Written by Peter Weinberger | [email protected]
I fully admit that I like most electronics, and I’m kind of an old-school techie.
Starting with digital cameras, computers, watches, flashlights, iPhones, televisions, cordless vacuum cleaners, chargers, laptops, drones, and the list goes on. I don’t mind being an early adopter, but I had a lot of items.
I first encountered electric bicycles in 2005 and realized how the “e” could change transportation as we know it. At the time, there were only a handful of stores selling electric bikes, and he had fewer than 10 in Southern California. What I liked is that electric bikes look a lot like regular bikes, with a small battery and motor. We even passed some serious bikers on the road who were clearly dumbfounded as to how they could climb up a hill so quickly.
All that changed as electric bikes became more popular and widely used. You can find them in almost every bike shop now, and they usually cost up to $5,000. This may come as a surprise to some, but it’s still a great way to exercise thanks to a feature called “adjustable pedal assist.” This allows you to go further, faster (and even bike up Mount Baldy Road to the ski lifts) and still work up a sweat.
Another “e” vehicle that has taken over big cities and beach communities is the e-scooter. About 10 years ago, I discovered electric scooters as an easy way to get around cities where destinations are too far to walk but are easily accessible on a scooter. Traveling 1-5 miles was easy. At first, we were able to ride in the bike lane along the beach. Because I was literally the only one using the bike lane. I have fond memories of driving along a flat, paved road without seeing a single car.
However, those days are long gone as electric scooters have become popular and more cities have decided to adopt them as a “green” local transportation option. Electric scooters were simply left on the ground after they were rented, so it didn’t take long for them to clog sidewalks and roads.
Some cities, including Claremont, currently ban rentals of electric scooters because they don’t mix well with large SUVs. Not only are they dangerous (some scooters can go up to 50 miles per hour), but they can also be difficult to maneuver if you go over 20 miles per hour. Braking is downright scary as the front wheel pushes the rider forward. Don’t even get me started. E-scooters remain popular, especially in Europe, but if you’re over 21, stay on the sidelines. The worst car accident happens after he falls just once.
Electric cars, SUVs, trucks
As time went on, I finally grew up and invested in Tesla as my primary vehicle. I believe that if the driving public takes the time to drive an electric vehicle, they will realize that electric vehicles are the next generation of transportation.
The technology is still in the early stages of deployment, but more powerful and lighter batteries, combined with more charging stations, are a year or two away. If you live in California and own a Tesla, you don’t have to worry about range.
Tesla has blown up the transportation market, proving that it is possible to make electric cars that are better than gasoline-powered cars while still being profitable. And innovative products that instantly impact the air we breathe, making it greener.
Prices continue to fall. When I was shopping, it was clear that Tesla could compete from a price standpoint, even when you factor in gas and maintenance savings. Connie & Dick’s Service Talk to the mechanics at her center and they will explain all the benefits of Tesla. And they’ve been working on gas engines for most of their careers.
Purchasing a Tesla has also exploded in popularity and has become as easy as shopping online. The price is one and there are no salespeople trying to sell it at the highest possible price. Each model is equipped with the same equipment. The only major price differences are engine size and range. This car comes with all the bells and whistles, so if you want heated seats and navigation, no model costs more than $15,000.
I bought a Model 3 for $42,000 (plus tax and license) with 270 miles of range and $9,500 in rebates. My Hyundai Elantra received a fair trade-in value of $15,000 off her final price. A new Toyota Prius with the same equipment will cost more. What I’m saying is that the price of electric cars is coming down. This is also seen in other companies such as Hyundai, Ford, and GM. Finally, these cars are fun to drive.
Are electric cars perfect? Absolutely not. I can only speak for Tesla, but the problem is completely unique.
Tesla has built its reputation (and stock price) on its fully self-driving capabilities (FSC), which Elon Musk promised years ago. Basically, you can take your hands off the steering wheel and relax while driving. This is a great add-on to any electric vehicle. For Tesla it’s $12,000.
However, there is one small problem. Musk overpromised this feature (likely to help keep Tesla’s stock price high) and other companies have overtaken Tesla. The big problem isn’t the technology, it’s that Musk wants FSC to use only cameras. This is an effort to simplify production and save costs. At the moment, this turns out to be impossible, as other sensors (radar and ultrasound) are needed for the car to fully understand the world around us. Not only has this prevented further FSC improvements, but Tesla is now the defendant in numerous lawsuits over the accident. Now, your hands must be on the handle at all times. I only use emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, both of which are common with other manufacturers.
Is Tesla popular? Take a drive around Claremont. It also has the best safety record of any car, despite its FSC issues. Model 3 is one of them. As with any car, don’t believe the hype. Charging your car at home is also a game-changer. During my short commute, which takes up 90% of my driving time, I simply turn the car on at night and it gets a full charge each day.
During one $95 service, my car is connected to a device that reads the status of every feature. The brakes are known to last for the life of the car, as regenerative braking slows the car down to a stop. All my personal settings (right down to the steering wheel) are set through an iPhone app that also serves as a key. Sound and connectivity are state-of-the-art. This car does things that other cars don’t. Improving many aspects of car operation and driving can be easily handled via the Internet. When someone comes within 6 feet of the car, multiple cameras start recording and send video to the app, making theft nearly impossible.
What I’m trying to say is that there’s a reason why Tesla sells so well.
I believe that electric cars will replace gasoline. It’s not a matter of if, but only when.
As for myself, I will continue to keep an eye on new technologies. I’m already looking at new possibilities.