Battery degradation, Motortrend article Ernst & Young data

[ThundahBeagle]

My lady just rode from Boston to NYC in a Tesla. They went to pick up a friend at the airport there and drive her back here.

they got there early and sat in a waiting lot for 2 hours. Didn't charge the Tesla during that time because it "didn't tell them to charge."

However, on the way back they had to stop in Connecticut for a couple hours and charge. I'm sure they took the opportunity to grab a bite and go shopping somewhere, however, it begged the question to me: shouldn't you "top off" even if the vehicle isn't telling you that you need a charge?

I know, I know - charging too often when not needed is not optimal or isn't good for the battery or something, but this is a 4 or 5 hour trip each way if you drive straight through. I like to start out a trio or a leg of a journey topped off. And this is a longer trip than I think most people do in their electrics, as it has been mentioned in other posts that the optimal use case is driving to and from work, and in-town driving.

It just struck me as odd the end user didn't want to be prepared, but what do I know.

This is not a failing of the EV in any way, but more a note that people in higher population areas are starting to trust that there will be a charge available when the vehicle alerts them

 

[crazysccrmd]

My lady just rode from Boston to NYC in a Tesla. They went to pick up a friend at the airport there and drive her back here.

they got there early and sat in a waiting lot for 2 hours. Didn't charge the Tesla during that time because it "didn't tell them to charge."

However, on the way back they had to stop in Connecticut for a couple hours and charge. I'm sure they took the opportunity to grab a bite and go shopping somewhere, however, it begged the question to me: shouldn't you "top off" even if the vehicle isn't telling you that you need a charge?

I know, I know - charging too often when not needed is not optimal or isn't good for the battery or something, but this is a 4 or 5 hour trip each way if you drive straight through. I like to start out a trio or a leg of a journey topped off. And this is a longer trip than I think most people do in their electrics, as it has been mentioned in other posts that the optimal use case is driving to and from work, and in-town driving.

It just struck me as odd the end user didn't want to be prepared, but what do I know.

This is not a failing of the EV in any way, but more a note that people in higher population areas are starting to trust that there will be a charge available when the vehicle alerts them

Yep, driver error or not caring I guess. It’s not much different than waiting until the gas light comes on to fill up rather than planning a little ahead and topping off.

The couple hours was definitely an excuse to go shopping and get lunch. Otherwise 20-30 minutes and they’d have been back on the road with plenty of charge.

 

[Ex Animo]

@ThundahBeagle It does open a larger conversation about peoples reliance on technology to tell them how to be in the world, not limited to modern vehicles with screens. I will say that I've known several people that ignored or didn't even notice that the maintenance light was on and the oil was 3 times past it's mileage or the gas light comes on before they realize they needed gas. It does add a layer of complexity when charging stations are not as common as gas stations though.

Not sure about your airport but mine has lots if charging stations and I am one of those weirdos that prefers to park and meet whoever I am picking up in the airport vs curd side, perfect time to get a quick 30-40 minute charge!

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

My lady just rode from Boston to NYC in a Tesla. They went to pick up a friend at the airport there and drive her back here.

they got there early and sat in a waiting lot for 2 hours. Didn't charge the Tesla during that time because it "didn't tell them to charge."

However, on the way back they had to stop in Connecticut for a couple hours and charge. I'm sure they took the opportunity to grab a bite and go shopping somewhere, however, it begged the question to me: shouldn't you "top off" even if the vehicle isn't telling you that you need a charge?

I know, I know - charging too often when not needed is not optimal or isn't good for the battery or something, but this is a 4 or 5 hour trip each way if you drive straight through. I like to start out a trio or a leg of a journey topped off. And this is a longer trip than I think most people do in their electrics, as it has been mentioned in other posts that the optimal use case is driving to and from work, and in-town driving.

It just struck me as odd the end user didn't want to be prepared, but what do I know.

This is not a failing of the EV in any way, but more a note that people in higher population areas are starting to trust that there will be a charge available when the vehicle alerts them

Couple hours is an extremely long time to charge. Sounds like a level 2 charger not a DCFC. Which is fine if you have other stuff to do. Couple hours at a DCFC would result in idle fees.

Also seems a common missed step, to not add the final destination during a trip. I’m assuming they navigated to the airport, did their thing and then told the car to take them home. If you add home to the trip from the get go you get better results.

I just drove from Sacramento to Port Townsend WA, I didn’t stop for “hours” at any charger. I doubt I charged for “hours” the entire trip of 980 miles.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Couple hours is an extremely long time to charge. Sounds like a level 2 charger not a DCFC. Which is fine if you have other stuff to do. Couple hours at a DCFC would result in idle fees.

Also seems a common missed step, to not add the final destination during a trip. I’m assuming they navigated to the airport, did their thing and then told the car to take them home. If you add home to the trip from the get go you get better results.

I just drove from Sacramento to Port Townsend WA, I didn’t stop for “hours” at any charger. I doubt I charged for “hours” the entire trip of 980 miles.

Not sure I communicated well. They got to the airport early and just sort of hung out. I don't unde5why they didn't take that opportunity to top off, is all. Just because the car didn't tell them to, is no reason not to be ready for the next leg of the trip.