Electric Vehicles

[eman]

I wanted to start a thread about electric vehicles. Electric transportation is growing like never before especially thanks to Tesla showing how easy it is. The Model 3 has been selling really well and there are now over 300 Teslas in Manitoba. I do own a Model 3, but this thread should be open to all EV transportation issues, including busses, e-bikes. I am disappointed that electric busses were tested and built here, but Winnipeg Transit couldn't bother to buy any.

Most EV owner's charge at home with 240v chargers installed by an electrician. My condo has heated indoor parking and I charge 110v. All new homes and multifamily buildings should have charge stations or roughed in electrical. Maybe this thread could document buildings that have EV charging built in and advocate for more? My previous apartment had 110v block heater outlets that only put out power when temps were cold. I am not expert on everything EV, but wanted to get the conversation going and cut emissions.

[pspeid]

I don't know much about EV but I'm definitely interested to learn more about what one might expect from daily use. For example; what kinds of charging times can people expect? Am I correct to assume having a 240v charging station is the best way to go? Do EV charging cords plug into a standard 240 outlet?

[eman]

Originally Posted by pspeid

I don't know much about EV but I'm definitely interested to learn more about what one might expect from daily use. For example; what kinds of charging times can people expect? Am I correct to assume having a 240v charging station is the best way to go? Do EV charging cords plug into a standard 240 outlet?

My car, Model 3 came with a 110v charger. There are adapters you buy for almost any outlet(campground, dryer, welding etc) and Tesla will automatically adjust itself to the power provided. In super cold weather 110v will waste time heating up the battery.

110v provides about 8k per hour so overnight about 100km. If you drive less than 100km a day you will have a full batter every morning.

240v provides 32 to 60k per hour depending. Over night charging will get you to full even on empty.

Tesla Superchargers are now spaced out across Canada and the USA such that for long trips you charge 15 to 45 minutes to get you to the next supercharger. Road trips are easy, enter your destination and the onscreen nav shows where and when to charge. Usually food and shopping is near by.

[cheswick]

I’d like my next car to be an electric vehicle. I have heard however that they’re difficult to come by in Manitoba. There’s such short supply that they generally get sent to the provinces that have some sort of mandates (I wanna say qc and bc?).

I drove to the Montreal region this summer and I did come across a few Tesla charging stations (one being like literally in the middle of nowhere) and the petro Canada electric highway stations. I guess at these rabid charge stations you’re still looking at a half hour stop at the least. I’m wondering how much longer it would add to a drive like that.

[eman]

Originally Posted by cheswick

I’d like my next car to be an electric vehicle. I have heard however that they’re difficult to come by in Manitoba. There’s such short supply that they generally get sent to the provinces that have some sort of mandates (I wanna say qc and bc?).

I drove to the Montreal region this summer and I did come across a few Tesla charging stations (one being like literally in the middle of nowhere) and the petro Canada electric highway stations. I guess at these rabid charge stations you’re still looking at a half hour stop at the least. I’m wondering how much longer it would add to a drive like that.

Buying direct from Tesla is easy. Use your credit card for the deposit and a referral code. When your car is ready for shipping they will contact you and let you know how to finance or pay the balance by bank transfer. Then it's delivered to your house. Model 3 production is caught up and I got mine in 19 days. For warranty work there is a local ranger that comes to you. There is a shop and he will only bring you in if he needs to lift it. Once there is enough local sales Tesla will build a sales/service centre.

I have heard other brands, like Hyundai Kona EV are coming in to local dealers and selling soon after they arrive.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by eman

There is a shop and he will only bring you in if he needs to lift it. Once there is enough local sales Tesla will build a sales/service centre.

I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet... Teslas have become a fairly common sight on city streets.

[hunter12]

Unfortunately EV's are not as clean as one thinks as explained in this Forbes article

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdo.../#56f5a7f9650b

[cheswick]

Originally Posted by hunter12

Unfortunately EV's are not as clean as one thinks as explained in this Forbes article

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdo.../#56f5a7f9650b

Article is a bit slanted but certainly you have to keep that in mind.

Here’s a video that is a bit more unbiased (IMO) in breaking down carbon produced in operating both an ev and traditional gas car. He cites all his sources and uses conservative estimates.
https://youtu.be/6RhtiPefVzM

Coles notes version, unless your electricity is coming from coal an EV is better in terms of carbon emissions over the average lifetime of a car (including production). Again that’s using conservative estimates. Using the most optimistic estimate even in a coal powered state, a large battery electric car would use less carbon after 5 years. Also the takeaway is buy an electric car with a right sized battery.l for your needs. The larger the battery the worse off for the environment.

[eman]

Originally Posted by hunter12

Unfortunately EV's are not as clean as one thinks as explained in this Forbes article

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdo.../#56f5a7f9650b

The source is Forbes,, a ruthless capitalist rag.

The writer works in oil and gas. "Dr. Tilak K. Doshi is a Senior Research Fellow at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia"

The actual dirty secret is BS articles like this are planted to create doubt in areas that don't have any doubt and keep making money for the plutocrats that funded it.

Unfortunately you have been fooled.

[Bdog]

Originally Posted by esquire

I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet... Teslas have become a fairly common sight on city streets.

Last year, there were about 250 Teslas in Winnipeg. Unless that's changed dramatically in the last 12 months, I don't think we'll see a full service centre here for a while.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Last year, there were about 250 Teslas in Winnipeg. Unless that's changed dramatically in the last 12 months, I don't think we'll see a full service centre here for a while.

There have to be more than that?! Barely a day goes by when I don't see one out on the streets... I think there are a couple just on my block.

[The Jabroni]

I see at least 1 Tesla a day in my travels. Minimum 5 per week at most.

Teslas are becoming more frequent as they are becoming more affordable. They still have some build quality issues, but that comes with the growing pains of a young company, and I'm sure they will improve as the years go on. I'm also seeing other manufacturers such as Nissan with their Leaf (both first and second generation) roaming around our streets. They're not as prevalent as Teslas, but they are kicking around. Nissan is also coming out with the Ariya crossover EV next year, which could save Nissan as a company, since they're financially in trouble.

Although I'm not entirely fully onboard with the idea of battery technology, it is the better solution to typical ICE power plants. Toyota continues to kill it with the hybrid market, but they are now slowly creeping into the EV market as well.

I'm still hoping for the Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology to be a thing. The routine to refuel would remain unchanged, as you fill up in hydrogen, and then once you're done, you can continue on your way. Whereas, with EV, you have to wait for a certain period of time before you go on. Yes, there are rapid chargers out there that are cutting the charging times down, but if you simply want to get on with your day quickly, one will have to be more patient. One of the main reasons why I'm not entirely sold on EVs.

The obvious problem with hydrogen fuel cell technology is the costs associated with it, so at the moment, they're still a ways away from being accessible in terms of cost. It is available right now, but very expensive. There's still room to improve it, but until then, EVs are the preferred way to go.

[Biff]

We have two on our street and were looking into purchasing the all wheel drive Model 3. Unfortunately my wife's car just got totaled on Friday so we will have to speed up the purchase decision likely putting the Tesla out of contention. You still pay a premium over a comparable car, but Tesla says the Model 3 will save you $11k in gas over 6 years.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by Biff

You still pay a premium over a comparable car, but Tesla says the Model 3 will save you $11k in gas over 6 years.

I've read that EV's also have fewer working parts to potentially wear out, and therefore are also cheaper on repairs long-term. Can anyone verify this?

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by Biff

We have two on our street and were looking into purchasing the all wheel drive Model 3. Unfortunately my wife's car just got totaled on Friday so we will have to speed up the purchase decision likely putting the Tesla out of contention. You still pay a premium over a comparable car, but Tesla says the Model 3 will save you $11k in gas over 6 years.

If whomever was driving your car is found to be less than 50% at fault you are eligible for 30 days of rental vehicle coverage. It also does not need to be 30 consecutive days. And if you are not at fault you do not require the optional loss of use coverage, that only comes into play if you are 50% or more at fault.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by CoryB

If whomever was driving your car is found to be less than 50% at fault you are eligible for 30 days of rental vehicle coverage. It also does not need to be 30 consecutive days. And if you are not at fault you do not require the optional loss of use coverage, that only comes into play if you are 50% or more at fault.

Yeah, it is 100% the other driver. We will be getting a rental tonight. Tough timing with the kids going back to school this week. Thanks for the info.

[drew]

^ I don't think there are enough EV's on the road for this to be a proven fact just yet.

I will be a hold out on an EV, mostly because I prefer to shift my own gears.

I am going to continue to drive older ICE's until all the EV kinks get worked out!

As it stands now, the price point for an EV is still more than what you can hope to save on fuel or maintenance costs over the same period with a comparable ICE car. And that's not bringing into the conversation the rest of the EV quirks that are still there (MB cold weather range, battery charging stations)

[bomberjet]

The batteries, the batteries, I know.

It all depends on what you're comparing. Speaking to current vehicles only.

Remember when vehicles first came out and then for the next 100 years all the way to the 90's, they literally spewed fuel out the tail pipe. Never mind the terrible emissions they produced.

Citing an article from Saudi Arabia. Might as well let Jason Kenny dictate policy for us.

Material supply for batteries is an issue though. I'd believe through innovation this problem can be solved like anything else.

[eman]

California to phase out sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035


Excellent news.

The average car produces 4.6 tons of carbon per year, so real action is required. And electric cars are better and faster.







https://www.washingtonpost.com/clima...electric-cars/

[The Unknown Poster]

I love the idea of a Tesla. Out of my price range but maybe one day. I wonder about our weather though. How does a cold snap of -30 days for a couple weeks impact the range?

And while you save on gas, what is the cost on your hydro bill to charge up every night? I think they look cool as hell and would love one.