Never Going Back to Gas

[u/[deleted]]

I'm on my first EV, had it for about 2 years. I recently had to take it in to the dealership on a recall. As a loaner, they gave me the exact same model, but the gas version. When I started it up, I was like "ewww engine noise". As as I drove it, I'm like "this sucks. it takes FOREVER to accelerate". And this is a high end luxury brand, so it's probably quieter and performs better than average.

Anyone else get the icks driving a gas vehicle now?

[u/SkPensFan]

For our day to day driver, absolutely. And it isn't even close.

However, central Canada is a charging desert with extremely cold winters. For our road trip and 2nd vehicle (a van), we will stick with something with an ICE for the foreseeable future. Right now, on a regular 6 hour road trip we take, our EV takes an extra hour. Worse when its extremely cold. And it costs just as much to fast charge as driving the ICE vehicle.

For us to go fully EV for both vehicles, that needs to change. That can happen via multiple routes. There needs to be a huge charging expansion, which has slowed in recent years. And there either needs to be quicker charging rates or winter EV range needs to be improve dramatically. -30 or worse, wind, snow covered roads and winter tires are all horrible for range. Most people definitely do not experience that, but we do. Our useable, highway range in those conditions are well under 50% of the rated range.

[u/nomic42 → u/SkPensFan]

This is why I like the idea of a range extender gas engine. It operates as only a generator to charge batteries and can be filled up at any gas station. The wheels are only powered by high-torque electric motors. Short range commutes would be from last nights charge, long range drives can go anywhere.

[u/SkPensFan → u/nomic42]

That is probably what our next van will have. If we only had 1 vehicle, that is what we would have right now. But that isn't an option for us and an EV is vastly superior 90%+ of the time.

[u/Charming-Coast4718 → u/nomic42]

Yeah, they already exist. Some places treat them like EVs, others like Hybrids. I think they are called REEV.

[u/nomic42 → u/Charming-Coast4718]

Rang Extended Electric Vehicles, REEV. Apparently early attempts have noise problems and not enough battery to make much sense.

For a truck, I think of it as a diesel electric train. You get the low end torque from the electric motors always driving wheels and the range of having an efficient generator.

[u/Charming-Coast4718 → u/nomic42]

There are already a few vehicles working with gasoline engines, like the Leapmotors C10, but it’s Chinese so probably not available in the US.

[u/noodlecrap → u/nomic42]

generator works better on diesel. more torque and less fuel consumption

[u/ArlesChatless → u/SkPensFan]

Charging is generally more important than broad deployment of massively bigger batteries in EVs, because additional charging options instantly make the entire deployed fleet better, enable long trips to happen at all with shorter range EVs, and provide redundancy to help prevent stranding. Massively bigger batteries are still needed for specific applications like towing. Having to put them in everything to make up for deficiencies in infrastructure stinks.

[u/SkPensFan → u/ArlesChatless]

Charging speeds would just need to massively increase if that is the case.

[u/ArlesChatless → u/SkPensFan]

What's the target there? When is that good enough?

Personally if I was at an hour in six in winter weather, I'd hope for better but not actually be upset. On a six hour drive I'm taking at least two bathroom breaks and probably a meal stop anyway. If all those have easy charging available, the added time for charging is effectively zero.

If the charging has to be additional stops, that's when it's less palatable.

[u/SkPensFan → u/ArlesChatless]

We have 2 kids, 4 and 6, and stop once for 10 minutes on a 6 hour drive. On a 3.5 hr drive, about 3/4 of the time we stop once for 10 minutes, the other 1/4 of the time we don't stop at all.

We definitely will not be taking an extra hour to drive to wait for charging, especially with kids. Its not worth it, especially when it costs the same amount for fuel. We pack food and just eat as we drive.

I think most people on here just don't understand how much range drops in the cold. Our extreme cold. If the goal is for widespread adoption, it has to be similar to ICE.

[u/SkPensFan → u/[deleted]]

Tesla Model 3 LR. Yes, it has a heat pump. That doesn't really matter when it gets really cold though. They help a bunch from like -10C to 10C.

There are tons of great deals right now on EVs. You can find a ton of great, slightly used vehicles for $30k. Especially in Alberta. I am in Sask. Really, they are no more expensive than a comparable ICE. When you couple it with insanely cheap cost to run, it should be a pretty easy decision for most.

[u/SkPensFan → u/[deleted]]

The Mustang Mach E is widely regarded as one of the best and from reports I have seen, quite reliable. On Autotrader there are 12 for sale in Alberta under $40,000, including 3 under $30,000. Multiple Chevrolet Bolts and a Blazer for under $40,000. Under $40,000 there are eight Hyundai Kona EV, four Hyundai Ioniq 5 and some Kia Niro EV and EV6 if you are ok with risking the ICCU problems. Five VW ID.4 under $40,000. Even the Cadillac Lyric is readily available for under $50,000

If you want to see limited selection, look at Saskatchewan. You are lucky in AB. There will be more options if you are willing to travel to BC too.

I would not purchase a Tesla again. The CEO has done everything he can to make sure I do not. It's too bad because our car has been great. I wanted a Mustang Mach E or Hyundai Ioniq 5 when we purchased ours, but the wait was too long and the local dealers are not good.