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

[solq]

That sounds like a terrible journey no matter the power source of your vehicle.

Actually it was quite fun. It was a lovely autumn day, I got no road works in Germany so I got to drive really fast (which I loved), and as soon as I entered Austria there was a stunning jazz concert on the radio, live from Porgy & Bess. And that car was super smooth with fantastic seats.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Actually it was quite fun. It was a lovely autumn day, I got no road works in Germany so I got to drive really fast (which I loved), and as soon as I entered Austria there was a stunning jazz concert on the radio, live from Porgy & Bess. And that car was super smooth with fantastic seats.

Long car journey’s are okay with good company if you are looking forward to whatever you are doing at the end.

 

[Tagbert]

Actually it was quite fun. It was a lovely autumn day, I got no road works in Germany so I got to drive really fast (which I loved), and as soon as I entered Austria there was a stunning jazz concert on the radio, live from Porgy & Bess. And that car was super smooth with fantastic seats.

I usually take a little more time on journeys, stopping now and then to stretch, take a break, and see what's around. Yours sounds like a good drive, just not my style.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I usually take a little more time on journeys, stopping now and then to stretch, take a break, and see what's around. Yours sounds like a good drive, just not my style.

That’s me these days. I need more comfort breaks than I did 20 years ago.

 

[solq]

I usually take a little more time on journeys, stopping now and then to stretch, take a break, and see what's around. Yours sounds like a good drive, just not my style.

Well I can do that too but in a city break style. As in, instead of driving from 9am to 10pm, I stop around 4-5pm in a town or city and I have time to look around. Sometimes when I go somewhere far away I do it one way there and the other way back.

In any case, during the time when I drive, I take very few breaks, I don't want to take large breaks (as in, for charging), and I definitely don't like that the fast bit is up to 80%.

Since I am cautious with fuel (I've been in horrible, unexpected jams caused by accidents), I would probably charge at 20%, which would give me just 60% battery between stops. Given the rather small range for Teslas with everything else being less, that's just not working out for me. I mean, if I were to get an EV it wouldn't be a Tesla anyway, when the Audi e-tron GT exists 😂

We bought a new car this year - ordered in April, delivered last month in August. I talked to people who drive EVs and did my research. Wouldn't work for us. We chose a plug-in hybrid as a sensible compromise option. Personally I don't think much of the charging infrastructure, as we've experienced it so far.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

That sounds like a terrible journey no matter the power source of your vehicle.

Not just terrible, it is bloody dangerous. Especially in those times 14 hours (or say 15 for the time difference) that is as good as non stop driving, and getting the ferry/eurotunnel at the right time, and not have any traffic jams, and manage to keep an average speed of around 80mph. Impressive yes, but stupid and if that is the benchmark then I'm not surprise how he comes out with all these but what about this or that, and can someone please think of the children...

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Well I can do that too but in a city break style. As in, instead of driving from 9am to 10pm, I stop around 4-5pm in a town or city and I have time to look around. Sometimes when I go somewhere far away I do it one way there and the other way back.

In any case, during the time when I drive, I take very few breaks, I don't want to take large breaks (as in, for charging), and I definitely don't like that the fast bit is up to 80%.

Since I am cautious with fuel (I've been in horrible, unexpected jams caused by accidents), I would probably charge at 20%, which would give me just 60% battery between stops. Given the rather small range for Teslas with everything else being less, that's just not working out for me. I mean, if I were to get an EV it wouldn't be a Tesla anyway, when the Audi e-tron GT exists 😂

We bought a new car this year - ordered in April, delivered last month in August. I talked to people who drive EVs and did my research. Wouldn't work for us. We chose a plug-in hybrid as a sensible compromise option. Personally I don't think much of the charging infrastructure, as we've experienced it so far.

A plug in hybrid is just not even close to a full ev experience. I really wouldn't use that as a benchmark. They are a terrible comparison...

 

[diamond.g]

...

We get it, you don't like EV's.

 

[solq]

We get it, you don't like EV's.

Clearly you don't get it. I like some EVs. But I don't think they work for everybody (even most people, debatable) and I am amused and amazed by those who pretend they do, because it works for their very particular lifestyle.

 

[diamond.g]

Clearly you don't get it. I like some EVs. But I don't think they work for everybody (even most people, debatable) and I am amused and amazed by those who pretend they do, because it works for their very particular lifestyle.

I am pretty sure I do get it. I 100% don't think they work for everyone. I've told folks at work if you cannot charge at home it isn't worth it. Road trips are possible in an EV, they tend to take more time because you have to stop to charge for longer periods than if you were driving a petrol/diesel vehicle.
Towing in an EV sucks because none of the infrastructure is designed to allow you to charge with a trailer. Cold weather can be questionable if your vehicle doesn't have a heat pump. Shoot wet roads screws efficiency as well, so you lose range faster.

There are a couple of EV's that can go 500 (freedom) miles at a time, but they are fairly expensive and hard to get hold of.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Clearly you don't get it. I like some EVs. But I don't think they work for everybody (even most people, debatable) and I am amused and amazed by those who pretend they do, because it works for their very particular lifestyle.

Who’s pretending? I think EV’s work for the vast majority of people. But people aren’t prepared to adapt and change for the odd long road trip they make a few times a year.
Most people I know would love an EV. They just can’t afford one. Those with EV’s love them. I’ve never met anyone who bought an EV then went back to an ICE or even a hybrid.
As I’ve said before they don’t work in every situation, but they do in most.

 

[solq]

I am pretty sure I do get it. I 100% don't think they work for everyone. I've told folks at work if you cannot charge at home it isn't worth it. Road trips are possible in an EV, they tend to take more time because you have to stop to charge for longer periods than if you were driving a petrol/diesel vehicle.
Towing in an EV sucks because none of the infrastructure is designed to allow you to charge with a trailer. Cold weather can be questionable if your vehicle doesn't have a heat pump. Shoot wet roads screws efficiency as well, so you lose range faster.

There are a couple of EV's that can go 500 (freedom) miles at a time, but they are fairly expensive and hard to get hold of.

I don't have any major problem with that, so I don't really understand why you'd misrepresent my opinion.

It's what I said all along - long distance is harder. It can be much, much harder, if you have a small range on your EV (and plenty do, I spoke to someone with an electric VW Golf who barely gets 200km).

Casual charging is also much harder. There's a big difference between going to a petrol station, which are plentiful and everywhere, and takes a few minutes - and finding a charger that's available and works and you have the necessary card/token/etc to use it.

Then the half-an-hour to get to 80% which is a real killer for me. And by the way this half-an-hour thing is when the stars are aligned and you actually find a fast charger. Many chargers around where I live might have the correct connector like CCS or whatever, but not that much power. You won't get your half-an-hour thing from 22kW or even 53kW, which is what I keep seeing.

Yeah, sure, if you're like my friend in California who drives a Model S, charges for free at work, and has never driven more than 100km away from his house and otherwise flies everywhere, an EV is just fine and dandy.

 

[Strelok]

Living with an EV is extremely tough (over 20k miles in less than 2 years now). I mean when I get home I have to do this crazy thing called plugging in the charger and then waking up with a full charge. I don’t know how we do it to be honest, hardest life ever. /s

 

[solq]

Living with an EV is extremely tough (over 20k miles in less than 2 years now). I mean when I get home I have to do this crazy thing called plugging in the charger and then waking up with a full charge. I don’t know how we do it to be honest, hardest life ever. /s

Now flex your imagination and think about how most people just don't have that luxury, for example because they live in apartments, or they park on the street. Try it, it's not that hard.

 

[Strelok]

Who said they should buy EVs? Where has anyone here said everyone needs or should buy an EV right now?
There are apartment complexes with chargers, and depending on your habits you can make it work even though it’s not ideal.

 

[compwiz1202]

Clearly you don't get it. I like some EVs. But I don't think they work for everybody (even most people, debatable) and I am amused and amazed by those who pretend they do, because it works for their very particular lifestyle.

Agree. I'd love it if the price came down and there was more and faster infrastructure, especially getting apartments and more workplaces with charging stations. At least Giant Food is getting them around us. No idea what the speed is like though. Would most likely suffice for our short trips to work.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It has gotten a bit quiet in here I'm still enjoying my wife's Polestar. Must admit I'm quite interested in the Lotus Eletre. Unless Range Rover get their act together that could be my next replacement; or the Taycan Sportcross.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Lots of concept cars that may or may make it to production from the Paris motor show. Long video, but a bit of background whilst you are working etc.

 

[Questionnotanswered?]

I've owned a LOT of cars. Ever since I bought my first turbo, a Saab 9000 my emphasis has always been on off-the-line torque. If you love that (as I do), get an electric car. I owned a BMW i3 then bought a Chevy Bolt Premier for the greater mileage. Here are some points to ponder:

. They're a blast to drive - definitely not boring

. If you live where the land is flat you'll get the advertised mileage. Hilly terrain definitely takes its toll (more than you would think).

. You need a 2nd car, a conventionally powered car for longer trips (you don't think you will, but you will).

. Then again, if you want the best of all worlds get a Toyota RAV4 Prime. It's a plug-in hybrid with 94MPGe and 42 miles of EV even before the engine kicks in. And, this 302HP SUV gets 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds. And that same torque is there at higher speeds. It's AWD and has 8.1 inch ground clearance. If your round trip commute is less than 42 miles, the only gasoline you'll buy will be for any non-commuting you do. If interested, definitely check out the review videos.

P.S. I have no experience with Teslas.

It's hard to peg the answer to any question including this, but look for the guy not in debt and you'll find the answer as to what car you should get. Tesla.

 

[Mellofello808]

Really wish there were more cars like the BMW i3. I would rather have a light weight smaller battery that can see me through 95% of my days, and then have an on board generator that can add on another 80 miles of charge, in a worst case scenario.

Seems like a much better idea than paying exponentially more for a gigantic battery pack I don't need.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Really wish there were more cars like the BMW i3. I would rather have a light weight smaller battery that can see me through 95% of my days, and then have an on board generator that can add on another 80 miles of charge, in a worst case scenario.

Seems like a much better idea than paying exponentially more for a gigantic battery pack I don't need.

So instead you happily carry an ice with you around 😂

Not even BMW thought it was a good idea, they stopped the production a long time ago...

 

[Mellofello808]

So instead you happily carry an ice with you around

Not even BMW thought it was a good idea, they stopped the production a long time ago...

I would absolutely prefer to carry a small ICE generator, vs dealing with public charging.

 

[diamond.g]

I would absolutely prefer to carry a small ICE generator, vs dealing with public charging.

So you want a plug in hybrid? Toyota sells a lot of them.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Really wish there were more cars like the BMW i3. I would rather have a light weight smaller battery that can see me through 95% of my days, and then have an on board generator that can add on another 80 miles of charge, in a worst case scenario.

Seems like a much better idea than paying exponentially more for a gigantic battery pack I don't need.

I love my i3. But I opted for the bigger battery over the range extender. Like a hybrid there is more to go wrong with the REX. Yes there are better range cars out there, but then you are just carrying batteries around you don’t need on most of my journeys. 160 miles real range is what I comfortably get. That’s with a lot of motorway driving. You’d get a lot more around town.

 

[jz0309]

I put a deposit down on a “in transit” 2023 Bolt EUV a few weeks ago, ETA at dealer 11/30. Dealer gave me a good trad-in value (higher than carmax/carvana) on my 2017 Prius Prime.
I’m doing a 100 mile commute round trip 3 times per week and some limited around town/area on weekends so the EUV should fit that nicely. For longer trips we have a Tucson PHEV …
I’m excited going EV.