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

[960design]

My use case: This is what is holding me back. I drive 30-40k/yr for work which will kill the battery warranty in ~3 years. I understand that the battery should last much longer but the cost of being wrong on this is much higher than a typical ICE where if you need to replace a motor you might be looking at 4-6k, not upwards of 15k if my little bit of research holds true.

How many tesla batteries have failed in their cars? I know of one that past the million mile range. To be fair it has had three battery changes, the current battery is over 650,000 miles. The battery tech has improved. Definitely something to consider, but very small probability of happening, especially after 100,000 good miles with still more than 70% battery.

Charging also is a concern as I have watched a couple of "road trip" videos on YT and it seems that using the Tesla planner tries to keep you in the 20-80% realm so you might stop multiple times a day depending on conditions. What concerns me there is how many times would I need to stop in a day and for how long based on what kwh charger, how busy is it, etc. These videos also seem to be folks that are home at night and able to charge, so arriving at home with 20% is no matter. For me, getting back to a hotel with 20 means I need to find another charger at night or first thing in the morning. Not show stoppers but will definitely be a little learning curve.

This is probably the largest concern. EV = perfect daily driver and occasional road tripper ( we go about once a month ). Everyday charging at hotel or superchargers would be tough to change habits for. (plus daily supercharging is a sure fire way to lower battery life ).

Other stuff: Is it true that Teslas burn through tires, as in every 25k? I get that they are heavy but that seems excessive and at the miles I turn that could be 2 sets in a year depending on conditions.

In my experience, Teslas burn through tires faster the harder you hit the go pedal. Drive nice and the tires will last as expected.

While we are on tires, how many of you have snow shoes for your Tesla? The stock conty's I saw on this one didn't seem like they like snow much.

Live in Florida. Snow is something the lizard people and round earther's made up.

 

[960design]

Love it The horses are easier to choose; for us, it will be a Friesian but also a Draft. We are in the process of moving. Car wise it is a lot harder, I want something to change my Range Rover, but not much in that segment yet. I'm waiting a bit to see what Land Rover is doing for their Range Rover model. But otherwise I might be tempted by the EQS SUV, or Taycan Sport Cross. Although I also like the Lotus Eletre or Polestar 3.

Spent way too much brain power deciding between the Taycan and Tesla. Finally went with the 'better' charging network as I did not want that to have any undesired effects on my like or dislike of EVs as a product. We are on the list for a CyberTruck ( maybe we will get it 2025? ). My next car will be this ( except black on black ):

Roadster | Tesla

An all-electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster is the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range and performance. Reserve yours today.

www.tesla.com

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Spent way too much brain power deciding between the Taycan and Tesla. Finally went with the 'better' charging network as I did not want that to have any undesired effects on my like or dislike of EVs as a product. We are on the list for a CyberTruck ( maybe we will get it 2025? ). My next car will be this ( except black on black ):
View attachment 2148031

Roadster | Tesla

An all-electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster is the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration, range and performance. Reserve yours today.

www.tesla.com

That looks nice

I’m lucky, here in Europe the Tesla charging network is only just about better in sentiment and memory. In reality there are so many options it really doesn’t have an advantage anymore. So that takes it out of the equation and isn’t even a consideration.

 

[Airforcekid]

Just preordered an Aptera anyone else in the same boat? The concept of never needing to plug in really won me over.

 

[960design]

Just preordered an Aptera anyone else in the same boat? The concept of never needing to plug in really won me over.

Aptera has been 'in production' for almost 20 years.
Have they got it together yet? I was excited about them about 5 years ago.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Just preordered an Aptera anyone else in the same boat? The concept of never needing to plug in really won me over.

I'm not against them, I just think it is an unrealistic vehicle for a family. I also worry about stability of 3 wheels, it seems like the smallest of fender benders could result in a rollover (I do know that 2 in the front is way better than 1).

But I do like the concept, but think ultimately they will fail to be a vehicle popular enough to be able to get it repaired locally when needed. Even Tesla's are having a hard time, and they vehicles are traditional looking.

 

[960design]

That looks nice

I’m lucky, here in Europe the Tesla charging network is only just about better in sentiment and memory. In reality there are so many options it really doesn’t have an advantage anymore. So that takes it out of the equation and isn’t even a consideration.

I noticed a whole bunch of Taycans in Denmark, but very few Teslas. Hopefully I'll get to hang with the cool kids in Europe in about 5 years.

 

[Airforcekid]

Aptera has been 'in production' for almost 20 years.
Have they got it together yet? I was excited about them about 5 years ago.

Yeah production is supposed to be starting they just had a launch video initially 40 a week and scaling up from there.

 

[Airforcekid]

I'm not against them, I just think it is an unrealistic vehicle for a family. I also worry about stability of 3 wheels, it seems like the smallest of fender benders could result in a rollover (I do know that 2 in the front is way better than 1).

But I do like the concept, but think ultimately they will fail to be a vehicle popular enough to be able to get it repaired locally when needed. Even Tesla's are having a hard time, and they vehicles are traditional looking.

I agree but I don't view it as a family car more of the EV equivalent to a Miata or BRZ. I have a lot of experience driving can ams and to roll is difficult but the rear end sliding out on a turn can happen (Can be fun when planned).I doubt its going to be a big concern with AWD and modern stability control.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I agree but I don't view it as a family car more of the EV equivalent to a Miata or BRZ. I have a lot of experience driving can ams and to roll is difficult but the rear end sliding out on a turn can happen (Can be fun when planned).I doubt its going to be a big concern with AWD and modern stability control.

I mean if they are hit, not just in a turn. The stability when hit/clipped.

With a Can am, it is expected, they are technically a motorcycle. For these to be mainstream like a Miata (one of the biggest selling sports cars of all time) they would have to hold to the standards of a car, not a motorcycle. Otherwise, it is a toy.

I am hoping they succeed. But I have a feeling like they wont.

 

[Eric5h5]

Aptera has been 'in production' for almost 20 years.

Three years. Since 2019.

Have they got it together yet? I was excited about them about 5 years ago.

No you weren't; Aptera didn't exist 5 years ago. A previous company called Aptera Motors Inc. existed back in 2005. Their idea at the time was a gasoline vehicle that got 300MPG, but the founders brought in a finance guy who changed everything and the company was shut down 5 or 6 years later.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Three years. Since 2019.



No you weren't; Aptera didn't exist 5 years ago. A previous company called Aptera Motors Inc. existed back in 2005. Their idea at the time was a gasoline vehicle that got 300MPG, but the founders brought in a finance guy who changed everything and the company was shut down 5 or 6 years later.

I'm sure the finance guy was like, you are hemorrhaging money, and have no avenue for becoming profitable, so get out while you can...

 

[960design]

Three years. Since 2019.

No you weren't; Aptera didn't exist 5 years ago. A previous company called Aptera Motors Inc. existed back in 2005. Their idea at the time was a gasoline vehicle that got 300MPG, but the founders brought in a finance guy who changed everything and the company was shut down 5 or 6 years later.

So they changed their name? Same people, slightly different company name.
Hopefully, they pull through this time. I like their concept, but doubt their follow-thru.

 

[960design]

Yeah production is supposed to be starting they just had a launch video initially 40 a week and scaling up from there.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[Eric5h5]

I'm sure the finance guy was like, you are hemorrhaging money, and have no avenue for becoming profitable, so get out while you can...

Not even close. The finance guy was like "why are we making this weird highly efficient vehicle, let's make a normal car instead" and then they couldn't get financing, because that made them just another startup trying to compete with everyone else and nothing unique to offer. This time around they structured the company so that can't happen again.

Yeah production is supposed to be starting they just had a launch video initially 40 a week and scaling up from there.

No, it won't be starting for at least a year. The main problem is that they were expecting 3-4K reservations, so by the time it hit 25K (and now it's >40K), they realized their original production plans were never going to work. Specifically, they would have had low startup costs, but low-volume production. Now they have higher startup production costs, but in the long run it will be faster and cheaper. However it does take more time to get off the ground. Plus they have to do crash testing and so on (in the real world, not just simulations like they've been doing), which takes time.

 

[4sallypat]

All EV’s seem to get through tyres quicker. But that is offset by the lack of oil changes etc. no cam belt to change either.

Yah, it's the instant torque that wears down faster than ICE vehicles.

Helps if the drivetrain is AWD or 4WD - the wear is more equal.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Yah, it's the instant torque that wears down faster than ICE vehicles.

Helps if the drivetrain is AWD or 4WD - the wear is more equal.

That is true. In addition to the torque to the wheels, it has to propel a heavier vehicle. AWD help, but only if an equal amount of torque is transmitted to both front and real wheels. However, not all AWD systems send an equal amount of torque to all four wheels. Also, not all AWD systems are fully active like the one in Subaru and some Audi automobiles, and even these two split the power at different levels between the front and the rear.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yah, it's the instant torque that wears down faster than ICE vehicles.

Helps if the drivetrain is AWD or 4WD - the wear is more equal.

Driving conservatively in any car does help that though. I’ve only done 7k miles in my car. It’s done 13k in total and I suspect they are still the original tyres. I’m anticipating they will need to be changed before the end of the year.
Also as mine is an i3s its wheels are not equal in size, so can’t be rotated.

 

[Apple fanboy]

That is true. In addition to the torque to the wheels, it has to propel a heavier vehicle. AWD help, but only if an equal amount of torque is transmitted to both front and real wheels. However, not all AWD systems send an equal amount of torque to all four wheels. Also, not all AWD systems are fully active like the one in Subaru and some Audi automobiles, and even these two split the power at different levels between the front and the rear.

Mine is rear wheel drive so at least the front tyres aren’t steering and providing the traction, so that’s a big help.
AWD of course adds weight. But my EV is pretty lightweight as they go. Carbon fibre lifepod and aluminium and plastic construction help no end with that.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Well, I went from "Planning" to "Got" over the weekend. The car is beautiful, and I am very happy, it is already the favorite vehicle I've ever owned, my second place is between my Jeep Wrangler that I offroaded (sold 10+ years ago) and my current weekend rig Ram 1500 with Hemi.

I was surprised by how much room is in the interior, when compared to the e46 BWM 325i it replaced, and the B7 A4 Audi A4 that my wife drives. Obviously it is much smaller than my Crew Cab Ram 1500.

It came with Full Self Driving (FSD) and Acceleration Boost. I joined the FSD Beta program, which is worlds ahead of the general release. Also, the speed of this thing. The only thing that I've ever owned that this feels like was my last motorcycle a Kawasaki Ninja ZX12r.

FSD was awesome on my 26 mile commute on the way to work this morning:

 

[quagmire]

Man the place you got it from sure used a crap ton of armor all leather shiner!

But congrats!

 

[JT2002TJ]

Man the place you got it from sure used a crap ton of armor all leather shiner!

But congrats!

Thanks!

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Enjoy @JT2002TJ and welcome to the dark side

 

[4sallypat]

Ford just announced a price drop on their entire Mustang Mach E in response to Tesla's price drops.

What timing!
My ordered incoming '23 Premium is going to be $3980 lower in cost!!!

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/01/ford-drops-prices-across-the-mustang-mach-e-lineup/

 

[jagolden]

To paraphrase, “Only when they pry my hybrid from my cold, dead hands.”