First Time EV Owner: Live experience report

[Logan]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

 

[Indy]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

My goodness. Wow. Life really happens. So sorry about all of this news. Sending positive vibes your way. Interesting about the Electrify America setup. Keep us posted on your experience.

 

[cyure]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

It never rains but it pours. Drive safe and wishing your mother in law peace in this difficult time.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

Logan, I wish Gods blessing on you and your family this summer as you navigate these waters.

 

[J Alynn]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

So sorry to hear this. My mother went through a lot in her life health wise and even survived a bank robbery in her early career. Lost her Super Bowl Sunday to dementia and related health issues. It’s never easy and always seems like in comes in multiples. Spend time while you can and put on your strong face and know you will get through this and you will have support

 

[Scoutsie]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

Oh crap. For whatever it’s worth, I am a trained (volunteer) listener for people diagnosed with breast cancer and/or their support people. If there’s anything I can do, uh, my DMs are open.

 

[Logan]

Well.

I did it.

Left way later than intended, had one charging related almost issue, and arrived after 2am local time.

But based on my math, it was 1-2 stops more than we would have done in our PHEV, and 1-1.5hrs longer (15hrs total time).

Pricing was roughly equivalent to driving a gas/hybrid. I saw efficiency range from 2.2 miles/kwh on the 80mph stretches in Idaho (the speed limit there), saw 1.3 miles/kwh for the worst stretch (pass out of ellensburg towards Yakima), and saw a peak efficiency for a whole trip of 2.6-2.7miles per kWh at 65- 75mph.

I tried to document things well for you, but I forgot to snap a few photos. I’ll upload those later, as well as share more impressions of the experience… just not now. It’s dark o’clock here (3am).

Cheers.

 

[cyure]

Well.

I did it.

Left way later than intended, had one charging related almost issue, and arrived after 2am local time.

But based on my math, it was 1-2 stops more than we would have done in our PHEV, and 1-1.5hrs longer (15hrs total time).

Pricing was roughly equivalent to driving a gas/hybrid. I saw efficiency range from 2.2 miles/kwh on the 80mph stretches in Idaho (the speed limit there), saw 1.3 miles/kwh for the worst stretch (pass out of ellensburg towards Yakima), and saw a peak efficiency for a whole trip of 2.6-2.7miles per kWh at 65- 75mph.

I tried to document things well for you, but I forgot to snap a few photos. I’ll upload those later, as well as share more impressions of the experience… just not now. It’s dark o’clock here (3am).

Cheers.

So glad you got to your destination.

 

[J Alynn]

Well.

I did it.

Left way later than intended, had one charging related almost issue, and arrived after 2am local time.

But based on my math, it was 1-2 stops more than we would have done in our PHEV, and 1-1.5hrs longer (15hrs total time).

Pricing was roughly equivalent to driving a gas/hybrid. I saw efficiency range from 2.2 miles/kwh on the 80mph stretches in Idaho (the speed limit there), saw 1.3 miles/kwh for the worst stretch (pass out of ellensburg towards Yakima), and saw a peak efficiency for a whole trip of 2.6-2.7miles per kWh at 65- 75mph.

I tried to document things well for you, but I forgot to snap a few photos. I’ll upload those later, as well as share more impressions of the experience… just not now. It’s dark o’clock here (3am).

Cheers.

Get some sleep, do what you gotta do and if/when you have time we’d love for you to share but focus on your people

 

[Logan]

Busy week, but found some spare time as the kids got sick and we're taking a day off away from family to recover/not get them all sick.

Some thoughts, in no particular order:

• Highway range with our 106kwh usable battery on our Ioniq 9 was somewhat underwhelming, at least at speed:
  • I don't think we did over ~160 miles of driving in any one stretch.
    • Shortest segment was 100 miles (bladder limited)
    • Longest ones were all ~160 miles (vehicle range limited)
  • Unlike the trip last year, where bladders were the main cause of stopping (~208 - 260 miles between stops/fill ups), this time only 1 stop was because of bladders. All the others, were entirely because the vehicle needed to be charged. One stop we didn't even bother getting out to use the restroom.
  • 80mph speed limits hit efficiency hard
  • It still worked out to 2hrs or more of 80mph driving, I just would like another ~50 miles or so of range at least on the highway.
• Charging infrastructure is "there", but not ubiquitous, it still requires some planning
  • Our one charging snafu, was at a very remote city (the type where right off the offramp on the highway, there is a cattle guard, and then 4 cows immediately before you drive the 3 miles from there into town... where there is exactly one gas pump)
    • The first fast charger we tried, didn't work. We had to wait for two other EVs to finish charging/leave before we could use one of those
    • The town had zero cell reception, which means I couldn't lookup how close other chargers were once we got there.
    • The lack of internet reception meant I couldn't get my Electrify America discount to work (as the app wouldn't load to start the charge).
      • Ended up paying very expensive full price ($0.64/kwh), using my second card at the card reader as the first wasn't recognized by the card reader.
    • So, charged up just enough to get to the next larger metro area (based on apple maps distance, and the vague recollection of distances on the highway "miles until" signs .
  • Its not generally too hard to find charging... but its not as simple as just pulling off at any exit and expecting to find gas.
• How I planned my charging stops.
  • Probably not the best method .
  • I used ABRP with my current location/starting state of charge (battery %%), with my final destination as the destination, and would see where the next stop was.
  • Used the in car nav to find the charging station, and then drove to it, charged, and rinse and repeat.
  • We usually do road trips with apple carplay/apple maps, so it was a bit weird to go between both mapping software.
    • I probably should have tried using the built in nav software for the full route length, and have it show where the charging stops should be. I'll attempt this next time.
• Range Anxiety
  • Not "really" a thing for me, mostly because its not like the range disappears all of a sudden.
  • As you're heading on your route, you'll see your efficiency in real time, and can start confirming or changing the next charging stop.
  • While efficiency (and therefor range), does change based on your route (mostly the speed limit IME), once you get used to it, you'll have a pretty good idea when you'll need to charge.
  • I was however reluctant to plan on arriving at a charging stop with a very low state of charge.
    • We rolled into charging stops with between ~19-27% charge remaining (discounting the one at 58% because of the restroom "emergency" ). So we did leave some range on the table... I just didn't want to divert from the known/planned charging stops that I'd planned/knew existed.
  • Again, does require some planning, but I was never stranded/really worried about having to borrow a 120v char
• Charging speed
  • Our Ioniq 9 does the 10-80% charge, in 24minutes.
  • This is somehow simultaneously both too fast, and too slow.
    • If you are someone who "does anything" while stopped other than refueling and using the restroom, you'll think that the charging speed is more than fast enough.
      • The two times we went to eat at fast food places (in the same parking lot), we were already past 80% by the time we even got our food.
      • Our longest charge was at a walmart. Arrived at 19%, by the time we'd walked from the far side of the parking lot (where the chargers were located), and then used the restroom, we were up over 40%. There was a burger king in the parking lot, by the time we'd walked across the parking lot... it was about 59%. By the time we got our food, it was ~75%, by the time we had walked back to the vehicle with our food, it was 87%. We then ate as fast as we could, and had charged to 94% by the time we were done (36minutes total)
    • If you just refuel and restroom, you'll likely end up waiting around.
      • Our final stop the chargers were at a gas station, it was a short walk to the bathroom, there were no lines for anything, and we didn't need anything other than a recharge. So after using the restroom, we sort of sat around for 10-15min of playing in the parking lot at midnight while the car finished charging.
        • This charge was 27% - 88%, and 26min.
• Driving experience
  • Does great.
  • Particularly does well over mountain passes.
    • No gears to shift, no feeling you're going to overheat, and it doesn't feel stressed.
    • Also, on the downhill, you're gaining range, not burning brakes.

Thats about all I can remember at the moment.

As it is, I'm still not sure which way I'd go on harvester vs BEV. I do think the battery size on the BEV that they've mentioned has me a bit worried about range, given its likely efficiency.

We are doing another road trip later this summer, and I'm honestly not sure which vehicle we'll take yet. Especially if I bring my mountain bike again.

Maybe more later, but figured I'd get this out now .

 

[cyure]

Busy week, but found some spare time as the kids got sick and we're taking a day off away from family to recover/not get them all sick.

Some thoughts, in no particular order:

• Highway range with our 106kwh usable battery on our Ioniq 9 was somewhat underwhelming, at least at speed:
  • I don't think we did over ~160 miles of driving in any one stretch.
    • Shortest segment was 100 miles (bladder limited)
    • Longest ones were all ~160 miles (vehicle range limited)
  • Unlike the trip last year, where bladders were the main cause of stopping (~208 - 260 miles between stops/fill ups), this time only 1 stop was because of bladders. All the others, were entirely because the vehicle needed to be charged. One stop we didn't even bother getting out to use the restroom.
  • 80mph speed limits hit efficiency hard
  • It still worked out to 2hrs or more of 80mph driving, I just would like another ~50 miles or so of range at least on the highway.
• Charging infrastructure is "there", but not ubiquitous, it still requires some planning
  • Our one charging snafu, was at a very remote city (the type where right off the offramp on the highway, there is a cattle guard, and then 4 cows immediately before you drive the 3 miles from there into town... where there is exactly one gas pump)
    • The first fast charger we tried, didn't work. We had to wait for two other EVs to finish charging/leave before we could use one of those
    • The town had zero cell reception, which means I couldn't lookup how close other chargers were once we got there.
    • The lack of internet reception meant I couldn't get my Electrify America discount to work (as the app wouldn't load to start the charge).
      • Ended up paying very expensive full price ($0.64/kwh), using my second card at the card reader as the first wasn't recognized by the card reader.
    • So, charged up just enough to get to the next larger metro area (based on apple maps distance, and the vague recollection of distances on the highway "miles until" signs .
  • Its not generally too hard to find charging... but its not as simple as just pulling off at any exit and expecting to find gas.
• How I planned my charging stops.
  • Probably not the best method .
  • I used ABRP with my current location/starting state of charge (battery %%), with my final destination as the destination, and would see where the next stop was.
  • Used the in car nav to find the charging station, and then drove to it, charged, and rinse and repeat.
  • We usually do road trips with apple carplay/apple maps, so it was a bit weird to go between both mapping software.
    • I probably should have tried using the built in nav software for the full route length, and have it show where the charging stops should be. I'll attempt this next time.
• Range Anxiety
  • Not "really" a thing for me, mostly because its not like the range disappears all of a sudden.
  • As you're heading on your route, you'll see your efficiency in real time, and can start confirming or changing the next charging stop.
  • While efficiency (and therefor range), does change based on your route (mostly the speed limit IME), once you get used to it, you'll have a pretty good idea when you'll need to charge.
  • I was however reluctant to plan on arriving at a charging stop with a very low state of charge.
    • We rolled into charging stops with between ~19-27% charge remaining (discounting the one at 58% because of the restroom "emergency" ). So we did leave some range on the table... I just didn't want to divert from the known/planned charging stops that I'd planned/knew existed.
  • Again, does require some planning, but I was never stranded/really worried about having to borrow a 120v char
• Charging speed
  • Our Ioniq 9 does the 10-80% charge, in 24minutes.
  • This is somehow simultaneously both too fast, and too slow.
    • If you are someone who "does anything" while stopped other than refueling and using the restroom, you'll think that the charging speed is more than fast enough.
      • The two times we went to eat at fast food places (in the same parking lot), we were already past 80% by the time we even got our food.
      • Our longest charge was at a walmart. Arrived at 19%, by the time we'd walked from the far side of the parking lot (where the chargers were located), and then used the restroom, we were up over 40%. There was a burger king in the parking lot, by the time we'd walked across the parking lot... it was about 59%. By the time we got our food, it was ~75%, by the time we had walked back to the vehicle with our food, it was 87%. We then ate as fast as we could, and had charged to 94% by the time we were done (36minutes total)
    • If you just refuel and restroom, you'll likely end up waiting around.
      • Our final stop the chargers were at a gas station, it was a short walk to the bathroom, there were no lines for anything, and we didn't need anything other than a recharge. So after using the restroom, we sort of sat around for 10-15min of playing in the parking lot at midnight while the car finished charging.
        • This charge was 27% - 88%, and 26min.
• Driving experience
  • Does great.
  • Particularly does well over mountain passes.
    • No gears to shift, no feeling you're going to overheat, and it doesn't feel stressed.
    • Also, on the downhill, you're gaining range, not burning brakes.

Thats about all I can remember at the moment.

As it is, I'm still not sure which way I'd go on harvester vs BEV. I do think the battery size on the BEV that they've mentioned has me a bit worried about range, given its likely efficiency.

We are doing another road trip later this summer, and I'm honestly not sure which vehicle we'll take yet. Especially if I bring my mountain bike again.

Maybe more later, but figured I'd get this out now .

Thank you for this. For a first long trip I think you did really well. I appreciate all the detail. I keep thinking about the trip home from the factory. It’s gonna be something as a first time BEV driver.

 

[strider]

Thanks for the write-up. Efficiency REALLY goes down in an SUV above 70mph, regardless of propulsion. Slowing down may have saved you a stop and actually got you there in a shorter time, even though it feels slower.

As you get more experience you will be more comfortable rolling in with a lower SOC but I agree you should have enough to reach a backup charger in case there's a problem with your primary.

Did EA not give you an RFID card to use on the chargers? I have Chargepoint and Francis Energy (regional provider here in OK) and have RFID cards for both. That way I don't have to mess with the apps.

ABRP is great for pre-drive planning. Once I'm on my way I input the charger address into the vehicle NAV and it will constantly update the arrival SOC as I'm going. That way I can adjust my speed based on what it says. If it's creeping lower I will slow down a bit. If it's creeping up I will speed up a bit. Tesla has great in-car routing but doesn't handle 3rd party chargers very well so it will force you to SCs even if there are 3rd party DCFCs on your way. It will be interesting to see how Scout handles routing.

 

[Logan]

Thanks for the write-up. Efficiency REALLY goes down in an SUV above 70mph, regardless of propulsion. Slowing down may have saved you a stop and actually got you there in a shorter time, even though it feels slower.

As you get more experience you will be more comfortable rolling in with a lower SOC but I agree you should have enough to reach a backup charger in case there's a problem with your primary.

Did EA not give you an RFID card to use on the chargers? I have Chargepoint and Francis Energy (regional provider here in OK) and have RFID cards for both. That way I don't have to mess with the apps.

ABRP is great for pre-drive planning. Once I'm on my way I input the charger address into the vehicle NAV and it will constantly update the arrival SOC as I'm going. That way I can adjust my speed based on what it says. If it's creeping lower I will slow down a bit. If it's creeping up I will speed up a bit. Tesla has great in-car routing but doesn't handle 3rd party chargers very well so it will force you to SCs even if there are 3rd party DCFCs on your way. It will be interesting to see how Scout handles routing.

Oh, totally.

I think I would get more comfortable rolling into stops with a bit less range in reserve, as I get more experience. Especially if I was driving single routes more continuously (just like my parents had preferred gas stations on certain routes we drove more frequently). But given my unfamiliarity with things, and the desire to play it safe, I didn't feel super comfortable getting super low.

EA didn't give me an RFID card at all. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? The chargers do have a place to "tap your phone" if you're a member, but that never seemed to do anything for me. Instead, I did the whole "plug the car in, and then open the app on the phone and start charging" thing. Which worked great, except when I had no connectivity.

I'd honestly prefer if there was some way to have the membership associated with the vehicle, and then the discount would apply when you plugged in, and then it would either bill there... or just let me pay with a card using the card reader.

I'll have to try the route planning stuff (the hyundai native thing) more this next trip.

Thank you for this. For a first long trip I think you did really well. I appreciate all the detail. I keep thinking about the trip home from the factory. It’s gonna be something as a first time BEV driver.

Thanks .

I did miss having my co-driver/navigator here a few times, but generally it worked pretty well. I knew the rough distances/stops I'd be making before the trip even started, which did help. I think if you play around with ABRP, and plugshare, you'll get a half decent idea of what to expect.

The hard part will be making a guess at efficiency, but after the first stretch of the trip you'll know pretty quickly .

 

[cyure]

Oh, totally.

I think I would get more comfortable rolling into stops with a bit less range in reserve, as I get more experience. Especially if I was driving single routes more continuously (just like my parents had preferred gas stations on certain routes we drove more frequently). But given my unfamiliarity with things, and the desire to play it safe, I didn't feel super comfortable getting super low.

EA didn't give me an RFID card at all. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? The chargers do have a place to "tap your phone" if you're a member, but that never seemed to do anything for me. Instead, I did the whole "plug the car in, and then open the app on the phone and start charging" thing. Which worked great, except when I had no connectivity.

I'd honestly prefer if there was some way to have the membership associated with the vehicle, and then the discount would apply when you plugged in, and then it would either bill there... or just let me pay with a card using the card reader.

I'll have to try the route planning stuff (the hyundai native thing) more this next trip.



Thanks .

I did miss having my co-driver/navigator here a few times, but generally it worked pretty well. I knew the rough distances/stops I'd be making before the trip even started, which did help. I think if you play around with ABRP, and plugshare, you'll get a half decent idea of what to expect.

The hard part will be making a guess at efficiency, but after the first stretch of the trip you'll know pretty quickly .

I’m just glad you made it safely.

 

[J Alynn]

Oh, totally.

I think I would get more comfortable rolling into stops with a bit less range in reserve, as I get more experience. Especially if I was driving single routes more continuously (just like my parents had preferred gas stations on certain routes we drove more frequently). But given my unfamiliarity with things, and the desire to play it safe, I didn't feel super comfortable getting super low.

EA didn't give me an RFID card at all. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? The chargers do have a place to "tap your phone" if you're a member, but that never seemed to do anything for me. Instead, I did the whole "plug the car in, and then open the app on the phone and start charging" thing. Which worked great, except when I had no connectivity.

I'd honestly prefer if there was some way to have the membership associated with the vehicle, and then the discount would apply when you plugged in, and then it would either bill there... or just let me pay with a card using the card reader.

I'll have to try the route planning stuff (the hyundai native thing) more this next trip.



Thanks .

I did miss having my co-driver/navigator here a few times, but generally it worked pretty well. I knew the rough distances/stops I'd be making before the trip even started, which did help. I think if you play around with ABRP, and plugshare, you'll get a half decent idea of what to expect.

The hard part will be making a guess at efficiency, but after the first stretch of the trip you'll know pretty quickly .

Thanks again for sharing all of this

 

[Logan]

Thanks again for sharing all of this

If I can do my first ever public charging sessions on a 850 mile road trip, without a co-driver/navigator, then I have a lot of confidence that pretty much everyone can make it work .

If anyone has any questions for this newbie, let me know.

Oh.

And the $7/month Electrify America membership more than paid for itself this trip. Individual stops along the way I saved $12. And we had 5-6 stops.

I didn’t try plug and charge, or any other network though.

 

[cyure]

If I can do my first ever public charging sessions on a 850 mile road trip, without a co-driver/navigator, then I have a lot of confidence that pretty much everyone can make it work .

If anyone has any questions for this newbie, let me know.

Oh.

And the $7/month Electrify America membership more than paid for itself this trip. Individual stops along the way I saved $12. And we had 5-6 stops.

I didn’t try plug and charge, or any other network though.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

 

[J Alynn]

If I can do my first ever public charging sessions on a 850 mile road trip, without a co-driver/navigator, then I have a lot of confidence that pretty much everyone can make it work .

If anyone has any questions for this newbie, let me know.

Oh.

And the $7/month Electrify America membership more than paid for itself this trip. Individual stops along the way I saved $12. And we had 5-6 stops.

I didn’t try plug and charge, or any other network though.

Like you, we are new to the EV world so many of us are learning daily just like you are

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Thanks for the support everyone.

In terms of trip prep, today I went to the local electrify america. I downloaded the app, signed up for the membership account ($7/mon, 25% discount per kwh), and did a short test charge, to make sure It all worked (it did), including the CCS1 adapter. It was annoying to setup, but at least it works.

Went from 50%, to 56% charge in 2 minutes, with a peak charging speed of just about 200kw.

On the other hand though, the life hits keep coming. My wifes mother just found out she has a very rare/aggressive form of breast cancer. Terminal/untreatable :/.

The only upside is my mother in law and my sibling live in the same area. So we can be around as they figure out the timeline/etc. This summer is shaping up to be very interesting.

I’m sorry to hear about your mother in law. My dad has been fighting Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer for three years now. They originally gave him a year, but the tough old bastard keeps fighting. Prayers to you and your family!

 

[strider]

EA didn't give me an RFID card at all. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong? The chargers do have a place to "tap your phone" if you're a member, but that never seemed to do anything for me. Instead, I did the whole "plug the car in, and then open the app on the phone and start charging" thing. Which worked great, except when I had no connectivity.

Digging around on the Net it seems that EA does NOT issue RFID cards. They expect you to use the NFC feature on your phone. Here's an excerpt from their website: https://www.electrifyamerica.com/mobile-app/

1. Using the digital membership pass, which requires tapping or holding the smartphone near the charger’s RFID reader.

• First, plug the connector into the vehicle. Follow all steps on the charger screen before tapping or holding your phone near the reader.
• Android users: Ensure that NFC is turned on in your phone settings and that the smartphone screen is unlocked before tapping the smartphone to the reader—look for the symbol below. The Electrify America app does not need to be open.
• iOS users: Open Apple Wallet or the Electrify America app. Tap the smartphone to the reader on the right side of the charger—look for the symbol shown here