Electric Car Ownership - Any Experiences?

[Umbran]

It'd be a huge, but possibly worthwhile investment to look into a battery for the house as well.

When we do get the solar upgrade, yes. But that's a larger project, and my wife needs a new car for work pretty much now.

Our current heating system isn't electric, but the furnace will not run if the electricity is out. So, a battery would be really nice when a big winter Nor'easter kills the power.

Tesla's Powerwall is the big one, but I'm sure there's non-tesla options out there as well.

I am torn on that one. Tesla's Powerwall is technically the best on the market. But their customer service reportedly sucks fishtank gravel, and it'd be giving money to... that guy.

 

[TwoSix]

How long before manufacturers let you program your own sounds? And how many people will choose the option "Tie Fighter"?

From my understanding, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N does have a programmable suite of sounds, including “vrooming” noises while accelerating.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

From my understanding, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N does have a programmable suite of sounds, including “vrooming” noises while accelerating.

That's the problem with tech, taking our human jobs!

I MAKE THE VROOM VROOM SOUNDS WHEN I ACCELERATE!

 

[rustythorn]

Wow, there is still so much misinformation/slams about EVs out there: 480v in the garage of a residential house...huh, what? 240v charging is nice but not always necessary. Most EVs come with a low amp 120v charger that will take forever, however there are higher amp 120v chargers available. Depending on driving habits 15 amps @ 120v provides 6-8 miles per hour and 20 amps 8-10 miles per hour. So if you drive home after work you can get 12 to 14 hours of charging which is 72 to 140 miles of range. Yes tires wear out a little faster. Part of it due to weight, part of it due to driving but a lot of it due to the design of the tire. LLR (low rolling resistance) tires will wear faster. You don't have to use them but you'll lose 5-10% range if you don't. Yes EVs are quiet so is every gas powered compact modern car. EVs fires can be dangerous but only because most safety personnel have not yet received training on how to put them out and the chance of an EV catching fire is far less than an ICE.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Tesla's Powerwall is technically the best on the market. But their customer service reportedly sucks fishtank gravel, and it'd be giving money to... that guy.

Again, nothing to compare it to. But the one time I had an issue with the sonnen battery (they call it a batterie because they're German), I was able to immediately resolve it with competent tech support on the phone that immediately diagnosed the issue and guided me through how to resolve it.

(ETA- I should add that the solar and battery was already part of the property; it was a reno by a very eco-conscious engineer. SO. MANY. LIGHT. SWITCHES.)

 

[payn]

New EV safety measure???

 

[prabe]

@Umbran I see I am late in the thread, but my wife and I acquired a Kia EV6 a couple of years ago, and we love it. It's fun to drive, roomy, comfortable, and cost-efficient (helped by the fact we have solar panels on our house ...). The only downside is if you fancy long road-trips--especially to/in places without a lot of infrastructure; sometimes you can't go where you want at all, sometimes it just takes a lot more care and planing.

 

[Horwath]

Not everyone has full vision, and I have plenty of experience of EVs not being where they are supposed to be (i.e on the road).

It’s particularly dangerous for the elderly.

cars not being where there should be is not EVs problem, it's people problem.
that is why I said that I look both ways even when crossing one-way street.

"you can make things idiot proof, but they will just make a better idiot"

 

[Umbran]

Okay, the point that EVs are quiet, and care should be taken in their operation, is fair, and note taken.

Good, then? We don't really need to belabor that further, do we? Thanks.

 

[Horwath]

Any really long distance travelling would need careful planning. We have a friend who did a family vacation from Boston to the Grand Canyon and back in a Tesla, for example.

Even if there were sufficient level 3 charging stations, the added time would be notable. So, we do expect to also get a second car for use on longer trips and for my occasional use.

personally, I see needing to charge the car every 200-300KM a feature not a bug.
people should rest more during long driving. Having 30-60min breaks is a good thing.

I once did 700KM drive without break(Prague-Zagreb) as I was in a hurry, never again.
That was borderline suicidal behavior, you need to take a break.