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I've had two non-Tesla EVs: the Fiat 500e and the BMW i3. The Fiat 500e had two recalls while I owned it. Both were for a possible propulsion system fault that

I've had two non-Tesla EVs: the Fiat 500e and the BMW i3. The Fiat 500e had two recalls while I owned it. Both were for a possible propulsion system fault that could result in the vehicle stalling while driving. They sent a flatbed tow truck instead of letting me drive it in. The BMW i3 had a recall for a safety issue, unrelated to the electronic nature of the car. Although it's probably fair to relate it to the "let's make an all-new car design from the ground up" impulse behind it. BTW, I just went back to a more traditional plug-in hybrid over weekend. Five years as an EV driver (not in a Tesla) was a long time to be feeling range anxiety. I look forward to watching Mercedes and Porsche stick the landing.

mikestew 8y ago
The Fiat 500e had two recalls while I owned it. Both were for a possible propulsion system fault that could result in the vehicle stalling while driving I suppose it would be in poor taste to make jokes at the expense of Fiat reliability in this case. But holy cow, so much for the simplicity and reliability of electrics. :-P Thanks for sharing your experience. I will say as a counter example that our Leaf is the most low-attention vehicle we’ve owned. By eliminating gas stops, we literally just get in and drive between yearly check-ups (which amount to “check battery, change cabin air filter”).
- robterrell 8y ago
  Yeah, don't blame Fiat too much, the EV conversion was done by Bosch! And remember Tesla had a rash of much-publicized propulsion system stalls (as did the Tesla-powered Toyota RAV4 and MB models). Aside from the few recalls and range anxiety, my experience with EVs has been stellar as well. I wish there was a long-range EV I could afford... (that didn't look like a Bolt.) Kind of dreading dealing with gasoline engines again. I'm basically treating this new car as an EV with a extra-large REX.

mikestew 8y ago

The Fiat 500e had two recalls while I owned it. Both were for a possible propulsion system fault that could result in the vehicle stalling while driving I suppose it would be in poor taste to make jokes at the expense of Fiat reliability in this case. But holy cow, so much for the simplicity and reliability of electrics. :-P Thanks for sharing your experience. I will say as a counter example that our Leaf is the most low-attention vehicle we’ve owned. By eliminating gas stops, we literally just get in and drive between yearly check-ups (which amount to “check battery, change cabin air filter”).

robterrell 8y ago
Yeah, don't blame Fiat too much, the EV conversion was done by Bosch! And remember Tesla had a rash of much-publicized propulsion system stalls (as did the Tesla-powered Toyota RAV4 and MB models). Aside from the few recalls and range anxiety, my experience with EVs has been stellar as well. I wish there was a long-range EV I could afford... (that didn't look like a Bolt.) Kind of dreading dealing with gasoline engines again. I'm basically treating this new car as an EV with a extra-large REX.