Electric Vehicles EVs

Yeah I had the option of picking this up or waiting until June - if it wasn’t bang on MOT, Tax and Insurance needing to be renewed I probably would have waited. Going to be an interesting journey back faced with a full day of toddler care the following day!

Enjoy the drive back in the Model Y!

Yawn. Not this shit again

Said in the friendliest of ways. I'm not starting something 😅

Be keen to know what you think of the model Y mate

👍🏻

It was funny tbh

Driving position is great- takes you out of the blinding zone of other cars headlights, and gives you good forward visibility.
It doesn't feel massive, even though it definitely is upsettingly large. (but not significantly over the 3).

Range is about 90% of advertised on my longer drives so far but we were stuck in 1hr of traffic, and were not light on the climate controls/ heated seats/ charging phones/ pedals.

Rear view mirror/ visibility is shit, blind spot cameras which engage with indicators for turns are essential, and have really good visibility.

Autopark is way better than previous cars I've used.

Fits a ridiculous amount of stuff. And has good practical extra storage areas, and nice buttons in the trunk that fold the seats down so you can quickly sort your stuff out.
2 people's/ 1 dog's stuff for 4 days, two bikes, 1 dog, and 2 people, with plenty space to spare.

It does ride a bit stiff, but it also corners nicely enough.

It is the first car I've driven that doesn't make me miss my Golf, which is about as much praise as I'm capable of giving.

engage with indicators for turns are essential

What does that mean?

Apologies- was unclear.
Blind spot cameras which engage with indicators for turns are essential.
I.e. you indicate, a blind spot camera is activated, and you check this as well as the mirror etc.

Isn't that the wrong sequence? I was taught to check my mirrors, and blind spots, before indicating.

I'm pretty sure you're not being deliberately stupid, so I'll spell it out again.
You check, you indicate, you check again, you turn.
I'll assume you do the same, because if you don't, you should go get some more lessons.

How do you check if the cameras don't engage until you indicate?

But apparently you can't check properly without the blind spot cameras which aren't activated until too late in the sequence? Obviously you check multiple times but properly every time. Why are manufacturers designing cars with such shit driver visibility? Eg we shouldn't be adding cameras to tipper trucks, we should be requiring direct vision standard vehicles.

To do with, ironically, safety standards I believe. Chunkier roof pillars and smaller windows make the car safer to be in during a crash.
That may be nonsense though

That's why the visibility is worse; to protect occupants during rollover accidents. It doesn't explain why the sequence in the Tesla is bad.

I wonder if electric cars need even stronger rollover reinforcement due to the fact they're heavier and all the weight is in the floor of the car?

The Tesla Model X received the highest ever crash safety score as the centre of gravity was so low that they couldn't get it to roll in tests... it remains the only SUV to get 5 stars in all safety tests in the US.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L24xzJkCGdk

Nice summary dude!

The lack of heads up display is something I find odd about the Tesla’s - seems such a no brainier.

I’m gonna test drive one

Forward and side disability in the Model 3 / Y is excellent. It has far better visibility than the ID3 for example. Rear visibility from the rear view mirror is not good in either.

I think what Henry is referring to in terms of turning procedure is:

1. Look in your side mirrors for obstacles
   
2. Signal
   
3. Upon initiation of a signal, the side camera (mounted about the front wheels on Tesla) activates on the screen
   
4. Check that as you turn to see if a cyclist etc is still beside you
   
5. Turn
   
   

It's an additive not a replacement to using the mirrors. What it does replace / augment is blind spot monitoring when changing lanes on dual carriageways as it has a wider field of view than your side mirror.

What it does replace / augment is blind spot monitoring when changing lanes on dual carriageways as it has a wider field of view than your side mirror.

How does it compare with turning your head and looking over your shoulder? Am I the only one that does that as part of step 1?

I basically never do that but maybe I’m not a good driver!

I look in mirrors, check blis, indicate, check blis + mirrors & then change lane/turn

Surely it's safer as it doesn't require you to remove your eyes from looking in the direction of travel and isn't encumbered by the b pillar.

I mean, the direction of travel is where youre turning so I'd hope you'd look there!

Important to physically look, mirrors aren't enough because of the blind spots.

Is there just the screen in the middle or are there additional ones on the dash or in the corners or something? Looking at a screen in the middle as you're about to turn right just feels like it would be a bit weird compared to looking over your shoulder?

If that is how it works how long did it take to get used to that?

I don't know but maybe. Maybe an academic or safety regulator has a study somewhere. It feels a bit like you might start indicating to trigger the camera and check your blind spot which is a bit frightening to anyone that is in that spot at that time (which they shouldn't linger in etc).

On the other hand perhaps it increases the chances of people indicating which some drivers seem to think is unnecessary.