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

[AlaskaMoose]

Teslas do depreciate at a fair rate here and perhaps inline with most other cars. They’ve flooded the EV market in the UK and made big discounts initially with sometimes £5k to £6k being knocked off the new price. This has meant they’ll lose about £15k in their first year and make better secondhand buys. I’ve also seen 2 year old Model 3’s here for around £20k with minimal miles on them. Tesla is generally the most popular EV here because they are cheap and offer a good experience.

All cars depreciate though, my wife’s car cost around £65k new is now a year old and probably worth around £40k.

It seems that in the US Tesla automobiles do not depreciate as fast as in Europe. Maybe the reason for this is that in the US Tesla automobiles outsell all other EVs? But the more expensive European EV's seem to depreciated quite a lot within two or three years, while the lower-priced EV's aren't affected as much. Perhaps it's not economical for most consumers to spend over $100,00 US for a luxury car.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It seems that in the US Tesla automobiles do not depreciate as fast as in Europe. Maybe the reason for this is that in the US Tesla automobiles outsell all other EVs? But the more expensive European EV's seem to depreciated quite a lot within two or three years, while the lower-priced EV's aren't affected as much. Perhaps it's not economical for most consumers to spend over $100,00 US for a luxury car.

My guess would be related to the charging network. In Europe, there was a common standard for a long time now. There is not that division, and generally the infrastructure is superb and not dependent on the make of car you drive.

And perhaps slightly more controversial, Europe tends to value better quality and better driving cars a bit more.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

It seems that in the US Tesla automobiles do not depreciate as fast as in Europe. Maybe the reason for this is that in the US Tesla automobiles outsell all other EVs? But the more expensive European EV's seem to depreciated quite a lot within two or three years, while the lower-priced EV's aren't affected as much. Perhaps it's not economical for most consumers to spend over $100,00 US for a luxury car.

Might be that we have a lot more EV options in Europe at this point? Tesla is probably still the most popular EV here too but it’s at the cheaper end and a common company car, hence why the secondhand market is flooded with them.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I still don't understand why one needs to fiddle with the AC/Heat controls so often. Perhaps I would be more concerned with the manufacture not figuring out how to manage the humidity/temperature settings to the point that on a regular basis you are required to actually use physical buttons.

Most times when there is dew on the outside of the windows, one selects defroster before you drive off. So still, something you don't really need to mess with when driving. A couple of my last ICE would auto engage defrosters.

I will say my last few ICE vehicles with buttons and auto climate control did a fantastic job managing AC/Heat to the point that even with them, I set it and forget it. The heater wouldn't start blowing until the engine was warm (so no cold blasts of air), the AC cooled down rapidly (not as quick as an EV) and once the temperature was reached, they dialed it back to where I was at my desired temperature for the rest of the trip. They would adjust between footwell, face, and windshield airflow to make it a comfortable cabin.

Aside from turning on/off the defrosters, I have not touched my temperature settings in a year. I do have location based scheduled preconditioning though.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I still don't understand why one needs to fiddle with the AC/Heat controls so often. Perhaps I would be more concerned with the manufacture not figuring out how to manage the humidity/temperature settings to the point that on a regular basis you are required to actually use physical buttons.

Most times when there is dew on the outside of the windows, one selects defroster before you drive off. So still, something you don't really need to mess with when driving. A couple of my last ICE would auto engage defrosters.

I will say my last few ICE vehicles with buttons and auto climate control did a fantastic job managing AC/Heat to the point that even with them, I set it and forget it. The heater wouldn't start blowing until the engine was warm (so no cold blasts of air), the AC cooled down rapidly (not as quick as an EV) and once the temperature was reached, they dialed it back to where I was at my desired temperature for the rest of the trip. They would adjust between footwell, face, and windshield airflow to make it a comfortable cabin.

Aside from turning on/off the defrosters, I have not touched my temperature settings in a year. I do have location based scheduled preconditioning though.

In the winter I often have to adjust the heating temperature and fan speed while driving. I've had to do that in every car I have owned.

Where do you live and do you get unpredictable weather?

 

[JT2002TJ]

In the winter I often have to adjust the heating temperature and fan speed while driving. I've had to do that in every car I have owned.

Where do you live and do you get unpredictable weather?

NYC area. It was 56 degrees F (13 C) this morning, and the high today is 81 degrees F (27 C). My Temperature is set to 69 degrees F (20 C). The only thing I have to change is the vent flow to my son in the back seat (2 years old in a forward-facing car seat). When it is hot, I point it at him, when his cold, I move it away from him. This is only because his feet are close to the air vent.

Why doesn't your auto climate control not adjust the fan speed enough to make it comfortable for you?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

In the winter I often have to adjust the heating temperature and fan speed while driving. I've had to do that in every car I have owned.

Where do you live and do you get unpredictable weather?

Can't say I've ever had that. I mean, that is the point of automatic climate control isn't it!?

 

[JT2002TJ]

Can't say I've ever had that. I mean, that is the point of automatic climate control isn't it!?

x2... I've had to do this in all vehicles I have that do not have auto climate control, but never in vehicles with auto. That's specifically why I only buy auto now...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

x2... I've had to do this in all vehicles I have that do not have auto climate control, but never in vehicles with auto. That's specifically why I only buy auto now...

HVAC controls seems really hard for some. Best is to set them and forget about them, don't fiddle and just let them do their job.

On the Polestar forums I see no end of posts by people who say it doesn't work well. But when you then see screen shots they have one or all of: ECO mode on, Heater is off, Aircon is off, and Maximum fan speed is set really low. Or they change the temperature by like 5 degrees Celcius "...because it makes it cooler quicker...". LOL Just leave the heater to always on, leave the aircon to always on, ignore ECO mode, and unless you have irratable eyes quickly leave the maximum fan speed to ahem maximum. Set the temperature to like what you find comfortable, like at home, and don't ever touch it again. Ideally pre-climatise before entering vehicle so it is ready when you want to go.

But this seems to be a hard concept for some.

 

[JT2002TJ]

HVAC controls seems really hard for some. Best is to set them and forget about them, don't fiddle and just let them do their job.

On the Polestar forums I see no end of posts by people who say it doesn't work well. But when you then see screen shots they have one or all of: ECO mode on, Heater is off, Aircon is off, and Maximum fan speed is set really low. Or they change the temperature by like 5 degrees Celcius "...because it makes it cooler quicker...". LOL Just leave the heater to always on, leave the aircon to always off, ignore ECO mode, and unless you have irratable eyes quickly leave the maximum fan speed to ahem maximum. Set the temperature to like what you find comfortable, like at home, and don't ever touch it again. Ideally pre-climatise before entering vehicle so it is ready when you want to go.

But this seems to be a hard concept for some.

Exactly. Set it in true Auto, not auto with some of your own ideas. Manufactures spend a lot of R&D to make auto work well, they do.

I have noticed that the German vehicles AC's aren't as effective as the American cars I've owned. But they all work well enough that auto does it's job, you just have to give it a bit more time (a couple extra minutes).

If you mess with the AC settings, you end up turning off Auto, so then you are setting yourself up to at least one more time of having to fiddle with it again to set it back on auto.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Exactly. Set it in true Auto, not auto with some of your own ideas. Manufactures spend a lot of R&D to make auto work well, they do.

I have noticed that the German vehicles AC's aren't as effective as the American cars I've owned. But they all work well enough that auto does it's job, you just have to give it a bit more time (a couple extra minutes).

If you mess with the AC settings, you end up turning off Auto, so then you are setting yourself up to at least one more time of having to fiddle with it again to set it back on auto.

Exactly. And yes I agree with US vehicle feeling a bit more forceful. I found the same with Asian vehicles we’ve had like Nissan or Toyota. I think European vehicle are a bit more subtle with the fan, a bit more diffused.

I do like having cooled/heated/ventilated seats as well And heated steering wheel.

And how EVs especially can preclimatise is just brilliant. Our Polestar has experience -15 to +42 centigrade and hasn’t missed a beat. My Porsche Panamera hybrid 😬 is also very good at it.

 

[quagmire]

I have my Model 3 set to 68. That temperature works really well in summer and winter. Haven't had to touch it much at all and auto does a good job in handling everything.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I have my Model 3 set to 68. That temperature works really well in summer and winter. Haven't had to touch it much at all and auto does a good job in handling everything.

I like sitting in shortsleeves and a t-shirt and find 22 really comfortable, or 71,6 F I think

 

[Apple fanboy]

So basically it looks like the Americans prefer a set it and forget it approach where as the UK do not.

For example if my wife is with me she would want it different to me.

Some days I won’t have it on at all. This gives you extra range which is great in a smaller car like mine.
Sometimes I might want the sunroof open or the windows.
Another day I’ve kept my jacket in so I’m too warm with the heating on. Another day I’ve put it in the boot and am a bit chilly.

Anyway those are just some of my reasons for wanting a car with a nice big dial to turn up or down as I need.

But then in the US you are much more likely to be accustomed to climate control. In your office, your car, your home.

Over here very few houses are like that. Even in winter my house isn’t all that warm (set to 16 when we have it on) because our heating is super expensive.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

So basically it looks like the Americans prefer a set it and forget it approach where as the UK do not.

Nah, that is way too simplistic to look at it.

For example if my wife is with me she would want it different to me.

For that, there is dual or triple or quadruple (is there more!?) zone automatic climate control

Some days I won’t have it on at all. This gives you extra range which is great in a smaller car like mine.

Perhaps in your car it makes a difference, but generally the difference is negligible. Really not worth the 'suffering'.

Sometimes I might want the sunroof open or the windows.

By default, my car then switches the aircon off as it becomes pointless, although you can override it if you want both. In a cabrio I like the roof down and on a hot day still have the aircon on. Very nice, especially when stuck in traffic.

Another day I’ve kept my jacket in so I’m too warm with the heating on. Another day I’ve put it in the boot and am a bit chilly.

Anyway those are just some of my reasons for wanting a car with a nice big dial to turn up or down as I need.

But then in the US you are much more likely to be accustomed to climate control. In your office, your car, your home.

Over here very few houses are like that. Even in winter my house isn’t all that warm (set to 16 when we have it on) because our heating is super expensive.

More and more homes are like that in the UK and in Europe. And there are very efficient ways to heat/cool a house; ground source heatpump (can cool as well), combined with solar, battery storage, and airsource hybrid heatpumps upstairs (can cool as well). Is almost entirely free. Especially so with a dynamic energy contract where you get paid to take energy from the grid and store it for when there is limited supply

But also normal aircon is pretty common where we live in the UK, most of our neighbours have got it.

 

[JT2002TJ]

So basically it looks like the Americans prefer a set it and forget it approach where as the UK do not.

For example if my wife is with me she would want it different to me.

Some days I won’t have it on at all. This gives you extra range which is great in a smaller car like mine.
Sometimes I might want the sunroof open or the windows.
Another day I’ve kept my jacket in so I’m too warm with the heating on. Another day I’ve put it in the boot and am a bit chilly.

Anyway those are just some of my reasons for wanting a car with a nice big dial to turn up or down as I need.

But then in the US you are much more likely to be accustomed to climate control. In your office, your car, your home.

Over here very few houses are like that. Even in winter my house isn’t all that warm (set to 16 when we have it on) because our heating is super expensive.

I never drive with my windows down. When I had my Jeep wrangler I would go door/top less, but not since. My last few vehicles had sunroofs that I never opened.

I live near a major city, I'm either going 70+ mph or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Either it is too loud from wind at speed, or I'm sitting in the fumes of dyno cars.

I love the quietness of an EV, I wouldn't want to take away from that by having uninvited outside noises.

I also remove my coat when driving, I can't stand wearing a coat/gloves/hat in the car. So, I am dressed the same year-round. I'm in my car 3 hours a day, extra clothing is not something I'm going to do.

But if the goal is to shut off the ac, in Tesla's the always displayed temperature shortcut (one for each side so the wife can adjust her side easily), if you hold your finger on it, it shuts off the climate control. Easy as pie.

 

[jz0309]

I suppose we are all different
I have always preferred cracked open windows over running AC and I currently live in coastal CA and I have my sunroof “cracked” 7-8 months of the year.
Last week I was on an extended day trip towards inland CA during a heatwave (at home the high was 85 compared to the usual mid 70) and hit 110-115, of course I use the AC under those conditions and also the climate seats… and u had to charge in that heat and it was the very first time in almost 2 years that the car reported “battery conditioning”. During the winter I do the same, usually heated seats over cabin heat.

And I prefer buttons and stalks

 

[JT2002TJ]

With a rather large HEPA filter in the TMY and internal ac filters, I'm also breathing better air with the windows closed vs open. That's another advantage to using the climate control.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

With a rather large HEPA filter in the TMY and internal ac filters, I'm also breathing better air with the windows closed vs open. That's another advantage to using the climate control.

That reminded me of a measurement I once saw regarding my old Range Rover 5.0SC where what came out of the exhaust was cleaner air than at the intake

I guess it depends where in the world you are, although I agree about the filters for the cabin space 100%, and naturally also forgetting the carbon impact for a moment.

 

[monstermash]

What you fine folks think?

If someone wanted to GIVE ME a brand new EV - I'd consider accepting it.

PAY for one? At going rates? No chance, whatsoever.

 

[JT2002TJ]

That reminded me of a measurement I once saw regarding my old Range Rover 5.0SC where what came out of the exhaust was cleaner air than at the intake

I guess it depends where in the world you are, although I agree about the filters for the cabin space 100%, and naturally also forgetting the carbon impact for a moment.

I work in NYC. Driving behind a Garbage truck in the summer is not for the weakhearted. With then HEPA filter and cabin filters I don't even smell the garbage. Before I had the HEPA filter retrofitted (My TMY came out before the Biodefense mode) I would have to open the windows for a while after to clear out the stink.

If I'm behind any vehicles kicking out smoke from the exhaust, I turn on Biodefense mode (can be done using voice control) for that added positive pressure.

 

[JT2002TJ]

If someone wanted to GIVE ME a brand new EV - I'd consider accepting it.

PAY for one? At going rates? No chance, whatsoever.

Tesla (In the US) was offering 0.99%, then 1.99% and is now offering 2.49%...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

If someone wanted to GIVE ME a brand new EV - I'd consider accepting it.

PAY for one? At going rates? No chance, whatsoever.

But would you spend the same kind of money to get an ICE? If so why?

 

[monstermash]

But would you spend the same kind of money to get an ICE? If so why?

A year ago this month, we spent $42K on a 2024 Honda CR-V (which now has 14,500 miles on it).

We spent that money because the POS crap we had needed about $5000 in repairs and we were not going to put that kind of money into that crappy car (a 2017 Buick Encore). We got $8K for that thing and were GLAD to see it go.

 

[monstermash]

Tesla (In the US) was offering 0.99%, then 1.99% and is now offering 2.49%...

Sure. But they were not offering their car for free, which is what it would take for me to get one.

I said "Going Rates" (for cars), not "Going Interest Rates".