My first drive of an EV

[Jon]

Funny thing - I rented the car last minute - made the reservation from the plane while taxiing at RDU.

Two days later, after I had returned the car, I got an email from Hertz explaining the basics of a Tesla Model 3. I suppose if I had reserved in advance I would have received this email in time to avoid many of the frustrations described in #1.

[George K]

Very interesting. One gets used to awkward, different, locations of controls, of course. But being dependent on the screens is a non-starter for me Mrs. George.

The lack of coasting is for regenerative braking, and I've read that it's disconcerting after a while, but, like for you, becomes second nature eventually.

Did you end up needing to charge it? If so, where and how long did it take? Was the range estimate accurate?

[Jon]

I didn’t need to. I “prepaid” a charge at hertz so i could return it emptyish

[Catseye3]

Thanks for the comprehensive review, Jon.

[Mik]

Interesting review. The combination of so many vital controls in the screen bothers me too. In an internal combustion car, most of the controls operate independent of one another - wipers, lights, gauges, etc. If it's all based on that processor your car is bricked in a failure.

[Axtremus]

@Mik said in My first drive of an EV:

If it's all based on that processor your car is bricked in a failure.

Or at Tesla's whim through the push of a remote software update.

[Jolly]

Or at any manufacturer's whim on their EV.

[Rainman]

Jon, your #2 bothers me just a bit. I rely on the brake lights of the car in front of me for obvious reasons. If the brake lights don't come on, I may plow into you if I'm slightly distracted or something like dark rainy night driving. Personally, I always consider turning on my brake lights with a gentle push of the pedal just so the person behind me knows I'm slowing down. That's why I hate tailgaters, I always figure they're not that good in reacting to driving circumstances as they think they are.

[Mik]

From what I’ve read they will come on at a certain level of regenerative braking. I don’t know what that level is, but I’m pretty sure they had to meet some standard to get road approved.

[George K]

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/regenerative-braking-do-the-brake-lights-turn-on.112255/

[Rainman]

Thanks, George. Interesting to browse the Tesla site, lots of questions regarding EV driving, maybe I should get one!

[Mik]

So Jon, you didn’t mention the exhilarating acceleration. That car can put you back in your seat.

[Rainman]

Yeah, did you burn the tires off? That would definitely be the best part!

[Copper]

Did you power your house with it? Mr. Biden likes that trick.

[89th]

@Jon said in My first drive of an EV:

Last week I rented a Tesla at RDU. My impressions:

1. It was a real pain in the ass having no physical controls. I didn't know how to do anything. When I got to my first destination I even had to google "how to turn off a Tesla model 3". On the way back to the airport the next day, it started raining. There is a little button on the end of the turn signal where if you push it the wipers go once. I couldn't find where to turn them on properly so I had to push that button repeatedly while driving. Granted, much of these issues were because I was a beginner and had no tutelage on how everything works, so many of these frustrations would go away if you owned it. Still, I don't like being so dependent on a screen and there's certain things you expect to operate similarly inane car, such as wipers.

2. Tesla's don't coast. If you take your foot off the 'gas' of an electric motor, it slows you down quite quickly, as if you were breaking. After a very short while, I learned when to take my foot off the gas when approaching a light in such a way that I never needed the brake at all. The second day I had the car, I didn't use the brake once.

3. Range anxiety is a thing. I found myself anxiously watching the battery meter, even though I wasn't at risk of running out and there was an EV charging station 300yds from my hotel.

I wouldn't rule out owning an EV some day, though probably one with less dependence on a touchscreen. But I would only do it if I could charge it at home and I'd probably never take it on a road trip more than a single charge away.

Good review. I travel for work about 4 times a year and rent a car. Sometimes I get an EV option but always pass based on learning curve (and charging options).

The lack of physical buttons would be weird. I know in my Honda Accord for the volume it had a sliding touch control, my wife and I hated that. Whereas on the CRV (and now Odyssey) the circle volume knob is back. (Yes all 3 cars you can control volume on the steering wheel, though)

[Jon]

The acceleration on the Tesla was excellent but not mind-blowing. Not too different from my 250hp Mazda but without the turbo lag.

I assume Hertz had it configured that way.

[Jon]

@George-K said in My first drive of an EV:

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/regenerative-braking-do-the-brake-lights-turn-on.112255/

I hadn’t even thought about the brake light issue. Thanks.

[George K]

@Jon said in My first drive of an EV:

Not too different from my 250hp Mazda

Which Mazda, the "6"?

[Jon]

CX-5 signature edition.

[George K]

"I Rented A Tesla For A Week And Am Totally Sold On Gas-Powered Cars"

https://thefederalist.com/2023/08/21/i-rented-a-tesla-for-a-week-and-am-totally-sold-on-gas-powered-cars/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-rented-a-tesla-for-a-week-and-am-totally-sold-on-gas-powered-cars

1. Battery Drainage Is Stress-Inducing

2. Few Charging Station Locations and Length of Time There

3. Personal Safety at Charging Locations Can Feel Dicey

4. Texting While Driving Is Required

5. No Convenient Manual to Consult While Renting

6. How to Lock the Car?

7. Don’t Expect the Cost of a Battery Charge to Always Be Lower than Gasoline

Full details at the link.