I’d hope that other manufacturers are better because let’s face it, it’s a top priority issue and not that hard to code.
What id like to see is the car passing data on the battery and efficiency back through android auto / apple car play
That way, Google maps (which is still by far the best sat nav) could handle the planning of charging based on real time usage data
Cheeky peek inside this months what car whilst at the supermarket from their range test.
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I’d hope that other manufacturers are better because let’s face it, it’s a top priority issue and not that hard to code.
and a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated 🙂
and a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated
Public charging is literally something that could make or break an EV for me - I'm going to try and get a long demo of the EV I'm considering to see if it's livable along with the range.
a feature oddly that Tesla have had for years so you would have expected it to be widely emulated 🙂
I imagine it’s a data integration issue. Several bits of data need integrating - car info (remaining energy plus energy needed for planned route from the car, data on all available chargers - availability, rate, price across several networks each competing with the other hence not wanting to share data openly). Each piece of this data on in isolation is fairy easy, integrating it is much harder.
My theory…. Google are really good at doing this, and I suspect that they will eventually to do (either developing their own or buying out a smaller company who’s developed a solution) and from then on all the charging providers will desperately want to be part of this system to drive traffic to their chargers (a bit like how Google focussed SEO is a big deal for websites now). That will then drive prices down as it will be a hyper competitive market.
So - the distant future is bright. Next week less so.
I’m off to try and write a charging point data app…
My theory…. Google are really good at doing this, and I suspect that they will eventually to do (either developing their own or buying out a smaller company who’s developed a solution) and from then on all the charging providers will desperately want to be part of this system to drive traffic to their chargers (a bit like how Google focussed SEO is a big deal for websites now). That will then drive prices down as it will be a hyper competitive market.
If Google can get this working and integrate it with maps then that will be a massive win - I never use on board nav, only android auto so being able to plan just via that, with some sort of API pulling charge data from the car... Massive win.
I'll read what others have said at my leisure, so sorry if it's all been said.
I've experienced it in my M3 (standard range) of 2 years (now have an ID.3) and a mates who has the tesla with roof bars.
I managed 2 med MTBs in the back, one all wheels off, one front wheel off. Was fine maybe a little fiddly but not a tight fit. Tesla roof bars go on/off fairly easily. They have some paint protector clear sticky film at the four contact points which spoils the look a little but only close up. if you remove the film after each use then you'd need to buy some more film but you can probably find a source. I go camping / climbing / walking regularly and I never had an issue, also usually had a big bouldering mat with me, the boot is very big when you drop the back seats (they're split something like 33/66).
I've never found charging a big issue and I use the public network all the time, but it's not like petrol, you have to do a bit of pre planning on long journeys and use your common sense, have a plan B , charge in an area where there's more than one option etc. For example, If I was going up the M6 to Scotland at a peak period, I'd assume the tesla superchargers would be chocka at Tebay and Gretna so I'd maybe use another option ie instavolt or Geniepoint in Penrith to give me enough to get to the superchargers at Eurocentral Motherwell which are always empty.
I suppose the only issue I might have had was in the national parks where charging is sparse. If you're going away for a weekend walking in the Lakes, then you are going to want to be doing other things than looking for car charging or you might end up on Sunday night having to look for a charger in Windemere or Keswick before getting on the road home, when you just want to be heading off home. I think it's going to be in these sort of places where charging might get more awkward in the near future with the increase in EV owners, where the vendors can't warrant the capital investment for seasonal and a few busy weekends, or the local planning is a pain, or the local DNO infrastructure can't cope with many DC rapid chargers. If you get a long range model then all the above will probs not be an issue.
So – the distant future is bright. Next week less so.
Or buy a Tesla and drive the future today:-)
I just don't think the car manufactures have really got the grasp of software, they'd prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis although it does look some are getting in the subscription service for heated seats.
The Tesla navigation software for a built in non-option is very impressive, don't forget how inbuilt nav was a beloved high priced option for years in cars and dated very quickly as they couldn't be arsed.
You can hate on Tesla for many things but you can't knock the software and how they have realised that it's an integral part of making the electric car ownership simple and have acted on this.
Or buy a Tesla and drive the future today:-)
I just don’t think the car manufactures have really got the grasp of software, they’d prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis although it does look some are getting in the subscription service for heated seats.
The Tesla navigation software for a built in non-option is very impressive, don’t forget how inbuilt nav was a beloved high priced option for years in cars and dated very quickly as they couldn’t be arsed.
You can hate on Tesla for many things but you can’t knock the software and how they have realised that it’s an integral part of making the electric car ownership simple.
I totally agree with this. Hence earlier comment re “if it was a hatchback”
The i4 choice has also brought into focus the issues (non EV related) about options gamesmanship. So much stuff that you think should be standard on a “nice” car that aren’t on this £55k car. E.g. - adaptive cruise control - need to buy a £1k+ pack for that. Really?!?
they’d prefer you to buy a new car in two years time rather than pump out some extra new feature/fix on a monthly basis
Agree, although OTA or at least DIY updates are a thing for many now.
adaptive cruise control – need to buy a £1k+ pack for that.
It's included on my £30k Hyundai 🙂
The Supercharger network is trialling opening them up to other EVs since May, we've had guys at work charging up the Vivaro Es recently. Hopefully it's a success and they go national!
Adaptive cruise and steering control comes with a Tesla as standard Molgrip, it uses cameras not radar. You only pay extra for the Full self drive.
I had adaptive cruise on a £4k Fabia as well if that helps.
Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn't like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they're absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍
I went for a confirmation drive in an i4 today - just to check I've not made a mistake.
Not a chance, it'd blinkin' lovely. It has that "high end BMW" look and feel to it. The ride and handling is spot and it's properly quick. Infotainment is also excellent. I'd say better than the Tesla as it's controllable via the iDrive controller thingy rather than needing to jab at a touchscreen.
It's definitely compromised for rear seat and boot space, but the payback for that is a car that looks and feels sporty rather than the SUV/Crossover way that almost everything else seems to have gone. Happy days.
Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍
They’ve been check by Tesla and are ok. They’re just not very good. They are deliberately a lower lumen so Tesla don’t have to fit headlight washers.
A bit like the comment above on Adaptive Cruise on the BMW. They’re ok, but you expect more from a car of this price.
Also, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍
They also sneaked a matrix version in later cars which could project Tesla against the wall.
Anyone else think the Tesla logo looks like a uterus and ovaries?
Interesting thread, I have a lease (Tusker, through salary sacrifice) Q4 Etron Quattro on order for next June delivery. I don’t need to commit till about Easter 23. It is bigger and cheaper than the Tesla 3, bikes go on towbar as with Tesla, and I’m used to Audi. I’m wondering about a Model 3 …..
They also sneaked a matrix version in later cars which could project Tesla against the wall.
They’re the rubbish ones I’m referring to. Fancy matrix LED lights that don’t actually do anything useful. The ones in my old car could do all sorts, like blocking out oncoming traffic and leaving the other bits on full beam, bend round corners, etc. These can just write ‘Tesla’ on a wall.
lso, for the model 3 owner who doesn’t like the headlights, maybe they need calibrating, they’re absolutely brilliant on mine. 👍
They’ve been check by Tesla and are ok. They’re just not very good.
Mine were pretty poor aswell (July 19 reg), my mates are brilliant by comparison (Mar 21 China build)
Mine is a ‘facelift’ December 2020 car (black trim and door handles). So it has the latest matrix lights.
Pretty sure Tesla had a recall on certain versions of those matrix lights in some markets.
