One of the advantages of being part of a "test fleet" program is the ability to provide input on production vehicles. We began with the Mini-E and then moved to the ActiveE. Many of the issues that the test group commented on were incorporated in the i3. And one that wasn't (which is a current complaint in my iPace) was fixed in software within a month.
Other than the infotainment system, which others have commented on ad infinitum, my current complaints have to do with the charging port. Almost everyone who drove either the Mini-E of ActiveE complained about not being able to see the J1772 receptacle in the dark. This was fixed in the i3 with a LED that lights up around the charge port and illuminates the ports very well. In the iPace the little LED simply blinds someone trying to plug in. Plugging in at night is a 2 handed job - one hand holding the plug and the other a flashlight. This can't be fixed in software - but please consider fixing this in the future.
The issue that was changed on the i3 almost immediately was locking the charge plug when charging. This eliminates the possibility of shared charging. With my other EVs (which don't lock the charge plug) I can do "target of opportunity" charging (plugging in at a free charger when I don't really need a charge) and leave a hang tag on the plug telling another EV driver who shows up that it is OK to unplug me and charge their car. I won't do this with the Jag because I don't want to use the charger at the expense of someone who NEEDS the charge. This can be fixed in software, and I recommend having a software swithc that will allow either state (locking or not locking).
The next issue has to do with the vehicle "timing out" the ability to charge after the vehicle has been turned off for a period of time. I don't like using Apps to set charge start and end times, I want to do it manually. Typically, when someone comes home they open the charge door and head inside. When we want to charge the cars someone goes outside and plugs them in. Can't do this with the Jag because even if the charge door is left open the car won't start charging after a certain time period has passed. This means the person going outside to charge has to unlock the car, plug it in, and lock it again. Not a really big deal, but again something that can be fixed in software.
These are my top issues for today.
What do you want to see in the future?
Tony Stein
2019 IPace
2017 i3
2013 RAV4 EV
Other than the infotainment system, which others have commented on ad infinitum, my current complaints have to do with the charging port. Almost everyone who drove either the Mini-E of ActiveE complained about not being able to see the J1772 receptacle in the dark. This was fixed in the i3 with a LED that lights up around the charge port and illuminates the ports very well. In the iPace the little LED simply blinds someone trying to plug in. Plugging in at night is a 2 handed job - one hand holding the plug and the other a flashlight. This can't be fixed in software - but please consider fixing this in the future.
The issue that was changed on the i3 almost immediately was locking the charge plug when charging. This eliminates the possibility of shared charging. With my other EVs (which don't lock the charge plug) I can do "target of opportunity" charging (plugging in at a free charger when I don't really need a charge) and leave a hang tag on the plug telling another EV driver who shows up that it is OK to unplug me and charge their car. I won't do this with the Jag because I don't want to use the charger at the expense of someone who NEEDS the charge. This can be fixed in software, and I recommend having a software swithc that will allow either state (locking or not locking).
The next issue has to do with the vehicle "timing out" the ability to charge after the vehicle has been turned off for a period of time. I don't like using Apps to set charge start and end times, I want to do it manually. Typically, when someone comes home they open the charge door and head inside. When we want to charge the cars someone goes outside and plugs them in. Can't do this with the Jag because even if the charge door is left open the car won't start charging after a certain time period has passed. This means the person going outside to charge has to unlock the car, plug it in, and lock it again. Not a really big deal, but again something that can be fixed in software.
These are my top issues for today.
What do you want to see in the future?
Tony Stein
2019 IPace
2017 i3
2013 RAV4 EV