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> Electric cars are sort of like gas cars with new motors… but actually, in many ways, much better. They have amazing pickup, the heater comes on instantly, man
by dpedu 5y ago
> Electric cars are sort of like gas cars with new motors… but actually, in many ways, much better. They have amazing pickup, the heater comes on instantly, many have extra storage (the “frunk”), there’s no exhaust to stink up your garage.
Hmm. Sorry, but I'm not impressed. Faster acceleration is fun but it doesn't improve the trip from point a to point b. If anything, it could make the ride less comfortable and safe.
The heater coming on instantly is nice, but it's at the cost of mileage whereas in an ICE the heat is free (in that it is otherwise wasted). If you're using the heater it's because you're in cold weather and you will lose significant range because of the battery's lower performance in the cold (to the tune of up to 40%!) or the battery's heaters keeping it in a performant temperature range. I'd call this a trade-off rather than an improvement.
Storage space in some models makes sense. Same with exhaust in garages, if you have a garage and want to idle the car inside it.
However, talking about all this without mentioning the biggest step backwards with electric cars seems pretty disingenuous; this step backwards being the shorter distance electric cars are capable of traveling in the same period of time as ICE vehicles due to their significantly longer refueling times and decreased range in cold weather.
- mjamesaustin 5y agoIt's not a huge step backwards, the time spent charging on a road trip. That occasional cost pales in comparison to the benefits and conveniences I experience every day by driving electric. Here's an example: I save 5 mins a week not having to fill up at the gas station, which is 260 mins a year. On a typical road trip I spend about 30 mins charging each way. So even after 4 road trips in a year, I've still saved 20 mins. My electric car is hands down my favorite purchase ever, and those I know who have gotten one tend to feel similarly.
- dpedu 5y agoThis is a common misconception in the discussion around electric cars. You've selected a use case that they do have benefit in. There are others that don't. If it works for you, great, but what you've described doesn't work if you're traveling greater distances or in bad weather or a variety of other reasons ICE vehicles have no problem with.
- EricE 5y ago250 miles is far from short. Pretty sure Tesla uses heat pumps for heating. Maybe not always, but they have for a while. Heat for the battery packs is indeed a significant issue for colder climates. Glad I don't live in cold country! I was always curious how much running AC full tilt would impact range. A large chunk of people drive well under 100 miles a day. Plug the car in when you get home and it's ready to drive again the next day. The fact is, even with current shortcomings electric cars can meet quite a few needs for people. If I were to get one and needed to take a long trip I'd just get a rental car. Bonus is you don't put those miles on your vehicle. I dunno - I see pro's and con's for electric cars; way more pro's than con's a this point. The biggest con for me personally is I am not in the market for a new (or even used/new to me) car and don't intend to be for as long as I can. Constantly changing cars (gas or electric) is the best way to stay broke. None of my cars have built in cell phones or telemetry - and I value that quite a bit too!