Your questions answered: Battery life, buying EVs and the brave new plugged-in world
What range can you expect from a used Nissan LEAF? More than our reader’s experience, we’d suggest…Right now, there are arguably more questions than answers around the electrification of motoring and the step-change cars are undergoing.
That said, it’s clear that battery life and potential battery replacement costs are two of the biggest queries EV buyers and intenders want answered.
In fact, both questions feature prominently in the research carsales has undertaken with Aussies interested in EVs.
Question:
Answer: The range you are reporting seems to indicate an issue – whether that is related to the battery itself or the technology which it relies upon for charging and management is another question. Fortunately, Nissan Australia is very keen to help LEAF owners and so it looks like the cavalry is on the way and your car is going to get a thorough investigation of the problem. Nissan responded as follows: “Nissan Australia has made contact with the owner and will undertake further assessment to determine the battery state of health”.
Question:
Answer: Your situation is a reflection of the shortage of semi-conductors, which affects global car production – not just by Mercedes-Benz. According to a spokesperson at Mercedes-Benz Australia, you can expect a refund if a function is removed from the A 35 because of missing computer chips and there could also be an extra cost if something is added in line with changes to the standard specification. The best solution is to talk to the dealer and get a detailed report and costing of the vehicle that’s coming for you.
Question:
Answer: This is the official response from Mercedes-Benz Australia which clears the G 63: “All Mercedes-Benz G 63 vehicles were certified to the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) relevant at the time the vehicle was manufactured. With regard to the exhaust outlet position, the G63 twin exhaust outlets in front of the rear axle, on the left and right hand side of the vehicle complies with, and is certified to, ADR 42. If there is an inconsistency between Federal requirements (ADRs) and State requirements (Road Vehicle Transport Regulations), then the ADRs trump the Road Regulation. Side pipe location requirements have not been an ADR requirement since 2005.”
Question:
Answer: The Venue is very good and our choice, particularly as an all-new QASHQAI is coming later this year and the current car is really showing its age.
Question:
Answer: Unfortunately, your situation is not unusual. Plenty of people have been waiting for more than a year for the new Sportage. Sorry, but that’s the reality. You have ordered a diesel, and a GT-Line, and both of those things work against you in terms of delivery. Ask the dealer what would happen if you went for a petrol engine and downgraded from the GT-Line that takes lots of computer chips.
Question:
Answer: You need to make a decision based on what you can get, not what is necessarily the best. At the moment, there are better supplies of Mazda vehicles than anything from Kia, so that would swing the decision away from the Sportage (even if the Kia is a better). The CR-V is not at the top of the class and quite expensive.
Question:
Answer: Three of your four picks have waiting lists, so if you want to guarantee an arrival this year then you should go for the Forester. It’s also a very good vehicle, and the all-wheel drive system is more for stability on dirt tracks and in snow that any rock hopping.
Question:
Answer: The X-Class is really a Nissan Navara under the skin, with some extra safety tech because it was built in a factory in Europe. So not a great choice. The Amarok is a far smarter choice than the X-Class but Ford has just launched the all-new Ford Ranger so take a test drive in that before you commit as it’s vastly improved and could win you over.
Question:
Answer: The Ranger has the advantage of Australian design and engineering, but the choice could easily come down to personal tastes and how you are using the vehicle. Towing or tradie work is very different from weekend escapes or general suburban driving. Only you can make the final decision and the best advice is to take comprehensive back-to-back test drives (including the family), on roads you know and even including parking at the supermarket. There’s an all-new Ranger just around the corner – this may sway your decision too. And FYI, the Mazda BT-50 and D-MAX are the same vehicles under the skin – you may find you can purchase a Mazda on short wait times.
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