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A problem I've noticed since moving out West is that distances are just so damn big here. I grew up on the East Coast and, even in the remote place I grew up in

A problem I've noticed since moving out West is that distances are just so damn big here. I grew up on the East Coast and, even in the remote place I grew up in, it was rare to be more than 50 miles from a gas station. Out here, that's practically the norm. I suspect that the Tesla Supercharger network would work well if you stay along major highways like 60/70/80, but I keep thinking about my long weekend trips to national forests and just how impossible they would be in a Tesla. Very curious, though, just what kind of timeframe we're looking at before gas fills become more inconvenient than electric charging... my hope is that by the time my current ICE vehicle has to be replaced (8 years or more, with luck), we'll have electric vehicles with 600 mile ranges and enough reliable fast-charging infrastructure that I can actually justify an electric vehicle.

ericmay 5y ago
If we're talking about Tesla (which IMO is the only serious player in the space right now) I'd just say take a look at the SuperCharging network and see if things are covered based on what you might want to do. Right now it definitely requires some planning, but so far I haven't run into many issues except the UP. Tesla-wise there is already a reliable fast-charging infrastructure. The question is what will happen with the rest of the industry. I would say in 8 years we will definitely have electric vehicles with 600+ mile ranges. I think the Plaid Model S is over 500 already, but I think there will be less emphasis on milage and more emphasis on fast and available charging. It's going to be more feasible to expand infrastructure (as far as I can tell) than to build the batteries. Likely both will happen simultaneously. For Tesla, I think if they thought larger batteries were the answer they'd probably slowly stop expanding the SuperCharger network - but doesn't appear that's happening. Could be wrong here and would welcome a more thoughtful discussion. TBH I'd say gas on the whole is more inconvenient to me than electric charging. 95% of the time I charge at home, car is always just ready to go. 5% of the time I stop after 2 hours, charge for 15-25 minutes, take a quick break, and move on. But I don't have to go to a gas station once/week or more, stand outside my car in the cold, pump gas, w/e. Personal preference though. My back cramps up sitting in a car for 3+ hours between gas stations and would prefer more stops (and this gives me an excuse).
cptskippy 5y ago
One thing to consider is RV camping spots which commonly have power hookups. The the 2nd GEN Tesla charger has pigtail adapters for a lot of NEMA single and split phase receptacles. While it doesn't cover all (e.g. TT-30R), you can use passive adapters to convert to those specifically. You can purchase the pigtails individually for under $50 each or $200 for a kit. https://shop.tesla.com/product/nema-adapter-bundle https://shop.tesla.com/product/nema-adapter-bundle

ericmay 5y ago

If we're talking about Tesla (which IMO is the only serious player in the space right now) I'd just say take a look at the SuperCharging network and see if things are covered based on what you might want to do. Right now it definitely requires some planning, but so far I haven't run into many issues except the UP. Tesla-wise there is already a reliable fast-charging infrastructure. The question is what will happen with the rest of the industry. I would say in 8 years we will definitely have electric vehicles with 600+ mile ranges. I think the Plaid Model S is over 500 already, but I think there will be less emphasis on milage and more emphasis on fast and available charging. It's going to be more feasible to expand infrastructure (as far as I can tell) than to build the batteries. Likely both will happen simultaneously. For Tesla, I think if they thought larger batteries were the answer they'd probably slowly stop expanding the SuperCharger network - but doesn't appear that's happening. Could be wrong here and would welcome a more thoughtful discussion. TBH I'd say gas on the whole is more inconvenient to me than electric charging. 95% of the time I charge at home, car is always just ready to go. 5% of the time I stop after 2 hours, charge for 15-25 minutes, take a quick break, and move on. But I don't have to go to a gas station once/week or more, stand outside my car in the cold, pump gas, w/e. Personal preference though. My back cramps up sitting in a car for 3+ hours between gas stations and would prefer more stops (and this gives me an excuse).

cptskippy 5y ago

One thing to consider is RV camping spots which commonly have power hookups. The the 2nd GEN Tesla charger has pigtail adapters for a lot of NEMA single and split phase receptacles. While it doesn't cover all (e.g. TT-30R), you can use passive adapters to convert to those specifically. You can purchase the pigtails individually for under $50 each or $200 for a kit. https://shop.tesla.com/product/nema-adapter-bundle https://shop.tesla.com/product/nema-adapter-bundle