Mach-e for Road Trips just sucks. Not even close. More expensive than gas

[Phil-Springs]

After 2 years of my own ownership, I say roadtripping is a valid discussion to have. My around town use has been much much better than ice. The road trip , well not Cheaper , not less stressful, and definitely not as fast . I rarely road trip , so no buyers remorse .

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[Dear_OP]

I imagine Texas is like Alberta. An oil oriented state. EV is not well received nor encouraged via additional taxes and lack rebates in Alberta. Top that off with inferior charging infrastructure and folks there have little interest to buy EVs.

I cannot imagine the type of animosity you encounter living in such environments. Hats off to you.

In BC, EV adoption is thriving thanks to rebates and constantly expanding infrastructure. Electric source is mostly hydro. Some of the DCFC rates are as low as $0.21/kwh. The province is currently peppering the route to Alaska with DCFC stations.

 

[Snakebitten]

While Texas gets credited for purchasing 25% of all pickup trucks sold in the US, I think folks would be surprised that the well earned stereotype does NOT mean it's an EV barren territory.

I mean it might not be California Electric Love, but it's not really that anti-EV, as far as I can tell. And although the "EV growth is slowing" mantra is repeated ad nauseum, on the streets EV's just continue to increase.

 

[23macheGT]

I like to factor oil changes too on ICE. On average 2 oil changes per year. That’s an extra $100-200 easily.

 

[Jgg181]

My roadtrip experience was outstanding!

Took a road trip mid-June from Orlando-Gulfport-Dallas-Austin-Gulfport-Orlando.

Used ABRP(A Better Route Planner), the best EV trip app ever!

-2700 miles
-20 Charges(includes driving around destination areas after arrival0
-$285 spent on charging

Used Electrify America chargers on 1st half of trip
Used only Tesla chargers(A2Z adapter), on return portion of trip(Austin-Gulfport-Orlando)

Note: Will never use Shell ‘Recharge’ chargers again…predatory pricing where sole charger in area of Texas on I-20 W

 

[Exordium01]

Just a few comments on charging and cost.

First of all, we run our Mach-e from our solar panels. Normally this costs us nothing out of pocket, just cuts down on the amount we give back to the electric co. However, I broke my hip and Judy had to make daily trips (50 mi rt) to visit me. So we had a deficit for August, which includes the house air conditioner. With no trips in September I noticed we had a positive balance even with the very hot weather we're having. So my comment is that if you're using the Mach-e for greateer than 50 mi/day, you'll see the cost of electricity. I figured it's about equivalent to an ICE car getting ~30/mpg, which says that the mach-e is somewhat of a money saver.

Second, that adapter isn't a gift. It saved Fords ass. Outside of the main towns and highways, Tesla has the charging stations. Ford just joined Tesla so that it could make long trips out into the outback without building it's own charging stations. We found this out the hard way, just making it to the next non-Tesla charger on our road trip. We now have a Lectron adapter tucked in the rear.

If you make long road trips, sigh up for Tesla's app and get the lower cost.

Last, arguing over the who has the best damn instructions is worthless. If you can't figure it out, don't drive.

Here in New Mexico, all the rural chargers are CCS. Unfortunately, Tesla access doesn't add much because most places with superchargers also have EA. Don't get me wrong. If I have a choice, I'm using a supercharger, but the adapter wasn't as impactful as I expected it would be.

DCFC prices suck but home charging is so cheap, you still come out way ahead. Gas stations use the convenience store to help absorb the costs of the station. DCFC will never be competitive until they do something similar.

 

[giwu42]

I actually do this exact road trip roughly 1-2x a month with my RWD ER. Starting at 100% I'm actually able to make it to downtown with roughly 10ish% left. I'm definitely glad I bought the A2Z adapter, because it makes fast charging at superchargers extremely convenient since they are at the 2 Bucees along the route.

Personally glad I also bought the tesla membership because it drops supercharging down to $0.36 per kwh

 

[Mach1E]

EVs suck (in comparison) for road trips.

ICEs suck (in comparison) around town.

Not sure why people argue against these facts.

 

[superdave80]

What I haven't figured out about DC charging is: Why does it seem to be the same cost per kWh everywhere, despite the fact that local electricity prices vary so much? It's the same $0.56 in California and Texas, despite the fact that Texas electricity is less than half as much. This makes Texas DC charging less competitive price-wise vs. gas.

 

[zvez]

Ok fellas, y'all right - my math sucks - here is the fixed numbers.

506 miles, 2.4 efficiency, $89 (70 kWh at my home @14 cents)
F150 would have cost $88 at 15mpg.

I drove most of the trip at 75, some at 70 and some at 80.

And yes, i got 500 kWr free from Ford, so I didn't pay anything for EA, but I am figuring it for when that's run out. Although I don't think it will, since damn, that's expensive. And yes, i guess i could subscribe to EA, but since i got 30k without them, well...

I ordered my Tesla convertor months ago - still waiting.

EA seems to be higher, even here around me where tesla chargers are 26 cents EA, the nearest to me is forty miles away is 30 cents.

 

[yazoo888]

Lucky to have $2.6/gallon gas. For $5/gallon folks, EVs save a lot of $$$

 

[Flashgolfer]

We are driving a PERFORMANCE car...my Infiniti Q70S, a luxury 'performance' car, requires premium fuel. A better comparison would be against premium fuel, not the cheapest 'regular' fuel. In 2023, I drove from Plymouth, Mass to Austin, Texas- it was not ideal, but manageable. Now with Tesla available, I will be driving the same route and I a expect much better experience. Now, lets look at average gas prices over the past few years. As someone pointed out, three years of charging vs gas should have realized significant savings...

 

[RickMachE]

What I haven't figured out about DC charging is: Why does it seem to be the same cost per kWh everywhere, despite the fact that local electricity prices vary so much? It's the same $0.56 in California and Texas, despite the fact that Texas electricity is less than half as much. This makes Texas DC charging less competitive price-wise vs. gas.

How are you comparing prices? Seems like you are only looking at EA, which owns their network and controls pricing.

 

[Tampamike]

EVs suck (in comparison) for road trips.

ICEs suck (in comparison) around town.

Not sure why people argue against these facts.

Because …..
“______ sucks” is not a fact. But you knew that.

 

[Old_Norm]

Because …..
“______ sucks” is not a fact. But you knew that.

Correct. The word sucks is just too general, not specific. For example:

A man walks into a bar.
He sucks at limbo.

Sucks how every girl I'm interested in is either taken
or has good taste in men

Being dyslexic sucks during Christmas.
My letters to Satan never get answered.

And so on.

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