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

[quagmire]

I have to admit some of the stories I’ve read about battery failures have contributed to my apprehension of owning an EV. Whether or not battery failures with £5k-£15k bills are fake news or not, it’s the fear of owning a car that I wouldn’t be able to afford to repair. Every car is a gamble I realise, but if I ever owned a car that required me to pay several thousand pounds to repair, it would be torched on waste ground and claimed for lol.

They are not fake. It can cost upwards of $20K USD for a new battery. Just replace your engine with the battery being the high cost item if it craps out. Now the FUD is the battery will fail within 5 years. Tons of Tesla's running on 10 year old batteries and/or 250,000 miles on the original HV battery pack. Also if it does fail within 5 years, covered by a 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. People tend to equate their phone batteries to how long an EV battery will last.

Transmission replacements are not cheap anymore either. Engines are getting expensive as well due to their complexity.

This person has Model 3 Performance with 120,000 miles. Didn't exactly treat it easy, but only experienced 12% degradation of the battery.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It was a bit ridiculous removing it to be honest. It was a standalone charger that cost the company over £2k to put in back in 2019 and they decided back last summer to remove it again. I would imagine every company will be installing these in the next few years so it was shortsighted in my opinion. Electricity at my work is costing about £1400 a day at the moment, so a charger in the car park where nobody even has an electric car was doing no harm at all.

£1400 a day? What do they do?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have to admit some of the stories I’ve read about battery failures have contributed to my apprehension of owning an EV. Whether or not battery failures with £5k-£15k bills are fake news or not, it’s the fear of owning a car that I wouldn’t be able to afford to repair. Every car is a gamble I realise, but if I ever owned a car that required me to pay several thousand pounds to repair, it would be torched on waste ground and claimed for lol.

It’s an incredibly rare occurrence. But highly publicised by certain companies who pay £1000’s to promote such stories. Just like how EV’s break down when they run out of battery power will be a common thing. Both the AA and RAC report it is very, very rare. But again publicly will tell you different.

When you do eventually make the switch I think you’ll be surprised how easy it is.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

£1400 a day? What do they do?

Automotive part manufacturing. We have 300T presses, roll forming, and laser cutting facilities that draw a lot of power.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

They are not fake. It can cost upwards of $20K USD for a new battery. Just replace your engine with the battery being the high cost item if it craps out. Now the FUD is the battery will fail within 5 years. Tons of Tesla's running on 10 year old batteries and/or 250,000 miles on the original HV battery pack. Also if it does fail within 5 years, covered by a 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. People tend to equate their phone batteries to how long an EV battery will last.

Transmission replacements are not cheap anymore either. Engines are getting expensive as well due to their complexity.

This person has Model 3 Performance with 120,000 miles. Didn't exactly treat it easy, but only experienced 12% degradation of the battery.

I very much doubt people would replace a battery at those costs anyway. It would be written off I would have thought.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

They are not fake. It can cost upwards of $20K USD for a new battery. Just replace your engine with the battery being the high cost item if it craps out. Now the FUD is the battery will fail within 5 years. Tons of Tesla's running on 10 year old batteries and/or 250,000 miles on the original HV battery pack. Also if it does fail within 5 years, covered by a 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. People tend to equate their phone batteries to how long an EV battery will last.

Not to mention that there are thousands of Prius owners out there with some of the oldest hybrids on the road - they have proven that their batteries have a very good lifespan - substantially longer than Toyota's 8-10 year official figure. The same is true of full EVs. The 'EV batteries have a short life' argument is bunk. Though replacement is expensive. But so is getting major drivetrain work done on an old ICE auto - it's just that there are a larger number of individually cheaper items that fail one by one over time.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Automotive part manufacturing. We have 300T presses, roll forming, and laser cutting facilities that draw a lot of power.

That takes me back when I worked in engineering. We had up to a 200 ton press. Mostly metal spinning though.

 

[pshufd]

What if you buy a car that can handle a 400-pound person and then a 500 pound person asks for a ride?

That line of argument for increased size and capability has no ceiling.

I have 2 Toyota Camrys so that gives you an idea. I just say no, my vehicle isn't big enough and doesn't have the weight capacity. I don't believe that I personally have known anyone at 500 pounds. I think that the most practical vehicle for people that way 300 or more is a large SUV or pickup truck. It has the room and higher payload - particularly if your friends and family are similarly sized.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I have 2 Toyota Camrys so that gives you an idea. I just say no, my vehicle isn't big enough and doesn't have the weight capacity. I don't believe that I personally have known anyone at 500 pounds. I think that the most practical vehicle for people that way 300 or more is a large SUV or pickup truck. It has the room and higher payload - particularly if your friends and family are similarly sized.

If you and your family are all 300lb plus the best vehicle for you is a bike. 😱

 

[circatee]

A while back, I responded to this thread that I would purchase an EV.

However, over the past six months to a year, the sheer volume of issues I’ve seen online in relation to charging and plain car failure (Mustang Mach-E), I have decided to wait.

I feel the company Electrify America (I believe that is the name) needs to get to the level of Tesla charging/availability of working chargers. Additionally, Ford clearly have some work to do on the Mustang EV line.

So, there you have it…

 

[cyb3rdud3]

The obesity rate for adults in the US is 36%. The childhood obesity rate is 19%. Overweight + obese adults rate is 69%.

Here's a question for you: what do you do if someone asks you for a ride in your small car and they weigh 400 pounds? It has happened to me at church as I used to give rides to people that didn't own cars and there were two people in this category and I always declined.

I was at an auto fair in Dallas several years ago and the huge pickup trucks and SUVs received the most attention and there were a lot of pretty heavy people looking at them.

I'd say that they could do with a walk and should walk more often. The weight doesn't bother me much, its the size. But come one its a pretty daft edge case.

 

[bruinsrme]

Eventually. The new house we just bought is a single level two family home, total 5 bedroom, 2 full kitchens, 2 full laundries and 3 air handlers, pool with heater cooler and spa. The cheap builders only installed a 200amp service. We just upgraded to 400amp service. Since we were the first ones in the neighborhood to go through the process we were given a discount. The company that did the upgrade has already booked 3 more. The reason I mention all that is because a lot of homes may be under powered for the higher amp charging.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Eventually. The new house we just bought is a single level two family home, total 5 bedroom, 2 full kitchens, 2 full laundries and 3 air handlers, pool with heater cooler and spa. The cheap builders only installed a 200amp service. We just upgraded to 400amp service. Since we were the first ones in the neighborhood to go through the process we were given a discount. The company that did the upgrade has already booked 3 more. The reason I mention all that is because a lot of homes may be under powered for the higher amp charging.

We've only got 80A in total, the car charger is set to 32A maximum and has a detector that will automatically reduce if necessary. The majority of cars onboard chargers is maxed at 7kw, a few could take 22kw which is the maximum for AC. It really is a non issue.

Next theoretical reason why not.

 

[Clix Pix]

I have 2 Toyota Camrys so that gives you an idea. I just say no, my vehicle isn't big enough and doesn't have the weight capacity. I don't believe that I personally have known anyone at 500 pounds. I think that the most practical vehicle for people that way 300 or more is a large SUV or pickup truck. It has the room and higher payload - particularly if your friends and family are similarly sized.

Isn't it hard for someone who is 300 or 400 pounds to climb up into a pickup truck or an SUV?

 

[thefriendshipmachine]

I have a model Y and I think its the best car I ever had. I bought it in 2021 though right before prices went crazy. It is so sad to me to see how expensive they are now.

 

[bruinsrme]

We've only got 80A in total, the car charger is set to 32A maximum and has a detector that will automatically reduce if necessary. The majority of cars onboard chargers is maxed at 7kw, a few could take 22kw which is the maximum for AC. It really is a non issue.

Next theoretical reason why not.

Did you not understand why the service was upgraded? The upgrade was needed whether I buy an EV today or next year. The community and the houses are rated as a single family dwelling, the builder was able to save millions in permitting and infrastructure. This house is two houses in one. One of the kitchens alone exceeds your 80A service. Your 80A would safely cover the 3 air handlers and a bedroom.
The next theoretical reason is I see no reason to replace two excellent running cars that are paid off.
I also enjoy the convenient availability of gas. I am also trying to better understand if what is going on with Chile and other lithium mining countries fresh water supply has less of an environmental impact than oil production.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Did you not understand why the service was upgraded? The upgrade was needed whether I buy an EV today or next year. The community and the houses are rated as a single family dwelling, the builder was able to save millions in permitting and infrastructure. This house is two houses in one. One of the kitchens alone exceeds your 80A service. Your 80A would safely cover the 3 air handlers and a bedroom.

Sounds super inefficient. No reason for a domestic dwelling to be that inefficient at all. I should get that sorted first. But anyway it has nothing to do with getting and EV or not and is very 'unique' to your situation.

The next theoretical reason is I see no reason to replace two excellent running cars that are paid off.

Agreed, nobody is suggesting you should at all. And for those using the money saving argument I totally agree with you, nobody saves money by replacing good working existing cars with a brand new EV (or ICE). New cars in general are rather pointless for that purpose.

And car loans, leases, contract hire, salary sacrifice, whatever scheme to buy a car with someone else money is also not worth it in my opinion, just live within your own means and buy it when you can afford it.

I also enjoy the convenient availability of gas.

Nothing is more convenient that having a full gas tank every morning. The change in mindset and convenient when having an EV with home charging is mind blowing. Some of the stats are that currently owners of EV charge for 90% of the time at home.

The availability varies greatly, the USA is varying as you can see above. Europe is excellent though, no worries at all going anywhere electric.

I am also trying to better understand if what is going on with Chile and other lithium mining countries fresh water supply has less of an environmental impact than oil production.

 

[bruinsrme]

Sounds super inefficient. No reason for a domestic dwelling to be that inefficient at all. I should get that sorted first. But anyway it has nothing to do with getting and EV or not and is very 'unique' to your situation.

Inefficient? how so? If I can't charge it then why would I get one?

 

[pshufd]

Eventually. The new house we just bought is a single level two family home, total 5 bedroom, 2 full kitchens, 2 full laundries and 3 air handlers, pool with heater cooler and spa. The cheap builders only installed a 200amp service. We just upgraded to 400amp service. Since we were the first ones in the neighborhood to go through the process we were given a discount. The company that did the upgrade has already booked 3 more. The reason I mention all that is because a lot of homes may be under powered for the higher amp charging.

We had a new circuit put in to accommodate an electric water heater. We could no longer use Natrual Gas because of code changes. It didn't really cost a lot. But upgrading overall capacity to the house - I could see where that could cost a lot. I looked at prices of Breaker Boxes recently and was somewhat shocked at what they cost today.

 

[pshufd]

I'd say that they could do with a walk and should walk more often. The weight doesn't bother me much, its the size. But come one its a pretty daft edge case.

I do not know what these folks do.

I'm a runner and can't really relate. But the statistics are what they are and I see a lot of folks that are overweight and obese. Everywhere.

 

[pshufd]

One of my friends with a Tesla had to get his electric service upgraded as well but he just considered it the cost of the EV and it's generally not a bad idea to upgrade your house for current times - it will certainly have value when you go to sell. It's just that a lot of people don't have the cash to do home upgrades whenever they want to without taking out a loan.

 

[pshufd]

Isn't it hard for someone who is 300 or 400 pounds to climb up into a pickup truck or an SUV?

I don't know. I saw lots of people at that size get into monster pickup trucks at a Dallas auto show though. The problems with obesity resulted in changes in ambulances, stretchers and hospital beds perhaps ten years ago.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

The red truck the fellow with the suspenders is getting into is a Ford Ranger!

 

[pshufd]

Sounds super inefficient. No reason for a domestic dwelling to be that inefficient at all. I should get that sorted first. But anyway it has nothing to do with getting and EV or not and is very 'unique' to your situation.

Agreed, nobody is suggesting you should at all. And for those using the money saving argument I totally agree with you, nobody saves money by replacing good working existing cars with a brand new EV (or ICE). New cars in general are rather pointless for that purpose.

And car loans, leases, contract hire, salary sacrifice, whatever scheme to buy a car with someone else money is also not worth it in my opinion, just live within your own means and buy it when you can afford it.

Nothing is more convenient that having a full gas tank every morning. The change in mindset and convenient when having an EV with home charging is mind blowing. Some of the stats are that currently owners of EV charge for 90% of the time at home.

The availability varies greatly, the USA is varying as you can see above. Europe is excellent though, no worries at all going anywhere electric.

You often learn about limitations after you've bought the house as there is some emotional aspect where you might not pay attention. The severe housing shortages in the US may give you no choice too. Builders make choices and those choices can affect the property for decades or even longer. I have looked at homes in Beacon Hill that are well over 100 years old and you feel like you are stepping back in time. My mother's house was built in the 1920s and there are a lot of limitations with the property.

These limitations could be fixed with money but getting up to modern code and specs would cost more than the house is worth.

I get the feeling that most in this discussion are not limited financially. Though cost is discussed here from time to time. You might have the money to afford an EV but you might choose not to because your environment, or the limitations, of the technology aren't where you want them to be.

The Supercharger situation in my area is that there's one 20 -30 minutes away. The downside is that it's limited to Tesla vehicles. As I've written before, when Toyota makes an EV with 400-450 miles range, then I'll take a much harder look at buying one. At that time, I expect them to be selling a lot of them so that there will be the benefits of volume production and so that there will be a dealer and parts ecosystem that will make repairs quick and efficient. I would expect to see the charging issues solved when that happens.

 

[pshufd]

The red truck the fellow with the suspenders is getting into is a Ford Ranger!

Yeah. The Ranger is a small pickup.

That would be the case of seeing a vehicle driving down the road with one corner of the vehicle hanging lower than the other three corners.