Munro EV briefing

My son has the extended range M3. While his battery is bigger (I think 75 kWh), his range doesn't seem to be better. While not yet confirmed with both cars on the same trip together, it seems my Kona is as good, and possibly better than his M3. That was a big surprise to me. His GOM is a way more optimistic than mine. The M3 has a lot more power, which is fun, but that probably tempts him to use up more battery, too.

I was also surprised it didn't have Android Auto or Carplay. I thought that was pretty standard on all new cars of every brand. But seems that Tesla is taking more of a proprietary Apple type approach with their technology. Same with DC fast chargers, he can't use our free BC Hydro chargers (CCS/SAE) and forced to use the Tesla Superchargers which are not free for the M3.

There are a few other comparisons that I could mention, but the bottom line is that the Tesla is not quite as good as I expected. Of course, my son still likes it, and would argue with me. For him, too, and especially his wife, image is a big thing. And no question, people do notice Teslas.

But as for the long term, I think the competition will just get tougher for Tesla. So they had better not sit on their past successes and being first, because the EV innovation combined with lower costs could overtake them. You will see more and more articles like in this link going forward.
https://carbuzz.com/news/tesla-should-be-worried-about-hyundai

 

He has the single motor, long range (RWD). Don't think he would be interested in this forum or discussing technicalities. He is happy with his M3, and I don't want him thinking I am putting down his beloved Tesla,... haha. I am just letting you (and the forum) know what I have observed, and my opinions. Those you can discuss with myself.

Not all CCS chargers in Canada are free, but most of the BC Hydro ones are, at least for now. And yes, am a little leery about taking my Kona EV to the US, from what I have been reading.

I am actually more interested in the technical aspects of these cars, which is why I asked what Munro's opinion was of the Kona.

Here is an article about the battery TMS of the Kona. Not sure if there are any similarities with the M3.
https://electricrevs.com/2018/12/20/exclusive-details-on-hyundais-new-battery-thermal-management-design/

 

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a more energy-efficient car than the Tesla Model 3, for exactly the same reason that a classic Volkswagen Beetle has better MPG than a Porsche 911. The Kona Electric is optimized for energy efficiency, but at the cost of a much less powerful powertrain.

Engineering of any complex mechanism involves trade-offs; you can't get something for nothing. It's true that Tesla has leading edge EV tech, and all else being equal, better energy efficiency than EVs from other auto makers. But when it comes to the powertrains of the comparatively high-performance TM3 vs. the optimzed-for-energy-efficiency Kona Electric, all things are definitely not equal!

* * * * * *

Here are the EPA ratings for energy efficiency:

Tesla Long Range RWD Model 3: 130 MPGe

Hyundai Kona Electric: 132 MPGe

However, I don't know if you son's LR TM3 is RWD or AWD, so the numbers here may not be representative. Actually, I think it's remarkable that Tesla's more powerful, and on average slightly heavier*, car gets very nearly as good an energy efficiency rating as the Kona Electric!

*Hyundai Kona Electric: curb wt 3715-3836 lbs; Tesla Long Range Model 3: curb wt 3805-4072 lbs

* * * * * *

From InsideEVs News: "2019 Hyundai Kona Electric, Edmunds Editors' Choice Best EV: Video"

 

That’s because THEY can’t improve on perfection. LOL.



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs