Thread: Personal EV journey.

Chris - I note comment about your son being a service manager at BYD. I don't suppose that is Kirrawee is it? My Atto 3 will be coming up to the first 5000km (free) service/check shortly, and I have to say that the service network through MyCar which BYD claimed to have put in place is largely an illusion. Many MyCar outlets still don't have the diagnostic tools or training to do anything with BYD vehicles. I'll probably end up having to take mine into Kirrawee (from Southern Highlands) to get it serviced. That's not to say any of the other EV sellers are any better; I'm hearing similar about MG and Polestar. Service capabilities are one thing (and EVs in general should need much less in the way of service work), but BYD also seem to have dropped the ball on having standard spares readily available too. For BobL, I understand that Tesla has less service requirements than most other EVs, so likely to be less of a problem for you.

BYD have designed their blade battery pack (60kWh) in Atto 3 to be repackaged into a home storage battery when it is degraded sufficeiently to be EOL for the car. That is estimated 1 million km though, so I doubt I'll still be around to see it ! When car battery is degraded to 70% of original capacity, that still leaves it as a ~40kWh home storage battery, which is more than useful compared to Tesla PowerWall with 14kW/h capacity even when new !

Just as an aside, I charge almost exclusively at home from our solar system, only supplementing it with grid power on the rare occasion I need a quick charge on a cloudy day. The Zappi V2 charger I have can be set to only use excess solar not being used in the house, which would otherwise be exported to grid at a crappy feed in rate of 7c /kWh. I checked the meters on the Zappi display the other day, which shows total grid power and total solar power used for charging. At my power supplier rates (about to go up from July 1st...), total cost to cover the first ~4000km in Atto 3 is......$63.20.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Chris - I note comment about your son being a service manager at BYD. I don't suppose that is Kirrawee is it? My Atto 3 will be coming up to the first 5000km (free) service/check shortly, and I have to say that the service network through MyCar which BYD claimed to have put in place is largely an illusion. Many MyCar outlets still don't have the diagnostic tools or training to do anything with BYD vehicles. I'll probably end up having to take mine into Kirrawee (from Southern Highlands) to get it serviced. That's not to say any of the other EV sellers are any better; I'm hearing similar about MG and Polestar. Service capabilities are one thing (and EVs in general should need much less in the way of service work), but BYD also seem to have dropped the ball on having standard spares readily available too. For BobL, I understand that Tesla has less service requirements than most other EVs, so likely to be less of a problem for you.

BYD in this country is a shambles because the genius who is the distributor brought the cars in without setting up any sales, distribution, spare parts, service centres etc. MyCar refuses to do any warranty work at all, they haven't got the expertise anyway and the NSW govt has mandated all personnel who are required to work on BEV's must attend a TAFE certification course so unless they do that MyCar won't even be servicing them. I believe Eagers have now established a BYD outlet at Liverpool but how that is going is anyone's guess. My son got into BYD because he has specialised in diagnostics in the electronic side of cars for some years now and it is obviously the growth side of the automotive industry. I was part of a team who re-introduced Peugeot into Oz in the early 1980's and it took months to set up properly but BYD did none of that so they were forced to go to Eagers Automotive to get everything set up. There has been an Atto written off last week due to problems repairing it and no one wanting to certify the repair and it has about a 1000km on it, in light of your comments I wonder where the battery in that will go to.

Hi Chris - I couldn't agree more. BYD Australia is a shambles, and in fact I'll be selling my Atto 3 when 12 months is up (it's a work car) mainly due to the complete lack of support. The fact that they are about to release another 2 models on the Australian market is going to put even more pressure on their non-existent resources. Unlike NZ, who appear to have a much more responsible distributor, we get almost zero communication or support. Hence the large number of facebook pages mainly for the purpose of owners trying to resolve problems between themselves. There is definitely an opportunity for independent automotive engineers to get trained up to service all brands of EV so that (as with ICE vehicles) customers have the option of avoiding dealer service.

I doubt we will see many if any independent service centres for electric cars due to the poor return on investment, basically no servicing or very little maybe once a year does not make for a strong cash flow. The problems that are arising would be beyond the average technician to even think about attempting due to the complexity and time required to rectify the problem.

A friend of mine has a laneway at the rear of his propperty, which he likes to use to drive into his back yard.

He has not been able to drive into his back yard because for the past 12 months the laneway has been blocked by his neighbour's broken down electric vehicle, parked right in front of his gate. It's a wide gate to allow him to turn from the narrow lane, but not wide enough fo rhim to get around the broken down car.

As a result of the fault the vehicle cannot be jump started, towed or moved in any way or severe damage will result. The laneway is too narrow for a tilt tray tow truck.

It can't be fixed, it can't be moved. It has just been sitting there with a sign on the back window saying "broken down waiting for tow truck" for a year.

Aren't there supposed to be laws requiring sellers of products (not just vehicles) to provide warranty and support for a certain period of time after selling the item? Are the government and consumer protection bodies dropping the ball in the haste to get the uptake of electric cars increased? Maybe more people would take them up if they knew that their consumer rights would be upheld.

What make of car is it?

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Hi Chris - I couldn't agree more. BYD Australia is a shambles, and in fact I'll be selling my Atto 3 when 12 months is up (it's a work car) mainly due to the complete lack of support. The fact that they are about to release another 2 models on the Australian market is going to put even more pressure on their non-existent resources. Unlike NZ, who appears to have a much more responsible distributor, we get almost zero communication or support. Hence the large number of facebook pages mainly for the purpose of owners trying to resolve problems between themselves. There is definitely an opportunity for independent automotive engineers to get trained up to service all brands of EV so that (as with ICE vehicles) customers have the option of avoiding dealer service.

Apart from the lack of support, What's your experience with the car in other aspects? I heard they have a deal in Germany to supply Tesla with their batteries.

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

...

Perhaps the main concern I have with EVs is none of the above, but relates to the second hand market, which may not even have eventuated as yet with EVs being so new to us. This is particularly pertinent to my situation as I haven't bought a new vehicle since 1980. We currently have two vehicles both purchased second hand: A car and a ute (one tonner). Both are 2005 models with the car having 80,000Kms on the clock and the Ute near to 300,000kms. The more expensive one cost A$14,800. I anticipate we will make one more car change before we stop driving: It should, of course, be an EV. However, will a second hand vehicle even be an option? I would not dream of buying a second hand battery operated drill. Will second hand EVs have a similar lack of value? Something of a rhetorical question for now as I certainly don't know the answer to that. If they do have a low resale value, it will make the depreciation cost enormous.

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Bob

I am sure I saw a post where a Forum member has already done a DIY replacement of the battery in an EV. My memory is that he said it was both easy and cheap! I will try to find the post when I have a little more time. I don't think there will be any rush for your vehicle.

Regards
Paul

That was me.

The battery pack was a swap-out. Other than about 2300 more bolts than needed AND the removal of more plastic panels, ducts and grills than one would think possible, it was dead easy.

No mess. No danger. No issues.

Just like with car parts of old (alternators, radiators, starters, etc) the place that sold the unit wanted the removed unit so it could be refurbished.

I'm trying to remember the car... it was a little white bumble wagon, one of the very first electrics. PRIUS !!.

..............

On another matter, my Daughter and SIL are looking to buy a second hand car. He tried to make himself into a meat-crayon last Monday by putting his motorbike under a car that pulled out in front of him. The bike is now a cube.

The second hand electric market here in Canberra seems fairly healthy. There are certainly quite a few hybrids up for sale.

..............

On a third matter, BobL, that photo of the docks with all the Teslas lined up? That could very well be the queue at the traffic lights here.... the number of Teslas on the road is SIMPLY UNREAL. I kid you not.

Originally Posted by doug3030

A friend of mine has a laneway at the rear of his propperty, which he likes to use to drive into his back yard.

He has not been able to drive into his back yard because for the past 12 months the laneway has been blocked by his neighbour's broken down electric vehicle, parked right in front of his gate. It's a wide gate to allow him to turn from the narrow lane, but not wide enough fo rhim to get around the broken down car.

As a result of the fault the vehicle cannot be jump started, towed or moved in any way or severe damage will result. The laneway is too narrow for a tilt tray tow truck.

It can't be fixed, it can't be moved. It has just been sitting there with a sign on the back window saying "broken down waiting for tow truck" for a year.

Aren't there supposed to be laws requiring sellers of products (not just vehicles) to provide warranty and support for a certain period of time after selling the item? Are the government and consumer protection bodies dropping the ball in the haste to get the uptake of electric cars increased? Maybe more people would take them up if they knew that their consumer rights would be upheld.

There you go 4 of these I’ve moved more cars then I care too remember on these,an they were really damaged.

Cheers Matt.

Originally Posted by doug3030

A friend of mine has a laneway at the rear of his property, which he likes to use to drive into his back yard.

He has not been able to drive into his back yard because for the past 12 months the laneway has been blocked by his neighbour's broken down electric vehicle, parked right in front of his gate. It's a wide gate to allow him to turn from the narrow lane, but not wide enough for him to get around the broken down car.

As a result of the fault the vehicle cannot be jump started, towed or moved in any way or severe damage will result. The laneway is too narrow for a tilt tray tow truck.

It can't be fixed, it can't be moved. It has just been sitting there with a sign on the back window saying "broken down waiting for tow truck" for a year.

your friend is much much more patient than I would be.
After asking the neighbour to please move the broken down vehicle, and allowing the neighbour a few days to do so, I'd be then approaching the local council to have the vehicle declared "abandoned" and if that failed, I'd be looking at "skull dragging" it clear of the access gate.

Call me sceptical but I think there may be more to the story than has been told here. A set of go jacks and a rope would have it somewhere else in short order and any flat top driver does this stuff routinely these days with electronic hand brakes in modern cars.

Originally Posted by Simplicity

There you go 4 of these I’ve moved more cars then I care too remember on these,an they were really damaged.

I sent the image to my friend - he has already suggested it to the car owner who refuses to even try as the lane is cobblestone and he is scared that the car will fall off and/or get damaged somehow.

Originally Posted by ian

your friend is much much more patient than I would be.
After asking the neighbour to please move the broken down vehicle, and allowing the neighbour a few days to do so, I'd be then approaching the local council to have the vehicle declared "abandoned" and if that failed, I'd be looking at "skull dragging" it clear of the access gate.

Yes, he is a very intelligent and patient man. He has discussed the options with the council, the police and his lawyer. He has been advised NOT to touch the vehicle in any way as he could be liable for any damage.

Ian, in the same circumstances I doubt that you would touch the car either but you aren't in that position.

So that puts you in the position to say anything you like so that you look like a no-nonsense tough-guy on the internet.