My first drive of an EV

[jon-nyc]

When I rented mine at RDU it was the only option available.

2 weeks later I had to return to Raleigh. Again Hertz only had Teslas. I rented from Avis.

[Mik]

I think they are going to find they have a lot of cars no one wants to rent.

[jon-nyc]

I’m curious - can someone go to Hertz website and try to book a car at RDU and see if it gives ICE options? Not sure if I just got unlucky twice or if they went whole hog there.

I tried but I can’t get off the Italy site for love or money.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in My first drive of an EV:

I’m curious - can someone go to Hertz website and try to book a car at RDU and see if it gives ICE options? Not sure if I just got unlucky twice or if they went whole hog there.

[jon-nyc]

I got unlucky twice, or they flagged me since my account is still associated with my last firm.

Probably the latter.

[Jolly]

What better way to make sure that nobody wants an EV, than to let them drive one?

Seriously, many of the greenies that sought out and bought an EV, aren't buying another one when buying their next new car. Almost 30%, IIRC. They're buying hybrids or pure IC.

[Jolly]

BTW, has The Beast been converted to an EV?

[taiwan_girl]

IT definitely seems like the product is ahead of the infrastructure. Call me in a few years. (Though actually, with the type of driving I do, an electric car would probably not be an issue)

[Jolly]

The product is not ahead of its infrastructure, it's a product that is being misused. EV's were not uncommon in NYC in the early 1900's. What made sense then, still makes sense today...In limited applications, they work fine, although whether they are economically feasible is debatable.

For much of the driving that many Americans do, they're not feasible. Economically or practical. And may never be.

[taiwan_girl]

@Jolly said in My first drive of an EV:

.In limited applications, they work fine, although whether they are economically feasible is debatable.

For much of the driving that many Americans do, they're not feasible. Economically or practical. And may never be.

I agree with your first two sentences. The last sentence, I do not agree with that.

I predict in 20 years, there will be battery technology for cars that will allow 800-1000 miles per charge, and the recharge rate will be no more than 10 minutes.

(I guess that only addresses the practical part of your statement. LOL Economically, I am not 100% sure, but my "crystal ball" tells me that it will be economical as worldwide economy of scale (and technical improvement) for these vehicles continues.

I think of big screen TV's and computers and how they have improved so much while dropping in price (vs. Inflation))

[Mik]

@taiwan_girl said in My first drive of an EV:

IT definitely seems like the product is ahead of the infrastructure. Call me in a few years. (Though actually, with the type of driving I do, an electric car would probably not be an issue)

We did some shopping a Meijer this morning. They are installing a 10-unit Tesla station. But I still don't want to take half an hour to charge my car.

[jon-nyc]

@Rainman said in My first drive of an EV:

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.

Apparently this has been an issue with some brands.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/brake-lights-can-fail-to-provide-fair-warning-on-some-evs-a9533519285/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_FB&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid-social-display&utm_campaign=MKTG_FBIG_ConsumerReports_Traffic_Cars_SR_ABO&utm_content=single+image_na_LAL_content_pilot_brake+lights&utm_term=MKTG_FBIG_Cars_LALs+(7-day+click)&fbclid=IwAR283y1MNjXSnJT7Dh2pyjhQ0DSOrgAPHOAiqrlpQMK_UHUaJsxuJMNbTA0

[George K]

@jon-nyc that's interesting.

I love the adaptive cruise control in my car. I use it all the time, even in heavy traffic. I wonder how the brake lights function with it enabled.

[Rainman]

George, you need to find out the answer. Not sure how. Maybe your wife or one of your daughters could follow you in semi-congested traffic and let you know? It's important.

[Doctor Phibes]

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

@jon-nyc that's interesting.

I love the adaptive cruise control in my car. I use it all the time, even in heavy traffic. I wonder how the brake lights function with it enabled.

I'm pretty sure the brake lights come on with mine - at least, the break light indicator showed. I don't use it because I hate having somebody else brake for me.

[taiwan_girl]

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

I wonder how the brake lights function with it enabled.

Asked a friend who is kind of knowledgeable about this, and he said,

"Federal motor vehicle safety standards require the brake lamps to illuminate whenever the service brakes are applied whether they're being applied by the driver or by the vehicle."

[Rainman]

I guess "service brakes" is a thing then. I didn't know that, must be new territory.

[George K]

@Mik said in Hey Horace:

was driving a Tesla

Thoughts on the Tesla?

[Mik]

Fun to drive, tons of bells and whistles. Exhilarating performance. Interesting not to have to hit the brakes to stop. You really have to adjust your expectations to the way the car’s features work. The autopilot put me in Tesla jail because I didn’t comply with its demands. It’s different.

[Mik]

I don’t like that all the co trolls and display cause you to take your eyes off directly ahead. That part is very different.