Love to buy an EV but...
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R P
Well-Known Member
Most BC Hydro fast chargers (and others) in BC right now are 50kW, and they seem to only deliver 46 - 48 kW max most of the time anyway. So while the Kona is capable of more, would have to use the much more expensive Petro Canada (and some others), which are not worth it for that slightly extra speed. The 50kW ones will be .21 per min starting May 1, if the rate plan is approved. So the Bolt won't be at much of a disadvantage with that.
And remember, that you never charge for an hour at a fast charger. My Kona starts to taper the charge at 70%, so that is when I usually stop. Normal fast charge time for me is usually around 20 min.
And remember, that you never charge for an hour at a fast charger. My Kona starts to taper the charge at 70%, so that is when I usually stop. Normal fast charge time for me is usually around 20 min.
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Would a level 2 at home get you charge up overnight enough to make your commute?
Looking for some advice here. I would love to buy an EV but I am getting discouraged with what I find. My anxieties are listed below:
Still, I want to get off fossil fuels and an EV is the final step. What I am looking at currently is:
- I have been using a Bolt as part of a car share program and its range just barely meets my needs in winter. Trips take longer because I have to stop and recharge en route on some trips. My range anxiety is real and well founded on experience.
- Every EV manufacturer is having issues or recalls with its batteries. I don't want to be on the hook for replacing a battery or any other super expensive drive component after warranty.
- Buying new to get the full warranty and to avoid those failing LG cells is super expensive. Used EVs are also surprisingly expensive in my region (BC Canada).
- Too many horror stories on these forums of an EV being tied up at the dealership for weeks to perform warranty service. There is still a steep learning curve going on for how to look after these cars, I think.
So what's the wisdom from the forum? Based on your ownership experiences what would you recommend for me? Thanks!
- A used Bolt. Typical asking prices are $Cdn25K-ish for a low mileage 2017. I don't dislike the Bolt and they seem like one of the more reliable options. It's a chevy so I assume parts are available as things break.
- A new Kona. Best case I pay around $Cdn42K-ish for a preferred, net with tax and incentives. I like the Kona, and the winter range and charging speed is better than the Bolt, but $42K for a Hyundai? Really? Used ones are almost as expensive as new where I live so why bother with used.
- A cheaper ($Cdn10K-ish) EV for short trips and keep renting the car-share Bolt for longer trips. This is the most discouraging option. Fiats have no warranty here, leafs have those bad batteries, and I don't want something too off-beat like an electric smart car or i-meiv.
- Not a Tesla. Expensive new. Expensive used. Expensive when they break. No thanks, I am a cheapskate
I am not particularly attracted to Elon Musk, tech cars, or status symbols.
Like RP says the DCFC in our area are 50kW. I did a trip in my car-share Bolt this winter at -20C and at the 50kW stations this is how much juice I could suck up:
1 hr 7 minutes: 26.4kWh
1 hr 1 minute: 24.1 kWh
That's less than what the DCFC is capable of putting out, restricted by the Bolt I assume. That's also about one hour charging per hour of driving in the Bolt at -20C. Not great on longer trips where I need to charge en route multiple times. I was wondering if anyone has Kona data to compare the range and charging speed at -20C?
Fortunately most of my trips are shorter and one stop at a DCFC is usually enough. And the DCFC on my routine trips are at good places to stop so no big deal. But there are some longer wintertime jaunts where the hour driving / hour charging could really get tedious in the Bolt.
1 hr 7 minutes: 26.4kWh
1 hr 1 minute: 24.1 kWh
That's less than what the DCFC is capable of putting out, restricted by the Bolt I assume. That's also about one hour charging per hour of driving in the Bolt at -20C. Not great on longer trips where I need to charge en route multiple times. I was wondering if anyone has Kona data to compare the range and charging speed at -20C?
Fortunately most of my trips are shorter and one stop at a DCFC is usually enough. And the DCFC on my routine trips are at good places to stop so no big deal. But there are some longer wintertime jaunts where the hour driving / hour charging could really get tedious in the Bolt.
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A roomy heated back seat and a floor that folds flat? Chevy, why didn't you think of this when I was a teenager?
Trent Leon
New Member
I would love to hear the forum's thoughts/interest level on the following:
$30/month
At home Level 2 charger with network (ability to charge guests, can turn on and off with phone, track usage, etc...)
Home installation included
Free upgrade every 5 years
25% off all level 2 charging stations
Really appreciate any and all feedback.
$30/month
At home Level 2 charger with network (ability to charge guests, can turn on and off with phone, track usage, etc...)
Home installation included
Free upgrade every 5 years
25% off all level 2 charging stations
Really appreciate any and all feedback.
Fastnf
Well-Known Member
I have a GE Dura station that I purchased new for $300, I installed a permitted NEMA 1450 out let for $150 parts and permit. I did my own installation. I have had it for 8 years. Total cost $450. 8 years at $30/per month would be $2880. For that amount I could have had a Licensed electrician install the EVSE and it would sill have been cheaper to pay up front. Plus there are a number of rebates and tax credits for installing and purchasing EVSE's. And newer model BEV's like the Mustang Mach-E come with a 40 amp Level 2 EVSE.
R P
Well-Known Member
Not a chance. They are very cheap to buy now, and many don't even need one, regular L1 is good enough. And most L2 stations are free anyway, at least where I live.
Bruce M.
Well-Known Member
Not for me.
GvilleGuy
Well-Known Member
This would not work for me. Cheaper to pay for one up front for the length of time I plan to have the charger.
Clamps
Active Member
Nice! What color?
The Spark That Could
New Member
It requires new training but most importantly an EV requires new equipment and tools. Not as simple as reading a manual and then swapping parts on an EV like you would on an ICE car.
Just something to keep in mind with EV ownership. Shops may not be equipped to work on EVs and you may have longer wait times than ICE owners. BUT you shouldn't need to go to the shop as often as ICE cars.
EVs are generally very reliable and recalls happen for almost every ICE model out there. I never owned a car that didn't have recalls but also never had major issues from parts that were recalled. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about them.
Just discussing this at work with a staff member who's husband is a car mechanic and is worried that his business (among many other mechanics) will start to disappear as more people drive EVs.
In BC a new EV training program for licensed mechanics has been implemented, I would think Ontario (and the rest of Canada for that matter) would be wise to follow this example :
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EMPR0113-002331
Additionally the training has been recently expanded and re funded under the "Work from Ohm" program :
https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/work-from-ohm-bc-government-investing-in-ev-mechanic-training
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The Spark That Could
New Member
I don't think ICE cars will go away for a long time. Places that rely on servicing new cars such as dealership shops will definitely lose some business but a typical mechanic shop will still have business from used car owners.
Also people will find a way to break something so even EVs will need repair from time to time just not as often as ICE cars.
Love to buy an EV but...
In my case would not consider any Hyundai Ioniq or Kona/ Kia Niro or Soul EV even if they became lower priced than ICE cars. Build quality too poor.
Will wait to see how long before Voltswagon id4 becomes available. This seems be be better affordable EV that is RWD or AWD .
In Canada choices very limited if Tesla out of your budget.
Also if short range works than PHEV from Honda, Toyota, BMW, Ford be better choice than Hyundai, Kia products
Dan
In my case would not consider any Hyundai Ioniq or Kona/ Kia Niro or Soul EV even if they became lower priced than ICE cars. Build quality too poor.
Will wait to see how long before Voltswagon id4 becomes available. This seems be be better affordable EV that is RWD or AWD .
In Canada choices very limited if Tesla out of your budget.
Also if short range works than PHEV from Honda, Toyota, BMW, Ford be better choice than Hyundai, Kia products
Dan
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Maybe too negative re : Hyundai and Kia but this viewpoint is from being in some model's of the Ascent and Sonata. Maybe they are better built now.