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960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
I have been wanting to upgrade my gasoline-powered car to an EV(Electic Vehicle) car due to the many benefits that are present.
EVs produce zero emissions while driving, making them much cleaner for the environment compared to gasoline-powered cars. By driving an EV, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help combat climate change.
Although EVs can have a higher upfront cost than gasoline-powered cars, they can be more cost-effective in the long run due to lower fuel costs and maintenance expenses. Additionally, some governments offer tax incentives or rebates for EV purchases.
Many EVs have quick acceleration and a quiet, smooth ride. They may also require less maintenance since they have fewer moving parts than traditional cars.
With more charging stations popping up in public areas and at homes, it can be easier to charge an EV than find a gas station. Additionally, some EVs have a longer range than in the past, making them more practical for longer road trips.

These are the few advantages I came about when learning more about EV's.
BotDetector: Your text is Most Likely AI/GPT generated.
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
56,996
56,021
Behind the Lens, UK
It is cheaper, less wires to run (each button needs a wire) and no need for the button themselves, plus whatever ECU the buttons are connected to likely isn't needed (not sure how many are directly connected to the main ECU).

I've noticed cars having duplicate controls as well (typically touchscreen and buttons to do the same thing). Which means there has to be duplicate programing made (right?).
I have no issue with controls on a physical button and the touchscreen.
For example I can change the volume on my entertainment system using the steering wheel button, the big knob on the dash, or via the I drive interface. Maybe even via voice control too. But to just have it on a touchscreen so Elon Musk can save a few quid, no thanks!
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
There’s also a couple of cars I want to own before we go electric.
This is the way...

porsche-model.png


Although I really like my EV.
 

JT2002TJ

macrumors 68020
Nov 7, 2013
2,068
1,397
You must be very old to remember cars without power windows and seatbelts.

I think you are in the minority on this one. Big difference between power windows and a touchscreen to put the wipers on!

I am 44 years old. My wife's first to cars in college were manual windup windows (1996 Nissan Sentra, and 2000 Honda Civic) and manual door locks. EDIT: My wife did not want auto windows and door locks; her irrational fear was getting caught in a river/lake and being trapped. Now that she drives the Audi, she can't imagine going back. But it was a battle...

3-point harness Seat belts became a requirement 10 years before I was born, but in the US we have a lot of vehicles on the road that are more than 15 years old. For example, in the last 5 years I have had a 1985 MB 380 SE, 2003 325i e46 both sold, and currently have a 2008 Audi A4, 2015 Ram and 2019 Telsa Model 3.

I have not touched the wipers stalk on my 2008 Audi with automatic wipers, expect to turn it off for car washes. Same with the Headlights and AC. The auto function has worked perfectly for the last 13 years I have had it (bought it in 2010 CPO).
 
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The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,314
25,463
Wales, United Kingdom
I am 44 years old. My wife's first to cars in college were manual windup windows (1996 Nissan Sentra, and 2000 Honda Civic) and manual door locks.

3-point harness Seat belts became a requirement 10 years before I was born, but in the US we have a lot of vehicles on the road that are more than 15 years old. For example, in the last 5 years I have had a 1985 MB 380 SE, 2003 325i e46 both sold, and currently have a 2008 Audi A4, 2015 Ram and 2019 Telsa Model 3.

I have not touched the wipers stalk on my 2008 Audi with automatic wipers, expect to turn it off for car washes. Same with the Headlights and AC. The auto function has worked perfectly for the last 13 years I have had it (bought it in 2010 CPO).

My first car was a 1988 Renault 5 and it didn’t have power steering and also had a choke.

Auto lights and wipers have been standard for 15 or so years now, longer on luxury cars but all my cars have had these since about 2007. Those features can be overridden though as auto can be turned off if needed. A little different to a tablet containing all the controls in the centre of the dash IMO.
 

JT2002TJ

macrumors 68020
Nov 7, 2013
2,068
1,397
My first car was a 1988 Renault 5 and it didn’t have power steering and also had a choke.

Auto lights and wipers have been standard for 15 or so years now, longer on luxury cars but all my cars have had these since about 2007. Those features can be overridden though as auto can be turned off if needed. A little different to a tablet containing all the controls in the centre of the dash IMO.

Yes, but if the features are deployed successfully, you shouldn't need to turn the feature on/off while driving. So, if you aren't interacting with it while driving, why do you absolutely need a physical button? It would be nice, but it isn't "needed".

The argument for needing the physical button has been because it is too difficult to interact with the touch screen while driving. So rather than fight for the physical button, it is time to fight for the features to work well enough that you don't NEED the button.

So far, I have not needed these buttons on my tesla which is running the latest Beta OS 2022.45.15 with FSD Beta version 11.3.6.
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
You must be very old to remember cars without power windows and seatbelts.

I think you are in the minority on this one. Big difference between power windows and a touchscreen to put the wipers on!
My 2004 Sunfire had manual windows and locks, lol. All the paint rusted off that thing before too long - was pretty embarrassed to drive it as long as I did (240k miles). That said, can only go up from there, so a Civic was very welcome. :).

BotDetector: Your text is Most Likely AI/GPT generated.
Are you using ZeroGPT? Very curious.

1681309617903.jpeg
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
56,996
56,021
Behind the Lens, UK
Yes, but if the features are deployed successfully, you shouldn't need to turn the feature on/off while driving. So, if you aren't interacting with it while driving, why do you absolutely need a physical button? It would be nice, but it isn't "needed".

The argument for needing the physical button has been because it is too difficult to interact with the touch screen while driving. So rather than fight for the physical button, it is time to fight for the features to work well enough that you don't NEED the button.

So far, I have not needed these buttons on my tesla which is running the latest Beta OS 2022.45.15 with FSD Beta version 11.3.6.
Because what’s wrong with a physical button?
My last three cars have had automatic wipers and headlights, but there are always times you need to use the override. When a bird presents you with a gift from above for example!
 
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The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,314
25,463
Wales, United Kingdom
The argument for needing the physical button has been because it is too difficult to interact with the touch screen while driving. So rather than fight for the physical button, it is time to fight for the features to work well enough that you don't NEED the button.

So far, I have not needed these buttons on my tesla which is running the latest Beta OS 2022.45.15 with FSD Beta version 11.3.6.
Or just keep basic driver interactive features like heaters, fans as physical buttons and all the non-critical instruments on a touchscreen. We are in danger of going fully automatic and personally I don't want to trust everything I use in the car on the software than runs it. All great sounding and futuristic until the software malfunctions and you can't turn the de-mister on while heading down a motorway with a rapidly clouding up windscreen after that automatic self heating climate control has stopped working. I can't think of anythog worse than screaming at the voice assistant in my car to turn something on/off and for it to say: 'I'm sorry, I am having a problem right now......'. All very real modern problems we seem to face already with our highly intelligent mobile devices. Its also nice to be in control with somethings and maybe this technology needs to be more drip fed rather than all at once for the next generation. Millions of people are going to have to get used to automatic gearboxes soon, so hopefully manufacturers will also take into account there is a market for basic EV's as well as technology packed Tesla's that only a certain segment can afford anyway. We are heading for a huge transition period in the next 7 years and i'd like to see our roads occupied by less distracted drivers ideally.
 
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phillytim

macrumors 68000
Aug 12, 2011
1,784
1,272
Philadelphia, PA
Just saying no to electric cars here - for a few points.

I live in a city high-rise, and they have no electric charge stations in the valet garage (and currently have no plans on installing them).

Electric cars are prohibitively expensive, and I don't drive much - so there's no use in me paying those crazy prices.

One of my critical car uses is to make a 400-mile round-trip home to my family on holidays, in north Pennsylvania - which introduces a few issues in of itself: the driving-range miles of the car, the fact that my folks have no electric charger at their house, the fact that there are very few electric charger stations in that rural area, and the issue with cold weather and batteries.

I'm sure you all have heard about snow storms leaving folks stranded for hours on the shut-down interstates, right?

I will not be sitting for hours in the cold waiting for a charge. Waiting in line to fill my tires with air is ok, waiting for electric charge - just no.

Cars should have sources of near-instant fuel - as gas, hydrogen, and whatever else they may come up with.

So no - no electric cars on my forseeable horizon.

While I support the environment and moving to cleaner energy, I don't think electric cars are the way to go.
 
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VictorTango777

macrumors 6502a
Oct 28, 2017
893
1,634
Upcoming update for Tesla (2023.12) is going to allow users to change the text size on the display.

I guess there is a difference, though I am not sure if it is enough of one.

When the UI designer sits in front of a big desktop monitor with view set to 200% zoom, a small change in text size looks like a big change
 
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yoak

macrumors 68000
Oct 4, 2004
1,678
202
Oslo, Norway
I have no issue with controls on a physical button and the touchscreen.
For example I can change the volume on my entertainment system using the steering wheel button, the big knob on the dash, or via the I drive interface. Maybe even via voice control too. But to just have it on a touchscreen so Elon Musk can save a few quid, no thanks!
I can control the volume from a scroll button on the wheel of my Model 3, and the speed and distance for the CC from another. I dont like the layout of the big screen though. Most settings are on the far side form the driver, and as noted elsewhere; the font is too small. Happy to hear we can change that in a new firmware.

I started with a Hyundai Ioniq in 2016, as Teslas were to new and too expensive second hand back then. I ran that car for 6 years, I didn't notice any degradation with the battery, and that really surprised me.

I have an old X3, but we almost never use it as I just can't handle paying for petrol anymore.....
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
56,996
56,021
Behind the Lens, UK
I can control the volume from a scroll button on the wheel of my Model 3, and the speed and distance for the CC from another. I dont like the layout of the big screen though. Most settings are on the far side form the driver, and as noted elsewhere; the font is too small. Happy to hear we can change that in a new firmware.

I started with a Hyundai Ioniq in 2016, as Teslas were to new and too expensive second hand back then. I ran that car for 6 years, I didn't notice any degradation with the battery, and that really surprised me.

I have an old X3, but we almost never use it as I just can't handle paying for petrol anymore.....
Ha. So true. Filling up with petrol feels so weird now. I only fill my wife’s car about twice a year, but it feels like so old school. Glad your batteries were fine. Most are. It’s just the 0.001% that get so much publicity!
 

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,985
2,492
I'm sure you all have heard about snow storms leaving folks stranded for hours on the shut-down interstates, right?


Here is a person that camped in their Tesla in -20 C ( -4 F). He found the Model 3( at the time of the video, the Model 3 used PTC heater) consumed ~2.5 kw per hour.

Assuming full charge at 78 kwh available, that is 31 hours worth of power being stranded keeping the car warm.

Again note that is with a PTC heating system. Newer Tesla's use heat pump's which consume less power so that 31 hours will be higher.

He did another test at -8 C with a newer Model 3 with the heat pump and found it consumed 1.3 kw per hour. Using that example above, that is now 60 hours worth of power sitting stranded with a full battery.

Now lets take an idling engine. Now like heat pump vs PTC, it all depends on size of the engine. But lets assume it's around 2.0 liters and a consumption of .33 gallons per hour idling. A car of the Tesla Model 3's size typically has a 12 gallon tank. That is 36 hours worth of idling with a full tank. 5 more hours than the EV with a PTC. Significantly less than an EV with a heat pump.



Of course there are variables that determines who runs out of fuel/electricity first. But media will cover the EV's running out of juice given it drives clicks, ratings, political leanings, etc. Will never hear about ICE vehicles running out of gas on the media.
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
56,996
56,021
Behind the Lens, UK
Here is a person that camped in their Tesla in -20 C ( -4 F). He found the Model 3( at the time of the video, the Model 3 used PTC heater) consumed ~2.5 kw per hour.

Assuming full charge at 78 kwh available, that is 31 hours worth of power being stranded keeping the car warm.

Again note that is with a PTC heating system. Newer Tesla's use heat pump's which consume less power so that 31 hours will be higher.

He did another test at -8 C with a newer Model 3 with the heat pump and found it consumed 1.3 kw per hour. Using that example above, that is now 60 hours worth of power sitting stranded with a full battery.

Now lets take an idling engine. Now like heat pump vs PTC, it all depends on size of the engine. But lets assume it's around 2.0 liters and a consumption of .33 gallons per hour idling. A car of the Tesla Model 3's size typically has a 12 gallon tank. That is 36 hours worth of idling with a full tank. 5 more hours than the EV with a PTC. Significantly less than an EV with a heat pump.



Of course there are variables that determines who runs out of fuel/electricity first. But media will cover the EV's running out of juice given it drives clicks, ratings, political leanings, etc. Will never hear about ICE vehicles running out of gas on the media.
That last part. So true. You’d imagine you could hardly get down the road for all the EV’s run out of juice, on fire and queuing up for the one charger in a 1,000 mile radius. The reality is somewhat different for the fastest growing car sector.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
This is my goal before we all go EV..... Now if I can get one without a crazy ADM..... Naturally aspirated FPC V8 670 HP.....

Though I would not get the aero as seen here. But the red.... Yes!

Steve-McCarthy-C8-Z06-Z07.jpg
My buddy just picked up a 70th anniversary edition. Very nice car. Pictures never quite capture the proportions correctly. Seeing it live is something else.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
Yes, but if the features are deployed successfully, you shouldn't need to turn the feature on/off while driving. So, if you aren't interacting with it while driving, why do you absolutely need a physical button? It would be nice, but it isn't "needed".

The argument for needing the physical button has been because it is too difficult to interact with the touch screen while driving. So rather than fight for the physical button, it is time to fight for the features to work well enough that you don't NEED the button.

So far, I have not needed these buttons on my tesla which is running the latest Beta OS 2022.45.15 with FSD Beta version 11.3.6.
What is the argument against the center pad? We have buttons on the steering wheel for volume, speed control, distance following, voice navigation and voice climate control ( although I have the climate set to run everything automatically ). The only time I touch the screen is for movies or making the car fart.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
That last part. So true. You’d imagine you could hardly get down the road for all the EV’s run out of juice, on fire and queuing up for the one charger in a 1,000 mile radius. The reality is somewhat different for the fastest growing car sector.
My latest 'ah-ha moment' was right before the hurricane in Tampa, FL. All the gas stations were out of fuel 5 days before the storm hit. I could still charge my car up until the moment we left (before the storm hit). Drove 250 miles north and charged it again with no issues, no wait, while all the fuel pumps were backed up with dozens of cars in a 50 fuel pump station.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
I can live with the risk over crashing my car into a small child because I’m trying to operate the touchscreen of a moving vehicle.
Again, I ask why is it necessary to touch the screen while driving, especially near children? Same could be said for control dials in a BMW or Mazda. Physical buttons still can require attention away from the road.
 
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