3 ms·

26% actually seems quite low to me. In my experience with EV rentals, it was over 50%, and I kept track. In 2022, I purposely rented a Kia to go from SF to Sa

26% actually seems quite low to me. In my experience with EV rentals, it was over 50%, and I kept track. In 2022, I purposely rented a Kia to go from SF to Sacramento. I wanted to try it out and thought of all places in the US, Northern California would be the safest place to do it. This was the eye opener. Connection issues with the chargers, non-responsive touch screens, damaged chargers, payment systems failing. I was lucky to see "Out of order" messages, because at least I wouldn't be wasting my time. In 2023, I had a Bolt hoisted on me by Hertz in Boston for a round trip from Logan to Central CT. I planned to charge in CT during my visit, and wasted about an hour with the same issues. Thinking I could super charge, on the way, found 1 super charge station on I-95 between CT and Logan, and that was way past at the exit I left. I had to travel at around 60mph on that whole trip to keep the charge in the green. I arrived at Logan with no charge, and 45 min till my flight took off. Neither rental company (Avis and then Hertz) provided Tesla adapters. Also in 2023, Hertz shoved a Tesla on me in Houston, but I figured an urban area, I'd be fine. I was, but the Tesla station closest to where I was staying was completely out for maintenance. Thank God for Buc-ee's. They had a bunch of Tesla chargers there. Not only are the networks bad, the apps are garbage. Bad, incorrect data is just one problem. The ones I use don't live update your location as you go, requiring manual swipes. I also experienced random crashes. Imagine fighting with these stupid apps to get to a charger that has a 50/50 chance of working, then use these crappy apps again to get another coin toss. I'm considering an EV for my commute, but I am going to avoid situations where I rely on the public charging network.

oliwarner 2y ago
Have owned a Tesla for a year or so. Longest single trip has been 1400 miles. I've never seen a broken supercharger. I've always been able to find a charger, even if it's a non-Tesla one. That 1400mi used superchargers the whole way and none required interacting with touch screens or apps. Third party chargers are spottier. The Tesla can navigate to them but many require signing up, apps, etc. Some handle PAYG with a card like a normal fuel pump but they're still rare IME. But if you're considering buying one, you're probably not driving it in the same way as a rental. We do 40-50mi a day and it just charges at home overnight at a cheap rate. Even catches some solar in summer. It's more convenient than having to do a fuel shop every couple of weeks and about a fifth the price (UK). It's also the most powerful car we've ever owned. You've driven one, you know. Even the single motor Teslas accelerate like supercars.

oliwarner 2y ago

Have owned a Tesla for a year or so. Longest single trip has been 1400 miles. I've never seen a broken supercharger. I've always been able to find a charger, even if it's a non-Tesla one. That 1400mi used superchargers the whole way and none required interacting with touch screens or apps. Third party chargers are spottier. The Tesla can navigate to them but many require signing up, apps, etc. Some handle PAYG with a card like a normal fuel pump but they're still rare IME. But if you're considering buying one, you're probably not driving it in the same way as a rental. We do 40-50mi a day and it just charges at home overnight at a cheap rate. Even catches some solar in summer. It's more convenient than having to do a fuel shop every couple of weeks and about a fifth the price (UK). It's also the most powerful car we've ever owned. You've driven one, you know. Even the single motor Teslas accelerate like supercars.