Sir, – The current debate on the life of electric vehicle batteries (Pricewatch, May 8th) puts me in mind of the problems with petrol engines in the 1950s. After a mileage of about 40,000, the engines started to burn oil, resulting in clouds of blue smoke coming from the exhaust. At that point it was necessary to replace the engine with a reconditioned one. You traded in the old engine for a reconditioned one at one of the many reboring workshops around town. But at that stage it was important that the new engine be gently eased into service by driving at a reduced speed, resulting in many cars having a notice in the back window stating “Running-in. Please pass.” – Yours, etc,
TONY CORCORAN,
Dublin 14.