Any GTAM'ers own an electric vehicle?

[SunnY S]

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We have booked with Ford for their PHEV Escape tomorrow. Battery will be charged and ready.

Ford offering 0% financing up to 72 months.

.

I've been reading nothing but horror stories on the Escape,

2024 Ford Escape Among Consumer Reports' Small SUVs To Avoid

The 2024 Ford Escape was once again among the list of small SUVs that Consumer Reports recommends consumers avoid.

fordauthority.com

I could have saved thousands: Ford Escape owner frustrated PHEV can’t be used as intended after recall

Since the recall was issued Jason Turner hasn’t been able to drive his higher-cost PHEV on electric power alone

www.theglobeandmail.com

Honda doesn't offer a PHEV, but there is a reason they easily sell every hybrid CR-V they make and its a top seller.

Toyota is your best bet if you want a PHEV

 

[nakkers]

I've been reading nothing but horror stories on the Escape,

2024 Ford Escape Among Consumer Reports' Small SUVs To Avoid

The 2024 Ford Escape was once again among the list of small SUVs that Consumer Reports recommends consumers avoid.

fordauthority.com

I could have saved thousands: Ford Escape owner frustrated PHEV can’t be used as intended after recall

Since the recall was issued Jason Turner hasn’t been able to drive his higher-cost PHEV on electric power alone

www.theglobeandmail.com

Honda doesn't offer a PHEV, but there is a reason they easily sell every hybrid CR-V they make and its a top seller.

Toyota is your best bet if you want a PHEV

My profile pic of Canadian flag is a signal to have elbows up and support Canada. As much as I want to support Canadian assembled vehicles, asking a Honda dealer to order a middle trim hybrid CRV is welcomed with we have this higher trim model in stock for only a few dollars more a month and the wait for that order will take months but, we can do it if you really want to.

Fords are a mixed bag and the 2025 PHEV power train seems to be sorted with the 2.5 Atkinson cycle engine without a turbo and similar electric motor and transmission design to Toyota.

The infotainment system will be something to check for certain. I think the speed has improved the last couple of years. But, have read complaints about the lack of hard buttons and navigating to accessing accessories etc.

 

[nobbie48]

France says Tesla lied about FSD and more, 4 months to comply or be fined

France says Tesla has violated the law in several ways, by lying about FSD and trade-ins, delays in refunding canceled orders, and others.

electrek.co

My buddy pays ~$100 a month for FSD. I hope he doesn't take the safety for granted.

 

[MacDoc]

Now even more jealous.

Pace of electrification moving quickly. op:

We test the baffling hubless Verge TS Pro electric motorbike

The Verge TS is anything but cheap, but it does feature cutting-edge technology.

arstechnica.com

 

[Brian P]

Now even more jealous.

Pace of electrification moving quickly. op:

We test the baffling hubless Verge TS Pro electric motorbike

The Verge TS is anything but cheap, but it does feature cutting-edge technology.

arstechnica.com

I recall hearing about Verge, but forgot about them. Looks like they've pulled it off. I'd ride that!

 

[MacDoc]

Great feature mix and outstanding look. I'm used to the brakes on the bars and quite like that.
More in my budget Suzuki is releasing an Electric small Burgman.

Whether it makes it to Aus is a question. 1.5 Lahk is $2700 Australian....anything in that range I'd be in but not yet. Still encouraging to see the progress.

 

[GreyGhost]

Great feature mix and outstanding look. I'm used to the brakes on the bars and quite like that.
More in my budget Suzuki is releasing an Electric small Burgman.

Whether it makes it to Aus is a question. 1.5 Lahk is $2700 Australian....anything in that range I'd be in but not yet. Still encouraging to see the progress.

If oz market is anything like Canada, the price in India is immaterial. Sure the converted price is $2700 but they don't sell anything with wheels for less than 5k here and options below 7.5k are limited. Almost the same product, price doubled or tripled because they can.

 

[Dirty Frank]

Now even more jealous.

Pace of electrification moving quickly. op:

We test the baffling hubless Verge TS Pro electric motorbike

The Verge TS is anything but cheap, but it does feature cutting-edge technology.

arstechnica.com

Now even more jealous.

Pace of electrification moving quickly. op:

We test the baffling hubless Verge TS Pro electric motorbike

The Verge TS is anything but cheap, but it does feature cutting-edge technology.

arstechnica.com

My condolences to the poor souls that have invested in that electric startup.

 

[PrivatePilot]

Was coming out of the Canadian Tire parking lot a few days ago and, of course, a Tesla started randomly backing out of a parking spot without really seeming to be aware that I was coming.

So I stop.

Car creeps out at insanely slow speed. Stops, finally starts moving forward.

And stops.

Moves forward a little more, left signal on.

Sits and waits a crazy amount of time for several cars in cross traffic to pass when an assertive maneuver would have been perfectly capable of getting the heck out of the way without waiting.

Finally moves ahead starts to get out of my way that I can start to turn right to go where I wanted to go. Stops again. Just enough space to get by but I'm now wondering if the driver is drunk or something.

It was at that point that I saw there was nobody in the drivers seat. Looked over to the doors at the Canadian Tire and there's the doofus owner with his phone out staring intently at the car, presumably using the "Summon" feature. The parking spot it was in was literally about 50 feet from where he was standing.

The car finally get the **** out of my way and I turned right and continued on, only to look in my mirrors and see the stupid Tesla now stopped on a 45 degree angle blocking both lanes while owner dude stood there poking at his screen. Hazard lights came on.

That sure is great technology. /s

 

[MacDoc]

More on the Verge

Verge E-Motorcycle Sets World Record For Distance On Single Charge - ADV Pulse

Range anxiety has long been a key concern for motorcyclists considering the switch from gas-powered engines to electric alternatives — especially among adventure riders, who often venture far from established infrastructure. But if a Guinness World Record set in late March is any indication...

www.advpulse.com

Smart move to open up the hubless tech

This EV Motorcycle Company Is Making Its Tech Available To Other Manufacturers

Verge Motorcycles announced its newest project: Next. It's meant to make EV technology accessible to manufacturers.

www.rideapart.com

Fins not known for flights of fancy but rather decent engineering.

Verge Motorcycles is backed by several investors, including two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen, who has also designed a signature model with the company. Additionally, the company's CEO, Tuomo Lehtimäki, is also a key figure and investor. Verge Motorcycles is also supported by a team of engineers and designers who have helped them develop their unique rim motor technology.

Mika has 50 million net worth to play with and Finland is not shy in helping its corporations.

Finland's government holds ownership stakes in numerous companies, ranging from majority holdings to minority shareholdings. Some of these companies are strategically important for the country's infrastructure, energy, and accessibility. Examples include Fortum, Neste, Finnair, and Fingrid.

Majority-owned companies:

• Fortum: A major energy company, with the state holding a majority stake.
• Finnair: The national airline, where the state maintains a controlling interest.
• Alko: The state alcohol monopoly.
• Posti: The national postal service.
• VR: The national railway company.
• Veikkaus: The national betting agency.
• Yleisradio: The Finnish Broadcasting Company.

Press releases - Verge Motorcycles

Find the latest press releases from Verge Motorcycles’ exhilarating journey across the world.

www.vergemotorcycles.com

 

[MacDoc]

Some of the UK charging stations look nicely thought out and appear to work.
He loves the bike tho harsh ride on less than perfect roads.

 

[wonderings]

Was coming out of the Canadian Tire parking lot a few days ago and, of course, a Tesla started randomly backing out of a parking spot without really seeming to be aware that I was coming.

So I stop.

Car creeps out at insanely slow speed. Stops, finally starts moving forward.

And stops.

Moves forward a little more, left signal on.

Sits and waits a crazy amount of time for several cars in cross traffic to pass when an assertive maneuver would have been perfectly capable of getting the heck out of the way without waiting.

Finally moves ahead starts to get out of my way that I can start to turn right to go where I wanted to go. Stops again. Just enough space to get by but I'm now wondering if the driver is drunk or something.

It was at that point that I saw there was nobody in the drivers seat. Looked over to the doors at the Canadian Tire and there's the doofus owner with his phone out staring intently at the car, presumably using the "Summon" feature. The parking spot it was in was literally about 50 feet from where he was standing.

The car finally get the **** out of my way and I turned right and continued on, only to look in my mirrors and see the stupid Tesla now stopped on a 45 degree angle blocking both lanes while owner dude stood there poking at his screen. Hazard lights came on.

That sure is great technology. /s

The summons mode needs lots of work. I have only played with it at almost empty parking lots well away from cars that it could get in the way of. Even with that results are less then ideal. Not something ready for actual use yet. I have only had it work well 2 times. One was a completely empty parking lot, the other was at a family reunion, we rented a church basement and coming out for some family pictures I tried summoning the car. It did an ok job, waiting behind another car leaving and got some laughs as someone was looking in at the car waving and the realizing there was no one in the car. Again not something I would use around people I don't know or at an actual mall or anything like that, still has a long way to go.

 

[nakkers]

We pulled the trigger on a Ford Escape PHEV and pick up Wednesday. 60 km battery range and the hybrid system operates efficiently even when battery depleted. The equivalent RAV4 prime is far superior as well as some others. But, it delivers on what we want and needed at an attractive price point.

So we are kinda EV owners now.

 

[danp]

More on the Verge

Verge E-Motorcycle Sets World Record For Distance On Single Charge - ADV Pulse

Range anxiety has long been a key concern for motorcyclists considering the switch from gas-powered engines to electric alternatives — especially among adventure riders, who often venture far from established infrastructure. But if a Guinness World Record set in late March is any indication...

www.advpulse.com

I didn't read the whole article, but:

Verge Motorcycles that recently set a new World Record for the “Longest Journey by an Electric Motorbike on a Single Charge by officially covering 193 miles in city conditions

That's fine for someone using it for commuting, but I'd bet the typical adventure bike spends most of its life on highways and back roads where speeds are higher and stops are infrequent. How are you gonna take a bike like this across the trans-Canada or across Northern Ontario or the Translab highway for example?

If batteries got smaller and could unplug easily, then it might be feasible to take several of them in your side cases and switch them out during the ride, then charge them all in your motel at the end of the day.

 

[mimico_polak]

We pulled the trigger on a Ford Escape PHEV and pick up Wednesday. 60 km battery range and the hybrid system operates efficiently even when battery depleted. The equivalent RAV4 prime is far superior as well as some others. But, it delivers on what we want and needed at an attractive price point.

So we are kinda EV owners now.

Nice choice and congrats! Looking forward to your review as I’d love to see a PHEV version of the Maverick.

Same platform as the Escape / Bronco. Not sure why they haven’t done it yet.

Oh ya…cause they’re selling like hotcakes as is.

 

[nakkers]

Just want to thank the frequent contributors and advocates for EVs in this thread. It was very helpful and must say things are improving but, in the end decided to go with a plug in hybrid. PHEV allow for short EV trips as well as decent fuel economy when the battery only range is depleted.

The Ford Escape appears to do this very well and the price point along with 0% financing is appealing. Only available in FWD as a plug in, demand is low for the model and will negatively impact resell.

Pick up of our Escape had a full tank of gas but, 0 battery charge. The dealer has two EV charging stations open but, we were happy to be on our way.


239.5 kms total driving with 128.7 kms of them electric and 4.5 L/100 kms fuel economy thus far. The battery will charge over night on standard 120 volt circuit and provide 60 kms of battery only range.

There is so much tech in new vehicles it’s mind numbing. Lane centering/keep, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, 360 camera view etc.

Ford removed a lot of buttons for the HVAC system integrated into the center screen. It works good but takes some time getting used to it.

It’s not a bad cage to be in. The sound system is pretty sweet.


Will see how well it holds up over time. All new vehicles typically leave a good impression and happy with it thus far.

Will also see how often we need to fuel up and fuel economy numbers we get.

https://imgur.com/a/b4n2mus

 

[PrivatePilot]

Even with that results are less then ideal. Not something ready for actual use yet.

But.....but.....Tesla renamed "Summons" to "Actually smart summons" last year. Remember, "ASS", as Elon giggled.

So, if that's the "actually smart" version, good lord, how bad was the original one lol.

So we are kinda EV owners now.

Congrats! Sounds like a cool vehicle. You'll be surprised at how often you find your range totally within the electric zone and you don't use much gas for a long time. My Gen2 Volt had it's second "Engine Maintanance Mode" trigger today on my way home from work, basically the car forces the engine to run to move around the oil and burn out condensation etc if you haven't used the engine in 3 months.

Pick up of our Escape had a full tank of gas but, 0 battery charge.

It's such a joke that this is sitll happening with dealerships. For those who have been part of this thread since page 1 you'll remember that this happened to *both* of the Gen 1 volts we bought - showed up for test drive, flat dead.

On a related front, My 2011 Gen1 Volt officially went to it's new owner yesterday evening - sold it to the friend who was looking around for something to dip his toes into the EV world. He has a decent commute so he's still using gas every day, but he has the ability to charge at work so he arrives dead and leaves full, bonus..

 

[GreyGhost]

Ouch. Planned for cybertruck sales of 250K per year and now struggling to sell 20k a year. Ford and gm are even to ahead in bev truck sales. S and X are down to 10K a year too. Bloodbath of huge organization and minimal sales.

Tesla confirms Cybertruck sales are down to just ~5,000 units

Tesla has confirmed through its delivery report that Cybertruck sales have now dropped to ~5,000 units per quarter. After planning...

electrek.co

 

[MacDoc]

Marc recounts his EV motorcycle journey at ABR

 

[nobbie48]

I didn't read the whole article, but:



That's fine for someone using it for commuting, but I'd bet the typical adventure bike spends most of its life on highways and back roads where speeds are higher and stops are infrequent. How are you gonna take a bike like this across the trans-Canada or across Northern Ontario or the Translab highway for example?

If batteries got smaller and could unplug easily, then it might be feasible to take several of them in your side cases and switch them out during the ride, then charge them all in your motel at the end of the day.

If you're going to carry extra batteries why not put them in the same case and call it a big battery. If batteries were all standard an exchange program would eliminate charge time. It doesn't work well for 1000 pound batteries.

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