Recently, we needed something done on our vehicle and took it to our dealer, who was offering some specials. They advertised a free loaner.
To my spouse's delight, this is the loaner we got - a Subaru Solterra, which is an EV (electric vehicle). I was working that day, but asked for a ride around the block on my lunch. I'd love you to come with us.
The front.
A closeup, complete with reflections and a dusting of pollen.
The back. I have no idea what was in the box.
We were unable to open the hood and look at what was powering the car. I'm thinking it was locked intentionally.
The ride experience? Quiet. Unreal acceleration - my spouse gave me a taste and I'm still looking for my stomach.
When my spouse drove this EV in the park where his community garden plots are located, he exceeded the speed limit without even realizing it, but at highway speeds, he had no problem.
No, we didn't have to charge it before returning it.
The car was ready before promised and spouse talked to one of the dealership's employees. His concern was with two things:
1. The mileage before a charge is needed is only 160 miles (257.98 km).
2. There is a gauge that tells you how many more miles (km) you have before a charge is needed and when spouse ran the fan, the number fell substantially. The employee confirmed that all the accessories ran off the battery, so the actual mileage before a charge is needed is less than that in #1 above.
Verdict: we are sticking with our several years old gas powered vehicle.
...this is the future, but several issues still need to be worked out.
ReplyDeleteI drive a hybrid, a Prius C. The gas engine apparently powers the electric engine, I don’t have to charge the vehicle. Once I got used to the quiet, I decided I really like a hybrid. I’m not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle yet, but I am pretty sure my next car will be a hybrid, too.
ReplyDeleteMy son drove an electric vehicle from Chicago to my home 25 miles north of Detroit. He had to stop in Ann Arbor (40 minutes from me) for the night because he was exhausted. It was self-driving which was annoying and then he had to stop to charge it. It was worse once he got here because there were no fast-charging stations near my home. He had to drive at least 30 minutes to get to one.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about the EV's for these exact reasons! Road trips would have to be planned like they planned car trips back when cars were new and service stations few and far between!
ReplyDeleteI'm still on the fence, although I like what they do for the environment. The idea of having to charge a lot on a trip feels daunting
ReplyDeleteEV is not ready to be released in Australia. There are no dedicated rapid charging stations around. Thanks to major corporate companies making us this way
ReplyDeleteThere was a Nova episode about things to combat climate change, and the producer borrowed an electric vehicle to go from location to location. He did a segment on trying to find a charger in the middle of the night. It did not go well.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure finding gas stations when gas cars were new was similar. It'll take time to build up that infrastructure.
I kind of want a hydrogen-powered car, but finding fuel for that is as tricky as finding a charging station for an electric car.
I've been in an EV for 12 years and I'll never go back to ICE.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter told me about driving a friend's big electric pickup truck, and I don't know if all electric vehicles are the same, but she said it took getting used to since you didn't brake to slow down, you just didn't press the accelerator down as much. Gave it less electricity. I don't think she mentioned that about the same friend's electric VW.
ReplyDeleteSounds like that 2030 deadline for everyone to get rid of their gas-powered cars might just have to be adjusted...
ReplyDelete