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Joel H.

 2019 Tesla Model 3

Peterborough

“There are so many things I like that it’s hard to say what’s my favorite: dramatic acceleration, regenerative braking…silent ride, absence of any gasoline odor, no trips to the dealer for maintenance, automatic over-the-air software upgrades, stay-in-lane automatic steering…”

What’s your #1 tip or piece of advice for new or prospective EV owners?

Don’t wait! The EVs being made today don’t cost much more upfront than comparable gas-powered cars, and they’ll cost much less over the long haul due to fuel and maintenance savings. Meanwhile, every day you wait is a day you’re missing out on the fun of EV driving!

Read on to learn about Joel’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?

Saving the planet, superior performance, silence, greatly reduced maintenance, safety, and absence of gasoline odors.

 

What factors sold you on buying an EV? Why did you pick the specific make & model of EV that you did?

Friends recommended the Tesla brand, and Tesla’s Supercharger network eliminated worry about finding places to charge (99% of our charging is now done at home; we use Superchargers only on very long trips).

driving & owning an ev

What is your favorite aspect of the EV driving experience?

There are so many things I like that it’s hard to say what’s my favorite. Dramatic acceleration, regenerative braking (almost no need to use the brakes!), silent ride, absence of any gasoline odor, no trips to the dealer for maintenance, automatic over-the-air software upgrades, stay-in-lane automatic steering (when appropriate; driver must maintain vigilance), and variable-distance/speed cruise control (when appropriate; driver must maintain vigilance). The latter two features make dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic an almost pleasurable experience!

In a few sentences, summarize your favorite EV memory or anecdote.

After about 6 months of owning and driving our Tesla, my wife and I flew to Los Angeles, where we rented a car—a gasoline-powered car, of course. The rental agent brought us out to the parking lot where our rented car was waiting for us, then left us. Amazingly, we couldn’t remember how to start this gas-powered car—even though we’d driven such cars for 60 years! Of course, we eventually figured it out. But I think that story illustrates how quickly one’s memories of one’s gas-powered cars fade—and with no regrets!

Here’s another one. When traveling long distances, we’ve found that it’s quicker for us to charge our Tesla than it would be to buy gas for it. We drive to a Tesla supercharger location (they’re conveniently spaced along all major highways) and plug in, then immediately leave our car in order to have lunch (or dinner) in the adjacent facilities (all Tesla Supercharging stations are located near facilities). The Tesla App on our cell phones notifies us that the charging is complete, before we’ve finished our meal. We return to our car, disconnect, and drive away. No need to wait in line for a space at a gas pump or to stand by the side of the car while operating the gas pump!

What surprised you about owning an EV?

I was most surprised by the feeling of total control over the car offered by regenerative braking. With regen braking, it’s frequently possible to go from start to finish of one’s trip without ever using the brake pedal. Speed is smoothly, easily controlled by the angle of the accelerator pedal. That may sound difficult, but it’s not. I mastered the technique while driving home from the dealer (in New York state; no dealers in New Hampshire yet) where I picked up my new car.

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?

I have not experienced a single downside!

 

Charging an EV

Where do you charge your EV? Do you have an at-home charger?

We have an at-home “charger” (properly called an Electrical Vehicle Service Equipment or EVSE; the master control for charging—what’s properly called the “charger”—is located in the car), which provides some safety and connection convenience for connection to 240 V AC (the kind of circuit used for an electric clothes dryer). But an EVSE isn’t necessary. One can charge from any 240-V AC outlet (full charge overnight) or from any 120-V AC outlet (full charge in two days). Our EVSE cost $500. For us, the wiring (in a difficult location) cost $1000. The EVSE cost is typical. Wiring costs will vary with location

 

What are a few of your favorite charging resources you use?

Tesla provides complete information about Supercharger (fast charging; high voltage DC) and public Tesla “level 2” EVSEs (240 V AC) on its web site, in its app, and on the display screens of its cars. Tesla software will warn you, loudly, if you’re in danger of getting so far from a public charging device that you might run out of charge. The software will then show you the navigation route to the nearest open Supercharger or EVSE.

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