Search found 29 matches

by Fred_Bristol
Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:25 pm
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: Niro PHEV: 15000 mile view
Replies: 3
Views: 13005

Re: Niro PHEV: 15000 mile view

There is a relatively simple way to measure the electricity your vehicle uses: Install a cheap second hand electricity meter (eBay) in the cable connected to your vehicle charging point. The downside is that if you don't have the knowledge and skills to DIY or Part P affects it, then electricians do...
by Fred_Bristol
Sat Oct 20, 2018 5:37 pm
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: PHEV Charging
Replies: 10
Views: 17163

Re: PHEV Charging

I don't have a Kia Niro PHEV (we did consider it) but we have used "Granny Cable" charging with a Renault Zoe (3 years) and a 2018 Nissan Leaf (6 months) and in neither case has there been any evidence of problems. Apart from the longer charge time the claimed disadvantage - not proven by ...
by Fred_Bristol
Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:16 pm
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: Trickle Charging
Replies: 7
Views: 12355

Re: Trickle Charging

We have been using an extension cable to connect the 13 Amp 3-pin plug "granny cable" charging cables of our Zoe and now our Leaf since 2015 without problems. BUT the extension cable is rated for 13A, is a heavy duty Arctic type 16 Amp cable and is not on a reel so cannot be used wound up....
by Fred_Bristol
Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:13 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Split decision
Replies: 21
Views: 20708

Re: Split decision

Hi AlanW55 Battery degradation due to charging to 100% is negligible if done slowly. Fast charging is a different matter. The Zoe has a cooling fan, but it has only ever come on during a 43 kW charge on a motorway charger. I've never experienced it on either the 7 kW home charger or the 2.3 kW charg...
by Fred_Bristol
Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:37 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Split decision
Replies: 21
Views: 20708

Re: Split decision

Hi niroal We have had the Zoe since 2015 and we like the driving experience, preferring it even to our DSG Yeti which is pretty good in town driving conditions with a responsive automatic gearbox that copes with most situations well. The Zoe has two shortcomings, range, which we knew about, and fals...
by Fred_Bristol
Sun Nov 12, 2017 7:11 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Split decision
Replies: 21
Views: 20708

Re: Split decision

Interesting! To judge by journalistic comments you would think the PHEV was a pig compared with the HEV.
Thanks for your comments. Helpful. We want to try a 2018 Nissan Leaf before we decide between continuing with full electric or PHEV.
Fred
by Fred_Bristol
Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:08 am
Forum: Off-Topic Chat
Topic: Anybody spotted a PHEV in the UK?
Replies: 11
Views: 24983

Re: Anybody spotted a PHEV in the UK?

Hi David The only reason I am (was?) interested in the PHEV is because my wife loves driving our electric car. And although KIA have increased the cost by making it available as a "standalone" version of model 3 it is still cheaper than most fully electric cars with a range in excess of 10...
by Fred_Bristol
Mon Oct 02, 2017 4:17 pm
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: Niro Seat height
Replies: 8
Views: 11660

Re: Niro Seat height

Hi sunking555. If the spacers were steel or aluminium, i.e. not crushable, and replacement bolts are high tensile, strength shouldn't be a problem, but it will be a modified car and hence the insurer will have to be notified. Some years ago when I was involved in a modification which included fittin...
by Fred_Bristol
Tue Sep 26, 2017 6:36 pm
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: Real world fuel economy
Replies: 23
Views: 25316

Re: Real world fuel economy

Hi Jim I'm disappointed that KIA decided to have a PHEV based on the model 3 which was already £2k more expensive than the model 2 which attracted our attention in the first place, so the PHEV is £4,510 extra. The only reason we are still considering it is because we like driving electric. Even at £...
by Fred_Bristol
Tue Sep 26, 2017 11:19 am
Forum: Main Kia Niro chat
Topic: Real world fuel economy
Replies: 23
Views: 25316

Re: Real world fuel economy

Hi Most of our journeys are very local, typically 2-3 miles on minor roads, B and A. Very little Motorway use. At present we use our Zoe electric car for these. For long journeys we use our petrol car. The question I am trying to get an answer to is this: If we have only one car, what sort of consum...