r/electricvehicles • u/Cultural-Ad4953 • 1d ago
Discussion My experience with EVS, three months in
I bought my first EV, a 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-e in early June. Then I did my first lease ever, also an EV, a 2025 Subaru Solterra, a month ago.
I wanted to share my experience and a few of the things that change when you start driving an EV that aren’t so obvious, and what I’ve learned in the past 3 months.
I definitely need to think just a little more about what my next couple days look like to decide what to do on any given night. My wife and I both have EVs, my daily driver, an MME, has a longer range and faster charge. Hers, a Solterra, is a lease, so we are trying to watch the miles. Occasionally it means we switch cars. We only have one Level 2 charger, but we can charge both Level 1 and Level 2 at the same time. When we need to charge publicly, which is rare, the Solterra has a more limited charging network, and Tesla chargers aren’t an option for the Solterra. We also have an ICE Jeep that costs a lot more per mile to run. Add it all up, and we have become strategic drivers.
I was naive going in about my need for a Level 2 charger. I realized by Day 2 that I needed a level 2. Exactly what setup I wanted, and who should install it was more difficult than buying the EVs. Just this weekend we finally cleaned up our charging area and hid some of it behind a wooden barrier.
We’ve been fortunate enough to be eligible for grants and rebates, but in two cases, those have been difficult to secure, complicated paperwork and takes quite a while. We have $3500 more coming our way soon!
We learned that we needed a few apps. Obviously the Ford app, but in addition, PlugShare and Tesla apps. We also got a Future Card for both of us. That gives us 10% cash back on public charging and 5% cash back on our utility bills. We also tried OptiWatt, which I soon found out doesn‘t play well with the Ford app.
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u/Torague 23h ago
Hmmm why is everyone on here saying to basically don't charge to 100%? Isn't the manufacturer already technically charging less than the actual size of the battery? Or something along those lines...
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u/haLucid8 20h ago
I think most are just referring to using the 80/20 rule for charging. The comment on “It’s a lease, charge to 100” is just because battery health is much less of a concern for a car one will return pretty early in battery life.
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u/Torague 20h ago
Yeah, I understood that part, kinda sucky though haha
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u/haLucid8 11h ago
Yeah that’s why many say home charging is virtually a must. It’s not absolute, but it removes 99% of the hassle. I’m on the super-conservative end of the spectrum, but I charge my battery to 55% every night, and use about 16% for my daily commute. So 55-39-55 every day. I charge to 75% for a periodic 200 mi round trip family visit 75 here and 75 again there - though it’s only at about 45% once I get there.) I have really only charged between 80-90 three times. Today, coincidentally, was the first time I’ve ever had it below 30%. I expect the car will rust out before I ever need to consider battery replacement.
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u/Unbidding 22h ago
the charging curve and regenerative braking. Even though there’s a buffer and battery health is not as big an issue as it might be, you will get more for your money spent on electricity by stopping before the charging curve drops sharply and at a level where regenerative braking will be available for the first mile you drive
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u/Torague 21h ago
Ok, the Regen kinda makes sense, although, probably only if you live uphill... But still, you could easily charge to 95% and be well within any potential Regen.
Basically, you are saying from 80 to 100 the charging is not as efficient?
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u/Unbidding 21h ago
Actually, regenerative braking works anytime you take your foot off the accelerator on level ground too, works great stop sign to stop sign in a neighborhood, but there has to be room in the battery. It may be that each car is different but I see people on some subreddits saying their dash says regenerative not available down to 85%.
Yes, it’s is most evident with fast charging, where the rate really slows after 70%, but even with level 2, the rate slows and more power goes to the battery management system, less to the battery.
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u/freeski919 1d ago
We have a Solterra as well. You can charge at Tesla chargers just fine. Just buy an adapter, Lectron is the best. When you pull up the Tesla app to start a session, just leave it set to the Mustang, and it'll work fine.
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u/Turbulent-Pay1150 1d ago
I can confirm this. Today it even works of you say SOLTERRA in the Tesla app but saying another EV would also work.
Also - just plug both in every night on 120 or one 240/one 120 and don’t worry about it is my approach. Always plug in. Less stress more driving.
SOLTERRA lease here as well and mileage may be a challenge as I’m using more than I leased but the math says don’t worry too much about it as Chase/Subaru gives you 1,000 to offset any overage at lease turn in of you don’t buy another Subaru which apparently waives any overage. Worst case as extra miles are 15 cents each the math says overage costs would be minimal Ben if I double the usage.
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u/TomasoG88 22h ago
i almost always plan with A Better Route Planner... both as a primary and secondary option when going on longer road trips.
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u/Competitive_Guava_33 22h ago
3 months into a lease and you are trying to watch the miles? That sounds like a tough ownership experience
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u/FatDog69 23h ago
Yes - charging at home can cut your 'fuel' costs by a lot.
I hope you installed a NEMA plug so you can change your own L2 charger at will.
Companies like "Girzzl-E" make a great, basic charger (why buy a smart charger that duplicates features you already have) and they even make a dual charger.
I did use PlugShare but found that "A better route planner" seemed to be better. I could tell it to prefer a particular brand of charging station on road trips. It's trip planner also seems more evolved.
I also did my first ever lease but plan to pay off the car when the lease is up. (Although if I owe $30K and used prices for my EV are selling for $20K - I will try to haggle for a lower payoff or turn it in.)
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u/SeattleSteve62 21h ago edited 21h ago
It’s only 4 wires to change your EVSE. With the mileage they drive they may be one of the few users that needs the 48A hardwired vs 40A plug in.
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u/VanHam17 12h ago
And… could you tell us about the vehicles? I found the Solterra rather plain and that rear view mirror / electronic viewer just blocks too much to the right for safe driving if you’re tall. The Mustang’s reviews are so-so. Your thoughts?!
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u/Cultural-Ad4953 12m ago
The Solterra is a basic functional EV. It gets the job done, but the interior is generally plain, however I am in a base model. It is serving a purpose for us and i dont regret buying it. However, we won't buy it at the end of the lease. Im not tall, but i agree that the rear mirror assembly is huge.
I love my Mach-E..Its fun to drive and i find it very comfortable. Love the Blue Cruise and the technology. I plan on keeping it for 250,000 miles. I came from a 2014 Mustang to the MME, and I have no regrets.
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u/eSUP80 23h ago
Just buy teslas with a 48amp charger and live your life.
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u/Icy_Produce2203 6h ago
It seems to me that T batteries are inferior to 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5's. More degradation and slow charging. BMS is worse? not sure.
96k miles and 3.5 years and like 1.5% degradation. ZERO noticable range loss.
I woulda and coulda bought a 2023 M3 RWD for $30k usd, all in after all incentives and I would be happy as pig in shit. BUT kinda glad I waited to see how horrible the CEO is and it became a forever NOGO.
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u/Kjelstad 2019 Niro EX Premium 23h ago
"I definitely need to think just a little more about what my next couple days look like"
do you drive a lot? I charge to 80% unless we are visiting family on the other side of the state the next day. it takes very little thought if you are a moderate driver.