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Bruce & Pat
2017 Tesla Model S
Keene, NH
“The car drives much smoother than an ICE vehicle and is much quieter. Since the battery is in the floor of the car, it corners without body roll. It really sticks to the road.”
What’s your #1 tip or piece of advice for new or prospective EV owners?
Test drive all different vehicles, but buy what you can afford.
Read on to learn about Bruce & Pat’s EV story – including buying, driving, owning, & charging his EV!
buying an ev
What main factors & considerations went into your decision to buy an EV?
We wanted to be more environmentally friendly, have a lower cost for fuel, and have a really cool car. We also have a 2009 Camry Hybrid which was our first step into electrically powered vehicles.
What factors sold you on buying an EV? Why did you pick the specific make & model of EV that you did?
During the prior year we went to numerous EV meets to talk to owners to learn the pros and cons for their cars.
driving & owning an ev
What is your favorite aspect of the EV driving experience?
Torque! The instantaneous acceleration is awesome. The car drives much smoother than an ICE vehicle and is much quieter. Since the battery is in the floor of the car, it corners without body roll. It really sticks to the road.
In a few sentences, summarize your favorite EV memory or anecdote.
Talking about our car. We have attended many EV meets and it is so much fun showing off our car. We love talking about it and giving test drives, even if you can’t afford a Tesla.
What surprised you about owning an EV?
The lack of engine noise really disguises how fast you are traveling. It is amazing how the sound or lack thereof affects your perception of speed.
What is the main downside or challenge of driving or owning an EV compared to an ICE vehicle? What tricks have you developed to adapt to that challenge?
The downside is range anxiety. You need to plan more in order to remove that anxiety. It also means planning for charging along the way. We have a charger at home, so daily driving is no problem. On trips, we plan where we will stop. It has made our trips more relaxed because we stop more often to charge which means more bathroom, food and coffee breaks.
Charging an EV
Where do you charge your EV? Do you have an at-home charger?
We installed a Tesla charger in our garage. We had an electrician install it. It was an easy process to install. We purchased one with a longer cable to allow us to charge outside the garage.
What are a few of your favorite charging resources you use?
A Better Route Planner is a great tool. It allows you to map out your entire trip. Chargepoint and Plugshare are two apps that list most chargers of all types.