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

[Apple fanboy]

My local grocery store has a free 6-7kW charger (for <2 hrs). So, when I go in, I make use of it. It is a Volta charger. I see in the app that 1 of the 2 is always not working. The other, is the one I use (it's right up front next to the door I go in). I like it, because there is room around the spot, so my car is less likely to get hit. I get a little bit of free juice, and move on with my life.

I just use a J1772 adapter with a Karen lock.

I remember last year I parked my Ram Pickup, and was walking into the grocery store, a lady walked right up to me and felt the need to have a discussion about how EVs weren't useful. I don't know her, and honestly didn't even care to hear her.

I am a vehicle fan, motorcycles, cars, trucks, planes, spaceships, I don't care. They can be ICE, EV, or any other type of engine, I just love them all.

I'm just really happy with my Telsa Model 3!! I haven't gone on any trips, so my home charging is 99% of my charging.

I defiantly have more conversations with randoms since I got an EV. This old guy stopped me in the Post office car park and wanted to ask a load of questions as I was trying to leave. I explained a bit how they work, but I really couldn't see him being in the market for one!

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Here in Southern California where I am - within an hour of downtown LA without traffic - I make a point to go check 3rd party charging options just because I like to use them with my Tesla for fun.

MORE times than not, 3rd party charging options are not functional, won't respond, broken, or I can't get them started, OR..... if none of the previous listed issues exist, they're cost prohibitive for any use beyond 3-4 hours with massive fees to prevent >=4 hours of use.

I'm debating whether or not I want to install a CCS adapter on our 2018 Tesla because I'd love to use those options - but there's a waiting list out the door for those I'm told.


3rd Party Charging is funny. I go and plug in and I get handfuls of Tesla owners coming up to me asking how I can charge from those stations. And I get dozens of sentry notifications of Tesla owners coming over to look at how I'm charging at a 3rd party station.
From my perspective, charging at a ChargePoint+ station at 6.8kw and going to walk around the mall is a lot more pleasant than plugging into a Tesla Supercharger, making sure to be back within 30 mins to unplug for idle fees, and then go find parking. (Rancho Cucamonga - Victoria Gardens Mall).

I agree, I practice ABC (Always Be Charging) so yesterday we were in a lovely marina, just having a stroll around and sit to drink somewhere. The car park had four AC 22kw supplies, just hooked it up, maximum 4 hour stay, our car inbuilt charger can take a maximum of 11kw from those. Still nice when I'm parked up and don't have to do anything for it.

 

[diamond.g]

I am surprised no one has brought up the recall of FSD, in the thread.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I am surprised no one has brought up the recall of FSD, in the thread.

All car companies have safety recalls. The self driving element of Tesla’s isn’t road legal here in my country anyway.
But I’d never buy a Tesla for a few other reasons than this. Certainly some people will use the story to say EV’s aren’t safe.

 

[BigMcGuire]

All car companies have safety recalls. The self driving element of Tesla’s isn’t road legal here in my country anyway.
But I’d never buy a Tesla for a few other reasons than this. Certainly some people will use the story to say EV’s aren’t safe.

My wife and I lucked out. Our Used 2018 Model 3 Tesla came with acceleration boost and FSD included ($0 cost to us).

We never use it. The traffic aware cruise control is NICE - we use that in traffic quite a bit, but never the FSD. The roads here in Southern CA are just horrible and it has too many oops moments for us, so much so that it is pretty stressful using it. (Traffic Aware Cruise Control follows person in front of you but you drive). I prefer this as I can stay sufficiently left for motorcycles to pass in carpool lane.

Now if I was doing a long cross country road trip? FSD would be AMAZING. But 99% of our driving is street/between our house and UCLA (traffic). The few times we've done a road trip, FSD was absolutely amazing. You arrive at your destination with a LOT more energy than you expect.

I saw the recall in the news - news sites saying it's a recall and other sites saying, recall is a bad word cuz it's just going to be an OTA software update. All I can think of is, if I had paid $6k, $8k, or $15k for this thing I'd be pretty mad. But as we paid $0... <shrug>.

I wouldn't pay $15k for FSD, or even $6k. The only thing worth $ to me is the traffic aware cruise control.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I agree, I practice ABC (Always Be Charging) so yesterday we were in a lovely marina, just having a stroll around and sit to drink somewhere. The car park had four AC 22kw supplies, just hooked it up, maximum 4 hour stay, our car inbuilt charger can take a maximum of 11kw from those. Still nice when I'm parked up and don't have to do anything for it.

View attachment 2159433

Nice - we lucked out recently and got a Volta charger at a mall recently. It was 50 amps and 200v - was screaming fast. Of course, that free 10% charge we got was negated by blowing $100 at Barnes n Nobles but.... the Voltas had "2 hour limit" signs that were brand new (didn't see these before).

By the time we got out and back to our car, there was a line of EVs waiting to plug in. :/


Nice looking car! Love that green.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

My wife and I lucked out. Our Used 2018 Model 3 Tesla came with acceleration boost and FSD included ($0 cost to us).

We never use it. The traffic aware cruise control is NICE - we use that in traffic quite a bit, but never the FSD. The roads here in Southern CA are just horrible and it has too many oops moments for us, so much so that it is pretty stressful using it. (Traffic Aware Cruise Control follows person in front of you but you drive). I prefer this as I can stay sufficiently left for motorcycles to pass in carpool lane.

Now if I was doing a long cross country road trip? FSD would be AMAZING. But 99% of our driving is street/between our house and UCLA (traffic). The few times we've done a road trip, FSD was absolutely amazing. You arrive at your destination with a LOT more energy than you expect.

I saw the recall in the news - news sites saying it's a recall and other sites saying, recall is a bad word cuz it's just going to be an OTA software update. All I can think of is, if I had paid $6k, $8k, or $15k for this thing I'd be pretty mad. But as we paid $0... <shrug>.

I wouldn't pay $15k for FSD, or even $6k. The only thing worth $ to me is the traffic aware cruise control.

Yes automatic cruise control is pretty nice especially in traffic. I also like automatic speed limit cruise control, but sadly in the Polestar there seems to be a battle between Google Maps (often gets the speedlimit wrong...) and the Sign Recognition software. So you definitely have to be alert and aware of the speedlimits yourself.

The other thing I really like is Lane Keeping Assist, just a simple system that keeps you in your lane with a gentle vibration if you move out, or a nudge if you are at risk of going over. We have an upgraded pack as well which includes Pilot Assist where it steers automatically but I must admit that I prefer to do it myself, I also find the lane positioning a bit to central for my liking and becomes very scary with big trucks with loads next to you.

Ultimately they can be useful aids at times, I prefer the low intrusion settions where they are more assists opposed to taking over the driving.

 

[quagmire]

FSD is anything, but FSD. The only thing I would like from FSD is now offered in EAP( lane change, basic summon), but still not shelling out $6,000 for it.

It's just a catchy headline. There is a bug in the software, Tesla is going to fix it, but they have to call it a recall. As more cars become connected vehicles, this will happen to more automakers. Nothing actually wrong per se with the car, but there is a bug that needs fixed and a big enough bug to get the NHTSA's attention, but is quickly issued via OTA.

 

[dk001]

FSD is anything, but FSD. The only thing I would like from FSD is now offered in EAP( lane change, basic summon), but still not shelling out $6,000 for it.

It's just a catchy headline. There is a bug in the software, Tesla is going to fix it, but they have to call it a recall. As more cars become connected vehicles, this will happen to more automakers. Nothing actually wrong per se with the car, but there is a bug that needs fixed and a big enough bug to get the NHTSA's attention, but is quickly issued via OTA.

This was a voluntary recall as far as I know.
Software OTA updates needs a different name than “recall”.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Have my EV a full service today.
Yup, I topped up the washer fluid!

Also gave it a clean. Needs doing every week this time of year.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Have my EV a full service today.
Yup, I topped up the washer fluid!

Also gave it a clean. Needs doing every week this time of year.

You don’t have radiators? Heatpump? Steering rack? Hydraulic Brakes? Callipers? Door Hinges? Software updates? Tyres? 12v accessory battery and electric system? Etc …

 

[JT2002TJ]

I actually use FSD every time I drive my 2019 Model 3. I use navigation controlled FSD and/or just regular FSD. I also am using the latest pre-V11 beta. There are times when I know I will have to take over, so I do, but for 90%+ of my daily commute I am on FSD.

I work in Brooklyn and live in Long Island in NY. It's a 26 mile commute with downtown Brooklyn streets all the way to major highways.

I can predict when I need to take over in downtown areas. A perfect example is, when someone is aggressively walking towards the crosswalk when I have a green light, FSD out of an abundance of caution will slow down aggressively to avoid hitting a pedestrian. It also will take issue with double parked cars that cut into the lane, it will really slow down, then route around it (even when you can squeeze by). The other major flaw is merging onto or off of highways, some of them it can do, others it doesn't like, but once you drive it, you just have to remember if it is one you need to take over or not.

Taking over is as easy as turning the wheel, pressing the brake pedal, or lifting up the right stalk.

Regarding the recall, to me this is nothing like some of the other major recalls other manufactures have had in the past. From Airbags, exploding tires, and one that was early on with my Ram, a recall because people could remotely take control of your vehicle as you are driving.

I'm not defending Tesla, but recalls happen, especially if you are trying out new tech. If you want to stay stagnant and use old proven tech, you are less likely to have recalls, but to be an innovative company, and push forward, it's going to happen. Every Mercedes, BMW, Honda, Mopar, and Audi I've owned has had 3+ major recalls. The current recall is only applicable to those who subscribe to FSD AND are on the beta program, this is a very small subset of Tesla owners.

 

[diamond.g]

I actually use FSD every time I drive my 2019 Model 3. I use navigation controlled FSD and/or just regular FSD. I also am using the latest pre-V11 beta. There are times when I know I will have to take over, so I do, but for 90%+ of my daily commute I am on FSD.

I work in Brooklyn and live in Long Island in NY. It's a 26 mile commute with downtown Brooklyn streets all the way to major highways.

I can predict when I need to take over in downtown areas. A perfect example is, when someone is aggressively walking towards the crosswalk when I have a green light, FSD out of an abundance of caution will slow down aggressively to avoid hitting a pedestrian. It also will take issue with double parked cars that cut into the lane, it will really slow down, then route around it (even when you can squeeze by). The other major flaw is merging onto or off of highways, some of them it can do, others it doesn't like, but once you drive it, you just have to remember if it is one you need to take over or not.

Taking over is as easy as turning the wheel, pressing the brake pedal, or lifting up the right stalk.

Regarding the recall, to me this is nothing like some of the other major recalls other manufactures have had in the past. From Airbags, exploding tires, and one that was early on with my Ram, a recall because people could remotely take control of your vehicle as you are driving.

I'm not defending Tesla, but recalls happen, especially if you are trying out new tech. If you want to stay stagnant and use old proven tech, you are less likely to have recalls, but to be an innovative company, and push forward, it's going to happen. Every Mercedes, BMW, Honda, Mopar, and Audi I've owned has had 3+ major recalls. The current recall is only applicable to those who subscribe to FSD AND are on the beta program, this is a very small subset of Tesla owners.

How long have you been using the beta?

 

[JT2002TJ]

How long have you been using the beta?

Since the day I got the car about month ago (Jan 28th). I picked up a Black 2019 Model 3 Long Range (from Tesla) that came with FSD and Acceleration Boost.

I use it every drive, around town.

 

[diamond.g]

Since the day I got the car about month ago (Jan 28th). I picked up a Black 2019 Model 3 Long Range (from Tesla) that came with FSD and Acceleration Boost.

I use it every drive, around town.

Nice. Living "out in the sticks" I do get annoyed about how it hates being in the right lane, but other than that I do enjoy using it.

 

[4sallypat]

Just test drove a Kia EV6 GT RWD and loved it!

Compared to the Ford Mustang Mach E that is 10+ months delayed, the EV6 drives more like a sports car.

Complete with HUD, tightened suspension sport mode, seats that feel stiff, and takes corners very well (maybe torque vectoring)...

The only issue is that it does not qualify for the $7500 tax credit as a purchase but does qualify for it under the IRS 45W lease.

Wife did not like the looks - she prefers the Mustang EV.

My Lightning EV next to the Mustang EV we test drove:

 

[BigMcGuire]

Since the day I got the car about month ago (Jan 28th). I picked up a Black 2019 Model 3 Long Range (from Tesla) that came with FSD and Acceleration Boost.

I use it every drive, around town.

Agreed. FSD can actually drive. It's very amazing when you first see it. I could use it all the time too if I wanted to - I'm surprised how many Tesla owners I've talked to who use it all the time.

The biggest problem I have is that it errs on the side of caution so it'll slam on its brakes a lot where most humans would just keep speed and move a little.

For example: I had a tow truck driver step into traffic (still plenty of room for me to pass even if I didn't touch the steering wheel) but the Tesla FSD freaked out and slammed on its brakes almost causing an accident. (Some humans would do this too - granted).

Second example: California streets (at least where I live) are horrid. Not marked and severely pothole'd so bad you could pop your tire if you let FSD do its thing. I don't know what it is about our part of California but our streets have gone to **** in the last few years. FSD doesn't like it when the lines indicating lanes go away lol. Lots of construction too. Note - it actually catches a lot of pot holes and drives around them but not all.

Minus that it's actually good especially on the freeway. Absolutely amazing. I argue it's more aware and all the time vs most humans. It is very impressive. I don't for a second question the statement that this could prevent a lot of accidents vs a lot of distracted humans I see driving out there.

Edit: Excellent post about FSD - 100% agree.

 

[dk001]

Agreed. FSD can actually drive. It's very amazing when you first see it. I could use it all the time too if I wanted to - I'm surprised how many Tesla owners I've talked to who use it all the time.

The biggest problem I have is that it errs on the side of caution so it'll slam on its brakes a lot where most humans would just keep speed and move a little.

For example: I had a tow truck driver step into traffic (still plenty of room for me to pass even if I didn't touch the steering wheel) but the Tesla FSD freaked out and slammed on its brakes almost causing an accident. (Some humans would do this too - granted).

Second example: California streets (at least where I live) are horrid. Not marked and severely pothole'd so bad you could pop your tire if you let FSD do its thing. I don't know what it is about our part of California but our streets have gone to **** in the last few years. FSD doesn't like it when the lines indicating lanes go away lol. Lots of construction too. Note - it actually catches a lot of pot holes and drives around them but not all.

Minus that it's actually good especially on the freeway. Absolutely amazing. I argue it's more aware and all the time vs most humans. It is very impressive. I don't for a second question the statement that this could prevent a lot of accidents vs a lot of distracted humans I see driving out there.

Edit: Excellent post about FSD - 100% agree.

I remember my first OMG!!!! on the 405 just after I moved to Cali - Soccer mom in a yellow H2 drinking Starbucks, talking on her phone, in hand, looking into her flip down mirror yelling at kids in the 2nd row and doing something else with her other hand - gesturing?. I assume she was knee steering.
Candidate for FSD. Maybe even court ordered.

I was starting to wonder what planet I was on. 👨‍🚀

 

[4sallypat]

.....
The biggest problem I have is that it errs on the side of caution so it'll slam on its brakes a lot where most humans would just keep speed and move a little.

For example: I had a tow truck driver step into traffic (still plenty of room for me to pass even if I didn't touch the steering wheel) but the Tesla FSD freaked out and slammed on its brakes almost causing an accident. (Some humans would do this too - granted).

Second example: California streets (at least where I live) are horrid. Not marked and severely pothole'd so bad you could pop your tire if you let FSD do its thing. I don't know what it is about our part of California but our streets have gone to **** in the last few years. FSD doesn't like it when the lines indicating lanes go away lol. Lots of construction too. Note - it actually catches a lot of pot holes and drives around them but not all.

Minus that it's actually good especially on the freeway. Absolutely amazing. I argue it's more aware and all the time vs most humans. It is very impressive. I don't for a second question the statement that this could prevent a lot of accidents vs a lot of distracted humans I see driving out there.

Edit: Excellent post about FSD - 100% agree.

If it errs on caution, then why would a Tesla run into a firetruck blocking lanes on a freeway ?
Was the dead driver distracted ?

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-injuries-fires-59d22dced75ec1ce6929c9dfb094524c

 

[JT2002TJ]

If it errs on caution, then why would a Tesla run into a firetruck blocking lanes on a freeway ?
Was the dead driver distracted ?

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-injuries-fires-59d22dced75ec1ce6929c9dfb094524c

I have seen no articles/documentation that this car had FSD, or even if it had FSD, that it had FSD activated at the time of the accident...

The bring up 2 separate issues. A car crashed, and there happens to be an FSD (the also fail to mention that it is only for FSD beta, not regular FSD) recall, nothing states there was an overlap.

 

[BigMcGuire]

If it errs on caution, then why would a Tesla run into a firetruck blocking lanes on a freeway ?
Was the dead driver distracted ?

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-injuries-fires-59d22dced75ec1ce6929c9dfb094524c

So what little I know - Some Teslas have had issues with red firetrucks and crashing into them. I remember seeing articles awhile ago with issues with the self driving accelerating at firetrucks. While I've never had this problem - I am always actively monitoring FSD.

I don't know how people bypass the safeties? My Tesla SCREAMS at me loudly threatening instant FSD termination if I so much as touch my phone while the FSD is active (via cabin camera). And it screams at me if it notices I'm not paying attention to the road for more than a few seconds. AND it requires me to touch the steering wheel every 30 seconds - or rest my hands on the wheel constantly so it knows I'm paying attention.

In this specific case we don't know if FSD was activated, if the driver was conscious / drunk / impaired, etc. Sad a life was lost. :/

 

[diamond.g]

If it errs on caution, then why would a Tesla run into a firetruck blocking lanes on a freeway ?
Was the dead driver distracted ?

https://apnews.com/article/technology-business-injuries-fires-59d22dced75ec1ce6929c9dfb094524c

Because the FSD stack isn't in use on the highway.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Because the FSD stack isn't in use on the highway.

This too... Currently AP takes over on the highways, FSD, is only for off highways...

But either way, we have no idea if AP/EP/FSD was activated when that accident happened.

 

[4sallypat]

So what little I know - Some Teslas have had issues with red firetrucks and crashing into them. I remember seeing articles awhile ago with issues with the self driving accelerating at firetrucks. While I've never had this problem - I am always actively monitoring FSD.

I don't know how people bypass the safeties? My Tesla SCREAMS at me loudly threatening instant FSD termination if I so much as touch my phone while the FSD is active (via cabin camera). And it screams at me if it notices I'm not paying attention to the road for more than a few seconds. AND it requires me to touch the steering wheel every 30 seconds - or rest my hands on the wheel constantly so it knows I'm paying attention.

In this specific case we don't know if FSD was activated, if the driver was conscious / drunk / impaired, etc. Sad a life was lost. :/

Yes, very strange that a high tech vehicle like a Tesla would crash into a non moving object - my 2 non Tesla EVs would beep, then flash and then apply the autonomous braking to mitigate collisions.

 

[diamond.g]

This too... Currently AP takes over on the highways, FSD, is only for off highways...

But either way, we have no idea if AP/EP/FSD was activated when that accident happened.

I've seen AP respond to flashing lights by slowing down (and noting that there is an emergency vehicle on the screen) even when I am not in the lane in question at night (have not seen it do it during the day). No clue why this vehicle didn't react the same way (assuming AP was in use).