Criteria for your Next EV?

[dbsb3233]

I'd say the ID.4 and maybe the XC40 or Solterra are closest to a RAV4 EV. The ID.4 has an inch or so more ground clearance than the hatchback-y Mach-E. And the ID.4 has probably the least raked rear hatch area. I'm not recommending one to be clear - had a 2021 Pro RWD and wouldn't curse my worst enemy with one

Real SUV EVs with ground clearance will be less efficient and have lower range. My guess is the Jeep Recon EV will be the first mainstream one or maybe the EV9 but I suspect that will be more minivan than SUV. I would buy an Bronco EV in a nano-second but I suspect it won't happen for at least 3 years.

If you like upright tall positions high above the ground and an EV... your choices are definitely limited: R1T,R1S, Lightning,

Yep, that's all the same thought process I went through too. Just really isn't anything that's a real EV SUV yet except for the Rivian. And even used ones are still like $80k. Can't justify that.

We love the shape/size/look of the Bronco Sport we have on order. Be cool if they made an EV version of that, even knowing range may only be low-200 because of poor aerodynamics. But that would be fine, since the MME is our main road trip vehicle.

Still years away though. But that's OK because as I said, at this point in the infrastructure curve, having one BEV and one ICE still makes a lot of sense. We leave this week for a 2-week trip through CO/KS/OK/TX/LA/MS/TN/AR/MO, which has good enough DCFC coverage along the route we're going. But late-summer we may do a trip up to Yellowstone and into MT, and that's still sparse for DCFC. Probably drive the Bronco Sport on that one, assuming we have it by then.

We considered a PHEV of some sort too, but again, this vehicle will be secondary to the MME and won't get a lot of miles. So no big deal just going full ICE. Probably won't even get 50k miles in a decade. The 2013 Escape it's replacing only had 71k miles, and we were still working (commute) for it's first few years.

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[Jimrpa]

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?

I like your list, so I’ll build off of it:

1. I’m not married to the SUV form factor, but I do want 4 doors.
2. handling and performance of the Premium ER AWD are nice, but I’d like to kick it up a notch. Better acceleration (and of course, cooling system improvements to ensure no stupid 5 sec gate type issues), perhaps crisper steering.
3. adjustable suspension (I’m not as bothered by the ride as some are).
4. Seats are nice but, again, let’s kick them up. More adjustments and definitely ventilated
5. QuickClear windshield!
6. 120V AC outlet(s)
7. Larger, more customizable displays (the 2024 Mustang displays look interesting).
8. HUD (not sure if this is a gimmick or really practical) with augmented reality projection from the nav system
9. Improved stereo system.
10. matrix headlamps
11. Heated rear seats (and reclining if an SUV form factor)
12. Inductive charging capability (a company near me is developing this technology, but for commercial vehicles like busses)
13. HomeKit compatibility
    

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Not sure if I already responded but...

1. Faster charging and better charging curve
2. No bounce
3. V2H and V2L
4. Smooth ass software
5. Remote (on FOB) and/or power frunk release

All things that are possible in the next Mach-E.

 

[1969Mach1Mike]

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?

I'm with you on most of these as well:
I have been debating with myself on your #5: Faster charging, or a battery technology that goes further?


#5) Would you take a slower charge rate (lets say 6 hours) for a battery that could go 1000 miles on a charge and has a 18 year lifespan? Or take a 350 mile battery that charges in 20 minutes with decreased lifespan 7 year lifespan?


Both have serious merits depending on your situation.

 

[sgriffin130]

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

Just picked up my Ford Escape PHEV to go with my Mach E and was reading the manual and remembered this: According to the manual the PHEV cannot be towed four wheels down.
"Front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles must have their designated drive wheels off the ground regardless of towing direction. Use tow dollies to prevent damage to the transmission.
All-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles require that all wheels be off the ground using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This prevents damage to the transmission and drive system."

 

[glenthompson]

Just picked up my Ford Escape PHEV to go with my Mach E and was reading the manual and remembered this: According to the manual the PHEV cannot be towed four wheels down.

According to this document from Ford, the Escape and Maverick hybrids can be towed 4 down. It requires putting it in Neutral Tow Mode and staying under 70mph.

 

[D’Roc]

Efficiency at 70 mph >3.5.
Range at 70 mph >240 miles. (meaning no ginormous, heavy battery; should be <80 kWh usable.
Weight around 4,500; less is better.
10-80% charge time of ~20 minutes (>190 kW average change rate for that segment of the battery).
Instrument panel and actual buttons in the interior (what has kept me out of Tesla to date).
Price <$60k, preferably <$50k.
Good handling (better than ID.4 which is too squishy for me).
Compliant ride (Model Y Performance too stiff; Mach E meets this balance).
Seating for 5; interior EPA rating of close to 100 cu ft (my ATS and the Chevy Bolt were a bit too small).
Color palette better than white, lt gray, gray, dk gray, and black.

 

[Billyk24]

I'd say the ID.4 and maybe the XC40 or Solterra are closest to a RAV4 EV. The ID.4 has an inch or so more ground clearance than the hatchback-y Mach-E. And the ID.4 has probably the least raked rear hatch area. I'm not recommending one to be clear - had a 2021 Pro RWD and wouldn't curse my worst enemy with one

Real SUV EVs with ground clearance will be less efficient and have lower range. My guess is the Jeep Recon EV will be the first mainstream one or maybe the EV9 but I suspect that will be more minivan than SUV. I would buy an Bronco EV in a nano-second but I suspect it won't happen for at least 3 years.

If you like upright tall positions high above the ground and an EV... your choices are definitely limited: R1T,R1S, Lightning,

Rav4 EV?

 

[BigMach-E]

350+ miles, similar styling, similar price, 10 seconds full power send, higher top speed, 800V architecture would convince me, otherwise I am good, will wait until the wheels fall off.

 

[mkhuffman]

The top criteria for me is range. None of all the 300 mile EPA range vehicles coming out are significantly better than my MME as far as range goes.

Really my next BEV will need to have a minimum of 400 mile EPA range, but really I want 400 mile highway range. As many have said, and I agree, 400 mile highway range is probably years away. But 400 mile EPA range is available today. In fact, the R1T max pack is supposed to be 400 mile EPA range. We will see how well it actually does, but the large pack R1T does pretty well on the highway in spite if the brick like shape. The R1T max pack could be my next vehicle, but I don't think I can convince my wife to spend 100k on a car.

In general, I love having an opening roof. And I really like ventilated seats. Those used to be must haves prior to bringing the MME home.

 

[Mirak]

I'm with you on most of these as well:
I have been debating with myself on your #5: Faster charging, or a battery technology that goes further?


#5) Would you take a slower charge rate (lets say 6 hours) for a battery that could go 1000 miles on a charge and has a 18 year lifespan? Or take a 350 mile battery that charges in 20 minutes with decreased lifespan 7 year lifespan?


Both have serious merits depending on your situation.

I wouldn’t take either of those things.

6hrs to fast charge, even 1000mi at a time, is worse than what we’ve got currently.

350mi highway range and 20min fast charge is great, and much closer to what I’m looking for in next car, but 7yr life unacceptable.

I highly doubt the next gen of battery tech will force anybody to make that choice.

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