My neighbors have them, but they own several vehicles as batteries don't hold a charge for as long in the cold. The one Tesla owner took it cross country and had a story. They claim it takes 40 minutes to fast charge it. They missed a store closing by 10 minutes and ended up having to stop, get a motel room and charge it over night. Walmart and REI are the most common source for super chargers around here. Another neighbor has a hybrid Benz, it only goes 20 miles on electricity. He showed me the charging station, it had an adapter. A lot of office buildings have an extension cord running out the front door to the parking lot. lol

I get about 500 km (300 miles) per charge, and I only charge to 80%, as it apparently increases battery life to keep it under max charge unless you are going to discharge it right after.

"I think it depends on the car and the location but I've heard that home charging equipment and the wiring needed for the installs can run $1000-$2000."

It doesn't depend on the car, but it does depend on your local rates for electricians. I had an electrician install a 240V outlet at my cottage for about $500; the adapter to my Tesla cable cost an additional $50. If you want to buy your own "charger" with features like WiFi and monitoring, it can set you back $1000, in addition to the electrician costs, but you can charge the car with an ordinary 240V outlet. (You can also charge with a 110V outlet, but at about a quarter of the speed of a 240V. Not exactly, because it depends on amps not just volts, but that's approximate.)

"as batteries don't hold a charge for long in the cold."

Between the cold and driving on snow tires, I lose about 25% range in the winter. Not a problem, as long as I know about it and account for the difference.

how is electricity generated for these ...

We are having solar put in to help charge our vehicles. We are on the list for a Tesla truck as well, and that will be capable of powering the house in an outage.

The solar is not really cost effective in terms of reducing bills etc, it is more about reducing consumption for us, and also to be as self reliant as possible

Toronto V, installation rates are much higher in California as I've heard from people I know. It must be supply and demand. The Tesla factory is right down the road and they're very popular in Silicon Valley. Though, some people won't have them because of the uncomplimentary stereotype of owners commonly held hereabouts.

"The solar is not really cost effective in terms of reducing bills"

This must depend on location. Solar installs are extremely effective in reducing bills and can have a 5–7-year payback in my area, depending on the level of a home's electricity use. Because we have high rates and state-imposed rate structures that increase significantly as usage levels increase, big homes/big users can save a lot of money with solar cell equipment.

We have a rental house that has a charging station (220/120) in the garage. the previous owner installed it.

Yes, I should have said that it is not very cost effective in our location. It will take us 10-15 years to break even where I am in SW Canada. We are only looking to power our large hobby shop, and do a trickle charge for the car if needed.

Still, it sounds like the system will outlive me, and I think for us it is a responsible way to go.

Our Tesla charger cost $500ish for the electrician and the charger itself was about $400, I think. Our house had the electrical rough wired for it already, so I am sure that charge can vary according to the existing services at the house

To give you actual numbers in PG+E land, round numbers, the lowest tier for the first 220 kwh in a month is about 25 cents per. Get above 900 in a month and you're paying 40 cents per, with 33 cents along the way.

With plenty of sunshine for most of the year, solar panels are a no-brainer.

"how is electricity generated for these ..."

It depends on where you live -- for instance, virtually all of my electricity comes from nuclear, wind, or hydro. Regardless, electrical vehicles are more efficient than ICE vehicles, so even if their power comes ultimately from the same source, EVs make better, more efficient use of that power.

"virtually all of my electricity comes from nuclear, wind, or hydro."

Don't be arbitrary about your assessments. Each of these power sources has negative environmental consequences as do most others.

"how is electricity generated for these ..."

On the roof of the nearby union hall & training center where there is a Charge Point for 14 vehicles, I count 100 solar panels using Google maps. Don't know for sure if those power the charging stations.

Son's apartment has electricity in the garage so charging isn't a problem. The principal at our local high school struggles to keep his plugged in--the kids smoking behind the garages LOVE to unplug it!! LOL

Neighbor told me he worked with someone that purchased a Tesla, plugged it into charge on the standard 110v line in the evening and the next morning it had only gone up by 10%, not good.

Here's why I'd never want an electric only vehicle, I live in the country. If for some reason the vehicle runs out of gas (I've never had it happen), I could get a gallon of gas in my gas can and be on my way. If the batteries discharge and stop the vehicle I can't go get "more electricity", I'd be stuck.

Raye, that's why my daughter is installing a stove outlet (50 amp?) in her garage for us. We can make it to her house and back on one charge, but with very little wiggle room! It will be nice to be able to get enough power to be useful during our usual couple-hour visits.

Arcy, you can't unplug a Tesla without the key, without damaging it. I don't know about other types ... but I can certainly imagine schoolkids playing pranks. Some things never change!

Toronto Vet, my DH somehow looked up where our electricity comes from. Ours is largely nuclear, our daughter's is mostly coal. She's just signed a contract to install solar :-)

"plugged it into charge on the standard 110v line in the evening and the next morning it had only gone up by 10%, not good."

This falls into the "well, duh!" category. It's really basic math -- a 110V household outlet will supply about 1.4 kWh, and the battery on a Tesla is 50-100 kWh, so in 8 hours of charging on a 110V outlet, you'll get about 11 kWh of electricity. Depending on the model of Tesla, that's about 22%-11% of the battery, under ideal conditions with a warm battery. If you have a 50A 240V outlet in your garage, those same 8 hours will give you about 55kWh of electricity, so that's 100%-50% of a full battery, depending on the Tesla model.

"If the batteries discharge and stop the vehicle I can't go get "more electricity", I'd be stuck."

Yes, you'd need a tow to the nearest electrical outlet, just as if you ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere and had to call someone to bring you a gallon of gas. Or, you know, never let your car run out of electricity, just like you never let your car run out of gas. If you can do it in an ICE car, you can do it in an electric car. In fact, a Tesla will give you lots and lots of warnings that you're running out of power - a lot more than an ICE car will give you.

Also, there are an increasing number of portable EV chargers becoming available, so that they can be brought to the out-of-power EV wherever they are. You wouldn't carry one with you, but you could have a friend drive it out to meet you wherever you're stranded, and it won't be long before roadside assistance companies will be able to bring them out to you too.

"Don't be arbitrary about your assessments. Each of these power sources has negative environmental consequences as do most others."

I didn't make any assessment, I made a statement of fact.

Perhaps you need to improve your reading skills, and read what was written, rather than your expectation of what was written.

Thx to all for the very informative replies. I don't own an EV (yet) but I do have a 240v outlet outside where I hook up my generator when we have a prolonged power outage. This 240v outlet can also supply power when the generator is not in use so it may play a future role in supplying an EV charging portal.

"Don't be arbitrary about your assessments. Each of these power sources has negative environmental consequences as do most others."

I didn't make any assessment, I made a statement of fact."

I agree, and you did so in a rather haughty tone, as if suggesting something superior about the power sources. Which was what triggered my comment, as I think it's commonly agreed most power sources have negative environmental consequences (including those you mentioned) except for rooftop (and not grid sized) solar panels.

If I misunderstood what you said, please clarify what you had in mind and perhaps didn't express clearly. And if you do so, please refrain from using a belligerent personal insult as you did in the earlier reply. Or, let it drop, okay either way.

Elmer, elmer, elmer. "Ping", as someone used to say.

Toronto Veterinarian - I can carry a gas can for many miles, can't do the same for electricity.

Will it be long before we see solar panels on cars?

'Toronto Veterinarian - I can carry a gas can for many miles, can't do the same for electricity."

Well, you could, but it would be bulky and heavy. On the other hand, it won't leak toxic fumes, so there is that.

Do you really carry a gas can in your car whenever you drive? Seems both dangerous and wasteful. You're looking for reasons to support your stubborn belief that you will "never want" an electric car, even when your reasons don't hold up to the new technology available.

"If I misunderstood what you said, please clarify what you had in mind"

You did misunderstand, because you read attitude in a factual statement that Ontario's electricity come almost entirely from nuclear, wind, and hydro. I didn't comment on anything about any of those methods of energy generation -- you saw what you expected to find there (a "haughty tone") because of my embrace and belief in electric vehicles.

"Ontario's electricity come almost entirely from nuclear, wind, and hydro"

Why does this matter?

"you saw what you expected to find there (a "haughty tone") because of my embrace and belief in electric vehicles."

An incorrect assumption.

"Will it be long before we see solar panels on cars?"

There is some discussion about solar panels on the new Tesla trucks as an addon feature.

""Ontario's electricity come almost entirely from nuclear, wind, and hydro"

Why does this matter?"

Because bragu asked.

Toronto Veterinarian

Did you know that the same places that sell gas also have small, cheap plastic gas cans ? I also carry jumper cables, distilled water, rope, a windshield scrapper and a blanket in my vehicle.

Raye, does that mean your answer is yes, you carry a container of gas in your car, or not?

Did you know that the same places that sell gas also have outlets you can plug your car into?

Thanks, Marigold. Solar panels on vehicles would make a lot of sense in some climates. Gives a new meaning to taking the car for a run to recharge the battery!

Of course it makes sense the people living in more remote areas will be slower to adopt electric vehicles. Doesn't mean it won't happen eventually.

Toronto Veterinarian - That doesn't make any sense, if my vehicle is stopped due to lack of gas I can do what people have done for decades. I can walk to the nearest station, purchase a small amount of gas, walk back to my vehicle and add that gas to the vehicle to allow me to get to the next gas station to fully fill up. If my vehicle is stopped due to discharged batteries all the plugs in the world at the next station won't get my vehicle moving.

Plus I have not seen a single station here that allows electric vehicles to charge.

I ran of gas once last winter. First time in decades and I was mortified. Seriously, unless you’re buying a gallon at a time with your change from between the sofa cushions there’s really no excuse.

Quote: "In 2011, Triple A invested in a fleet of roadside recharging trucks meant to service stranded electric cars. These trucks carried an onboard fast charger capable of adding ten miles of range in just ten minutes."

When the infrastructure is there....I'll buy an electric 4x4. Also we have a coal powered electric plant....that needs to change.

"I ran of gas once last winter. First time in decades and I was mortified. Seriously, unless you’re buying a gallon at a time with your change from between the sofa cushions there’s really no excuse."

That depends :-) Both of my last two cars have had defective fuel gauges that simply weren't worth the expense of fixing on older used cars. Determining just how much gas one might have gets a lot trickier when you need to keep mileage calculations in mind plus some sort of a safety factor.

I have run out of gas with both of them on occasion but after my first episode, kept an emergency gas can handy.

Running out of gas is hardly a reason to feel "mortified"!!

food -- Sorry you ran out of gas, but that has to be a rarity.

I find it hard to accept that adults 'run out of cash' often enough to make ATMs profitable. We very rarely *use* cash, thanks to credit cards, and keeping a small amount of on hand is easy. Only Scrooge would miss the tiny interest lost on a few hundred dollars not invested.

Now I see ads for banking services that will *alert* a customer when an overdraft is imminent. Duh.

"Running out of gas is hardly a reason to feel "mortified"!!

In a gas powered car, your fuel pump sits in the gas tank, it's cooled by the gas. I never let my car go below one quarter or risk burning up your fuel pump. Also...in Colorado the low-freezing temperatures are not conducive to an older person walking miles or waiting hours for road-side-assistance(It's an average of 2-3hrs here).

Fortunately I've never run out of gas but it happens to many people and is a consideration. Any kind of gauges can fail - even those on electric vehicles. A friend has a hybrid that's gas gauge never reads correctly, it's a know issue for that vehicle and there has yet to be a fix for it.

Gardengal - you are wise to keep a gas can in your vehicle.

nicole do they provide those charges for only the cost of the electricity ? Are they available for non triple A members ? Do they guarantee to get to you in under an hour ?

"That doesn't make any sense, if my vehicle is stopped due to lack of gas I can do what people have done for decades. I can walk to the nearest station, purchase a small amount of gas, walk back to my vehicle"

Honestly, the inability to walk a few miles to haul back a gas can car to my car didn't factor into my choice of an electric vehicle over an ICE one. I am capable of planning, and I watch my battery, just as I do my gas tank in my other car. It is a non issue for me.

I think that is a straw man, and probably not the basis for your dislike of EVs

Gardengal, it takes no more than driving local for a couple hundred miles to estimate how many miles you get out of say 3/4 tank. Write down mileage when you get gas and take it from there. BTDT. Even with longer trips, now with GPS or map sites it’s easy to determine if you’ll need to tank up somewhere along the line. A lifetime of which probably less time than a single walk with your gas jug. Mortified or not. ;)

There’s definitely more planning involved with electric vehicles if you’re doing more than relatively local traffic. I’ve been eyeing the F150 Lightning but even with the extended battery its only estimated to get 300 miles. And recharge times are not insignificant, considerably more than my neighbor quoted with his Telsa. I use my truck for ski trips, so that’s not happening.

@User......I "was" a claims adjuster for AAA, Northern California region. We "never" promised to get to anyone in under an hour(that I know of...?). We only responded to AAA members. It was cheap, about $25 a year in addition to your auto policy. I'd call "other" services and offer to pay more to help our customers...or send/pay for a taxi to get them helped more quickly. I've had road side assistance calls where the customer waited 3 hours and the service did not go out like they said they would. They said they closed....before they completed "The call". :0( I've got stories!

The charger units on trucks are BIG, not small like a person could put in their car.....that could change. Also 99% of ALL new cars & suv's don't have a spare tire or have run-flat tires. The new Benz I purchased had aggressive mud & snow tires...then "I" had to purchase a spare tire AND rim. But...get this....the tire has to remain deflated to fit in the storage compartment. I carry dish soap & a strap in case I can't get the bead to seat when inflating the tire. :0) Oh joy! lol

My family and/or I have used AAA several times over the years, always with pretty quick arrival and good results. Of course I'm not in a remote location, so other people's results might vary. Does AAA service non-members? I don't know, but the answer should be easy to find out. And they aren't the only road service provider out there.

P.S........I LOVE electric cars. The Telsa is FAST! The advantages of an electric car are AWESOME! I mentioned in a stock conversation I was buying Tesla...to my husband. AND he misunderstood....and told me I could park it here...and we'd move my truck...there. :0) No...I'm not buying anything more than the stock.....month ago.... Pretty funny tho....

Nicole - that's odd all my trucks have had a full sized spare tire and tool to drop it and a jack & tools for tire changes.

My son has a hook-up at his house. The previous owner had an electric vehicle.

"I "was" a claims adjuster for AAA, Northern California region. We "never" promised to get to anyone in under an hour(that I know of...?). We only responded to AAA members. It was cheap, about $25 a year in addition to your auto policy."

Nicole, maybe things have changed, but AAA has long had a reputation of being at the high end of the premium cost scale in my area. I wonder how it's doing (I know there are "local" regional entities that are legally separate) given how easy it is these days to get competitive quotes and how so many of its secondary member services - maps, travel booking, tour guides - are likely in less demand since there are so many similar and free sources of the same kind on everyone's smartphone and PC.

PS - through my insurance company, emergency road service can be even cheaper (depending on how many cars owned) at about $8 per car per year. AAA doesn't operate its own emergency/tow services, they contract out. I can call (and have called several times) the very same towing services when in need. I just call directly (or use my insurance company's phone center), submit the bill, and get reimbursed.

On the topic of spare tires, I'm not sure which was the last car I owned that had a normal tire as a spare. It's been a long time - 20 years or more. Most have the so-called donut tires as spares. My current car, a European full size sedan, doesn't have a spare tire at all - it has "run flat" tires, good for about 50 miles at lower speed, about the same as the donut type.

@User....Cars and SUV's no longer have spares. Trucks still have full size spares. They have "run flat" tires on them. They're not as nice a ride as an old fashioned tire....like Elmer says...they can run 50 miles. Run-flats also cost MORE than a standard tire by about 30%.

@Elmer J Fudd...the road-side-assistance was cheap....not the auto policy. :0) (They are still and were over priced for the basic policy.)