Featured on Tech Breakfast Podcast 243 | EVs with Paul Braren | Aaron, Tyler

Posted by Paul Braren on Mar 25 2022 in

This podcast was recorded on Friday March 25 2022. Show notes below.

I had the chance to enjoy my 8th appearance on this fun and informative podcast, you can play this fresh episode in the embedded player below.

aHFBkKiv8 — Click/tap to listen to "243: EV update with Paul Braren"

Recorded on Friday March 25, 2022, with me using Telegram for Windows to join the TBP crew.

As an alternative to the players above, you'll have speed controls using the player at right. Even better, use your favorite podcast app, such as Overcast which lets you keep your hands on the wheel and attention on the road, using now-common steering wheel controls to skip back / skip ahead withing the episode, rather than the default of jumping to the previous/next episode.

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Disclosure: I hold no stock in any of the companies listed below.

Video

March 9 & March 12 2022 - Tesla Road Trip Snow Tips - Boston - AutoPilot, visibility, and wiper speed tests, 100 MPGe

TinkerTry - March 18 2022 - Tesla Road Trip Traffic Tips - NYC - AutoPilot for less stress while exceeded EPA range, 147 MPGe

Show Notes

I had prepared these before the recording, as candidates for conversation, should time allow. Surprise, we ran way short on time! No worries, I got most of what I was thinking of saying here anyway.

If anybody is interested in real-world statistics for what it costs to drive an EV, even when electric rates here in New England the highest in the nation, check out this comprehensive look

Tesla Model 3 Boston and New York City Road Trip Tips - safely handle rain, snow, and heavy traffic with ease and efficiency
Mar 24 2022

We talked a bit about the direct sales model, and the issues in GA and CT happening right now, for example:
https://tinkertry.com/bill-sb127-for-direct-sales-of-evs-in-connecticut#my-written-testimonial-2021
see also more details in the chat transcript below.

We also talked a bit about Chad Sakacc's Power Train Error, where he's being told they can't look at his Model Y for 15 days:

My experience (if not an outlier) will kill a brand.
https://twitter.com/sakacc/status/1506992605258788869

Then we got into service and support scaling challenges that Tesla is facing, as well as how NHTSA handles all recalls with paper letters months later in today's age of OTA software updates that can address recall complains in a matter of days for the entire fleet, with no service center visit required.

Super Bowl

Electric vehicles dominated Super Bowl ads, but are still only 9% of passenger car sales. All the videos here:
https://insideevs.com/news/567160/nfl-superbowl-electric-car-commercials/

Here's some perspective on the reality in the US right now. The United States is a much smaller market for EVs. Only 535,000 cars, representing about 4% of new cars sold in the United States, were electric. Tesla is almost 60% of EV sales:
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/14/evs-dominated-super-bowl-ads-but-only-9percent-of-passenger-car-sales.html#:~:text=Of%20the%206.5%20million%20EVs,were%20in%20the%20United%20States.

I mentioned that 77.5% of new cars in Norway in Sep 2021 are electric
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-pushes-norways-ev-sales-new-record-2021-10-01/
and (forgot to mention that) only 30% of them were Teslas (from China) there, and the Berlin factory was just opened this past week.

Most American Car

What is the most American car (gas or electric) made?
https://www.silive.com/news/2021/06/what-are-the-most-american-made-cars-on-the-market.html

Tesla Model 3 (manufactured in Fremont, Calif.)
Ford Mustang (Flat Rock, Mich.)
Tesla Model Y (Fremont, Calif.)
Jeep Cherokee (Belvidere, Ill.)
Chevrolet Corvette (Bowling Green, Ky.)
Honda Ridgeline (Lincoln, Ala.)
Honda Odyssey (Lincoln, Ala.)
Honda Pilot (Lincoln, Ala.)
Honda Passport (Lincoln, Ala.)
Toyota Tundra (San Antonio, Texas)

Toyota

2023 bZ4X, 150 kW

Subaru

2023 Solterra SUV

Hyundai

2022 IONIQ 5
350 kW DC Fast Charging Speed

Lucid Motors

2022 Lucid Air
>500 miles range

GM

2023 Chevrolet Equinox
Starts at $30K, but no $7500 Federal Tax Credit.

Hummer EV

Easy approach vs Ground-up EV design approach - least effort possible.
Hummer is 9,063 pounds and 47 MPGe with 329 miles range.
212 kWh battery pack alone weighs 2,923.
https://insideevs.com/news/567829/gmc-hummerev-weight-efficiency-specs

Tesla

FYI, my wife's entry level 2020 Model 3 was $39K (USD)
https://TinkerTry.com/tesla-tuesday#price
and is now worth $41K to $43K on kbb.com used. The entry level 2022 Model 3 currently costs $46,990 (USD) new, but now has a different LFP battery pack now that doesn't use (currently spiking in cost) nickel. Sadly prices have gone up, on all cars.

2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range is 4,072 pounds and 116 MPGe with 310 miles range
75 kWh battery pack alone weighs 1,060 pounds, charges overnight 0 to 100% in 8 hours
70F temps last week to NYC and back was 225 miles round trip, 147 MPGe, $13 electricity.

That would have been around $41 in a Hummer for the same trip, and 3 times as long charging in a typical 40A/240V (NEMA 14-50 outlet) home charging, which is 24 hours.

$38K Model 3 has become a slower heavier $47K Model 3, but that LFP battery doesn't use nickel (which is currently spiking in price) and can be charged to 100% each day, not sure if $7500 Federal Tax Credit will come back for Tesla

$30K Chevrolet Equinox (no Federal Tax Credit, they sold enough Bolts)
https://electrek.co/2022/01/05/gm-unveil-equinox-ev-starting-30000-price/

Model Y at Hertz late April
https://twitter.com/KlenderJoey/status/1507077665286758401

ADAS of all EVs
https://twitter.com/itskyleconner/status/1506757716903145479

Rivian at High School:
https://twitter.com/itskyleconner/status/1506682642728734722

No issues with charging Rivian, 2,000 miles in 2 days
https://twitter.com/itskyleconner/status/1506657509792104450

https://insideevs.com/news/564800/world-top-oem-sales-2021
All-electric car sales in Q1-Q4 2021 (vs previous year):
Tesla: 936,172 and 21% share (vs 23%)
SAIC (incl. SAIC-GM-Wuling): 609,730 and 13% share
Volkswagen Group: 451,131 and 10% share (vs 11%)
BYD: 323,143 and 7% share
Hyundai Motor Group: 216,562 and 5% share

Good to hear you talking about the Polestar 2 EV here
https://overcast.fm/+aHFDhVHVM/01:00

Sales figures of 29,000 in 2021, meeting objectives:
https://insideevs.com/news/560140/polestar-sales-2021

EV Club of CT Show & Tell by new owner Marc - 2021 Polestar 2
https://youtu.be/foQRafSbIQk
library of EV ownership videos
https://TinkerTry.com/evownervideos#ervideos#2021-polestar-2

Problems:
Leaf doesn’t have cooling, so plagued by constant barrage of “what about when you have to replace your battery” questions in video comments and in person events

Fires

Battery fire vs gas car fires:

https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires

New EV teething pains

44 fires out of hundreds of thousands of Bolts, which is still far less often than gas car sales
12V to 16V battery transition for Tesla Model 3/Y is happening, had some software issues
12V problems on Hyundai IONIQ 5, had some software issues

Trucks

Electrify America pull through charging
https://twitter.com/Pstansel/status/1507039538572578824
https://media.electrifyamerica.com/assets/documents/original/845-ElectrifyAmericasLookbookTheFutureofCharging.pdf

Rivian R1T vs Ram TRX vs Ford Raptor vs GMC Syclone — drag racing the world's fastest pickups!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acSdPy38XKU

Driving the Winnebago Industries e-RV | World's First All-Electric RV
https://youtu.be/i490ZrBksD8

Chat Transcript

Notes from the Telegram chat a day before, during, and for a few minutes after the podcast was recorded.

Paul Braren, [3/23/2022 6:08 PM]
Hey TBP crew, any interest in me joining another podcast to talk about tech and/or EV updates? If so, let me know when is good, in general Fridays are better schedule wise.

My wife's 2020 Model 3 was $39K (USD)
https://TinkerTry.com/tesla-tuesday#price
and is now worth $41K to $43K on kbb.com
but yeah, sadly prices have gone up, on all cars.

My ears were burning today as you talked about the Polestar 2 (that I've done a video of) https://twitter.com/paulbraren/status/1506751468350623746
I have some recent news about EV towing, how Lucid Air gets 500 mile range vs how Hummer EV gets range, then there's Rivian R1T range tests with trailer (but slowish charging). Also, Hyundai IONIQ 5 (fast charging, $47K minus $7500 Federal Tax Credit) detailed at https://tinkertry.com/hyundai-ioniq-5. Soon there's also Chevrolet Equinox starting at $30K (low range) https://electrek.co/2022/01/05/gm-unveil-equinox-ev-starting-30000-price.

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:35 AM]
Recall rates of various makes https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/best-and-worst-automaker-recall-rates

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:36 AM]
(1985 to 2016 though)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:36 AM]
it's the serious ones that mean you need to be towed that really need to be tracked, and updated for the new world of EVs

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:37 AM]
and safety stuff too, separate from cosmetic/annoyance stuff

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:39 AM]
https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2022/03/24/transportation-committee-green-lights-direct-to-consumer-sales/

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:41 AM]
and Georgia https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/southeastern/item/25694-rivian-georgia-plant-pushing-lawmakers-to-revisit-direct-sales-legislation.html

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:42 AM]
and many others, so yeah, top EV sales leaders Tesla and Rivian can't be purchased in many states

Tyler Gates, [3/25/2022 9:55 AM]
i've got a hard stop at 9, Paul. Just FYI

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 9:55 AM]
I wanted to ask if Rivian has seen any major issues?

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 9:56 AM]
I want one, but the cost kills me

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:01 AM]
So far Rivian is looking good technically Russell, but price went up a lot. We just ended abruptly, didn't' get to tallk about cars much mostly trucks (Equ

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Sadly, we dove into politics and sad stuff, happy news is Chevy Equinox at $30K coming, Hyundai IONIQ 5 at $47K, Toyota and Subaru too, oh well, maybe next time, let me know when you want me back, only got through about 30% of my shownotes/ideas

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Wow price went up?

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Oof

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
but it's good to balance the sad with the happy

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
https://www.inverse.com/innovation/rivian-price-hike

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:04 AM]
they're having trouble scaling (like Model S in 2013)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:06 AM]
but early testers seem pretty happy with them overall, weak spot is DC fast charging speed on the go, limited to 150 kW, which is low by most EV standards, $47K Hyundai IONIQ 5 is 350 kW - can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:06 AM]
(all cars are going up in price a lot, EVs are no exception, announcing prices 2-3 years ago for Rivian and Cybertruck was a mistake)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:07 AM]
I mentioned car fires by the on the air (on the podcast episode we just finished), this graph is decent:
https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:08 AM]
(and if anybody is interested in real-world statistics for what it costs to drive one, even when electric rates here in New England he highest in the nation)
https://tinkertry.com/tesla-tips-boston-snow-nyc-traffic

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:35 AM]
Recall rates of various makes https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/best-and-worst-automaker-recall-rates

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:36 AM]
(1985 to 2016 though)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:36 AM]
it's the serious ones that mean you need to be towed that really need to be tracked, and updated for the new world of EVs

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:37 AM]
and safety stuff too, separate from cosmetic/annoyance stuff

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:39 AM]
https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2022/03/24/transportation-committee-green-lights-direct-to-consumer-sales/

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:41 AM]
and Georgia https://www.autobodynews.com/index.php/southeastern/item/25694-rivian-georgia-plant-pushing-lawmakers-to-revisit-direct-sales-legislation.html

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 9:42 AM]
and many others, so yeah, top EV sales leaders Tesla and Rivian can't be purchased in many states

Tyler Gates, [3/25/2022 9:55 AM]
i've got a hard stop at 9, Paul. Just FYI

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 9:55 AM]
I wanted to ask if Rivian has seen any major issues?

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 9:56 AM]
I want one, but the cost kills me

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:01 AM]
So far Rivian is looking good technically Russell, but price went up a lot. We just ended abruptly, didn't' get to tallk about cars much mostly trucks (Equ

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Sadly, we dove into politics and sad stuff, happy news is Chevy Equinox at $30K coming, Hyundai IONIQ 5 at $47K, Toyota and Subaru too, oh well, maybe next time, let me know when you want me back, only got through about 30% of my shownotes/ideas

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Wow price went up?

Russell Cantwell, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
Oof

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
but it's good to balance the sad with the happy

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:03 AM]
https://www.inverse.com/innovation/rivian-price-hike

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:04 AM]
they're having trouble scaling (like Model S in 2013)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:06 AM]
but early testers seem pretty happy with them overall, weak spot is DC fast charging speed on the go, limited to 150 kW, which is low by most EV standards, $47K Hyundai IONIQ 5 is 350 kW - can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:06 AM]
(all cars are going up in price a lot, EVs are no exception, announcing prices 2-3 years ago for Rivian and Cybertruck was a mistake)

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:07 AM]
I mentioned car fires by the on the air (on the podcast episode we just finished), this graph is decent:
https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/gas-vs-electric-car-fires/

Paul Braren, [3/25/2022 10:07 AM]