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

[AlaskaMoose]

Sorry, I’m not sure I understand your question or your point.

It is irrelevant what other drivers should or shouldn’t do. The fact remains that if you do not have a powerful enough tow rig, with a short on ramp, it can make for a dangerous experience. That was the point I was saying from the start when the question was raised about if one really needs the power of these modern pickup trucks. When you are towing in a less populated area, with adequate runways, sure, you don’t need it. But I can tell you from my towing experience on the East Coast (and mostly in the Maryland to Maine region) we have short on ramps, often combined with inclines, populated roads, and impatient drivers that if you are towing, you better have some power…

Most cars and trucks (maybe all?) are designed with specific HP and towing or cargo capacities. Some have more HP and can be driven faster than other automobiles. But just because yours has more HP and allows you to zip right into the fast traffic, it does not mean that others who drive slower vehicles with a great deal less HP than yours are prohibited from driving on the same roads.

The big rigs (large cargo trucks) that carry great loads move to the rightmost lane that are designed for the slower vehicles driving up a large incline. These trucks have large engines with lots of HP, but if carrying a heavy load they can only move up the incline at a very slow speed.

In relation to older or smaller trucks that don't produce great HP, they still have specific towing capacities. Towing capacity is determined by the vehicle's power to weight ratio. If I were to tow a trailer (loaded) that surpasses the towing capacity of the vehicle, then I am asking for trouble.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Let’s face it, few people are buying a Cybertruck to tow. It’s a statement piece, an unusual vehicle that is interesting and got some really cool technology on it. The allure is the fact people will love it and hate it in perhaps equal measure and there is nothing else like it on the road. It’s not hugely practical for commercial use due to its expensive repair costs but most I would assume are simply buying them because they like Tesla’s and this is new and weird.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Let’s face it, few people are buying a Cybertruck to tow. It’s a statement piece, an unusual vehicle that is interesting and got some really cool technology on it. The allure is the fact people will love it and hate it in perhaps equal measure and there is nothing else like it on the road. It’s not hugely practical for commercial use due to its expensive repair costs but most I would assume are simply buying them because they like Tesla’s and this is new and weird.

I would buy it to satisfy my need for a pickup truck and my desire to maintain a full EV household. Also, it prevents me from maintaining a 3rd vehicle.

I will be looking into a Cybertruck after they work some of the kinks out, and those are off lease.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Just switched my electricity tariff, not the best time to do that now, but I've had a good run. I am pleased with 9p per kWh. Based on last years usage that would mean our EV costs £362.50 to run for 17,000 miles. By comparison, I can do 700 miles for that in my Range Rover. Or if I did the same mileage its £8,487 🤓🤣 Ok not quite the same level car, but it still makes the point.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I would buy it to satisfy my need for a pickup truck and my desire to maintain a full EV household. Also, it prevents me from maintaining a 3rd vehicle.

I will be looking into a Cybertruck after they work some of the kinks out, and those are off lease.

Yeah yours is a use case where culturally I wouldn’t be able to relate but fully accept it’s valid. It would be totally different this side of the pond.

 

[Apple fanboy]

So met up with my Dad in Milton Keynes today. Found a nice charging point in a little car park by a coffee shop and woods. I like these sort of destination chargers. Had both DC rapid and fast charging there.
I went for DC as they were both available and moved my car when it was done.
79p a kWh was the only downside. But I’m in the office tomorrow to top up at 0p to offset!

 

[Flowstates]

The Smart #1 Brabus looks mighty tempting

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

So met up with my Dad in Milton Keynes today. Found a nice charging point in a little car park by a coffee shop and woods. I like these sort of destination chargers. Had both DC rapid and fast charging there.
I went for DC as they were both available and moved my car when it was done.
79p a kWh was the only downside. But I’m in the office tomorrow to top up at 0p to offset!

It’s nice to test public charging out every once in a while I’d say. We publicly charged for the first time at the weekend when we went to Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire and not sure what the exact kWh price was, but 36% charge cost us £9.40. Not too bad and we didn’t need to charge as we had 58% battery left, just thought we’d try it. Apparently if you leave the car plugged in past the point of your car being fully charged, it’s a £10 an hour fee which I wish was in place everywhere. There were the same cars in the spots 2 days later and I bet they had a shock, no pun intended, when they returned. Then again they were more than happy to hog the chargers and stop anybody else using them for an entire weekend so it’s well deserved.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It’s nice to test public charging out every once in a while I’d say. We publicly charged for the first time at the weekend when we went to Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire and not sure what the exact kWh price was, but 36% charge cost us £9.40. Not too bad and we didn’t need to charge as we had 58% battery left, just thought we’d try it. Apparently if you leave the car plugged in past the point of your car being fully charged, it’s a £10 an hour fee which I wish was in place everywhere. There were the same cars in the spots 2 days later and I bet they had a shock, no pun intended, when they returned. Then again they were more than happy to hog the chargers and stop anybody else using them for an entire weekend so it’s well deserved.

Couldn’t agree more on charging for not charging. ICE vehicles should get the same treatment.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It’s nice to test public charging out every once in a while I’d say. We publicly charged for the first time at the weekend when we went to Bluestone Resort in Pembrokeshire and not sure what the exact kWh price was, but 36% charge cost us £9.40. Not too bad and we didn’t need to charge as we had 58% battery left, just thought we’d try it. Apparently if you leave the car plugged in past the point of your car being fully charged, it’s a £10 an hour fee which I wish was in place everywhere. There were the same cars in the spots 2 days later and I bet they had a shock, no pun intended, when they returned. Then again they were more than happy to hog the chargers and stop anybody else using them for an entire weekend so it’s well deserved.

Easy to circumvent, just drop the amps your car is pulling, and you can stay there for days and be 'charging'.

 

[Kung]

Most cars and trucks (maybe all?) are designed with specific HP and towing or cargo capacities. Some have more HP and can be driven faster than other automobiles. But just because yours has more HP and allows you to zip right into the fast traffic, it does not mean that others who drive slower vehicles with a great deal less HP than yours are prohibited from driving on the same roads.

I could be wrong, but I don't think their point was that slower vehicles shouldn't be on the road. Rather, I thought it was that certain factors (underpowered vehicles for the load; length of on-ramps; population size; etc.) could and often do make for a potentially more dangerous towing experience.

Case in point - I owned a '13 F150 up until 2020. It *could* tow my 14' trailer, but with 3.31 gears, and given where the 5.0 makes/made its HP/TQ, it was a pain in the butt to tow.

Meanwhile, despite only having 30HP and 15TQ more, my '20 Tundra had 4.30 gears, and it made its max HP/TQ lower in the power band....which makes for a COMPLETELY different towing experience.

I'm not at all trying to be a speed demon on there; I don't EVER exceed 70MPH when towing, and often go slower than that. However, if I'm taking more than, say, 13-15 seconds to get to 60MPH when towing, that is indeed a serious issue, depending on where I'm at.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

I could be wrong, but I don't think their point was that slower vehicles shouldn't be on the road. Rather, I thought it was that certain factors (underpowered vehicles for the load; length of on-ramps; population size; etc.) could and often do make for a potentially more dangerous towing experience.

Case in point - I owned a '13 F150 up until 2020. It *could* tow my 14' trailer, but with 3.31 gears, and given where the 5.0 makes/made its HP/TQ, it was a pain in the butt to tow.

Meanwhile, despite only having 30HP and 15TQ more, my '20 Tundra had 4.30 gears, and it made its max HP/TQ lower in the power band....which makes for a COMPLETELY different towing experience.

I'm not at all trying to be a speed demon on there; I don't EVER exceed 70MPH when towing, and often go slower than that. However, if I'm taking more than, say, 13-15 seconds to get to 60MPH when towing, that is indeed a serious issue, depending on where I'm at.

Agree. I do understand what you and others have been saying. Still, the dangers involved in driving will always be there, and will continue increasing in number along population increases. What can be done is to prohibit the towing of trailers of certain lengths and weights in certain roads, and things like that, but localities should not prohibit the driving of vehicles based on HP. Towing requires a different set of driving experiences, and it is understandable that one has to choose the proper highway entrance to merge into high speed traffic, regardless of how much HP an engine or electric motor can produce. For example, I miss driving the 1964 Volvo 122 I had in NYC in the mid 70's. There are quite a lot of people driving old cars that are considered "classics" along the powerful and fast cars of today.

 

[I7guy]

Easy to circumvent, just drop the amps your car is pulling, and you can stay there for days and be 'charging'

I dont believe you can do that on a Tesla supercharger. It charges at the maximum it can based on temperature, battery charge and type of supercharger.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I dont believe you can do that on a Tesla supercharger. It charges at the maximum it can based on temperature, battery charge and type of supercharger.

You can’t do that on fast chargers (DC) in general. Not just Tesla. It’s what is typically used for what are called destination chargers which are AC. And are generally placed at ahem, destinations with parking bays etc. They are demand driven and supply in three phase up to 22kWh. That particular destination has 5x pod point with 7kW chargers. So AC in single phase configuration, and yes you can then drop your A artificially.

A bit weird to do as there is plenty of alternative parking as well. In the UK I mostly encounter that kind of behaviour with plug in hybrid drivers where some of their cars are super slow to charge and the drivers often just don’t have a clue of the impact they have on full EV drivers. Even more annoying when they pick a DC super fast charger as their cars just can’t get the speed. But hey ho we all have to learn at some point.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Mrs AFB showed me this image from FB. I had to admire his effort, but the charger suspended over the water makes me wince!

I'd never buy an EV without somewhere I could safely charge at home. But I'd never buy a house with off street parking and a garage either.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Mrs AFB showed me this image from FB. I had to admire his effort, but the charger suspended over the water makes me wince! View attachment 2321799
I'd never buy an EV without somewhere I could safely charge at home. But I'd never buy a house with off street parking and a garage either.

I built a big extension in front of my garage and turned half my garage into an office for my wife and I to work in. Still got enough space for 2 cars on the drive and a dedicated wall charger though. That picture there is ridiculous and due a big bang one of these days. Charging must take an age too!

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Mrs AFB showed me this image from FB. I had to admire his effort, but the charger suspended over the water makes me wince! View attachment 2321799
I'd never buy an EV without somewhere I could safely charge at home. But I'd never buy a house with off street parking and a garage either.

If I were to take a guess, that looks like the Netherlands to me Slightly surprising considering how good the infrastructure is out there, but I guess there are always corners where people do silly things.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I built a big extension in front of my garage and turned half my garage into an office for my wife and I to work in. Still got enough space for 2 cars on the drive and a dedicated wall charger though. That picture there is ridiculous and due a big bang one of these days. Charging must take an age too!

I can get a car in my garage. Do I ever? No. That’s my home gym!

 

[VisceralRealist]

Tesla issues massive recall of more than 2 million vehicles over autopilot safety concerns

The recall includes the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y equipped with Autosteer, a feature Tesla describes as “traffic-aware cruise control.”

www.nbcnews.com

I don't know anyone with a Tesla who actually makes regular use of the Autopilot feature (or has even used it at all), but this recall doesn't surprise me.

 

[diamond.g]

Tesla issues massive recall of more than 2 million vehicles over autopilot safety concerns

The recall includes the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y equipped with Autosteer, a feature Tesla describes as “traffic-aware cruise control.”

www.nbcnews.com

I don't know anyone with a Tesla who actually makes regular use of the Autopilot feature (or has even used it at all), but this recall doesn't surprise me.

I'm not looking forward to being back in the Gen Pop FW branch.

 

[I7guy]

Tesla issues massive recall of more than 2 million vehicles over autopilot safety concerns

The recall includes the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y equipped with Autosteer, a feature Tesla describes as “traffic-aware cruise control.”

www.nbcnews.com

I don't know anyone with a Tesla who actually makes regular use of the Autopilot feature (or has even used it at all), but this recall doesn't surprise me.

I know. But for Tesla recall=software update.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Tesla issues massive recall of more than 2 million vehicles over autopilot safety concerns

The recall includes the 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y equipped with Autosteer, a feature Tesla describes as “traffic-aware cruise control.”

www.nbcnews.com

I don't know anyone with a Tesla who actually makes regular use of the Autopilot feature (or has even used it at all), but this recall doesn't surprise me.

Thankfully this feature is still illegal in my country. I hate the thought of self driving software being beta tested on the roads I am using in all honesty as I don’t think everybody is responsible enough. It’s good to hear it’s being addressed in the US but terrifying to think it’s been 7 years without being addressed if you catch my drift lol.

 

[diamond.g]

Thankfully this feature is still illegal in my country. I hate the thought of self driving software being beta tested on the roads I am using in all honesty as I don’t think everybody is responsible enough. It’s good to hear it’s being addressed in the US but terrifying to think it’s been 7 years without being addressed if you catch my drift lol.

IIRC FSD 12 is supposed to drop the Beta label.... Make of that what you will.

 

[I7guy]

Thankfully this feature is still illegal in my country. I hate the thought of self driving software being beta tested on the roads I am using in all honesty as I don’t think everybody is responsible enough. It’s good to hear it’s being addressed in the US but terrifying to think it’s been 7 years without being addressed if you catch my drift lol.

I've used FSD and Navigate on Autopilot and Autopilot. FSD was very nervewracking not because it made mistakes, but because of the level of attention needed to ensure you can take control from the car if the situation demanded it. Autopilot is a different animal and there are similar features on other vehicles and IMO, autopilot works very well.

the autopilot software has been implicated what could called making the best of the possible bad situation on the road like an additional set of eyes. I like that aspect of it. There is much less stress involved in monitoring the functions of autopilot and as I said, imo it works fairly well.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I've used FSD and Navigate on Autopilot and Autopilot. FSD was very nervewracking not because it made mistakes, but because of the level of attention needed to ensure you can take control from the car if the situation demanded it. Autopilot is a different animal and there are similar features on other vehicles and IMO, autopilot works very well.

the autopilot software has been implicated what could called making the best of the possible bad situation on the road like an additional set of eyes. I like that aspect of it. There is much less stress involved in monitoring the functions of autopilot and as I said, imo it works fairly well.

It’ll be a very good technology in the future no doubt. Right now I enjoy driving a car myself and always turn lane assist and collision warnings off as I find them dangerous, almost like I don’t trust the car lol. I’d be the same with auto pilot if any of my cars had it right now.