Still on the fence between the Kona EV Preferred and the Model 3 Standard Range Plus

rofl.

 

Yes, it is a very attractive city. My sister drives an i3 in Sydney and survives solely on free public charging. In my casual observations EVs are more common in NZ and perhaps as a result free chargers are slowly disappearing here, certainly the DC type.

 

We visited New Zealand on the same trip, Christchurch had a major quake just before we got there. Also saw Queenstown and cruised Milford Sound, has to be one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. We'll always remember the experience. Both Australia and NZ can boast the nicest people. USA has nice people too, but we're not known for it. As for free chargers? "Fuhgetaboutit!"

 

I was making plans to visit New Zealand this winter, but it seems unlikely they'll be letting Americans in by then. And I can't say that I blame them.

 

The 50kW NRMA charger at Olympic Park (lunch or coffee once a week) and the free 7kW units at the shopping centres.

Yes, but it's kinda positive for NZ and Oz. If those companies think they can invest a few million bucks and get a return, even at this early stage, then I'd say we can look forward to significantly more EV uptake over the next few years.
Despite the negative politics around EV's in OZ, they're still getting sold.

 

Only citizens and residents of NZ are currently allowed in and everyone is placed in guarded quarantine for 2 weeks, which in most cases you have to pay for. There's no specific restrictions about what passport you carry. Frankly, 'mistakes have been made' and we're on a knife's edge regarding our covid situation.

Yes, exactly. We visited NRMA to try it out nearly 2 years ago. Neither of us had used a Tritium DC charger before but they kindly came down from their office and explained the operation. The i3 had to be parked backwards and my sister was petrified that a cop would give her a ticket.
When she was considering an EV I asked her to figure out her daily kms, which turned out to be 26! On a visit to NZ we drove from Napier to Taupo in my Kona, and then back again with 25% still left. That was the clincher.

 

I opted for the Kona Preferred. If I can get one! (I am "trading up" from my 2016 Prius.)
Here are some points why:
1. Tesla's build/paint quality would drive me nuts! I have no idea about Hyundai. We drove Toyotas for about 20 years - never ever had a problem with any.
2. We no longer make cross country trips - where Tesla's charging infrastructure would be important.
3. As you mature it gets harder to get in and out (mostly out) of deep seats. (I sold my Lambo years ago for the same reason. ) We needed something we could slide in and out of.
4. Last but not least the Kona is cheaper.

But to each his/her own. Look at the way you are going to use the car - try without emotion - then decide.

 

Actually, Teslas charging infrastructure is no longer necessary for cross country trips. I have done extensive looking and the Kona is quite capable of a cross country trip. Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota are the most difficult. You can add a few more options by getting the adapter that lets you use Tesla Destination chargers (not super chargers) and the Mustart.Level 2 charger that lets you use RV hookups and dryer outlets to help with these states, but the rest are just fine.

 

Well I just did it! IO put my money on a brand spanking new 2012 Kona Preferred, picking her up tomorrow or Monday.

 

It's possible, but painful. As best there are a few single 25KW chargers at the Harley Davidson dealers along I90, providing they work and are available when you need them.

I wouldn't be willing to try it.

 

According to Plugshare there are actually quite a lot of Electrify America and EvGo charging stations, many up to 350 KW, not that it matters about about 77 KW in the Kona, but still. If I can find a way to pull it off financially, I fully intend to do a trip that hits all 48 continental states in one trip in the Kona.

 

I'm sure you meant 2021 model.
I've had mine for almost 8000km now. It's been excellent. If you're worried about long distance trips (we do a lot of them in Oz) here's a link to John Day's trip from Brisbane to Sydney and back - about 1000km each way. They did each leg in one day and relied on 50kW fast chargers only - which were a bit sparse at the time. THis was the video that laid my range concerns to rest.


If you're in a hurry, start at about 2:29
Cheers.

 

No one's mentioned handling. The Tesla is what you'd expect from a sedan - comfortable ride, goes where you point it but very little road feel. I test drove one down my winding road and went "Meh."

The Kona is fun to drive on twisty roads, much more so than the Niro and Leaf that I also considered. The ride is a little rough but not enough to bother my motion-sensitive wife. Advantage Kona.

I didn't like the Kona's small size to start, but now really appreciate the extra space in my garage. The Tesla would have been quite crowded along with my wife's SUV - a real one, not a squared off subcompact like the Kona.

 

There isn't any once you leave Butte until you arrive in Minneapolis metro. Heck, there isn't any on I90 until you get to Madison Wisconsin.

Bring your sleeping bag and plenty of entertainment. You may need it.

 

Kyle mentioned that there are plans for lots of chargers in the Dakotas. They just opened one in Bismark, which is a little off the path if you are more on I-90.

It isn't that the trip is impossible - you depend on campgrounds and L2 chargers and/or L14-50 plugs to make it through the Dakotas - this is how Tesla owners used to have to do it until quite recently.