Electric Car thread

[twy]

Does this count. We use this at our summer home to get around town. At least it charges on 115 Vac. Unfortunately we are limited to streets that are 35 mph or less. Also, the trip there is too far to make an EV practical but at least we save gas while we are there.

 

[CodyDog]

To add my own situation (I know, just a single data point, but still), we bought a gently-used Toyota hybrid RAV4 off a major Ford dealership here in Oregon last fall. I talked with the sales people about the Mustang Mach-E in the showroom and they pointed to the lot outside. "There are two entire rows of Mach-E's out there;" demand has plummeted. And this is in Oregon, considered a very green state.

Recently I was in the market for a new car. Went by the Local Mercedes dealership and the sales representative said he would give me a great deal on an EV. Said they are not moving very well here in Colorado Springs.

 

[gromike]

Does this count. We use this at our summer home to get around town. At least it charges on 115 Vac. Unfortunately we are limited to streets that are 35 mph or less. Also, the trip there is too far to make an EV practical but at least we save gas while we are there.

I looked into getting a used NEV with FLA batteries for cheap, those things go for well over $1k, and me thinks to convert it to Li-ion battery is about $1k plus. So enjoy your ride. I want to get a GEM for next to nothing. Waiting for someone getting rid of a dead one at a fire sale price, because to fix it will cost a pretty penny.

 

[6zfshdb]

This topic can easily turn into a flame war, which does little good for either point of view.

As an engineer (EE) I'm always interested in new technologies, but I find it a bit irritating to see the religious fervor that some folks have regarding EVs.

I see this on other forums as well. EV's are becoming almost as polarizing as political discussions.

Too many of us form opinions without fully understanding the entire process. Those, like myself, who are basically in favor of transportation electrification, are branded as EV haters by simply voicing concerns about a single aspect of the process.

The concept is not an "all or nothing" proposition. There are many useful ideas and legitimate concerns discussed in these forums. Why not listen and comment without breaking out the flamethrowers!

 

[CanNik]

I want an EV, have checked out most from the Ford Mustang E to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 problem is we have no off road parking so no home charging, next car will therefore just because of this be a VW Tiguan Allspace

 

[PatriciaK]

This topic can easily turn into a flame war, which does little good for either point of view.

I'd gently suggest that the rate of growth is rapidly declining, and manufacturers are no longer claiming they will ditch ICE vehicles.

Secondly, while there is a cost savings on "fuel" there is a brutal depreciation hit, and insurance I've read is also much higher. Maintenance? These days an ICE from a premium manufacturer requires very few repairs over its lifetime. I've read (can't recall where at the moment) that an EV requires 2/3 the shop time of an ICE vehicle. So there's a savings there, but not huge.

To add my own situation (I know, just a single data point, but still), we bought a gently-used Toyota hybrid RAV4 off a major Ford dealership here in Oregon last fall. I talked with the sales people about the Mustang Mach-E in the showroom and they pointed to the lot outside. "There are two entire rows of Mach-E's out there;" demand has plummeted. And this is in Oregon, considered a very green state.

A plug-in eliminates the range anxiety EV issue but all you're really saving is one gallon of gas per trip, since the battery only takes you 30-40 miles before exhaustion.

As an engineer (EE) I'm always interested in new technologies, but I find it a bit irritating to see the religious fervor that some folks have regarding EVs.

I believe most of the data available shows that the majority of Americans drive well under 40 miles per day (yes, there are many who drive more than that, but they're still the minority), so a plug-in hybrid would use no gas at all on a daily basis.

 

[Roamers]

I believe most of the data available shows that the majority of Americans drive well under 40 miles per day (yes, there are many who drive more than that, but they're still the minority), so a plug-in hybrid would use no gas at all on a daily basis.

Not sure what the advantage of the added complexity of Hybrid over ICE besides making one feel good.

 

[BigNerd]

@PatriciaK

That's what I say... PHEVs are actually the worst of both worlds because you still have the ICE maintenance, low EV range and the worrisome ICE/EV interchange.

Someone on Electrek asked me why it's not the best of both worlds and I said because most PHEVs don't have 300mi EV range and 40mpg ICE range.

I got a PHEV first then realized we barely use gas and went EV and was fine. Wife still wasn't sure (her primary was an ICE) so got her a PHEV and now she realizes she prefers the EV.

I want an EV, have checked out most from the Ford Mustang E to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 problem is we have no off road parking so no home charging, next car will therefore just because of this be a VW Tiguan Allspace

Our Ioniq 5 is never parked in the garage or on the driveway... we never charge it at home (and I no charging at work). But it has free 30 minute sessions on EA and an 18-minute 10-80% charge time. So it parks on the road and we treat it like an ICE and "fill it up" every 10-14 days. The 18-minute charge time (which I sometimes stretch to the full 30 minutes if there is no one waiting) passes like nothing, especially if I'm eating breakfast or lunch, reading EBR or go walk around for a bit.

 

[kevinmccune]

Not sure what the advantage of the added complexity of Hybrid over ICE besides making one feel good.

no disrespect,why would a hybrid make someone feel good? it has an initial carbon footprint higher than an ice or ev.

 

[Roamers]

no disrespect,why would a hybrid make someone feel good? it has an initial carbon footprint higher than an ice or ev.

None taken. I don't know why. They think it is helping the environment? Uninformed? Personally don't see any advantage to one.

My brother is getting ready replace some kind of Toyota hybrid rollerskate with (probably) a Tesla. To each their own.

 

[kevinmccune]

yep,i know a lady who went from a 13 mpg 1500 ck to a 50 mpg prius, she turned into a regular "gadabout" with the higher mpg vehicle, dont know if that helped the enviroment any or not. the chevy volt was a pretty good idea imo,no range anxiety and no gas burnt on short hops while its ice engine was actually powerful enough to power the car when the battery ran out of juice.

 

[PDoz]

@PatriciaK

That's what I say... PHEVs are actually the worst of both worlds because you still have the ICE maintenance, low EV range and the worrisome ICE/EV interchange.

Someone on Electrek asked me why it's not the best of both worlds and I said because most PHEVs don't have 300mi EV range and 40mpg ICE range.

I got a PHEV first then realized we barely use gas and went EV and was fine. Wife still wasn't sure (her primary was an ICE) so got her a PHEV and now she realizes she prefers the EV.



Our Ioniq 5 is never parked in the garage or on the driveway... we never charge it at home (and I no charging at work). But it has free 30 minute sessions on EA and an 18-minute 10-80% charge time. So it parks on the road and we treat it like an ICE and "fill it up" every 10-14 days. The 18-minute charge time (which I sometimes stretch to the full 30 minutes if there is no one waiting) passes like nothing, especially if I'm eating breakfast or lunch, reading EBR or go walk around for a bit.

I keep hearing that phev are the worst of both worlds, but I'm hoping they SHOULD make sense for what I do.

Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri are short trips to work / around town - easily within the limited ev range of a phev.

On Wed I travel for recreation - I alternate weeks between sailing - 65 km each way , plus towing a 2 tonne boat about 150 metres. I can plug in and recharge whilst sailing ( on solar) . The other weeks are variable drives to mountain bike destinations - that'll involve dino burning .

I struggle to justify the obscene prices of an EV that'll tow that boat for short distance, AND cope with mild 4x4 at mtb destinations. But there are plenty of reasonably priced phev's that should be up to it . (Eg mitsubishi eclipse cross / outlander) I figure I'd be running 9/10 days as an EV , with a much smaller battery - which surely has to be resource friendly? If I recharge whilst sailing, less that 20% of my km will be burning dinosaurs.

IF / when there's a reasonably priced EV IN AUSTRALIA that can manage to drag a 2 t boat up a ramp , then the phev can become our second car / local run about?

The alternative is I keep my diesel sucking ute for the recreation days and buy a dedicated EV for normal driving. That'd make a lot of sense for tax purposes , but it'd mean less that 30% of my km are done in EV mode!

 

[kevinmccune]

I keep hearing that phev are the worst of both worlds, but I'm hoping they SHOULD make sense for what I do.

Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri are short trips to work / around town - easily within the limited ev range of a phev.

On Wed I travel for recreation - I alternate weeks between sailing - 65 km each way , plus towing a 2 tonne boat about 150 metres. I can plug in and recharge whilst sailing ( on solar) . The other weeks are variable drives to mountain bike destinations - that'll involve dino burning .

I struggle to justify the obscene prices of an EV that'll tow that boat for short distance, AND cope with mild 4x4 at mtb destinations. But there are plenty of reasonably priced phev's that should be up to it . (Eg mitsubishi eclipse cross / outlander) I figure I'd be running 9/10 days as an EV , with a much smaller battery - which surely has to be resource friendly? If I recharge whilst sailing, less that 20% of my km will be burning dinosaurs.

IF / when there's a reasonably priced EV IN AUSTRALIA that can manage to drag a 2 t boat up a ramp , then the phev can become our second car / local run about?

The alternative is I keep my diesel sucking ute for the recreation days and buy a dedicated EV for normal driving. That'd make a lot of sense for tax purposes , but it'd mean less that 30% of my km are done in EV mode!

keep watching the ford maverick pickup( so interesting in fact i may even get the pure gas version) the 25 model year should have everything you are looking for.

 

[6zfshdb]

My brother made his own "hybrid" by carrying his Honda portable generator in his Chevy Bolt. He keeps engineered fuel in the generator, so he doesn't have to worry about stale gas. It runs about 3 hours on that fuel, which puts enough charge in the vehicle to go 40 - 50 miles.

He hasn't had to use it yet but he considers it insurance.

 

[PatriciaK]

I keep hearing that phev are the worst of both worlds, but I'm hoping they SHOULD make sense for what I do.

Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri are short trips to work / around town - easily within the limited ev range of a phev.

On Wed I travel for recreation - I alternate weeks between sailing - 65 km each way , plus towing a 2 tonne boat about 150 metres. I can plug in and recharge whilst sailing ( on solar) . The other weeks are variable drives to mountain bike destinations - that'll involve dino burning .

I struggle to justify the obscene prices of an EV that'll tow that boat for short distance, AND cope with mild 4x4 at mtb destinations. But there are plenty of reasonably priced phev's that should be up to it . (Eg mitsubishi eclipse cross / outlander) I figure I'd be running 9/10 days as an EV , with a much smaller battery - which surely has to be resource friendly? If I recharge whilst sailing, less that 20% of my km will be burning dinosaurs.

IF / when there's a reasonably priced EV IN AUSTRALIA that can manage to drag a 2 t boat up a ramp , then the phev can become our second car / local run about?

The alternative is I keep my diesel sucking ute for the recreation days and buy a dedicated EV for normal driving. That'd make a lot of sense for tax purposes , but it'd mean less that 30% of my km are done in EV mode!

Sometimes, the "worst of both worlds" is the best you can do .

 

[PDoz]

keep watching the ford maverick pickup( so interesting in fact i may even get the pure gas version) the 25 model year should have everything you are looking for.

Unfortunately not available in Australia. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they were!

 

[CodyDog]

no disrespect,why would a hybrid make someone feel good? it has an initial carbon footprint higher than an ice or ev.

I represent a small group of hybrid buyers. I have a Wrangle Rubicon 4xe hybrid . It makes me feel good but not because it's footprint and environmental push. The hybrid set up gives my Jeep 380 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. The standard Wrangler has 286 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. with the 3.6L V6.

 

[kevinmccune]

Unfortunately not available in Australia. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they were!

are they bringing the "ranchero" to aussie land? it looks like a conventional ute?

 

[kevinmccune]

I represent a small group of hybrid buyers. I have a Wrangle Rubicon 4xe hybrid . It makes me feel good but not because it's footprint and environmental push. The hybrid set up gives my Jeep 380 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. The standard Wrangler has 286 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. with the 3.6L V6.

torque good off road(even at lights-bet a couple of "sporty drivers have got fooled.

 

[WattsUpDude]

I represent a small group of hybrid buyers. I have a Wrangle Rubicon 4xe hybrid . It makes me feel good but not because it's footprint and environmental push. The hybrid set up gives my Jeep 380 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. The standard Wrangler has 286 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. with the 3.6L V6.

Nice. 4Xe is my wife’s dream vehicle.