When I first got the Clarity, I was embarrassed to have people ride with me: The noise from the ICE was ridiculous. Car rating a 2.0 - It sounded like a Yugo.
My noise problem has been resolved with premium gas, but the rpm’s still go higher than necessary. The hybrid management system suffers from a tiny engine, but does not take advantage of the enormous battery. The engine rpm go high, when there is still plenty of battery to assist with power to the car. Engine warmup time allows the battery to drain, and the engine tries to make up that lost charge.
Managing EV/ HV mode to avoid angry bees is a hassle. I like driving automatic transmissions because I don't have to worry about how the car is doing.
Now, I would give the Clarity about a 7 on a generic car rating. If it was not an electric, it would be rated lower: I give it some points because I feel better ‘saving the planet’.
I bought my Clarity on a whim, but I generally consider a car a utility: I just expect to turn the key and go. I had a few surprises that anyone that researched electric cars before buying may have considered. My car is a PHEV, so some of the problems are mitigated for me, but could have been a disaster if I had gone BEV. (Some of these are specific to my car, but even those represent an issue for electric vehicles in general.) The feeling that I am ‘saving the planet’ still offsets some of the negatives.
Surprises for a new electric car owner:
Good things:
Charging at home is easy and saves trips to the gas station.
Charging at home is often cheaper than gas. Time-of-use rates can be a real advantage.
There are some free public charging stations
Cost of charging at home is ‘lost’ in the monthly electric bill
There are apps that show you where the public charging stations are
Brake pads last longer
It is a car, and works like you would expect a car to work.
An electric car does not need oil changes, or other routine maintenance
Electric motors are quieter than gas engines.
Bad things:
The car has an electric heater that uses battery power, reducing range of the car.
The battery is less effective in low temperatures, and cannot be used in extreme cold.
The battery is limited in high temperatures.
The range is improved by dramatic car body aerodynamics. (Roof racks and back racks disturb these.)
The range is improved with special tires, and they do not have great wet or snow traction
The car is not rated for towing.
Battery charging takes a long time (Hours or tens of minutes, not minutes or seconds)
Battery chargers have to be specially installed.
It is inconvenient to use the car for trips longer than the battery range.
Public charging stations can be very expensive.
Public charging stations may not be available when you get there. (ICE’d, broken, in-use)
Charging at home is not free, and cost can be close to, or more than, gasoline cost.
Reduced range, due to cold temperatures, makes fuel more expensive per mile.
Regeneration is limited when the battery is full
It is a heavy car, due to the weight of the battery
The tires are more expensive than other small cars.
Brake pads and suspension components are bigger than typical small cars (weight of car).
Public charging stations are not as common as gas stations.
Lighter body materials (plastic) are used to reduce weight, but they are not as strong as the old steel bodies.
Highway range is less than city range, and drops with increased speed.
Road noise can be greater because the car is so heavy.
Regeneration control is a complex topic, and I don't always agree with the car design.
LED's are used to reduce electrical use, and they are very expensive to replace.
High torque of the electric motor can wear out tires, suspension components, and engine mounts.
