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

[Apple fanboy]

Who here has solar panels or considering to add them for EV charging and also whole home feed / utility feed?
I was waiting for the 32-34% efficiency arrays to come out vs the current 22% ones ..

Full electric home, no gas, well and septic, DTE is our only energy bill. We still have a 500 gallon hot tub, hardly used it ..
Bills are $200-ish spring thru fall, A/C is included , geothermal very efficient.
Home is about 3,000 sq ft equivalent for HVAC loading, actual 2,600 sq ft with open floor plan 1st and 2nd floors.
Full basement also 1,200 sq ft.

I’d love to but I don’t have the cash and my roof really needs replacing in the next 5-10 years.
I charge 90% at work so free anyway.

 

[wonderings]

We have 3 Tesla 3's now at work that we have bought. I am next on the list getting a Y. We have one Tesla charger here at work and have 3 more being installed. These are the fast charging wall mounted ones that Tesla sells, they are around $500 CDN. Are these able to be locked down to specific cars? As is can we make it so only company cars can charge on these? Or will they always be open for anyone to pull in and plug in?

 

[jz0309]

We have 3 Tesla 3's now at work that we have bought. I am next on the list getting a Y. We have one Tesla charger here at work and have 3 more being installed. These are the fast charging wall mounted ones that Tesla sells, they are around $500 CDN. Are these able to be locked down to specific cars? As is can we make it so only company cars can charge on these? Or will they always be open for anyone to pull in and plug in?

My understanding is that some of the Tesla wall chargers can indeed to configured to specific VINs, @JT2002TJ should know better than me

 

[Apple fanboy]

We have 3 Tesla 3's now at work that we have bought. I am next on the list getting a Y. We have one Tesla charger here at work and have 3 more being installed. These are the fast charging wall mounted ones that Tesla sells, they are around $500 CDN. Are these able to be locked down to specific cars? As is can we make it so only company cars can charge on these? Or will they always be open for anyone to pull in and plug in?

Our walk charger at work (not Tesla) has RFD cards to be able to use it. Stops Jo public popping in for a free charge like I get.

 

[JT2002TJ]

We have 3 Tesla 3's now at work that we have bought. I am next on the list getting a Y. We have one Tesla charger here at work and have 3 more being installed. These are the fast charging wall mounted ones that Tesla sells, they are around $500 CDN. Are these able to be locked down to specific cars? As is can we make it so only company cars can charge on these? Or will they always be open for anyone to pull in and plug in?

Yes, you can lock it to Tesla Only, Tesla Only by VIN (up to 10 VINs) or Any vehicle. When you add the connector to your Tesla app you can control this setting on the fly, or you have to power it off and connect to it's SSID and set it within the wall connector's menus.

EDIT: Also, you can connect multiple wall connectors to load share, so if you (or your company) wants to have multiple, it can be setup sharing the same 60 amp circuit. There are some specifics on how you have to wire it up.

Wall Connector Access Control Source:

Wall Connector Access Control | Tesla Support

With Charging Access Control, you can restrict charging access of your Wall Connectors. Learn how to set up and troubleshoot Access Control.

www.tesla.com

 

[hobowankenobi]

Who here has solar panels or considering to add them for EV charging and also whole home feed / utility feed?
I was waiting for the 32-34% efficiency arrays to come out vs the current 22% ones ..

I just started the process. Had roof shading issues, but the tree blew down in a storm a while back, so...good, I guess?

Mostly electric house, but still gas for heating. When it is time to replace old furnace, will go with a heat pump. That will only leave water heater and clothes dryer on gas.

12 panels is all that will fit. 420 watt, somewhere arount 21% efficient, should cover 100% of use including about 70 miles round trip in EV 5 commute days, coupled to Telsa Powerwall 3.

If you are waiting for 32%...you may never see it. Or, maybe there is some big breakthrough? I don't think it will be worth the wait.

 

[mtbdudex]

I just started the process. Had roof shading issues, but the tree blew down in a storm a while back, so...good, I guess?

Mostly electric house, but still gas for heating. When it is time to replace old furnace, will go with a heat pump. That will only leave water heater and clothes dryer on gas.

12 panels is all that will fit. 420 watt, somewhere arount 21% efficient, should cover 100% of use including about 70 miles round trip in EV 5 commute days, coupled to Telsa Powerwall 3.

If you are waiting for 32%...you may never see it. Or, maybe there is some big breakthrough? I don't think it will be worth the wait.

I remember reading about new tech / process that was getting them into the 30%’s, looks like 24% is most now available.
I’m a 2026 candidate, so gathering options , etc.

Most Efficient Solar Panels for 2025: US Customers Still Waiting on Record-Setting Panel

Rooftop solar panel technology has come a long way in terms of affordability and efficiency. But does having the most efficient panel really make a difference?

www.cnet.com

 

[mtbdudex]

I’d love to but I don’t have the cash and my roof really needs replacing in the next 5-10 years.
I charge 90% at work so free anyway.

I’ve got a lot on my 2025 monthly task list after retiring May-2-2025, lots of $k’s also. Solar is a 2026 expenditure.
We’re in a 23 year log old home we built in 2002, it needs “stuff”, including full re-stain May-2025 & then new roof July-2025.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I’ve got a lot on my 2025 monthly task list after retiring May-2-2025, lots of $k’s also. Solar is a 2026 expenditure.
We’re in a 23 year log old home we built in 2002, it needs “stuff”, including full re-stain May-2025 & then new roof July-2025.

I’m in a 60’s bungalow. Roof tiles are made of concrete and only designed to last about 50 years. They are currently 65 years and starting to get a bit crumbly.

 

[splifingate]

I’ve got a lot on my 2025 monthly task list after retiring May-2-2025, lots of $k’s also. Solar is a 2026 expenditure.
We’re in a 23 year log old home we built in 2002, it needs “stuff”, including full re-stain May-2025 & then new roof July-2025.

"Asphalt driveway, rear landscaping, Solar panels & EV holistic integration,all new indoor carpeting. Community service"

Worthy goals for '26

 

[QCassidy352]

Of-course not, although it could become even worse the longer this goes on. It is interesting to see how other car brands play in on the whole situation. Polestar is even putting financial incentives towards Tesla owners willing to jump ship. Although predominantly focussed on the US market as other parts of the world are more into buying than running up debt. But there is like a $20K lease incentive on the Polestar 3 which is made up of the $5K Conquest incentive (basically the Tesla switch over incentive) and a further $15K through the clean vehicle noncash incentive programme. $20K off a Polestar 3 is brilliant, our consumer laws are such that you've got x amount of time to pay in full regardless excluding the finance charge thus sadly it isn't coming this way. Oh and the Polestar 3 is made in South Carolina 👍

Kia is making similar noises, haven't kept up with the full details. I know they were doing something in the Nordic countries.

In my opinion both Kia, and Polestar provide some fantastic quality propositions. It would be even great if you had access to brands like Zeekr and the likes.


Yes, but isn't the $70K also a Lucid Air in Pure spec? That one is over here, the €105K version (we quote including sales tax and other taxes) and not really the version one would want. By the time you add the options on that are 'essential' in this class of vehicle, the car becomes rather a lot again. But I guess it is a choice.

Isn’t the polestar offer only for a lease? Leases aren’t interesting to me. Also, it’s a $70k+ vehicle to start, isn’t it? So even at $20k off, that’s a huge cost when my model 3 is only gonna get me, what, $20k as a trade in? If that?

And yes, $70k is for the pure spec Air. Is it that deficient? I’ve only looked online but didn’t see it missing all that much. What does it need beyond the base spec that I’m not seeing?

Who here has solar panels or considering to add them for EV charging and also whole home feed / utility feed?
I was waiting for the 32-34% efficiency arrays to come out vs the current 22% ones ..

Full electric home, no gas, well and septic, DTE is our only energy bill. We still have a 500 gallon hot tub, hardly used it ..
Bills are $200-ish spring thru fall, A/C is included , geothermal very efficient.
Home is about 3,000 sq ft equivalent for HVAC loading, actual 2,600 sq ft with open floor plan 1st and 2nd floors.
Full basement also 1,200 sq ft.

Yes, have solar and love not having an electric bill in addition to not paying for gas. Plus blackout protection with a battery. Fantastic setup.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My boss has ordered a Polestar to replace his Tesla. He couldn’t order another due to the CEO antics and comments online.

 

[QCassidy352]

My boss has ordered a Polestar to replace his Tesla. He couldn’t order another due to the CEO antics and comments online.

Was he in the market for a new car anyway, or did he ditch the Tesla specifically because of Musk?

I guess I don’t see much point in selling a car you already have… that money has already gone to Tesla; it doesn’t help Musk if you keep it or hurt him if you sell it. Obviously a new purchase is a different story.

 

[AustinIllini]

My boss has ordered a Polestar to replace his Tesla. He couldn’t order another due to the CEO antics and comments online.

My wife did the same

 

[avro707]

Who here has solar panels

Yes, I have 7.4kW of panels spread across three strings on a very tricky roof layout.

You should go more than 6 panels - just put as many as you can.

Assuming you were using 430w panels, 12 of them gives you 5.16kW, reasonable but could be more. Then add batteries (you can get modular systems like BYD - add more when needed) and you are done.

You can get panels that do more watts, but they are also larger size. So do your calculations and work out how many can fit safely. Depending on your roof space you could also go more strings of panels to get more power for more of the day.

You batteries shouldn't be under the landing, put them somewhere they are easily accessible and also if anything happens to them, less risk.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Yes, I have 7.4kW of panels spread across three strings on a very tricky roof layout.

You should go more than 6 panels - just put as many as you can.

Assuming you were using 430w panels, 12 of them gives you 5.16kW, reasonable but could be more. Then add batteries (you can get modular systems like BYD - add more when needed) and you are done.

You can get panels that do more watts, but they are also larger size. So do your calculations and work out how many can fit safely. Depending on your roof space you could also go more strings of panels to get more power for more of the day.

You batteries shouldn't be under the landing, put them somewhere they are easily accessible and also if anything happens to them, less risk.

What is the expected payback time in years for the money spent on purchasing and installing the panels vs. heating and powering your home without the panels? What is the expected lifespan of the panels?

 

[avro707]

My system was some $8000 worth, but covered by insurance (as I had an existing system that was damaged).

Payoff time depends on your electricity bills, but in my country they are very expensive so it's worthwhile. With a battery your decouple yourself from electricity price changes quite a lot and are relatively self sufficient.

Some folks in my country go as high as 20kW worth of panels - so obviously with a battery that's a great setup, you would barely use any power from the grid if the battery size is large enough, theoretically this will cover you for overnight power usage too.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Was he in the market for a new car anyway, or did he ditch the Tesla specifically because of Musk?

I guess I don’t see much point in selling a car you already have… that money has already gone to Tesla; it doesn’t help Musk if you keep it or hurt him if you sell it. Obviously a new purchase is a different story.

Lease was up. He has had Tesla’s for his last two three year lease’s. But didn’t want to commit to another.

 

[QCassidy352]

Payoff time depends on your electricity bills, but in my country they are very expensive so it's worthwhile.

and on how Much sunlight you get. I’m in Northern California, so high electric bills and lots of sunlight makes solar an easy decision.

 

[mtbdudex]

and on how Much sunlight you get. I’m in Northern California, so high electric bills and lots of sunlight makes solar an easy decision.

Our total annual electric bill is approx $3200, whole electric home, no gas.
Highs are $450-ish largest winter and lows $190-ish spring / fall. Even summer $250-ish with AC running.

I’d look at roof solar panels from these viewpoints:
-being self sufficient by powering my future EV myself
-security from power outages
-ROI and not “hostage” to rate hikes

A good friend of mine, his brother in law owns a solar installation company, I’m calling him later today to get educated.

 

[wonderings]

Yes, you can lock it to Tesla Only, Tesla Only by VIN (up to 10 VINs) or Any vehicle. When you add the connector to your Tesla app you can control this setting on the fly, or you have to power it off and connect to it's SSID and set it within the wall connector's menus.

EDIT: Also, you can connect multiple wall connectors to load share, so if you (or your company) wants to have multiple, it can be setup sharing the same 60 amp circuit. There are some specifics on how you have to wire it up.

Wall Connector Access Control Source:

Wall Connector Access Control | Tesla Support

With Charging Access Control, you can restrict charging access of your Wall Connectors. Learn how to set up and troubleshoot Access Control.

www.tesla.com

Thanks, very helpful!

 

[avro707]

A good friend of mine, his brother in law owns a solar installation company, I’m calling him later today to get educated.

If you have a tricky installation, you might also look at micro-inverters too - especially if you get partial shade at times.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Yes Europe has a much better infrastructure. But even Europe doesn’t have close to the EV volume of ICE. So now, it’s good, but the day will come (gradually) where the 5 min charge will be a must.

Said as someone who hopes to never go back to ICE.

Sure, don't necessarily disagree with that, and definitely wouldn't be a fan of holding back technology. So highlighting that the perceived advantage of ultra-fast charging comes with consequences, and as a user one of those consequences is the introduction of waiting for your vehicles which then in turns negates one of the greatest advantages we have been enjoying.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Who here has solar panels or considering to add them for EV charging and also whole home feed / utility feed?
I was waiting for the 32-34% efficiency arrays to come out vs the current 22% ones ..





Full electric home, no gas, well and septic, DTE is our only energy bill. We still have a 500 gallon hot tub, hardly used it ..
Bills are $200-ish spring thru fall, A/C is included , geothermal very efficient.
Home is about 3,000 sq ft equivalent for HVAC loading, actual 2,600 sq ft with open floor plan 1st and 2nd floors.
Full basement also 1,200 sq ft.

Yes, we are going through the motions now in a house we are renovating to become our home. We have only a shell, no floors, no ceilings, no heating (but both gas and 3 phase electricity is terminated), no toilets, baths rooms, no kitchen. Oh and it is leaning to one side. But we fell in love with it. It is finally in what is called in the netherlands the initiave planning stage, which gives you an opportunity to discuss before submitting official plans. The complications are that it is in the centre of a town, in a protected area for the houses (not a momument but protected visuals), and next to a canal (well singel but I don't know the English word) and to like a natura 2000 protected area (its like an area of natural outstanding beauty). So yes complicated and slow.

What we want is 'easy', who says they understand what we want is also 'easy' as there are so many in that industry who haven't got a clue and say yes to everything. And for those who have a bit more knowledge I've found they don't quite do the whole things.

So yes, we want to generate solar energy (likely throw roof tiles opposed to panels), we also intend to store what we can't use, perhaps trade it when there is an inbalance and top it up when the grid is cheaper but the rules are rapidly changing and that is no priority for us. I would like to be able to use it as the first source for two charging points, but I also want the points to be able to be used with 3 phase at 22 kWh when necessary. Then for other sustainable elements, we want throughout mechanical extraction and ventilation with heat storage, but also cooling, and on the ground floor underfloor heating with parquet (woof flooring) yet on the floors above carpet and heating. And the list goes on

We will see...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Isn’t the polestar offer only for a lease? Leases aren’t interesting to me. Also, it’s a $70k+ vehicle to start, isn’t it? So even at $20k off, that’s a huge cost when my model 3 is only gonna get me, what, $20k as a trade in? If that?

Yes it is for a lease, I don't like leases either. Our consumer protection is such that you can take a lease to get the incentive and then pay it off so to avoid any of the interest and they aren't allow to take back the incentives Purely for such reasons. But yes, the Polestar 3 is just an example, there is a Polestar 2 and many others manufacturs that may be better suited to you.

And yes, $70k is for the pure spec Air. Is it that deficient? I’ve only looked online but didn’t see it missing all that much. What does it need beyond the base spec that I’m not seeing?

I can ratlle off a list but its a case of IYKYK, it is very entrylevel for the class it operates in.

Yes, have solar and love not having an electric bill in addition to not paying for gas. Plus blackout protection with a battery. Fantastic setup.