Roadside Assist
SUPERCAR SHOWDOWN
I’m amused by EV owners who profess they’d never drive irresponsibly in their high-powered machines, unlike “dreadful” owners of petrol-guzzling, ground-shaking Ferraris and the like. If a halo-wearing EV driver does go too fast into a bend, how does the heavyweight EV respond to recovery efforts when compared to the Ferrari?
EVS are heavy things, and laws of physics stretch only so far. To be fair, I’ve track tested the Hyundai Ioniq 5N and Porsche Taycan GTS, yet despite their lardiness, their cornering control, tyre grip and – key here – traction and stability control systems – work wonders. But you’re right. Incredibly rapid EVS like the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor and Smart #3 Brabus – both hit 100km/h in under four seconds – won’t have such talents.
LEAVES ME FLAT
After getting a flat tyre, a relative discovered their 2020 Lexus UX200 had no spare wheel nor jack, just an inflation kit. I attended with my own jack to remove the tyre for repair. Further investigation revealed their UX200 had empty boot spaces for a jack and wheel brace, but Lexus confirmed the model wasn’t sold here with them. Very poor. I obtained a space saver spare, jack, accessories and foam boot inserts from a 2019 UX200, to prevent the drama happening again. Many Australians drive long distances, and tyre repairs aren’t easy at night, weekends or public holidays.
Stewart Eldridge, email
In the 25 years I’ve been testing cars, the reduction in full size spares has been a scourge. Now space-savers are going the same way, replaced by tyre goo and inflation kits. The latter’s a pretty awful solution. But I’ll defend them as something else fundamental has changed in the last quarter century. Most car owners can’t or won’t change a flat tyre, even if there’s a spare in the boot. They get a recovery service to do it, or get flat towed to a tyre shop for a replacement. Sorry to stereotype, but I reckon Lexus owners fall into that category.
UPHILL STRUGGLE
Re hybrids running out of battery power, on a long flat road, would there be almost zero regenerative charging? If that’s the case and the battery’s depleted, you’ve got a relatively underpowered vehicle, which would be dangerous if overtaking.
Norm Wellard, Brisbane
No. Self-charging hybrids (no plugging in required) like the Toyota RAV4 or Toyota Corolla are intelligent in how they use their batteries. When braking, decelerating or coasting the energy is captured, converted into electricity and stored in the batteries. This happens on long straight highways. I’ve only exhausted a hybrid’s battery when selecting ‘EV Only’ mode and driven too far using just the battery in traffic; and once when climbing a very long, steep hill. The battery has quickly recharged again in different conditions. Power loss is noticeable, but not disastrously so.