? on Electric/Hybrid Vehicle's

[Michael G.]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

[rjm1cc]

For local driving I think you will be fine.
For long distance driving on a regular basis I would stick to gas. (I am assuming you would need to charge the batteries to complete the trip.)

[Bjeanj]

No, I don’t think so. The battery life, infrastructure and battery safety have to improve significantly before I would consider either one.

[Michael G.]

It's just not a battery powered ANYTHING over time losses it's capacity by just over charging.

What I'm saying is after 2-4 or 6 years of charging, the power output charge will be diminished.
Unless I don't understand battery's

[Vikingjunior]

Hybrid yes, all-electric no.

[Stu from NYC]

i like getting gas in and out of the place in 5 minutes when going on a long trip by car.

Until that happens would consider a hybrid but not all electric.

[Toymeister]

There is one EV which is less than 10k, new, (after federal tax incentives) in Ocala. The Kandi. Chinese, obviously, range about 60 miles with a top speed of 62. It would serve many Villagers as a primary or secondary vehicle.

Never heard of it? Dealer support is one of the problems...

[pauld315]

It is obvious that most people responding have no experience with an EV, a PHEV or a hybrid. I have had all 3 and in May bought an EV. I bought a VW ID.4 and I love it. Most people only drive 50 miles or less per day. At the end of the day you simply plug it in in your garage and the next morning it is full of ions and ready to go. Also, you have no oil changes and very little other maintenance since there is no engine.

On trips, you get about 200 - 220 miles on a charge (leaving the batteries about 20% full before recharging). There are many chargers available on the highways these days and that amount will nearly double when Tesla opens their charger network to everybody this coming year. In addition to that many charging networks are expanding very quickly across the country. So, I can drive about 2 and a half hours before stopping for a charge and the charge takes me less than 30 minutes. During that time, we usually go to a restaurant or go shopping or just take a break. We are retired and in no hurry to get someplace. We only take a few long trips a year so this is not a big deal to us. The other 300+ days a year we charge in our garage.

These cars right now are not for people who are on the highway everyday however as battery technology improves and the charging networks grow, they will be. Some of the new Teslas can take full advantage of their new chargers and are in and out in about 15 minutes, other cars will quickly catch up to that standard.

So, the next time you are 5 miles from home and stopping to fill up your car at 3.50 to 4 dollars a gallon, think of me who drove my car around town all day , came home and plugged my car in inside my garage and went to bed and I am paying about a dollar per gallon equivalent in electricity costs.

[Ecuadog]

The PHEV that piques my interest is the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Just finding one is almost impossible and if you do, I’d hate to know how much over the MSRP the dealer is looking to get.

Made in Japan.
$7,500.00 federal tax credit.
40 mile range on batteries.
540 mile range on gasoline.
You can choose when to use batteries.
302 hp.
0-60 mph in about 6 seconds.
All-wheel-drive.
12 hour charge on 110 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
4.5 hour charge on 240 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
Larger (quicker), onboard charger available.
All the modern safety stuff is standard.

[La lamy]

I'm assuming my next car will be a hybrid. But I'd love to keep my present car forever.

[spofford]

I do a lot of long distance driving and am on my second hybrid, Prius V. Present car has 135 k, and no battery issues. Gas motor charges battery while I am driving. Cross country road trip 38.5 mpg. Local driving less than 10 miles from home over 50 mpg.

I

[Kelevision]

It is obvious that most people responding have no experience with an EV, a PHEV or a hybrid. I have had all 3 and in May bought an EV. I bought a VW ID.4 and I love it. Most people only drive 50 miles or less per day. At the end of the day you simply plug it in in your garage and the next morning it is full of ions and ready to go. Also, you have no oil changes and very little other maintenance since there is no engine.

On trips, you get about 200 - 220 miles on a charge (leaving the batteries about 20% full before recharging). There are many chargers available on the highways these days and that amount will nearly double when Tesla opens their charger network to everybody this coming year. In addition to that many charging networks are expanding very quickly across the country. So, I can drive about 2 and a half hours before stopping for a charge and the charge takes me less than 30 minutes. During that time, we usually go to a restaurant or go shopping or just take a break. We are retired and in no hurry to get someplace. We only take a few long trips a year so this is not a big deal to us. The other 300+ days a year we charge in our garage.

These cars right now are not for people who are on the highway everyday however as battery technology improves and the charging networks grow, they will be. Some of the new Teslas can take full advantage of their new chargers and are in and out in about 15 minutes, other cars will quickly catch up to that standard.

So, the next time you are 5 miles from home and stopping to fill up your car at 3.50 to 4 dollars a gallon, think of me who drove my car around town all day , came home and plugged my car in inside my garage and went to bed and I am paying about a dollar per gallon equivalent in electricity costs.

:bigbow: I’ve realized that many on this forum will reply with a matter of fact answer and when you try to explain, they only attack you. Brains aren’t a requirement for TOTV. I had a Lexus hybrid years ago. I loved it. I almost got a Tesla a few years back, but decided to wait on an EV until I’m done traveling for work. I drive cross country to CA and back, with dogs, so the charging time is what stopped me in the end. If I never had to drive out of range or no dogs, I’d love to get an EV. I did just order a lithium golf cart and can’t wait to get rid of this horribly loud smelly gas loaner I have.

[Kelevision]

I'm assuming my next car will be a hybrid. But I'd love to keep my present car forever.

Depending on your car, they probably make a hybrid version now. :a040: you’d get lots of use out of it in a place like the villages too. That’s really where the battery kicks in, is stop and go driving. Vs FWY driving.

[skippy05]

I leased a BMW i3 for 3 years. Pain in the A## is all I can say. Battery life is at best 65% of what they tell you it will be. Charging takes too long. Range is too short. You would need to shell out major money to buy an extended range Tesla to avoid these issues. You need to wait unit they have affordable options with over 400 miles range on a charge.

[thevillages2013]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.
NO! ICE until I croak or gas goes to $7 a gallon which may be next year:icon_wink:

[Luggage]

But you still paid at least $10,000 more for your car then a gas equivalent and is everyone always talks about the payback, that would be 20 years for me

[Blackbird45]

I tried buying a Sonata Hybrid a few year ago and they only sold them in a few state, not here in Fl. I even thought of traveling to one of those states to buy one and they told me at if I needed repairs they might not have the mechanics here to service it. I have a 2021 right now and will wait at least until 2024 then I will go total EV.

I don't know if the hybrids have improved, but as I looked further into it the electric range to me it wasn't worth it. The range on the EVs are improving every day, some new startups are claiming 500 miles and recharge time of 18 minutes. If you live in the Villages the prospects of never having to visit a gas station is alright with me. If you look at the map of recharge stations from here to N.Y. you'll be shocked and more are popping up everyday.

At the end other than the batteries it will become less expensive to build an EV. Less expensive to put an outlets anywhere than to building a gas station. Less expensive than extracting oil from the ground, refining it and drivers to get it to the station. No matter how much you love gas, EVs are here and they will take over.

[villageuser]

My next car will be an all electric. I am hoping it will be next year. I am wanting one with all the safety features, and unfortunately, due to the chip shortage, I am unable to find any in stock anywhere (I’ve looked using a radius of 500 miles for the various manufacturers that I like) And, yes, I could order a Tesla, but with the quality issues they’ve been having and the distance we are from their service centers, I have decided not to go Tesla.

There are many EVs coming out next year and I am hoping one of them will have my name on it. I am preparing myself however, to that it might not be till 2023. The idea that I may never have to fill up with petro fills me with delight. Plus no tuning, oil changes, etc etc needed. These cars, so far, come with a 10-year battery warranty, so I am not concerned about diminishing battery capacity. I usually like to trade my cars out by its 10 year mark and, besides, who knows who wonderful the technology will be in 10 years. Some of these concept cars I’ve been looking at are absolutely dreamy. To be able to drive sideways right into a parallel parking spot! Yes, I’ll be wanting one of those someday.

[richs631]

I’m 59, so in my lifetime no. Any moderate to long distance trip is out of the question and the last time I looked there’s not many public charging station and if there are count on 10 hours to fully charge. Not many qualified mechanics. Even with minimal driving with golf carts most people prefer a gas cart

[MandoMan]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

I drive a 2012 Prius with about 159,000 miles on it. Never any trouble. Original batteries. Great mileage. I drove 6000 miles last summer, to the Canadian border, then Denver, then home, about 600 or 700 miles a day, carrying a huge load of heavy tools (I was moving from Pennsylvania to live here full time). No trouble. I fill the tank once a month for about $25. I keep the back seat folded down and use the back like a truck bed. I can carry a box six feet long and three feet wide, or some eight foot boards.

When I replace it, I plan to get another Prius, as I’m not sure that there are adequate charging stations nation wide. Maybe there will be in five years. If I didn’t drive farther than to Orlando or the beaches, I would happily buy an EV, except that I do need the room in the back for boxes every day and don’t want (and can’t afford) an SUV EV.

[RBW225]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

I have had several hybrids providing over 50 miles per gallon. I like the assurance of never running out of electricity,

[NotGolfer]

Question....what happens when "everyone" decides to get one of those and needs to charge the battery?? Will our infa-structure be able to handle it?? I'm thinking about winter---yes some folks travel in those months---when there "might" be power roll-outs. I was thinking of states like Texas and CA that have had that happen. Could it happen to other states? Power needs to come from somewhere and those windmills won't be able to handle it along with everything else they're handling. In theory these vehicles sound like a great invention but I'm thinking in the long run.....maybe not so much.

[Brwne]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

Honda Clarity (sadly, discontinued) provides plug-in battery charge with gas engine. The initial charge is good for 35-40 miles, then the gas engine will kick in (the battery can be recharged while driving in "gas" mode). Most anything you might want to do INSIDE The Villages will be on battery. Trips outside starts using gas. With numerous trips to the airport, beaches and Disneyworld, we've averaged 81.8 mpg over 8,000 miles.

[spd2918]

The new small truck from Ford is the Maverick. The base model is a hybrid and costs around 20,000 before current dealer gouging. I like most everything about it except for the CVT transmission.

[noslices1]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

Not going electric until that’s the only choice. Hopefully, that will never happen. Would consider nuclear if we get that far.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

For local driving I think you will be fine.
For long distance driving on a regular basis I would stick to gas. (I am assuming you would need to charge the batteries to complete the trip.)

No. I don't think enough thought has been given to the source of the electric power needed to power EVs. Can't just plug them into a corn field. :1rotfl:

[mkjelenbaas]

Just curious? Why would what I do have an effect on you? Just wondering.

[Windguy]

Power needs to come from somewhere [to charge your car during a power outage]

Gas pumps need electricity, too. How will you fill your car in a power outage?

[butlerism]

:bigbow: I’ve realized that many on this forum will reply with a matter of fact answer and when you try to explain, they only attack you. Brains aren’t a requirement for TOTV. I had a Lexus hybrid years ago. I loved it. I almost got a Tesla a few years back, but decided to wait on an EV until I’m done traveling for work. I drive cross country to CA and back, with dogs, so the charging time is what stopped me in the end. If I never had to drive out of range or no dogs, I’d love to get an EV. I did just order a lithium golf cart and can’t wait to get rid of this horribly loud smelly gas loaner I have.
No way......... never.

Batteries are very expensive.
Try to grasp that warranty plan to change out batteries under warranty. Most likely you will be getting a new "refurbished battery".

Add up all the costs to make a plastic electric car ( fossil fuels required) .
Where are all the cost benefit analysis's data to show the viability?
That is what engineers do.
We do not run a round selling a 1 degree change in world temperature justifies changing out an entire industry.
When China, Russia, all these other countries fully change over, then lets talk again.

These ideas are being pushed by non scientific people.
The world is laughing.
Where are all the electrics in Mexico, England, France and Canada.
Canada gets very very cold. Batteries do not like deep cold.
Recall that spec on a battery called "Cold Cranking Amps". Why is that?
So in Canada to buy an EV also means you need a heated garage. Total joke!
Lets talk power to weight ratio. Once again being sold a bucket of lies. The elctric motors have an output "no load" spec. I am sure they are using that number to sell the product. Batteries are heavy, what is the real ratio?

Now for safety issues. On average most electric cars involved in a decent accident, the batteries go on fire. Let alone the spontaneous eruption into flames while not driving.

My favorite is the images showing an EV in the surf at the beach. Guess what some numb nut will try to do that. Warranty voided.
Also when salt water comes into contact with batteries. A very nasty gas called Chlorine is disassociated when the two mix.
My other favorite is lets go to the mountain trails, off road. Now, while we are 30 miles into the deep woods, battery failure. Then what? That is one hefty bill for a tow or a repair.


All Pigs in Lipstick..... still a Pig at the end of the day.

[Blackbird45]

Right now there are ships backup at sea and we will always be hostage by foreign countries for their black gold. Right now the prince of Saudi Arabia can do whatever he pleases and we have to kiss his ring. We have to claim our independence and find a way to stand on our own. Build up our infrastructure and if not EVs or hydrogen, then little mice or rubber band power, but we have to get out from the fear some country can cut us off at will

[Bay Kid]

Too quiet. I need that piped in V8 sound then maybe...not....

[butlerism]

I cannot wait to go on a battery powered commercial plane.

Leadership by example, make them set the precedent so we can see the failures real time and then the brain trust will disappear.

[Redwood8300]

The PHEV that piques my interest is the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Just finding one is almost impossible and if you do, I’d hate to know how much over the MSRP the dealer is looking to get.

Made in Japan.
$7,500.00 federal tax credit.
40 mile range on batteries.
540 mile range on gasoline.
You can choose when to use batteries.
302 hp.
0-60 mph in about 6 seconds.
All-wheel-drive.
12 hour charge on 110 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
4.5 hour charge on 240 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
Larger (quicker), onboard charger available.
All the modern safety stuff is standard.

Just purchased one two months ago - you are right, they are more rare than hen's teeth. You might check Toyota of Orlando. I can get 40 to 50 miles on a charge depending on how I drive which means unless I take a trip up north the gas engine never runs. Probably will be easier to find when the 2022 models are here.

[biker1]

A lot of stuff here that isn't true.

No way......... never.

>>>>Fine. Nobody cares what you do.

Batteries are very expensive.

>>>>Yes, and the price keeps dropping. EVs and ICE cars are rapidly approaching price parity. The Tesla Model 3 price is less than the average cost of a new car.

Try to grasp that warranty plan to change out batteries under warranty. Most likely you will be getting a new "refurbished battery".

>>>>>You will get a new battery or a replacement that meets the range requirement of the warranty. Do you care?

Add up all the costs to make a plastic electric car ( fossil fuels required) .

>>>>>What are you talking about when you say "plastic electric car"? Teslas are essentially aluminum alloy and steel.

Where are all the cost benefit analysis's data to show the viability?

>>>>>Why don't you do a cost benefit analysis to show the non viability?

That is what engineers do.
We do not run a round selling a 1 degree change in world temperature justifies changing out an entire industry.
When China, Russia, all these other countries fully change over, then lets talk again.

>>>>>China is the world leader in electric cars. Russia, not so much, but who cares.

These ideas are being pushed by non scientific people.

>>>>Really? Want to prove that?

The world is laughing.

>>>>>No, they aren't. Many countries are rapidly moving to incent their populations to buy electric cars.

Where are all the electrics in Mexico, England, France and Canada.
Canada gets very very cold. Batteries do not like deep cold.
Recall that spec on a battery called "Cold Cranking Amps". Why is that?
So in Canada to buy an EV also means you need a heated garage. Total joke!

>>>>>Wrong. Just keep it plugged in. If you are parked overnight in cold weather without access to a plug then typically the battery will condition itself. Range is reduced in cold weather. It is what it is.

Now for safety issues. On average most electric cars involved in a decent accident, the batteries go on fire. Let alone the spontaneous eruption into flames while not driving.

>>>>>The spontaneous fires are in Chevy Bolts. They have all been recalled. Battery fires are harder to put out than gasoline fires. Fires in gasoline cars are more common than fires in EVs on a miles driven basis.

My favorite is the images showing an EV in the surf at the beach. Guess what some numb nut will try to do that. Warranty voided.

>>>>I haven't read the warranty restrictions on EVs and doubt you have either.

Also when salt water comes into contact with batteries. A very nasty gas called Chlorine is disassociated when the two mix.

>>>>>No. Regardless, lithium-ion batteries are sealed.

My other favorite is lets go to the mountain trails, off road. Now while we are 30 miles into the deep woods, battery failure. Then what? That is one hefty bill for a tow or a repair.

>>>>>If you want to construct worst case scenarios for every thing you do in life then you should stay home.


All Pigs in Lipstick..... still a Pig at the end of the day.

>>>>>Buy an EV or don't buy an EV, nobody cares. But please don't make up stuff.

[midiwiz]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

1) doesn't do anything for the planet except make it worse.
2) battery life is an issue especially with many short distance trips
3) Hybrid serves no real benefit aside from more expense
4) charging stations??? and beyond that QUICK not I have to wait 30 minutes....

all in all it's a "I have nothing better to do but climb on behind Greta" thing. Plus I'm a capitalist - I like V8 engines and burning premium fuel!

[mike1946]

Try coming to the UK it's already over $10 ...just thank your lucky stars !!!

[Bill14564]

Had two Prius and loved them. Nearly six years and over 180K miles on each with absolutely no problems. I miss my Prius.

Would definitely look at a hybrid for the next vehicle. Would need to balance additional cost against mileage. A few extra thousand to increase mileage from 30mpg to 50mpg would be worth it but maybe not if the increase was not as large.

Would love to go EV but range is an issue. The next vehicle will be used for long trips and I can't imagine sitting for 30 minutes or more waiting for a recharge. But, perhaps things will change by the time I need a new vehicle.

[biker1]

I believe the current best you can do is about 200 miles of highway range in about 20 mins if the battery pack is in a low state of charge. The charging rate is a function of the state of charge of the battery pack.

Had two Prius and loved them. Nearly six years and over 180K miles on each with absolutely no problems. I miss my Prius.

Would definitely look at a hybrid for the next vehicle. Would need to balance additional cost against mileage. A few extra thousand to increase mileage from 30mpg to 50mpg would be worth it but maybe not if the increase was not as large.

Would love to go EV but range is an issue. The next vehicle will be used for long trips and I can't imagine sitting for 30 minutes or more waiting for a recharge. But, perhaps things will change by the time I need a new vehicle.

[DlWFLX]

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

Purchased a RAV4 Prime, which gets 40-50 miles on electric and then switches to hybrid. For day to day local travel the EV is all I need. Only 1 tank of gas in the past 3 months, with overall mph of 70.
Love the car!!

[kkingston57]

My brother has a plug in BMW hybrid 500 serices. Goes 14 miles on a charge. Overall he gets 38 MPG and still has BMW performance. Around TV we would hardly ever need fuel.

[JMintzer]

Gas pumps need electricity, too. How will you fill your car in a power outage?

Stick a hose in the storage tank and pump it manually...

[merrymini]

I am on my third Prius and would have bought a plug in if I could have found one. It gets about 51 miles to the gallon. Love it. I also own a Tesla 3 which I purchased last year, terrific car! An electric vehicle requires more planning but can be taken just about anywhere. Charging stations abound. The Tesla is in New Jersey and may have to sell it because I will be relocating here full time and do not have the garage for it. It may be the first time in my life that I will make money selling a used car! Do not believe the garbage you hear about the batteries. They said the same things about the Prius when it first came out and all the stories were untrue.

[NotGolfer]

Gas pumps need electricity, too. How will you fill your car in a power outage?

Which is why "they" probably tell people to make sure their cars are full before big storms.

[Blackbird45]

I’m 59, so in my lifetime no. Any moderate to long distance trip is out of the question and the last time I looked there’s not many public charging station and if there are count on 10 hours to fully charge. Not many qualified mechanics. Even with minimal driving with golf carts most people prefer a gas cart

I will become 76 before the end of the year and I'm no longer in love with driving. I had an appointment in Gainesville last week and more or less I was a passenger. I put the car on cruse control not only it maintains the speed and keeps the car in a safe distance from other cars, but also has lane assist. I did have to put my hands on the wheel every now and then because I would get a warning on my dashboard to do so. As far as golf carts I prefer gas, but EVs will take over sooner than you think and there will be more charging stations and more qualified mechanics. You should go onto Youtube and check out what's coming out in the next couple of years. As far as lifetime you've got a better change of seeing full self driving EVs before I will.

[DeanFL]

.
.
We loved our 2010 Prius. Not a huge fan of the styling or the minimalist interior (altho we got the top-line model 5). Loved the stealth mode and silent running - unless the engine is on and taxed for extra power. Extremely reliable too.

Replaced 4 years ago with a new Mercedes, nice but not a hybrid. Would definitely get a hybrid next, but there will be no 'next'. The amount of driving we do and other factors = the MB is our last car.
.
.

[wmcgowan]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

Wife has a Kia Niro EV (3 yr lease) - has a range of about 240 miles which is pretty good - she is a minimal driver - so it depends on how much you drive. Comes with a trickle charger - plug it in anywhere (regular 110v outlet) but takes awhile to recharge. We installed a 2nd level charger in the garage (240V electrician installed ) and with that it charges in about 5 hours (overnight basically) from 20% to 80%. Its fun to drive - very peppy and easier for me to get into than her hybrid civic (oh my aching knees) She loves the car for zipping around town as well as visiting her parents (about 2 hours away). We have not taken any longer trips which would take some planning for the recharge stations - no big deal as they are all over the place now - the last Marriott I stayed at had a free EV charger station for guests - I would seriously consider it based on your driving style and needs. Since the technology is changing you might want to consider leasing like we did - good luck and good hunting

[fcgiii]

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

Purchased a RAV4 Prime, which gets 40-50 miles on electric and then switches to hybrid. For day to day local travel the EV is all I need. Only 1 tank of gas in the past 3 months, with overall mph of 70.
Love the car!!

Technology moves on, much faster when there is economic and / or performance advantage. We have a 2016 RAV4 hybrid and love it. Now I read about the RAV4 Prime and it is a leap forward. Every major car company is making electric vehicles now. There is even an electric Ferrari.

The advantages of electric cars are overwhelming. Electric motors are incredibly reliable. Ceiling fans run 24/7 and will out live you. Electric motors also have highest torque at start while gas motors have zero torque at start and highest torque at higher RPM. So don't try to beat a Tesla in a drag race. Most of the maintenance issues with a gas engine do not apply to an electric motor. The main maintenance issue is the battery.

I expect continued leaps forward in electric car technology. But the great leap will not happen until we solve the recharge problems of refuel time, refuel stations, and major increase in availability and lower cost of electricity.

Refuel time keeps dropping with technology but a quantum leap is needed. Availability of charging stations will come when there is economic pressure. Cost and availability of green energy is the easiest to solve: nuclear power. And don't pop off about nuclear waste disposal or nuclear explosions unless you know what you are talking about.

Until the convergence occurs, vehicles like the RAV4 Prime will show the way.

[Footer]

I've been driving a Tesla since 2014. My current Tesla is 2016. Even in 2014 I could make trips from Wisconsin to the east coast with no problems charging. The Navigation screen is huge and the GPS tells you where the superchargers are and which ones you should use on the route. It even tells you if they're full. The rest of the time I plug the car into a 240V outlet in my garage overnight, typically once a week. Charging it overnight puts no strain on the infrastructure because there is excess power at night.

This summer we bought a second car, an Acura RDX, because we want to keep one car in Wisconsin and one in Florida and being a last minute decision we couldn't get a Tesla. I'm okay with it but my wife is very unhappy with the Acura. It jerks (that's the downshift when you accelerate) and is noisy, although cruising at speed is quiet. We're going to get another Tesla and sell the Acura.

People with an agenda put out false information about Teslas and EVs. There's a lot of people who don't want the EV industry to succeed (Russians and Arabs among them). It's pretty easy to tell who. Don't believe everything you read.

Take a look at China. I go there often and see how dictatorial the government is first hand. However, it also can be really smart. They built their high speed rail from nothing to the best in the world in 10 years. They foresaw the increase in long distance travel and that airplanes were not the answer. Their trains are electric powered.

They have been making electric vehicles for a long time because pollution in their cities is terrible but have recently started to build some good stuff. I don't know if electric cars are inevitable but if they are then you can thank Tesla that we're not all driving Chinese cars in 10 years because playing catch-up is not easy.

[DAVES]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

Like most things people have their bias. The automobile, there was resistance, there are some advantages to a horse. The same is true for an all electric or a hybrid car.
Right now we have choices, gasoline, diesel, electric or hybrid. I think I left out fuel cell.
It is at best confusing. It is an expensive and unless you chose to lease a car, it is a long term choice.

State of change. Gasoline engines and cars have gotten better. Diesels have gotten better. The cost of fuel has gone up roughly 1/3 this year. We do not all drive the same.
I used to drive far more when I was working. Gone are the days of the shade tree mechanic. I used to service my own car. Now, are the wires connected, the hoses, is there gas in the tank? Find a dealer who has the tools and computer expertise to keep it running. Or, too often the parts to keep trying till it works.

Electric is simple. Hybrids you deal with the problems of a gasoline engine, an electric motor, a computer controlling both. Batteries only last a limited time and they are very expensive to replace. Warranties are prorated. The warranty is often not what it seems to be. A bit of slight of hand. Based on list price. You do not pay list price. Thus a seven year warranty may only have value for four or five years.

I do not shop cars till I need one. If, I needed a car, with limited availability, outrageous pricing, fuel way up, I AM GLAD I DO NOT NEED A CAR AND MINE IS FINE.

[OhioBuckeye]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

Only if there weren’t any more gas operated cars anymore. They make better batteries all the time so they can go further. But then the better they get the price goes up. Right now to replace all the batteries it’ll cost you 6 to $8,000. Nobody would like to fork out that kind of money for a car that’s 5 to 10 yrs. old. Plus these electric cars do catch fire now & then. Me personally I’m not sold on them, only because of the initial cost & the cost of the high maintenance. So if you want one, get one, it’ll help keep my pension checks coming in! I’m retired from an American auto maker after 38 yrs. Good Luck!

[Albany]

The PHEV that piques my interest is the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Just finding one is almost impossible and if you do, I’d hate to know how much over the MSRP the dealer is looking to get.

Made in Japan.
$7,500.00 federal tax credit.
40 mile range on batteries.
540 mile range on gasoline.
You can choose when to use batteries.
302 hp.
0-60 mph in about 6 seconds.
All-wheel-drive.
12 hour charge on 110 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
4.5 hour charge on 240 volt outlet with standard, onboard charger.
Larger (quicker), onboard charger available.
All the modern safety stuff is standard.

The Toyota "Prime" vehicles are all plug-in hybrids. I drove a Prius Prime for years, and the Rav 4 Prime is every bit as reliable. You don't actually choose when to use battery power, it's a hybrid, so it switches seamlessly between electric and gas. When you plug it in you are charging the traction battery, which will get you around 40 miles, depending on speed, before it uses the hybrid technology, which is now nailed down technologically. Basically plug-in hybrids have 3 power systems, gasoline engine, electric motor, traction battery. And it is staggering how much misinformation is out there regarding electric vehicles. I have driven hybrids for well over a decade. And there is not MORE maintenance, there is much LESS. By the way it is really hard to find a Rav 4 Prime in Florida, they are all over the place further north, and maybe it is because the RAV 4 has all-wheel drive. I ended up with a BMW X3e, plug-in hybrid SUV and I am thrilled with it. I bought it in Ocala and was not gouged in any way, in fact it was very reasonable.

[Vermilion Villager]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please.

I have a 2004 Prius with 630,392 (no thats not a misprint) miles...Orginal battery....56mpg. I did have to replace the little 12v accessory battery though.....and 7 sets of tires!!! I use it in Northern Minnesota at our lake home....it starts just fine at -40 (no that's not a misprint either). My Ford V10 plow truck has to be plugged in and the battery heater plugged in to start at those temps

I also have a EV, and like the ones who have them post, 99% of the time the driving you do will allow you to re-charge in your garage at night.

From your garage door opener to your washer and dryer to your electric toothbrush, just think of how many electric motors you have in your house that you use every day and depend on. Electric motors are bulletproof, and the new batteries are there too, and getting better.
Gas is $7.00/gal. Don't use it....don't care!!!!:icon_wink:

[villageuser]

So, the next time you are 5 miles from home and stopping to fill up your car at 3.50 to 4 dollars a gallon, think of me who drove my car around town all day , came home and plugged my car in inside my garage and went to bed and I am paying about a dollar per gallon equivalent in electricity costs.

Have you read where it is recommended by all the EV manufacturers as far as I’ve read, that you do NOT charge your EV in your garage overnight? They should be done in open air, be supervised, and disconnected when the upper limit is reached.

[biker1]

All the EV manufacturers ? Chevy has made that recommendation for the Bolt because the batteries have issues and have been recalled. I don't believe any other manufacturer has made such a recommendation. Reference please.

Have you read where it is recommended by all the EV manufacturers as far as I’ve read, that you do NOT charge your EV in your garage overnight? They should be done in open air, be supervised, and disconnected when the upper limit is reached.

[1couple]

From the information we have on this new way of transportation, I'm asking:

Would you consider a EV or Hybrid vehicle in your future.

I know their coming and but it's the battery's that concerns me and every year
they seem to improve in mileage.

Your Thoughts Please. see if you have a breaker in your fuse box big enough to handle the charger. I have heard you need 70 amp to charge them you can’t just plug them in anywhere

[mcwood4d]

Personally (snowbirds) we don't like the idea of having to charge multiple times on a trip to or from Florida. Hybrids solve that problem but add layers of complexity. The EV removes 90% of the components in a typical internal combustion engine. I think for us we might want to see if EV manufacturers ever go to (user) removable battery packs so you could pull in, swap for full charge (like the propane tank for your grill) and be on your way... My 2 cents...

[biker1]

There has been some attempts at this approach. I doubt it will get traction since charging times are coming down and robotic replacement of battery packs requires a lot of equipment. Stay tuned ...

Personally (snowbirds) we don't like the idea of having to charge multiple times on a trip to or from Florida. Hybrids solve that problem but add layers of complexity. The EV removes 90% of the components in a typical internal combustion engine. I think for us we might want to see if EV manufacturers ever go to (user) removable battery packs so you could pull in, swap for full charge (like the propane tank for your grill) and be on your way... My 2 cents...

[Nellmack]

No way......... never.

Batteries are very expensive.
Try to grasp that warranty plan to change out batteries under warranty. Most likely you will be getting a new "refurbished battery".

Add up all the costs to make a plastic electric car ( fossil fuels required) .
Where are all the cost benefit analysis's data to show the viability?
That is what engineers do.
We do not run a round selling a 1 degree change in world temperature justifies changing out an entire industry.
When China, Russia, all these other countries fully change over, then lets talk again.

These ideas are being pushed by non scientific people.
The world is laughing.
Where are all the electrics in Mexico, England, France and Canada.
Canada gets very very cold. Batteries do not like deep cold.
Recall that spec on a battery called "Cold Cranking Amps". Why is that?
So in Canada to buy an EV also means you need a heated garage. Total joke!
Lets talk power to weight ratio. Once again being sold a bucket of lies. The elctric motors have an output "no load" spec. I am sure they are using that number to sell the product. Batteries are heavy, what is the real ratio?

Now for safety issues. On average most electric cars involved in a decent accident, the batteries go on fire. Let alone the spontaneous eruption into flames while not driving.

My favorite is the images showing an EV in the surf at the beach. Guess what some numb nut will try to do that. Warranty voided.
Also when salt water comes into contact with batteries. A very nasty gas called Chlorine is disassociated when the two mix.
My other favorite is lets go to the mountain trails, off road. Now, while we are 30 miles into the deep woods, battery failure. Then what? That is one hefty bill for a tow or a repair.


All Pigs in Lipstick..... still a Pig at the end of the day.


Wow, so many inaccuracies I don't know where to begin.
Here's a list of countries with the highest share of electric vehicles (it's pretty easy to Google)
Norway (74.8%)
Iceland (45%)
Sweden (32.2%)
Netherlands (24.9%)
Finland (18.1%)
Denmark (16.4%)
Switzerland (14.3%)
Portugal (13.5%)
The top four are pretty cold. (They are also basically north of Canada)
I guess the reference to "plastic electric car" means you think they are cheap. The electric car I drive is not cheap and it has the highest safety rating of any car. Period.

Car fires. Google it. It's clear that ICE vehicles catch fire more than electric vehicles. If an EV does catch fire the fire is intense and many fire departments don't know how to put them out. I wouldn't expect them to know how because they are new. In time I would expect that problem to be resolved.
Weight Ratio. My car weighs almost 5000 pounds and goes zero to 60 in about 2.4 seconds. You really need to get your facts straight before you make false statements.
I've never taken my car to the beach for a swim, electric or ICE.
Again, I don't take my car off roading but what's the difference if your ICE engine stalls when you're 30 miles in? Same problem right? I've had my EV for 7 years, never had it towed in that time. There is a new EV company (Rivian) that literally markets off road EV's. Like, that their business plan. It's beautiful. Check it out at Rivian.com
Finally, 7 years 130,000 miles- no oil changes, no transmission issues, no tune ups and I have the same brakes. #cheaptooperate
I hope my response to your comments help others that are considering an EV. #goodfortheenvironment
Best of luck everyone!!!

[Dan9871]

see if you have a breaker in your fuse box big enough to handle the charger. I have heard you need 70 amp to charge them you can’t just plug them in anywhere

Almost all electric vehicles come with a charger that is plugged into a regular 120 volt, 15 amp socket. It won't charge very quickly but for a lot of people it will be fast enough. If your battery is flat it would take this kind of charger a couple of days to get it back up to 100% but you don't have to have a 100% charge to drive your car.

If you want faster charging you get a charger that can be plugged into a 220 volt 50 amp socket and charge faster. This kind of charger will charge a flat battery to full overnight.

That are chargers that will fully charge a flat battery in an hour or so but because of cost you probably would not put one in your home. These are the kinds of public chargers you would find if you went on a road trip. The Comfort Inn near the Turnpike entrance
has some of these.

I don't think there are any chargers for home use that will use 70 amps.

[Ecuadog]

The PHEV that piques my interest is the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
...
You can choose when to use batteries.
...

The Toyota "Prime" vehicles are all plug-in hybrids. I drove a Prius Prime for years, and the Rav 4 Prime is every bit as reliable. You don't actually choose when to use battery power, it's a hybrid, so it switches seamlessly between electric and gas. ...

From Toyota.com (emphasis mine)... "Drive mode dial with SPORT, ECO and NORMAL modes, TRAIL mode, Auto EV/HV mode, and HV/EV Charge Hold"

As I understand it, the Auto EV/HV mode automatically switches between hybrid and electric depending on your driving. The HV/EV Charge Hold mode allows you to choose between the two. You can decide to save your battery power for the city driving that you anticipate and the end of your road trip.

[Michael G.]

Like someone mention, I think battery power airplanes and boats would be soooooo cool.

[Joe C.]

No EV or hybrid for me.
I like driving, and go long distances several times a year.
EV's are something that the government is trying to shove down our throats or shove up the other place against the wishes of probably a majority of people.

[NoMoSno]

I'd consider a hybrid.
The issue I see is we keep our vehicles for many years.
Most hybrids have an 8 year warranty on the battery and an $8-10,000 replacement battery cost.

[M2inOR]

I traded in my 2006 Lexus RX400h hybrid a few months ago. Almost 15 years old, and still on the original battery. Dealer gave me $5000 for it, plus other incentives, which I used to buy a 2021 Lexus RX350; its brethren. No problems, but I'm sure they would be coming. It had about 140,000 miles on it.

When we decided to move to Florida 2 years ago, we sold my wife's 2008 Prius with just under 100,000 miles on it. Why? We did not need the car, and we knew were going to eventually have two golf carts.

Did we purchase them both to be green? economical? No.

We purchased them both, new, at sticker price when they first came out because we knew that Lexus and Toyota would NOT let them fail. The price premium over the similar non-hybrid cars would eat up any savings on fuel prices.

Reliability was our goal.

Friend in Oregon has a 2004 Prius, and the very rare battery warning finally lit on the dash; yes, time for a new battery. Nothing else wrong with the car, and he's biting the bullet to replace with a new battery. Installation is complex, and recycling has to be done properly. It doesn't just bolt in under the rear seat.

His rationale is that new and used cars are premium priced these days due to shortages, and his Prius is familiar; it's in otherwise prime condition. Don't worry, he has some fun cars, too in his garage.

We looked at many, many other cars over the years. What's most importance to us, is which car will last the longest for us, and require minimum maintenance. My wife gets upset when I say My 2021 is likely the last car in my lifetime, as I keep them for 15-20 years.

[JGVillages]

So I take my 300 mile range electric car to my son’s home in Bradenton, about 130 miles. Trip back 130 miles so only 40 mile cushion in case of delays on the interstate. I get to my son’s house then he follows me to a charging station which if available we have to wait for 30 minutes+ at a minimum then return to visit his family. No thanks. Are 20 pump WAWA gas stations going to covert to e-WAWA with 40 PLUS needed charging stations to accommodate the 15 to 30 minute wait at each e-station to charge, and that’s if you don’t have to get in line. Power outages? Can’t keep a 5 gallon can of electricity in my garage for emergencies, or need I buy an expensive generator, keep gasoline to run the generator, so I can charge my car. Power Grid shutdowns aka California? They can’t handle the power needed now, just wait until most everyone is plugging in their garage. TOO MUCH PREEMPTIVE PUSH WITHOUT LONG TERM ANSWERS FOR METO GET ON BOARD AT THIS TIME.

[Jean G]

Had a Leaf for 3 years. Limited mileage was a problem. Hate the carbon footprint once you consider all aspects of design materials and waste. I’m going all gas unless forced out of it.

[bobnyce]

I tried buying a Sonata Hybrid a few year ago and they only sold them in a few state, not here in Fl. I even thought of traveling to one of those states to buy one and they told me at if I needed repairs they might not have the mechanics here to service it. I have a 2021 right now and will wait at least until 2024 then I will go total EV.

I don't know if the hybrids have improved, but as I looked further into it the electric range to me it wasn't worth it. The range on the EVs are improving every day, some new startups are claiming 500 miles and recharge time of 18 minutes. If you live in the Villages the prospects of never having to visit a gas station is alright with me. If you look at the map of recharge stations from here to N.Y. you'll be shocked and more are popping up everyday.

At the end other than the batteries it will become less expensive to build an EV. Less expensive to put an outlets anywhere than to building a gas station. Less expensive than extracting oil from the ground, refining it and drivers to get it to the station. No matter how much you love gas, EVs are here and they will take over.

I never could figure out why no one builds an electric car with a super quiet, constantly charging Honda generator motor to feed the batteries. If you started with a full charge and ran the generator all the time it has to significantly charge a car battery. Certainly a generator can run for hours on a small amount of gas and many can provide juice for an entire house so why can't they charge a car battery or at least provide super extended mileage on electric?

[biker1]

They did. It was called the Chevy Volt. While there was a direct connection between the gas engine (not a Honda) and the drive train, I believe most of the power came from the electric motor, which is being powered by a generator, connected to the gas engine, that recharges the battery. The drive train did evolve during the Volt's production run.

I never could figure out why no one builds an electric car with a super quiet, constantly charging Honda generator motor to feed the batteries. If you started with a full charge and ran the generator all the time it has to significantly charge a car battery. Certainly a generator can run for hours on a small amount of gas and many can provide juice for an entire house so why can't they charge a car battery or at least provide super extended mileage on electric?

[MorTech]

For TV retirees, an EV can make sense. 300 mile range diminishing to about 250 miles over 300,000 miles.
I would only recommend the new Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq 5 for their new lithium battery technology (safer and more durable).
If you plug into a standard 120V outlet you will charge at about 4 miles per hour...Plenty for a lot of people in TV.
Otherwise, a Toyota Corolla hybrid makes the most sense.

[JMintzer]

For TV retirees, an EV can make sense. 300 mile range diminishing to about 250 miles over 300,000 miles.
I would only recommend the new Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq 5 for their new lithium battery technology (safer and more durable).
If you plug into a standard 120V outlet you will charge at about 4 miles per hour...Plenty for a lot of people in TV.
Otherwise, a Toyota Corolla hybrid makes the most sense.

Yup...

I'll consider one once I stop the 900+ mile trip back and forth... Till then? ICE, ICE, Baby!

[Djean1981]

We have a hybrid, so around the local are, no gas is used. However, gas is used once the battery is depleted - and it can go across country, on gas. Around the villages, a hybrid should suffice to avoid using gasoline.

[MorTech]

Like someone mention, I think battery power airplanes and boats would be soooooo cool.

Two words - Energy Density.
Even electric 18-wheelers make no sense. Just ask Trevor Milton :)

[biker1]

Trevor Milton was indicted for security fraud, which has nothing to do with the feasibility of electric semis. Electric semis, and electric trucks in general, will make sense with the current generation of NCA and LFP batteries for some, but not all applications. Future battery improvements will expand the applicability.

Two words - Energy Density.
Even electric 18-wheelers make no sense. Just ask Trevor Milton :)

[MorTech]

Trevor Milton was indicted for security fraud, which has nothing to do with the feasibility of electric semis. Electric semis, and electric trucks in general, will make sense with the current generation of NCA and LFP batteries for some, but not all applications. Future battery improvements will expand the applicability.

The battery will always overrun the cargo capacity(80,000 lbs)...Energy Density.
An unladen electrified Boeing 787 Dreamliner would not even get off the ground.

[MorTech]

Maybe GM will import their Baojun E100. It is cheaper than a golf cart.

[Love2Swim]

I have a Camry hybrid. I LOVE it! Its my second Camry hybrid, and I get 49.1 mpg driving around town, a little more on the highway. Its quiet and streamlined, has all the bells and whistles of a gas Camry, and I didn't find it expensive - it was a last year leftover the dealer probably needed to get off the lot. They gave me a good deal on my trade-in as well. I think the prices have come down on the hybrids, and are closer in price to the regular gas guzzlers. I hardly ever seem to fill up with gas. I think the range is around 550 miles if I recalll or something similiar.I can see why people might reject an all - electric car, with concerns about range, having to plug in etc., but a hybrid is like a regular car, just gets better mileage, there is no plugging in. I will probably never by an all gasoline car again.

[MorTech]

Maybe GM will import this...Still cheaper than a golf cart.

2022 WULING HONGGUANG MINI EV Cabrio Concept (Electric Car) debut in 2021 Auto Shanghai (plus pics) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf75Tamoa_E)

Probably can't be federalized.

[biker1]

First of all, semis (diesel-based) do not have a cargo capacity of 80,000 lbs, as you stated. 80,000 lbs is the total weight limit for the entire truck, including the cargo. However, EV semis in the US have a 82,000 lb total weight limit. In Europe, the EV semi total weight limit is 84,000 lbs. Some estimates have the Tesla Semi powertrain weight with a 300 mile battery pack at about the same weight as a diesel powertrain. For longer range batteries, the additional 2,000 lbs of total weight limit will offset some of the additional battery weight. Clearly, they are waiting for at-scale production of the 4680 batteries since their energy to weight ratio is better than the 2170s. As I already stated, they will make sense for some applications, not all. For example, those instances where the truck is only out for a day and returns to the same depot every night and there is sufficient range for the whole day is one such application. Mentioning a 787 is a strawman argument. Please feel free to post again once the Tesla Semi starts shipping in volume and real world data is available. If it's cost per mile is better than a diesel it will do well.

The battery will always overrun the cargo capacity(80,000 lbs)...Energy Density.
An unladen electrified Boeing 787 Dreamliner would not even get off the ground.

[Bay Kid]

I have a Camry hybrid. I LOVE it! Its my second Camry hybrid, and I get 49.1 mpg driving around town, a little more on the highway. Its quiet and streamlined, has all the bells and whistles of a gas Camry, and I didn't find it expensive - it was a last year leftover the dealer probably needed to get off the lot. They gave me a good deal on my trade-in as well. I think the prices have come down on the hybrids, and are closer in price to the regular gas guzzlers. I hardly ever seem to fill up with gas. I think the range is around 550 miles if I recalll or something similiar.I can see why people might reject an all - electric car, with concerns about range, having to plug in etc., but a hybrid is like a regular car, just gets better mileage, there is no plugging in. I will probably never by an all gasoline car again.

Dad's 2019 Camry, 4 cylinder turbo, gets 40- 45 mpg.

[PugMom]

Too quiet. I need that piped in V8 sound then maybe...not....

:1rotfl: i hear ya. i'm one of those old farts who cannot accept anything but a v8. he's an 2008 town car, & would not trade him for any $$ or other car in the world. it's true love, lol:icon_wink:

[PugMom]

The Toyota "Prime" vehicles are all plug-in hybrids. I drove a Prius Prime for years, and the Rav 4 Prime is every bit as reliable. You don't actually choose when to use battery power, it's a hybrid, so it switches seamlessly between electric and gas. When you plug it in you are charging the traction battery, which will get you around 40 miles, depending on speed, before it uses the hybrid technology, which is now nailed down technologically. Basically plug-in hybrids have 3 power systems, gasoline engine, electric motor, traction battery. And it is staggering how much misinformation is out there regarding electric vehicles. I have driven hybrids for well over a decade. And there is not MORE maintenance, there is much LESS. By the way it is really hard to find a Rav 4 Prime in Florida, they are all over the place further north, and maybe it is because the RAV 4 has all-wheel drive. I ended up with a BMW X3e, plug-in hybrid SUV and I am thrilled with it. I bought it in Ocala and was not gouged in any way, in fact it was very reasonable.

you are correct when you say these cars are more common up north. you need that all- wheel or front wheel drive to make it on those icy steep hills & secondary roads after a snow storm hits. here, not so much

[B-flat]

:1rotfl: i hear ya. i'm one of those old farts who cannot accept anything but a v8. he's an 2008 town car, & would not trade him for any $$ or other car in the world. it's true love, lol:icon_wink:

I'm in that club too, I have no use for hybrid or electric vehicles.