5 ms·

I own a Chevy Bolt EV, one of the less expensive EVs on the US market (after tax rebates, it was about $30k USD). I purchased it in May 2017, so I've had almost

I own a Chevy Bolt EV, one of the less expensive EVs on the US market (after tax rebates, it was about $30k USD). I purchased it in May 2017, so I've had almost 8 years with this car. I feel like a lot of these write ups overlook other advantages of EVs. Some of my favorite things about this car: * It is very quiet, inside and out * It is very torquey, moving instantly when I push the accelerator * One-pedal driving is very pleasant * Charging at home feels like an incredible luxury (which it is) Occasionally I am required to drive my wife's Corolla, and despite being in good repair, it feels like driving an old jalopy; it vibrates constantly, it smells vaguely of exhaust, it moves forward on its own when I release the brakes, and it doesn't slow down much when I release the accelerator. There is also the time factor. Stopping at the gas station costs time, oil changes cost time, etc. I had to refill the windshield washer fluid a few days ago, and the tires need to be rotated occasionally, but that's about it so far. It is true that EVs depreciate quickly, but for someone like me, who intends to drive it until the wheels come off, that's of little concern. Also, due to the battery's thermal management, I have not observed any meaningful loss in average range yet (though I did receive the battery replacement recall a few years into my ownership, so the battery is only ~5 years old). Your mileage may vary, as they say.

the_gastropod 2y ago
I picked up a second-hand Bolt a few months ago, and couldn't agree more. It's such an underrated car. I paid $13k for a 2023 base model. Couldn't be happier with it.
- vannevar 2y ago
  The Bolt is far and away the best value EV on the used market, it's crazy that you can get a thermally managed battery and 250 miles of range for under $15k.
- vondur 2y ago
  I was looking at one; they are really cheap. I seen some 2 year old models for less than 20k with sub 40k miles. My wife ended up getting a new Subaru Outback so I took over her older Subaru Crosstrek Plugin Hybrid, which allows me to get to work on less than one charge.
variaga 2y ago
I have a 1.5-year old VW id.4. I cosign all of this (except the one-pedal driving - I prefer to leave mine in separate accel+brake mode), particularly the home charging - if you can get a home charger installed, it is a real game-changer. As compared to my previous (ICE) car, I never have to leave early because I'm low on gas & need to stop and fill up (or even have to go out of my way to fill up) and day-to-day I have less range anxiety with my EV because I always leave the house with a full charge. After the one-time expense of getting a charger installed it's both cheaper and more pleasant to operate than my old ICE.
- the_gastropod 2y ago
  I don't have a garage, and the whole "getting a charger installed" thing was a bit of a deterrent for me getting an EV. But after getting one, I've realized Level 1 charging on a standard 110V outlet is more than sufficient for my needs. On the Bolt, you add ~4 miles per hour of charging. So if you drive, on average, under ~50 miles per day (which most Americans do), a level 1 charger should easily handle your needs.
  - nomel 2y ago
    "Installing" a charger is just plugging it into the standard 240V outlet, maybe with a screw in the wall to hold it up. The cost is getting the outlet wired, with a possible upgrade to the panel. Some dishonest electricians have "charger installation" as a much higher price. I went with a fancy Wallbox charger at first, which promptly burnt out and was a general connection disaster, replacing it with a more consistent $60 Amazon charger. They're glorified relays, with a pulse train (no computer required) that is used to set/modulate car side power draw [1]. [1] https://www.picoauto.com/library/automotive-guided-tests/charger-vehicle-communications-type-2 https://www.picoauto.com/library/automotive-guided-tests/cha...
- natch 2y ago
  Generally speaking nobody needs a charger installed. A good three prong 110 outlet is sufficient. We found one single 110 outlet sufficient for two cars for two years with around town driving, having outside fast chargers as a backup if needed for longer trip days. One. And a 220 outlet is vastly, way beyond, sufficient for three cars. No charger. Just an outlet and a cable.
eckesicle 2y ago
I’ve also got an EV and I love it. I installed solar panels at home and the car is now pretty much completely free to drive during those summer months where I get enough sun to supply my house and the car. I think these panels had an ROI of around 4 years for me, which is crazy good.
- chad_c 2y ago
  What panels do you have? Do you have energy storage as well?
Marsymars 2y ago
> it doesn't slow down much when I release the accelerator. This is mostly personal preference. I’d preferentially have auto-regenerative-braking entirely disabled - I’ve already internalized a driving style with efficient coasting where auto-regen wastes more energy.
- DamnInteresting 2y ago
  > This is mostly personal preference For sure! I basically went directly from manual transmission to EV, so I was already accustomed to using the drivetrain to slow the vehicle when not accelerating. For me, one-pedal EV driving feels like a natural progression from the manual lifestyle.
- justinrubek 2y ago
  I was a big coasting driver before having an EV. I will admit I miss it slightly for how it feels. However, I don't find this to be genuine. Regenerative braking wastes more energy? That doesn't really add up if you're doing it correctly. Also, for every one of us coasting drivers there are many, many, many others that accelerate all the way to the light and slam on the breaks. I see it constantly and remember because it almost always slows down traffic.
  - planckscnst 2y ago
    Yes, it feels wasteful compared to my previous driving, in specific circumstances. I drove a manual transmission and made it a goal to not touch the brakes at all for red lights (given acceptable traffic conditions - sometimes people would just be annoyed or confused if I did it every time). I'd see the light from far back, understand its timing, and how many cars were stopped behind it and gauge when I should disengage the clutch and coast. It frequently worked out that I was arriving at the stopped car in front of me just as they were starting to move forward. It feels particularly satisfying not to lose all your momentum just to have to accelerate again from a dead stop. Overall, however, regenerative braking probably is better given the conditions don't always allow for this game.
    - 2y ago

the_gastropod 2y ago

I picked up a second-hand Bolt a few months ago, and couldn't agree more. It's such an underrated car. I paid $13k for a 2023 base model. Couldn't be happier with it.

vannevar 2y ago
The Bolt is far and away the best value EV on the used market, it's crazy that you can get a thermally managed battery and 250 miles of range for under $15k.
vondur 2y ago
I was looking at one; they are really cheap. I seen some 2 year old models for less than 20k with sub 40k miles. My wife ended up getting a new Subaru Outback so I took over her older Subaru Crosstrek Plugin Hybrid, which allows me to get to work on less than one charge.

variaga 2y ago

I have a 1.5-year old VW id.4. I cosign all of this (except the one-pedal driving - I prefer to leave mine in separate accel+brake mode), particularly the home charging - if you can get a home charger installed, it is a real game-changer. As compared to my previous (ICE) car, I never have to leave early because I'm low on gas & need to stop and fill up (or even have to go out of my way to fill up) and day-to-day I have less range anxiety with my EV because I always leave the house with a full charge. After the one-time expense of getting a charger installed it's both cheaper and more pleasant to operate than my old ICE.

the_gastropod 2y ago
I don't have a garage, and the whole "getting a charger installed" thing was a bit of a deterrent for me getting an EV. But after getting one, I've realized Level 1 charging on a standard 110V outlet is more than sufficient for my needs. On the Bolt, you add ~4 miles per hour of charging. So if you drive, on average, under ~50 miles per day (which most Americans do), a level 1 charger should easily handle your needs.
- nomel 2y ago
  "Installing" a charger is just plugging it into the standard 240V outlet, maybe with a screw in the wall to hold it up. The cost is getting the outlet wired, with a possible upgrade to the panel. Some dishonest electricians have "charger installation" as a much higher price. I went with a fancy Wallbox charger at first, which promptly burnt out and was a general connection disaster, replacing it with a more consistent $60 Amazon charger. They're glorified relays, with a pulse train (no computer required) that is used to set/modulate car side power draw [1]. [1] https://www.picoauto.com/library/automotive-guided-tests/charger-vehicle-communications-type-2 https://www.picoauto.com/library/automotive-guided-tests/cha...
natch 2y ago
Generally speaking nobody needs a charger installed. A good three prong 110 outlet is sufficient. We found one single 110 outlet sufficient for two cars for two years with around town driving, having outside fast chargers as a backup if needed for longer trip days. One. And a 220 outlet is vastly, way beyond, sufficient for three cars. No charger. Just an outlet and a cable.

eckesicle 2y ago

I’ve also got an EV and I love it. I installed solar panels at home and the car is now pretty much completely free to drive during those summer months where I get enough sun to supply my house and the car. I think these panels had an ROI of around 4 years for me, which is crazy good.

chad_c 2y ago
What panels do you have? Do you have energy storage as well?

Marsymars 2y ago

> it doesn't slow down much when I release the accelerator. This is mostly personal preference. I’d preferentially have auto-regenerative-braking entirely disabled - I’ve already internalized a driving style with efficient coasting where auto-regen wastes more energy.

DamnInteresting 2y ago
> This is mostly personal preference For sure! I basically went directly from manual transmission to EV, so I was already accustomed to using the drivetrain to slow the vehicle when not accelerating. For me, one-pedal EV driving feels like a natural progression from the manual lifestyle.
justinrubek 2y ago
I was a big coasting driver before having an EV. I will admit I miss it slightly for how it feels. However, I don't find this to be genuine. Regenerative braking wastes more energy? That doesn't really add up if you're doing it correctly. Also, for every one of us coasting drivers there are many, many, many others that accelerate all the way to the light and slam on the breaks. I see it constantly and remember because it almost always slows down traffic.
- planckscnst 2y ago
  Yes, it feels wasteful compared to my previous driving, in specific circumstances. I drove a manual transmission and made it a goal to not touch the brakes at all for red lights (given acceptable traffic conditions - sometimes people would just be annoyed or confused if I did it every time). I'd see the light from far back, understand its timing, and how many cars were stopped behind it and gauge when I should disengage the clutch and coast. It frequently worked out that I was arriving at the stopped car in front of me just as they were starting to move forward. It feels particularly satisfying not to lose all your momentum just to have to accelerate again from a dead stop. Overall, however, regenerative braking probably is better given the conditions don't always allow for this game.
  - 2y ago