Tesla, Tesla mods, Tesla Powerwall, EVs, Interviews and more. I have owned many cars in my life - way before most of you were born. I don't consider myself a gear head, but in my younger days, I would put an aftermarket (otherwise known as "mods") or two to impress my friends, but mostly for the ladies. As time past, I graduated from college, got married, had children, retired from the military and gotten older. So here I am, mid life crisis and all, I bought a car. I have been an EV owner (specifically a Tesla) since 2015, and I consider this car an investment. I keep it garaged, spotless and rarely drive it in bad weather. Don't complain to me - I told you "Don't waste your time, this video may not be for you". However, I have met some really cool Tesla and EV owners and decided to find out their stories. These videos to me are interesting topics and they cross a wide spectrum of the lives of people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. I hope you will enjoy them.
After having an oversized Enphase PV system installed last year, I discovered during two short outages, that my PV panels shut down at the peak of solar production one day and the power company's return of power was all over the board, from a few hours to 12 to 6. And I could hear all the gas generators running while we were in the dark, oh and it was a brutally HOT and HUMID day in STL. I knew going in that's how the system worked for safety reasons. So I decided we needed to add some ESS so my home would "ISLAND" itself and my PV system and ESS could power my home. Initially, I was looking at 2 Enphase 5P batteries. So I contacted my PV installer (Straight Up Solar in STL) to start the discussions. I learned my utility (AMEREN of Illinois) offered a $300 per ESS kWh, and they then suggested I go with two PW3 as after the $9100 cash rebate (27 x $300 = $9100) then the 30% tax credit. So that's what we are doing and getting. 27 kWh of ESS mated to a 12.5 kWh will power my home forever. We have a small 2 bd/bath high-efficiency villa with gas heat/stove/fireplace. Our electric water heater is 5+ years old so we are looking at replacing that with a heat Pump water heater. Leaving my 3-ton AC as the BIG consumer. But also have a finished basement that NEVER gets about 75F or below 65F so we could reduce AC use to a minimum and shelter in place in our basement. Having said that I also believe in the GO BIG OR STAY HOME concept so we might add a third PW given all the credits/discounts. Thanks for that advice.
I would love to own an EV but even with total home charging each night, it just wouldn’t offer my family the range we need at least once a week. The idea of stopping for several hours to fast charge is a non-starter, not that such charger infrastructure is even available here. I’ve never seen an EV charger in person. …and it often reaches -45c here rendering EVs (and diesels!) useless.
@iancurrie8844 - First of thanks for watching my video and your comments. EV's may not be for everyone, you may consider an Hybrid which uses gas and has a small battery. As far as stopping for "hours" for fast charging, it's actually "minutes" (maybe 15 -25 minutes). I purchased my EV 9 years ago and hasn't had any major problems (knock on wood). However I do have a gasoline vehicle in which I use as a daily! Thanks again - if you can please share this video and subscribe to my channel! Be safe out there!
@Aaron Elliott You wrote "In a situation in step 3 where the utility can access your system, does your system keep enough power for your needs?" Since the recoding was done over a year ago (I was the one interviewing Leon), I can answer your question with a guess. In a time of loss, those who signed up for him to send power to his neighbors, the power may be divided equally. He reached out to me about two months ago and told me that his power company wanted to be his "test bed". He did not give me a date as of 1 July 2024... Thanks for watching and please subscribe to my channel!
The key to owning an EV is having the ability to Level 2 charge at home. If you can do that driving an EV is much more convenient than driving an ICE vehicle.
@fbkskskier (SkiBum1) - Nice hearing from you! You are correct. There are many younger people who may not own a home, so they will have to find charging close to their where they live. That is the paradox of charging - convenient for some, not so much for others. Thanks for watching. If you can please share my video plus subscribe. I have over 300 videos with new content every Saturday morning.
@@Waldorf9651 True. I think Ford could build another vehicle on the Mach E platform that is a bit less sporty and more comparable to the Blazer. In fact, I think the platform is a great choice to use as the basis of multiple vehicles as they often do with their other vehicles.
Well said. EV'S are nothing but a fad, latest reports reflect an average depreciation on EV'S of 30% in the first year of ownership!! The F150 lightning does better and so do teslas but these things in general hemorrhage value.
@GaryHenson53 - Thanks for watching. Hope to meet you. We always have EV events all over Maryland, especially in Southern Maryland. There is an event next Saturday. Unfortunately, I may not make the event, my wife and I have a date in DC. If you get a chance, please subscribe to my channel. Be safe! facebook.com/events/1393253918032520
I LOVE Jiselle my 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD SE (low trim). 38k in Winston-Salem North Carolina. I drive 30 miles a day. I use my Chevy Impala for road trips. The Ioniqs, EV5s and EV9s have what I call a semi solid state very energy dense battery. The batteries have a polymer electolyte. In fact, I have to charge at 28 amps at home because the battery can overheat on even 32 amps because it rips. Love it. My efficiency is 4 miles per kwh.
@@dianewallace6064 Ah. Way too cool! You have a ton of knowledge. I have a few years before I retire for the second time. Currently, I'm at the US Capitol.
Had this vehicle for a month now and absolutely love it. You take the Kia badges off and you would think it’s from a much higher brand. Don’t sleep on this just bc it’s a Kia! They are making 🔥vehicles!
I got a VERY used 16” 40V Greenworks mower about 3 years ago just to try out an electric mower. I was very pleased with the performance and low maintenance. So when the battery died , I got a new, larger (22” 60 v) . Again, I’m very pleased. I don’t see myself purchasing another gas mower. The only disadvantage is run time. But to be honest, i just take it as a sign that I need to take a break 😂. I plan on purchasing a 60v chain saw In the near future . So I’ll use the battery that comes with it as an additional battery for extending my run time. From what I’ve read Ego and Greenworks are similar in quality and performance with ego having a slight advantage. Again I’m very impressed.
@dmandman9 - Thanks for your comment and watching my video. I like my EGO as mentioned, I have two batteries for the lawn mower. Just like you, once I start I don't want to stop. HOWEVER, I and getting up in age and I do need to take a water break and get out of the heat. So having two battery makes sense. By the end of the grass cutting year, I plan on doing a video about battery maintenance - which is not really about "maintenance" of a battery but maintaining one or two.
@@Waldorf9651 My only concern is battery longevity given their cost. So I really want to know how to “maintain “ them properly. Especially during storage. Do I store them at 100% or somewhere less than that? Is it safe to leave them on the charger overnight? Those are my questions that aren’t specifically addressed by the manufacturer. But to be honest, I and my dad have ruined several mowers over the years with improperly storing them without treating or draining the fuel.
@@dmandman9 - Last year (sometime around late November) all of my batteries were changed at 100%. Four and a half months later it was time to cut the grass. The two lawnmower batteries were around 70% charge. The lighter and smaller battery were around 85%.
@@dmandman9 I charged them at 100% then unplugged and stored them for the winter months. As far as EGO chargers, I have cut the grass and put them in the charger. Totally forgot they were in the charger hours after I cut the grass. EGO chargers has a safety. Once the battery is charged, the electric motor will cut off and will not charge anymore. As an EV owner for 9 years, my Tesla is about the same except one difference. I charge the car at 90%. I leave the charging cable in the Tesla for days. The battery will drain (let's say) to 80%. The Tesla battery is smart enough to charge back to 90% and keep it there. I am not saying that EGO has this technology, but (at least) for an owner for one year, it would take months to drain the battery all the way down. If that happens... no big deal, charge the battery a day before or morning of you are about to cut and it should be ok. As far as longevity, I may have to reach out to EGO for that question...
thank you for this review, I appreciate KIA for doing this, but I'm not a KIA fan. I'll wait for Honda and Toyota electric 3-row 1st. Plus, it's nerve wrecking thinking will the KIABoyz make a new video involving this one too...
@thejake8099 - Kia may not be for everyone. Way back in the day I had a Honda prelude - I love that car but it had zero A/C!! Thanks for watching. If you can, please subscribe to my channel - it would be appreciated! I think I have over 280 videos.... Thanks for your support!
Good video, but you need to work on your pronunciation of ARCIMOTO. At least the guy selling it knew how to pronounce it correctly. I road tested one about two years ago, followed by the Nimbus One. I liked them both, but Arcimoto has already thrown in the towel, so hopefully Nimbus can make a go of it. There's definitely a need for tiny around-town vehicles like this.
@reedberry - Thanks for your comment. I said "Ack" instead of "Arc". I caught that in post production. I'm sad to say, that I may not have to say it anymore. Unless it rises from the ground. I would be honored, if you subscribe to my channel. I'm closing in on 300 videos. Support an old retired Army vet. Be safe out there!
It's not uncommon for our service station to be late with repairs. That is why I like to repair and maintain my car myself. But in general, in my opinion, Cadillac is clearly better than Volkswagen.
This car is on everyone's lips right now. It looks fantastic. Very unusual steering wheel shape. Only one windshield wiper - that's unusual, too. Am I right in thinking you can control it just by looking at the monitors? It's a very unusual car - some people will like it, some people won't, but it will always get noticed.
Obviously the owner is a fan of electric cars). In Ukraine, no one has heard of Lucid and Fisker cars either, but we have a lot of Teslas and German electric cars. I have never met such a cover on the wheel rims. Interesting solution. Classy car, very beautiful color. And unusual shape of the trunk lid
I can see some tesla cyborg truck in the lucid...not a bad thang.. but this car is what i would be picking over the competition..put some vogues on it..a chi town 773 n screwston 713 thang..
Yes sir.. I also was starting to pull the trigger on a lucid but I just might go with the electrified Genesis g80.. but I'm gonna love n support this channel...
fantastic car. It's a shame it didn't go into production. Greetings from Ukraine). I will make a post about Bollinger - no one here has ever heard of these electric SUVs.
@denybuhiboy2121 - Hello UKRAINE!!!! Believe it or not 15 years ago, I was in the US Army stationed in Kosovo and in Macedonia for a year. The roads were so bad that often times I would fly with the Ukrainians helicopter pilots on an old Russian helicopter! I met my current wife on one of those trips! Thank you for comment on my video. Please subscribe to my channel and tell your Ukrainian friends I said hello!
Anytime there is anything that is different or when people have to make a drastic change most of the time people will be against it because it’s drastic. It’s like when Covid took place. That was drastic for our society but eventually we adjusted and got used to the change. I have seen this truck up in personal and it is definitely a winner. If I could afford one I would get this truck for sure….lol
@theladychanfranchannel19827 - You are correct. As mentioned in my video, it felt the same vibe when I purchased my Tesla in 2015. If you can, please subscribe to my channel. Thanks for watching and your on the spot comment.
You know what would have make a better design for the charging door? If Ford would have designed it to be hidden, maybe in a tail light or something kind of like Tesla did everything is nice and you don’t have any of those doors AKA fuel doors.
I work at a Ford dealership. Im impressed by the Lightning. I like the fact that a person can jump out of a gas F150 into this and feel right at home. A lot of competent EVs out there. But this one actually excites me. Can't wait until im able to afford one. I enjoy your content. Ive been a subscriber for awhile now. Keep up the good work brother. 👍🏽
Hey, @dmandman9! Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me and your comments! It must be tough for you to work there and see the Lightning on a daily basis. I hope you get soon. I can only think of the big smile on your face driving the truck off the lot and to your home!
Nice Caddy!! In terms of having to turn the car on to access the glove box, perhaps Cadillac was thinking security. If someone breaks into your car, thieves would not have easy access to the items within the glove box. Inconvenient for the owner.. sure, but IMO it appears to be a reasonable additional security measure especially since the owner sometimes leaves his wallet in the vehicle. Thanks for sharing the video!
Great discussion. I’m shopping for a used ID.4, software craziness seems the main issue. Good info for me about the update issues. Oh-to clarify- that J-1772 - Tesla plug in the Lyric is for Level 1 and L2 only. I have one I carry in my Bolt EV.
@averillvision - Thanks for the clarification on the LV 1 and 2. As mentioned in the video I have never heard of an OTA that can take up to three days, plus you have to drive it to the dealer!? Wow. Thank you for your comment and watching my episode. If you can please subscribe to my channel. Be safe!
@aaronsmith328 - It's better to see/experience it in person. I appreciate your comment. If you have the time, please subscribe to my channel. Thanks for watching and your comment.
the Arcimoto had a good plan to offer them to first responders as vehicles that could get to an emergency quickly and stabilize people until the other emergency vehicles got there to transport them to a hospital but where their business model was supposedly making an EV for the average person the price of the the Arcimoto wasn't what the average person could afford
@RavenDtorm332 - John, I did not hear about the first responders piece in Arcimoto plans. Would have worked in warm weather states. Too bad, I was rooting for them, especially getting a chance to ride in the vehicle. Thanks for your comment. If you can, please subscribe to my channel. help a retired army vet out!
@@Waldorf9651 I heard about Arcimoto from their official youtube and when I looked at their website when it was up and I believe that one city had already received one for their emergency services I don't remember which city but it would have been great if they stuck with it as where most had no doors it was easier for them to get in and out of it
Average person??? I'm retired on my SS pension. I can't really afford a car but it was easy to decide to buy my Arcimoto with insurance costing me just $134/yr in a region where car owners with perfect records have to spend $1,500/yr! No gas to buy. The cheapest new 4 wheeled EV car still costs a bit more to buy but your car insurance is a never ending bill increasing every year. My choice was a an e-bike or an Arcimoto. This was the only new vehicle I ever bought and it has been a blast.
@@popeyegordon - Thanks for your comment. I am in my early 60's, I'm reitred military but still working full time. You bring up good points which, by the way works for you. If you can, please subscribe to my channel (if you haven't).
