I’m considering getting a Model Y, but I currently rent and don’t have a garage. My only option is 120v, and winters here can get to below 0F, but on average are high teens and 20s as the low. My commute is like 7 miles round trip, and I’m wondering if an EV in these circumstances is stupid. My work parking is a heated garage, and they do have some chargers there.
120 v is fine. Adds about 3-4 miles an hour. I have a 20 mile commute. Have been using 120v for three years now. Just make sure you plug in at work
With workplace heated parking and some charger access there, go for it.
Randy said:
With workplace heated parking and some charger access there, go for it.
I guess one important detail is the charging in my work garage is not free, I don’t think.
Randy said:
With workplace heated parking and some charger access there, go for it.
I guess one important detail is the charging in my work garage is not free, I don’t think.
I wouldn’t have expected it to be. That it’s available is the important part.
Randy said:
With workplace heated parking and some charger access there, go for it.
I guess one important detail is the charging in my work garage is not free, I don’t think.
I assume you have a petrol or diesel car now. Do you get free fuel? How is paying for electricity an important detail? That’s the starting point.
For the average temperature, you can be expected to add 3-4 miles per hour plugged in 120v outlet.
At 0 degree, it may add 2 miles per hour. At -30, all the juice will be used to warm the battery and very little will be added to the battery.
With charging at work, this is more than adequate.
That should be fine. Worst case if it gets really cold, you might have to occasionally (as in once every few weeks, tops) pop by a supercharger to top off, but even that’s pretty unlikely.
Edit: actually, I just did the math: at 7 miles per day, you could pretty easily get away with changing up to 80% once a month at a supercharger even if you didn’t charge at home at all. You should still plug in when it’s cold out though; the battery doesn’t like getting that cold.
You would be absolutely fine with a 120v charger, that’s a crazy short commute. In fact, a Model Y is very overkill if that’s all you’re using it for: a clapped out old Leaf would easily be able to manage 7 miles a day with a 120v charger, and would only cost a few grand. Ditto any of the compliance cars (Golf E, Fiat 500e, etc.).
Not necessarily trying to dissuade you from a Model Y (particularly if you also use it for the occasional road trip); I’m just pointing out that you don’t necessarily need to spend that much money if you just want an EV for your (very short) commute.
@abidemi
I mean if he’s looking at a Y and not a 3 i have to assume he wants something a little bigger.
With a seven mile commute, you should be fine. Granted, you might only get a few miles (1-3) per hour of charging, but 2 miles per hour X 10 hours is enough to keep you on the positive side.
Exactly how I roll for 5 years in a Model 3.
Below 0F, sometimes L1 charging won’t charge (or won’t charge much). Just a fact. On very cold days you might end up charging at work. Not a huge deal.
On really cold days, make sure to start charging right away when you park and not schedule it for later. Best to make use of the batteries already being warmed up.
Should be fine. We used 120V charging for 4 years with no issues. The main downside is you can’t pre-heat effectively because it can’t deliver enough power, but never an issue recharging overnight.
You will recover that 7 mile round trip in 2 to 3 hours of charging, while you should have 8-14 hours of the car being at home when it can be plugged in. Just make sure you are actually allowed to use that plug in your rental. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have permission to use it to charge a car. Also consider the chances of having to move to another rental where you may not have a plug at home.
7 miles round trip you will be fine. Worst-case use the work chargers if you’re concerned you won’t make it home.
it will be plenty.
0F is a bit cold but car will be able to at least keep the battery warm and charge a little bit over night.
With that commute, even a 120v would get your needs without any trouble. I live in the US midwest and I have a garage with a 120v and this will be my third winter without any issues. My commute is less than 20 miles/day and when the forecast says its going to dip below 30f, I set the charging to 70%, else I always keep it to 60% unless I have a road trip planned. You will be more than fine and will be very happy that you don’t have to get in a cold car, ever.
7 miles round trip is nothing. An EV is great in the cold as you can preheat without burning fuel. If you can charge at work you can get a few weeks worth of commutes out of it.
I have a model Y, live in CT and only park outside with 120v, and go to work 1 hr round trip 4 days a week. Have had 0 issue with range/charging. I get my charge back between shifts even in winter.