Electric cars?

[sptrawler]

That is exactly the issue I was going on about @JohnDe , the super fast charger at Treendale on the outskirts of Bunbury, wouldnt mate with the Ionic 5 and 100km further on at Mandurah the only decent charger is stuffed, so best of luck for someone heading to Perth a further 80km to the next charger.

 

[rederob]

That is exactly the issue I was going on about @JohnDe , the super fast charger at Treendale on the outskirts of Bunbury, wouldnt mate with the Ionic 5 and 100km further on at Mandurah the only decent charger is stuffed, so best of luck for someone heading to Perth a further 80km to the next charger.

Looking at @JohnDe's recent posts you need a Jenny to go the distance.

 

[JohnDe]

That is exactly the issue I was going on about @JohnDe , the super fast charger at Treendale on the outskirts of Bunbury, wouldnt mate with the Ionic 5 and 100km further on at Mandurah the only decent charger is stuffed, so best of luck for someone heading to Perth a further 80km to the next charger.

I'm a member of The Australian Electric Vehicle Association & Tesla Owners Club of Australia, both have numerous examples of people driving their EVs across Australia. They are also active in trying to get governments and businesses improve charging infrastructure, by education, discussion and examples.

Slowly but surely there is change happening. People are starting to see that a country the size of Australia needs infrastructure built in strategic locations to silence the naysayers of the EV future. The previous demands of EV subsidies has died down with the realisation that there isn't enough stock world wide and that the manufacturers didn't need to pass on savings in the current demand driven market.

Hopefully the current government will start discussions with business that have a proven track record in the EV and charging infrastructure market. Once they get all the facts, enforceable guidelines can be implemented that will standardise charging infrastructure and maintanence across Australia.

Tesla: In 2021 Supercharging Uptime Improved To 99.96%

The Tesla Supercharging network is considered one of the most reliable charging infrastructures in the world and, according to the latest data, this improved in 2021.

In the 2021 Impact Report, Tesla reports that the uptime of the Supercharging sites amounted to 99.96%, which is a few tenths higher than in a weaker 2020, and overall better than in 2018-2020.
Tesla defines the uptime of Supercharger sites as the average percentage of sites globally that had at least 50% daily capacity functional for the year. In other words, in 2021, on average, 99.96% of the stations had at least 50% daily capacity (stalls, as we understand) fully functional for the year.
It does not tell us how many individual stalls were offline, but in general, the metric indicates that usually, most of the stalls are available for use.
"We’re aware that the chart showing Supercharger uptime looks silly, but that’s kind of the point. While coverage is important, uptime is essential. Few things are as frustrating as arriving to a charging station with a near-empty battery, realizing that none of the charging plugs are working."

Uptime of Tesla Supercharging - 2021​

Tesla notes also that in 2021 alone, it opened 912 new Supercharger locations around the world. The peak output of the V3 Superchargers is 250 kW, while the previous V2 is rated at up to 150 kW.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2022, the number of stations increased to 3,724. The number of individual connectors (stalls) increased year-over-year by 37% to 33,657, which almost means that there are roughly 9 connectors per site on average.

It's an impressive achievement to maintain high reliability and high expansion rate at the same time.
We guess that the reliability of fast charging infrastructure is gradually improving in general, as the industry matures and the new, large charging sites are more and more often equipped with battery energy storage systems.

 

[Value Collector]

This one is not to far away from seymour

 

[mullokintyre]

Its North of Seymour on the Hume, we would have to travel through Euroa to get to Seymour.
Does not make much sense

 

[sptrawler]

You got me excited there @Value Collector , I thought great another charging company I will be able to use, so I looked up the map. ?

 

[Value Collector]

You got me excited there @Value Collector , I thought great another charging company I will be able to use, so I looked up the map. ?

View attachment 142368

Hopefully you guys will get some more toys soon.

 

[sptrawler]

Here is a post from a Nissan Leaf E.V owner in U.K on tips for taking a long trip, I thought it would be interesting, considering U.K is really pushing toward total E.V status.
It is actually a post from a few years back, but it kind of is where we are at now, with regard infrastructure in W.A.

Quote:
I've made a couple of very long multi-day Leaf journeys this year, one of which was 1600 miles right around the UK in 12 days. I've had a few days of some 350 miles in under 12 hours, and never run out of power: so here are some thoughts on keeping it easy and getting from A>B quickly. Some of these are probably old hat to experienced EV drivers, but we do get lots of newbies, so this is for them.

1) never rapid charge above 80% - 90% when on the move unless you really need to or simply have loads of time. The last 20% takes ages.
2) phone ahead (on a weekday, working hours) to get the latest info on the electric highway, don't rely on zapmap service status - or any other online information - as it is often out of date
3) When using single or unknown rapids - try to charge every 40-50 miles on average - always keep a decent reserve for Plan B (which is either the next rapid or a Type 2)
4) Figure out a speed that gives you a 20% remaining margin of error for your car - conditions can change. On motorways 55 mph seems about optimum cruising speed, but when you have a reliable charger ahead then 65 mph is fine.
5) In rural and remote areas, aim to stop overnight at friends houses, youth hostels or B&Bs - they are much more laid back than hotels about charging your car. Use the brick overnight, and carry a ten metre extension lead to drape through windows or whatever.
6) If you don't get a charge from any charger, be persistent and methodical, it can often take a few tries. One common and puzzling error is to leave the charging timer on: always switch it off on any long trip.
Carry three main cards: CYC, Ecotricity electric highway, and Polar - plus any regional network cards required - such as the SSE card in Hampshire.
7) Don't panic when going up long hills like Beattock summit or Shap fell - you will lose a lot of power but gain much of it back downhill.

 

[Value Collector]

Here is a post from a Nissan Leaf E.V owner in U.K on tips for taking a long trip, I thought it would be interesting, considering U.K is really pushing toward total E.V status.
It is actually a post from a few years back, but it kind of is where we are at now, with regard infrastructure in W.A.

Quote:
I've made a couple of very long multi-day Leaf journeys this year, one of which was 1600 miles right around the UK in 12 days. I've had a few days of some 350 miles in under 12 hours, and never run out of power: so here are some thoughts on keeping it easy and getting from A>B quickly. Some of these are probably old hat to experienced EV drivers, but we do get lots of newbies, so this is for them.

1) never rapid charge above 80% - 90% when on the move unless you really need to or simply have loads of time. The last 20% takes ages.
2) phone ahead (on a weekday, working hours) to get the latest info on the electric highway, don't rely on zapmap service status - or any other online information - as it is often out of date
3) When using single or unknown rapids - try to charge every 40-50 miles on average - always keep a decent reserve for Plan B (which is either the next rapid or a Type 2)
4) Figure out a speed that gives you a 20% remaining margin of error for your car - conditions can change. On motorways 55 mph seems about optimum cruising speed, but when you have a reliable charger ahead then 65 mph is fine.
5) In rural and remote areas, aim to stop overnight at friends houses, youth hostels or B&Bs - they are much more laid back than hotels about charging your car. Use the brick overnight, and carry a ten metre extension lead to drape through windows or whatever.
6) If you don't get a charge from any charger, be persistent and methodical, it can often take a few tries. One common and puzzling error is to leave the charging timer on: always switch it off on any long trip.
Carry three main cards: CYC, Ecotricity electric highway, and Polar - plus any regional network cards required - such as the SSE card in Hampshire.
7) Don't panic when going up long hills like Beattock summit or Shap fell - you will lose a lot of power but gain much of it back downhill.

I agree with number 1,

On long interstate road trips (atleast on the east coast), it’s always best to just charge while you use the rest room, it will be over 70% or 80% by the time you get back to the car, which is enough for over another 3 hours driving, so don’t bother waiting till it gets any higher just drive on and hit the charger up down the line, because no doubt you will need to stretch your legs again by then any way.

That way you make the most of the fast charging times at lower battery levels, rather than waiting 40mins for that last 20%

 

[sptrawler]

The penny seems to be dropping @JohnDe.

https://thedriven.io/2022/05/30/not...ing-headlong-into-an-ev-fast-charging-crisis/
From the article:
But the experience underlines a major problem, State and federal governments and the likes of NRMA and private networks have been trying to fill in the gaps in the charging networks, but they often do so with just a single charging station, which results in queues at busy periods and no redundancy if it’s out of order.
Being an early adopter, there’s a fair amount of tolerance in the EV community for such problems. But as EVs go mass-market, and then become the expected form of road transport, that tolerance level will fall dramatically.
The good news for the incoming Labor government – which has grand plans to roll out EV charging infrastructure – is also the bad news: Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.
That will give federal Labor and the state governments a little more room to get the rollout right. Yes, more charging stations, more ultra fast charging stations (to cope with new EVs with 100kWh batteries or bigger), and please, multiple charging points at each location. And maybe some signs or even controls for etiquette, or caps at 80 per cent.
Tesla can achieve this, because all the stations and the cars themselves are on the same network. And Tesla thinks about these things. It will be harder for the other car manufacturers and networks to co-ordinate.
When it is clear there will be sufficient infrastructure in place, Labor can maybe introduce the vehicle emissions standards, to encourage the big car makers to bring their new EVs to Australia too. Thanks also to the soaring petrol and diesel prices, it seems everyone wants one.

 

[JohnDe]

The penny seems to be dropping @JohnDe.

https://thedriven.io/2022/05/30/not...ing-headlong-into-an-ev-fast-charging-crisis/
From the article:
But the experience underlines a major problem, State and federal governments and the likes of NRMA and private networks have been trying to fill in the gaps in the charging networks, but they often do so with just a single charging station, which results in queues at busy periods and no redundancy if it’s out of order.
Being an early adopter, there’s a fair amount of tolerance in the EV community for such problems. But as EVs go mass-market, and then become the expected form of road transport, that tolerance level will fall dramatically.
The good news for the incoming Labor government – which has grand plans to roll out EV charging infrastructure – is also the bad news: Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.
That will give federal Labor and the state governments a little more room to get the rollout right. Yes, more charging stations, more ultra fast charging stations (to cope with new EVs with 100kWh batteries or bigger), and please, multiple charging points at each location. And maybe some signs or even controls for etiquette, or caps at 80 per cent.
Tesla can achieve this, because all the stations and the cars themselves are on the same network. And Tesla thinks about these things. It will be harder for the other car manufacturers and networks to co-ordinate.
When it is clear there will be sufficient infrastructure in place, Labor can maybe introduce the vehicle emissions standards, to encourage the big car makers to bring their new EVs to Australia too. Thanks also to the soaring petrol and diesel prices, it seems everyone wants one.

There is going to be a lot more articles like this, unless something changes very fast.

Though I doubt that this problem is going to be rectified quickly.

First there needs to be a willingness of government to work with industry so as to create an EV charging standard and a implementation plan.

Then there will have to be an assessment of locations to find the best sites to install charging infrastructure, negotiate with various councils and land owners.

And hopefully while the above is going on there is someone sourcing and purchasing the required charging infrastructure so that it can be installed as soon as all the green lights are on. Remembering that there is currently a world shortage of everything and slow distribution of freight.

Once that is done the building of charging stations can commence.

Imagine if the people that were calling for EV subsidies had first thought through the issues and instead used their energy and called for EV infrastructure instead.

Not enough plugs: Australia is driving headlong into an EV fast charging crisis​

It’s no secret that Tesla owners are pretty happy about the electric cars they drive, and they are also pretty pleased with the EV charging options that the company has provided: The most comprehensive “super fast-charging” network in the world, multiple charging spots at each location, and any number of convenient but slower “destination” chargers.

We make the trip from Byron Bay to Sydney and Canberra often. In the Tesla Model 3 SR+, Bryon to Sydney can be done with just three 20-minute stops at Tesla super-chargers to top up the battery. One of the installations is located at a very nice winery, and it’s tempting to stop longer for a nice lunch.

Sydney to Canberra is a little over three hours in the SR+, with one short stop on the way there, but none needed on the way back (it’s downhill), although we don’t mind breaking it up.

Last week I got a deep dive understanding of the problems facing those who don’t have access to the Tesla network when they do long trips, particularly as the number of new EVs outstrips the available infrastructure, when I took a Hyundai Ioniq 5 for a country trip from Sydney to Canberra and back. There’s nothing like appreciating it first hand.

We’ve already written several stories about the problems with the reliability of the fast-charging network in Australia, and the number of charging stations not working or out of action for some reason.

See: Why are so many EV charging stations out of order? Are they reliable?

But as this trip illustrated, there are simply not enough charging stations, even if they are all working.

The trip down wasn’t a big deal. I stopped at the Goulburn fast charging station where there are actually three charging points. One is broken, another has a broken screen but apparently works, while the third is fine.

It was late at night and no-one else was there. I connected and charged with no problems (albeit at a slowish 70kW average), and within 15 minutes I had easily enough to get to my destination and was on my way again.

On the way back it was a different matter. Granted, I left Canberra with only a 50 per cent charge, but I often do that in the Tesla, counting on a stop for a coffee in Goulburn at the Supercharger station there, where there are eight charging spots. And where Tesla moves you on after 30 minutes if it is busy.

But I wasn’t in the Tesla and even though I had “trickle charged” when I had stopped at the fine Some Cafe in Collector to enjoy their toasties and coffee, edit some stories and finalise the daily newsletter, it only added around 2kWh in the hour I was there. (But good on Some Cafe for offering the service).

But then it was off to the other Goulburn fast-charger, round the back of the Shell service station, next to bottle returns and the rubbish skips. Again, one spot was out of action. It seems that at any one time there are dozens of charging stations out of action, some of them for months. They blame a shortage of spare parts.

The other two charging spots were occupied, by a Mercedes and an Ioniq, including the one with the broken screen. I waited 20 minutes before the Hyundai Ioniq finished and moved on, and tried to plug in.

It was the same charging station I had used on the way down. But this time, for reasons that escaped me, it didn’t work. For 15 minutes I tried, and retried and tried again. No dice.

I still had plenty to get to the next charging station, a single NRMA fast-charger at the Mittagong RSL, around 80kms away, so decided to head there.

But a Tesla Model 3 Performance had beaten me to it by 20 minutes, and was still only at a 27 per cent charge. It must have been low when it got there and I was in for a long wait, and so was the MG ZS EV that arrived 5 minutes after me on the way to Canberra.

The Tesla eventually unplugged after about an hour – it still wasn’t fully charged – and I plugged in the Ioniq 5 for around 40 minutes to take it back up to around 60 per cent; enough, I figured, to get me to my destination in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.

I was cutting it a little bit fine and if there was no one else around I would have stayed longer and put more in. But the MG had already been waiting for around an hour and a half, and another was waiting in the wings. I had enough to get to my destination, so I unplugged and moved on.

But this act of generosity had its consequences. My host in Katoomba had no off-street parking so there was no option to trickle charge overnight. And – amazingly – the entire Blue Mountains has zero fast charging charging options, just a couple of Tesla destination chargers for visitors to a private lodge and at Scenic World.

There was a suggestion on the PlugShare app that the Scenic World Tesla destination charger might accommodate non Tesla cars (some of them apparently do), but I went down and tried and there was no dice with either of them.

They had a power point so I trickle charged (2kW) while I went for a walk to replace the power I had used to dash down to Scenic World, and then – en route back to Sydney – set off to the nearest fast-charger, some 60kms away near Penrith, with what the car told me was just 68kms of range left in the battery.

I put it in eco-mode and resisted the temptation to accelerate away at the lights. I need not have bothered. One of the beauties of going down hill is that you don’t use much of the battery, and it puts back in nearly as much as it uses.

I left Scenic World with 19 per cent and 68kms of range (which I thought was a bit pessimistic), and arrived 60kms later at the Evie charger at Caddens with 15 per cent still in the battery and with 67kms of advertised range. Thankfully, the new fast charger at Caddens was not occupied, and it was working fine, with cafes and shops nearby.

But the experience underlines a major problem, State and federal governments and the likes of NRMA and private networks have been trying to fill in the gaps in the charging networks, but they often do so with just a single charging station, which results in queues at busy periods and no redundancy if it’s out of order.

The Tesla network, located at convenient spots, has very high reliability – 96 per cent according to its own annual report – and multiple stations, always at least four but usually six or eight. Overseas, it has even more. And they don’t allow EVs to sit there for more than one hour if it’s busy. In fact, Tesla now cut people off after 30 minutes at some stations.

(Some new EVs with big batteries are taking 90 minutes to charge at some public 40kW “fast chargers”. Even if there is only one working charging station and a queue.)

Being an early adopter, there’s a fair amount of tolerance in the EV community for such problems. But as EVs go mass-market, and then become the expected form of road transport, that tolerance level will fall dramatically.

There’s much everyone can do. Tesla is under pressure to open up its supercharging network to non-Tesla EVs, and has started doing so in several European countries. Other countries will follow. Other private networks and governments might want to insist that there are at least two charging spots at each location to boost resilience and reduce wait times.

And drivers themselves can be a little more considerate – if they really don’t need to get to 100 per cent (and EVs rarely do), then please move on if you have enough charge.

The good news for the incoming Labor government – which has grand plans to roll out EV charging infrastructure – is also the bad news: Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.

That will give federal Labor and the state governments a little more room to get the rollout right. Yes, more charging stations, more ultra fast charging stations (to cope with new EVs with 100kWh batteries or bigger), and please, multiple charging points at each location. And maybe some signs or even controls for etiquette, or caps at 80 per cent.

Tesla can achieve this, because all the stations and the cars themselves are on the same network. And Tesla thinks about these things. It will be harder for the other car manufacturers and networks to co-ordinate.

When it is clear there will be sufficient infrastructure in place, Labor can maybe introduce the vehicle emissions standards, to encourage the big car makers to bring their new EVs to Australia too. Thanks also to the soaring petrol and diesel prices, it seems everyone wants one.

Giles Parkinson

 

[mullokintyre]

Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.

The above is one of those statements that people seem to think that if you state it enough times, people will believe its true.
Firstly, car makers are there to make a buck. They are not there to help out the environment, or help people achieve their lifelong dreams etc etc. They are not altruistic (see Volkswagen emissions cheating for instance, or the reluctance of car companies to issue recalls because of faulty work).

Secondly, what proof does anyone have that car makers prioritise their sales because of strict vehicle emission standards.
They sell them where they can make the most money.
Why do the big manufacturers build big plants in China?
Is it because they want to hep the Chinese economy?
Hell no, its cheap labour and they are right in the middle of one of the bigger car markets in the world.
Thirdly, do people seriously believe that the vehicles delivered have been detuned to only meet the Australian emissions standards?
Hell no, they exactly the same as the European, American or Chinese sales.
If the government were to increase the emission standards to that of the Europeans , do people really think that the EV makers would suddenly flood us with product because they are so grateful for these high emission standards?
We are a pissy little backwater, that create headaches for car makers because
(a) we are right hand drive mob that causes them to retool every time a RHD shipment is prepared.
(b)We are a long way from the manufacturers, and sea shipping is expensive.
(c) The OZ car sales numbers are equivalent to a rounding error in the sales spreadsheet of worldwide production.
Mick

 

[sptrawler]

There is going to be a lot more articles like this, unless something changes very fast.

Though I doubt that this problem is going to be rectified quickly.

First there needs to be a willingness of government to work with industry so as to create an EV charging standard and a implementation plan.

Then there will have to be an assessment of locations to find the best sites to install charging infrastructure, negotiate with various councils and land owners.

And hopefully while the above is going on there is someone sourcing and purchasing the required charging infrastructure so that it can be installed as soon as all the green lights are on. Remembering that there is currently a world shortage of everything and slow distribution of freight.

Once that is done the building of charging stations can commence.

Imagine if the people that were calling for EV subsidies had first thought through the issues and instead used their energy and called for EV infrastructure instead.

I feel sorry for the early uptakers that bought the dream, but didn't buy the extended range.

 

[sptrawler]

Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.

The above is one of those statements that people seem to think that if you state it enough times, people will believe its true.
Firstly, car makers are there to make a buck. They are not there to help out the environment, or help people achieve their lifelong dreams etc etc. They are not altruistic (see Volkswagen emissions cheating for instance, or the reluctance of car companies to issue recalls because of faulty work).

Yes the media loves the chestnuts, a bit like the only reason we haven't shut down coal already is because of lack of Government will, well we now have the will, the promise and the enthusiasm in Government.
It will be interesting to watch it unfold, or unravel. I feel a brain fart coming on.

 

[mullokintyre]

I feel sorry for the early uptakers that bought the dream, but didn't buy the extended range.

As others have pointed out, those living in the city will be fine, as most of their charging can be done at home, and only rarely travel long distances requiring mid trip recharge.
Bad luck about the rest of us, but most people living outside the cites have already had to cope with poor service in every other aspect of life.
Mick

 

[qldfrog]

The penny seems to be dropping @JohnDe.

https://thedriven.io/2022/05/30/not...ing-headlong-into-an-ev-fast-charging-crisis/
From the article:
But the experience underlines a major problem, State and federal governments and the likes of NRMA and private networks have been trying to fill in the gaps in the charging networks, but they often do so with just a single charging station, which results in queues at busy periods and no redundancy if it’s out of order.
Being an early adopter, there’s a fair amount of tolerance in the EV community for such problems. But as EVs go mass-market, and then become the expected form of road transport, that tolerance level will fall dramatically.
The good news for the incoming Labor government – which has grand plans to roll out EV charging infrastructure – is also the bad news: Demand for EVs is surging, and sales tripled in 2021, but the supply of new EVs in Australia is slowing to a trickle, thanks to the global supply crunch and the decision by most major car makers to prioritise other country markets, due to their strict vehicle emissions standards.
That will give federal Labor and the state governments a little more room to get the rollout right. Yes, more charging stations, more ultra fast charging stations (to cope with new EVs with 100kWh batteries or bigger), and please, multiple charging points at each location. And maybe some signs or even controls for etiquette, or caps at 80 per cent.
Tesla can achieve this, because all the stations and the cars themselves are on the same network. And Tesla thinks about these things. It will be harder for the other car manufacturers and networks to co-ordinate.
When it is clear there will be sufficient infrastructure in place, Labor can maybe introduce the vehicle emissions standards, to encourage the big car makers to bring their new EVs to Australia too. Thanks also to the soaring petrol and diesel prices, it seems everyone wants one.

We are just preparing the next insulation /nbn scam on a scale imho.
At one stage, facts will show that EV with current technology can not replace ice fleet.
I will not repeat the obvious issues especially in densified cities..so either people are forced out of car ownerships (aka my favorite Reset program and its econazy capitalist cronies). Or a new tech is chosen which will render all these chargers obsolete: battery swap, hydrogen or amonia refuel stations,etc not to forget whatever standard will be adapted in 3y time: power and plug....in the meantime,a labour gov will have sunk 20y of economic future down rhe drain.
I do not expect much positive response here from EV owners who will see their interest first.
I could physically have an EV and recharge it on my own PV too but i do not live in a flat...

As others have pointed out, those living in the city will be fine, as most of their charging can be done at home, and only rarely travel long distances requiring mid trip recharge.
Bad luck about the rest of us, but most people living outside the cites have already had to cope with poor service in every other aspect of life.
Mick

Not if they live in flat with most probably insurances preventing understorey carparks for EV.
We might have to wait for a couple of catastrophic bbq towers before..but will come

 

[sptrawler]

As others have pointed out, those living in the city will be fine, as most of their charging can be done at home, and only rarely travel long distances requiring mid trip recharge.
Bad luck about the rest of us, but most people living outside the cites have already had to cope with poor service in every other aspect of life.
Mick

Living at home in the city is o.k for a while, but when the missus wants to go away for a weekend and early uptake husband who talked her into the E.V breaks out in a rash and a cold sweat while explaining why they can't is another.
Worse still if he is sitting in the drivers seat in a queue for 5 hrs waiting for a charge, or worse still a tilt bed truck because there isn't a charger, meanwhile the missus is in the passenger seat and you've lost reception all picture no sound. ?

 

[JohnDe]

I feel sorry for the early uptakers that bought the dream, but didn't buy the extended range.

More so the models that manufacturers have not invested in charging infrastructure.

My wife and travel, we always drive long distances to explore our state. On our extended holidays we try and make it a plan that we fly one year and drive the next for long periods.

Due to Covid we haven't been able to do mush of our long distance driving (2000+km) until a few months ago when we drove intestate, posted here

Tesla has made it very easy to travel, because they knew that to succeed they would have to make their product as useable as an ICEV. As they sold their cars they were also building charging infrastructure, in easy to access locations and making the whole experience user-friendly.

The other vehicle manufacturers have started from behind, they are using most of their resources to try and change the factories and get stock out the door.

This is why we need governments to stop going on about EV subsidies and instead coordinate with industry to build reliable charging stations.

Lucky I decided on the Tesla, otherwise I'd be using my ICEV for our long drives.

 

[rederob]

Tesla is being challenged by BYD for leadership in the BEV stakes, knocking out half a million vehicles so far this year:

Judging by the way Chinese automakers ramp up sales towards year end, it is possible for BYD to crank out close to 200K units by December. If that were to happen, then BYD would be on track to deliver well over 2M units next year.
Potentially stopping BYD is the Chinese approach to lockdowns, which more than anything affects its supply chains, it having 6 separate factories, and more being built. It won't be affected by battery or chip shortages, as it's vertical integration takes care of those items.
With luck that means the Atto3 I have on order will actually arrive in July, as promised.

 

[qldfrog]

I Rented an Electric Car for a Four-Day Road Trip. I Spent More Time Charging It Than I Did Sleeping.

Our writer drove from New Orleans to Chicago and back to test the feasibility of taking a road trip in an EV. She wouldn’t soon do it again.

www.wsj.com

A bit of reality from time to time