InsideEVs Podcast episodes

One of your own, Kyle, did a recent ID.4 off-road test, and it failed miserably.

He seemed surprised, but maybe he will learn what Subaru owners know that not all AWD vehicles are the same. What is even less known is how smooth Subaru vehicles are over rough roads and washboard. This is a combination of having a long range suspension (soft on top) and permanent all AWD (not slip and grip as used by most others) which just glides over the small bumps and pot holes.

I know this well, because I have a Crosstrek that we use to go to our off-road cabin. The last 15 kms of this road are very rough. I used to own a 4WD truck, that would bounce and rattle your teeth over this same road. The Crosstrek turned what used to be a tense ride into a scenic, pleasant adventure. And we have friends with Jeeps and other SUVs that come up to our cabin, too, and then we have to listen to their complaints about the road. Jeeps are actually the worst, because of how they sway, and easy to lose control around a corner. This road can be particularly dangerous as it runs along a steep mountain side (with some very scary steep cliffs on the down side) and lake below. There have been quite a few accidents and some fatalities over time of people going over and into the lake.

So if this Solterra is as good as the ICE Subaru's, it will indeed be a hit with the mild off-road adventure crowd.

 

Just sharing for the team. I am not a fan of the Toyota bz4x EV:

• too many air inlets - these function like little parachutes increase drag
• flat-plate front - the transition at the edges will include turbulence, again increasing drag
• too many angular creases in panels - again, turbulence and drag
• exposed, non-flush, door handles - another source of drag
• too horizontal hood - no smooth air flow transition to windshield, drag

Then there is the rear:

• too angular - leads to flow separation and higher drag
• kamel-back roof - forces air separation for a trailing, horizontal vortex and likely reverse flow at rear window
• excessive rear wheel height - another source of flow separation and drag

I appreciate your video about this car but to me it looks like a high-speed, draggy body, unnecessarily complex, with less high speed efficiency. BTW, I apply the same judgement to every EV and the Toyota appears to be especially a problem.

Bob Wilson

 

I watched #84, or at least the bZ4X portion, skipped through most of the rest. Generally agree with Kyle's comments. The interior is absolutely hideous, esp that weird little dash ahead of the steering wheel. And don't like the Rav4 front end of the exterior. The Solterra is much nicer in that respect. But all in all, this new car is a big fail, and a real disappointment from Toyota. The only possible saving grace might be its off road chops and if they sell it really cheap. They might have to, or no one will want to buy it.

 

Plz send me a PM about who accused Tom of ‘lying’. None of my regular reviewers have done this but I’d like a heads-up to avoid someone who is that wrong.

There are reviewers I avoid because they are technology shallow. But I really have no patience or time to waste with backbiting jerks.

BTW, excellent Lucid testing review!

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

About the CCS-1 to Tesla adapters, if Tesla isn’t selling them, then license and let others.

I have no interest in a Tesla to CCS-1 adapter. Those cars often have slow charge curves and would block SuperCharger lanes.

Bob Wilson

 

I just watched #86. A few interesting points.

Seems the Lucid is not as fast charging as originally thought. 20 - 80% in 31.5 min. The Ioniq 5 is 20 - 80% in 18 minutes. In fairness though, the Lucid does have considerable more range.

The new Nero EV refresh was interesting. They completely changed the exterior and interior styling, but on the old platform and battery/drive train. That platform (same as the Kona) is very efficient, and should still sell well at a lower price point than the new gen 800V systems. I wonder if they will do a similar major refresh with the Kona? I kind of doubt it. I know in Canada, the Ioniq 5 does not really cost that much more than the Kona Ultimate, but you get a lot more car.

 

The graph could be more effective and they mentioned the need to improve their charging curve representation:

• X-axis - time with SOC scale, two variables can be combined on the same axis
• Y-axis - miles per hour rate and kW

Bob Wilson

 

I don't subscribe but apparently "BestInTESLA" claimed the same Lucid battery nonsense (Source: youtu.be/BzS3MwiZ5xE). Sometimes YouTube puts in suggested content I don't follow. YouTube's 20 minuted advertisements in a 5 minute video comes to mind.

Bob Wilson

 

A retired engineer, I appreciate your efforts to explain charging losses. As a suggestion, you might consider discussing ‘fast DC’ charging density vs charge rate (dot) kWh/mile. Sad to say, the math is a little challenging.

Bob Wilson

 

Hi,

I watched the December 17 YouTube:


Owner of a 2019 Std Rng Plus Model 3, ordinarily I would object to claims that 'brand X model Y' is the best EV. But in nearly three years, the 2021 Model 3 has added over 20 miles of range and ~4% improved efficiency. In effect, there are more recent EV designs both within Tesla and outside Tesla that means my 2019 has become dated (NO I AM NOT SELLING IT!!!)

Today's 'latest hotness' will in a year or two become 'Ho hum.' But my Tesla still works and does what I bought it for. If by act of God, I lose my 2019 Tesla and need to shop for a replacement, it is nice to know I won't just be looking at useless compliance cars.

Bob Wilson

 

I watched #89, mainly to hear what they say about the Ioniq 5. Sounds like Kyle really likes it. Very advanced engineering/design and highly refined.

 

Just a couple of suggestions:

1. Have a Model 3 tow-charge another Model 3 - report the energy used and gained with a benchmark over the same distance and speed of without tow charging (aka., overhead.) I suspect the energy overhead will make it an 80% efficiency model but was wondering.
   • Is this an operational scenario that might use the front tow hook as an emergency charge option?
2. Discuss how the existence of Tesla models might have provided a benchmark that more recent EV designers used to 'take inspiration'. My impression could be from the frequent reviewer comments about Tesla models when discussing other EV cars.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

Kyle says go to another state to purchase an Ioniq 5. I called a dealership in Aurora Co. They said that they would only sell to someone who had the car registered in CO.