We own EVs. Ask Us Anything.

[cyure]

Glad you were able to make the trip despite the nail!

This has been my experience as well. I think a lot of this myth is based on people buying performance Teslas and driving them like they stole them. I get it. Going 0-60 in under 4 seconds is super fun! But driving a car like you stole it will prematurely wear out tires. EVs, like every other car, if driven normally will see tires last the usual amount of time. I think the main thing giving the myth a hit of truth is that it's a lot easier to do hard acceleration and stuff that tends to wear out tires.

But generally speaking tires last just as long in and EV as the do in a combustion car. A driver's habits matter way more than the powertrain.

I just saw my neighbor take off from his driveway in his Lightning. Still in the punching it stage it would appear.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I just saw my neighbor take off from his driveway in his Lightning. Still in the punching it stage it would appear.

It's ridiculously fun. But I've moved on to the pre-hypermiling phase. Can I really get 10 miles/kWh in LA traffic? I'm up to 8 for a 40+ miles round trip. If I lived here, that would mean a 1000 mile battery for around town.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

A complaint about the tires:
I really don’t like the Hankook Dynapro AT2 that came with the Lightning. They’re soft and splashy, have terribly weak sidewalls—technically they’re entirely adequate for the truck, but *I* don’t like the way they feel. They’re just not a truck tire. But I can’t justify replacing them since they’re not wearing very quickly.

 

[Chavannigans]

A complaint about the tires:
I really don’t like the Hankook Dynapro AT2 that came with the Lightning. They’re soft and splashy, have terribly weak sidewalls—technically they’re entirely adequate for the truck, but *I* don’t like the way they feel. They’re just not a truck tire. But I can’t justify replacing them since they’re not wearing very quickly.

You can always sell them and put that towards the new set

 

[SeaGeo]

Tossing my name in the ring to answer any questions too. Similar to @SpaceEVDriver I've covered quite a bit of ground. From Seattle I've been out to Glacier, up to Banff, down to Bend, out to South Dakota, and up into the Sawtooths in the last year. Owner of an R1T that I use for everything from commuting to off-roading and camping as well as an R1S.

One thing is for sure, I get annoyed every time I have to drive an ICE vehicle anymore, and driving through the forest hearing just the sound of tires on the ground is such a better experience.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

You can always sell them and put that towards the new set

I’d give them away, but I hate selling things. I don’t know anyone who needs a set.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Tossing my name in the ring to answer any questions too. Similar to @SpaceEVDriver I've covered quite a bit of ground. From Seattle I've been out to Glacier, up to Banff, down to Bend, out to South Dakota, and up into the Sawtooths in the last year. Owner of an R1T that I use for everything from commuting to off-roading and camping as well as an R1S.

One thing is for sure, I get annoyed every time I have to drive an ICE vehicle anymore, and driving through the forest hearing just the sound of tires on the ground is such a better experience.

Welcome!

 

[J Alynn]

Tossing my name in the ring to answer any questions too. Similar to @SpaceEVDriver I've covered quite a bit of ground. From Seattle I've been out to Glacier, up to Banff, down to Bend, out to South Dakota, and up into the Sawtooths in the last year. Owner of an R1T that I use for everything from commuting to off-roading and camping as well as an R1S.

One thing is for sure, I get annoyed every time I have to drive an ICE vehicle anymore, and driving through the forest hearing just the sound of tires on the ground is such a better experience.

Anxious to hear some of your stories and experiences

 

[J Alynn]

So here’s a question for our EV owners. We’ve talked about what we will keep stored in our new Scouts but from strictly an EV point of view-what should all of us newbies plan to purchase/set up as a “kit” specifically due to EV? Extension chords, any adapters-and do adapters attach to the car port or attach to the charger handset? What other things are recommended or through learning the hard way you now keep in your EV

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

So here’s a question for our EV owners. We’ve talked about what we will keep stored in our new Scouts but from strictly an EV point of view-what should all of us newbies plan to purchase/set up as a “kit” specifically due to EV? Extension chords, any adapters-and do adapters attach to the car port or attach to the charger handset? What other things are recommended or through learning the hard way you now keep in your EV

I think it depends on what you use the vehicle for.

I camp, do long, long road trips, stay away from home for weeks+ at a time.
What I have in the vehicle for EV-specific stuff is likely not what someone who parks at home most of the time, doesn’t camp, doesn’t road trip, etc might want to have.

Here’s what I have in the Lightning:

• Two spare L1/L2 EVSEs. Why two? That’s a story for later in the comment.
  • Ford’s L1 (NEMA 5-15P) and L2 (NEMA 14-50P)
  • Some other brand with a pile of adapters; A 6-20P is the default plug
    • 5-15P to 6-20R
    • 10-30P to 6-20R
    • 6-50P to 6-20R
    • 14-30P to 6-20R
    • 14-50P to 6-20R
• A bunch of adapters
  • 6-50P to 10-50R
  • 10-50P to 6-50R
  • TT-30P to 5-20R
  • Several others I’m not remembering right now
• Extension cords
  • 20A (6-20P and 6-20R)
  • TT-30 extension
  • L14-30
• A spliter L14-30P to 3x 5-20R
• An OBD-2 bluetooth reader
• An OBD-2 Ford-specific programming tool

My story about having two portable EVSEs:
When we moved to our new house, I didn’t have time to install our Level 2 EVSE. So we were using the mobile that came with the Mustang. On one road trip, we realized we’d left the mobile charger at home. So I overnighted a mobile charger to our destination.
I did this a second time. And so I overnighted another mobile EVSE to my destination.
When we bought the Lightning, it came with a permanent-mount EVSE. I’d already installed the permanent one for the Mustang.
At one point we had:

• ChargePoint Home Flex (permanent) for the Mustang
• Ford mobile EVSE for the Mustang
• Extra mobile EVSE for the Mustang
• Ford Charge Station Pro (permanent) for the Lightning
• Ford Mobile EVSE for the Lightning
• Extra mobile EVSE for the Lightning

I found someone to give one of the mobile EVSEs to, but haven’t managed to find someone else in need to gift the second mobile EVSE. Don’t do this. You only need one EVSE, maybe a second if you road trip.

I also don’t think most of those adapters are necessary for most people. Just like sand ladders and shovels and jerry cans and all the other junk er… cool stuff we carry isn’t necessary for most people.

 

[SeaGeo]

So here’s a question for our EV owners. We’ve talked about what we will keep stored in our new Scouts but from strictly an EV point of view-what should all of us newbies plan to purchase/set up as a “kit” specifically due to EV? Extension chords, any adapters-and do adapters attach to the car port or attach to the charger handset? What other things are recommended or through learning the hard way you now keep in your EV

I've carried a few adapters with me (not nearly as many as @SpaceEVDriver ) but other than the TT-30, I haven't really had a use for anything. Even then, a 120v outlet is not particularly helpful unless you don't move for a couple of days unless you're in a literal dead spot. I've considered carrying around an extension cable, but it hasn't really been worth the hassle. I've been able to find a fast charger, level 2 charger, or 240v outlet anywhere as needed. Sometimes I have to be a bit more thoughtful about charging deeper, but that's about it. And even at that, I only carry a TT-30 adapter in one of my EVs.

That's consistent with the large group of Rivian owners that I'm friends with. Several of us have done multiple legs of backcountry discovery routes through Washington.

A NACS/CCS adapter will be needed for a long time.

Depending on Scout's low voltage setup we may want to carry a specific jumper pack, but we won't know that for a while.

An OBD adapter isn't useful with a Rivian, so I don't have one anymore. I suspect that will be the same case with Scout given the shared architecture.

I'd say to bring a sense of adventure, but even that is needed less and less pretty quickly.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I forgot the NACS adapters. One for AC power and one for DC power.

 

[R1TVT]

I have and EVSE, a NACS adapter and a Tesla Tap mini in the truck. The NACS adapter has been useful this summer, and the Tesla Tap mini comes in handy at hotels or places with Destination Chargers while parked.

I would add a USB Drive to capture video. If Scout implements video capture, this is where it would be stored. Obviously wait and see how that gets handled, but I would imagine that Scout will implement something similar to Rivian.

I would consider screen protector film (mine is from a company called TWraps for the main infotainment screen. Helps with glare and finger prints. I'm sure 3rd parties will have them shortly after launch ready to go.

The Scout is boxy, so PPF on the nose and tail, as well as PPF on the hood if you live in a cold climate... There is no engine to warm the frunk so sometime you are swiping at crust and snow and ice on the hood to clear it... PPF is good for these areas and likely will be for the Scout.

I always have some recovery gear in the truck, mainly for snowy conditions. I just keep a small avalanche shovel and axe in the gear tunnel at all times, along with some straps, etc.

 

[J Alynn]

I have and EVSE, a NACS adapter and a Tesla Tap mini in the truck. The NACS adapter has been useful this summer, and the Tesla Tap mini comes in handy at hotels or places with Destination Chargers while parked.

I would add a USB Drive to capture video. If Scout implements video capture, this is where it would be stored. Obviously wait and see how that gets handled, but I would imagine that Scout will implement something similar to Rivian.

I would consider screen protector film (mine is from a company called TWraps for the main infotainment screen. Helps with glare and finger prints. I'm sure 3rd parties will have them shortly after launch ready to go.

The Scout is boxy, so PPF on the nose and tail, as well as PPF on the hood if you live in a cold climate... There is no engine to warm the frunk so sometime you are swiping at crust and snow and ice on the hood to clear it... PPF is good for these areas and likely will be for the Scout.

I always have some recovery gear in the truck, mainly for snowy conditions. I just keep a small avalanche shovel and axe in the gear tunnel at all times, along with some straps, etc.

You bring up a good point about the PPF on the hood. Wonder if SM will offer that as an add option like many other manufacturers do? If not it makes sense. I’ll likely add tint at some point fairly early on so probably get both done at the same time. PPF will help with stone chips too since you mentioned boxy shape. It’s been like 7-8 years since I’ve driven an SUV daily so good reminders

 

[Chaz26]

So here’s a question for our EV owners. We’ve talked about what we will keep stored in our new Scouts but from strictly an EV point of view-what should all of us newbies plan to purchase/set up as a “kit” specifically due to EV? Extension chords, any adapters-and do adapters attach to the car port or attach to the charger handset? What other things are recommended or through learning the hard way you now keep in your EV

I have a NEMA 14-50 and 5-15 chargers from Tesla. They are mostly for backup, but when we used to drive to my wife's grandma's house, and now to her friends back in Pittsburgh (just over 200 miles from us), I use the 5-15 to get a little bit of charge over the weekend. I've done the same when we've gone to the beach for the week and plugged in at the house we were staying at. I also have the J1772 adapter and a CCS adapter. Unfortunately the CCS adapter is only rated to 400v so I might not be able to use that when the Scout comes out, although by then I'm sure a lot of current CCS chargers will have started to include NACS cables as well.

 

[cyure]

You bring up a good point about the PPF on the hood. Wonder if SM will offer that as an add option like many other manufacturers do? If not it makes sense. I’ll likely add tint at some point fairly early on so probably get both done at the same time. PPF will help with stone chips too since you mentioned boxy shape. It’s been like 7-8 years since I’ve driven an SUV daily so good reminders

And if they do they need to do the entire hood. Toyota only does half the hood. I didn’t like that at all.

 

[LastDayScout]

I have a NEMA 14-50 and 5-15 chargers from Tesla. They are mostly for backup, but when we used to drive to my wife's grandma's house, and now to her friends back in Pittsburgh (just over 200 miles from us), I use the 5-15 to get a little bit of charge over the weekend. I've done the same when we've gone to the beach for the week and plugged in at the house we were staying at. I also have the J1772 adapter and a CCS adapter. Unfortunately the CCS adapter is only rated to 400v so I might not be able to use that when the Scout comes out, although by then I'm sure a lot of current CCS chargers will have started to include NACS cables as well.

I will try to find an old post I made showing all the different types of ports. For people that are new to EV, all of the ports, plugs, adapters, and nomenclature can be very confusing.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I always plug in if there's an option. Doesn't matter to me if it's 120 V, 12 A or 240 V, 80 A. 1.4 kW over a couple of hours of visiting can be 3+ kWh. On a 130 kWh battery, that's 2%. That might seem meaningless, but I've pulled into a DCFC with less than 4% before. I've arrived home with 0% on the display.