topic Re: Electric cars in Community Chat

Electric cars

bonnielu — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 02:27:05 GMT

Does anyone own a totally electric car? Wondering if you like it. And how long it takes to charge it up. And is the electricity more expensive than the gas?

Re: Electric cars

songbird — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 11:36:49 GMT

@bonnielu wrote:
Does anyone own a totally electric car? Wondering if you like it. And how long it takes to charge it up. And is the electricity more expensive than the gas?

We do. We've had electric cars since 2015. I love it now. I didn't want to (my husband was the one who did) Yes, it's much, much cheaper then gas driven ones. Totally different in driving (one pedal driving) but you can learn it in less then 15 minutes. More expensive then gas driven cars. In the beginning meant charging them up (from home overnight) The range used to be 100 miles. Now they average 350 miles on one charge. That's how fast the electric car has developed. You get a charger with the car. We have it outside by our house. We don't have the new car yet (it's coming next year....a BMW 2022, we lease it) so I'm not sure exactly how long, but supercharger stations take less then 30 minutes now to charge. The industry has changed so quickly, it's astonishing. They looks exactly like gas cars, but no tail pipe and it doesn't make any noise. There is artificial noise inside. It's basically a computer sitting on a giant battery. Nearly all brand cars now are offered as electric. They are usually in separate areas in dealerships. Our first one was called a Leaf, second one was a Mercedes. This is our second Mercedes. My husband always leases the cars, but you can buy them. We test drove a Volvo, a Tesla and a Volkswagen (so far) I loved the Tesla, my husband hated it. We used to get stares (going by without any noise) but now people are accustomed to it. Most electric cars can park themselves, but my husband elects to do it himself. I don't know what the status is (autonomous parking) with gas cars. But both gas and electric cars are committed to eventual driverless cars. We haven't been to a gas station since 2015. Charging stations have popped up. One is in the parking lot of my local library. One other person in your neighborhood has one. There is still a lot of hostility toward them (un American? Not sure of the reason. Who knows?)

Re: Electric cars

CherryHugs — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 12:00:39 GMT

I do not know anyone personally that has one.

Re: Electric cars

caroln242 — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:15:58 GMT

@songbird wrote:
@bonnielu wrote:
Does anyone own a totally electric car? Wondering if you like it. And how long it takes to charge it up. And is the electricity more expensive than the gas?
We do. We've had electric cars since 2015. I love it now. I didn't want to (my husband was the one who did) Yes, it's much, much cheaper then gas driven ones. Totally different in driving (one pedal driving) but you can learn it in less then 15 minutes. More expensive then gas driven cars. In the beginning meant charging them up (from home overnight) The range used to be 100 miles. Now they average 350 miles on one charge. That's how fast the electric car has developed. You get a charger with the car. We have it outside by our house. We don't have the new car yet (it's coming next year....a BMW 2022, we lease it) so I'm not sure exactly how long, but supercharger stations take less then 30 minutes now to charge. The industry has changed so quickly, it's astonishing. They looks exactly like gas cars, but no tail pipe and it doesn't make any noise. There is artificial noise inside. It's basically a computer sitting on a giant battery. Nearly all brand cars now are offered as electric. They are usually in separate areas in dealerships. Our first one was called a Leaf, second one was a Mercedes. This is our second Mercedes. My husband always leases the cars, but you can buy them. We test drove a Volvo, a Tesla and a Volkswagen (so far) I loved the Tesla, my husband hated it. We used to get stares (going by without any noise) but now people are accustomed to it. Most electric cars can park themselves, but my husband elects to do it himself. I don't know what the status is (autonomous parking) with gas cars. But both gas and electric cars are committed to eventual driverless cars. We haven't been to a gas station since 2015. Charging stations have popped up. One is in the parking lot of my local library. One other person in your neighborhood has one. There is still a lot of hostility toward them (un American? Not sure of the reason. Who knows?)

One pedal driving??? I don't understand.

Re: Electric cars

Sweetbay magnolia — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:36:11 GMT

FWIW, I just had a contractor at the house who raved about his electric KIA SUV. He'd had it three years, I think. I was not particularly interested in his services because he was outrageously overpriced but boy I could get him going about this electric vehicle. He loved it! His job involves driving all day long.

There is a little learning curve, especially regarding when/how to charge, but he seemed to have it well in hand. Cold temps discharge the energy more quickly, he told me, so he thinks about his needs differently in the winter (mid-Atlantic region).

He'd had to add to his existing home electrical supply and had come to find that he got the best charge and the most miles out of a combination of "regular" and "fast" charging (some of us know about this because of our smart phones, so I throw that out there).

He told me his costs to operate were significantly less than with a combustion engine (no oil change, for one). He did also have solar roof panels so that, too, factored into his energy costs.

Re: Electric cars

gardenman — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:38:07 GMT

@caroln242 wrote:
@songbird wrote:
@bonnielu wrote:
Does anyone own a totally electric car? Wondering if you like it. And how long it takes to charge it up. And is the electricity more expensive than the gas?
We do. We've had electric cars since 2015. I love it now. I didn't want to (my husband was the one who did) Yes, it's much, much cheaper then gas driven ones. Totally different in driving (one pedal driving) but you can learn it in less then 15 minutes. More expensive then gas driven cars. In the beginning meant charging them up (from home overnight) The range used to be 100 miles. Now they average 350 miles on one charge. That's how fast the electric car has developed. You get a charger with the car. We have it outside by our house. We don't have the new car yet (it's coming next year....a BMW 2022, we lease it) so I'm not sure exactly how long, but supercharger stations take less then 30 minutes now to charge. The industry has changed so quickly, it's astonishing. They looks exactly like gas cars, but no tail pipe and it doesn't make any noise. There is artificial noise inside. It's basically a computer sitting on a giant battery. Nearly all brand cars now are offered as electric. They are usually in separate areas in dealerships. Our first one was called a Leaf, second one was a Mercedes. This is our second Mercedes. My husband always leases the cars, but you can buy them. We test drove a Volvo, a Tesla and a Volkswagen (so far) I loved the Tesla, my husband hated it. We used to get stares (going by without any noise) but now people are accustomed to it. Most electric cars can park themselves, but my husband elects to do it himself. I don't know what the status is (autonomous parking) with gas cars. But both gas and electric cars are committed to eventual driverless cars. We haven't been to a gas station since 2015. Charging stations have popped up. One is in the parking lot of my local library. One other person in your neighborhood has one. There is still a lot of hostility toward them (un American? Not sure of the reason. Who knows?)
One pedal driving??? I don't understand.

It's called regenerative braking. When you take your foot off the gas pedal the motor stops turning on its own and becomes a generator as the car's momentum spins the motor's rotor generating electricity that goes back to the battery as the car slows down. It's great if the brake light also comes on when you take your foot off the brake, not so great otherwise.

I was behind a white Prius on Rte. 42 here in NJ one day in very heavy traffic when the idiot in the Prius only used his regenerative braking to slow down which meant I had no visual clue he was slowing down. He didn't tap the brake pedal and the brake light didn't light with the regenerative braking. I almost hit him three times as he'd suddenly stop in front of me. Not fun. As soon as there was an opening, I got out of that lane and left him for someone else to hit. If you find yourself behind an electric car, be very careful and give them extra distance.

In California now with power shortages they're asking electric car owners to refrain from charging their cars. That may end up driving more drivers back to gas-powered cars.

Re: Electric cars

teganslaw — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:04:28 GMT

There are several reasons why some people don't want them.

Too expensive. Maybe they save money overall since they don't need gas, but the price of most electric cars is too costly.

Not enough charging stations. That depends on the area; some states have more stations than others.

Power outages. The power grid isn't large enough to contain all electric. For example, California wants to eventually get rid of all gas cars. Yet their power grid won't sustain it for that many. Something that looks good in theory, but is too problematic in real life to work.

They don't cause gas emissions, but electric cars don't really help the planet any more than gas cars because the batteries needed for them have to be disposed of somehow. It's just something activists want people to believe.

I'm not against anyone having electric cars, if that's what they like. Just pointing out some things about them.

Re: Electric cars

Lucky Charm — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 15:04:25 GMT

I don't think American's are being 'un American' just because they don't own one. Eventually, they will be the only option, I'm sure. Most likely decades from now.

It goes way beyond our private passenger vehicles, we're talking all buses, tractor trailers, airplanes, ships/boats, and all of what our military uses.

Until they come up with a good solution/replacement for what to pave the millions of miles of our highways (and most likely the road passing your home), we are going to be oil dependant. Regardless if we are at 100% electric vehicles for private use, commercial use or our military.

By then we could be driving solar powered cars, or wind powered cars or who knows, flower powered cars!

Re: Electric cars

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 14:47:10 GMT

I will never buy an electric car. I don't want to have to worry about charging stations, power outages etc. I also don't want to front the money for one.

I have nothing against electric cars. It's just not for me. I'm fine going to the gas station.

Re: Electric cars

hckynut — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 15:12:32 GMT

One of my first interest in my teens was cars and motors that powered them. I loved/love the sound and yes, the smell made by the internal combustion in the cylinders, released by the exhaust valves.

No way I would pay the price of buying one, nor forget how electricity is produced. Will leave these to those that choose to spend the extra $$$ for whatever their reasons.

Me? I still love auto racing, the sounds/speed, and yes, the exhaust.

hckynut

Re: Electric cars

Spurt — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 20:58:13 GMT

@bonnielu

@teganslaw makes some excellent points. And I can tell you what the 22,600 electric car owners experienced in Texas during our artic storm this past winter which resulted in a 3 week power outage---ELECTRIC CAR OWNERS WERE OUT OF LUCK!!! Those with gasoline powered vehicles could fire up their engines to sit in their car or drive around to keep warm, and they could also use their cars to charge phones, laptops, and tablets---electric car owners couldnt....And while gas powered cars could drive around to find food....electric car owners couldnt....With NO electricty----many were stranded some abandoned at charging stations (dont know how many)

And there's also a shortage of materials needed to make the batteries for the electric cars.... sounds like a "fun time" indeed....🤔

Re: Electric cars

Spurt — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 15:13:21 GMT

@teganslaw wrote:
There are several reasons why some people don't want them.

Too expensive. Maybe they save money overall since they don't need gas, but the price of most electric cars is too costly.

Not enough charging stations. That depends on the area; some states have more stations than others.

Power outages. The power grid isn't large enough to contain all electric. For example, California wants to eventually get rid of all gas cars. Yet their power grid won't sustain it for that many. Something that looks good in theory, but is too problematic in real life to work.

They don't cause gas emissions, but electric cars don't really help the planet any more than gas cars because the batteries needed for them have to be disposed of somehow. It's just something activists want people to believe.

I'm not against anyone having electric cars, if that's what they like. Just pointing out some things about them.

@teganslaw

EXCELLENT POINTS!!! 👍👍👍

Re: Electric cars

quilter61 — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:21:15 GMT

When the government says all cars will be going electric they don't take a lot of things in consideration. I don't have a garage, have to park on the street. So for me there would me no place to charge a vehicle. In my area most park on the street, very few have a garage or driveway. Also, what about people who live in apartments where would they charge a vehicle.

Re: Electric cars

SoonerLater — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:37:43 GMT

Until we find a better source for generating electricity, which seems a painfully and expensive way off, it is a moot point about electric cars because most of what you are putting in the car is coming from conventional energy sources (fossil fuel) anyway.

If you want to know anything about US energy sources and distribution, go to eia.gov. It is fascinating! It has all sorts of data and thought provoking information.

I can spend a lot of time reading every time I go to that site.

Something really worth a look is a page for

Construction cost data for electric generators installed in 2018

Re: Electric cars

Spurt — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 18:33:57 GMT

@SoonerLater wrote:
Until we find a better source for generating electricity, which seems a painfully and expensive way off, it is a moot point about electric cars because most of what you are putting in the car is coming from conventional energy sources (fossil fuel) anyway.

If you want to know anything about US energy sources and distribution, go to eia.gov. It is fascinating! It has all sorts of data and thought provoking information.

I can spend a lot of time reading every time I go to that site.

Something really worth a look is a page for
Construction cost data for electric generators installed in 2018

@SoonerLater

👍👍👍

Re: Electric cars

ccassaday — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:11:51 GMT

I think a electric car could be really good for everyday tasks and to and from work if you don't have a long commute. But I don't think they are at a point yet where they are realistic to take on a road trip. There needs to be better technology. Longer times and quicker charging times. If your on a road trip I think it would be a pain to find charging stations or wait a 1/2 hour for a charge. From some of the videos I have watched the fast charges in some cars only Roth's up to the 50% point. After that it's not fast to finish it. Some of them need better styling also. The Tesla is about the only one that looks like a cool car. From a video I watched it seems like it could cost about 7 dollars depending on where you live to charge it. Also what happens with states like california that can't even keep the lights on.

Re: Electric cars

Group 5 minus 1 — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:14:28 GMT

Hubbs tells me the cost of the batteriey replacement is very high.

Re: Electric cars

lovesrecess — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:34:14 GMT

DD’s brother in-law has a Tesla; he doesn’t like it so is wanting to order their version of the SUV; can’t recall what it’s called. His big issue is the amount of time it takes to charge it initially and keep it charged up. Since he is in the part of Texas hit hardest last February with the deep freeze, he and his family were in trouble with no way to charge up his phones, etc as well as the car. They also have an old Ford pickup that fortunately they could use to get heat and charge up things. Big wake up call! My concern is the rumor that those of us who drive older cars will be financially penalized since our carbon footprint will be larger than those with brand new electric ones. That just won’t work for me!

Re: Electric cars

SilleeMee — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:39:03 GMT

The manufacturing of an electric vehicle is not as green as people think. Plus there's the issue of disposal of the electronics once the vehicle is done. I'm not so sure I'd buy one just yet. At this point the scales haven't tipped in the electric direction for me.

Re: Electric cars

gardenman — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:29:46 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
Hubbs tells me the cost of the batteriey replacement is very high.

Not only that, but there's talk of charging electric car owners a battery disposal fee when they go to get rid of a car. I've heard as much as $20,000 mentioned as the fee. If that ever happens a whole lot of old electric cars will end up parked in back yards and left to rot.