Buying an Electric Car

[RaptorDMG]

Out of curiosity, how far do you drive on an average day? If it's less than the range of a BEV, you'd probably be better off charging at home.

I don't currently have a car but if I did I would be driving at least 70 miles in order to get to university and back and on days where I go to my grans or go hill walking those would result in round trips of around 120 to 150 miles and in the case of hill walking there would be no option of recharging nearby if I ran low.

 

[Lacius]

I don't currently have a car but if I did I would be driving at least 70 miles in order to get to university and back and on days where I go to my grans or go hill walking those would result in round trips of around 120 to 150 miles and in the case of hill walking there would be no option of recharging nearby if I ran low.

Most modern BEV's have ranges that far exceed 120-150 miles. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV, a reasonably priced BEV I'm considering buying when my current car stops working, has an advertised range of 250 miles. That's more than enough to get you where you want to go and back with about 115 miles to spare. When you get home, you can plug it in to a Level 2 charger and wake up in the morning with 250 miles of range again. If range anxiety is still an issue, you could also travel with a Level 1 charger, plug your car into a standard outlet while at Grandma's, and add approximately 5 miles to your range for each hour it is plugged in.

Fast charging speeds are also getting better. Modern BEV's can usually add about 100 miles of range after about half an hour of fast charging, depending on where the battery level is before charging (the emptier it is, the quicker it will charge).

However, range anxiety is a real thing, and different people have different wants and needs, so hopefully FCEV's become more viable for those who want or need them. Even better, all countries just need to improve the charging infrastructure so that BEV's can be charged pretty much anywhere you would park them.

My daily commute rarely exceeds 45 miles round trip, so a BEV suits my needs. I'd probably even get by with Level 1 charging.

 

[nero99]

I have a feeling I won't be driving my old car for more than a couple more years (I've had it for ten years), and I'm considering buying an electric car once the old one goes kaput. I've done a lot of reading on the subject, and I think purchasing a used electric car would be the best decision economically and environmentally. I'm leaning towards a Nissan Leaf, but I'm not married to the idea. I could easily pay cash for a new or used Leaf, but buying a new one doesn't appear to be worth the extra cost.

1. Has anyone here had any experience with owning and/or driving an electric car?
2. Do you like it?
3. Do you find things like the battery range limiting?
4. How's your experience using charging stations? I read they can actually be a pain.
5. How's your experience charging at home?
6. Has anyone specifically had any experience buying a used electric vehicle? If so, what was your experience like? How's the battery?

I added a poll because, well, why not?

if you do get one, make sure your breaker box has enough room for your charging station or else you'll pop your breaker. It's also a good idea to invest in a solar charging station if you plan to go electric.

 

[djpannda]

I would love a Electronic Car... but Im too Poor....
and yes that is a valid BITCOIN Wallet...HINT HINT

 

[slaphappygamer]

You can get a Tesla to j1772 adapter to be able to charge a nontesla car at a Tesla charger.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7V2QT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RCCDRVZ9E69BNC0Y9RN0

Fuck your proprietary bullshit.

 

[Lacius]

if you do get one, make sure your breaker box has enough room for your charging station or else you'll pop your breaker.

I already have a 240V outlet in my garage, so I don't need to do anything to setup Level 2 charging except buy a Level 2 charger that can plug in there. Also, as I mentioned in my previous post, my commute is only 45 miles round trip, so I could probably even get by with Level 1 charging.

It's also a good idea to invest in a solar charging station if you plan to go electric.

My guess is you haven't heard about my solar panels.

You can get a Tesla to j1772 adapter to be able to charge a nontesla car at a Tesla charger.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7V2QT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RCCDRVZ9E69BNC0Y9RN0

Fuck your proprietary bullshit.

This is one of the main reasons why I'm unlikely to get a Tesla when the time comes for me to get a BEV.

 

[0x3000027E]

Most modern BEV's have ranges that far exceed 120-150 miles. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV, a reasonably priced BEV I'm considering buying when my current car stops working, has an advertised range of 250 miles. That's more than enough to get you where you want to go and back with about 115 miles to spare. When you get home, you can plug it in to a Level 2 charger and wake up in the morning with 250 miles of range again. If range anxiety is still an issue, you could also travel with a Level 1 charger, plug your car into a standard outlet while at Grandma's, and add approximately 5 miles to your range for each hour it is plugged in.

Fast charging speeds are also getting better. Modern BEV's can usually add about 100 miles of range after about half an hour of fast charging, depending on where the battery level is before charging (the emptier it is, the quicker it will charge).

However, range anxiety is a real thing, and different people have different wants and needs, so hopefully FCEV's become more viable for those who want or need them. Even better, all countries just need to improve the charging infrastructure so that BEV's can be charged pretty much anywhere you would park them.

My daily commute rarely exceeds 45 miles round trip, so a BEV suits my needs. I'd probably even get by with Level 1 charging.

Lacius, great to see you have been following the evolution of US alternative-energy technology; the acceleration of which was made possible via free enterprise and general human pursuit to make something better. There is still a very real concern that progress will be stalled by regulation (some of which we have already witnessed in the form of grants and legislation), but the human spirit will not be so easily stifled!

Funny how the real solutions to the climate crisis are sought out by the general populace in pursuit, while diplomats and bureaucrats continue to attend "conferences" to "discuss" the problem.

 

[Lacius]

Lacius, great to see you have been following the evolution of US alternative-energy technology; the acceleration of which was made possible via free enterprise and general human pursuit to make something better. There is still a very real concern that progress will be stalled by regulation (some of which we have already witnessed in the form of grants and legislation), but the human spirit will not be so easily stifled!

Funny how the real solutions to the climate crisis are sought out by the general populace in pursuit, while diplomats and bureaucrats continue to attend "conferences" to "discuss" the problem.

Let's be clear that I wouldn't have been able to get solar panels on my house, for example, if it hadn't been for a few things (this is not an extensive list):

1. The academic research that was largely funded by governments
2. The transfer of solar technologies from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (part of the US Department of Energy) to private partners.
3. The substantial federal tax rebate I'm getting that will cover approximately 30% of the cost of my solar installation.

Governments are doing the exact opposite of stifling the consumption of solar technology. The same goes for BEV's.

Climate change is a serious problem, and we can't expect to solve the problem without public policy that addresses the issue. Any American who acknowledges the existential problem that is human-caused climate change should support policies like the Green New Deal and politicians who support those policies. Saying "the free market will take care of the issue" is a fantasy. A majority of Americans couldn't come up with $1,000 in an emergency, let alone pay for solar panels to be installed onto their rooftops.

 

[0x3000027E]

• The academic research that was largely funded by governments

• The transfer of solar technologies from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (part of the US Department of Energy) to private partners.

• The substantial federal tax rebate I'm getting that will cover approximately 30% of the cost of my solar installation.

Small potatoes, sir. Secondly, amount of revenue doesn't solve problems, it is how that revenue is spent. A measure of effectiveness and generation of wealth. Private investment has due diligence of the highest order.

But hey, it's been too long, good to be back on GBATemp.

 

[Lacius]

Small potatoes, sir.

Considering the solar technology wouldn't exist without #1 and #2, and I probably wouldn't have bought them without #3, I wouldn't call these things "small potatoes."

 

[RHOPKINS13]

I bought a used 2013 Nissan Leaf for $6k. It still has 9 out of 12 bars, the guess-o-meter claims it will get around 65 miles to a full charge, but I really wouldn't trust it to get more than 50. My daily commute back-and-forth to work is only 34 miles though, and luckily I'm allowed to charge at work, so it really makes for a great commute vehicle. For the vast majority of the time, I just use the included level 1 charger.

I can quick charge for free at most Nissan dealerships, and there's one literally around the corner from my job if I need it.

The biggest downside of the Leaf is the lack of cooling for the battery. It's obvious that Nissan doesn't give a damn about the environment when it comes to these cars, they would much rather sell you a new car than offer a reasonable price to upgrade your battery. Third party shops are upgrading old Leafs with batteries up to 62kwh from wrecked newer Leafs. It's expensive but I'm planning on upgrading mine in a few years. It will probably cost me more than the car is worth, but I'll DIY it for the geek cred.

 

[slaphappygamer]

electric cars are nice and earth-saving, but youre still subject to traffic jams. depending on your area, this may not be an issue. im really enjoying my electric bike. i get home 15 minutes faster due to the many other ways i can take to get home and get around. i only commute 3.7 miles, one-way, but with traffic, it takes up to 30 minutes. when driving, it only takes me 8 minutes to get to work.

 

[hippy dave]

electric cars are nice and earth-saving, but youre still subject to traffic jams.

 

[Lucaserf]

Nah. I don't plan to buy an electric car nor do I want to. I'm happy with what I got (98 Corolla) and they are deadly expensive. Maybe I will grab a Testarossa when I get a decent job (And finish my graduation)

 

[Lacius]

The biggest downside of the Leaf is the lack of cooling for the battery.

I was originally looking at the Leaf, but this is the main reason I decided against it. They're also still using the outdated CHAdeMO charger.

Nah. I don't plan to buy an electric car nor do I want to. I'm happy with what I got (98 Corolla) and they are deadly expensive. Maybe I will grab a Testarossa when I get a decent job (And finish my graduation)

ICE vehicles have already started to be phased out. EV's (BEV's and FCEV's) are the future.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_fossil_fuel_vehicles

 

[Lucaserf]

I was originally looking at the Leaf, but this is the main reason I decided against it. They're also still using the outdated CHAdeMO charger.


ICE vehicles have already started to be phased out. EV's (BEV's and FCEV's) are the future.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_fossil_fuel_vehicles

Phased out doesn't meant ceasing to exist, specially cars that were made 30-40 years ago, which, is the case of my Corolla and the Testarossa

 

[Lacius]

Phased out doesn't meant ceasing to exist, specially cars that were made 30-40 years ago, which, is the case of my Corolla and the Testarossa

True, but that's only going to make them more rare and more expensive over time.

 

[JesseAdam]

I also have an old car which I didn't use for a long time. I keep this one in my garage. I need to repair it again.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Don't own one and no desire to ever do so.

Switzerland or something are saying to cut down on EV cars because of how bad things are and yet they're trying to push people to buy EVs. lmao

Post automatically merged: Dec 3, 2022

earth-saving

Except for the people who work for it barely get paid anything for it.

 

[Blue]

Don't own an electric and wouldn't mind having one, though not going out of my way to get one until it's mandatory or there's a very appealing option. I'll take diesels over that until then.
It's a kind of rush into comitting into a new car which is quickly succeeded in spec.
Design, speed, range, charging speed, cost .etc are always still improving.