Tag Archives: electric cars

Tesla Model 3: One Year Review 

April 2019. California.

This review of our Model 3 starts from the time we reserved it through our first year of driving the car. The review describes several aspects of life with the Model 3 and addresses the basic question: has the Model 3 met my expectations? There have been many reviews on the Model 3, but each review provides another data point for readers about driving the Model 3 in the real world. In addition these reviews may answer questions you have about how well EVs in general, and the Model 3 specifically, can meet your needs.

Continue reading →

50,000 miles in the 2012 Rav4 EV 

November 2016, California.

We passed 50,000 miles in our 2012 Toyota Rav4 EV in 2016. To mark the occasion I wrote this post to share:

1) data on mileage, electricity use, efficiency, cost to drive;

2) a few things I’ve learned from driving an electric car;

3) highlights from driving electric;

4) a few opinions on driving electric.

Continue reading →

Tesla Model 3 Road Trip to San Diego 

November 2018, California.
This post is for those who are learning about EVs,
and those wondering how an EV will fit into their lives. 

This post was written when we'd had our Model 3 for seven months and the odometer was at 11,000 miles. 

Most of our mileage comes from the daily work commute, but we’ve also taken a few trips in our region: to San Francisco for work, to Montgomery Woods State Reserve to see Redwood trees, to Lassen Volcanic National Park for camping, and to the Mammoth Lakes area to take in the scenery. Continue reading →

Summer EV Road Trips: Tesla Model 3 Edition 

July 2018. California and Nevada.

Since getting our first electric car 5 years ago we’ve taken our EV on summer road trips. Last week we took our first road trip in our Model 3. How was it? We saw some great sites, interesting history, and beautiful vistas. Continue reading →

EV Charging Primer

In one respect charging an electric car is no different than filling a gas tank: it’s all about storing energy in the car to power its motor. We use electricity every day to power and charge all kinds of devices, phones, computers, shavers, televisions etc. But driving an electric powered car is still a new idea for many people so it helps to understand the terms you’ll be using. Continue reading →

2012 Rav4 EV, 5 Year Report: A Tale of Two Cars 

April 2018. Northern California.

This is a perspective from one driver to provide an example for how the Rav4 EV has been used for daily life, and in particular how DC charging allows you to use an EV for trips that take you beyond the range of your battery pack. 

Continue reading →

Winter Snow Adventures 

January 2016

This winter I took my Rav4 EV on its first trip up into the Sierra Nevadas to find out first hand how my EV would drive in the snow, and how altitude climbs in cold weather would affect driving range.  The Rav4 EV handled the winter conditions well, had good traction in deep snow, and the addition of a DC charging port allowed us to reach our destination in cold temperatures that reduce driving range. Read all about it here.