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

[Apple fanboy]

Bad grammar on my part; I was referring to the solar panels, not the roof. Around us, solar seems to either lose efficiency, begin breaking down, or just become uneconomical at around the 10-15 year mark. Roofs indeed should last much, much longer. Our tile roof lasted 118 years when due to many leaks we decided to take each tile off, verify the integrity of the more-than-century-old trusses, add a plywood underlayment and water barrier, furring strips, and finally put back each tile breaking as few as possible. All tiles are original to our 1905 house.

I too do not expect to be living in the home, or at all, at next roof replacement.

1905? That’s old. Makes my bungalow from the 60’s seem modern!

We did a thorough renovation 6 years ago when we moved in. Including (to bring it back on topic!), a full rewire and EV (Zappe) charging station installed. Good to see me out now. Just need to chose my spot in the back garden.

 

[diamond.g]

Both are from Chevrolet, an operating company underneath General Motors.

I think they are thinking of Challenger/Charger from Chrysler, which is Stellantis now.

 

[th0masp]

If you actually have to drive to a public charger you are doing something wrong, that is the word of inexperience. Typically one should practice ABC - Always Be Charging at any opportunity. Then you never have to go somewhere just to charge and sit there.

That sounds actually horribly inconvenient for those without their own personal charger. I don't want to be thinking about charge levels of my steed at all. If it's near empty it gets refilled, done and dusted. You hop into the car and get going and only then look at the gauge and decide if a quick refill is needed.

I don't get the Smart Watch users either - always charging. Me? 50 - 60 hours of power reserve on my automatics and that's if don't wear them.

 

[JT2002TJ]

That sounds actually horribly inconvenient for those without their own personal charger. I don't want to be thinking about charge levels of my steed at all. If it's near empty it gets refilled, done and dusted. You hop into the car and get going and only then look at the gauge and decide if a quick refill is needed.

I don't get the Smart Watch users either - always charging. Me? 50 - 60 hours of power reserve on my automatics and that's if don't wear them.

It does sound inconvenient until you shift and get used to it. I do have a home charger and share it between 2 vehicles. Some people think it is horribly inconvenient that I have to charge my wife's car, then an hour later go out and move the cable to my car. It just is what it is and has been for 2 years. It seems horribly inconvenient to have to go to a gas station now.

With the Smart Watch analogy, I charge my Apple Watch Ultra for 40 mins every day but could go 2 days. I get home, put my keys down, and charge my watch. I actually use my old AW5 during this time. The benefits of using my watch throughout the day by far outweighs the hassle of having to charge. I think it is horribly inconvenient to have to take out my phone to check if an alert is important, especially when my smart watch can help me filter out the garbage.

EDIT: I don't charge my watch overnight because I use it for sleep tracking...

 

[Apple fanboy]

That sounds actually horribly inconvenient for those without their own personal charger. I don't want to be thinking about charge levels of my steed at all. If it's near empty it gets refilled, done and dusted. You hop into the car and get going and only then look at the gauge and decide if a quick refill is needed.

I don't get the Smart Watch users either - always charging. Me? 50 - 60 hours of power reserve on my automatics and that's if don't wear them.

I just put my AW on the night stand when I go to sleep. Same with my iPhone. Just wake up and it’s full for the day. A bit like owning an EV for most.

That said my nearest gas station is a few miles away and dame inconvenient to go to as it’s not on my way to anywhere I go. The only one I pass on the way to work is on the motorway and very expensive.

 

[BigMcGuire]

As an Apple Watch owner and owner of 2 EVs ( been driving EVs since 2022 ) - I’ve adapted pretty well - and prefer it.

I only charge my Apple Watch Ultra during my showers (<20 mins) so I don’t even think about it (I wear the watch while I sleep for sleep tracking) - keeps my watch between 80-50% without thinking.

Because we are renting, it’s a little less convenient to charge our cars - I supercharge once a week - usually for less than 25 mins - and I’m good. My wife just goes to work a little early and gets a level 2 charger at her place of work - and she’s good for 2-3 days. If she needs a supercharge, we’ll go to the grocery store late at night (9pm) to get the reduced supercharging rates and by the time we’ve filled the grocery cart and returned to the car, we’re good to go for another 2-3 days for her car.

Example: We live near ChargePoint HQs - I can go plug in my car, go for a quick run in the park, and come back to a charged car if I really wanted to.

Back when we had a garage, we just plugged the car into the wall (normal outlet) and that kept our EV going without need to any extra charging for the most part - that was super convenient.

I haven’t gone to a gas station in 3+ years now. I don’t miss the experience, I do miss the smell of gas

 

[jz0309]

That sounds actually horribly inconvenient for those without their own personal charger. I don't want to be thinking about charge levels of my steed at all. If it's near empty it gets refilled, done and dusted. You hop into the car and get going and only then look at the gauge and decide if a quick refill is needed.

I don't get the Smart Watch users either - always charging. Me? 50 - 60 hours of power reserve on my automatics and that's if don't wear them.

Well, if you have neither home nor at work charging available, it is actually almost like an ICE car, you might go to a DCFC for a bit longer time, or, you might find a charger that is convenient to an errand, or near a dining place.
Nothing unmanageable…

Now, if you do have home or work charging - that’s an entire different experience.

 

[jz0309]

I haven’t gone to a gas station in 3+ years now. I don’t miss the experience, I do miss the smell of gas

my wife’s car is a PHEV and I’m usually the one going to the gas station, like every 6-8 weeks as she’s not driving that much. Disgusting what I have had to deal with for the past 50 or so years …

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Well, much to my chagrin, we have a new-to-us EV.

We bought a 2014 Model S in 2020 to become "EVs as our daily drivers" household. My wife drove the Model S, I drove the BMW i3. The Model S was a stopgap - we had preorders in for all the EV pickups, and needed something to "tide us over" until one of the EV pickups arrived. (We also had an old mid-90s Ford F-250 diesel pickup for "hauling stuff" and "tow the trailer" duties.)

In early 2022, the i3 had reached "needed replacement". It was the smallest battery model, and it had the small gasoline range extender. We barely used the range extender, and it was the least-reliable part of the car. With its warranty expiring, we decided to replace it with a full-battery-only model. But early 2022 was when used car prices were ridiculous. A two-year old i3 was more expensive than a brand-new Ford Mach-E. While I really wanted something smaller for around-town driving, it was hard to pay far more for a far less capable vehicle. So we bought a Mach-E.

Then later in 2022, our first EV pickup was ready - Rivian R1T. The thought was that it would replace both the Model S and the F-250; and become my wife's daily driver. Well, she decided she didn't like driving the R1T, just too big for her around town. (Which also meant that when our preorder for an F-150 Lightning was ready, we didn't bother getting it. And cancelled our Cybertruck preorder when it became clear it would still look like a prop from Mad Max and not live up to its claimed specifications.)

So my wife drove the Mach-E. Barely. That was about the same time her work became WFH-permanent. (She had gone back to the office for a bit after the initial COVID WFH.) So the Mach-E rarely got driven.

Three years later, and she decided that the Mach-E's ride is too rough. She misses our old Model S. And with <current events>, used Tesla prices have plummeted.

So we sold the Mach-E, and bought a 2016 Model S. Which I had to fly halfway across the country and drive home.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Both are from Chevrolet, an operating company underneath General Motors.

I think they are thinking of Challenger/Charger from Chrysler, which is Stellantis now.

@SalisburySam @diamond.g I was typing too quickly and it came out crooked. I was actually referring to the brands of Opel and Vauxhall which used to be GM, but are now Stellantis.

That sounds actually horribly inconvenient for those without their own personal charger. I don't want to be thinking about charge levels of my steed at all. If it's near empty it gets refilled, done and dusted. You hop into the car and get going and only then look at the gauge and decide if a quick refill is needed.

It is actually the opposite, filling up a car that is empty is now the inconvenience and feels like so backwards. Having a vehicle that is always at the ready is so convenient. And you don't do it when you are waiting, you do that when you do something else. ABC - Alway Be Charging. So at home you plug it in, when having lunch, you plug it in, when doing the groceries you plug it in, when you arrive at work, you plug it in, when you are on a road trip and you see this cute little town and you park up, you plug it it. Little bits all the time, takes no more effort, is cheap, and you never have to wait.

I don't get the Smart Watch users either - always charging. Me? 50 - 60 hours of power reserve on my automatics and that's if don't wear them.

My Oyster Perpetual was ahem, perpetual But I rarely wear it, my Apple Watch Ultra lasts very long. I wear it all the time, including asleep. And when I'm doing my three S's in the morning it is on charge and full charged anyway...

It does sound inconvenient until you shift and get used to it. I do have a home charger and share it between 2 vehicles. Some people think it is horribly inconvenient that I have to charge my wife's car, then an hour later go out and move the cable to my car. It just is what it is and has been for 2 years. It seems horribly inconvenient to have to go to a gas station now.

The gas station is an alien concept now I do have a few retro cars so I have to go, but for a daily driver, you are too right. Very inconvenient. We are having dual charges installed in our new place, just for even more convenience

With the Smart Watch analogy, I charge my Apple Watch Ultra for 40 mins every day but could go 2 days. I get home, put my keys down, and charge my watch. I actually use my old AW5 during this time. The benefits of using my watch throughout the day by far outweighs the hassle of having to charge. I think it is horribly inconvenient to have to take out my phone to check if an alert is important, especially when my smart watch can help me filter out the garbage.

EDIT: I don't charge my watch overnight because I use it for sleep tracking...

Up until the AW Ultra Black I was still using my AW 2. That thing still works, and has been across the world with me, and many a salt water ocean swim Still easily lasts the day...

 

[Eric5h5]

Bad grammar on my part; I was referring to the solar panels, not the roof. Around us, solar seems to either lose efficiency, begin breaking down, or just become uneconomical at around the 10-15 year mark.

Solar panels last at least 30 years (as in, producing 80+% of the original output). The inverters might die sooner, but they're not that expensive to replace.

 

[SalisburySam]

Solar panels last at least 30 years (as in, producing 80+% of the original output). The inverters might die sooner, but they're not that expensive to replace.

Perhaps, and hopefully. But that is not at all the feedback I get from owners I know.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Perhaps, and hopefully. But that is not at all the feedback I get from owners I know.

I have had my solar panels since 2017 2013. They are still producing more annually than guaranteed under the initial lease terms.

EDIT: sorry, since 2013, not 2017...

 

[I7guy]

@SalisburySam @diamond.g I was typing too quickly and it came out crooked. I was actually referring to the brands of Opel and Vauxhall which used to be GM, but are now Stellantis.

It is actually the opposite, filling up a car that is empty is now the inconvenience and feels like so backwards. Having a vehicle that is always at the ready is so convenient. And you don't do it when you are waiting, you do that when you do something else. ABC - Alway Be Charging. So at home you plug it in, when having lunch, you plug it in, when doing the groceries you plug it in, when you arrive at work, you plug it in, when you are on a road trip and you see this cute little town and you park up, you plug it it. Little bits all the time, takes no more effort, is cheap, and you never have to wait.

My Oyster Perpetual was ahem, perpetual But I rarely wear it, my Apple Watch Ultra lasts very long. I wear it all the time, including asleep. And when I'm doing my three S's in the morning it is on charge and full charged anyway...

The gas station is an alien concept now I do have a few retro cars so I have to go, but for a daily driver, you are too right. Very inconvenient. We are having dual charges installed in our new place, just for even more convenience

Up until the AW Ultra Black I was still using my AW 2. That thing still works, and has been across the world with me, and many a salt water ocean swim Still easily lasts the day...

The bolded. One friend has an i5 m60 the other an i7. Both only charge when needed. I tried to question this behavior as I said I keep my ev plugged in 24x7. I couldn't get a reply that made sense to me.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The bolded. One friend has an i5 m60 the other an i7. Both only charge when needed. I tried to question this behavior as I said I keep my ev plugged in 24x7. I couldn't get a reply that made sense to me.

It’s a funny one isn’t it. That little mindset change, and it’s realistically just a small change, makes a huge difference in the overall enjoyment.

Sure on a normal day to day basic our form of ABC is that it just isn’t necessary. But once at home we just plug it in. No point waiting until it’s “empty”.

 

[jz0309]

It’s a funny one isn’t it. That little mindset change, and it’s realistically just a small change, makes a huge difference in the overall enjoyment.

Sure on a normal day to day basic our form of ABC is that it just isn’t necessary. But once at home we just plug it in. No point waiting until it’s “empty”.

While I practice ABC, there are people out there who have neither at home nor at work charging capabilities, for them ABC doesn’t really work.

 

[JT2002TJ]

While I practice ABC, there are people out there who have neither at home nor at work charging capabilities, for them ABC doesn’t really work.

Well... I mean, they still can ABC'ing whenever they can...

I think the goal is whenever you can plug in, whenever you can.

 

[russell_314]

Well... I mean, they still can ABC'ing whenever they can...

I think the goal is whenever you can plug in, whenever you can.

This. Right now I can’t plug in at work but I suspect in 5-10 years that will change. Fast charging is only needed for road trips. If you park and plug in you never have to worry about it

 

[jz0309]

Well... I mean, they still can ABC'ing whenever they can...

I think the goal is whenever you can plug in, whenever you can.

This. Right now I can’t plug in at work but I suspect in 5-10 years that will change. Fast charging is only needed for road trips. If you park and plug in you never have to worry about it

so, let's assume that I do not have home charging. None of my usual places that I visit (grocery and other stores, restaurants ...) have charging capabilities. My local Costco does have DCFC, and then there is a DCFC near a Trader Joe's I go to, but neither are on a weekly basis.
So, how does "ABC" work for me? in that scenario regular trips to DCFC are the only option. Do you think I should change my daily habits and visit stores/restaurants that are near a charger?
There are people out there where this scenario fits, the only way to charge is like they fill uo their ICE ...
And when EV penetration goes up, above scenario will be much more common.

 

[JT2002TJ]

so, let's assume that I do not have home charging. None of my usual places that I visit (grocery and other stores, restaurants ...) have charging capabilities. My local Costco does have DCFC, and then there is a DCFC near a Trader Joe's I go to, but neither are on a weekly basis.
So, how does "ABC" work for me? in that scenario regular trips to DCFC are the only option. Do you think I should change my daily habits and visit stores/restaurants that are near a charger?
There are people out there where this scenario fits, the only way to charge is like they fill uo their ICE ...
And when EV penetration goes up, above scenario will be much more common.

Whenever you have the opportunity to charge, charge. You may be better off doing 2 short L3/L4 charges rather than waiting longer to do 1 longer L3/L4 charge. But if you can't, then don't.

Aways Be Charging (whenever you can).

 

[cyb3rdud3]

so, let's assume that I do not have home charging. None of my usual places that I visit (grocery and other stores, restaurants ...) have charging capabilities. My local Costco does have DCFC, and then there is a DCFC near a Trader Joe's I go to, but neither are on a weekly basis.
So, how does "ABC" work for me? in that scenario regular trips to DCFC are the only option. Do you think I should change my daily habits and visit stores/restaurants that are near a charger?
There are people out there where this scenario fits, the only way to charge is like they fill uo their ICE ...
And when EV penetration goes up, above scenario will be much more common.

You are over thinking this 🤷‍♂️ It’s really not so hard, if there is a charger where you are plug it in, if there isn’t then don’t.

Naturally you can always find an exception and a charging desert somewhere. Personally if I was in such a geographic area I just wouldn’t get an EV. Luckily here in Western Europe those areas are super rare.

 

[Eric5h5]

Perhaps, and hopefully. But that is not at all the feedback I get from owners I know.

Panels these days are guaranteed for 20 years, though; there's nothing "perhaps" or "hopefully" about it. I haven't heard from any solar installers (who have been around long enough) that ever had any that didn't last 30+ years. So, something is pretty clearly wrong where you live. Or maybe the feedback you're getting isn't accurate.

 

[I7guy]

so, let's assume that I do not have home charging. None of my usual places that I visit (grocery and other stores, restaurants ...) have charging capabilities. My local Costco does have DCFC, and then there is a DCFC near a Trader Joe's I go to, but neither are on a weekly basis.
So, how does "ABC" work for me? in that scenario regular trips to DCFC are the only option. Do you think I should change my daily habits and visit stores/restaurants that are near a charger?
There are people out there where this scenario fits, the only way to charge is like they fill uo their ICE ...
And when EV penetration goes up, above scenario will be much more common.

If you are an ev owner that does not have easy access to a evse your charging life is difficult. And I commend you for buying an ev.

My original comments were about two associates both with electric bmws that only charged when necessary. Both have l2 in their garage. That just must be a bmw thing. OWN. (Only charge When Necessary)

 

[jz0309]

If you are an ev owner that does not have easy access to a evse your charging life is difficult. And I commend you for buying an ev.

My original comments were about two associates both with electric bmws that only charged when necessary. Both have l2 in their garage. That just must be a bmw thing. OWN. (Only charge When Necessary)

I do have L2 in my garage, my point was that ABC is just not a feasible answer for folks who have neither home nor work charging…
I have met people at DCFC chargers who go there not because they don’t have charging at home but because they could charge for free as their vehicle came with that incentive.

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you are an ev owner that does not have easy access to a evse your charging life is difficult. And I commend you for buying an ev.

My original comments were about two associates both with electric bmws that only charged when necessary. Both have l2 in their garage. That just must be a bmw thing. OWN. (Only charge When Necessary)

I charge my BMW using the CWF method. (Charge when free!). Does slightly offset the 7p a mile rate I get from work for travelling to shows and other events.