We have tree hugging zealot nut jobs in the current government trying to turn Ireland into a place where any item be it a car heating your home,haulage or tractors using diesel, natural gas or petrol are treated like a person with Aids and need to be shunned. We have currently electricity prices about 38% deaer than the rest of Europe and car prices similar higher in Ireland than other euro currency countries. Rubbish infrastructure where higher taxes don't appear to be spent. Large microprocessor manufacturers is looking at building new factory in continental Europe due to the high cost of doing business in Ireland.

[@TheBronx_911]

I’m not a big fan of your EV reviews Bob. I think you take the worse case scenario and apply it as it’s the norm. This video for example, the Leaf that couldn’t figure out the charger. That’s not exactly an infrastructure problem. That’s a lack of education on the car owner. You mention electric life but your scenario is not a reflection of 90% of EV owners who do not have to use public chargers or sit around waiting for charge points. You mention the charging speeds at the fast chargers without talking about the charging curve if the car in question. If you arrive at a particular % you won’t get the highest of speeds. If you arrive with a cold battery you won’t get the highest speeds. The same set up occurs on every battery out there whether it be a phone, laptop or other. It starts off fast and tapers down as the battery fills up.

[@BobFlavinVideo]

The charging speed I mention in the video have nothing to do with charging curves, the chargers I’m talking about are restricted to those speeds. Look at Portlaoise, three fast chargers and only one of them works at full speed of 50. 90% of future EV owners aren’t on the road yet with only just over 8k sales of EV. When it gets higher will the network still be like it is now?

[@TheBronx_911]

@@BobFlavinVideo hopefully 90% of future EV owners will be charging at home. More public charger may be required to boost confidence for people on long journeys and they will only come after mass adaption. We are still in the early days of EV use albeit 11 years from the first Leaf!

[@BobFlavinVideo]

The first video on this channel is that Leaf!

[@TheBronx_911]

@@BobFlavinVideo so was it planned to be there at the same time or coincidentally just there? I don’t get the commentary about it in the video?

[@rwg2626]

Kia EV 6 is just so awkwardly ugly, one lives 2 doors away from me, what an awful bum it has, getting fed up following cars with these full width light bars, to bright and unnecessary

[@tenwatts2378]

Here is a challenge, Drive an EV for a few years and then try to go back to petrol and it will seem like riding on the back of a donkey. All these cars are gateway drugs :)

[@prakashsangle617]

BYD is very nice car 🚗 👌 than this.

[@jasono4330]

When we having a car meet there

[@edwardoutthere3189]

Happy new year Bob easy fix to charging don't buy electric fucking cars end of,until ALL shit is sorted and you stop promoting them as well as all motoring correspondences

[@juriebezuidenhout2538]

VW is cheaping up on all the new models. Its shaking my respect and trust in the brand.

[@O123-j9s]

Look it's so simple stick with Diesel until 2030 you can't beat it......

[@gavintobin4912]

Filthy fuel causing immense harm to citizens health. Driving anxiety, depression, asthma, Parkinson's, cardiovascular disease and cancer to name but a few.

[@100tinsoldiers]

you're right 8 years ago was definitely the sweet spot for diesel, EV all the way now.

[@oceanfroggie]

I'm not getting rid of my beloved V8 backup car. Not for Paisley, not for the pope.

[@O123-j9s]

My Car uses ad blue so all that's coming out the exhaust is vapor totally harmless to the planet

[@oceanfroggie]

@@O123-j9s But what about 1.5c/km fuel cost for BEV verses 15c/km for a diesel car (ie 10% of fuelling cost from night rate)?. Were spending only €8/wk for fuel now instead of €85/wk on diesel. Hassle free.

[@bruts82]

All these electric cars of today are junk with the exception of some teslas. I’m just back from bray 4 adults, boot full of gear mountain bikes on the roof heated seats and air con on , under 3 hours no stops , everyone comfortable. 850 km when I left 500 km remaining when I got home. These cars can’t compete with those stats A6 Quattro 2.0tdi

[@gavintobin4912]

But is your Audi back up to 850km every day when you wake up?…no did’t think so 🤪

[@bruts82]

@@gavintobin4912 doesn’t need to be 😆😆😆😆

[@gavintobin4912]

@@bruts82 So you don’t need a 850km range vehicle so a BEV should suffice. And as a bonus you won’t be poisoning yourself with toxic refuelling fumes nor innocent bystanders with your noxious exhaust gasses 🤪

[@bruts82]

@@gavintobin4912 I think ure drastically missing the point , I had to go on a long journey I took 3 people , that means keeping 3 cars off the road , when I got there I used a mountain bike for the week.

[@gavintobin4912]

@@bruts82 I don't get your point. Do you think EVs can't do long journeys nor carry passengers? I go on holidays in Clare, 2 weeks of gear for 4 people. 320km away. Not a problem.