MajorSparky

".....Hydrogen technology is not as far away as you think...." I agree Steve, but we have a chicken and egg situation here. I think the problem of lack of availability of fuel cell electric vehicles is more to do with the lack of infrastructure to refuel them. FCEV are also expensive to buy, compared to non-electric vehicles (although the purchase price will reduce considerably if there were more on the road) and expensive to run (although the cost of hydrogen would also reduce if more of it was sold). Of course, to buy an FCEV would mean that you would be buying a "golf buggy" and have all the battery problems that you've referred to earlier. Clive.

Good points, Steve. I guess the RAC or AA etc will start offering the services of assessing the remaining lifetime of batteries in used electric/hybrid vehicles in future. Because of the doubt about the battery condition, it's understandable that the cost depreciation of these cars is going to be high. As far as "...electric cars being for people who don't know a lot about cars mechanically..." etc., I don't think so, Steve. (Just look at the YouTube videos comparing their performance with piston engine cars.) Joe Biden's plan to half US green house gases by 2030, and Boris's plan to cut the UK's by 78% before 2035, plus Boris's plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles after 2030 (although some hybrids will be permitted until 2035) will mean that the pressure will be on to get rid of our liquid fuelled vehicles in the very near future, long before fuel cell technology cars are on the forecourt. Hence the move to electric first. In line with these objectives, I think it will be the policies brought in by government and local councils that will have a significant effect on how the market develops - e.g. taxing liquid fuel, restricting diesel vehicles from entering certain areas etc.. As for hydrogen or bio-ethanol, I haven't got time to wait. I'm eighty this year! Clive. PS. Makes my concerns about the availability of a spare wheel sound insignificant, doesn't it.

Thanks for that, Martin. I was hoping to get a full, plug-in hybrid. However, in the absence of a spare wheel, I'll take a look at the TDI.

That one, Gareth, is not going to be resolved until we no longer need roads and tyres, i.e. when we're all flying around in drones. Clive.

Your point taken, Gareth. I guess the truth is that there are not enough customers out there who feel the way I do about the importance of spare wheel. Consequently, manufacturers don't feel the need to do anything about it, especially when to design in a spare wheel compartment would cost more money and lower the performance figures a little. The only way they would do anything about it is if they lost market share because of it, e.g. to Volvo because people were flocking to buy their XC40 Phev. Very unlikely, however. Clive.

Hi Gareth, Well, given the choice, I think that the vast majority of drivers would prefer to have a spare wheel in their car than to have to use a repair kit and compressor. I may be wrong on this, but I don't think so. Moreover, having now looked at various forums that discuss this matter, there seems to be quite a few contributors that express the opinion that the goo doesn't work on a large proportion of puncture that they've experienced (none were Audi owners, I should add) and that this has caused them no end of disruption. I agree that the probability of having a puncture is very, very low, but to me, having no spare wheel will be a bit like the `range anxiety' feeling when driving a BEV vehicle. I wouldn't feel comfortable with it. And I don't wish to spend sixty odd thousand pounds for a car that will give me that feeling. As I understand it, therefore, I am limited my choice only by not being able to have a BEV or a Phev vehicle if I want a spare wheel on board - unless I buy a Volvo XC40 Phev which I understand has space for one. The sale of BEV and Phev vehicles represented about 14% of all new car sales recently. So, there's still a vast choice of non-electric and hybrid cars out there. Clive.

Thanks for the replies, guys. It looks as if my proposal at acquire some green credentials is going to take a set-back over this. I don't think I can live with a car without a spare wheel; so it will have to be either staying with the car I've got, or going for a new one with straight petrol or diesel engine. Pity really. Thanks again.

Could someone help me with the following please: I am considering buying a new Audi A6 Avant TFSI e but understand that there is no storage space in the car for even a space saver spare wheel. Is this true? If so, does anyone have experience of using the puncture repair kit and compressor that comes with the car? And finally, is the use of the tyre repair kit a temporary measure that will need to be followed up with the purchase of a new tyre? Your help appreciated.