[CyberSlug]

Hello all,

I just took delivery last night of my new ride, Tahani. She's a gorgeous caesium blue HSE with siena tan interior. She's also my first EV, so lots of new fun (or potentially frustrating) experiences in store.

Has anyone else in the San Francisco area taken delivery of one, and if so, any chance you've attempted a Tahoe trip? That's the most frequent trip I take that worries me at the moment.

 

[epirali]

Many congrats, she is a beauty. I suggest reading up about general EV characteristics, pro and con so you are prepared and it doesn't diminish your enjoyment of your new car. And believe me, the pros WAY outweigh the cons.

 

[McRat]

Welcome.

If you are concerned with Range Anxiety: Get familiar with ECO mode and the Max Range switch. Also load Plugshare on your computer and phone. You will see that I-80 has TONS of CCS DCFC chargers on that route. Do a test Fast Charge locally (there are maybe 100 CCS SAE Combo chargers in your area). Heck there is even a superspeed charger (More than 120kW) in the greater Bay Area to test with.

Get familiar with ChargePoint and EVgo, which are two largest providers in California.

EVs charge fastest between 5% and 60% charge, so it takes longer to charge if you don't use up most the range. Unlike the Tesla, the Jaguar is 'Predictive Ranging'. It determines your range based on the terrain and your driving, so you are less likely to be surprised.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[sciencegeek]

Also see https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger
They say the "planned" ones will be functional by end of June this year.

 

[McRat]

Notes:

There are 3 levels of Fast Charging in California for the I-Pace, but Plugshare only filters on SAE Combo (CCS):
24 kW (pretty slow)
50 kW (you'll probably see ~45kW)
100-350kW (you'll probably see up to 84kW right now) There are only two of these online so far, south of the Bay Area at Prunedale Shopping Center (A+ reviews) and Baker, California, which is 1/2 way between LA and Las Vegas.

Because of the grade, I would be surprised if you could make Tahoe even if you hypermiled (special skill possessed by masochistic EV zealots, like me). So read reviews and pick a couple stations on the way that are 50kW. Look for eats, shopping or places of interest. A couple of 30 minute charge stops should get you there with no anxiety at all in comfort. You might make it all the way back on 100% charge in comfort. Not sure of the speed on I-80 downhill.

As with all EVs, speeds greater than 65 mph decay your range to the square of the speed. Big difference in range from 65 to 85 mph. Nothing wrong with 85 mph, since there are lots of charging locations.

 

[stever]

Drive from SF bay to 4000 feet

My trip to Arnold CA, short of seeing snow, saw a 25-30% penalty going uphill so 100 miles took 125-130 of charge. Then downhill added back 20-25% so going 100 miles took 80 of charge.:nerd:
I always drive set to maximum regeneration and anticipate for gentle braking (saw in C&D magazine that lightest portion of braking via pedal also regenerates).
Subscribed to multiple networks, as previously suggested. Want to check out the Walmart station in Dixon off hwy 80.
Trying multiple charging methods. For example going up to Arnold, free CHP charge station in Stockton added just 15 miles in an hour of dog walk and Wendy's meal. Overnight at destination, added 30 miles using 110v at temps well above freezing.
Stopped at Mall in Tracy, CA for 45 minute boost on EVgo network only $9 at $.20Kwh to get home. Only 1 EV spot open.

Watch the rate - My test charge a week earlier at Electrify America in Pleasanton, CA (many spots open) added 75 miles in under an hour but, at $.35Kwh cost me $27, about half again as much as gas powered - price of being on the bleeding edge of technology.
Bought a 20 foot extension cord $200 running from end of charger to car just in case the EV spot is taken but charger not being used (which i've seen by EV car owners)
Steve

 

[McRat]

Also see https://www.electrifyamerica.com/locate-charger
They say the "planned" ones will be functional by end of June this year.

The Bay Area (19% of the population) has 17 sites approved. The entire rest of the state (85% of the land, 81% of the population) has 7. The second largest city has zero planned (San Diego).

That's why I think California's EV efforts are just showmanship. Dog and pony show. The 2035 Medium Speed Railway To Nowhere, Hydrogen Refueling Stations for Cars that Don't Exist, and the Toll Roads are their prime objectives.

But it's great for those in the Bay Area. Well, as long as they don't need to travel in California. Politicians fly or go by limo so they don't grasp California as a whole state.

 

[fedorachef]

Hello all,

I just took delivery last night of my new ride, Tahani. She's a gorgeous caesium blue HSE with siena tan interior. She's also my first EV, so lots of new fun (or potentially frustrating) experiences in store.

Has anyone else in the San Francisco area taken delivery of one, and if so, any chance you've attempted a Tahoe trip? That's the most frequent trip I take that worries me at the moment.

Looks like you picked yours up in Livermore. Same place I picked up mine. I haven't taken to Tahoe yet, but know there are a number of chargers along the way and have seen chargers at the hotels. I usually call the hotel I'm going to stay at to confirm if they have EV stations for their guests as many do. I had a Tesla previously and took it to Reno and Tahoe and recall seeing more thrid party chargers than Tesla ones. You should be a ok. I find plugshare to be the best smartphone app to locate chargers easily. The I-Pace can also locate these for you but you have to go into your nav settings to setup which charge vendors you want displayed. I added all the major ones like Evgo, Chargepoint, Blink, etc. You can Google to find them all. Not sure why the car doesn't just show a prepopulated list by area.

 

[CyberSlug]

Thank you all. I've been reading the forum for a couple of months, but reading without a way to apply what you learn isn't retained as well. Now that I can try things out it will definitely be easier.

I have ChargePoint setup, but still need to test using it out. I'll probably do that next weekend if the rain subsides by then (would rather not be trying to figure it out while getting soaked. The charger at the dealer was installed a week ago and didn't seem to be working, but the L1 charger included w/ the car works at least.

I'm getting solar installed in a couple of months, so I have to check w/ the installer to see if I need to worry about any changes while installing the new circuit for an L2 charger. I'm probably going to install a 50A circuit so I can use a 40A charger (short-term future proofing for next car).

I definitely noticed the speed penalty on the way home from the dealer last night. Was doing 70-80 most of the way and 30 miles consumed 20% of the battery. I'm sure that was also because I was driving it like my first sports car as well (last few cars were a 2012 A6, 2006 A3, and 2005 Mustang v6, none of which compare to this thing in terms of performance or comfort). I'll likely calm down in a few weeks after the novelty wears off and my wife complains a few times about launching.

One thing I was looking for in the settings is how to change the regenerative braking between low and high. I thought I looked in all the menus, but just couldn't find it. I believe it is set to low right now, and I wand to work on getting used to high at some point.

To @McRat's point about the EV efforts, I'm definitely not fond of the plan for how it is being done, but I sort of understand EA's choices of where to focus. While they have to be neutral to all makes, they are obviously focusing on the areas that VAG's expected EV customer base is focused in. I wish the state was providing better incentives to open 100kw+ chargers in more remote places on major highways based on traffic levels. Maybe then ChargePoint and EVgo would upgrade and expand faster.

To @stever were those EA chargers 150kw, or something less? Even with the car limited to 84kw charging it seems it should have done considerably more than that.

 

[CyberSlug]

@fedorachef I did pick it up at Livermore. It's a bit of a drive from my place (Alameda), but I have some friends out there and I'd rather drive out that way than go into San Francisco itself or out to Walnut Creek.

I did notice there are a couple of 50kw chargers in Tahoe and a few on the way in the snowy area. That gives me more confidence in the case of a blizzard, but would definitely like to minimize the stops. When we went up for Christmas in 2016 it took us 8 hours to get there, and I'm not sure how long the car would be able to keep us warm enough.

 

[electro]

charge station in baker

I heard the station in Baker is still not open. It's also a little too far at 229 miles from north county San Diego to make it to Baker. What a pity, this has to be the #1 destination for Los Angelinos to travel to. It would have been a lot better if someone had put a fast charge station in Barstow like Tesla did with their supercharger at the Outlet Mall . All that's there now are phase 2 chargers at hotels. Electrify American has been a joke so far. They have missed a great opportunity in Barstow where it's really needed. electro

 

[McRat]

...
To @McRat's point about the EV efforts, I'm definitely not fond of the plan for how it is being done, but I sort of understand EA's choices of where to focus. While they have to be neutral to all makes, they are obviously focusing on the areas that VAG's expected EV customer base is focused in. I wish the state was providing better incentives to open 100kw+ chargers in more remote places on major highways based on traffic levels. Maybe then ChargePoint and EVgo would upgrade and expand faster.
...

The State of California allocated funding and planning for "EV Corridors" years ago, planning is completed and growing moss. They are 2 years behind schedule and have installed zero or close to zero locations after spending millions of dollars already.

One of the reasons you see so many Model S/X cars in Orange County, is because a Model 3 would be considered an economy car. Sure there are tons of Teslas, but also i3's, i8's, McLarens, Reveros, tons of Land Rovers, Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches, AMG MB's, etc. Probably more $100k+ cars per capita than any county in the USA.

But there is no EV infrastructure. Not even Tesla realized Orange County residents with money. When they finally opened a SC, there was long line with fist fights. I drove to a EV Conference in OC. I asked where we plug in. Nowhere was the answer. Demand metering, punishing companies who put up EV stations, high land costs near fwys makes EV chargers a PITA.

The last place Tesla noticed in the US was that we have a freeway called the I-10. It's either the longest freeway or close to it. Its starts at the Pacific waterfront pier and ends 16 mi from the Atlantic. It goes through states that are over 1/2 the population of the USA. Not sexy though. Does not go to SF, Chicago, or NYC, so it was skipped until very recently.

EA and California have no plans to support the I-10 in our state at this time. Why bother? There are only 21 million people in California (38 million residents) who use the I-10. Or twice the number served by I-80.

 

[McRat]

I heard the station in Baker is still not open. It's also a little too far at 229 miles from north county San Diego to make it to Baker. What a pity, this has to be the #1 destination for Los Angelinos to travel to. It would have been a lot better if someone had put a fast charge station in Barstow like Tesla did with their supercharger at the Outlet Mall . All that's there now are phase 2 chargers at hotels. Electrify American has been a joke so far. They have missed a great opportunity in Barstow where it's really needed. electro

I charged there on Dec 9th, at over 72 kW average. I had to calculate, there is no graph. Look at Plugshare. There are 6 CCS chargers there.
Baker is more logically than Barstow due to where Baker Grade is.

EA appears to fighting with California, but in other states it's ramping up nicely.
California wants most the EA chargers up north, they want XX% in poor communities, they want XX% spent on consulting, Sacramento to be the City Of Tomorrowland by putting EV chargers for the politicians, etc, etc, etc.

EA will help the Bay Area and Sacramento by putting in so many CCS stations people will use them for long term parking for their F-450 duallies. The density is already very high per capita, the highest in the USA.

 

[electro]

baker

Hi McRat glad to hear Baker is open though a charge rate of 70 something is a long way from the 100 advertised all over the place. Still it's too far away from San Diego to do any good. Hopefully Barstow is next. Also you are right about Orange county. I travel up there from SD and can barley make it back home on one charge. Can't find a fast charger up there. Its all phase 2. electro

 

[Time2Roll]

We have several CCS L3 in OC. One right by my house at the Quail Hill shopping center in Irvine. Need a better search engine.

 

[sciencegeek]

Some simple research shows that there are a few 50kW chargers in OC
e.g., https://www.evgo.com/charging-locations/

 

[McRat]

Some simple research shows that there are a few 50kW chargers in OC
e.g., https://www.evgo.com/charging-locations/

It has improved greatly recently, especially with Walmarts adding chargers. But none are Government-Mandate Electrify America / California EV Corridor.

I'm in a rural/suburban (mix of dairies, stables, and tract homes) area of Riverside County, and I have 5 SAE Combos within 5 miles or less. All capitalist sites.

Sidebar - If lived in an apartment or condo where charging was not allowed, I'd drive 1.8 miles to get a DCFC charge for a Jaguar, and 19 miles for a Tesla.