One Giant Leap Into the World of EV Ownership

[apex96]

I have a question. When don’t I? I’m not planning on getting the EREV, but however the charging port opens do we think the gas door will open the same way? Or will it be like a regular gas door?

Current prototypes show the fuel door opening like a normal ICE fuel door.

 

[maynard]

Wait! I have to look for bugs in my charger?!?! This is the first I’m hearing of this!

Mine is inside the garage and I still have to check for spiders... (inside my charger hanger that is)

 

[R1TVT]

Probably not but I suspect spiders and webbing will be a potential issue along this all the web balled insect carcasses

So - here's the thing. This is a very low likelihood occurrence. Most chargers have receptacles, and most charge ports have doors. So, this is unlikely, but not impossible.

What is more likely for those in cold weather is that you could get to a charger that has warmed and either was not put back into the receptacle (or just hung from a charger) and has frosted over, or could have a little ice build up. I have seen these with LI/LII chargers only (never with a DCFC) because usually a lot of "destination type chargers" tend to be lower quality or more abused. If you aren't getting a good connection, that could be a culprit in winter.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I will ask a question for those that have EVs and, store and charge them outside. How/what do you do to prevent precipitation from potentially freezing in the charging port?

Here’s a brief review I wrote elsewhere. The cover we bought was stitched custom for a Mustang Mach-E, but they make covers for several vehicles.

Late in the 2021 winter season we bought a cheap charge port cover from Amazon. I don't remember the brand, but it was ineffective and we tossed it at the end of winter.

We spent the next several months researching a better cover. We bought the product linked at the end of this review. It arrived just in time for a near-record winter snowfall season (163 inches to-date).

The cover is a nearly flat, heavy fabric with Velcro attachments at the right places so it's nicely adjustable. The top of the cover has a long Velcro strap that loops around the wiper motor stem. The cable-side of the cover is also adjustable with Velcro.

There's a nice, wide flap of material the lays across the top of the fender and extends a bit over the hood. When we get heavy snow loads, this helps hold the cover in place.

The underside material is soft and has not damaged our paint. The top material is waterproof. The combination remains flexible down to at least -10 ⁰F (the lowest temperature we had while removing the cover; the cover was in place when the temperature dropped to -15 ⁰C or lower), even while wet.

The cover never froze to the car.

The snow load that can be held by the cover is at least a foot of moderately wet, melted, and re-frozen snow.

It held up to ~60-80 mph wind gusts (though the wind was blowing from the passenger side of the car).

Would recommend.

https://macapuche.com/produits/ols/products/ford-mach-e

 

[apex96]

Here’s a brief review I wrote elsewhere. The cover we bought was stitched custom for a Mustang Mach-E, but they make covers for several vehicles.

Late in the 2021 winter season we bought a cheap charge port cover from Amazon. I don't remember the brand, but it was ineffective and we tossed it at the end of winter.

We spent the next several months researching a better cover. We bought the product linked at the end of this review. It arrived just in time for a near-record winter snowfall season (163 inches to-date).

The cover is a nearly flat, heavy fabric with Velcro attachments at the right places so it's nicely adjustable. The top of the cover has a long Velcro strap that loops around the wiper motor stem. The cable-side of the cover is also adjustable with Velcro.

There's a nice, wide flap of material the lays across the top of the fender and extends a bit over the hood. When we get heavy snow loads, this helps hold the cover in place.

The underside material is soft and has not damaged our paint. The top material is waterproof. The combination remains flexible down to at least -10 ⁰F (the lowest temperature we had while removing the cover; the cover was in place when the temperature dropped to -15 ⁰C or lower), even while wet.

The cover never froze to the car.

The snow load that can be held by the cover is at least a foot of moderately wet, melted, and re-frozen snow.

It held up to ~60-80 mph wind gusts (though the wind was blowing from the passenger side of the car).

Would recommend.

https://macapuche.com/produits/ols/products/ford-mach-e

View attachment 11790

I found them this week! I really like their covers but I cannot see where they ship to the US any longer though

my guess is the ongoing trade/tariff concerns have made them pause shipment to the US.

If you know of a third party supplier that is shipping them stateside feel free to provide the link!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I found them this week! I really like their covers but I cannot see where they ship to the US any longer though

my guess is the ongoing trade/tariff concerns have made them pause shipment to the US.

If you know of a third party supplier that is shipping them state side feel free to provide the link!

That may be.

They were the best option we found.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I found them this week! I really like their covers but I cannot see where they ship to the US any longer though

my guess is the ongoing trade/tariff concerns have made them pause shipment to the US.

If you know of a third party supplier that is shipping them stateside feel free to provide the link!

You could email and ask, I suppose.

 

[apex96]

You could email and ask, I suppose.

Was thinking along the same lines. I have sent them an email, fingers crossed!

UPDATE!
I need to brush up on my French... I completely missed États-Unis as an option in their country drop down menu...

Got the cover ordered!

 

[cyure]

Was thinking along the same lines. I have sent them an email, fingers crossed!

UPDATE!
I need to brush up on my French... I completely missed États-Unis as an option in their country drop down menu...

Got the cover ordered!

So first it was math and now I need to know French??!!

 

[J Alynn]

So first it was math and now I need to know French??!!

Oui!

 

[apex96]

So first it was math and now I need to know French??!!

Lets just say that our northern brethren are much further along in electrification... Sometimes we have to purchase their wares for our vehicles!

 

[J Alynn]

So-sitting at Wawa and two amazing things.
1-enjoying the Amazon truck charging at Tesla supercharger
And…
2-lady next to us pulled away with gas pump handle still inside the car and yanked that baby right off the pump. My daughter literally said she pulled up to a pump last week and wondered why the pump handle was completely missing. LMAO. Lady’s mother got out and said WTF were you thinking to the woman driver then they bickered for 2 minutes. (I’d post but I videos them arguing so can’t upload) Service attendant pulled out the cones. My wife ask how often that happens and he replied “why do you think we have the cones”. Just another reason to not go to the gas station when I get my BEV

 

[apex96]

So-sitting at Wawa and two amazing things.
1-enjoying the Amazon truck charging at Tesla supercharger
And…
2-lady next to us pulled away with gas pump handle still inside the car and yanked that baby right off the pump. My daughter literally said she pulled up to a pump last week and wondered why the pump handle was completely missing. LMAO. Lady’s mother got out and said WTF were you thinking to the woman driver then they bickered for 2 minutes. (I’d post but I videos them arguing so can’t upload) Service attendant pulled out the cones. My wife ask how often that happens and he replied “why do you think we have the cones”. Just another reason to not go to the gas station when I get my BEV

I miss Wawa coffee... I'll be in the philly area in a few weeks, for a couple days and am looking forward to their coffee for a few days...

 

[BeerParty]

Thought I’d show off the end result of installed the level 2 EVSE. I wish this panels main feed was located on the right side of the panel but that’s unfortunately not the case. Really makes cable management a royal pain since all the expansion knock outs are on the right and the only room to mount to the wall is on the left of the panel.

Used a DeWalt holster. It’s a much better quality powder coated mount with plastic insert for the holster that’s angled down and slims the outward profile of the charge handle when docked.

Since you showed us yours I guess I'll show you mine...

 

[apex96]

Since you showed us yours I guess I'll show you mine...

The way the forum notification came through to my email made me chuckle… no context just your words… I figured it was about charging installations.

I like the enclosure but I just know wasps would find it very homey, where I’m at…

 

[BeerParty]

The way the forum notification came through to my email made me chuckle… no context just your words… I figured it was about charging installations.

I like the enclosure but I just know wasps would find it very homey, where I’m at…

I have a problem with wasps in my area as well.

I'm glad you mentioned it though. I have to spray my sheds and porch with wasp killer every spring to keep them from establishing new nests. I guess I'll be adding this cabinet to the "springtime spray" list. I should also look into some weatherstripping to see if I can seal up the edges of the doors.

 

[apex96]

I have a problem with wasps in my area as well.

I'm glad you mentioned it though. I have to spray my sheds and porch with wasp killer every spring to keep them from establishing new nests. I guess I'll be adding this cabinet to the "springtime spray" list. I should also look into some weatherstripping to see if I can seal up the edges of the doors.

I had two queen yellow jackets attempt to hibernate just inside my shed doors… second year in a row… they got the spray right away. Just the price I pay for living in the sticks.

 

[apex96]

In the 701 miles we’ve had the equinox it’s averaged 2.9 mi/kWh. This is in below normal temps with highs barely creeping above freezing and lows in the teens. I’m interested to see how it does as we get deeper into winter. If it holds above 2.5 mi/kWh through winter, I feel we may see above 3.5 mi/kWh come the warmer months.

 

[dreamweaver]

In the 701 miles we’ve had the equinox it’s averaged 2.9 mi/kWh. This is in below normal temps with highs barely creeping above freezing and lows in the teens. I’m interested to see how it does as we get deeper into winter. If it holds above 2.5 mi/kWh through winter, I feel we may see above 3.5 mi/kWh come the warmer months.
View attachment 11889

Yes. Considering those temps that is quite good.