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I’m ready to trade in my electric car

latimes.com

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Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#21

Post by jseliger »

jmclnx wrote: post #15

This is the chicken and egg issue. No one will build and/or maintain chargers unless there are lots of EVs. No one will buy EVs unless charging stations are easy to find/use. I do not know why the US Gov did not choose to subsidize existing Gas Stations to build these. Instead they are putting these in places that are close to impossible to find. I have said this before, until charging is as convenient and fast as ge…

I've had an EV for two years and in that time alone charging infrastructure has massively expanded. Just the growth of Electrify America has been phenomenal. Beyond that, charging stations are easy to find and use: PlugShare is probably the most useful app.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#22

Post by jseliger »

ZeroGravitas wrote: post #20

America seems really bad at basic infrastructure things. They're in some weird kind of panglossian mindset where, if it's not working in the USA then that proves that it is in fact literally impossible. So rather than sort themselves out and install some more plugs, they just shrug and give up. I imagine a Chinese General pointing to this article and saying "see, their army will topple like Russia's in Ukraine did, i…

NEPA is the big problem: https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/the-big-nepa-roundup, not "mindset." NIMBYism more generally is also a problem.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#23

Post by junofan »

ZeroGravitas wrote: post #20

America seems really bad at basic infrastructure things. They're in some weird kind of panglossian mindset where, if it's not working in the USA then that proves that it is in fact literally impossible. So rather than sort themselves out and install some more plugs, they just shrug and give up. I imagine a Chinese General pointing to this article and saying "see, their army will topple like Russia's in Ukraine did, i…

The article states the federal government is installing 500,000 more plugs. Who is shrugging and giving up?

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#24

Post by bobleeswagger »

jwr wrote: post #16
_xerces_ wrote: post #7

She's not blowing past any muscle cars in her Kia Nero EV with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds. I guess everyone in an EV assumes their vehicle is superfast?

Well, there is also the instant response to the gas pedal. A gasoline-powered engine, especially with a turbocharger, takes a while to respond, and the gearbox might need to switch gears. That could be up to 2 seconds until you start accelerating, and another 2 seconds until you reach top power output. In an EV, you press the pedal and everything happens instantly. Instant torque. All this makes a big difference in p…

> All this makes a big difference in practical driving.

It really doesn't, it's just a side effect. We already have massive tailgating issues across the US, and most folks have zero idea what the limits of their commuter EV are. Kind of a recipe for disaster.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#25

Post by CamperBob2 »

_xerces_ wrote: post #7

She's not blowing past any muscle cars in her Kia Nero EV with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds. I guess everyone in an EV assumes their vehicle is superfast?

It's enough to blow past a late-70s Ferrari. Car enthusiasts don't appreciate how good we have it today.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#26

Post by shrimpx »

jwr wrote: post #16
_xerces_ wrote: post #7

She's not blowing past any muscle cars in her Kia Nero EV with a 0-60 of 6.5-7 seconds. I guess everyone in an EV assumes their vehicle is superfast?

Well, there is also the instant response to the gas pedal. A gasoline-powered engine, especially with a turbocharger, takes a while to respond, and the gearbox might need to switch gears. That could be up to 2 seconds until you start accelerating, and another 2 seconds until you reach top power output. In an EV, you press the pedal and everything happens instantly. Instant torque. All this makes a big difference in p…

Still, you can’t bear a muscle car in 0-60. Maybe 0-30 tho.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#27

Post by MuffinFlavored »

tgma wrote: post #8

Specifically the author is talking about a non-Tesla EV, one that had the known defect of lack of a proper charging infrastructure at point of purchase. Nothing to see here. [Talking about Teslas and “EVs” as if they are the same category is like talking about Computer Science and “STEM” in a single category. Often disingenuous and draws the wrong conclusion.]

> one that had the known defect of lack of a proper charging infrastructure at point of purchase.

Is the charger adapter that you plug in on a Tesla or a non-Tesla not standardized like USB-C to the point where you can go to any station (as long as you have any brand of EV and not an internal combustion engine gasoline/diesel car or whatever) and benefit from it/use it/plug it in? Sorry, out of the loop, I've dodged electric cars.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#29

Post by xyzzy_plugh »

shireboy wrote: post #18

This to me is still the weak link. It’s not just chargers, it’s 30+ minute charge time. As great as electric is, an extra hour in the car on a road-trip with 3 kids is a tough sell. More chargers would help but it’s really battery tech and charge times that need a few more innovations before I’d consider for a car I might take a road trip in.

I recently went on a trip where the power was out at our destination for over 24 hours due to a storm. The nearest town was ~20 minutes away and likely did not have any fast charging infrastructure. Even if it did, it's a pretty bad spot to be in, especially if you have young kids.

I have been considering getting an electric car but that trip made me realize I'd have to reserve the EV for urban travel only. Otherwise I'd be uncomfortable with the risk. Even with my gas guzzling SUV I can always bring more gas just in case.

I spoke to someone who has an EV and brings a generator with them on long trips so they can charge their car. This seems so wildly impractical to me.

I really look forward to the day EVs exceed the range and energy capacity of combustion vehicles -- without having to stuff batteries in the headrest. But it's just not there today.

Re: I’m ready to trade in my electric car

#30

Post by dade_ »

One day, the infrastructure will arrive, and I think gov’ts should worry 80% about infrastructure, and 20% EV incentives. Until then, PHEVs are often a great choice in the current (pun unintentional) situation.

Also, I wish all level 2 chargers cost money, a reasonable rate of course. Tesla owners are part of the problem. A large contingent of them are annoying cheap bastards. Typical parking lot: Paid level 3 charging, vacant. Free level 2 charging beside it, filled with Teslas.

Unlike this author, I did research before buying an electric car and determined PHEV was by far the best choice for me. It was 2016, the car has been perfect for me and literally the most trouble free, and low maintenance vehicle I’ve owned.

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