EV Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
Published on 29th December 2024 by Simon Fearby
EV Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
This is a short post on FUD around EVs v Reality
Background
We have had a Tesla Model Y Long Range for 1 Year now and have had no mechanical issues, touch wood.
Before I decided to pull the pin on an EV I thoroughly researched and searched the internet far and wide for horror stories and cons to owning an EV.
These were the top downsides to owing an EV that I researched.
- They catch fire every few months for no reason.
- You have to wait in line at a charger for hours and hours to charger.
- They are slow and cannot go very far.
- They get recalled all the time.
- They have no soul to drive.
The Truth
They catch fire every few months for no reason.
Just today in my state of NSW, a car caught fire in a major Tunnel (NorthConnex) at Normanhurst. For hours mainstream news and social media assumed it was probably an EV fire.
The Tunnel operator NorthConnex and the NSW Fire and Rescue had a news article on the fire.
In Reality it was a Petrol Car.
Statistics Reveal (snip from)
According to NSW Fire and Rescue, there were 2,803 ICE car fires in the 2022–2023 financial year.
By contrast, Australia has recorded just 8 or 9 EV fires in total, highlighting a significantly lower risk for electric vehicles.
A study by Swinburne University also found that ICE vehicles are 20 to 80 times more likely to catch fire compared to EVs. Globally, data from EV FireSafe shows just 393 verified EV battery fires between 2010 and mid-2023, out of a global EV population of over 30 million vehicles.
Back in March 2024 there was a car fire in the Eastern Distributor tunnel (reported here: Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) mechanic saves heavily pregnant woman during car fire in Eastern Distributor).
After much inquiring I did get a reply from Superintendent Adam Dewberry - Operational Media Liaison Media, Communication and Engagement | Fire and Rescue NSW and he said
The vehicle was not a BEV or HBEV.
I did ask if "In future can you please indicate the vehicle type in Fire news bulletins" and thius question was ignored.
I have no doubt that older EV NCM battery chemistries can catch fire and thermally runaway, but this is far less likely with newer LFP and Blade batteries.
You have to wait in line at a charger for hours and hours to charger."
In 1 year we have driven nearly 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles). 91% if those chargers were at home and 9% were at public charging when away from our home town on road trips.
Out of the 5 trips where we used public chargers, we had to wait in line for a free charger once (at Ampol Werrington Downs where a BMW was charging).
Energy recharge breakdown
Cost to Charge Breakdown
Charging at home is very cheap but slow, public charging is a lot faster but more expensive (still way cheaper than petrol)
They are slow and cannot go very far.
I set a daily charge limit to 80% that gives 412km range with Origin EV Power Up that fills the car when there is renewable surplus or at night in off peak. To travel one kilometer costs bout 1.2c and to fill the car to 100% (530km range) costs about $6.
Our last 1,800km road trip was amazing. Speed was not an issue.
They get recalled all the time."
It's true they get recalls all the time the news says...
Tesla Recalled 700,000 Cars. This Time Was Different.
Tesla Resolves 700k Vehicle Recall via OTA Update; NHTSA Now Highlights OTA Recalls
Tesla recalls nearly 2.2M vehicles for software update to fix warning lights
Tesla recalls nearly all vehicles sold in US to fix system that monitors drivers using Autopilot
..but 99% of the time a simple, over the air (OTA) software update fixes it. I have never had a hardware based recall that needed to visit a service center
Every month or so Tesla's receive free security updates and new features. Herew are a few hundred software updates and features I have downloaded for free to our car.
Tesla Software Update History and Latest Tesla Features
From memory these are the best new features I have received
- Improved Charging Screen
- Better Navigation software
- Better Auto Wipers
- Larger Speedo Text
- PIN to drive
- Ability to view all camera’s.
- Use my phone as a Key
- System Wide Text Size Scaling
- Visualization Improvements
- Blindspot Cameras
- Drowsiness Warning
- Improved Camera Clarity
- Better Enhanced Auto Pilot
- EAP, Better turning circle (Curve Assist)
- Speed Cameras on Route
- Distance Travelled Speed Monitoring
- Auto Park
- Destination/Super Charger Availability On Arrival
- Improved Ride Handling
- Adaptive LED Matrix Headlights (High Beam)
- Headlights adapt for Curves,
- Improved Voice Commands
- Schedule Charging and Pre Conditioning
- Mobile Phone Viewing Sentry Alerts
- Predictive Text in Nav
- Weather Radar in Nav and temp at each way point
- Reverse Cross Camera Alerts.
- Apple Watch Support
- Vision Autopark
- Autopark Improvements
- Blind Spot Warning While Parked
- Smoother Visualizations
- Rear Cross-Traffic Chime
- Third-Party Fast Charger Preconditioning
- Traffic Visualization
- Navigation Improvements
- Child Left Alone Detection
- Lane Departure Avoidance
- Save Trunk Height Based on Location
- Avoid Highways
- Adaptive Headlights
They have no soul to drive."
Not in my humble opinion ;)
Conclusion
In my experience the biggest haters of EV's are those who hate technology and maths.
Each to his own
Referral Links
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