We own EVs. Ask Us Anything.

[SpaceEVDriver]

I guess I see this point of view, and I’m not a blocker, but it feels like those speeding towards the easily visible merge point think their time is somehow more valuable than those who have merged within the last 2500 feet before construction…

The issue is nobody is taught how to do this properly. Neither the merging drivers nor the through lane drivers.

It's similar to the race to the next slow down/stop in busy traffic. If everyone drove 35 for a mile instead of racing up to 75, the standing waves of stoppage would clear up and then everyone could go back to a steady 65.

 

[J Alynn]

I guess I see this point of view, and I’m not a blocker, but it feels like those speeding towards the easily visible merge point think their time is somehow more valuable than those who have merged within the last 2500 feet before construction…

I agree with you on your point. I saw it Tuesday where a service truck damn near side swiped a dump truck at a work zone zipper doing exactly what you said so that’s not cool. But I do think reasonable driving habits and using both lanes does keep traffic flowing better. But I also get upset when the non ending lane drivers don’t let anyone merge because that defeats the purpose as well. Nobody needs to be racing to the final merge point just to get that 6 car advantage but some people love the thrill

 

[speedrye]

Zipper merging is not taught in our state, nor is it law. Heck, it's not even encouraged at any meaningful level. It's hard for the northerners moving to the area to get used to the idea that you don't cut in line, you wait in a long line of traffic instead... It's a mess. Reminds me of Alabama's 5 O'Clock 500 song

Thankfully, I live and mostly drive out in the country on 2-lane roads with little traffic.

 

[R1TVT]

While I'm on the topic of going back to an ICE truck temporarily while the R1T is in the shop (and in addition to zero lag with instant torque mentioned above), another thing I am reminded of in an ICE p/u is how imbalanced P/U trucks are with an engine up-front and no weight in the back.

With my R1T, I can literally catapult myself in the blink of an eye and not even squeak a tire... Try that in an ICE p/u with an engine under the hood. Same for braking. EV trucks just feel so much more "planted" with a battery / skateboard platform spanning the underbelly.

Not to re-hash the start / stop button thing, but going back to a start button after not having one is tough! I have had to go back to the truck a couple of times to turn off the engine. Worst part is rolling up windows though. If I turn off the truck (at least in this Ram 1500) the power goes off immediately, and I need to go into "accessory mode" to roll up the windows, and then I need to turn off accessory mode again. No Start/Stop is really nice in an EV with the proper settings - esp with PaaK or well-designed proximity sensing from a physical key.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The nearly-instant response is something I had to get used to and now will never want to lose.
With my Tacoma, turning onto the highway had to include the hesitation of a gas engine on hard acceleration as part of the plan. It took a couple of months for me to get used to the Lightning’s instant response. But now that instant jump instead of dive is what driving a vehicle should always have been.

 

[LastDayScout]

EV-owner question:

I often read EV owners get over the novelty of the acceleration quickly and settle in to a normal routine. Is this just how you drive, or is the acceleration that boring?

I'm 100k miles into my current ICE sedan and it's quick (think M3P quick, not Plaid quick) and it has never gotten old. I take every 0-60+ run I have the opportunity to take. So, is the EV boring, or just the driver?
In related news, I've come to the conclusion that my adolescent brain will never mature, despite decades of trying. My body on the other hand, oh my poor body...

I would not say I have gotten over the acceleration. But, I do not floor it all the time. I use it when passing. I have even used it in emergency situations to avoid a near miss or worse. I still like it, but I find myself striving for efficiency. Also, the best accelerations occurs in sport mode and that also firms up the suspension and steering. Now that gets old pretty quick as the ride is greatly affected.

 

[J Alynn]

I would not say I have gotten over the acceleration. But, I do not floor it all the time. I use it when passing. I have even used it in emergency situations to avoid a near miss or worse. I still like it, but I find myself striving for efficiency. Also, the best accelerations occurs in sport mode and that also firms up the suspension and steering. Now that gets old pretty quick as the ride is greatly affected.

It’s funny you mention the efficiency thing because I have played that game for over two years now in the Accord playing with things that impact the hybrid range. And my wife now plays the range game with the EV and over a month and a half in already now and she is maintaining 4.3 m/kwh. She does occasionally goose it for fun but very pleased with the range this far