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Getting slightly concerned…….

I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
I understand your pain. There are some IFs that could make things safe and easy for you. IF you have a home charger fitted when you buy the EV (most people do depending on their house situation) you will do most of your charging at home, using the Trophy's on board charging management for cheaper off peak electricity. IF your daily commute or avg daily drive (for us retired people) is modest then you'll never be far from home and g'teed easy charging. BUT IF you want to travel long distance - say 150 miles each way, then you will need to plan where you're going to charge. There are more and more fast chargers for public use and by fast I mean 50-150KwH, so really quick. As a second string you could charge at your desitination off an ordinary 13A domestic 3-pin socket though it will take some hours. More and more hotels are installing chargers, too and some local authorities. The new MG EV Trophy will display nearby chargers on the satnav, though 'people say' that the ZapMap software app (you have to pay) is better. On the matter of 'breakdown' i.e. running out of charge, my insurance with =LV (they insist on the = sign) covers, to my astonishment, towing if the battery runs out. You raise 'battery health'; for general driving about you need only charge to 80% and the on board s/w will do that; but for long range you can opt for 100%. I would be interested to know what you decide, Susanna. Though if you do cancel, the dealer will sell your car in seconds.
 
I understand your pain. There are some IFs that could make things safe and easy for you. IF you have a home charger fitted when you buy the EV (most people do depending on their house situation) you will do most of your charging at home, using the Trophy's on board charging management for cheaper off peak electricity. IF your daily commute or avg daily drive (for us retired people) is modest then you'll never be far from home and g'teed easy charging. BUT IF you want to travel long distance - say 150 miles each way, then you will need to plan where you're going to charge. There are more and more fast chargers for public use and by fast I mean 50-150KwH, so really quick. As a second string you could charge at your desitination off an ordinary 13A domestic 3-pin socket though it will take some hours. More and more hotels are installing chargers, too and some local authorities. The new MG EV Trophy will display nearby chargers on the satnav, though 'people say' that the ZapMap software app (you have to pay) is better. On the matter of 'breakdown' i.e. running out of charge, my insurance with =LV (they insist on the = sign) covers, to my astonishment, towing if the battery runs out. You raise 'battery health'; for general driving about you need only charge to 80% and the on board s/w will do that; but for long range you can opt for 100%. I would be interested to know what you decide, Susanna. Though if you do cancel, the dealer will sell your car in seconds.
Not after i kicked up a fuss and a bunch of people waiting for car sales men got up and left lol
 
I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
I think you’re worrying for no reason. As you said, you don’t know anything about the workings of ICEs and it hasn’t impacted your ability to drive those cars. The same will be true for the EV. In fact, there’s far less to go wrong and less likelihood that you’d ever need to’ work’ on the car.
 
I’ve been driving electric for 3 years and on my third, you don’t need to know anything about battery health or have any special skills. Just plug the car in when you aren’t using it and just drive it. All the information you need is on the display in front of you.
 
I’ve been driving electric for 3 years and on my third, you don’t need to know anything about battery health or have any special skills. Just plug the car in when you aren’t using it and just drive it. All the information you need is on the display in front of you.
Just about what I wrote in my post!
 
@ Jomarkh

Thank you for your reply, but it’s the more complex stuff I have been reading about checking battery state of health, and making sure battery is warm before charging etc etc. My plan was to charge at home, either with just the ‘granny’ charger on a dedicated EV socket, then possibly have a 7kw charger installed, or use the free pod points at my local Tesco. I don’t do a lot of mileage, so I doubt I would ever need rapid charging.
The whole EV car ownership suddenly seems much more complicated than I assumed.
It really is as simple as you propose, I have done 6000 miles in 7 months and rapid charged 6 times, always to 100%
The rest of the time at home on my podpoint charger, before I had that fitted I used the granny.
Not had a single problem, no need to worry about the state of charge, just use and enjoy the car, leave the geeks to do all the worrying!
 
It really is as simple as you propose, I have done 6000 miles in 7 months and rapid charged 6 times, always to 100%
The rest of the time at home on my podpoint charger, before I had that fitted I used the granny.
Not had a single problem, no need to worry about the state of charge, just use and enjoy the car, leave the geeks to do all the worrying!
Yet you say that but I have had the car 200 miles in 3 weeks. Out of those 3 weeks the garage has had the car more than me and broke on 2 chargers.
 
I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
Most people just get in the car and drive it then charge it upas they go along. Others are intrigued by every aspect of the car and put a lot of research into how it works and how to monitor everything. Be re-assured you need to know very little about all the technology and what you do need to know you will pick up along the way.
 
I'm not really sure what you're referring to, I've had my MG5 since September, I've done nearly 9,000 miles. You charge it and drive it that's about as complex as it gets.

My sentiments exactly, I sometimes think there is a slight tendency to overthink EV’s yes, you certainly have to be aware of certain important difference between ICE an EV battery balance for example but hey, just enjoy the wonderful experience of full electric driving, and most of all the certain smugness of passing petrol stations,, unless of course they have a charge point 😊
 
I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
I have had our MGZSEV now for over 2 years now and 12000 miles. Have only charged away from home twice. Once at Heathrow airport and once in a local parking bay to try it out. Stick to charging from home and there are no problems. As long as your return journey is less than 140/169 miles, you will have no difficulties. My wife and I have a choice of cars to use and will always go for the MG first. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.
 
Yet you say that but I have had the car 200 miles in 3 weeks. Out of those 3 weeks the garage has had the car more than me and broke on 2 chargers.
Different cars, he's obviously got the Gen1 if he's had it 7 months...
 
To be fair, I have read many views on this forum, just as many pointing out the faults they have encountered as posts extolling the virtues. I hope the current problem regarding the use of rapid chargers will be solved in the not too distant future, as I can fully appreciate the frustration this major issue is causing.
Thank you to everyone for your valuable contributions. They have set my mind at rest, and I am once again looking forward to getting my MG ZS. Eventually.
 
I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
Please don’t get to tied up in all the technical jargon you read on this forum, there are a lot of people here that will tie you up in stuff you will never need to know, it’s like having a petrol’ engine car do you need to know torque settings? No, do you need to know how to rebuild the engine? No, just enjoy driving the car charge it when it needs charging you will learn what uses more battery as you go on its a great car so enjoy
 
To be fair, I have read many views on this forum, just as many pointing out the faults they have encountered as posts extolling the virtues. I hope the current problem regarding the use of rapid chargers will be solved in the not too distant future, as I can fully appreciate the frustration this major issue is causing.
Thank you to everyone for your valuable contributions. They have set my mind at rest, and I am once again looking forward to getting my MG ZS. Eventually.
Okay so let’s look at it another way

You order a Chinese. How often do you leave a good review saying it’s amazing vs my Chinese was awful cold etc

Most never leave positive reviews so you get sucked down the rabbit hole of just being 90% bad vs good
 
I have certainly read numerous tips and interesting information about the new ZS EV, so a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this excellent forum.
However, I am getting increasingly concerned that my lack of knowledge and understanding about the technicalities of HV batteries is going to result in me cancelling my order, as everything now seems so complex. Was I completely naive to assume I was just buying a car to get me from A to B in an environmentally friendly way, and that if I had any issues, I would just call out the breakdown service?
I did lots of research on various EV’s before deciding on the MG, but nowhere did I read that you required any special skills in determining battery health, charging rates etc.
I have no knowledge about what goes on under the bonnet of any ICE car either to be honest, but it’s never been an issue.
Hi I feel the same way. I just wish my car would hurry up to come so I can get practising. Most of the AA are familar with EV vehicle so I don’t think it will be problem, if we have to call them out. I’m the same I know nothing about how to drive economically to conserve battery power.
 
Hi I feel the same way. I just wish my car would hurry up to come so I can get practising. Most of the AA are familar with EV vehicle so I don’t think it will be problem, if we have to call them out. I’m the same I know nothing about how to drive economically to conserve battery power.
Till the obd is shared to them they are usless you can’t fix the fault codes and needs recovery to the garage.
 
All cars are complex these days. However, just as you do not need to understand petrol engine timing in order to drive a petrol car you do not need to understand differences in battery technology to drive an electric car. In fact, it is easier to drive an electric car. As for charging, if you charge at home it is simply a case of plugging the car in overnight. If you are using public charging then you do have to do your homework regrettably.
 
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