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Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

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Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#621

Post by argonaut »

rconti wrote: post #610
argonaut wrote: post #391

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The standard range Model Y, which you can only order in-store/phone (so I'm not even sure if it's still available), costs something like $42k and it's RWD, not AWD, and has about the same range as the ID4. You also can't just say "without the credit." Once the ID4 loses the tax credit, VW will cut the price of the ID4. Tesla cut the price of the Model 3 when it started losing the credit.

The ID4 "First" edition with RWD only, 201hp 250mi range and 7.1s 0-60 had a $45,190 base price in the US vs a $49,490 AWD Model Y with 326mi range and 4.8s 0-60. (I had to go back and look up all the numbers I was looking at a month or two ago when I was following ID4 reviews. Apologies if you don't feel like this was represented properly in my initial comment). Credits depend on what state you're in, and whether yo…

I'm referring to the base ID.4 Pro, not the ID.4 First. The $7500 federal credit also does not depend on your state.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#622

Post by 0_____0 »

grecy wrote: post #616
0_____0 wrote: post #451

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow that's pretty amazing. I'm a Californian in Boston and I managed to ride when it was about 0F out and I thought that was a bit much. How do you dress for such a venture? I find that either I'm freezing cold when starting off until I get warm through exertion, or I'm comfortable starting off and am sweltering by the time I get where I'm going.

It's a tricky balance, and usually you want to start a bit cold, knowing you'll get warm "Be bold, start cold" - but of course you have to watch out for frostbite. My commute to work was only ~15mins on the bike, and for the first half I was a bit cold, and then the second half I was unzipping my jacket and would even stand outside the office with no jacket of toque or gloves for 3-5 minutes in -40 temps to cool off.…

i find that my hands, toes and ears seem to be weak points. i might have to find some earmuffs that work with a helmet for next winter.

side note: i snooped your profile a bit and i'm intrigued by the path you've chosen. i am moving in a similar direction, and no doubt could benefit from referencing your experience...

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#623

Post by nikolay »

oblio wrote: post #303
nikolay wrote: post #224

I'm puzzled why EVs are so expensive when they have simpler design and parts. Is it because of the battery? Also, isn't EMF radiation an issue for you?

Batteries are very expensive. EMF radiation from what?

From the electric motor.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#624

Post by nikolay »

hnburnsy wrote: post #377
rsynnott wrote: post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is it because of the battery? That's the big contributor, yep. > Also, isn't EMF radiation an issue for you? For who? I mean, if you happen to be an AM radio it may be an issue, but I can't see why it would be a problem for humans.

Good point on the AM radio, my Model 3 does not have AM, but wondering do any BEVs have AM radio?

Some researchers believe non-ionizing EMF can disrupt melatonin production and thus boost cancer development.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#625

Post by ajross »

argonaut wrote: post #467
ajross wrote: post #458

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of that list, only the Soul has a starting MSRP under $20k I believe, the others all have $20k as a floor. And I'm not saying that no one buys those cars, just that the market isn't large and that most new cars are significantly more expensive. This link puts the average (I couldn't find a median) at $41k, for example: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2021/01/07/new-car... So a bunch of EV's sitting 20-30% a…

All those cars sell for well under $20k after discounts and rebates. MSRP != average transaction price: you need to check the KBB value (and some of them also have an MSRP under $20k, like the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, and most of the subcompact crossover segment).

I understand how car pricing works. Nitpicking about the threshold isn't the point. Cheap new cars are a real, but small part of the total market. EVs don't compete there well now, but that says basically nothing about the ability of EVs to penetrate the broader market.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#626

Post by ajross »

don-code wrote: post #360
toomuchtodo wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed. These EVs will filter down to the used market over time, satiating demand from those not of means to afford a new car. It's ideal really; those who can buy new eat the depreciation, while those who can't afford new end up with a vehicle that will be able to go hundreds of thousands of miles before end of service life (perhaps with some cosmetic blemishes, but not much more of concern considering powertrain lo…

We sort of know what to expect with powertrain longevity on used vehicles, but I'm not sure we know the same for electric vehicles just yet. Consider: I had my last car purchase (which I knew would be used) between a BMW 4 Series, a VW Golf R, and a Subaru STI. I went with the 4 Series. The Golf R and STI are often used as track cars, and 40k miles on a Golf R may very well be the equivalent of 100k miles on a regula…

It's really just "battery" longevity. The EV-unique part of the power train on most of these vehicles is a single-gear electric motor with one moving part. There are broadly similar devices in service today that have been working more or less unmaintained for literally a century (think elevator motors in old apartment buildings, etc...). It's pretty well travelled territory.

But yes: batteries age and need to be replaced. But while that's quite expensive in materials, it's actually very feasible as a maintenance task. A 2012 Model S could have its battery swapped and no doubt drive for another decade with minimal fuss.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#627

Post by zbrozek »

throwaway0xa wrote: post #462
zbrozek wrote: post #349

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Beware NEM 3.0. Note that the CA utilities are working to try to keep milking you even if you have solar. The most loathsome part of it is that the utilities are trying to charge you $10/month/kilowatt-peak for the array you own, even if they push zero energy onto the grid. From my perspective, that's ridiculous rent-seeking. Personally I'm working towards getting off the grid entirely.

The $10 a month is a service charge to be connected to the grid with a meter, so you can send energy to the grid to get money back, or use the grid when your solar isn't generating enough energy. I think that's fair. It pays for the meter, the transformer you're connected to, the grid circuit, etc.

You've misinterpreted the proposal. It's $10/mo per installed kilowatt-peak of solar panels behind the meter. There's _another_ fixed charge that is more reasonable.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#628

Post by grecy »

0_____0 wrote: post #622
grecy wrote: post #616

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a tricky balance, and usually you want to start a bit cold, knowing you'll get warm "Be bold, start cold" - but of course you have to watch out for frostbite. My commute to work was only ~15mins on the bike, and for the first half I was a bit cold, and then the second half I was unzipping my jacket and would even stand outside the office with no jacket of toque or gloves for 3-5 minutes in -40 temps to cool off.…

i find that my hands, toes and ears seem to be weak points. i might have to find some earmuffs that work with a helmet for next winter. side note: i snooped your profile a bit and i'm intrigued by the path you've chosen. i am moving in a similar direction, and no doubt could benefit from referencing your experience...

I used to wear a pear of very thin merino wool gloves and then a MASSIVE pair of very well insulated mitts. After leaving the house I had to take off my mitts to unlock my bike, and I knew it was cold (past -35 or so) when I couldn't feel my fingers after 20 seconds of no mitts.

On my feet I wore thick wool socks, and very well insulated winter boots. They were always hot, even just standing still past -40

For my face I had a toque under my helmet and a big thick merino wool neck warmer that I would pull up until it was right under my eyes - so it covered my ears entirely.

Half way to work I would pull down the neck warmer, unzip my big jacket, etc. in an attempt to not sweat too much.

.. haha, yeah, my path has been a different one, and I'm a thousand times happier than when I sat at a desk. I'm TheRoadChoseMe around the web, and my email is dan @ that .com if you want to get in touch!

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#629

Post by ggm »

gkop wrote: post #620
ggm wrote: post #611

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Elaborate what? The car had six monthly service cycle and it was not cheap. The clutches and gearbox were down to careless driving technique. Electric motors don't get deployed with clutches and are mostly electronic continuously variable gearing and the service costs are significantly cheaper on average than for an ICE. It's that simple.

A Mazda 6 is a regular consumer car. Usually the only thing you need to do every 6 months is change the oil and filter and check fluids. Per https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/pdf/owners-optimized/201... , the only thing you need to do every 6 months is change the oil and filter and check fluids, and lubricate the locks. Google says you can use conventional oil in a Mazda 6. Please elaborate what you mean by expensi…

It was a 2003 model, we kept 17 years. Oil and filter and fluids and engine mounts and that nasty judder which developed. We never got out the door under $300.
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