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Moving to Tesla . . . .

Discussion in 'Tesla' started by Mark57, Aug 11, 2020.

  1. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I'm completely sold on full EV and I see Tesla as the best fit for that. My problem is I can't find a way to fit our "#12 size life" into the tight "glass slipper" that is Tesla. It's not the idea or the money. It's the huge void of charging options East of OKC and in other areas that we venture to. Last year, we went to the Biltmore Estate in NC. To do that trip from OKC, we'd have to go via St LOUIS. Really, kiss my ant! That's like going to NY to get to Orlando. many other trips just like that. Sheez. We like to go to a lot of out of the way places that are not on or intersect many Interstates. I know there are a lot of other charging options with the appropriate adapters and some destination charging, but I have to satisfy the expectations of my wife as well. I can't make it fit even with a big battery Model S. (no Bob, I'm not sleeping in the car in a KOA. I'd be by myself.) ;)

    This really has me frustrated. We drive a lot and I can't seem to make this work.Seems stupid to have a $50K+ car for in town only and an ICE variation for road trips. There are some places you just can't get to and back from.:mad: I also don't want to wait until I'm 80 either.

    Thank for hearing my vent. Arggg.

    PS, yes the cyber truck is fugging uggly even it it does have more range. I'd still be the only one in it.

    Lucid Air Sedan perhaps . . . . . Nah.
     
    #1 Mark57, Aug 11, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2020
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  2. John321

    John321 Senior Member

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    There are some other electric car options and here is a map of Electrify America charger locations:

    Locate a public EV charger | Electrify America

    However as you point out there are travel locations where you are completely out of luck. The population density and lack of EV ownership in theses areas almost prohibits charging stations from being installed. You would have to subsidize chargers in these areas knowing they would never pay for themselves and rarely be used. You would also be locked in to maintaining them and those associated costs

    We love to go off the beaten path in rural areas and one of our favorite destinations is the South Dakota and North Dakota regions for remote camping. Even in our area in rural portions of Tn and Ky where we go I think residents would stare at you in bewilderment if you asked where the nearest charging station is. Electric vehicles are just not common or desired enough in these areas.

    When we bought our Plug In Hybrid we realized we would have to drive maybe a couple of hundred miles to get it. The local Dealers would not even consider carrying one or ordering one for us. We eventually found one 75 miles from us and were grateful. When we bought it the Dealer said it was the only one they had and they were glad to get rid of it. They were beginning to wonder if they would ever sell it. (yes we got a good deal). My impression was they wouldn't take another one to sell if the Manufacturer provided it to them for free.

    You can McGyver campsite power supplies or carry a generator but those are a pain in the _ _ _. If you travel to the East Coast and a Tropical storm was going thru that knocked out power in the area you could be in a world of hurt if you were on a timeline -or there was a mass evacuation of the area in preparation for the storm as we saw once in South Carolina and precautionary shut down of the power grid..

    A Plug In Hybrid is a nice compromise for a lot of people for those reasons. I think EV's are exciting and a wonderful option for Urban residents who rarely take long trips or who have a 2nd vehicle.

    I understand your frustrations owning a Tesla- an exciting wonderful car and not being able to conveniently use it because of charging concerns. The support network in some areas has not caught up with the technology and that is bound to be frustrating.
     
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  3. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Yes, I've tried every combination of 120V up to fast DC to try to get to and back from some locations. Can't do it. I've seen the Tesla CHAdeMO Adapters, etc., etc. I've done mileage calculations out the wazoo.

    That's why I "still" drive a Prime, that by the way, I love. I just want to dump the ICE someday and we have normally cheap gas to boot.

    I saw an article that it takes about $250K to get a supercharger location going. Many places can't stay in business much less do that link of capital investment now. I don't want to die of old age waiting and I'm only 63. :p

    Heck it's easier to get to Jasper, AB than it is Little Rock, AR.;)
     
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I've been wondering if local conditions have been slowing the construction of Superchargers in some locations.

    Power outages will hinder refueling at gas stations, too.
     
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    There seem to be more and more of charge stations popping up. I spotted a new charge station on one of the service areas as I was driving on interstate recently. Who knows, way before you are 80 years old, almost all of current gas stations are replaced by superchargers. On my current trip to Boston, I noticed more Tesla than Prius on the road.
    BTW, I don't have a problem with driving our Pathfinder Hybrid on the interstate full of cargo and 7 people that would not have fit in the PRIME. For us, the hybrid SUV is a niche vehicle used solely for hauling stuff and people, but that occasion is quite rare for us. OTOH I have a problem spending $50K on a daily drive car. If Tesla or any other company would come up with less than $20K BEV with 100 miles range, I would trade in my PRIME in a second.
     
    #5 Salamander_King, Aug 11, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2020
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  6. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    Early technologies always seem like they will never make it to mainstream
    Then someone comes up with at least a partial solution

    Tesla deploys new mobile Supercharger powered by Megapack instead of diesel generators - Electrek

    Mike
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mrs. b is the same way. i'd be in a tesla now, if the boston to florida trek we're the same as the hycam.

    oh well, the time is coming. maybe in my lifetime, maybe not, but it's coming
     
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  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    If you get a Tesla with at least a 320 mi range, drive to Texarkana. From there, Little Rock and Nashville or Knoxville. I would stop at Nashville at a motel with free breakfast and charging.

    The next day, drive to Knoxville for a quick top-off and off to Biltmore Estates a little after lunch time.

    I absolutely agree we need an East of Fort Smith area SuperCharger.

    Bob Wilson
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Except that going to Jasper currently costs us a CDN$1200 fine, each, and they still won't let us hike when we get there and pay that fine.
     
  10. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    We also have a lot of stations being added. The problem is they don't give you much juice to make it practical going on a long trip. Time becomes a real issue. I'm certain someone will disagree with this but here's approximately how many Tesla miles you get out of each type of charger:

    120v = 3-5 mile / hr
    240v NEMA 15-40 = 28 mile / hr
    240@60amp 44 mile/hr
    Tesla Wall Connector 90amp = 40-44 mile/hr
    Tesla Supercharger = 220-245 mile/hr

    My 2014 4Runner TEP was over $40K. It's made to really offroad and we take it to CO to do just that plus other long trips, but it no longer makes sense. I bought my first 2010 Prius as a tool to get back and forth cheaply to the parents to help and do things, then the Prime in 2017. Parents are gone now and I'm trying to reinvent things. I'll regret getting rid of the 2014 4Runner with 43,000 miles but it just makes sense. It's hard to explain what's in my head right now.

    At least you "can" get from Boston to FL in a Tesla. Yes, it requires rethinking the way you travel. You have to get away from charging to full on the trip. You just charge what you need plus a little to the next charge spot. Save time that way. But yes, the passenger has to understand and be flexible as well. I get it.

    Thanks for that. Texarkana keeps escaping my view for some reason. I wish the trip planner was a bit more flexible.

    LOL, yes that example was for when (if) they allow us back into the country. We had a trip planned to Nova Scotia this June which was cancelled. We're going to try it again in June 2021.
     
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  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    i read one other manufacturer ia about to release a +19kW home charger - which is on par with Tesla's wall mounted .... (80amp 240V) unit. Only thing is - the newer teslas can no longer even charge that fast ... at 59mph.
    MS & MX ONBOARD CHARGER QUIETLY REDUCED TO 48A MAX LATE 2018 — Tesla Forums
    We unloaded our model X, which could at least) charge at 72 amps - so now we have a wall charger that can deliver 80 amps but there's no more cars that can receive even that much.
    Even worse, if you HAD sprung for the additional cost on your Tesla so you could charge 80amps, most commercial locations are wired for 208V (easily/regularly drops down to 203V at locations under big loads)
    Supposedly Tesla came to the conclusion that it's too small a minority that want to - or need to charge that fast, once they get home, or once they get to a restaurant, Hotel, entertainment location. So yes - you & i are in the minority. Now you're down to 16.2 amps on a Tesla wall mount evse. If you are only charging at the new 48 amp car speed, it's similarly slower .... 48amps X 205 volts .... 9.8W's.
    this isn't meant as a complaint, but for practical purposes, if you're at home {240V), and for example if you have discount electricity between 11pm and 7 a.m. (8hrs) - your 100kWh pack - if nearly depleted, would not be able to refill completely at a discount rate - if you were near the bottom of a charge. Those are all outward extremes, not that horrible, it just makes me wonder why they chose to drop charge speeds for home / wall mount locations.
    Even the portable tesla evse has dropped down. Can't remember what it does now, but our older style does 40 amps, unlike like the newer ones.
    .
     
    #11 hill, Aug 12, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2020
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  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    This morning, my Std Rng Plus Model 3 took 243 Wh/mi at 63-64 mph in 75 F dry conditions, the EPA highway speed equivalent:
    • 125.0 Wh/mi @ 15 mph
    • 140.0 Wh/mi @ 30 mph
    • 243.8 Wh/mi @ 63 mph
    I am testing new, low rolling resistance tires and these are encouraging results.

    So charging miles/hr:
    • 1.2 kW / 243 Wh/mi ~= 5-6 mi/hr
    • 7.2 kW / 243 Wh/mi ~= 32 mi/hr :: 32 A @239 VAC (watching it now)
    • 170 kW / 243 Wh/mi ~= 700 mi/hr :: V3 SuperCharger
    Mine is the smallest Tesla which also makes it the most efficient. Any other Tesla will have a higher kW/mi but with at least 50% more battery and in some cases, 100% more battery.

    I am tuning my car to compensate for the first year, 3-4%, degradation. The data this morning suggests some success in reducing rolling drag. Not so much at higher speeds where aerodynamic tricks will help.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  13. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    That's strange. Not sure what the logic is for the long term. Your X is gone. Do you still have the S or 3?

    I've been following your thread on the other site . . . .
     
    #13 Mark57, Aug 12, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 12, 2020
  14. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    nope - but I still look and you never know.
    Not too often do we get to pick nits with Bob, but if we're talking size, there was the Roadster. If we are talking battery capacity?
    Tesla delivered around 400 Model S's with only a 40kwh battery (software limited 60kWh .... don't recall if it was upgradable as the 60 to 75 was)
    Remembering Tesla's Original Budget Car - the Model S 40 kWh - Tesla Motors Club
    You had to be following the company for a long long time though to remember that little tidbit of history
    .
     
    #14 hill, Aug 12, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2020
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  15. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Me too, if I can just make it work.

    Perhaps the 517 mile range Lucid Air Sedan by Lucid Motors will shake things up a bit. It's led by ex Tesla model S developer Peter Rawlinson CEO/CTO. Of course they have to build it first and at over $100K, well . . . . .

    The next gen 2021 Tesla roadster will have 620 miles of range. Zero to 60 in 1.9 seconds and 0 to 100 in 4.2 seconds. Zoom, zoom. Pile of cash.

    Sigh . . . .
     
  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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  17. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    At least that one is closer to a sales/service center than my location.;)
     
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  18. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Service center distance never bothered us. It was the amount of times that we had to go down there for ticky tacky things. Then, we would be told, "oh that's normal". Or, "we don't have a fix for that yet".
    I'd say, "Wait, what?!? ... you built these vehicles with U joints that can't withstand 500hp & the accompanying torque? .... so I have to live with premature vibration when you put your foot into it?" LOL even so - it was a wonderful car (both our S & X), just not worth the high cost, weighed against its warts. Maybe worth 70% of the MSRP.
    I would take pictures while in the service center .... so I would remember all of those ridiculous occasions.
    [​IMG]
    I'll bet our model X was the only one with a PriusChat bumper sticker

    .
     

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    #18 hill, Aug 13, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2020
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  19. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Yep, but I'm assuming you didn't have to drive 3 hours one way to get there to be disappointed. You were able to be disappointed in a much quicker and efficient time frame.;)

    That Priuschat sticker added extra horsepower and was the root cause of the U-joint problem.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    tesla's proprietary repairs still bother me
     
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