If I can't have a VW TDI - I'm going full electric

[iantryinit]

I got an e-Golf after VW bought back my Golf TDI.
I got a screaming deal on a 30 month lease. I average around 4.2 mi/kW in good weather, and I usually stomp on the pedal at most lights. But, I do usually drive in Brake mode which is pretty aggressive regeneration. I'll usually get 85-90 miles per charge.
In the winter, it sucks pretty bad. I'm lucky if I get 2.5 mi/kW when the heater is on. In winter, I'll usually get around 60 miles per charge.
That being said, I drive around 5,000 miles per year and my commute is 4 miles each way. The e-Golf is perfect for me. It gets me to the airport and back on a single charge too.
We have a minivan for when we drive far, so the e-Golf fits well for what i need it for.
The home charger wasn't that bad. I got a ChargePoint Home 25. It was $700, but had a $400 rebate on it. So, $300 wasn't bad. Running the 240V outlet was easy, and my buddy had a bunch of 6 gauge wire left over so it was free for me. The charger works great and charges the e-Golf in just under 3 hours. I pay $0.10/kW for the car if I charge after 11pm. My car charger is on a separate meter from my house, which is on a Tiered plan.
I'm super happy with my e-Golf and will probably get a 2019 with larger range once my lease is up!

Thanks for this info. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[bhtooefr]

What trim level is your e-Golf? (Does it have the heat pump?)

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I have averaged right at 5 miles per kWh in my 2015 Volt over the first 1,000 miles of ownership (it is a 2015 I purchased as a demo...first registered owner, so get the $7,500).
No brag, just fact (for those old enough to remember Walter Brennan).
I have burned 0.07 gallons of gas so far, just enough to heat things up so I could do a proper oil change.

That's impressive energy consumption! Well done.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Our roommate just bought a 500e from the same dealer Jason and I got ours from. His plan is to sell his Leaf. Now we will have two 500es in the driveway.

I think we have a car problem. 8 cars between three people right now.

 

[BeetleGo]

Our roommate just bought a 500e from the same dealer Jason and I got ours from. His plan is to sell his Leaf. Now we will have two 500es in the driveway.

I think we have a car problem. 8 cars between three people right now.

You need to get another one.

 

[Tony45]

I got an e-Golf after VW bought back my Golf TDI. I drive around 5,000 miles per year and my commute is 4 miles each way. The e-Golf is perfect for me. It gets me to the airport and back on a single charge too.
We have a minivan for when we drive far, so the e-Golf fits well for what i need it for.
The home charger wasn't that bad. I got a ChargePoint Home 25. It was $700, but had a $400 rebate on it. So, $300 wasn't bad. Running the 240V outlet was easy, and my buddy had a bunch of 6 gauge wire left over so it was free for me. The charger works great and charges the e-Golf in just under 3 hours. I pay $0.10/kW for the car if I charge after 11pm. My car charger is on a separate meter from my house, which is on a Tiered plan.
I'm super happy with my e-Golf and will probably get a 2019 with larger range once my lease is up!

I'm in the same situation. Plan to turn-in my Golf TDI In late '18 and seriously considering the eGolf with the extended 125 mile range. After my retirement, my use of the Golf is about 6K miles a year, strictly for runabout duty during weekdays; weekends and travel are assigned to another car. The only problem here in Florida is no VW dealers carry the eGolf; will see if this changes by next year, otherwise I'll give the Bolt another look or the upcoming Nero EV.

 

[flargabarg]

I wanted to look at the eGolf and nobody here carried one locally. In the end the two TDIs in the house have been replaced by a Kia Soul EV and a Model S. The only time I expect to drive an ICE in the future is for towing (will borrow, 1x a year maybe) and big road trips (will rent, every 2-3 years). Otherwise I'm happy with electric all the way.

 

[BeetleGo]

I'm going with a Tesla Model Y, based on the Model 3 (like the Model X is built off of the Model S). That will be in 2020-2022. This model is not even fully acknowledged yet, but it's coming! And I'll be there. Sorry VW, you bleeped up big time, and after my pre-scandal 2005 TDI, I will not buy a Volkswagon again. Too bad, because you otherwise build great cars!

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I'm going with a Tesla Model Y, based on the Model 3 (like the Model X is built off of the Model S). That will be in 2020-2022. This model is not even fully acknowledged yet, but it's coming! And I'll be there. Sorry VW, you bleeped up big time, and after my pre-scandal 2005 TDI, I will not buy a Volkswagon again. Too bad, because you otherwise build great cars!

Our roommate really wants a Model Y to replace his Tiguan. He'll have to wait for a while!

I test drove a Model X P100D with my parents last week... holy shiiiiiit ludicrous mode is awesome. They liked it a lot and a 75D might actually be in their future. Dad is supposed to test drive a Chevy Bolt in a couple of weeks when their local dealer gets some in. Mom wants something that can seat six, but we'll see what happens.

 

[flargabarg]

If he gets a Bolt only get one with the quick charge, unless he will absolutely never want to take a trip in it. The charging available for SAE Combo is nowhere near as good as the Supercharger network. It's still better than having no quick charge at all. With around a 200 mile range many, many people may never need to drive an ICE again. And for those that do, lower demand for fuel should mean lower prices, at least in the short term.

 

[KITEWAGON]

Our roommate just bought a 500e from the same dealer Jason and I got ours from. His plan is to sell his Leaf. Now we will have two 500es in the driveway.

I think we have a car problem. 8 cars between three people right now.

What made you guys go for the 500e compared to some of the other options available like the eGolf?

 

[tdiono]

MK6 Golf TDI owner here and I recently bought a used Tesla Model S P85

there was definitely a higher upfront cost but it is a hell of a lot of fun compared to the golf and have no regrets with my purchase.

so far driving it for 2 weeks now, i have no issues with the range(245miles at 90%). with real world driving, i am losing about 10-15% due to running AC/Heat and I am not light on the pedal either so its to be expected. so realistically I am getting at least 200 miles on a 90% charge. I do have charging at work and supercharger near by so no problems there.

it is definitely an option for some but it is not for everyone. there are some cost savings from switching from gasoline/diesel to EV but it definitely doesn't offset the cost difference(Tesla) but I was willing to pay for the luxury/performance.

Something like a e-Golf or Bolt/Volt, you would definitely see a savings switching over but for me personally, those cars lack the fun factor.

 

[flargabarg]

Used P85 here also. You ain't seen torque until you've driven one of these. It's one of the same things I loved about diesel only more. Have fun with it!

 

[VeeDubTDI]

If he gets a Bolt only get one with the quick charge, unless he will absolutely never want to take a trip in it. The charging available for SAE Combo is nowhere near as good as the Supercharger network. It's still better than having no quick charge at all. With around a 200 mile range many, many people may never need to drive an ICE again. And for those that do, lower demand for fuel should mean lower prices, at least in the short term.

Good advice. IMO, the DC fast charge option ($750) is a must-have.

What made you guys go for the 500e compared to some of the other options available like the eGolf?

I was looking at a Smart EV but Mercedes-Benz's battery lease program is stupid and expensive. I wanted something smaller for zipping around town, so the Fiat was the next logical choice. I'm still interested in a Smart Cabriolet lease if/when they come out this summer... we'll see.

As for the e-Golf, I liked it a lot, but I wasn't impressed with the lack of thermal management on the battery. Like the Nissan Leaf, I think over time it will see significant battery degradation due to high battery temperatures in the summer. Secondly, I'm not too impressed with Volkswagen right now, so I figured I'd pass on giving them any more of my hard-earned money. Thirdly, the e-Golf is expensive! Used ones are selling for at least double what I bought the Fiat for, and the Fiat goes a few miles farther on a charge.

 

[El Dobro]

Did you check out any Spark EVs?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Did you check out any Spark EVs?

I did. The Spark is a fun little pocket rocket, but the 3.3 kW onboard charger isn't great (compared to the Fiat's 6.6 kW or the Bolt's 7.2 kW) and used prices are very high. A dealer in Maryland refused to sell a new one to me because I'm a Virginia resident, which means GM wouldn't get their ZEV credits for that sale.

The Spark's horsepower and torque are simply ridiculous for such a small car. Unfortunately, the suspension and tiny tires aren't really up to the task. It's a ton of fun to hoon, but a bit sketchy in wet weather.

Come to think of it, I've driven just about every electric vehicle available except for the Toyota RAV 4 and the Honda Fit. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

 

[El Dobro]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkT8rZj8YH0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqVdyXZ2VcI

 

[Jetta Knight]

Forgive my ignorance on this subject as I have never explored any EV but, what is the expected life of the batteries before replacement? What would the cost be at that time?

 

[bhtooefr]

Depends on the car, the conditions it's operated in, and the size of the battery.

Good thermal management increases the lifespan, cooler operation increases the lifespan, not using the extremes of capacity (either the top or the bottom) increases the lifespan. Something that has a large buffer and has good thermal management, I'd expect the battery to last the life of the car.

Cost depends greatly on the size of the battery, and it's gonna be expensive even on a PHEV. And, it also depends on when you do it - battery replacements are getting cheaper and cheaper all the time, in some cases even for existing models.

 

[El Dobro]

Sparkie the Volt currently has 377306 mi. on the clock and still has the original battery.

 

[BeetleGo]

Our roommate really wants a Model Y to replace his Tiguan. He'll have to wait for a while!

I test drove a Model X P100D with my parents last week... holy shiiiiiit ludicrous mode is awesome. They liked it a lot and a 75D might actually be in their future. Dad is supposed to test drive a Chevy Bolt in a couple of weeks when their local dealer gets some in. Mom wants something that can seat six, but we'll see what happens.

I've driven the Model S on three occasions. I now own stock. I have the car to wait this thing out!

 

[KITEWAGON]

Come to think of it, I've driven just about every electric vehicle available except for the Toyota RAV 4 and the Honda Fit. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

I didn't even know those vehicles had a full electric option. I don't think we have many, if any of those on the roads up here in NH. I basically see Leaf's and Tesla's.

 

[bhtooefr]

The RAV4 and Fit EVs were total compliance cars - RAV4 EV was only available in California, Fit EV was only available in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, California, and Oregon.

And, the Fit EV was lease only, and they did do preowned leases too, but no sales.

 

[Dr Chill]

Sparkie the Volt currently has 377306 mi. on the clock and still has the original battery.

Is this a typo? 377K miles on a 2014 Volt?

 

[flargabarg]

With decent thermal management the battery will outlast the rest of the car, with 80% or more of original capacity. There are Teslas with 100k and 95% of the original capacity still. Costs are still a bit of a wildcard. They are also plummeting as more manufacturing capacity comes online. I would expect them to get close to the cost of a replacement rebuilt engine by the time there are enough old EVs to make a market.

 

[bhtooefr]

Is this a typo? 377K miles on a 2014 Volt?

No, it's not, but it's also not El Dobro's 2014 - it's a 2012.

https://www.voltstats.net/Stats/Details/1579

 

[El Dobro]

Is this a typo? 377K miles on a 2014 Volt?

Erick Belmer and Sparkie.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnibz0wziOeJjNJtfjjtS9w

 

[Vidgamer]

Ok, I watched the "drag race" videos, and something must be wrong with that Camaro.
https://www.0-60specs.com/chevrolet-spark-0-60-times/
The Spark EV looks fast for an economy car,but that's about it. Maybe they can make a sport version. It could be a fun car. I'd look at that if I wanted a commuter EV tho.

 

[flargabarg]

You'd be surprised. Even an 8 second 0-60 in an EV feels really snappy, because there are no gears and the torque starts from 0 RPM. At city speeds they will be quicker than most other cars out there. It's a lot like how the TDI driving experience is, just more of it. You'll get beat to 60 but might win to 30.

 

[coolbreeze]

Cybertruck Ordered

Have been waiting some time to find the right EV to purchase. Posted this thread on 9/2016. I love the utility of a truck but could not live with the cost and waste of a truck as a daily driver and a work horse on the weekend.

That ended on the night Elon unleashed the Cybertuck. I put mony money down that night for a AWD Dual motor with FSD. My reservation is one of the first 40k dual motors so I am looking at a early to mid 2022 delivery.

I will drive my trusty 2015 SE TDI until that day but can not wait to start charging my truck of from my solar panels, using the truck as a back up power source, and making income from Robo-taxi services during down time.

Will come with 1 million mile battery and a drivetrain to match. Made from 30x cold rolled steel that will not rust, will drive itself once level 5 autonomy is ready which should be operational by late 2021. Exciting times for those looking for efficeint transportation and in this case the cybertuck will well outlive me.