Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Tagbert

macrumors 603
Jun 22, 2011
6,268
7,292
Seattle
Cars for me are like computers, they are tools that I burn into the ground. Maybe over time I'll extend their life with an attachment/upgrade or two but I'm in it for the long haul.
Just this week I bought a used Ford CMAX hybrid to hold me through until the EV market is what I feel completely matured. I opted for the regular CMAX instead of the PHEV model simply because I rent a large in-law in Northern California. Despite having a good relationship with the landlord, I didn't want to have her ask PGE to install a charger nor did I want to run a 50 foot extension cord through the side of the house to my car.

The nearest public EV charging station is 3 miles away and every time I see it, its full.

My current situation I believe is a huge issue for EV adoption throughout the region. Unless you live in a very modern mutli-family complex you need to have PGE or a contractor install an EV charger. Rent in an older complex, home or the increasingly popular in-laws like I do? SOL.

I would like to have an EV but then again there are only affordable 2 models on the market at the moment that fill my seats folded down tall hatchback requirements: the Bolt and Leaf Plus. Hopefully more EV hatchbacks enter the market, I don't need an offroading ESUV just something that can haul some merchandise in my family business and art supplies on the weekend.
I can tell you from experience that it is quite feasible to use a 120v regular outlet to charge your EV under most circumstances. That makes it easier to manage when you can't add full 240v service. the extension cord might still be a problem, though in your case. I do think we will see more apartments adding power outlets in their parking. Your "mother-in-law" is more complicated due to being so far from the street. In more urban environments, there are pilot programs to add on-street level 2 charging outlets but probably less likely in the suburbs.
 

InuNacho

macrumors 68010
Apr 24, 2008
2,001
1,262
In that one place
I can tell you from experience that it is quite feasible to use a 120v regular outlet to charge your EV under most circumstances. That makes it easier to manage when you can't add full 240v service. the extension cord might still be a problem, though in your case. I do think we will see more apartments adding power outlets in their parking. Your "mother-in-law" is more complicated due to being so far from the street. In more urban environments, there are pilot programs to add on-street level 2 charging outlets but probably less likely in the suburbs.
I think another part of the problem is the lack of anyone be it private or government wanting to invest in lower income areas or preconceived lower income areas.
Despite living in Silicon Valley the High Tech capital of the world, there are hardly any public EV chargers in my area of San Jose. Yes, my area is a bit lower income than the rest of the area but this leads people to not being able to get EVs or PHEVs because there is lack of reliable areas to charge them.
I had an conversation with a friend who just bought a PHEV Pacifica to haul his kids around. He had to get a PHEV even though he wanted an EV because in our area there are "charger deserts".
EV MAP.PNG
EV Charger 3.PNG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert

Rafterman

Contributor
Apr 23, 2010
7,267
8,809
I've always been a Ford Explorer person. Now that they have a plug-in hybrid, it will be my next vehicle. I usually upgrade every three years, and my 2020 will be due in 2023. I'll have to have a 220v installed in my garage.
 

jtkiley

macrumors regular
Jun 30, 2007
111
123
I think another part of the problem is the lack of anyone be it private or government wanting to invest in lower income areas or preconceived lower income areas.
Despite living in Silicon Valley the High Tech capital of the world, there are hardly any public EV chargers in my area of San Jose. Yes, my area is a bit lower income than the rest of the area but this leads people to not being able to get EVs or PHEVs because there is lack of reliable areas to charge them.
I had an conversation with a friend who just bought a PHEV Pacifica to haul his kids around. He had to get a PHEV even though he wanted an EV because in our area there are "charger deserts".
View attachment 2006947 View attachment 2006946

That looks a lot better than my area in the Southeast, but the key really is whether you can charge at home. I was fine with the 120V plug for a few months (110-mile round-trip commute 2-3 days a week for part of the year), and it's much faster with a Tesla Wall Connector. I only charge on the road for a decently long road trip (I think twice in the last six months), and we only do that a couple times a year (and use the 120V when visiting family).

The high-speed charging infrastructure seems optimized for that kind of use, so it's mostly concentrated on major highways. Slower charging at retail and hotels is somewhat hit or miss, though many hotels in particular have charging stations that show up nowhere in their marketing info.

If you can charge at home, it's way more convenient than a gas car (i.e. you always leave with a "full tank" and can fill up at home). If you tried to rely on charging stations all the time, I think it would probably suck.

Aside: we'd have been very interested in an EV minivan (6-7 seats without Model X pricing), but they don't exist as a purchasable vehicle just yet. If that feature is what your friend really wanted/needed, that Pacifica was a great call that doesn't have a good EV alternative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
Replacing batteries or ready to sell a 10 year old car whose $5k (or more) batteries just **** themselves. :)

When traveling using a super charger, how long does a full charge take?
Current market prices for used tesla batteries are insane. It certainly cannot be sustained at that level, but the future option of battery replacement is not as bad as you can imagine, if you do not want to purchase a new vehicle.

5.2kw module = $500US - $1000US

85kw 2015 model S has 16 modules = $8000US - $16000US
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huntn

diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,478
2,701
OBX
Current market prices for used tesla batteries are insane. It certainly cannot be sustained at that level, but the future option of battery replacement is not as bad as you can imagine, if you do not want to purchase a new vehicle.

5.2kw module = $500US - $1000US

85kw 2015 model S has 16 modules = $8000US - $16000US
The issue with "second hand modules" is you really need the whole pack as eventually the car (at least the S/X) will fail with the replaced modules.
GM has a novel solution to this issue with their Ultium pack architecture.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
The issue with "second hand modules" is you really need the whole pack as eventually the car (at least the S/X) will fail with the replaced modules.
GM has a novel solution to this issue with their Ultium pack architecture.
Used "second hand modules" are not commonly being placed in cars, they are more often being repurposed for battery banks for businesses and homes.

GM has lots of novel solutions and genius engineers, unfortunately it is run by incompetent bean counters.
 

diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,478
2,701
OBX
Used "second hand modules" are not commonly being placed in cars, they are more often being repurposed for battery banks for businesses and homes.

GM has lots of novel solutions and genius engineers, unfortunately it is run by incompetent bean counters.
Well Tesla isn't selling modules separately, IIRC a Model S pack is around 20k (USD).
This is one of the stories about someone getting modules for a vehicle to fix a bad one for a cheaper price than the whole pack replacement. Sadly (per wk057 AKA Jason Hughes) that fix isn't actually a fix and the pack will eventually brick itself. GM gets around this by having a separate BMS unit per module that way you can mix and match modules (of course only the Hummer EV has this tech so it is unproven).
 

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
May 5, 2008
24,032
27,115
The Misty Mountains
Current market prices for used tesla batteries are insane. It certainly cannot be sustained at that level, but the future option of battery replacement is not as bad as you can imagine, if you do not want to purchase a new vehicle.

5.2kw module = $500US - $1000US

85kw 2015 model S has 16 modules = $8000US - $16000US
I think the first Prius battery replacement was $10k. Yes, prices have fallen.
I wonder how much pollution the battery industry is responsible for, especially if they are made in Asia? 🤔
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
Well Tesla isn't selling modules separately, IIRC a Model S pack is around 20k (USD).
Exactly, customer can now sell their 8 year old tesla battery for $17000 used and order a newer, larger capacity for $22,000 if they choose. Still a lower total cost of ownership than gasoline powered vehicles.

GM gets around this by having a separate BMS unit per module that way you can mix and match modules (of course only the Hummer EV has this tech so it is unproven).
Another point to how out of touch GM is with the customer. You can currently "reserve" a hummer, then a dealer contacts you, then you place the order with the dealer starting at $108,000US, then a few options +$15,000 and finally the best the dealer can do is the market value adjustment of +$50,000(or more) = $180,000 out the door.
GM bean counters will decide the hummer is a failure because they only sold 153.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
I wonder how much pollution the battery industry is responsible for, especially if they are made in Asia? 🤔
I do not have the facts in hand. But I would guess less than gasoline, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze that we currently produce and use worldwide.

Lithium is one of the most abundant elements in the universe, we will become better and better at extracting it from the earth. The important thing is that lithium in car batteries is recycled and not dropped into landfills like mobile phone, watch, computer batteries.
 

AlaskaMoose

macrumors 68040
Apr 26, 2008
3,596
13,436
Alaska
I do not have the facts in hand. But I would guess less than gasoline, oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze that we currently produce and use worldwide.

Lithium is one of the most abundant elements in the universe, we will become better and better at extracting it from the earth. The important thing is that lithium in car batteries is recycled and not dropped into landfills like mobile phone, watch, computer batteries.
That's a big assumption. It is impossible to tell if any automobile that uses antifreeze causes more harm to the environment than an EV battery. Antifreezes are used at home to prevent boilers and heat pipes from freezing and bursting. This liquid is called, "glycol." Another type of antifreeze is used for cooling automobiles engines, but EV's have battery temperature management systems that use coolants, too. It does not mean that these coolants are being sprayed all over the road. EV's also have drive units and pumps with gears immersed in oil, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Lithium is not as abundant as you have been made to believe. Small traces of it are present in salt water, and it takes a lot of time for the water to evaporate. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind "salt." The next step is to separate microscopic pieces of Lithium and other minerals. Keep in mind the Lithium in pure form (lithium dust) reacts violently to water and other liquids :)

Mining can be done in more efficient ways, of course. The same can be said for oil, natural gas, methane extraction, or gold mining too. But through the years, haven't we left scarred earth behind? I am not taking one side or another. The truth is that in order to live as comfortable as we do today, earth takes a toll. An EV is not going to save the planet any more than an ICE automobile. The main difference is that an EV does not emit gasses out of a tailpipe.
 
Last edited:

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,495
Below is just a small clip of the Ford Lightning that Jay had his hands on with Fords CEO, Chris Farley.

What I really like about Farley as a CEO, it’s not that he’s just a ‘big wig’ sitting in an executive office, he actually had hands-with the production of this vehicle, you can totally see his passion how excited he is to get this in the hands of the consumer, especially at a ~$40k price tag for the base model. But I still think the big problem is, there’s just no reality in terms of when manufacturing adequate production numbers to get these in the hands of consumers, when some people are booked out more than two years to even receive their model, (myself included) and there really is no signs of improvement with the state of the economy.

I think what’s specific to the Lightning, is the external powering of a job site or even your house if needed. That’s totally unique outside of just saving money as an ‘EV’, but this vehicle can be used as an accessory to even an emergency situation if needed.

Anyways, can’t freakin’ wait!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tagbert

Michael Scrip

macrumors 604
Mar 4, 2011
7,978
12,683
NC
Do gas stations have EV chargers?

There are gas stations everywhere.

Plus... people still need snacks and drinks, right? Grab a soda while you're charging!

😎
 

The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
17,328
25,491
Wales, United Kingdom
Do gas stations have EV chargers?

There are gas stations everywhere.

Plus... people still need snacks and drinks, right? Grab a soda while you're charging!


Sadly most don’t. There are three petrol stations in my town and none have electric charging. The nearest for me is 2 miles away at a Morrisons supermarket but the charging is apparently painfully slow. Not sure I’d want to spend an hour of my weekend waiting for the car to charge on a longer journey to be honest, the weekend goes too quickly as it is.
 

diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,478
2,701
OBX
Sadly most don’t. There are three petrol stations in my town and none have electric charging. The nearest for me is 2 miles away at a Morrisons supermarket but the charging is apparently painfully slow. Not sure I’d want to spend an hour of my weekend waiting for the car to charge on a longer journey to be honest, the weekend goes too quickly as it is.
AC charging at supermarkets, restaurants, and movie theaters is a good idea. Leave the DC charging to traffic corridors and let folk get a “trickle” charge while getting groceries or eating or watching a movie.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The-Real-Deal82

diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,478
2,701
OBX
Ideal for that scenario but not so great for a quick stop on a longer journey.
I understand, but having the DC charger at those places means folks that are busy doing the aforementioned activities will likely take up charging spots well after their vehicle has completed charging with no way for others to disconnect them and plug their own vehicle in.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
That's a big assumption. It is impossible to tell if any automobile that uses antifreeze causes more harm to the environment than an EV battery. Antifreezes are used at home to prevent boilers and heat pipes from freezing and bursting. This liquid is called, "glycol." Another type of antifreeze is used for cooling automobiles engines, but EV's have battery temperature management systems that use coolants, too. It does not mean that these coolants are being sprayed all over the road. EV's also have drive units and pumps with gears immersed in oil, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Lithium is not as abundant as you have been made to believe. Small traces of it are present in salt water, and it takes a lot of time for the water to evaporate. Once the water evaporates, it leaves behind "salt." The next step is to separate microscopic pieces of Lithium and other minerals. Keep in mind the Lithium in pure form (lithium dust) reacts violently to water and other liquids :)

Mining can be done in more efficient ways, of course. The same can be said for oil, natural gas, methane extraction, or gold mining too. But through the years, haven't we left scarred earth behind? I am not taking one side or another. The truth is that in order to live as comfortable as we do today, earth takes a toll. An EV is not going to save the planet any more than an ICE automobile. The main difference is that an EV does not emit gasses out of a tailpipe.
Well said... my assumption was very naive.
 

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,797
1,678
Destin, FL
Do gas stations have EV chargers?
There are gas stations everywhere.
Plus... people still need snacks and drinks, right? Grab a soda while you're charging!
Not that I have seen. Why don't gas station owners replace two gas pumps with tesla chargers? There are grants available to installing publicly accessible EV charging in some locations, so the cost could be even less to filling stations.
Gas stations don't make big money on fuel, it's the snacks. EV chargers would keep a bored customer there for at least 15 minutes.
 

jaymc

macrumors 6502a
Nov 10, 2012
511
269
Port Orchard, WA
Do gas stations have EV chargers?

There are gas stations everywhere.

Plus... people still need snacks and drinks, right? Grab a soda while you're charging!

😎
And this is why Tesla still has the advantage over other EVs. The three main concerns are availability of charging stations, time it takes to charge and driving distance between charges. Tesla strategically set up their supercharging network across the country that has improved for the last 10 years. I made a trip from Seattle to Nashville five years ago and had minimal problems. Superchargers are located near hotels and places to eat. 😃
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.