The top of the list is coasting - which is the most efficient way to use the kinetic energy stored in the moving mass; and the VW e-Golf coasts by default. Having regen integrated onto the brake pedal makes a lot of sense, since when you need to slow down, the brake pedal is the best way to modulate the speed.
Adaptive creep is another feature that I really like - EVs should start with a clean slate, and mimicking an ICE is the worst reason for making a design decision. This is something that is unique to the VW e-Golf. By default, there is no creep, but if you are in stop and go traffic, it adds a very mild creep. It goes away as soon as you go above a certain speed; which is about 20MPH. A third feature that is key for an EV design, that is also found on an e-Golf, is a direct heating windshield defroster. This is far more efficient than even a heat pump, that has to heat up air, and use a fan to blow it on the glass. This is case in point for not doing something like it is done in ICE vehicles. Their horribly inefficient engines produce so much waste heat, that blowing air on the glass is an acceptable solution. EVs though, have almost no waste heat, so they should have a better solution. Ford did direct heating defrosters in the 1970's and 80's, so we know how to do this.
The dashboard display of the Chevy Bolt EV is the best of any EV I know of. The high, median, and low range estimates are accurate and clear and very helpful. They have a "trending" bar, showing that your efficiency is trending down or up, and by how much. It also shows the kW consumption / regen rate in real time, and this is also very helpful.
The Nissan Leaf has the best charging port location, in my opinion, and they are also the only one to put a light inside it, so you can plug in at night, without fumbling around - this is so basic and simple, that I can't imagine why (almost?) nobody else does it. Something that Mercedes has started doing in their EVs makes a lot of sense: when you plug in to a public charging station, the car has an ID number, that allows you to just start charging. No need to have a separate membership for each charging company network. Makes a lot of sense to me!
For my family living here in New England, heating is key - heated seats, heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors are also very important.
Having a heat pump is a very good thing - if it is integrated into the battery and electronics, that is even better.
Neil, Can I change the topic to Charging and ask...
Can you educate me on EV charging, since you have a family of EVs?
Any other experiences are appreciated , as I have none.
I hope to own an Aptera someday. All I know is they will have a standard charging 110v and fast 220v option. I do not know the exact plug configuration, charging times for the latest model. We heard about the ( limited) Never Charge option. But....
1
Is it true that only Teslas can use Tesla charging stations?
Since there is no universal plug configuration for all EVs....
2
Can all other brand EVs use all non-Tesla public charging stations with their vehicle’s standard plug and/or with and adapter? That is...for both the standard 110v and fast 220v level 2 chargers?
3
Can conventional credit cards be used at public non-Tesla charging stations?
4
There are hotels that have charge stations...If you know.... is charging complementary for guest, say with a room key or is there a separate charge?
E.g., One reference:
http://www.chargehotels.com/
5
What have your found to be the best website to locate charge stations, with charging options, plug type provided, monitoring of your charge status, and easy for reserving?
E.g., One reference:
https://www.plugshare.com/
5.1
Or is there an APP that works better?
E.g., One reference:
https://www.evconnect.com/
Tesla uses their own proprietary connectors, yes. The J1772 plug (in the US) is the default standard. It is used for both Level 1 (120V) charging and Level 2 (240V) charging. The Level 3 quick charging on the Aptera is called CCS (combined charging standard) and it uses the J1772 plus two large contacts for the DC power. Nissan is the only maker that doesn't use the CCS - they use CHAdeMO (say cha-DE-mo), which is a separate plug. So yes, all EVs can use the typical public charging stations - they are all Level 2.
Most payments for charging have to be on a company RFID card, or on a phone app. A few are now starting to use regular debit/credit cards, so you have to join each company network. Eventually, each car may have its own builtin ID so you just would be able to plug in, with no other interaction needed.
Most hotels that have charging don't charge extra.
I use Plugshare.com as it is open source, and shows all charging stations, no matter what brand. You can't reserve them, but you can see the rating and any recent issues, and frequency of use. We really do need much better real-time status - this is still an aspiration. Some networks make you use a phone app.
99.8% of the time, we charge at home. Public charging is the exception; not the rule.
@NeilBlanchard Thanks Neil! I went to the right source to help me “untangle” this topic “for me”. I am feeling better to consider to try to plan a cross country trip, in a couple years, in an Aptera(?). Maybe charging stations and number of stations will improve by then. An maybe, if possible, Elon Musk could open up that supercharger infrastructure investment too to all , even if there is a surcharge. Yes I can imagine most present EV owners charge there vehicles at home. When *Aptera delivers the 1000 mile range with never charge ( supplement), perhaps more will venture on long trips with less EV range anxiety.
I guess I will have to calculate how many more PV solar panels I might add to my home system if I consider routine recharging of the batteries in a 100 kWh EV*. I am presently Net Zero with only a slight excess on my production at the end of our production year.