Criteria for your Next EV?

[Mirak]

I don’t upgrade frequently. I wait for big jumps in tech. I drove my last car, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, for nearly 12 years while I waited for an EV that checked 4 Boxes: (1) Crossover/SUV form factor, (2) stylish inside and out, (3) 250mi+ range, and (4) no more than $50k after tax credit.

The 2021 Mach E 4X Premium was the first EV to satisfy those criteria, and I bought it. And I’ve been generally pleased, but now I’ve learned enough about the pros and cons to have new criteria for my next EV:

1. Still needs to be a Crossover / SUV form factor. I like the space and sitting a little higher on the road.
2. Still needs to be stylish inside and out. I will not accept the bubble / blunt-nosed dorkmobile styling, or cheap interiors.
3. A nice cushy suspension (the Mach E’s “sport tuning” is definitely not this).
4. Well-insulated, quiet cabin (Mach E is pretty good in this regard).
5. 350mi+ Range at 75mph.
6. 15min DCFC from 10% to 90%.
7. At least 3mi/kWh highway and 4mi/kWh city efficiency.
8. “Level 2.5” ADAS (Eyes-on but otherwise self-driving on highways, including nav and truly automatic lane changes).
9. No more than $60k (adjusted for inflation, probably closer to $80k).

This EV doesn’t exist yet, but I think it will within the next 10 years, and the first manufacturer to get there is gonna make a killing.

What’s your list?

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[yngwenli]

For me, it'll probably be:

Near/at 400 mile range
Super fast charging like the Korean brands (10% -> 80% in 18 minutes?)
Cost is less of a concern, but under $100k probably.
LFP ideally or some other battery chemistry

Lucid and some of the Mercedes may hit that already, but I'll drive this MME to the ground and see what's out there. The charging network should be improved by then so I don't think my requirements will be hard at all.

I think for anyone without an EV, just getting anything that can do 90% of your driving should be a very high priority. If you have enough solar, any EV is a no brainer with pretty much no fuel costs at all assuming you don't have to drive a ton.

Get a Bolt for < $20k if you qualify for the tax credit. We may get one for the kids as they hit driving age, hopefully on lease to bypass all the tax credit requirements and when dealers aren't marking things up like mad in a few years hopefully. Maybe kids will be old enough with part time job to be low income as well for CA CVRP and if Fed tax credit can be off sticker/less income requirements.

 

[Jim D]

Needs to be able to tow, I wouldn't use it much but I miss it on my Mach E.

 

[MacherAWD]

For me, it'll probably be:

Near/at 400 mile range
Super fast charging like the Korean brands (10% -> 80% in 18 minutes?)
Cost is less of a concern, but under $100k probably.
LFP ideally or some other battery chemistry

Lucid and some of the Mercedes may hit that already, but I'll drive this MME to the ground and see what's out there. The charging network should be improved by then so I don't think my requirements will be hard at all.

I think for anyone without an EV, just getting anything that can do 90% of your driving should be a very high priority. If you have enough solar, any EV is a no brainer with pretty much no fuel costs at all assuming you don't have to drive a ton.

Get a Bolt for < $20k if you qualify for the tax credit. We may get one for the kids as they hit driving age, hopefully on lease to bypass all the tax credit requirements and when dealers aren't marking things up like mad in a few years hopefully. Maybe kids will be old enough with part time job to be low income as well for CA CVRP and if Fed tax credit can be off sticker/less income requirements.

Our MME does 95% of our use, our 2015 highlander does the rest. I might keep things as is until 2030 or more, both vehicles rock solid

 

[tuminatr]

The Mach E does well in most cases. The only few wants I have are a softer or more compliant suspension. I prefer sport-tuned but the Mach e gets harsh sometimes. Around 250-300 mile range is fine but faster charging would be very nice. Lastly improved HVAC performance would probably take using a heat pump and electrically heated and cooled seats, including seat bolsters, door panels, foot wells, center console, and armrests, rear seats, and possibly a headliner.

Using electric radiant heat is way more efficient than even a heat pump.

The closest vehicle on the horizon to what would be ideal for me is the new Porsche Macan EV

 

[fpasta]

Really like this first EV. I am glad it's a Mustang Mach E and no other. I am happy to say this will not be my last EV. Great experiences.

My next has to have these, it's because of this MME that brought this list.

-Park Assist
-Auto Pilot
-Side mirrors (they are going camera version of side mirrors ) that folds with a button in app
-Drive modes (one customizable)
-More Range
-Dash Cams/Security Cameras
-Updatable processor/RAM wise Sync 4 or similar
-optional HUD for some pertinent information
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-
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[glenthompson]

4 wheels down towable behind my motorhome. No current BEV has this capability. The Ford Escape PHEV is about the only hybrid that can.

 

[DustyShades]

I’m surprised to see so many people that have EV experience posting that they want huge range numbers. I feel like we should all know that it’s more about total time charging on long distance trips and not as much about stated range numbers.

“but… the network isn’t reliable right now so you need the range in case a planned stop is down”

maybe but we’re also talking about “next EV” which I assume for most people is at least a couple years out (probably more if we’re hoping for the specs people are talking about here with the fantasy land prices attached to those specs). By the time we’re looking at, 1) tesla will have expanded enough new stations to accommodate a lot of the gaps AND 2) the CCS networks will have had enough time to also expand and - hopefully - have gotten their maintenance together or at the very least there will be enough redundancy with frequent enough stops that making it to the next station won’t actually be that big of a deal.

anyway, our next EV will probably be the EX90. Was going to be the R1S but the V2H and autonomous driving aspects of the EX90 I think have won me over.

 

[ThatGuyLando]

Basically the looks of the mach e, with software that actually works, also a faster charging battery.

 

[4sallypat]

I’m surprised to see so many people that have EV experience posting that they want huge range numbers. I feel like we should all know that it’s more about total time charging on long distance trips and not as much about stated range numbers.

“but… the network isn’t reliable right now so you need the range in case a planned stop is down”

maybe but we’re also talking about “next EV” which I assume for most people is at least a couple years out (probably more if we’re hoping for the specs people are talking about here with the fantasy land prices attached to those specs). By the time we’re looking at, 1) tesla will have expanded enough new stations to accommodate a lot of the gaps AND 2) the CCS networks will have had enough time to also expand and - hopefully - have gotten their maintenance together or at the very least there will be enough redundancy with frequent enough stops that making it to the next station won’t actually be that big of a deal.

anyway, our next EV will probably be the EX90. Was going to be the R1S but the V2H and autonomous driving aspects of the EX90 I think have won me over.

Agree - range is overhyped IMO.

Range depends on so many factors, it's not funny.

Charge speed is more important than range.

Longer range means heavier vehicle.

Next gen EV should be 800V system with rapid 0-80%.

WIth 8 months of driving the F150 Lightning, I am quite happy for a first gen BEV.

Now if my 11 month ordered MME ever arrives before the battery tax ruling by the IRS, I'd be tickled!

 

[fpasta]

You guys are right about the range I'm on an SR battery. Never had any range anxieties. For someone else with another lifestyle might need more. That's good post that due to the infrastructure now having range is good. But in the future there will be many more reliable places to charge.

 

[CompilerBreak]

A truck Really though, more range would be good, but 300-400 fits for all my needs. Bigger issue is charging, there just needs to be more.

 

[CurtW]

Cost: Tax incentive goes a long way to minimize the cost of ownership.

Enjoyment: I don't care so much about car VS SUV VS truck as I do about enjoying ownership and driving.

Mach-e clicks all the boxes for now. No idea what's next...

 

[Mirak]

Sigh… ok guys before we devolve into another 18-page thread about whether range matters or not - it matters to a lot of people. It may not matter to you, and that’s fine, but at least some cars need to be designed for extended ranges.

Beyond the coasts, there are huge areas of the country where DCFC is sparse. And there are lots of people who take numerous road trips per year. And even when you can find a DCFC every 50 miles (fat chance that happens anytime soon), some people don’t want to get out and charge every 100-150 miles, even if it only takes 15mins per stop. They want to get on the road and freaking drive for hours at a time. I drive 500 miles and 7hrs to Denver a couple times a year in an ICE, and I stop once each way.

Saying, too bad, learn to stop more often, is snobby.

 

[MacherAWD]

Sigh… ok guys before we devolve into another 18-page thread about whether range matters or not - it matters to a lot of people. It may not matter to you, and that’s fine, but at least some cars need to be designed for extended ranges.

Beyond the coasts, there are huge areas of the country where DCFC is sparse. And there are lots of people who take numerous road trips per year. And even when you can find a DCFC every 50 miles (fat chance that happens anytime soon), some people don’t want to get out and charge every 100-150 miles. They want to get on the road and freaking drive for hours at a time. I drive 500 miles and 7hrs to Denver a couple times a year in an ICE, and I stop once each way.

Saying, too bad, learn to stop more often, is snobby.

Range is relative, our bolt had 270 and we never took it out of town, was fine with an SR AWD MME and take it everywhere.

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