Howard said:
@Thomas
120k miles isn’t a huge amount. I’d be a bit worried about those drive unit replacements. If I bought a used Model S, would I be on the hook for these repairs?
There’s a coolant delete mod you could try to protect it. You just drill a drain hole to prevent damage from coolant buildup. If you see coolant dripping, you know it’s time to replace the seal.
I’ve been driving a 2001 Toyota Rav4 EV. It only has about 30% of its original range now, but it’s still great for getting around town. Someone stopped by my place with a 2003 model, and it still had a 60-mile range (started with 80-100). The main issue with these old models is poor battery cooling and that one bad cell can ruin the whole pack.
@izael
That’s incredible. I didn’t even know a Rav4 EV existed back then.
sorphia said:
@izael
That’s incredible. I didn’t even know a Rav4 EV existed back then.
Yep, there were also electric Ford Rangers and Chevy S10s back then. They were mostly government vehicles because of California’s emissions rules.
@izael
Wait, there was a Rav4 EV in 2001? And they stopped making it? We’d be so much further if they’d stuck with it.
Ronald said:
@izael
Wait, there was a Rav4 EV in 2001? And they stopped making it? We’d be so much further if they’d stuck with it.
Toyota made a second-gen Rav4 EV with Tesla. But yeah, the first one was all Toyota.
@jeff
Actually, the second-gen Rav4 EV was made with Tesla. The first-gen was long before Tesla existed.
Ronald said:
@izael
Wait, there was a Rav4 EV in 2001? And they stopped making it? We’d be so much further if they’d stuck with it.
They made two versions! One from 1997 to 2003, then another from 2012 to 2014 with a Tesla battery and drivetrain.
Ronald said:
@izael
Wait, there was a Rav4 EV in 2001? And they stopped making it? We’d be so much further if they’d stuck with it.
Toyota, why did you stop? They missed out big time.
@Jason
And they even sold their Tesla shares!
@Jason
It was all about patents and preventing EVs from going mainstream.
Ronald said:
@izael
Wait, there was a Rav4 EV in 2001? And they stopped making it? We’d be so much further if they’d stuck with it.
Check out the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? It covers all the early EVs made to meet California regulations.
@izael
I had an ‘02 Rav4 EV—awesome car. By the way, these used NiMH batteries, so they’re not like the ones in newer EVs.
Imani said:
@izael
I had an ‘02 Rav4 EV—awesome car. By the way, these used NiMH batteries, so they’re not like the ones in newer EVs.
NiMH? That’s old school! Some early Citroën electrics used NiCad batteries. It’s wild how much battery tech has changed.
@izael
What was its original range, and what is it now? And how long does it take to charge?
@izael
Have you replaced cells in it, or is the pack mostly original?
We have a 2011 Nissan Leaf with the original battery. It’s only had a dozen quick charges, 70k miles, and is at about half capacity now. We’re in the Pacific Northwest, so the climate has been kind.
Peggy said:
We have a 2011 Nissan Leaf with the original battery. It’s only had a dozen quick charges, 70k miles, and is at about half capacity now. We’re in the Pacific Northwest, so the climate has been kind.
So you’re down to about 40-45 miles? I’d heard Leaf batteries degrade quickly. We got an e-Golf instead, and it’s still at 90% capacity after 8 years.
unknown said:
I’ve got a 2014 Leaf that’s about to hit 200,000 km, still on the original battery.
That’s great since Leafs are known for having more battery issues due to the passive cooling.