Electric Cars -- anyone own one?

[NorCalMikie]

*By the US Government.

He was supplied assistance during WW2 from the German Government. Ford had a direct link to Auschwitz, and used captives as laborers to build vehicles for the Nazi regime in WW2. In fact he was awarded 'The Grand Service Cross of the Supreme Order of the German Eagle' from the Nazi/German party and built vehicles for the Nazis during WW2. More specifically trucks. I would say that is definitely government help... using slave labor and all. He used labor directly from Auschwitz to build his empire....

Here is a photo of him being awarded by the Nazi's.
View attachment 1597418

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

 

[Rick300]

No problems if you live in or close to a big city. Out in the country, you've got issues, and maybe NOT make it home??

I think that's the issue with most of the divide in this country. City folks don't understand $hit and want the government to fix everything

 

[NorCalMikie]

I'am from the government and I'am here to help???
Best thing would be for the government to KEEP YOUR NOSE OUT OF OUR BUSINESS!!

 

[1911nut]

I'am from the government and I'am here to help???
Best thing would be for the government to KEEP YOUR NOSE OUT OF OUR BUSINESS!!

A lot of women have been saying that lately

 

[Dgd6mm]

A lot of women have been saying that lately

I have to keep my mouth shut on that subject, due to the fact that either my post would be deleted or worse.
The 1st Amendment doesn't matter at times depending on who you are or what you say.
Vote ....NO.... on Amendment 4.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I'am kinda getting the feeling that WE the PEOPLE are getting (more) tired of the government sticking THEIR noses in OUR business???

And when it comes to owning/driving an EV, if it fits YOUR PLANS. and your wants, GO FOR IT!! It's YOUR $$$$ you're spending so it's none of our business.

And if it's gunna cost me anywhere between $50 to $100K for an EV, it better be a 32 or 34 Ford 2 door sedan, all EV that can go more that 150 miles.

DID almost get run over at a car show by a Lexus gas powered 32 5 window that was so quiet that I didn't hear it when it was RIGHT behind me. Think I could live with that. Not an EV but VERY doable.

 

[xr650rRider]

I'am kinda getting the feeling that WE the PEOPLE are getting (more) tired of the government sticking THEIR noses in OUR business???

Until you have a natural disaster, then everyone wonders where they are. The very ones who scream less, scream the loudest for help.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Until you have a natural disaster, then everyone wonders where they are.

I have friends and neighbors that would help as needed. As much as I would do for them as the need arises.

 

[dellet]

Until you have a natural disaster, then everyone wonders where they are. The very ones who scream less, scream the loudest for help.

Considering that we essentially pay the government to help with disasters with tax dollars, screaming loudly when they don’t respond is legitimate.

Just as screaming loudly when the same government spends the money we gave them inappropriately is justified.

A hood example of money poorly spent would be the cable company currently digging up 4 miles of private road to bring internet to the unwashed masses. Not a house on that road is currently without internet. When questioned as to who gave them permission to lay the cable, the answer was that it was part of the federal plan to bring internet to rural America. The project is currently on hold once the digging crew was informed they were on private property without an easement and are the first ones named not only in the cease and desist order, but also financially responsible to return the road to pre digging condition. And any extra expenses incurred this winter for snow management.

Pretty good reasons in my mind to raise hell when they don’t do what they are lawfully responsible for, disaster relief. As well as scream even louder when they commit actual crimes against citizens.

Mandating the type of vehicles that we will be allowed to drive falls somewhere in between

 

[jds holler]

Considering that we essentially pay the government to help with disasters with tax dollars, screaming loudly when they don’t respond is legitimate.

Just as screaming loudly when the same government spends the money we gave them inappropriately is justified.

Pretty good reasons in my mind to raise hell when they don’t do what they are lawfully responsible for, disaster relief. As well as scream even louder when they commit actual crimes against citizens.

Mandating the type of vehicles that we will be allowed to drive falls somewhere in between

There is so much waste, graft, corruption, and outright theft of our tax dollars, that it is no wonder that most of us are skeptical ANYTIME we see a government program that doesn't immediately make good sense -- and you can't blame us.
And it doesn't help when half the population believes that the best solution is simply to tax the rich guys more, and give it to the guys who already pay nothing. jd

 

[Knotwild]

Our government should be operated based on the Elon Musk simplicity action. Example [from his biography]: he analyzes his product and questions whether a part is needed - or not. If the answer he gets is "it's required" he asks "by who and what is their contact info". His theory is he is successful when he has eliminated so many parts, he has to reinstate the use of 10% of them. Think a moment and let that settle.

For me, in this theory, parts = people, rules, laws, and agencies. It would be a beautiful model for our government.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Considering that we essentially pay the government to help with disasters with tax dollars, screaming loudly when they don’t respond is legitimate.

Just as screaming loudly when the same government spends the money we gave them inappropriately is justified.

A hood example of money poorly spent would be the cable company currently digging up 4 miles of private road to bring internet to the unwashed masses. Not a house on that road is currently without internet. When questioned as to who gave them permission to lay the cable, the answer was that it was part of the federal plan to bring internet to rural America. The project is currently on hold once the digging crew was informed they were on private property without an easement and are the first ones named not only in the cease and desist order, but also financially responsible to return the road to pre digging condition. And any extra expenses incurred this winter for snow management.

Pretty good reasons in my mind to raise hell when they don’t do what they are lawfully responsible for, disaster relief. As well as scream even louder when they commit actual crimes against citizens.

Mandating the type of vehicles that we will be allowed to drive falls somewhere in between

Well said, thank you for posting.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Getting back to electric cars, my brother just bought this thing. All electric Hummer.
850 HP out of three electric motors. It is supposed to have a 350 mile range.
It needs every bit of that power, since it tops 9000 pounds.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Getting back to electric cars, my brother just bought this thing. All electric Hummer.
850 HP out of three electric motors. It is supposed to have a 350 mile range.
It needs every bit of that power, since it tops 9000 pounds.View attachment 1600889

Whatever blows your hair back. And, I'll bet NOBODY twisted HIS arm to make him buy it.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

A 9,000 lb beast.....imagine getting T-boned in a KIA by that thing!

He'll also have to pay attention to bridge loading signs in his area or anywhere he plans to drive the thing. I also wonder what the battery replacement charge will be, along with battery "disposal fees"......

 

[fn1889m]

I previously posted to this thread, but with a 12 step program I was able to stop.

ETA: this post is a non-political review of one car and my driving experience over the last year plus. If it’s too long for you, you don’t need to read it. Someone posted a summary below.

i have owned my 23 Toyota EV (Model Bz4x, AWD, base trim), for something over a year. The vehicle cost $43,500 plus tax and license. I have driven about 11,500 miles in that time. This is my review after a year of driving. It is just about the vehicle, EV charging, and my driving experience. Nothing is intended to be a comment on politics, the election, or global warming. Just the car.
The vehicle is a 2023 Toyota AWD SUV. It is jointly sold by Toyota and Subaru. It has 8 inches of true ground clearance. Because of its weight and AWD it has been good on gravel roads for summer hikes, wet pavement, and holds the road well on corners. The steering is very tight - short turn radius. It resembles a Toyota RAV4, but is slightly larger. It has Subaru traction aids for gravel and snow. Although this is a base model, nothing has broken, the computer system works fine, and it lives up to Toyota’s general reputation for a quality build.

I installed my own 220V plug and breaker, and charge with a “dumb” plug in charger at 32 amps. Maximum milage is about 265 miles without climate (summer), an minimum milage is 212 miles with climate (winter). I only charge at home since installing my own Level 2 charger. I pay about 11 cents per KwH for electricity. In rough numbers, that is the equivalent of about $1 per gallon of gas for energy.

The milage is based on driving style, terrain, and interior climate settings. What shows on the display is a “best guess“. The percentage of remaining charge is the accurate number. Heat and AC can use up to 20% of the charge. Driving uphill takes twice the energy as driving on a flat road. On the other hand, driving downhill actually adds charge to the battery because the motors act as generators when you coast or brake. Also, you don’t gain any charge going downhill if the battery is fully charged. If I am driving less than 200 miles I don’t even think about these things. But if I am going to “drive to the end of the extension cord“ it’s good to keep the terrain in mind.

The vehicle has a number of different levels for power/acceleration and climate control. They go from conservative, which maximizes driving distance per charge, to “burn baby burn“. I have mine set in the middle ranges and just leave them there. “ECO” powertrain dampens acceleration and other driving habits to maximize range, and “ECO “climate control minimizes heat and air conditioning to maximize range.

The primary downside to the vehicle is that infrastructure does not yet exist to conveniently drive cross country in rural areas. It’s no problem driving on I five between Vancouver Canada and the Mexican border. You can charge every 20 miles if you want. But if you want to do a trip through the United States exclusively in rural areas, you may get trapped in some backwater town and never be able to leave. If you needed to drive over 200–225 miles per day, this would not be the vehicle for you. There are electric cars that have more battery/mileage capacity. And they cost more. This vehicle is about standard for what is available for this price range.

i’ve had the car in for two regularly scheduled maintenance and service trips. I have had zero mechanical problems other than having to put some air in the tires.

I had some medical issues in February, 2024. A close friend drove the vehicle to all the hospital trips, of which there were many. For a while this was twice a week. Although my friend originally encouraged me to get a hybrid vehicle, after driving this car for six months, she had no reservations about it. Neither of us are hot riders, or car fanatics. Based upon driving ease, reliability, comfort, power, and low maintenance, we are both very happy with the vehicle.

The downside of this vehicle, common with all electric vehicles, is battery capacity. I am so use too filling up at every potent gas station that even my 2007 Ford Ranger pick up was a reliable cross country car. As much as I dreaded the cost of a tank of gas, it always got me there eventually. Though not always in comfort. On the other hand, if I am driving into the backwoods to go hiking, I checked maps, look at terrain, and have noticeable anxiety about Mileage per charge with the Toyota EV. This isn’t about this particular vehicle. I would have that same anxiety with any EV.

The vehicle does not have a spare tire or a “donut“. Instead, it has a free flat repair service, a can of rubberized foam, and an electric tire pump you plug into the cigarette holder. I am going to buy a donut or get “run flats“ on my next major purchase for the vehicle. When I go hiking I’m on bad roads with no cell coverage. The free repair service is unavailable. And the can of foam will not work in a sidewall puncture.

All in all, I still like the car after driving it for a year. I have not had any major problems. I do have range anxiety. But nothing I can’t deal with by being aware of my route. I wish I had a spare tire.I’m still happy with the vehicle after a year.

I do have strong opinions about politics, global warming, tax credits, and related issues. But I’m not talking about them. This is just about the car. It runs well, it’s comfortable to drive, and is a good car.

 

[jxb]

A 9,000 lb beast.....imagine getting T-boned in a KIA by that thing!

He'll also have to pay attention to bridge loading signs in his area or anywhere he plans to drive the thing. I also wonder what the battery replacement charge will be, along with battery "disposal fees"......

Yeah I'd rather have a 3500 diesel, which are also 9000lbs but a battery replacement is considerably cheaper and you can pick one up most anywhere. Not to mention fuel, which you can also get most anywhere.

The EV does beat it in the noise dept and the car versions make total sense for use in and around metro areas.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Getting back to electric cars, my brother just bought this thing. All electric Hummer.
850 HP out of three electric motors. It is supposed to have a 350 mile range.
It needs every bit of that power, since it tops 9000 pounds.View attachment 1600889

Jackie your your a good salesman. Lol.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

fn889m.......that wall of text is an immediate 'no read' to many, including me. Paragraph breaks anyone?

 

[rr2030]

fn889m.......that wall of text is an immediate 'no read' to many, including me. Paragraph breaks anyone?

After reading the entire post, I ran it through Chat GPT and requested it be summarized, this is what it spit out:

This is a review of a 2023 Toyota BZ4X AWD EV after a year of ownership, with no discussion of political or environmental issues. The vehicle cost $43,500, and over 11,500 miles driven, it’s proven reliable, comfortable, and well-built. Its 8-inch ground clearance, AWD, and Subaru traction aids make it suitable for gravel and wet roads, although it lacks a spare tire, which the owner notes as a concern when hiking in remote areas.

Charging is done at home using a self-installed Level 2 charger. The vehicle’s range varies by conditions: around 265 miles in warm weather and 212 miles in colder conditions. Driving habits, terrain, and climate settings influence range, and features like regenerative braking help recover charge on downhill drives. However, the lack of rural charging infrastructure limits the car’s suitability for long cross-country trips in remote areas.

The owner is satisfied with the vehicle’s performance, reliability, and low maintenance needs, though they experience range anxiety on backroad trips. Overall, they are happy with their EV’s practicality and build quality, despite minor limitations typical of current EV technology.