Will Ev car work for us

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Bobdean13

New Member
Test drove the Toyota bz
Loved it
But we live in apartment with no charging station
We do several trip of 600 kilometers and 250 kilometers
We like to have heated seats on and heated steering wheel and I am a little heavy footed on the gas
Live in Ontario where the temp is around -15 right now
Please send thoughts on if you think the ev will work for us
Many thanks for your help
 
First approach your apparent management and ask if you can pay to add a NEMA 14-50 circuit?

Do all the design and planning first. Find out where the power comes in and make a sketch of where the NEMA 14-50 in a lockable housing would go. If they say OK, go for it!

In colder climates, you need at least 40 A, 240 VAC service to handle preconditioning about 15-30 minutes before departure. A NEMA 14-50 uses 50 A wiring but we never put more than a 40 A load on it.

Start with the portable charger but plan for a certified charger that you manage.

Alternatively, use PlugShare to find a rental property that is EV friendly. Let management know you are looking and what you have found. Keep it friendly but let them know your goal. Don’t.‘burn bridges’ but start a conversation.

Most things are negotiable but it won’t be fast. Expect at least a year but know your goal and let everyone know what would make you a happy renter.

For emphasis, let them know you find gas too expensive and EVs cut the cost per km in half. Point out that EV charging is just an upscale engine block heater.

Bob Wilson
 
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When you say you have several 600km etc trips ...how many in a year ? What is your daily average mileage. Because most people who do 40 miles (~65 km) or less in a day can just live with a L1 EVSE for daily commutes, then use DCFC for longer drives only. Don't apartments in cold climates have outlets for engine block heaters usually ? (I live in NM...gets well below freezing but not arctic cold)
Remember in severe cold weather an EV range drops by as much as 40%
e.g
But an EV will have no problem starting and driving ...as compared to diesel or gasoline which may need additives to prevent gelling etc.
 
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Bobdean13 said:
Thank for your input very much appreciated
On average we do 2500 k a mth
We are in contact with the owner about putting in a charging station
That would make life a little easier
Click to expand...
Let them know the cheapest and best start is with just a lockable NEMA 14-50 where no one wants to park.

They should not buy an expensive EV charger or service as your EV will come with one. More importantly, they can easily be tricked into paying too much for a poor quality, expensive charger.

Let them know you have EV engineering friends who are interested in everyone having a win-win experience. We can Zoom if they would like more details.

Bob Wilson
 
Bobdean13 said:
Thank you for your input
Most helpful
Click to expand...
Once you are in Ontario most likely winter tires are mandatory deduct 10-15% of range on winter tires also heating going to take 5-10 % of range again and with -15’ temps.your charging speed also will be much longer than above freezing temperatures sorry I’m just realistic driving EV for 10 years as Ev are exelent cars but here in NY as cold spell is here for a month 5-20’F only . Realy happens not often Ev is not a best option or you keep ace car for backup .Toyota Ev front wheel drive give more range but in your climate only 4 wheel drive is your option .I don’t know if you lease or buy but short lease is good option but that car after 2 years will be 1/2 price .
 
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