Would you buy an EV if you weren't able to charge at home?

[xQx]

Originally Posted by jmg

They are available in parts of the world, but not for Tesla's. Our electric trike for hire used one in Boracay.

Better Place was a company that introduced a battery swap station. They had 21 charge stations live when they went bankrupt.

I think it's got a lot of potential for EV taxi's or EV trucks; but as much as the ICE camp like to harp on about range anxiety, it's just not a big issue for most owners.

That said, EV owners are self-selecting currently. The problem might get a lot bigger if places like the EU follow through on their whole "all new cars must be EV by 2030" crap

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by eluded

Would you buy an EV If you couldn't charge it at work for free? :-)

Our chargers at work aren't free but it isn't unusual to see them all occupied by model 3. Apparently BMW is working on the i4 GC based on the upcoming 4 series GC with approx 400+ miles range so this will be a compelling alternative to the 3.

[BeEmVe]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I asked because 220V comes off from the transformer at the street and into the breaker panel. I think it is against code otherwise, so really in the breaker panel you have both busses live with 120 on each, correct?

Correct, I just choose not to run 220 to the kitchen and laundry room. But the kitchen every other outlet is on a different bus.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by xQx

...if I lived somewhere with a power socket and a garage, but I were prohibited to use it due to some arbitrary rule set forth by my landlord or HOA; I'd proceed to ignore the rule until they kicked me out.

This specific topic isn't an issue at my condo complex, but if you get on the wrong side of the condo association, the first thing they do is start fining you, and banning you from using any common areas. This of course includes the parking lot. If you're banned, and they find your car on site it gets towed, and it isn't released until you pay your association fines. This is a particular issue in my town because there is no legal overnight street parking to use if you're banned from the parking lot.

I'm not sure where things go if you don't use any common areas like the parking lot, gym, pool, etc..

[noah_garcia]

I recently bought an EV even though I'm not able to charge it at home. I'm in San Jose and have many charging EV stations a try disposal. I use plugshare app to find available EV charging stations near my office or home.
Here is the link if you want to try https://www.plugshare.com/directory/...ornia/san-jose

[yousefnjr]

I almost never charge mine at home even though I have a garage. It’s better to have a charger at work IMO, don’t have to pay for anything and you’ll be there for a while anyway. The nicer cars can stay in the garage, win-win the i3 is actually quite good parked on the street as the climate control will turn on automatically a few minutes before I leave in the morning, car is always toasty

Also saw it mentioned that EV’s were expensive. That’s not always true. Some of it depends where you live, but I’ve seen plenty of sub $200/mo leases on i3’s, and just saw last week on leasehackr some guy was able to get a bolt for $17/mo lol. No typo. FWIW, for the price of our X7 we could’ve gotten 4-5 more i3’s, not including the gas money...

[clee1982]

definitely would not, for me to buy EV I need to be able to charge at home (or where ever I park overnight)

whether I can charge at work or not is a bit secondary...

[Conissah]

No, this is the reason I don't have an EV right now. My apartment garage has an outlet, but I didn't want to make my M sit outside in the lot to charge my daily driver. I don't have the option of charging at work either.

When a house is purchased, I will revisit the idea of an EV as my daily, but for now, no.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

I almost never charge mine at home even though I have a garage. It’s better to have a charger at work IMO, don’t have to pay for anything and you’ll be there for a while anyway. The nicer cars can stay in the garage, win-win the i3 is actually quite good parked on the street as the climate control will turn on automatically a few minutes before I leave in the morning, car is always toasty

Also saw it mentioned that EV’s were expensive. That’s not always true. Some of it depends where you live, but I’ve seen plenty of sub $200/mo leases on i3’s, and just saw last week on leasehackr some guy was able to get a bolt for $17/mo lol. No typo. FWIW, for the price of our X7 we could’ve gotten 4-5 more i3’s, not including the gas money...

i3s depreciate like a rock. You can find them for less than $15k everywhere. I've heard of super cheap lease deals on i3, wonder if that's what my co worker did. How did that guy get $17/mo for a bolt? I know they don't sell that well but that's practically giving it away. I have my own home with a garage but it's only 110 volt. I may get an EV at some point but I like the sound of an aftermarket exhaust. My loaner with a 2 liter is too quiet and not that fast.

[yousefnjr]

^^ re: volt, local rebate + stacked incentives + good discount from dealer, here’s his story

i3 depreciation is nutty, definitely best to lease and let that be somebody else’s problem. BMW insists they make money of every i3, but they’ve also been basically giving them away for a couple years now, so who knows. All I know is mine costs me about what I was paying for gas in my M roady anyway

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

^^ re: volt, local rebate + stacked incentives + good discount from dealer, here's his story

i3 depreciation is nutty, definitely best to lease and let that be somebody else's problem. BMW insists they make money of every i3, but they've also been basically giving them away for a couple years now, so who knows. All I know is mine costs me about what I was paying for gas in my M roady anyway

I need a car that's fast and fun to drive. Might be willing to spend a little more for a used model s

[heavyD^2]

I'm surprised so many people think that filling up their vehicle once a week is such a chore. If you fill up once a week it's a task that literally takes only 10 minutes out of your week unless you live in an area where you have to drive out of your way to reach a gas station which is not the norm in North America.

[Conissah]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

I'm surprised so many people think that filling up their vehicle once a week is such a chore. If you fill up once a week it's literally 10 minutes out of your week. Unless you live in an area where you have to drive out of your way to reach a gas station which is not the norm in North America.

I have more than 1 vehicle, and none of them will do my weekly mileage on one tank. Between the M2, my Miata, and my Ducati, I'm filling up AT LEAST twice a week. The Duc is only good for 2 days of back and forth to work, albeit it takes my maybe 2 minutes to fill, but having to stop after work is the last thing I wanna do. I just want to get home and relax.

[Obioban]

I wouldn't own an EV if I couldn't charge it either at home or at work. Having a constantly charged EV is way more convenient than the 2.5 gas station trips I used to have to make per week (100 mile daily commute). Having to wait to a charge session would make it hugely less convenient. Plus, charging at home is stupidly cheap compared to public chargers. A full charge at home costs me less than $2.00. A full charge on a public charger rarely costs less than $10.

... though either is less than the $700 of gas per month I used to buy... :P

[GenXer]

I think soon there will be plenty of public chargers around and charge time will reduce significantly so home charging will not be necessary. Additionally, new houses will be equipped to handle high voltage level 2 chargers. Right now, we are in the between stage. The infrastructure will take time to catch up with the auto industry. I love my ICE vehicles but having a dedicated electric commuter seems like a good idea too.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I think soon there will be plenty of public chargers around and charge time will reduce significantly so home charging will not be necessary. Additionally, new houses will be equipped to handle high voltage level 2 chargers. Right now, we are in the between stage. The infrastructure will take time to catch up with the auto industry. I love my ICE vehicles but having a dedicated electric commuter seems like a good idea too.

Home charging is so cheap and so convenient that I can't imagine wanting to ever use a public charger.

It's funny-- we're so conditioned to go to gas stations that you don't really think about it when you do it. But, once you get used to commuting in an EV/get out of the habit of getting gas... going to gas station feels dirty (pump handle) and like a huge waste of your time and money.

[W///]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Yes, or any of the other reasons why someone might choose an EV. Here are some other opinions:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/electric...hicle-benefits

I started driving an EV (a Focus Electric) a few months ago as a challenge to myself to see what the hype is about.

For me, not being able to charge at home would have been a deal killer. But for some folks, even without that ability, depending on beliefs, circumstance, and goals, they may be willing to make whatever compromises are necessary.

What's been your thought so far?

Currently, my commute is only about 8 miles each way, so an electric car would work pretty well in my life. With gas being around $2.10 per gallon in my area, I just haven't felt the need to make the switch yet. Plus I wouldn't want to sell any of my cars for one at the moment either.

However, in combined driving, I don't think any of my 4 cars get more than 20 MPG max, so it is a concern should gas go back up to $4 per gallon like it did back in 2008.

For me, I'd consider a 2017/8 BMW i3 in a couple of years, full electric non-REX.

P.S. I would just charge at home at 110V, or occasionally at work. I don't see the need to upgrade to faster charging than that, especially considering I have plenty of other cars I can rotate.

[Conissah]

Originally Posted by W///

For me, I'd consider a 2017/8 BMW i3 in a couple of years, full electric non-REX.

P.S. I would just charge at home at 110V, or occasionally at work. I don't see the need to upgrade to faster charging than that, especially considering I have plenty of other cars I can rotate.

The i3 just looks to goofy for me. I'm kind of excited to see the Mini E's hit the market, starting at right under $30k, which means in a year or 2 they should be had 2nd hand for around $20k. Used Leaf's are also a bargain, even if they do look very Pruis-ey.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Conissah

The i3 just looks to goofy for me. I'm kind of excited to see the Mini E's hit the market, starting at right under $30k, which means in a year or 2 they should be had 2nd hand for around $20k. Used Leaf's are also a bargain, even if they do look very Pruis-ey.

I like the LCI i3, and have always liked the interiors (especially with the eucalyptus trim). The front bumpers without the round fog lights look so much more balanced to me.

Also saw Leafs can be had for like $6k, but never driven one. Wouldn't be a bad beater car assuming you don't live in a super warm environment.

[Alfisti]

You know, if you people in North America just had proper electricity voltage half your problems with EV would evaporate. Why you use 120v is fucking beyond me.

[Conissah]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You know, if you people in North America just had proper electricity voltage half your problems with EV would evaporate. Why you use 120v is fucking beyond me.

You're in NA though, don't they use 120 in Canadia as well? Not sure how upping the voltage is really relevant when you're talking 10 hours of charge time... Plug it in when you get home from work, unplug it when you leave. It'll be at 100% whether it takes 2 hours to charge, or 10 hours. Not seeing your point.

The whole argument here is NOT being able to charge at home, in which case most people said they won't consider an EV at all.

[Alfisti]

I'm in Canada but Australian expat.