Electric Vehicle charging at Walt Disney World

[englanddg]

It depends on what you are in the market for. If you are looking at the mid to high end luxury sedans from Mercedes, Audi, etc. than the Model S is going to be much more cost competitive. The Model X will also be shooting for the luxury SUV buyers. The next platform from Tesla called BlueStar will be the model that is meant to compete on a level that is much more affordable. Its either going to be competing among family sedans (Accord, Camry, Fusion) or on the lower end luxury (BMW 3 Series). Only problem is it that it won't be available until 2016 at least.

Yes, I was looking in the same range at the time. I was comparing a custom Volvo C70 at the low end, to an Audi and a Lexus (I love the BMW's, but can't stand the cockpits)...I was not fond of the Mercedes models...

I came very close to putting in my pre-bid for a model-S...but held off. My primary concerns were two fold...

1) I need a place to charge it (I live in an apartment with no charging facilities, so that would mean I'd need to buy a house)

2) The general maintenance / stability of the company. I enjoy their "mobile maintenance" idea, in fact, I love it...but, if the company dies, I don't want to be left with a lithium dump after a few years...

So, I just decided as much as I wanted to toss money at their product, it wasn't the right time.

Then the company offered me a free car, and since I really don't care (most of the time I ride my bicycle), I said ok.

So, no Model S.

 

[Bob]

I am curious, but have low hopes. Did you read the Tesla safety crash test results that came out recently?

They literally blew the scale!

I love the Tesla company and concept, but as a practical nature, I just can't justify the cost, even though I want to be an "early adopter" to support the company...I just can't do it.

If GM keeps at it, they should have a great car (be it under the Chevy, Cadillac or GM badge) in 5 or so years.

Tesla is amazing and the products that Musk is putting out are second to none. Yes, I did see that they scored the highest ever safety rating with the Model S. Extremely impressive for a company that didn't even exist in the 1990's. I hope that they continue to put up great sales numbers as I would like to seem them put out a car under $50K in the next few years.

Personally I'd think seriously about the Focus Electric or Fusion Energi if I wasn't waiting on the new Focus RS.

 

[englanddg]

If GM keeps at it, they should have a great car (be it under the Chevy, Cadillac or GM badge) in 5 or so years.

Tesla is amazing and the products that Musk is putting out are second to none. Yes, I did see that they scored the highest ever safety rating with the Model S. Extremely impressive for a company that didn't even exist in the 1990's. I hope that they continue to put up great sales numbers as I would like to seem them put out a car under $50K in the next few years.

Personally I'd think seriously about the Focus Electric or Fusion Energi if I wasn't waiting on the new Focus RS.

I agree. GM, Ford or even Chrysler could all put out amazing vehicles, if they had an Iacocca style (or Walt style) CEO who took the bull by the horns.

But, they don't. So, I see them dabbling with it, while China and Asian manufacturers take the best away from Tesla's product growth and build the ideal models...

I think the US auto industry is missing a major turning point in the market...the need for day to day transit investment being different than the need for long trip investment...

But, what do I know, I'm just an idiot consumer...

 

[acishere]

Yes, I was looking in the same range at the time. I was comparing a custom Volvo C70 at the low end, to an Audi and a Lexus (I love the BMW's, but can't stand the cockpits)...I was not fond of the Mercedes models...

I came very close to putting in my pre-bid for a model-S...but held off. My primary concerns were two fold...

1) I need a place to charge it (I live in an apartment with no charging facilities, so that would mean I'd need to buy a house)

2) The general maintenance / stability of the company. I enjoy their "mobile maintenance" idea, in fact, I love it...but, if the company dies, I don't want to be left with a lithium dump after a few years...

So, I just decided as much as I wanted to toss money at their product, it wasn't the right time.

Then the company offered me a free car, and since I really don't care (most of the time I ride my bicycle), I said ok.

So, no Model S.

I'm looking to move into a more urban area in the next few years where I'll have to garage park my car. So unless they start having more EV charging spots and enforce who parks there (There are 2 in my office's lot, always big SUVs parked there that are definitely not EVs and security does not care), I'll probably have to stay with gas powered cars. I definitely can't go Tesla when my lease ends next year, but they seem to be getting very popular in the NY/NJ area so maybe if I do another lease they will have more parking facilities where you can plug in (and that cheaper Tesla will be out) by the time I'll have to start looking again.

 

[ptaylor]

That is good to hear that they dropped the price $5k on the 2014. Any word on what the dealer premiums will be on it?

The term break even is not on the car. I am quite aware that you never break even on a car, but when you pay a premium for an electric car over a comparable gas powered one, there is a break even point where you actually start to save money. A fully loaded gas powered Chevy Cruze can be had for around $8k less than a 2014 Volt with all of the tax credits. Right now I am driving a mini-van that gets a rip roaring 17 mpg and I am only spending about $3600 per year in fuel. A Cruze gets more than double the mileage of my current vehicle putting my yearly fuel cost around $1800. At that rate it will take 4 and half years for me to make up that $8k premium.

There is also the cost of charging to consider. While I know the cost of electricity is a fraction of gas, a level 2 charger is not free. You are looking at $800 or more for a level 2 charger plus installation. Granted you can charge the Volt from house current, but the average charging time is reported at 8-10 hours. A level 2 charger will do it in 4.

I got a great deal on my Volt. $5000 instant rebate from GM, $2000 instant rebate from the dealer, $7500 from the government. It is an amazing car. GM are not doing enough to get the message out about how good it is. I think if people had a chance to drive it, and then see how much they can save on both the purchase or lease and then running costs, there would be a lot more out on the roads.

GM at Epcot need to have Volt test drives available from the parking lot - another reason to get EV chargers installed out there!

The L2 chargers are dropping in price almost weekly. You can get one now for $495 - http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ClipperCreekInc/-strse-6/Level-2-EVSE,-Level/Detail.bok

I charge my Volt overnight using the included charger. Typically the 8 hour charge time is not a problem, the quicker charge is not really needed due to the onboard generator if needed.

 

[Master Yoda]

I got a great deal on my Volt. $5000 instant rebate from GM, $2000 instant rebate from the dealer, $7500 from the government. It is an amazing car. GM are not doing enough to get the message out about how good it is. I think if people had a chance to drive it, and then see how much they can save on both the purchase or lease and then running costs, there would be a lot more out on the roads.

GM at Epcot need to have Volt test drives available from the parking lot - another reason to get EV chargers installed out there!

The L2 chargers are dropping in price almost weekly. You can get one now for $495 - http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ClipperCreekInc/-strse-6/Level-2-EVSE,-Level/Detail.bok

I charge my Volt overnight using the included charger. Typically the 8 hour charge time is not a problem, the quicker charge is not really needed due to the onboard generator if needed.

Right now my local dealers are charging several grand above MSRP.

http://cogginchevrolet.com/Jacksonville-FL/For-Sale/New/Chevrolet/Volt/?FilterNewMakes=0

 

[ptaylor]

Right now my local dealers are charging several grand above MSRP.

http://cogginchevrolet.com/Jacksonville-FL/For-Sale/New/Chevrolet/Volt/?FilterNewMakes=0

That all changes when you get in front of them and want to deal. There are amazing deals on Volts right now. I'm driving a Volt with a lease that is 30% less than my Infinity - and the Volt has a higher MSRP. Then look at the gas savings, and the fact that there are basically no maintenance costs.

 

[Master Yoda]

That all changes when you get in front of them and want to deal. There are amazing deals on Volts right now. I'm driving a Volt with a lease that is 30% less than my Infinity - and the Volt has a higher MSRP. Then look at the gas savings, and the fact that there are basically no maintenance costs.

It is a moot point for me right now anyway. Both of our cars are paid off and in great shape. The only way to truly get your money out of a car is to drive it into the ground and that is exactly what I will be doing. I will be driving what I have until either the engine or transmission fail and even that will be somewhat dependant on the cost of the repair. When that time comes, you can bet the the electrics will get a serious look from me.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I think policing the spots would be a huge hurdle for Walt Disney World without some sort of outside regulation (is there any?). People will see empty, close spots and take them.

 

[luv]

1. How long does the battery last? Do you have to charge every so many days? Every so many miles? Does the battery run down, like iPad or cell phone batteries do?

2. How long do these cars last? Are they about the same as regular cars?

3. How do you charge them? Do you need new equipment installed in your garage?

4. Are they really maintenance free?

 

[ddrongowski]

Guess that Austin is an exception to the rule. Electric cars are all over the place here. Then again we were one of the first cities where the Volt and Leaf were sold.

Funny... I work right next to Nissan USA HQ here in Franklin TN and they do not have the charging stations at the HQ anymore. They had them and some people were driving the leafs, but that only lasted about 4 months and they removed them. You see a leaf once in awhile, maybe every 6 or 7 weeks, but that is it.

 

[ddrongowski]

If they were to install them I think it would be more gimmick than practical at this point. In all of my trips over the last few years I have seen a grand total of 1 electric car at WDW, and I do look for them. If they were to be put anywhere on property I think DTD would be the best location as the local traffic (something that current electric cars are much more practical for) would be greater.

Plus which parking spots would they put them at? I don't think they are going to be the prime up front spots...

 

[Bob]

Funny... I work right next to Nissan USA HQ here in Franklin TN and they do not have the charging stations at the HQ anymore. They had them and some people were driving the leafs, but that only lasted about 4 months and they removed them. You see a leaf once in awhile, maybe every 6 or 7 weeks, but that is it.

They've even got reserved parking spots with charging stations in some of the retail parking lots around Austin. I know the Walmart closest to my house has at least one.

 

[ddrongowski]

There are a couple of Model S's that I see on an almost daily basis. Very, very nice cars. The electric car that I think could make a huge inroad all over the place is the upcoming BMW i3. I could see Hertz or Enterprise buying a bunch of those and having them available for folks to use in Orlando.

I as a frequent traveler would never get an electric only car for rental purposes. Limited distance, long charging times... and time is money. That goes for both personal and business travels.

 

[ddrongowski]

It seems like that design is the most practical with our current infrastructure. I have always wondered why someone has not coupled a turbine generator with a 100% electric vehicle.

Because turbines are evil, after all it uses oil based fuel, and that is a no no. Turbines are awesome, but people do not understand them and thus do not want them.

 

[ddrongowski]

Maybe in about 50 years they will be a must. Right now they are too$$$$

Yep and that 7 year battery replacement is to much $$$$ also. Pay now or pay later, but you will pay for energy.

 

[ddrongowski]

They may be expensive up front to buy, but depending on your usage, you could be saving $100s per month on fuel.

You do know you have to replace the battery packs right? Do a search about prius replacement costs and then you will understand why the prius used car market is growing to fast. Again pay now or pay later, but you will pay for energy.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes, like a cell phone, charge anytime, battery chemistry is similar Lithium. Unlike a laptop battery though, you can't overcharge or over drain the Volt's battery, it only uses the middle 65% of the pack (10 out of 16kWhs), which through rigorous testing by GM allows for the proven 150k mile/8+ year useable life. There are people with over 90,000 miles on their Volt still getting the same electric range when the car was brand new.

That actually worries me a bit. I currently have about 225k on my vehicle and will probably be somewhere in the 300k-400k range before I am done with it. Any idea what a replacement battery pack runs?

 

[ddrongowski]

The Volt is now $34,895, and with the tax credit reduction of $7500, that makes the net cost $27,485, or the mid 20's just as you wanted, and no more expensive that a mid grade base Prius (and MUCH nicer than any Prius) Also, you can Lease a Volt for just around $260 a month. These prices and practically everything amazing about the Volt are still GM's bets kept secrets.

And you don't "break even" on any new car purchase...you get a car you love at a price you can afford. What you Do do with the Volt, is start saving money on gas from Day 1, get an awesome electric drive experience, and stop sending fuel money out of the country. Plus a few other benefits the Green folks can tell you about.

Sorry I have to disagree. I am still driving my 2000 Nissan frontier and xterra that I bought 2000. Coming up an 14 years of outstanding low maintenance ownership. So over 13 years I paid 46K for 2 new cars, that is a good thing. Your lease number above works out to $40560 over 13 years for only one vehicle. Not to mention any hidden upfront and backend charges.

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Just imagine what Disney would charge at a charging station if they had them...but hey, they'll probably use your magic your way and charge it straight to the room...