Category Archives: Electectric vehicles

Key-less

Posted in Electectric vehicles, Uncategorized by

This afternoon, the wife and I got in the almost new (about a month old now) Nissan Ariya. It’s just really hard to break old habits. I got my keys out and actually started to insert them in the ignition. That would not work and I knew it. Still it took a while for me to realize error.

You see, the car has no place for an ignition key. In fact, normally it doesn’t use a key at all. Because I had a fob in my pocket, I was able to simply touch the door handle with my finger to unlock the door. Then once inside, the normal procedure is to put my foot on the break and press the power button, (about the size of a quarter just to the right of the steering wheel). Then I put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway. Without the fob, none of this would occur.

I don’t totally understand all the workings, but it would appear to me as if it is as close as possible to being the highest security possible for a car. It operates on a proximity basis. When the fob gets close enough, I can control the car. If I don’t have the fob and the door is locked, I cannot unlock it. If I push the power button, it will have no effect.

The beauty of the system is that I am very unlikely to ever lock the fob in the car. I just put it in my pocket and keep it there. When I leave the car, it is unlikely I’d leave the fob behind. I don’t have children, but if I did, it would be almost impossible to lock them in the car with the keys.

In fact the system is so good, I would love to have it in my home. If fact, I have no idea why they haven’t had something like that already, not only for homes but also for businesses. Well, it that case, I would assume the fob would need an on/off switch to keep the door from being unlocked while you are inside.

I asked about that at the Nissan dealer. He told me that the system knows when I am inside. Once I am in and the door is locked, I am safe, that is unless someone broke the window.

The system they have is one of the biggest reasons for me to chose a Nissan. Never did enjoy carrying around all those keys. Never did like the idea of locking myself out of my car because I left the keys in the ignition. Maybe it isn’t the perfect system, but it has to be close to it. It gives me the security of locks while still allowing me the convenience of no locks. If I am in a hurry to get in my car at night, with my hands full, there is no fumbling for keys.

There is of course, no steering column lock as on most modern cars. However, I tried to turn the wheel while the power is off and it is just almost impossible. I don’t know if it is intentional, but it may as well be.

Now, having said all this, I must back up and say there are two exceptions. First, the car can be unlocked by Nissan in an emergency. Secondly, for those who get the app to download on their phone, not only can the doors be locked or unlocked remotely, but it is also possible to control climate control remotely. I don’t have any idea why you would want to, but you can do it from anywhere you can get an internet connection for your phone. I’m not sure about needing the internet connection by the car. It might use satellite.

Now, if I can just get used to leaving my keys in my pocket when I want to go somewhere.

Report on EV Car

Posted in Electectric vehicles by

It has been a couple of weeks since I purchased the Nissan Ariya. So far, I must admit that it is far more than I expected. Considering the little driving I do, the range is not a problem. With the HHR I generally spent at or around thirty a week for fuel. So far, I’ve spent 30 for two weeks. After a while, I think that will only decrease.

I guess much of the car could be compared to the Rogue and I’d suspect, it was the platform used as a guide. It is, in truth a crossover. The seating, even the back is spacious. Only those more than six feet would feel the need to bow a little back there. There is no tunnel so three children would easily fit back there. By the way, did I mention it has rear air that can be separately controlled. It’s a shame. One of our sons is in Texas and the other in North Carolina. Sure could have used that room when they were younger and playing ball.

The trunk is big. I could easily put three weeks of groceries in it, even back when my kids were trying to eat us out of house and home. Moreover, the rear seats fold down, which just about doubles the space.

I must say, when I need to stomp on it, it never lacks the git-up-and-go. It is odd, however, it is not accompanied by the roar. I’m still getting use to that. Also, the brakes have different feel to them. I like it more but some might need some time to get used to it.

Some of the controls still confuse me. I keep wanting to push forward on the cruise control to engage it. To engage, I need to pull back. Pushing forward only causes it to resume. Naturally, if I just started out, there was no speed to resume so it just ignores me. Other than that, the controls are simple and easy to manage, though, in some cases you might want to pull over to use them or you just might end up in a ditch while trying to figure them out. There were a few times I almost did. When the cruise control is engaged, it will follow the speed of the car in front of you to the point it will completely stop about 5 feet behind it. When the car in front resumes, then I can press resume and it will again start following.

Mostly, the nav system knows the speed limits and displays them for you on the heads up display. The more expensive version can self drive and likely has a better database of speed limits. The one I have does not account for school being in or out of session. It just assumes it is always in session. Better to err that way than the other. The heads up display also displays speed, when the cruse control is on and when it detects a vehicle in front of you.

Planning routes is easy and versatile. You give the address of where you want to go and it will give two or maybe three choices. One for distance, one for time, and one alternate. Following the navigation is simple too. There is even a mode that puts route right next to the speedometer where it is easy to see. If you prefer, you can follow the route on the large display about midway between driver and passenger. For those with passengers, it might resolve the question, “Are we almost there?”

The only noise in the car of any consequence is the air from the vents. Turn the AC off, turn the radio off, and you just might find the silence eerie, especially after driving some kind of hot rod. Yes, there is some noise. I guess some comes from the gears, quite a bit from the air rushing by, but you just won’t notice it. You will want the radio just so you will have some noise.

The key-less entry is the best I’ve seen. If I am in possession of the FOB, as for instance in my pocket, I put my finger on the right place on the door knob and it unlocks. Press again and it locks. I just can’t see it getting easier than that. If the FOB stays in your pocket, it is far less likely that you will lock yourself out. Also, the locks can be controlled from a smart phone as well as the air conditioning. It allows you to cool or warm your car while you remain in your home or office. You need not be close to the car to do it.

It does pose the question to me. Is this better for those who live in the deserts or the snowy peaks. I don’t know.

For me, there is just one serious problem. It just won’t go without being charged. As near as I can tell, most charging stations are for Teslas. With a converter, which I now have, I can use the Tesla chargers, but we’re talking a five hour charge time instead of 30 or 40 minutes with the CCAs. I would hope that there will be more charging stations in the near future. In the mean time, if I have to I can go to one of the many Tesla chargers nearby. I guess I can work on the book while waiting on the charging.

By the way, even wit the fortune I paid, if I had it to do over, I’d definitely do it again. It is not that it’s electric. It’s just that much more of a pleasure to drive.

Eyes Wide Open

Posted in Biden, Electectric vehicles, Going Green by

I can’t say I didn’t know; cause I did. Electric cars need charging stations. I could totally solve my personal problem easily. I have four 220 volt outlets in my house. Not one of them is in use. I am sure I could keep my car charged just with that alone, but for one thing. None of the outlets are close enough to the car.

I actually thought about an extension cord. However, given the amount of current involved, I’m pretty hesitant. No since starting a fire trying to charge my car. I suspect I’ll get an electrician to do the job. Given the small amount of driving I do, a couple of few hours a night would be more than ample to keep the car charged.

Actually, I got a little off the subject I intended to address. Truthfully, there are plenty of charging stations around here. Just about all of them are different. I must admit my ignorance. I don’t know which ones I can use and which ones I can’t. Needless to say, I really don’t want to ruin the batteries of a new car because I don’t know which ones I can or can’t use.

However, that is the half of it. Naturally, those that own the charging stations would like to make a little money off the things. I understand that. However, I checked out several charging stations over the last few days. Nothing, or nearly nothing is posted. They have nothing that says which cars they are compatible with. Worse, there is nothing there that explains who can use it or how. All they have at two of them is a phone number. Both of them are the same. I tried to call them. Effectively, no answer.

There is something of a fault with the car manufacturer and a part of the fault lies with those running the charging stations. They should both be plainly marked which charges can be used with which cars.

I don’t much care about the government getting their nose into things, but this just might be a good place. They can shoot to get three or four standard chargers and they can make sure both car and chargers are well marked.

It gives me another reason for me to be glad I bought the Ariya. Up until now, I had no idea it was this much of a problem. Seems to me, if Old Joe really wants electric cars, he’ll address this little problem before it becomes a big one. Moreover, the little problem just might get in the way of folks buying the “GREEN” cars.

Finally, let’s make sure we know how to operate the chargers and how to pay for the electricity.

I like my car. I like driving it. It is quickly spoiling me. But it simply will do me no good sitting in my drive collecting dirt.

Shouldn’t Have but I Did

Posted in Electectric vehicles, New Cars by

Bought a 2023 Nissan Ariya (pronounced as aria in opera). I paid a bundle for it, and I should have never done that.

However, the car simply sold itself. It has a slightly greater than a 200-mile range. Considering I usually don’t drive more than sixty miles a week, that should work out well. The Nison dealership is about ten miles away and has a charger that charges it quickly. It has a list of features longer than my arm including park assist. It has enough room for four adults and still has a good sized trunk.

I guess if I need to go a long way, I need to just rent or take a plane. However, should I decide to drive. there is an assistant in the GPS that helps plan the recharging. As an aside, my wife’s side is set for 78 degrees while mine is set for 72 degrees. That make us both comfy.

I guess there is one thing I must admit is a little problematic. It has a big learning curve. I’m still learning how to put the car in drive or park, kind of one of those important things.

It has two glove boxes so my wife can fill hers to overflowing and I can keep my nice and neatly organized. One thing that surprised me is that the seat slides back before you get out and slides back in after you get in. Don’t have the foggiest idea how it knows, but it fit me and my 6-foot frame without me having to touch a thing. And yes, there was plenty ample room for me.

Door locking and unlocking is without a key, though one is provided should you want to use it. On the other hand, there are a myriad of buttons on the door handle, and you need good vision to see which button is for what. The wife had to wait a while, while I searched out the one to unlock her door. She didn’t like that. I’ll need to study the buttons more in the daylight.

I was told that normally the dealer provides two oil changes free of charge. However, EV’s need no oil changes. I told them that I felt slighted and wanted to the oil changes anyway. Fortunately, they laughed instead of looking at me as if I’m crazy nuts.

So, folks, keep turned. I’ll give you an update from time to time to let you know if I really made the mistake I think I did.

E. R. M. (Electric Riding Mowers)

Posted in Electectric vehicles by

Some, a few might remember, some time ago, I predicted them. After using my electronic push mower a few weeks, it seems the logical progression.

Therefore, I had no surprise when I saw a number of them on display, but for over $5k. Really?!

I don’t know. Maybe someone saw my suggestion and designed the things. For the sake of my ego, I will say it was my idea first. However, my idea was simple, something that might cost a little less than a grand. I mean, all you need is put a seat on the mower I have and add some power wheels. My goodness. Did anyone hear of keep it simple stupid!?

I started doing the math. If I pay a kid 10 dollars a week, 26 weeks a year, that’s 260 a year. In ten years, I’m still better off paying the kid and I don’t need to get out in the summer heat.

I guess it is okay for some with really big lawns, but mine is not that big.

Besides, if I pay the kid, I save the cost of the electricity. On the other hand, if I ever get a 1 or 2 acre lot, I will likely buy the big expensive one. I mean, unlike electronic cars, the mower would always be near a charging station… that is as long as the power grid holds.

Joe and His Green Crowd FIGURATIVELY Got Shot Down

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Electectric vehicles, FOC, Gas vs Electric, Going Green, Lawyers and Representation, Liberals, Lobbyists by

First, let me re-emphasize “figuratively.” That does not mean literally. No one shot at them, not even a peashooter. I say that lest someone misconstrue the meaning of my words.

If I heard the report right, a federal judge just OKed Phillips Petroleum’s drilling in Alaska, or at least the preparation for it. Now they can build the road, which will permit them to move their equipment in. Biden fought to stop them. He loves drilling for oil and mining for all sorts of things, as long as it is not within the US. He does not like anything benefiting American industry unless approved by the greenies.

I just love it when Joe and his greenies suffer such setbacks. To be sure, when they have setbacks, the American people benefit. In this case, it just might help hold the price down at the gas pumps. The only people that don’t like that are the greenies, those building wind mills and solar batteries, and those invested in EVs.

AND, by the way, from another but related report. Did you hear? The Saudis decided to decrease oil production. Or was it that they will try to increase prices. Either way, it is same, same.

The Unanticipated Obvious

Posted in Biden, Electectric vehicles, Gas vs Electric, Going Green, Mistakes by

I’ve said it and said it again. I barely made it through high school. I have no college degree, though I did have a littie college. Yet it seems I anticipated something the guys with with the big degrees overlooked. At least, they chose to ignore it.

When they first started really pushing the electric autos, I actually wrote a post pointing out that the electric power grid would need some serious beefing up.

I don’t guess anyone paid any attention to me because it was only today I heard of anyone else taking note of the problem. As obvious as it was from the beginning, it seems to have taken about 4 years to realize that the grid just isn’t up to it.

Their suggestion to deal with the problem is to charge the batteries at work during the day instead of at home at night.

Guess I can’t have an electric car. Can’t plug it in at work. I’m retired.

Revisiting Electric Vehicles

Posted in Being woke, Biden, Electectric vehicles, Going Green by

Saw an ad on TV tonight, another electric vehicle. Looked it up on the internet… nearly $50,000. I’m guessing that after taxes and such, you’ll likely sign a contract for at least 55 grand before you get the keys.

If you have the spare change and you’re interested enough in keeping the planet green, you might not consider it a problem. On the other hand, if you regularly drive over 200 miles a day, you might want to reconsider.

So, I guess keeping the earth nice and green might still be a little expensive, especially for those of us living on Social Security. Considering my current income, it just might take me…. Never mind. I’ll let you do the math. Enough to say I won’t live nearly that long, unless I stumble onto the fountain of youth.

Problem I Didn’t See with EVs

Posted in Electectric vehicles by

Last winter, hundreds of cars were stranded along, I think, Interstate 81 due to snow. This was especially hard on those with electric vehicles. They sat there with the rest of the cars with their heaters on… until their batteries ran down. Then, they had no heat. Worse, unlike they gas powered cars, they could not get their heat again until they could be recharged.

Natually, they were stranded until either they could get recharged, or until they could get towed. According to the news story I heard, most of those with EVs in the traffic jam simply walked to the nearest place they could get a ride.

When I heard the story, it made me think again about buying an EV. I think I have the solution though. I buy one of the pickups and carry a generator around in the truck bed. Should the batteries need charging, I simply start the generator and plug the car into it. At the least, I will still have heat or air-conditioning should I get stranded.

Then again, I could simply carry a propane heater around with me. That would work too. However, there might be a safety problem with that. Besides, I’d still not have air-conditioning. If you are in a mosquito infested area, that would be a real problem.

Perhaps the simplest solution is to avoid the electric vehicle altogether until someone comes along with something that really works.

Still, I like the generator idea. You never know when one would come in handy along the way.

$10 Dollar Gasoline???

Posted in Abuse of Power, Biden, Crazy Nuts, Electectric vehicles, FOC, Going Green, Important things, Lawyers and Representation, Liberals, New Cars, Politcal Opinion by

In the 70s an unexpected problem arose. The price of gasoline went to over a dollar. Well yes, it was a problem that caused many problems, especially in a world of approximately 30 cent fuel.

Suddenly, people were playing over 3 times as much, when they could find it. But it caused an odd, unexpected problem for those selling it. I remember it first hand. I was there.

Some dealt with the problem by selling gasoline by the liter. Some simply painted a one in front of that portion indicating the price and the cost of the sale.

Of course, now, very few expect $10 gasoline. However, that would only require a little more than doubling. Back in the 1970s, it more than trippled. One day it was 30 cents. 6 or 7 months later, it was 1.10 and climbing.

That was when we could find stuff. With it going up so fast, I suspect some held onto it as an investment comodity. They could not resist holding onto a few thousand gallons knowing the price will go up 3 or 4 percent in a month. In itself, this would drive the prices up.

Those of us buying the gas, dealt with the problem in three basic ways. We drove less. We pumped our own gas and we stayed away from name brands. Before, I bought only Standard and Chevron gas. After, all I looked at was the price.

Then again, frequently, we settled for accessibility. Many stations were out of gas or claimed to be. Some stations had 2 hour lines. Then they’d sell out on the car 2 cars in front of me.

In the long term, we bought smaller cars with smaller less powerful engines. It meant putting up with rougher rides in cramped environments and much less trunk space.

So now, the price of gas flirts with 4 dollars a gallon, we lack these methods we used last time around. I already buy Mapco gas. I pump my own fuel and my little 100 hp motor has problems with steep grades and I can forget toeing even a small trailer. A boat or travel trailer is out of the question. I’m already considering one of those Flintstone cars powered by foot power.

I suspect most of us would prefer that gas stay down perhaps to the 2 dollar range. For that reason, if nothing else, I’d strongly suggest firing all those dems in Congress, House and Senate. Most of them like the thought of 10 dollar gas. They want us to buy the more expensive, smaller electric cars, which do little or nothing to decrease “green gasses.” Actually, they’d prefer we walk, ride bikes, buses or trains while they ride in chauffeured luxury cars or fly around in private jets.

So, unless you like bicycling &+ buying gas by the liter, you might want to vote Republican. You might want to encourage your friends to vote Republican. You might even want to encourage your advisories to vote Republicans.

Paying 10 dollars a gallon is more than crazy. It’s crazy nuts. Then again, $2.50 a liter might sound better, but it won’t help the budget one iota. Indeed, just as I saw in the 70s, the price of everything will go up to match the increase in the cost of energy.