Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[The-Real-Deal82]

I still have my motorcycle. It is loud...

And regarding not driving stick, 99% (I'm making up a percent here) of people here in the US have never even seen a manual transmission, yet alone know how to drive one. It has been more than 1 generation that hasn't really had manual transmissions available to them. It is life... Just like young kids today aren't learning cursive.

If automatics are better than stick (faster more efficient shifting), is there really a need for stick anymore? Other than pleasure for us older people who like sticks?

If everyone types on a phone, keyboard, is there really a need for learning cursive anymore?

EVs as you know being an EV owner, just do everything better, except make loud noises... (except for shorter refueling, for now...)

Learning in manuals is the norm in the UK and I’d imagine most of Europe at this point. It means drivers can drive which ever they like. Those who currently learn in an auto are usually doing so because they are not confident in a manual and would need to take an extended test if there were to decide in future to drive a manual as they wouldn’t be insured otherwise. I think it’s the essence of true driving and it will be a skill that is lost. There’s plenty of idiots on the roads as it is and making cars easier to drive is not something I am looking forward to further down the line. I do like driving an auto now after 25 years driving manuals though and although EV’s are so smooth and feel like I’m driving a golf cart, it is a pleasant experience. I will miss a manual though as it’s such a natural action when driving a car and I still sometimes go for the clutch with my left foot which can be scary lol.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Learning in manuals is the norm in the UK and I’d imagine most of Europe at this point. It means drivers can drive which ever they like. Those who currently learn in an auto are usually doing so because they are not confident in a manual and would need to take an extended test if there were to decide in future to drive a manual as they wouldn’t be insured otherwise. I think it’s the essence of true driving and it will be a skill that is lost. There’s plenty of idiots on the roads as it is and making cars easier to drive is not something I am looking forward to further down the line. I do like driving an auto now after 25 years driving manuals though and although EV’s are so smooth and feel like I’m driving a golf cart, it is a pleasant experience. I will miss a manual though as it’s such a natural action when driving a car and I still sometimes go for the clutch with my left foot which can be scary lol.

I learned to drive stick at 9 years old, and was routinely driving stick at that age. I love stick... My e46 that I sold for my TM3 was stick, I commuted 3 hrs a day in NYC/Long Island NY traffic.

I am aware of a lot of other countries requirements for learning stick, I grew up in Asia where 99% (another made up figure) were stick. But as more and more cars become unavailable in stick (to make fuel MPG regulations) since modern autos are way more efficient, you will start to see a shift where sticks simply aren't available anymore (you would have to choose from a very small subset of cars, or specialty cars). This is where we are in the US, eventually Europe will be there too. At this point, there will be no benefit to requiring testing on stick vehicles as the basically aren't out in the wild anymore.

I have done the missing clutch pedal thing too! Mainly during a panic stop...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Sometimes my hand drops down to the left looking for an imaginary gear stick.
Or when I drive my wife’s car (manual), I sometimes put my hand up to change into reverse where the wiper blades are.

 

[maflynn]

Sometimes my hand drops down to the left looking for an imaginary gear stick.

I can't tell you how many times my left foot stomped on the floor trying to hit the clutch, even after giving my jeep that had manual transmission many many years ago.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I can't tell you how many times my left foot stomped on the floor trying to hit the clutch, even after giving my jeep that had manual transmission many many years ago.

I’ve only driven my current car which is automatic. Every other one I drove was manual. I plant my left foot on the foot rest to keep myself looking for a phantom clutch pedal.
But it’s amazing how quickly you get used to one foot driving. I don’t even use the brake pedal all that often.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Nissan is the next domino to fall. US based Nissans will adopt NACS.

Nissan to add Tesla's NACS connector to US-bound EVs from 2025

Tesla's NACS connector is quickly becoming the de facto standard in North America.

www.motorauthority.com

 

[Apple fanboy]

Nissan is the next domino to fall. US based Nissans will adopt NACS.

Nissan to add Tesla's NACS connector to US-bound EVs from 2025

Tesla's NACS connector is quickly becoming the de facto standard in North America.

www.motorauthority.com

Having one standard across the US makes a lot of sense. It’s pretty much like that across Europe.
A worldwide standard like we will soon have on smartphones would be the ideal. But the different power levels and three phase power here and there make that difficult for DC chargers.

 

[culo77]

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. I will not be teaching him in my EV, will be using my wife's gas car. I do wish I could teach him on a manual transmission, but nobody absolutely nobody I know owns a stick anymore. Its been about 15 years since I have driven a manual. Maybe after he gets down the auto I will rent a vehicle with a 5 speed manual for a few day for him just to gain the muscle memory.

After a couple months of nailing down driving I will have him drive the EV. My thinking is starting to learn on a EV will mess up the senses. The regen one pedal driving then getting into a gas/diesel car and loosing that feel for coast then brake. Also my i3 has heavy steering which may throw them off from the other cars too.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. I will not be teaching him in my EV, will be using my wife's gas car. I do wish I could teach him on a manual transmission, but nobody absolutely nobody I know owns a stick anymore. Its been about 15 years since I have driven a manual. Maybe after he gets down the auto I will rent a vehicle with a 5 speed manual for a few day for him just to gain the muscle memory.

After a couple months of nailing down driving I will have him drive the EV. My thinking is starting to learn on a EV will mess up the senses. The regen one pedal driving then getting into a gas/diesel car and loosing that feel for coast then brake. Also my i3 has heavy steering which may throw them off from the other cars too.

Heavy steering? I’ve not noticed that on my i3s. But then my early cars had no steering servo so they were very heavy! A proper workout.
The i3s has different suspension and wheels from the i3. Maybe that’s why mine feels different?

 

[4sallypat]

This was last year but it has stuck with me
Amid Heat Wave, California Asks Electric Vehicle Owners to Limit Charging

How many states are actually increasing energy production to account for more and more EV vehicles?

Yes that's an old story last year and doesn't apply now.

During this hot summer, we have not been asked under "Flex Alerts" to not charge during certain times.

My wife and I have been able to charge anytime we want at home using 240V L2.

Sounds like California is increasing their grid capacity because in 2035, the entire state is supposed to go all electric (new vehicle sales)...

 

[4sallypat]

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. I will not be teaching him in my EV, will be using my wife's gas car. I do wish I could teach him on a manual transmission, but nobody absolutely nobody I know owns a stick anymore. Its been about 15 years since I have driven a manual. Maybe after he gets down the auto I will rent a vehicle with a 5 speed manual for a few day for him just to gain the muscle memory.

After a couple months of nailing down driving I will have him drive the EV. My thinking is starting to learn on a EV will mess up the senses. The regen one pedal driving then getting into a gas/diesel car and loosing that feel for coast then brake. Also my i3 has heavy steering which may throw them off from the other cars too.

You think like I do!

Yes, manual is what I started to learn how to drive at age 14 (farm permit).
Then for many decades automatic drive.
Now EV only - but do not have 1PD enabled on either EV - hate that lurchy, grabby, intoxicated regen feel...

Since I work for a government organization I drive a white fleet vehicle and have to maintain perfect driving record, I don't want to confuse my muscle memory coming from a 1PD regen EV.

 

[culo77]

Heavy steering? I’ve not noticed that on my i3s. But then my early cars had no steering servo so they were very heavy! A proper workout.
The i3s has different suspension and wheels from the i3. Maybe that’s why mine feels different?

Heavier compared to most modern cars which are overly assisted which to me always feels weird. The S does feel a bit lighter but not by much. But that feel is personal perception.

 

[maflynn]

Yes that's an old story last year and doesn't apply now.

That was last September - why does it not apply now? Has California upgraded their infrastructure in the past 10 months?

 

[jz0309]

That was last September - why does it not apply now? Has California upgraded their infrastructure in the past 10 months?

Don’t know, but my guess would be that due to the rain we had during the winter the reservoirs are full again and can produce more electricity compared to last year.
And there are many more factors at play, like demand could just be not as high, more homes installing solar, maybe there was plant down last year that is operational again and so on.
CA ISO might have that info

 

[watchever]

I was looking to buy a BMW i4, after calculating the service cost and price difference, I decided to go with Tesla Model 3. I'm living in the UK and I'm not happy with the Tesla's service. I'm using a Tesla's car cover. Because of the day/night temperature change, recently my taillights cracked and I contacted with Tesla service, they tried to reflect the cost to me and I rejected. Now they will replace the taillight free but I found-out left-outer light got condensation and their response was "it is acceptable level"! When I got the car also door was not aligned and again their response was "it is acceptable". If you are looking for a car for just driving and if you don't need high quality then go with Tesla. My thought is Tesla's electric cars have a good price, but don't have high expectations from the service and quality. Whenever I drive my 2016 BMW i320, I feel like I'm driving a proper car again.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Don’t know, but my guess would be that due to the rain we had during the winter the reservoirs are full again and can produce more electricity compared to last year.
And there are many more factors at play, like demand could just be not as high, more homes installing solar, maybe there was plant down last year that is operational again and so on.
CA ISO might have that info

Large Hydro is significantly higher this year than it was last year.

Also our battery storage is putting out north of 3200 MW per hour for several hours whereas last year it was rare to see north of 1500 MW per hour.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1679238000343957505

http://www.caiso.com/Documents/new-...e-than-5000-mw-now-available-for-dispatch.pdf

Also solar is north of 15,960 MW vs 15,000 MW last year.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1677371949104652288

 

[Apple fanboy]

I was looking to buy a BMW i4, after calculating the service cost and price difference, I decided to go with Tesla Model 3. I'm living in the UK and I'm not happy with the Tesla's service. I'm using a Tesla's car cover. Because of the day/night temperature change, recently my taillights cracked and I contacted with Tesla service, they tried to reflect the cost to me and I rejected. Now they will replace the taillight free but I found-out left-outer light got condensation and their response was "it is acceptable level"! When I got the car also door was not aligned and again their response was "it is acceptable". If you are looking for a car for just driving and if you don't need high quality then go with Tesla. My thought is Tesla's electric cars have a good price, but don't have high expectations from the service and quality. Whenever I drive my 2016 BMW i320, I feel like I'm driving a proper car again.

One of the many reasons I’d not choose a Tesla. Great battery technology and charging infrastructure, but weak in other areas that matter to me.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I was looking to buy a BMW i4, after calculating the service cost and price difference, I decided to go with Tesla Model 3. I'm living in the UK and I'm not happy with the Tesla's service. I'm using a Tesla's car cover. Because of the day/night temperature change, recently my taillights cracked and I contacted with Tesla service, they tried to reflect the cost to me and I rejected. Now they will replace the taillight free but I found-out left-outer light got condensation and their response was "it is acceptable level"! When I got the car also door was not aligned and again their response was "it is acceptable". If you are looking for a car for just driving and if you don't need high quality then go with Tesla. My thought is Tesla's electric cars have a good price, but don't have high expectations from the service and quality. Whenever I drive my 2016 BMW i320, I feel like I'm driving a proper car again.

Tesla’s are supposed to have less problems now they are made in China for our market apparently. Yeah I wouldn’t be accepting any level of condensation in a new car! Although Tesla have reduced their prices, they aren’t at the level of the German brands for build quality even if they act like they are.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Tesla’s are supposed to have less problems now they are made in China for our market apparently. Yeah I wouldn’t be accepting any level of condensation in a new car! Although Tesla have reduced their prices, they aren’t at the level of the German brands for build quality even if they act like they are.

I dislike Tesla’s all the more since one hit me.

 

[jz0309]

Tesla’s are supposed to have less problems now they are made in China for our market apparently. Yeah I wouldn’t be accepting any level of condensation in a new car! Although Tesla have reduced their prices, they aren’t at the level of the German brands for build quality even if they act like they are.

the UK Teslas are not made in Germany? by that I mean at the plant in Germany ...
Teslas have a long history of quality issues, my son bought a model 3 just like a month ago and there were some issues. What they have going for them is the charging network without a doubt (speaking for the US). When I got my Bolt, I didn't consider Tesla because of the interface Z(no buttons), and last Nov they were priced still quite a bit higher than right now ...

 

[Apple fanboy]

the UK Teslas are not made in Germany? by that I mean at the plant in Germany ...
Teslas have a long history of quality issues, my son bought a model 3 just like a month ago and there were some issues. What they have going for them is the charging network without a doubt (speaking for the US). When I got my Bolt, I didn't consider Tesla because of the interface Z(no buttons), and last Nov they were priced still quite a bit higher than right now ...

The no buttons and styling are a straight no for me, even if they could sort out their quality issues.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

the UK Teslas are not made in Germany? by that I mean at the plant in Germany ...
Teslas have a long history of quality issues, my son bought a model 3 just like a month ago and there were some issues. What they have going for them is the charging network without a doubt (speaking for the US). When I got my Bolt, I didn't consider Tesla because of the interface Z(no buttons), and last Nov they were priced still quite a bit higher than right now ...

I think a lot of them are but certainly some models now are from China. I’d imagine the supply chain are sourcing from both factories. I know BMW and Polestar are supplying the UK and Europe from their China plants. The reason I mentioned Tesla’s coming from China was because I read an article recently that said QC had improved since importing from there.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I think a lot of them are but certainly some models now are from China. I’d imagine the supply chain are sourcing from both factories. I know BMW and Polestar are supplying the UK and Europe from their China plants. The reason I mentioned Tesla’s coming from China was because I read an article recently that said QC had improved since importing from there.

No car is made in any one country these days. Parts come from all over.
Made in often just means assembled in!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

No car is made in any one country these days. Parts come from all over.
Made in often just means assembled in!

I know, I’m an automotive designer myself and supply parts into the industry which are manufactured in Wales, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and China.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I know, I’m an automotive designer myself and supply parts into the industry which are manufactured in Wales, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and China.

Always China! I suppose some of the Chinese cars might be 100% produced in one country.
Hopefully the UK’s battery production actually happens this time!