What did you do to your MINI today?

I liked using ECH2O, but I switched to a non ceramic infused one so I could get more versatility with polishing and coatings.

Now that I much prefer rinseless washing, my pressure washer has been relegated to garage floor cleaning.

 

Lucky for you! I have to pay extra for more water.

 

Quick Battery Health check 97% SOH

 

What did I do to my Mini today? My DMV sent me two bright orange stickers that say "EV" for my license plates. Their reasoning? "This law was passed for the safety of first responders when dealing with electric or hybrid powered vehicles in emergency situations".

 

I read your state laws, and it seems silly to codify it is as hybrid electric vehicles and nonhybrid electric vehicles.

“Hybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is capable of using both electricity and gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

“Nonhybrid electric vehicle” means a vehicle that is propelled solely by electrical energy and that is not capable of using gasoline, diesel fuel, or alternative fuel to propel the vehicle.

The real question is whether or not the BMW i3 REX is a hybrid EV or a nonhybrid EV?

 

If the REX is connected to the drivetrain then I'd say it's a hybrid. If it's only used to recharge the battery than it's non-hybrid. I never considered the Chevy Volt to be a true EV because the gasoline engine is connected to the drivetrain.

But a lot of the plugin hybrids have tiny batteries (for example the hybrid Countryman only goes about 10 miles on battery), are they really the same risk to first responders as a full EV with their huge high-voltage battery packs?

 

I'm confident that the drafters of this regulation were (over)reacting to the sensational reporting of a few lithium fires, while totally ignoring all of the petrolium car fires that occur every day.

 

The state laws say "propel the vehicle" rather than mechanically connected to the drivetrain, so that's what makes it ambiguous.

This definition of hybrid electric vehicle should also include entire the BMW ICE lineup, which utilizes a mild hybrid 48V system (built into the ZF 8-speed transmission).

 

I had to look up the sticker to see how odious it was. It could have been worse if Wisconsin decided to make it even bigger. Can EV owners cut off the demeaning "HYBRID" edge?

 

Wisconsin just issued a decree that plates over a certain age (10 years?) must be replaced. They are cracking down on drivers with unreadable plates (the paint is falling off). The new plates are the same design, but with a new number. The new EV sticker is supposed to be applied over part of the design.

 

Went on a 800 mile roadtrip this past weekend from the SF Bay Area to Pasadena, Santa Barbara and back to try out the charging infrastructure along the 5 and the 101 and pick up some food souvenirs along the way. Of 20 charging stations visited during the entire loop, I had 1 activation issue in Soledad and 2 partial charges in Santa Nella and Santa Maria (none of which were at EA stations surprisingly), but I was able to make my way to the backup station and charge without issue. EA performed quite well for me surprisingly during the drive; of the 9 EA stations I stopped at, I only noticed 2 chargers out of service, one of which forced me to wait 10 minutes until one of the other 3 chargers freed up; otherwise, I always found an open spot and got the 48 kW my car tops out at.

Overall this roadtrip went really well. I was able to make every charger with SOC at 20% or higher, so range anxiety was at a minimum; I used ABRP and Plugshare to plan the next 1-2 stops (and check for nearby backups). The trip costed me $82.80 in electricity, with an overall average of $0.34/kWh. Based on my spreadsheet, I averaged about 3.8 mi/kWh.

 

I set a new record low range - windy, cool weather plus driving 70-75 mph with the A/C in sucked up more electrons than ever before. Still got over 100 miles, though!

 

I take today my SE to auto show and my car was only EV and was a lot of interest bc almost nobody knows Mini Cooper could be electric.I love a dog on a picture,he recognizes a gas car and I’m sharing his feeling.Was interesting day walking between a smelly old cars .Show car Camaro toasted fire department extinguished in 3 minutes good job no damages to cars around

 

I like this staff I wander if you can get this up north

 

Achieved my lowest charging stop arrival SOC yesterday, fighting a 20mph headwind for 80 miles driving back to Kansas City from Des Moines: