Love to buy an EV but...

Discussion in 'General' started by C02less, Mar 21, 2021.

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  1. brulaz

    brulaz Active Member

    Another diff between the Bolt and Kona is charging speed. Roughly:
    Kona's max DC is 77kW or 370km/hr
    Bolt's DC max is 46kW or 210km/hr
    For long trips if you have access to >50kW charging, that diff can be significant.
    Again: "Time or Money"
     
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  3. Most BC Hydro fast chargers (and others) in BC right now are 50kW, and they seem to only deliver 46 - 48 kW max most of the time anyway. So while the Kona is capable of more, would have to use the much more expensive Petro Canada (and some others), which are not worth it for that slightly extra speed. The 50kW ones will be .21 per min starting May 1, if the rate plan is approved. So the Bolt won't be at much of a disadvantage with that.

    And remember, that you never charge for an hour at a fast charger. My Kona starts to taper the charge at 70%, so that is when I usually stop. Normal fast charge time for me is usually around 20 min.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2021
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  4. Txev84

    Txev84 New Member

    Would a level 2 at home get you charge up overnight enough to make your commute?


     
  5. Yes I already have a level 2 charger in my garage. Now I just need the car, lol.
     
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  6. Like RP says the DCFC in our area are 50kW. I did a trip in my car-share Bolt this winter at -20C and at the 50kW stations this is how much juice I could suck up:
    1 hr 7 minutes: 26.4kWh
    1 hr 1 minute: 24.1 kWh
    That's less than what the DCFC is capable of putting out, restricted by the Bolt I assume. That's also about one hour charging per hour of driving in the Bolt at -20C. Not great on longer trips where I need to charge en route multiple times. I was wondering if anyone has Kona data to compare the range and charging speed at -20C?

    Fortunately most of my trips are shorter and one stop at a DCFC is usually enough. And the DCFC on my routine trips are at good places to stop so no big deal. But there are some longer wintertime jaunts where the hour driving / hour charging could really get tedious in the Bolt.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2021
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  8. A roomy heated back seat and a floor that folds flat? Chevy, why didn't you think of this when I was a teenager?
     
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  9. Trent Leon

    Trent Leon New Member

    I would love to hear the forum's thoughts/interest level on the following:

    $30/month
    At home Level 2 charger with network (ability to charge guests, can turn on and off with phone, track usage, etc...)
    Home installation included
    Free upgrade every 5 years
    25% off all level 2 charging stations

    Really appreciate any and all feedback.
     

  10. I have a GE Dura station that I purchased new for $300, I installed a permitted NEMA 1450 out let for $150 parts and permit. I did my own installation. I have had it for 8 years. Total cost $450. 8 years at $30/per month would be $2880. For that amount I could have had a Licensed electrician install the EVSE and it would sill have been cheaper to pay up front. Plus there are a number of rebates and tax credits for installing and purchasing EVSE's. And newer model BEV's like the Mustang Mach-E come with a 40 amp Level 2 EVSE.
     
  11. Not a chance. They are very cheap to buy now, and many don't even need one, regular L1 is good enough. And most L2 stations are free anyway, at least where I live.
     
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  13. Bruce M.

    Bruce M. Well-Known Member

    Not for me.
     
  14. GvilleGuy

    GvilleGuy Well-Known Member

    This would not work for me. Cheaper to pay for one up front for the length of time I plan to have the charger.
     
  15. Decision made. A 2021 Kona electric preferred followed me home on April fools day!
     
    electriceddy, R P and Clamps like this.
  16. Nice! What color?
     
  17. Red. You might not hear me but at least you can see me.
     
  18. It requires new training but most importantly an EV requires new equipment and tools. Not as simple as reading a manual and then swapping parts on an EV like you would on an ICE car.

    Just something to keep in mind with EV ownership. Shops may not be equipped to work on EVs and you may have longer wait times than ICE owners. BUT you shouldn't need to go to the shop as often as ICE cars.

    EVs are generally very reliable and recalls happen for almost every ICE model out there. I never owned a car that didn't have recalls but also never had major issues from parts that were recalled. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about them.
     
  19. Just discussing this at work with a staff member who's husband is a car mechanic and is worried that his business (among many other mechanics) will start to disappear as more people drive EVs.
     
    electriceddy likes this.
  20. In BC a new EV training program for licensed mechanics has been implemented, I would think Ontario (and the rest of Canada for that matter) would be wise to follow this example :
    https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EMPR0113-002331
    Additionally the training has been recently expanded and re funded under the "Work from Ohm" program :
    https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/work-from-ohm-bc-government-investing-in-ev-mechanic-training:)
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2021
  21. I don't think ICE cars will go away for a long time. Places that rely on servicing new cars such as dealership shops will definitely lose some business but a typical mechanic shop will still have business from used car owners.

    Also people will find a way to break something so even EVs will need repair from time to time just not as often as ICE cars.
     
    Clamps likes this.
  22. miatadan

    miatadan Active Member Subscriber

    Love to buy an EV but...
    In my case would not consider any Hyundai Ioniq or Kona/ Kia Niro or Soul EV even if they became lower priced than ICE cars. Build quality too poor.

    Will wait to see how long before Voltswagon id4 becomes available. This seems be be better affordable EV that is RWD or AWD .

    In Canada choices very limited if Tesla out of your budget.

    Also if short range works than PHEV from Honda, Toyota, BMW, Ford be better choice than Hyundai, Kia products

    Dan
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2021
  23. miatadan

    miatadan Active Member Subscriber

    Maybe too negative re : Hyundai and Kia but this viewpoint is from being in some model's of the Ascent and Sonata. Maybe they are better built now.
     

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