Petrolheads with EVs: How do you enjoy driving electric cars?

Grumpy old petrolheads complain that EVs are lifeless and dull. I disagree completely.

BHPian electric_eel recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Grumpy old petrol heads complain that EVs are life less and dull. I disagree completely. I would like fellow electron-heads to give an account on how they enjoy their electric car drive. I request you to post only about the drive and the machine. It should be something that car folks will identify with and not the numerous other advantages of an EV over an ICE car (there are other threads for them).

I will go first. I get a kick out of trying to drive with maximum efficiency. This makes monotonous commutes like the daily office commutes interesting and something to look forward for. Doing this on a petrol car is not that easy. On the other hand in an EV it is just beating your previous best Wh/km figures.

My car crazy son often ask me to switch off the music to hear the low volume high pitched whine of the electric motor. Lack of engine grunt ? no problem start enjoying the motor whine. These are some of the ways we enjoy our machine. How about you ?

Here's what BHPian V.Narayan had to say on the matter:

The acceleration of a racing car.

The muted golden silence of a Rolls Royce.

The weighted sorted suspension - probably due to the lower centre of gravity.

The sheer smoothness of the ride and driving experience.

Having owned a driven an EV for 70 to 80 odd days now there is no going back. The jump in driving smoothness and quality between and EV and a luxury make ICE car is the same as the difference between that luxury ICE of today with the Premier Padmini of 40 years ago.

In the 1890 to 1910 decades there were folks complaining bitterly about motor cars and the devil's handicraft that they were. And harking back to the good old traffic of the horse drawn era. One sees a lot of something similar today. Folks like ICE because we are used to it not because they are superior.

Car makers who do not shift gears {pun intended} to the EV train will gradually die a natural death. In the 1950s it was not so clear that thirsty, noisy jet engines were the future of passenger aviation. Many thought it would be either fuel sipping turbo-compound pistons or turboprop engines for passenger airliners and jets for military machines. And then overnight over 1958 to 1959 orders for large, long range propeller driven aircraft disappeared off the books and early jets took over. The same is happening to the car industry today.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

Electric cars are fun!! Anyone saying otherwise has either not experienced a decent EV, or is inherently biased. All it takes is a short drive in a Nexon EV or a ZS EV, and you will be hooked. The instant torque is addictive, and these 20-25L rupee EVs easily outpace ICE cars costing twice the money at all legal speeds. Handling is also surprisingly sharp with stiffened suspensions and low center of gravity. Then again, the serene and quiet drive when you are just cruising around is fun in its own way.

Here's what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:

I am going on record here as a recent ‘convert’ or 'believer' having just a few days ago, driven a Kia EV6 and a Hyundai Ioniq5 more or less back to back. I truly love all things automotive. I won't jump on the 'green' bandwagon ref Electric cars as that is a moot point and the jury is still out.

But let us consider an EV purely as an ‘alternate fuel’ powered automobile.

They are definitely a very worthy consideration for anyone who loves Automobiles. Especially those which are beautifully designed, well thought-out, whose aesthetics and ergonomics and functional aspects are superb and which offer teeth-blistering, face-peeling performance along with a more-than-acceptable range between recharges.

Let us just consider these to be an alternative.

Yes we can love Petrol Power or Diesel Power. No harm also loving Electric Power.

I would love to own an EV6 or Ioniq5 of the present crop of EV’s.

But though I am sorely tempted, I think it prudent on my part just wait a bit longer before buying - atleast until I take a little more enjoyment out of my present garage.

Here's what BHPian ALTIMAed had to say on the matter:}

Hi, when I was under the 'car buying mode', having used petrol and diesel vehicles till date, I started analyzing how would an EV be. Went around to the Tata and MG showroom. With a limited budget in mind (10 L max. onroad), the only options I had was the MG Comet and Tata Tiago or a petrol car at the same / similar price point. I reside at Dwarka, Delhi and have to travel to work at Gurgaon, a daily running of 80 kms. I worked out the fuel cost (petrol vs electric). The whopping price differentiation was eye popping. I worked out, for a running of 2000 kms, I would burn approximately Rs 14,000 on petrol over Rs 1400 on electricity (my EMI would be Rs 10,000 per month). Net monthly outflow for a petrol fueled vehicle would be Rs 24000/- which definitely hit my pocket really hard. Test drove extensively the Tiago EV and Comet EV, the latter won my mind and heart. What I liked about the EV

Instantaneous torque - really addictive

Smooth - never got the feeling that travelling on the road could be so silent

NVH - hey what is this?

Cost of fuel - specially when stuck in traffic jams (referring to the notorious jam which is prevalent on the Delhi Haryana border every evening), no tension of burning petrol while at standstill

To sum it up - 'I am really loving it'

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