Electric Vehicles - Models Discussion

It’s also that the ICE vehicles are far less efficient, thus weather conditions and speed don’t have as much of an impact on overall range.

I’m personally quite happy with the current distance between chargers and the road trip charging time which for me is typically 18 to 21 mins. I need a break and have plenty to do so the time goes by in a flash. Fortunately the car sends me an almost done notice if I haven’t made it back. Charging time/speed is not a concern. Having chargers in more destination locations and later technology superchargers is always welcome.
For me I always think about what it would take to go 100% EV, my only means of transportation. If I were to get an EV that could tow my travel trailer, then I might have to stop to charge way more often. Also, all the charging stations I've ever been to aren't pull through, so it's difficult to charge while towing. But I agree, going from point A to point B along major highways and stopping every 200 miles for potty break/charge is perfectly fine. We want to snowbird from Pacific NW to Arizona and I would love to do it in an EV.
 
One solution is to have the battery quickly replaceable (like the typical battery powered tool), but that hasn't been shown to be feasible so far. This would also help with the issue that old EVs are essentially disposable since the batteries are proprietary and very expensive to replace (if you can even get one).
Not interested. My battery and drive train is warranted to 8 years and 150,000 miles whichever first. It’s likely to last far longer. I don’t want someone else’s used battery or any physical switch out which sounds very cumbersome. I take good care of my own battery and prefer to keep it.

And several businesses have come up with innovative ways to reuse old EV batteries.
 
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For me I always think about what it would take to go 100% EV, my only means of transportation. If I were to get an EV that could tow my travel trailer, then I might have to stop to charge way more often. Also, all the charging stations I've ever been to aren't pull through, so it's difficult to charge while towing. But I agree, going from point A to point B along major highways and stopping every 200 miles for potty break/charge is perfectly fine. We want to snowbird from Pacific NW to Arizona and I would love to do it in an EV.
Yeah, towing something generally breaks the model.

We have been a 1 car couple since retiring. So the single EV is fine for us. We’ve done four different 3000 mile multi-week road trips so far, mostly out in the sparse American West. No problem!

But no way I’d tow with it. For me been there done that.
 
The funny thing is the same issues (headwinds, speed, maybe not heat though) are present in gas powered vehicles, it's just a non-issue because you can always find a gas station and fill up in minutes. Imagine if electricity stations are as common as gas stations, and it takes less than a few minutes to fill up, it would be a game changer.
The funny thing is that with your old EV's you had trouble with the Portland to Seattle trip but in 2025 there are superchargers near I5 in Vancouver, Centralia, Tumwater and Tacoma and many other non Tesla chargers. Although I wouldn't want an EV that couldn't make the trip without a stop it could be done.
 
The funny thing is the same issues (headwinds, speed, maybe not heat though) are present in gas powered vehicles, it's just a non-issue because you can always find a gas station and fill up in minutes. Imagine if electricity stations are as common as gas stations, and it takes less than a few minutes to fill up, it would be a game changer.
I don't think EV charging stations will ever be as common as gas stations, shouldn't be necessary. Many owners can charge at home more conveniently and a lot cheaper (depending on exactly where you live). Those owners, many but not all, don't use public charging stations except when on a road trip. I can already go almost anywhere in the country with no range anxiety at all - chargers are never more than 50 miles apart anywhere I go. Only in really remote/rural areas are they further apart. We'll have more chargers as needed.

Yes, EVs are far less convenient for people who don't own homes, or drive long distances often, or tow often - but there are very large numbers of people who don't. Current charging infrastructure is already more than adequate for millions of owners, and getting better every month.
 
One solution is to have the battery quickly replaceable (like the typical battery powered tool), but that hasn't been shown to be feasible so far.
One problem with that is that a battery that is too-easily replaceable is also easily stealable.
 
If you are waiting for something to be able to complete a 225 mile trip, there are at least 44 models availible today that have 300+ mile range
I had assumed that 275 miles of range would meet my requirements, but 300 miles appears more realistic. We seem to be approaching the point where I can meet my requirement affordably, especially considering depressed prices of late-model used EVs. My wife is struggling with long-distance car travel even as a passenger, and I suspect that she may find an EV less tiring.

By late this year, I will have completed some long-distance travel into isolated areas, and could consider changing over to an EV in 2026. In any case, one of our two current vehicles probably won't get the 125K miles or more of driving we typically do before replacement.
 
I don't think EV charging stations will ever be as common as gas stations, shouldn't be necessary. Many owners can charge at home more conveniently and a lot cheaper (depending on exactly where you live). Those owners, many but not all, don't use public charging stations except when on a road trip. I can already go almost anywhere in the country with no range anxiety at all - chargers are never more than 50 miles apart anywhere I go. Only in really remote/rural areas are they further apart. We'll have more chargers as needed.....

For something like the Seattle to Portland trip of less than 200 miles there are 4 superchargers if you happen to forget to charge before going, I never owned a gas car that would tell me be where to stop for gas. It would have been handy on I 90 in Wisconsin in the old days. It was hard to know how far the gas station was from the marked freeway exit. :)
 
^^^Yes, the routing automatically including recommended charging locations is fantastic! Plus it shows expected charge level on arrival at each charger and the destination. On a long road trip I often modify the route a bit selecting my preferred superchargers which automatically replace some of the recommended ones, super easy to do. It is indeed great to be directed to chargers while driving.
 
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^^^Yes, the routing automatically including recommended charging locations is fantastic! Plus it shows expected charge level on arrival. On a long road trip I often modify the route a bit selecting my preferred superchargers which automatically replace some of the recommended ones, super easy to do. It is indeed great to be directed to chargers while driving.
+100. Especially now that we can Set Arrival Energy! Sometimes I was a little uncomfortable with how low Tesla routing assumed for arrival SOC, e.g. arriving at 10% SOC is cutting it closer than I'd like on road trips. So I would find my own SC locations to charge at a little earlier than routing.

Now I can set a minimum myself and use Tesla SC routing as is all the time, excellent.
You can now set a preferred battery charge level for when you arrive at your destination—higher if you’d like more charge, or lower if you prefer a faster arrival. Trip Planner will adjust your route accordingly, adding or modifying recommended charging stops and durations.

In your vehicle’s turn-by-turn list, choose Set Arrival Energy for your final destination.
 
+100. Especially now that we can Set Arrival Energy! Sometimes I was a little uncomfortable with how low Tesla routing assumed for arrival SOC, e.g. arriving at 10% SOC is cutting it closer than I'd like on road trips. So I would find my own SC locations to charge at a little earlier than routing.

Now I can set a minimum myself and use Tesla SC routing as is all the time, excellent.
Yes, the set arrival energy is very important even though I haven’t used it yet. I still occasionally use A Better Route Planner to plan out multi day long distance routes and get a decent overview and review route alternatives. What I had been doing with the Tesla was keep an eye on the forecast arrival energy for the next charger until it came into my personal comfort zone.
 
Boy I am really ignorant compared to you guys. After two years I just figured out that I can override the suggested route to change to the route I like by tapping the little squares on the map.
 
Boy I am really ignorant compared to you guys. After two years I just figured out that I can override the suggested route to change to the route I like by tapping the little squares on the map.
Unfortunately I’m often fighting the nav for the local preferred routes. This is not a problem with long distance travel. Every time I get a new system or updated nav data things change. Sometimes my preferred routes are shown as alternates and easily selected. Sometimes it even seems to remember my preferences. Recently from home they aren’t offered at all and what is offered is different. We live in a city outskirts and I’m sure that’s part of the problem.

Joesxm3 - I think displaying selectable alternate routes is only a year old.
 
Boy I am really ignorant compared to you guys. After two years I just figured out that I can override the suggested route to change to the route I like by tapping the little squares on the map.
That's OK. It took me about 8 months of ownership to figure out that my current car has automatic high beams.
 
For me I always think about what it would take to go 100% EV, my only means of transportation. If I were to get an EV that could tow my travel trailer, then I might have to stop to charge way more often. Also, all the charging stations I've ever been to aren't pull through, so it's difficult to charge while towing. But I agree, going from point A to point B along major highways and stopping every 200 miles for potty break/charge is perfectly fine. We want to snowbird from Pacific NW to Arizona and I would love to do it in an EV.
When my son drove from Chicago to south Texas in his Mod. 3, with a small trailer, he had to unhook the trailer and park it to charge up. Also, the (very small) trailer cut his mileage almost in half. His 2 day trip took 3 days. He was okay with that, but I wouldn't be so YMMV.
 
When my son drove from Chicago to south Texas in his Mod. 3, with a small trailer, he had to unhook the trailer and park it to charge up. Also, the (very small) trailer cut his mileage almost in half. His 2 day trip took 3 days. He was okay with that, but I wouldn't be so YMMV.
Tesla is building more and more drive through superchargers so it’s not always necessary to unhook trailers, but they aren’t at all locations so you have to look/plan for them.

And towing seriously impacts the mpg for any vehicle. How much depends on the weight and aerodynamics of the trailer, but mileage can be cut in half or more for an ICE vehicle too…:facepalm:
We are new to this forum and have just towed on our first trip out with our new 2015 1500 5.3L Z71 with the trailering (not max trailering) package. Our travel trailer is a Jayco Swift SLX 264BHW, with a dry weight of 4425 and max of 6500. We packed almost nothing for the short timeframe that we'd be gone, so are maybe at 4600#. Without towing, we were getting 22-24mpg hwy, and we are now getting 8-10 mpg with towing. We tried using tow setting and tried without. We are not going above 60mph and are taking it easy through any hills/mountains.
 
Yeah, I’m always amazed that people are shocked at the difference when they tow something. Beyond the extra weight you are absolutely destroying your aerodynamic profile.
 
Tesla is building more and more drive through superchargers so it’s not always necessary to unhook trailers, but they aren’t at all locations so you have to look/plan for them.

And towing seriously impacts the mpg for any vehicle. How much depends on the weight and aerodynamics of the trailer, but mileage can be cut in half or more for an ICE vehicle too…:facepalm:

A model 3 isn't the ideal tow vehicle and a dually pickup isn't the best for driving around town. You either make compromises or give up on the idea of a single vehicle.
 
I just received an email from Tesla announcing the refreshed Model Y is now available to order. I’ll wait to commit until I’ve test driven the refreshed Y. I’ll also have to see how it compares to the Mach E and the Ioniq 5 and 6.
 
I just received an email from Tesla announcing the refreshed Model Y is now available to order. I’ll wait to commit until I’ve test driven the refreshed Y. I’ll also have to see how it compares to the Mach E and the Ioniq 5 and 6.
I like the new Y. The stalkless design in the Highland was controversial (I liked it). So the return of the turn signal stalk is probably a good thing.

Now that I found another car with Sentry mode though, I won’t be buying the new Y.
 
Sentry mode is an option when you park your car. It records a video of any movement too close to you car - from both sides, front and back. You get a phone message so you can review the video even if you are away from the car. It's made the headlines a few times when it's recorded a crime next to the car and the police have used it. Downside is it uses a little power so you can't use it when the car is parked for a long time like at an airport.
 
Sentry mode is an option when you park your car. It records a video of any movement too close to you car - from both sides, front and back. You get a phone message so you can review the video even if you are away from the car. It's made the headlines a few times when it's recorded a crime next to the car and the police have used it. Downside is it uses a little power so you can't use it when the car is parked for a long time like at an airport.
Why a problem for airport parking (what, 2 or 3 weeks)? Doesn't the battery have a huge reserve? A battery that will take you 200 miles should be able to activate "Sentry" for several weeks unattended I would think (but I'm ignorant of battery life in EVs that "sit" for a while). Just asking since I really do not know.
 
Sentry mode is an option when you park your car. It records a video of any movement too close to you car - from both sides, front and back. You get a phone message so you can review the video even if you are away from the car. It's made the headlines a few times when it's recorded a crime next to the car and the police have used it. Downside is it uses a little power so you can't use it when the car is parked for a long time like at an airport.
I know that as I have a Tesla. I didn’t understand Zathras comment about the new Model Y and sentry mode.
 
Sentry mode does sound pretty cool. I wonder if it has a feature allowing you to "communicate" with the folks hanging around your car.
 
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