Why electric cars aren't going to work anytime soon
It's Sunday afternoon, about 16:00 PM.
I receive a call on Adrem's emergency number.
A customer who rented one of our new electric Hyundai Ioniqs this weekend is standing still at Maastricht Aachen Airport. The car's navigation system indicates that there should be a charging station. But where there is a charging station virtually, there is none to be found in the real world. And the car indicates that there is only power for 5 km. That is not enough to drive to Maastricht…
I quickly search the internet for charging points at or near the airport. Fortunately, there should be a few more charging stations nearby. I give the possible addresses, which can be reached within 5 km.
And this tenant was so enthusiastic about electric driving!
He thought it was great to try out a new electric car. Equipped with the latest technical gadgets. Lane assist, adaptive cruise control, intelligent autopilot, fun! The first steps on the road to self-driving cars.
He only had to go to Eindhoven. That is 180 km up and down, so perfectly doable within the 311 km that Hyundai indicates. That should be the range according to the new European standard WLTP of this car.
NOT.
Our tenant went back and forth to Eindhoven. He left with a full battery, and drove 160 km with the car.
On the way back he gets stranded at Maastricht Aachen Airport, only 10 km from Maastricht.
Fortunately, our tenant finds a suitable charging station. Quickly charge the car, and the last bit to Maastricht is done in no time.
Oh no, loading takes a while.
Do you know how long?
2 hours!!!!
The tenant had to wait that long to be able to drive the last 10 km…
What do you think? Would this gentleman ever rent an electric car again?
NOT.
And with him many others.
We had 2 brand new electric Hyundai Ioniqs for half a year. From September 2019 to February this year.
They were always the last cars left when all the other cars were rented. We could hardly manage to rent these cars. No interest!
They have sometimes been rented out.
To the courageous trendsetters of our time. Most people were also quite satisfied. But they didn't have to charge for 2 hours for the last 10 km.
With an occupancy rate of less than 10%, they were big, fat losses. (Most cars achieve an occupancy rate of 70% or more with us).
Fortunately, these cars were returned to the leasing company with a huge kick under their clean electric butts.
So if you are a huge idealist, by all means reserve an electric car.
You will then receive a friendly email stating that this car is temporarily unavailable.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of alternatives.
Don't tell anyone!
We are so proud that there are electric cars on our site. That is enough, they are not rented anyway.
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