Community Forums

radar · 12-07-2022, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdauto

It wasn't a dig on Tesla as much as commenting that they are far from perfect. I have seen many instances of poor fit and finish. There are several videos on how the steering wheel material degrades prematurely (this was on rental vehicles). We have dozens of cases in small claims for paint on model 3. It tends to flake off on the lower part of the car due to poor design and rock chips. Not great with salted and abrasive covered roads here.

They pushed other OEMs to advance EV technology and production, but I'm not sure they will be able to withstand the competition in the long term. Time will tell.

I think things would be better if the evil leader stuck to a few endeavours at a time and not spread the company so thin. 2-3 decent passenger vehicle models, maybe 1 truck, and that's enough for now.

Yah for sure. Nothing is perfect. On our latest Tesla we found that they included PPF around the bottom of the wheel wells and they also include mud flaps. But that is apparently standard on Canadian models now. We actually took the PPF off as we had the entire rocker panel done from front to back as well the front bumper. Lots of gravel up here depending on the time of year. Right now all the roads are covered in sand and salt.

Cheers.

SacRV · 12-07-2022, 04:02 PM

If you’re a local hauler it’s a game changer. You’d have a huge competitive advantage over other drivers in fuel savings.

Joe Ogiba · 12-07-2022, 04:15 PM

GM also killed the electric trolley in the late 30's and replaced them with diesel buses. The story was covered up by the media since GM was paying millions for ads in their publications. The only reason GM got back into EVs is because of Tesla.

DrivingDan · 12-08-2022, 09:21 AM

GM made the correct decision on the EV1 as battery tech and the public wasn’t ready, many drivers talk about the nonexistent range. Not to mention the economics.

Anyhow your just spamming and not viably contributing to the conversation so time for an ignore filter.

Otherwise IMHO Tesla is the early star and leader, but others have caught up and surpassed in some areas. Tesla still reigns in charging network and software. VW has the worst software (it’s a crisis) and OK hardware. GM the best hardware and TBD software and charging network. Ford is designing their first serious EV architecture now, so far it’s all been based on the awful Focus EV.

Anyhow to my eye Teslas are looking dated, we got them early en mass around here. Looking forward to the new designs from other OEMs.

Joe Ogiba · 12-08-2022, 10:02 AM

Wow, a GM fanboy getting his cookies on a Tesla thread.

radar · 12-08-2022, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingDan

GM made the correct decision on the EV1 as battery tech and the public wasn’t ready, many drivers talk about the nonexistent range. Not to mention the economics.

Anyhow your just spamming and not viably contributing to the conversation so time for an ignore filter.

Otherwise IMHO Tesla is the early star and leader, but others have caught up and surpassed in some areas. Tesla still reigns in charging network and software. VW has the worst software (it’s a crisis) and OK hardware. GM the best hardware and TBD software and charging network. Ford is designing their first serious EV architecture now, so far it’s all been based on the awful Focus EV.

Anyhow to my eye Teslas are looking dated, we got them early en mass around here. Looking forward to the new designs from other OEMs.

I didn’t get the TBD best charging network. I’m in Canada so not familiar with the GM charging network (as there isn’t one). Is the GM charging network big in the US? What brand name is it under as I couldn’t find anything in a quick search.

Thanks in advance.

Joe Ogiba · 12-08-2022, 10:22 AM

Joe Ogiba · 12-08-2022, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radar

I didn’t get the TBD best charging network. I’m in Canada so not familiar with the GM charging network (as there isn’t one). Is the GM charging network big in the US? What brand name is it under as I couldn’t find anything in a quick search.

Thanks in advance.

Tesla Superchargers are years ahead of any other charging network worldwide.

radar · 12-08-2022, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Ogiba

Tesla Superchargers are years ahead of any other charging network worldwide.

Yah for sure. Crossing Canada pulling our travel trailer was no problem with the supercharger network.

I am curious about this US GM network though. I didn’t even know there was one. Then again we weren’t really looking for it otherwise so we probably wouldn’t have noticed it. We do use other networks with our Tesla although it’s usually because we are looking for a slower lunch time charge or because some non Tesla chargers (FLO and BC Hydro) sometimes have better trailer access and in some pretty good touristy locations.

MemByTheMile · 12-08-2022, 03:43 PM

I believe the “TBD” was in regards to software and NOT the charging network.

radar · 12-08-2022, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MemByTheMile

I believe the “TBD” was in regards to software and NOT the charging network.

Ah ok. I still sounds like there is a large GM charging network. I would be interested in learning more about that. Canada has squat for a GM charging network. There is the odd L3 charger at a dealership but they are off limits to the public. I think they have them more for test reasons. Most have L2 chargers of course but that doesn’t really count.

Cheers.

DrivingDan · 12-08-2022, 06:37 PM

Sorry what I meant is that yeah TBD was for both Ultifi software and Ultium charging. GM is dumping $800M into DCFC around the US at Flying J - including trailering! Really looking forward to that, EVGo is the backend, but haven’t heard anything more about it. The other thing which just started being deployed is L2 charging program with dealerships. Basically they took a cue from Tesla with their Tesla Destination chargers - in this case they gave dealers the options of getting chargers (for free? Or discount?) that they work with the local community to put them strategically around.

Pretty smart, the dealers know the community and where they should go and make it happen. Don’t know about cost to use or connectivity or anything, I think this partners with Flo up in Canada for the EVSE’s. But this could come in handy - for example I’ve mapped out driving the Natchez trail parkway which unfortunately is a charging desert. But there’s plenty of Chevy dealers along there that will get these deployed (OTOH they’ll be AC L2 so maybe not so useful after all - hey I should look for any local Flying J’s).

Anyhow, the GM network looks pretty promising, probably won’t be as good as Teslas but other than VW’s Electrify America (which they got forced to do from Dieselgate, but now makes the look like champs) no other OEM’s are doing anything like it AFAIK.

radar · 12-08-2022, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingDan

Sorry what I meant is that yeah TBD was for both Ultifi software and Ultium charging. GM is dumping $800M into DCFC around the US at Flying J - including trailering! Really looking forward to that, EVGo is the backend, but haven’t heard anything more about it. The other thing which just started being deployed is L2 charging program with dealerships. Basically they took a cue from Tesla with their Tesla Destination chargers - in this case they gave dealers the options of getting chargers (for free? Or discount?) that they work with the local community to put them strategically around.

Pretty smart, the dealers know the community and where they should go and make it happen. Don’t know about cost to use or connectivity or anything, I think this partners with Flo up in Canada for the EVSE’s. But this could come in handy - for example I’ve mapped out driving the Natchez trail parkway which unfortunately is a charging desert. But there’s plenty of Chevy dealers along there that will get these deployed (OTOH they’ll be AC L2 so maybe not so useful after all - hey I should look for any local Flying J’s).

Anyhow, the GM network looks pretty promising, probably won’t be as good as Teslas but other than VW’s Electrify America (which they got forced to do from Dieselgate, but now makes the look like champs) no other OEM’s are doing anything like it AFAIK.

Ah ok. Thanks for the info. I actually saw an article on GM’s L2 plans with FLO on Facebook a few minutes ago. FLO is a great company and it’s our go to when a Supercharger is not available. They run a super reliable L3 network and it’s growing all the time. They are typically 50 to 100 kw so slower than some of their competitors, but they are virtually 100 percent reliable, well located, well priced and quite often have better trailer access than their competitors. We have used them all over the country. Interestingly enough they use the same hardware as BC hydro and their apps and RFID cards are interchangeable with BC Hydro stations (although FLO is slightly more expensive).

Hopefully GM will also install some L3 sites. Having said that, properly located L2 is useful for those who can’t charge at home. But L2 in dealerships might not be the best location for them.

FLO is taking on a pretty big piece of the charging pie out there. Oh, and they keep the snow cleared.

. This one is kinda trailer friendly. At least for us little guys.

moisheh · 12-09-2022, 12:49 PM

This tread is off topic. It was about semis not cars. Here is another reason that Long haul is many decades away. As a trucker (part time) the biggest headache is finding a safe place to park. Every night the rest areas are full. Truck stops overflowing. Trucks parked on exit ramps,on the street in small towns, even off the road in the dirt. Some can find a casino, Wal Mart, shopping center, Carcker barrel, etc. None of these spots do not have a charching station. Nor will they veer have this service. A long Haul driver usually goes more than 500 miles a day. Presently an electric truck would need a charge at the end of the day. Unless the batteries improve Long Haul is not doable. I do not have any data but many thousands of trucks do not park in truck stops. There will be a day when States have TRUCK ONLY lots with charging stations. But not for a long time As I stated in a previous post Step Vans and Box trucks should all be electric. A no brainer.