For non-Tesla drivers, anyone have an opinion on the Electrify America network, in particular, driving from NJ to Chicago?
OT: Electric vehicles
- Thread starter BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap
- Start date
I am a Tesla driver, but I know a bit about EA.
First off, EA is an offshoot of VW. As a penalty for "diesel-gate" VW had to set up a charging infrastructure. The biggest complaint with EA is that it is poorly maintained. VW doesn't appear to have much of an interest in expanding and upkeeping the network. Their main priority appears to be avoiding paying further fines....do the bare minimum and be done with it.
EA chargers tend to be further away from highway exits
EA chargers tend to be more unreliable. Show up at a charger only to find it is out of service
There might only be 2 charging stalls at a location
They advertise 350 kWh charging, however these chargers are few and far between.
You have to create an account, swipe a card, use a touch screen.
Depending on your EV, it may or may not give you info about the charging speed and number of stalls available
Of course, the experience will vary depending on your route. I'm sure not all experiences are bad. Furthermore, there are several other 3rd party charging networks available other than EA. Lastly, I don't do a ton of long distance travel, but having access to the Tesla supercharger network gives great peace of mind. Keep an ear open for Tesla expanding access to their network to other EVs.
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Based on that dimly glowing review of EA (we can't cough up the dough to buy a Tesla), would you say that sending your kid to drive from NJ to Wisconsin in a non-Tesla EV with a 250 mile range would be a bit of a gamble and probably not ready for prime time?
I have a friend who drove a Tesla from Florida to North or South Dakota, and we were told the trip was seamless except for Tesla sending the car down some strange forest type roads. The charging infrastructure and availability was excellent.
I have to think that with proper route and charger planning, there‘s no particular risk of running out of energy. It’s more like it could potentially inconvenient sometimes. My concerns with range are not about winding up stuck on the side of the road. Just not interested in having to think about it at all.
IDK. I would be a little concerned about having one of my kids doing this alone and winding up in a sketchy area, or arriving with little battery left, only to find out the charger is not working out out of service. Does not seem ready for prime time (at least for driving long distances).
Running out? Doubtful. Sitting around during 1 hour charge? Very possible. Would't go down well with those who complain about a 20 second wait for the attendant at a full service gas station.
We just got a Tesla, apparently just in time for the gas price shock. Coming from a new owner, I had concerns about this but I have to say, I think the chances are pretty low in a Tesla at least. You charge every night, I don't know many people doing daily driving of 200+ miles so the chances of unpredictably being in a bad neighborhood and needing a charge are low. Secondly, on road trips, the navigation will include stops and you might not even get off the highways you're on. People need to change the way they approach driving sure but the chances of this happening with an ICE car is similar.
That’s part of why I’m waiting for range improvements. I’m not big on long stops between destinations during road trips. Some people intentionally break up long drives, which I get. But I’ve done 24+ hour drives stopping only to refuel and pee. Hate stops.
You may have missed the earlier posts. My kid would be taking the car from NJ to Wisconsin this summer. That' the concern. Driving 900-1000 miles through Pittsburgh, Toledo, Chicago, etc., and feeling comfortable that 1) the charging stations were safe (probably at least 4 stops) and 2) they functioned (non-Tesla charging stations).
If he’s reasonable mature, get him trained up with a handgun and have him take one along. I mean, I think it would be unnecessary with good route planning. But depending on the route, several of the states he’s be crossing are constitutional carry states, like WV for example.
OTOH, the school he’s attending might have a problem with him having it on campus. And y’all may have philosophical issues with it. But it could prevent a carjacking on the side of the road.
Can take a more southerly route than that. I probably would just to avoid traffic anyeay.
Not sure if serious. Let's not go "there."
It's getting too complicated already.
From what I've heard, if you're relying on 3rd party charging, it is strongly advised to plan your trip route and charging stops in advance. I'm pretty sure (not positive) there are websites where users post up to date conditions of various 3rd party chargers (speed, # of stalls, # of stalls out of order, amenities available, etc..).
In a Tesla, all of this is done for you. Put in a destination and away you go. Tesla recently added waypoints too.
FYI, metropolitan areas are going to have an abundance of charging options.
Not if he took a Southern route. Pretty sure a route can be taken where most of the states in question either recognize NJ permits (although not for carry, but those states have constitutional carry laws so no carry permit is required). Some states, like PA, give out-of-staters permits via application.
I would never advocate doing it illegally.
The school would be the problem, probably, but the gun could probably be turned in to the campus police until the end of the semester.
Edit, just checked and Wisconsin itself would be a problem, depending on how hard it would be to get a permit there. Didn’t realize that.
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We know this. You've only posted this concern a few dozen times previously. And for the 58th time, your driving habits are .001%. Most families drive less than 50 miles a day - for all cars in the household. The NY Metro area might be a bit higher - let's say 60 miles. So for just about everyone else, Tesla's range is fine, no problemo.
I’m specifically talking about road trips. Lots and lots of people share my concerns about that. And not everybody can afford a daily driver EV for commuting plus a road trip car with extended range.
And no, even Tesla’s Model S long range is insufficient for what lots of people want in a road trip car. And lots of people cannot afford a Model S.
Flawed analysis.
Daily driving mileage means little if you take a few road trips a year (or just want to be able to).
My daily mileage is probably under 10, but I take multiple road trips a year, often at odd times, in extreme heat or cold, and don't want to have to worry about charging. Renting often not a viable option because of off-roading.
Sure, people could have two vehicles, but that kind of defeats the purpose. And not everyone wants or can afford two vehicles, especially if one's a Tesla.
And before you say I'm an extreme case, that's the norm around me, as is towing a big-ass fifth wheel or trailer. People road trip to all corners of the state and neighboring states.
It's common for people who live on the coasts in the big cities to think everyone lives like them. When you get to the middle of the country where it is less crowded and the stuff to see/do is spread apart, there are more people like you. But that won't stop the elitists on the coasts from telling you that you are the exception. Narrow world view.
This sentence could not be further from the truth.
My longest road trip in my Tesla Y LR to date was two weeks from western NC to lower New England. Several days in Connecticut visiting family and friends, then a week at the Cape visiting friends, then a day in New Hampshire to see my niece, then Mass, and then back to NC. Range was never an issue.
Hell, range would be no more an issue for me than you and your vehicle. The only difference is that I would take longer to fuel than you. Luckily for me my internal metronome runs at a less frenetic pace.
You guys seem willfully ignoring that your particular feelings about range do not represent everybody else's feelings about range. How people feel about it is an opinion. Not a fact.
And I said "what lots of drivers want". There are tons of different opinions and not everybody falls into the same camp with respect to range. Sure, lots of people don't GAF about range. But just as validly, lots of people do.
I'm genuinely happy for you if your car meet your needs. But it would not meet my needs.
Not sure why that's so hard for y'all to accept. I certainly don't expect that my cars would meet anybody else's needs, unless they had the exact same priorities I have.
Please, please, please Ford, don’t make me wait until August for delivery.
www.thedrive.com
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Review: Return of the Great American Economy Car
Economical, comfortable, and still decently capable, the Ford Maverick hybrid is an efficient daily while retaining its pickup practicality.
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Frankly, an EV should be attractive for anyone who needs to tow a trailer (or anything). EVs are built for towing.
I get the cost arguments, and for the 0.0001% of people who basically piss in bottles during their long trips. I also understand that EVs may not be people who live in apartments or other places where home charging isn't viable.
Otherwise, charging stations are popping up everywhere. I just don't buy range anxiety or time taken for charging on the road as real issues.
Please, please, please Ford, don’t make me wait until August for delivery.
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Review: Return of the Great American Economy Car
Economical, comfortable, and still decently capable, the Ford Maverick hybrid is an efficient daily while retaining its pickup practicality.
This is an EV thread. How creating a pickup/truck thread and post this stuff there.
Well, except for the whole halving your range thing.
I’m pretty confident that if you actually drove an EV, you would realize that charging isn’t that big of a deal. Drive 300 miles, stop at a super charger- grab something to eat, hit the bathroom, stretch your legs and you’ve got another 200-250 miles of battery ready to go. Yes, driving cross country isn’t going to be easy but if you’re driving from here to Florida or something like that, it’s really a non issue
Hey Sport, a hybrid is technically an EV. Try to keep up.
What are the Different Types of EV?
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True for a Tesla, but not for non-Tesla owners. See @BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap 's post above. Maybe the Hyundai Ioniq/Kia whatever have fast charging capability, but a limited availability of rapid chargers. If one can afford the Tesla price premium, it is worth it.
It would piss me off to have to stop ever 200-250 miles. I do not need to drive an EV to know that.
For me, that would be a very big deal. And apparently, for plenty of other people.
And if you had a non-Tesla EV (other than the new Ioniq and a good rapid charger), each battery refill would take 45-60 minutes). I got spoiled by my diesel SUV I got rid of, having to fill up every 600 miles. It was fantastic that we had to stop only 3 times for fuel on our drive from NJ to AZ back in 2019. In a non-Tesla, EV we would need about 12 stops, adding about 10-12 hours to the trip. From Rutgers Chris' perspective (I think he owns a Tesla), it is a better- 8 stops, with 15 minutes of charging, which is much better--but that is optimum conditions. That may be more tolerable/doable, but the long range battery Tesla models are expensive and out of reach for many consumers.
Of course, if you’re taking 1000+ mile road trips often, you wouldn’t want an EV. But if you’re doing it once or twice a year, weighing that inconvenience against the convenience of no gas, oil changes, etc is probably a bigger consideration.
I’m too old to drive 250 miles w/o having to stop to take a bathroom break.
Do not do it. EV's get less range at high speed and you will also be running the AC. I have the Y and love it but last summer we took it on a long trip in sunny mid 90 degree weather doing around 70 mph and the 324 range was working out closer to 200 under those conditions.
I am just hoping the rest areas don’t start charging to use bathrooms again lol to combat inflation.
