When do you think you will buy a 100% pure electric vehicle?

[CyCoug]

Here is the final chapter of my EV rental journey that has kept you all riveted (I'm sure).

We left southwest FL this morning charged at 100%. Made it 120 miles to an ElectrifyAmerica charging station near the Fort Lauderdale airport with about 49% charge left, after having travelled 70-75 MPH the basically the whole trip.

I was intrigued to see how well the Level 3 chargers worked. We were a bit short on time, but I was willing to invest 20-30 minutes to try to get above 70% to avoid having to pay the $35 fee.

At the station, there were only 2 of 10 chargers open. I backed into one that was a bit tight, but close to the port. However, after 5 minutes of trying to get the reader to accept my account, nothing happened. I finally saw on the contactless card reader (not the main screen) a message that said "Network Error".

At that point, I was a bit frustrated and had to make the call about whether it was worth it to try the last open spot. We had less than two hours until our flight departure, so I made the decision just to head to the airport. I wasn't sure we'd get to 70% in 15 minutes or so.

But in a mixed blessing, when Thrifty checked in the car, they did not charge us the $35 fee. I have rarely if ever, heard of a rental car company not tacking on any and all fees possible, but they did not in this case. So all was well in the end.

 

[dmclone]

Here is the final chapter of my EV rental journey that has kept you all riveted (I'm sure).

We left southwest FL this morning charged at 100%. Made it 120 miles to an ElectrifyAmerica charging station near the Fort Lauderdale airport with about 49% charge left, after having travelled 70-75 MPH the basically the whole trip.

I was intrigued to see how well the Level 3 chargers worked. We were a bit short on time, but I was willing to invest 20-30 minutes to try to get above 70% to avoid having to pay the $35 fee.

At the station, there were only 2 of 10 chargers open. I backed into one that was a bit tight, but close to the port. However, after 5 minutes of trying to get the reader to accept my account, nothing happened. I finally saw on the contactless card reader (not the main screen) a message that said "Network Error".

At that point, I was a bit frustrated and had to make the call about whether it was worth it to try the last open spot. We had less than two hours until our flight departure, so I made the decision just to head to the airport. I wasn't sure we'd get to 70% in 15 minutes or so.

But in a mixed blessing, when Thrifty checked in the car, they did not charge us the $35 fee. I have rarely if ever, heard of a rental car company not tacking on any and all fees possible, but they did not in this case. So all was well in the end.

Seriously, EA really needs to step up to the plate. They are doing so much damage to the whole industry.

 

[Jeremy]

I got a year old Toyota C-HR, they don’t make it anymore. It’s small but I’ll be lucky to drive it 3-4 times a month and fits the wife and kids. I really can’t drive alone but couldn’t admit defeat and not have something.

 

[brianhos]

It wouldn't surprise me if they don't know how to open the door or put it in drive.

Teslas Are Among The Least Stolen Vehicles In The U.S.: Study

One thing that might help Teslas get ahead of the pack in this regard is that their position can be remotely monitored on the owners’ smartphones.

insideevs.com

You have to steal the persons phone to steal a tesla, so yeah, no one can steal them.

 

[dmclone]

I got a year old Toyota C-HR, they don’t make it anymore. It’s small but I’ll be lucky to drive it 3-4 times a month and fits the wife and kids. I really can’t drive alone but couldn’t admit defeat and not have something.

You may have found a gem in disguise. I think why it failed was probably because in the U.S., bigger is always better and people chose the RAV4 since it was nearly the same price. It was a similar situation when I told my mother to buy a Honda Fit. I loved that car driving around town but it just didn't sell well. However, when she went to sell it, everyone seemed to want it.

 

[ricochet]

Oh yeah, if that's the case, that's the best idea.

But yeah, solar on the roof of the car just doesn't work.

Somebody (Prius maybe?) tried having a solar panel on the roof that just ran a circulating fan when it was parked to help keep the internal temperature down. Seemed like a good idea but I don't think it is available anymore (and maybe never made it to actual production).

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Had a chance to drive an F150 Lightning over the weekend.

I'm definitely not a truck guy but it was still a fun drive. A lot more nimble than a typical F150.

Made me feel better about my next car being a BEV in a couple years when I hand my hybrid off to the kid.

 

[RedlineSi]

If anyone in Minnesota is interested in Rivian as a potential new vehicle, just slide into my DMs. Willing to let people check it out.

 

[KnappShack]

Somebody (Prius maybe?) tried having a solar panel on the roof that just ran a circulating fan when it was parked to help keep the internal temperature down. Seemed like a good idea but I don't think it is available anymore (and maybe never made it to actual production).

Fisker has a solar roof. The old Karma was a pretty wild looking ride when I saw it in person.

 

[Jeremy]

If anyone in Minnesota is interested in Rivian as a potential new vehicle, just slide into my DMs. Willing to let people check it out.

I love the looks of their vehicles and really hope they grow. I read where they just went from losing 300k per vehicle sold to 150k. Good movement, but at some point they need some exponential changes. Again, I love their vehicles.

 

[RedlineSi]

I love the looks of their vehicles and really hope they grow. I read where they just went from losing 300k per vehicle sold to 150k. Good movement, but at some point they need some exponential changes. Again, I love their vehicles.

They aren't losing $150k per vehicle lol, they'd already be out of business if that was the case. They were losing about $30k per vehicle, but that's pretty normal for a ramp up. Tesla went through the same situation.

 

[exCyDing]

They aren't losing $150k per vehicle lol, they'd already be out of business if that was the case. They were losing about $30k per vehicle, but that's pretty normal for a ramp up. Tesla went through the same situation.

And Rivian has Amazon behind it. They'll be the ones making Amazon's delivery fleet. If Amazon wants it to work, they're going to have a loooooot of runway.

 

[RedlineSi]

And Rivian has Amazon behind it. They'll be the ones making Amazon's delivery fleet. If Amazon wants it to work, they're going to have a loooooot of runway.

They are currently making 100,000 vans for Amazon. They just delivered their 10,000th EDV to them.

 

[nfrine]

My son says Rivian has a long way to go on fit and finish related to the body panels. Taken his SUV it to KC twice so far. Over a week stay each time. A loaner was provided). Still not what you would expect for an $80K vehicle. The new kids on the block have a ways to go.

 

[RedlineSi]

My son says Rivian has a long way to go on fit and finish related to the body panels. Taken his SUV it to KC twice so far. Over a week stay each time. A loaner was provided). Still not what you would expect for an $80K vehicle. The new kids on the block have a ways to go.

Welcome to the world of start ups. Tesla still has issues.

Mine is pretty good, I do have a ticket in to fix a couple trim pieces and to adjust one panel. Otherwise the paint is perfect. The interior is great and mechanically its as good as it gets.

Growing pains are real as you try to ramp up.

 

[Jeremy]

Sorry, it was 125k they were losing per vehicle and are now down to 30k or so. Great progress and I hope it continues.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/rivian-loss-per-vehicle/amp/

 

[mramseyISU]

UPDATE 2-Ford to add more Tesla EV chargers to its network

Ford Motor said on Monday it would add more of Tesla's Superchargers to its electric-vehicle charging network, higher than previously forecast, as automakers tap into the EV leader's sprawling charger network to expand the range of their cars. Ford will now add over 15,000 of Tesla's...

finance.yahoo.com

The charging network is really where Tesla excels compared to everybody else. The cars have the quality control of a mid 90's Kia but those superchargers are the real advantage they have over everybody else.

Had a chance to drive an F150 Lightning over the weekend.

I'm definitely not a truck guy but it was still a fun drive. A lot more nimble than a typical F150.

Made me feel better about my next car being a BEV in a couple years when I hand my hybrid off to the kid.

If the prices keep coming down on the Lightning I might end up getting one of those this spring instead of the hybrid I'm planning on. They're starting to get really temping for a guy like me who never tows. If I can get a Lariat with the extended range battery for around $65k I would probably get one.

 

[brianhos]

Welcome to the world of start ups. Tesla still has issues.

Mine is pretty good, I do have a ticket in to fix a couple trim pieces and to adjust one panel. Otherwise the paint is perfect. The interior is great and mechanically its as good as it gets.

Growing pains are real as you try to ramp up.

My wife has a 2021 subaru ascent, it has tons of problems with the electrical system. We are on the 3rd battery and 3rd audio system. It will still die in the garage if you leave it sit for more than a few days without driving. So Tesla/Rivian is not the only company with issues.

 

[RedlineSi]

That's true...I was mostly talking about the fit and finish with panels, etc.

Honestly, the worst part of my Rivian isn't even an issue from manufacturing. I have a trim piece that was delivered broken in the lift gate, and it was clear as day. Unfortunately, I took delivery on the last day of the qtr during their huge push. It really isn't a big deal, but I couldn't get a apt to fix it for 2 months, which seems to be an issue nation wide.

 

[dmclone]

The cars have the quality control of a mid 90's Kia

I've owned probably 25 cars in my lifetime and I can tell you that in my experience,this 100% incorrect. I went in with a checklist because I heard these types of statement from others. The fit/finish of my wife's Model Y is as good as any Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Acura, Infiniti, etc. we've ever owned. Better than the Nissan(2), Mazda, Dodge, and VW's I've owned.

After 4 months the only thing I've noticed is that my after market floor mats are curling at the top. Not one rattle, no panel gap issues, etc. zero...nothing....nada. Some things like paint quality, I can't confirm or deny. I do feel like I've owned enough cars in my lifetime to get a pretty good feel for them on day one.

This may be the case when they first rolled out or maybe it's other models but what I'm hearing from actual owners, is that they are very solid. With that said, I'd probably wait a year before buying a Tesla redesign or new model but that'/s the case with a lot of manufactures.