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

[cyb3rdud3]

Agreed. I think it’s a bit silly to get hung up on things like this, especially because in the case of Musk do you really think it’ll change what he’s doing- I don’t considering he was willing to get absolutely hosed buying Twitter. Keep in mind at this point he only owns 13% of the company these days. If you own Tesla stock, as many Tesla drivers do, better consider selling your stock before boycotting.

If you’re going to boycott a brand, at least don’t do it because of concern that it’ll “make you look like ____” (insert whatever stereotype you think applies). Because the reality is most people don’t care and if they do, that’s pretty shallow.

And think about all the stuff you buy that you don’t consider who owns the company. Or all the stuff that comes from authoritarian China.

I own a Volvo XC60. While my particular car was built in Sweden, Volvo is owned by Geely, a Chinese company. Would it be fair to assume that average Volvo owner and I must support Chinese Communist Party, human rights violations, etc?

And you know, plenty of battery minerals are extracted using extremely unethical labor practices and much of the supply chain involves China- whether it be the mines or refining facilities.

You can literally find a political or ethical reason not to buy anything.

Nice bit of whataboutery. Please do share Geely’s involvement or public support for human rights violations. I’ll happily stand correct.

Just today Elon tweeted an AFD post saying it’s existential for Germany they get into power 🥴 And the list is pretty long just from the last 24 hours with disinformation. One couldn’t reasonably believe anything to be true and factual of “his” company.

This goes way further than anything anyone has seen before from a figurehead of a private company. In my opinion.

 

[jz0309]

I understand the notions against him in the EU, he is directly getting involved in the German elections this coming Sunday, he has no business for that.
So what will happen is that people will "vote with their wallet", more of that in the EU than the US.

I think Tesla is still the EV company to chase so to speak, they offer the best solution there is right now. for the US/N.A. market imho.
When I got my Ioniq 5 last September I considered a Tesla, but the UI (lack of stalks etc) is just not for me. If I were to make that decision today, same reasoning.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

I understand the notions against him in the EU, he is directly getting involved in the German elections this coming Sunday, he has no business for that.
So what will happen is that people will "vote with their wallet", more of that in the EU than the US.

Yes, I can see that, I'm hopeful that the realization in the US will kick in at some point and that the market will allow for more competition. I fear it will literally require a regime change.

I think Tesla is still the EV company to chase so to speak, they offer the best solution there is right now. for the US/N.A. market imho.

I believe it is indeed the best. Then again, considering the self driving that is allowed, the charging network that is required, and a chap like him with the keys to access it all. I see a huge problem with that. Now combine it with the mobile internet access solution as well, and the other business interests and it has all the ingredients of the best solution going horribly wrong and setting back this industry decades.

When I got my Ioniq 5 last September I considered a Tesla, but the UI (lack of stalks etc) is just not for me. If I were to make that decision today, same reasoning.

Hyundai/Kia is pretty awesome isn't it. I really like that they are doing with their transition to EV.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Interesting article, EV makes more sense every day (regen means less braking).

Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says

Research shows move to electric vehicles may not be enough to enable pollution from cars to be eradicated

www.theguardian.com

 

[quagmire]

Interesting article, EV makes more sense every day (regen means less braking).

Brake pad dust can be more toxic than exhaust emissions, study says

Research shows move to electric vehicles may not be enough to enable pollution from cars to be eradicated

www.theguardian.com

Some US states already have banned copper in brake pads which pretty much made all OEM's go to copper free pads( cheaper to use the same copper free pad vs install the pads just for those markets).

 

[jz0309]

And another one bites the dust, Nikola.
while they were focused on trucks, seems like that market will be the traditional guys.
Haven’t heard much of the Tesla truck as of late.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/struggling-e-truck-maker-nikola-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy-protection-2025-02-19/

 

[WC7]

I know the list is short but what are the EVs with CarPlay?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I know the list is short but what are the EVs with CarPlay?

Most. Other than Tesla who doesn’t?

My BMW does.

 

[Tagbert]

I know the list is short but what are the EVs with CarPlay?

AFAIK it’s just Tesla, Rivian, and GM who can’t be bothered. The rest do support CarPlay and Android Auto. You should really consider it to be table stakes for an EV (and most ICEVs, too).

 

[JT2002TJ]

AFAIK it’s just Tesla, Rivian, and GM who can’t be bothered. The rest do support CarPlay and Android Auto. You should really consider it to be table stakes for an EV (and most ICEVs, too).

This is a valid point, and something someone should consider it CarPlay/Android Auto is a showstopper.

The other side is, if a manufacturer develops a good UI, it is less of an issue. Rivian and Tesla have developed a UI good enough that most who have them, have CarPlay/Android Auto much lower down the list of must haves.

With my Teslas, I do not miss CarPlay at all. I have added CarPlay to multiple vehicles in the past, because they desperately lacked a good UI experience. There are also many aftermarket options to add CarPlay to Teslas (at least TM3/TMY) but I have felt no need to spend the $300 or so to add it.

 

[hobowankenobi]

With my Teslas, I do not miss CarPlay at all.

Same.

Bluetooth works great, and is easier than any other car I have used for streaming from my phone, and the Telsa mapping is the best I have ever used too.

 

[Tagbert]

Same.

Bluetooth works great, and is easier than any other car I have used for streaming from my phone, and the Telsa mapping is the best I have ever used too.

@JT2002TJ

I don't care much about which maps I use. I find it more convenient to use CarPlay for general routing as that is where I am finding my destinations but the built-in maps is good for the relatively rare case of needing to drive to a charger.

Bluetooth is the lowest common denominator interface. It is very limited and focused mainly on music. It is barely adequate for that. For more complex interactions like podcasts, bluetooth is less than optimal and I find I have to fall back to using the phone interface for some functions.

There are other apps that are not available on Tesla or other built-in car interfaces. I use a specific podcast app that is not supported.

I understand why some people are fine with the built-in interface but car makers should not be afraid of the competition to give users the option to better integrate with their phones.

 

[JT2002TJ]

@JT2002TJ

I don't care much about which maps I use. I find it more convenient to use CarPlay for general routing as that is where I am finding my destinations but the built-in maps is good for the relatively rare case of needing to drive to a charger.

Bluetooth is the lowest common denominator interface. It is very limited and focused mainly on music. It is barely adequate for that. For more complex interactions like podcasts, bluetooth is less than optimal and I find I have to fall back to using the phone interface for some functions.

There are other apps that are not available on Tesla or other built-in car interfaces. I use a specific podcast app that is not supported.

I understand why some people are fine with the built-in interface but car makers should not be afraid of the competition to give users the option to better integrate with their phones.

Everyone should buy what works for them. I didn’t mean to make it seem I was replying to you. I was basically saying you had a valid point, and wanted the other poster to know that there are alternative views. They should make an informed decision.

This part is to the poster asking about EVs with CarPlay/Android Auto:

Tesla maps are Google maps. They update the maps very frequently. The route planning is where people make take issue, as it uses some other source that I’m not sure of. I only have the usual minor quirk here and there when it goes around a block instead of the direct route (one intersection by my house, it refuses to route my turn, but goes a slightly longer alternate route).

The main thing for me is, I use FSDs every drive, so having an additional map doesn’t help when the car will drive itself following its maps. I do have Waze going in the background for announcements (police/traffic/hazards). Tesla has added speed cameras into their maps with an audible alert.

I’m not a huge podcast person. But Tesla does have many built in music/podcast streaming apps and just added streaming based SiriusXM. Users have posted they prefer using their phone for continuity.

Rivian and Tesla, with Tesla having the edge, probably have the best UI in the automotive world. If I’m going to sacrifice something, it’s going to be CarPlay/Android Auto over a terrible UI masked by CarPlay/AndroidAuto (especially since it can be inexpensively added to Teslas). So if the day comes were I want it, I’ll add it.

At the end of the day you can’t fix a terrible UI…

 

[Matz]

Sadly, you might be right. "keep Summer safe" might come in handy.

The comment you refer to appeared to be mostly, but perhaps not entirely, a joke.

It's almost as if there's a not so thinly veiled, underlying sentiment of support of those actions which would require such measures. Sad, and more than a little ironic.

 

[r6girl]

With my Teslas, I do not miss CarPlay at all.

This is my experience as well.

When I drive a car with CarPlay (usually a rental), I do like it and the integration with Maps is particularly helpful.

There's a possibly lesser-known Tesla feature that negates the need for CarPlay for me when it comes to navigation: calendar integration. When I have an event in my calendar and the location is included, my Tesla will automatically offer to route to it when I get in the car. Zero typing or fiddling with my phone or the car's navigation, I just get in and drive.

Tesla also offers Apple Music and the Podcasts app, so I get to access both of those easily while driving. I normally use Overcast for podcasts, but Podcasts is good enough to use while driving. And the car offers to read texts aloud to me while driving.

If I need anything else I just talk to Siri, which works well via Bluetooth.

I had thought when I was shopping for cars that CarPlay would be a deciding factor but it ended up not being an issue in my case.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

This is a valid point, and something someone should consider it CarPlay/Android Auto is a showstopper.

The other side is, if a manufacturer develops a good UI, it is less of an issue. Rivian and Tesla have developed a UI good enough that most who have them, have CarPlay/Android Auto much lower down the list of must haves.

With my Teslas, I do not miss CarPlay at all. I have added CarPlay to multiple vehicles in the past, because they desperately lacked a good UI experience. There are also many aftermarket options to add CarPlay to Teslas (at least TM3/TMY) but I have felt no need to spend the $300 or so to add it.

I don't use it in my AAOS based Polestar either. The inbuilt system is so good and integrates so well with Apple iPhone that it is a none issue. Besides at this moment in time no Apple Carplay implementation supports state of charge, no all associated features. Once it does I'll look at CarPlay in an EV (or Android Auto) but until that time it is really not that useful.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Everyone should buy what works for them. I didn’t mean to make it seem I was replying to you. I was basically saying you had a valid point, and wanted the other poster to know that there are alternative views. They should make an informed decision.

This part is to the poster asking about EVs with CarPlay/Android Auto:

Tesla maps are Google maps. They update the maps very frequently. The route planning is where people make take issue, as it uses some other source that I’m not sure of. I only have the usual minor quirk here and there when it goes around a block instead of the direct route (one intersection by my house, it refuses to route my turn, but goes a slightly longer alternate route).

The main thing for me is, I use FSDs every drive, so having an additional map doesn’t help when the car will drive itself following its maps. I do have Waze going in the background for announcements (police/traffic/hazards). Tesla has added speed cameras into their maps with an audible alert.

I’m not a huge podcast person. But Tesla does have many built in music/podcast streaming apps and just added streaming based SiriusXM. Users have posted they prefer using their phone for continuity.

Rivian and Tesla, with Tesla having the edge, probably have the best UI in the automotive world. If I’m going to sacrifice something, it’s going to be CarPlay/Android Auto over a terrible UI masked by CarPlay/AndroidAuto (especially since it can be inexpensively added to Teslas). So if the day comes were I want it, I’ll add it.

At the end of the day you can’t fix a terrible UI…

Yup I have FlitsMeister in the background, it starts automatically on my phone. Very useful where I drive as there are so many average speed check zones. They are also bringing out a version for AAOS, it is in limited group test now I think.

 

[timber]

I am mostly very happy with Tesla software and I do prefer the built in approach (EVs do favor built in for reasons I find self explanatory).

There are two main lines of improvement regarding my regular use, podcasts and messages.

If you are happy with Apple podcasts features just move along, I find it a bit under whelming regarding my needs. Perhaps Spotify is better for podcasts but I use Apple one which I consider a great deal if you like the ATV+/Music combo (I do) and I won't subscribe anything more. I end using BT for that and with Tesla mapping BT as an input source I find it OK and an almost non issue. I would still prefer to have a full featured podcast app. It's not as bad as unfortunately I'm beyond 40. Getting old mostly sucks, I would take all my wisdom and being 18 (I'm European, I don't need to be 21). One thing it sucks is near-sight and the ability to focus fast in and out so I usually prefer to set things up and then drive. Having a fully featured app with lots of small hit boxes to tinker is not that useful (or safe).

What's wrong with Messages you may ask? Well, it shows Tesla's US origin and something they should consider expanding. Messages is borderline useless in Europe and I just don't have the energy, age or (more important) clout to start a technology crusade among my contacts against WhatsApp. For some reason the car does take seamless WhatsApp calls and for some other reason some people do use that despite minutes being an almost free commodity and 5G/LTE/whatever connectivity being also almost completely ubiquitous around here. What the car doesn't do is accept WhatsApp messages or even notifications and I would really like that even as a plain notification (when I drive, I drive, but just knowing someone messaged would be nice to check after parking).

For the moment I don't mind paying Tesla Premium connectivity because it does have some cool features. I would probably keep it with CP (or the analogue AP) but it certainly weights on Tesla decision to keep it blocked.

Tesla certainly has the base system and the size to add an App Store. That would certainly the a sweet addiction.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I am mostly very happy with Tesla software and I do prefer the built in approach (EVs do favor built in for reasons I find self explanatory).

There are two main lines of improvement regarding my regular use, podcasts and messages.

If you are happy with Apple podcasts features just move along, I find it a bit under whelming regarding my needs. Perhaps Spotify is better for podcasts but I use Apple one which I consider a great deal if you like the ATV+/Music combo (I do) and I won't subscribe anything more. I end using BT for that and with Tesla mapping BT as an input source I find it OK and an almost non issue. I would still prefer to have a full featured podcast app. It's not as bad as unfortunately I'm beyond 40. Getting old mostly sucks, I would take all my wisdom and being 18 (I'm European, I don't need to be 21). One thing it sucks is near-sight and the ability to focus fast in and out so I usually prefer to set things up and then drive. Having a fully featured app with lots of small hit boxes to tinker is not that useful (or safe).

What's wrong with Messages you may ask? Well, it shows Tesla's US origin and something they should consider expanding. Messages is borderline useless in Europe and I just don't have the energy, age or (more important) clout to start a technology crusade among my contacts against WhatsApp. For some reason the car does take seamless WhatsApp calls and for some other reason some people do use that despite minutes being an almost free commodity and 5G/LTE/whatever connectivity being also almost completely ubiquitous around here. What the car doesn't do is accept WhatsApp messages or even notifications and I would really like that even as a plain notification (when I drive, I drive, but just knowing someone messaged would be nice to check after parking).

For the moment I don't mind paying Tesla Premium connectivity because it does have some cool features. I would probably keep it with CP (or the analogue AP) but it certainly weights on Tesla decision to keep it blocked.

Tesla certainly has the base system and the size to add an App Store. That would certainly the a sweet addiction.

European here. Well UK. Never used WhatsApp. Never had an issue with iMessage here.

 

[Apple fanboy]

This is my experience as well.

When I drive a car with CarPlay (usually a rental), I do like it and the integration with Maps is particularly helpful.

There's a possibly lesser-known Tesla feature that negates the need for CarPlay for me when it comes to navigation: calendar integration. When I have an event in my calendar and the location is included, my Tesla will automatically offer to route to it when I get in the car. Zero typing or fiddling with my phone or the car's navigation, I just get in and drive.

Tesla also offers Apple Music and the Podcasts app, so I get to access both of those easily while driving. I normally use Overcast for podcasts, but Podcasts is good enough to use while driving. And the car offers to read texts aloud to me while driving.

If I need anything else I just talk to Siri, which works well via Bluetooth.

I had thought when I was shopping for cars that CarPlay would be a deciding factor but it ended up not being an issue in my case.

The integration works like that in CarPlay also.

 

[timber]

European here. Well UK. Never used WhatsApp. Never had an issue with iMessage here.

That's certainly a nice position to be in and I'm happy it works for you.

Unfortunately it's not my case and the vast majority of iPhone users I know.

Not that I have anything against it (I don't) but I have to use other stuff (and I'm pretty certain I'm not alone) and I would like Tesla to acknowledge that.

 

[JT2002TJ]

That's certainly a nice position to be in and I'm happy it works for you.

Unfortunately it's not my case and the vast majority of iPhone users I know.

Not that I have anything against it (I don't) but I have to use other stuff (and I'm pretty certain I'm not alone) and I would like Tesla to acknowledge that.

Have you tried using Hey Siri to listen and respond to Whatsapp?

When I have to respond to a group chat, I use Hey Siiri instead of the vehicles text/imessage since it can't respond to groups by design.

 

[JT2002TJ]

The integration works like that in CarPlay also.

Yes. I think the point is, if the vehicle's UI automatically has your destination selected from the calendar integration, it makes not having CarPlay less of an issue. Still not perfect for the Podcast complaint that you, and @timber have. But one less issue in the cons of buying a vehicle without CarPlay/Android Auto.

 

[timber]

Have you tried using Hey Siri to listen and respond to Whatsapp?

When I have to respond to a group chat, I use Hey Siiri instead of the vehicles text/imessage since it can't respond to groups by design.

I don't use Siri because it doesn't support my native European Portuguese language.

It does support Brazilian Portuguese but the accent is a bit different (more melodic and easier to foreigners) and while I do speak quite decent English (excuse me for my low modesty) it would be a bit exhausting on a daily basis.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I don't use Siri because it doesn't support my native European Portuguese language.

It does support Brazilian Portuguese but the accent is a bit different (more melodic and easier to foreigners) and while I do speak quite decent English (excuse me for my low modesty) it would be a bit exhausting on a daily basis.

Yeah, a lot of these things are setup for the US market. Hey Siri works really well for a lot of the things where CarPlay may be needed. Since you are using voice for a lot of these things with CarPlay anyways, it makes CarPlay less of a need.

So, Tesla's voice commands support your native dialect, but Apple doesn't? I am shocked that the Tesla UI can understand you, while Apple doesn't. I think this is more of an issue than the lack of Tesla's WhatsApp integration.

*Unless Hey Siri uses different language recognition than standard iOS...