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

[JT2002TJ]

The technological integration better than anything else for the price of a honda accord.

At least with Tesla/Rivian. If you are into technology, and things just working for you, EVs (especially Tesla/Rivian) are a welcomed upgrade. A lot of this tech is coming it ICE, but certain things just can’t work with an engine.

With a Tesla and a phone key (your phone acts as a key) you walk up, open the unlocked door, sit down and put the vehicle in drive/reverse. All your settings (cloud based) are where you saved them. Any other driver does the same and everything is setup for them. This is not just seats and mirrors. This is every setting including AC temperature.

Vehicle pre-conditioning even in a garage, since no exhaust.

Another thing which is really nice, is it is very easy to upgrade parts. My Tesla came with reflector LEDs. I replaced the reflectors with the newer Matrix LEDs. Only required a simple coding and now I have the limited Matrix functionality currently deployed in the US.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Another thing which is really nice, is it is very easy to upgrade parts. My Tesla came with reflector LEDs. I replaced the reflectors with the newer Matrix LEDs. Only required a simple coding and now I have the limited Matrix functionality currently deployed in the US.

Our Q4 has the adaptive Matrix light pack on it too with sweeping indicators. Nice while driving at night as blocks of light are automatically turned off not to dazzle oncoming vehicles and roadsigns are picked up etc. You can even design the way the headlights look with bars, chequered flag and various other combinations. I like unlocking the car at night as the rear lightbar does a kind of 'Knightrider' style animation sweep and the headlights illuminate like building blocks. Cool technology.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Our Q4 has the adaptive Matrix light pack on it too with sweeping indicators. Nice while driving at night as blocks of light are automatically turned off not to dazzle oncoming vehicles and roadsigns are picked up etc. You can even design the way the headlights look with bars, chequered flag and various other combinations. I like unlocking the car at night as the rear lightbar does a kind of 'Knightrider' style animation sweep and the headlights illuminate like building blocks. Cool technology.

Nice. We don’t have the true Matrix functionality here in the US, with Tesla at least. Right now we only get illumination for curves.

I like the functionality of matrix like you have. For our US people, your high beams are always on, matrix shuts off individual pixels around vehicles to not blind them. It actually follows each vehicle and prevents the high beam from touching where they physically are. It dims around vehicles comping towards you AND cars ahead traveling in the same direction.

Tesla deployed this functionality in Europe, but not yet here.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

To be fair matrix lights have nothing to do with EV vehicles. Had them in varying generations on Mercedes-AMG, BMW M and Porsche cars. It’s pretty standard for most vehicles with a higher trim specification.

My main big benefit of an EV is waking up every morning with a full “tank”. The convenience is just incredible.

 

[Ameer_1]

Some I can think of:

• Smoother drive and fast responsive acceleration (not comparing to performance cars). Less fatigue on longer runs due to refined cabin experience.
• No harmful emissions for pedestrians to breathe in.
• Little maintenance apart from brakes and tyres. Brakes last longer than ICE cars due to regenerative braking.
• Incredibly cheap running costs compared to an ICE vehicle (full charge getting you 250+ miles for around £7 compared to half a tank of fuel costing £50).
• Can be charged at home (depending on your circumstances) for convenience.
• Bigger spaces and priority spaces in car parks (at the moment) for added convenience.

What are the cons that influence your opinion?

For me the driving range
Charging time vs filling up gas
Road trips will be longer
Battery replacement cost
Safety/Crash - Usually full-size SUVs are stronger and the people inside have a higher chance of surviving.
I drive a full-size SUV since I and my family are safer on the road.
I've seen cheap lease deals for Mercedes around $500 a month for a $100K+ vehicle which is why I ask.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Nice. We don’t have the true Matrix functionality here in the US, with Tesla at least. Right now we only get illumination for curves.

I like the functionality of matrix like you have. For our US people, your high beams are always on, matrix shuts off individual pixels around vehicles to not blind them. It actually follows each vehicle and prevents the high beam from touching where they physically are. It dims around vehicles comping towards you AND cars ahead traveling in the same direction.

Tesla deployed this functionality in Europe, but not yet here.

Any idea why its not available in the US? Seems odd unless its a legal thing, but I can't see why it would be as it benefits the driver. I think it was BMW and Audi that did most of the early development for matrix and adaptive headlights in the late 2000's. I know Audi were the first car manufacturer to use daytime running lights back in 2003 and its become a standard now across the industry.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

For me the driving range
Charging time vs filling up gas
Road trips will be longer
Battery replacement cost
Safety/Crash - Usually full-size SUVs are stronger and the people inside have a higher chance of surviving.
I drive a full-size SUV since I and my family are safer on the road.
I've seen cheap lease deals for Mercedes around $500 a month for a $100K+ vehicle which is why I ask.

Charging time can be factored into a break though and its something that would seldomly be done in domestic ownership on average. Roadtrips are generally planned events and EV's go thousands of miles across Europe with some people with little trouble. Day to day driving rarely has a need for charging in the day unless you're regularly driving 300+ miles a day.

Battery replacement cost? Its about the same cost as replacing an ICE engine so £6k to £7k on average. Batteries on EV's often come with extended warranties so unless you're expecting to be driving your car past 300k miles, this shouldn't really be a serious or likely concern. Do you worry about your combustion engine blowing up and the cost that might produce?

Safety? Most EV's top the Euro NCAP ratings on safety. Tesla for example are aligned with Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Kia in that regard.

 

[JT2002TJ]

To be fair matrix lights have nothing to do with EV vehicles. Had them in varying generations on Mercedes-AMG, BMW M and Porsche cars. It’s pretty standard for most vehicles with a higher trim specification.

My main big benefit of an EV is waking up every morning with a full “tank”. The convenience is just incredible.

I was referring to the ability to upgrade/retrofit. EV manufacturers have done a good job of making all parts fit across the different models (at least Tesla has). I bought new Matrix LEDs off of ebay, swapped them in and it was a simple changing in coding to make them work.

Trying to add Matrix lights to traditional ICE would require so many changes, including adding cameras that are already there with most EVs.

But yes, Matrix headlights are not specific to EVs.

 

[Eric5h5]

For me the driving range
Charging time vs filling up gas

Charging time is essentially zero, aside from road trips. You just plug in when you get home, and unplug when you leave.

Road trips will be longer

Only if you're the "I must drive continuously without breaks until I reach my destination" type. Which is unhealthy (our family never did that when I was a kid; we made use of rest stops frequently). You should be taking a 20-minute break every few hours anyway regardless of what you drive.

Battery replacement cost

Why? The batteries will outlast the car.

Safety/Crash - Usually full-size SUVs are stronger and the people inside have a higher chance of surviving.

EVs are more safe...lower fire risk, lower rollover risk due to low center of gravity, lower risk of mechanical failure.

I drive a full-size SUV since I and my family are safer on the road.

What, are you somehow imagining there aren't any electric SUVs? Because the real problem right now is that there are too many of those, and not enough smaller/more affordable models.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Charging time is essentially zero, aside from road trips. You just plug in when you get home, and unplug when you leave.

Only if you're the "I must drive continuously without breaks until I reach my destination" type. Which is unhealthy (our family never did that when I was a kid; we made use of rest stops frequently). You should be taking a 20-minute break every few hours anyway regardless of what you drive.

Why? The batteries will outlast the car.

EVs are more safe...lower fire risk, lower rollover risk due to low center of gravity, lower risk of mechanical failure.

What, are you somehow imagining there aren't any electric SUVs? Because the real problem right now is that there are too many of those, and not enough smaller/more affordable models.

Well said. Couldn’t agree more with you on all of these points.
Unfortunately that’s not how EV’s are portrayed by the media.

According to them we take 3 times as long to get anywhere, have to replace our batteries annually and that’s if we are lucky enough not to have to replace our cars more often because of the constant fires.

Still why let the truth get in the way of a good click bait article. The non EV owners must know better than us!

 

[Weaselboy]

Any idea why its not available in the US?

NHTSA to Allow Adaptive Driving Beam Headlights on New Vehicles, Improving Safety for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Cyclists | NHTSA

www.nhtsa.gov

They actually were approved in 2022, but no manufacturer so far has rolled them out. I don't know if that is due to testing the US requires or what.

I have a new BMW that has the hardware, but it is disabled. There are third party "coders" who can tap into your car's ECU to enable the feature.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

NHTSA to Allow Adaptive Driving Beam Headlights on New Vehicles, Improving Safety for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Cyclists | NHTSA

www.nhtsa.gov

They actually were approved in 2022, but no manufacturer so far has rolled them out. I don't know if that is due to testing the US requires or what.

I have a new BMW that has the hardware, but it is disabled. There are third party "coders" who can tap into your car's ECU to enable the feature.

Yup, a lot of the Polestar people also activate it via a programming interface. Polestar delivered the full matrix headlights as standard to all NA market cars. But sadly when the NHTSA approved they came up with yet another standard despite it being used for many years in the rest of the world.

 

[Ameer_1]

Charging time is essentially zero, aside from road trips. You just plug in when you get home, and unplug when you leave.

Only if you're the "I must drive continuously without breaks until I reach my destination" type. Which is unhealthy (our family never did that when I was a kid; we made use of rest stops frequently). You should be taking a 20-minute break every few hours anyway regardless of what you drive.

Why? The batteries will outlast the car.

EVs are more safe...lower fire risk, lower rollover risk due to low center of gravity, lower risk of mechanical failure.

What, are you somehow imagining there aren't any electric SUVs? Because the real problem right now is that there are too many of those, and not enough smaller/more affordable models.

For me, I would rather fill gas up and take less than 10 minutes instead of waiting at a rest stop for more than 30 minutes and I assume that will not be fully charged. Electric cars wouldn't make sense especially when driving from New York to Florida. I only looked into electric vehicles since lease prices were cheap but I could kinda see why it's cheaper than the gas Mercedes.

 

[Apple fanboy]

For me, I would rather fill gas up and take less than 10 minutes instead of waiting at a rest stop for more than 30 minutes and I assume that will not be fully charged. Electric cars wouldn't make sense especially when driving from New York to Florida. I only looked into electric vehicles since lease prices were cheap but I could kinda see why it's cheaper than the gas Mercedes.

Most people drive from NY to Florida regularly do they? Is that your daily commute?

Charging speeds vary by car and charging station. But are getting faster all the time. Plus 90-95% of chargers are just done whilst you are sleeping or in the office.
I’ve been an EV driver for a few years now and I’ve only charged on a road trip a handful of times. If I’d been driving an ICE car I’d have spent a lot more time filling it up (and a lot more money).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

For me, I would rather fill gas up and take less than 10 minutes instead of waiting at a rest stop for more than 30 minutes and I assume that will not be fully charged. Electric cars wouldn't make sense especially when driving from New York to Florida. I only looked into electric vehicles since lease prices were cheap but I could kinda see why it's cheaper than the gas Mercedes.

If you’re regularly driving long distances like that and can’t be bothered to take breaks, an EV isn’t for you. It doesn’t make a blind bit of difference to anybody else whether you drive one or not and if you’re not interested in the experiences of those that do drive them, I’m not really sure who you’re trying to convince?

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you’re regularly driving long distances like that and can’t be bothered to take breaks, an EV isn’t for you. It doesn’t make a blind bit of difference to anybody else whether you drive one or not and if you’re not interested in the experiences of those that do drive them, I’m not really sure who you’re trying to convince?

To be fair if this was your daily commute you might not want to stop for more than 10 minutes!

But how often does someone do a 15 hour journey without a long pit stop. I’d need a sleep and a meal at least every 15 hours…. I must be abnormal or something!

 

[JT2002TJ]

There are plenty of Tesla super chargers between here (NY) and FL. Also, don’t think you need to ”fill up”, the UI route plans, and has you stop for 15-20 minutes after a good interval of driving. The goal is to safely get you to the next charger, not to get you there with 50% of the battery.

Another thing to note, if you charge to 100% at every stop, you are going to take longer than charging to 80% each stop. It will take longer to charge from 80%-90% vs 20%-80%.

I haven’t been to a gas station in a year and a half. I’ve banked plenty of hours that I can use for additional charging on trips and still come out way ahead.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

For me, I would rather fill gas up and take less than 10 minutes instead of waiting at a rest stop for more than 30 minutes and I assume that will not be fully charged. Electric cars wouldn't make sense especially when driving from New York to Florida. I only looked into electric vehicles since lease prices were cheap but I could kinda see why it's cheaper than the gas Mercedes.

Surely you don’t do that trip daily!? But even if you did. You go 15 hours without going to the WC and or get a drink or some food? No need to stretch your legs? As you read from many with experience here it is a non issue.

 

[Ameer_1]

Surely you don’t do that trip daily!? But even if you did. You go 15 hours without going to the WC and or get a drink or some food? No need to stretch your legs? As you read from many with experience here it is a non issue.

I don’t but still, if I take trips around Florida which is more than 200+ miles I feel more comfortable with gas especially if I’m driving all around Florida. At least I know there are gas stations compared to minimal electric stations. I went from NY to Florida in under 18 hours maybe even less we just stopped for gas and just kept driving. We pack our drinks and food from home so we don’t have to wait in those long lines.

 

[jz0309]

We took a trip today to see son-in-law in the IONIQ 5, total of around 450 miles, 2 charging stops, the 1st at an EA with 150kW charger for about 22 min (don’t have the session details), 2nd stop at a 350kW EA that was just under 16 min, delivered 36kWh of energy at a peak of 231kW.… just to provide some data vs myth
best of all, it comes with a 2 year EA plan for free charging

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

They are about to try and kill the transition to EV’s in the UK unfortunately. The luxury car premium is now coming to EV’s over £40k. They just don’t want people relying on cars but have no idea how poor our public transport infrastructure is. I think we are in for a shock as driving any type of car here is about to get very expensive.

New pay-per-mile car tax bands mean drivers will pay £410 without doing a mile

Motorists driving motors worth £40k or more face staggering £410 charges before they have even done ONE mile under the system.

www.birminghammail.co.uk

 

[hobowankenobi]

The funny part in discussions about charging is that ICE folks always think about charging like it will be the same, but just slower, than filling up with fuel. As to be expected, after years (decades!) of a singular experience. Hard to imagine anything else.

It is substantially different. Mostly better from my experience (all Tesla), but different. Here's how:

I don't know where I can charge...I know where gas stations are, or at least know I can find them as needed.

The car tells you where they are. It routes you to them, giving you options. It tells you what time you will arrive, how much charge you will have remaining, how long you will need to charge (if a route/trip is planned), and how many chargers are available.

It is actually less stressful than looking for gas stations on trips and adventures.

Well...If I have to stop for 15-25 minutes, what if there is nothing around the chargers that I want (food/coffee/etc), then I will have a wasted stop, because I will have to stop somewhere else again.

The car tells you what amenities are nearby, so no surprises. Again, actually better/easier than using a phone to figure out stopping points for food/coffee/bathrooms.

What if I plug in and start charging, go eat, and then come back to find there was an issue with charging and I have to start again. Could eat up 30 minutes easy, sounds like a nightmare.

The app on your phone gives you live info. I have always walked up to my car to find it exactly, to the second, where I expect the charge to be. Even if I relax and don't watch the phone, it will notify when close-to-done, and again when done. Zero stress about timing my food/coffee/bathroom break.

With a scheduled trip, the car/app plan all the stops with options as they are available. Not stressful at all, once one understands the different benefits.

If somebody wants to drive 10 hours straight through with minimal stops for gas, eat in the car, and pee in a bottle...an EV is not for you. No argument there. The point here is that a modern, long-range EV is actually a good choice for most trips for most people. Yes, there will be edge cases and special scenarios for the foreseeable future that will want/need something else.


As for NY to FL, here's the basic route, with no added stops (sleeping is a thing). Keep in mind that as handy as the Tesla route tool is, teh in-car tool is much better, with much more info...this is the bare minimum.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

They are about to try and kill the transition to EV’s in the UK unfortunately. The luxury car premium is now coming to EV’s over £40k. They just don’t want people relying on cars but have no idea how poor our public transport infrastructure is. I think we are in for a shock as driving any type of car here is about to get very expensive.

New pay-per-mile car tax bands mean drivers will pay £410 without doing a mile

Motorists driving motors worth £40k or more face staggering £410 charges before they have even done ONE mile under the system.

www.birminghammail.co.uk

Get ready for a lot more increases in the UK. Labour / Left is in and the big money grab is coming. I mean let’s get real you can’t buy a decent car new for less than 40K in the UK. Electric or not. They’ve already going to take the heating away from the elderly. LOL we are keeping a property but so glad we left the UK again.

 

[Tagbert]

Any idea why its not available in the US? Seems odd unless its a legal thing, but I can't see why it would be as it benefits the driver. I think it was BMW and Audi that did most of the early development for matrix and adaptive headlights in the late 2000's. I know Audi were the first car manufacturer to use daytime running lights back in 2003 and its become a standard now across the industry.

The US DOT (Department of Transportation) has not authorized matrix headlamps yet. They are usually very slow to approve new technology like that.

Evidently, as someone posted lower down, they have been approved for a couple of years but the implementation that was approved is different than what is used in the EU so manufacturers have been slow to implement them for the US market.

 

[adrianlondon]

They are about to try and kill the transition to EV’s in the UK unfortunately.

More info below. It's a proposed change.

Hit petrol car drivers with pay-per-mile tax, RAC urges Reeves

Campaign group backed by RAC says the tax should be charged on all cars, not just EVs

www.telegraph.co.uk