http://www.nvdaily.com/news/local-news/2018/11/hold-tom-crosby-electric-only-vehicles-showing-up-in-the-valley/ Electric-only vehicles showing up in the valley Nov 19, 2018 Tom Crosby
[images http://s3.amazonaws.com/ogden_images/www.nvdaily.com/images/2018/11/12162729/2018_11_12_Electric_Cars1.jpg Richard Badley, of Fort Valley, stands beside his Tesla X SUV outside the Tesla charging station behind Denny's Restaurant in Strasburg / Rich Cooley/Daily http://s3.amazonaws.com/ogden_images/www.nvdaily.com/images/2018/11/12162722/2018_11_12_Electric_Cars3.jpgRichard and Mary Badley, of Fort Valley, sit inside their Tesla X / Rich Cooley/Daily ] STRASBURG – On the outskirts of town, down the hill hidden behind Denny’s Restaurant on Route 11, are six Tesla drive-in bays framed by bright white stanchions. They are harbingers of the future for electric-only vehicles with sales nationally and locally gradually increasing year to year. Richard Badley, of Fort Valley, was recently charging his 3-week old Tesla Model X SUV that cost nearly $100,000 and beaming ear to ear. “We got it three weeks ago,” said Badley, 61, at the time. “It’s been six years in the dreaming and it surpasses all our dreams.” Badley and his wife Mary are early adopters, joining other Shenandoah Valley residents like Charles Hagen and wife Judy of Frederick County, owners of a Chevy Bolt; Chris Daniels of Clarke County, owner of a Nissan Leaf and Rick Pomeroy of Winchester, owner of a Tesla 3. They, and other electric-only vehicle owners in the area, believe in protecting the environment, driving for less money (saving on gasoline prices and maintenance), and enjoying a quiet, quick car. Daniels, 63, has been driving an electric Nissan Leaf for more than five years, saying, “It is very practical, despite a range of about 80 miles.” Owner of 0 to 60 Energy Café at Winchester’s Delco Plaza on Route 50, Daniels commutes daily, driving his 2012 Leaf between the restaurant and his home in Clarke County, a 16-mile round trip. “It’s a cheap mode of transportation, there is very low maintenance, you don’t have to change the oil and you don’t have to buy gas,” he said. “You just go home every night, plug it in, and when you get up, it’s ready to go.” “It’s the economy car, not like a Tesla, which is really quick,” Daniels said. He has driven to Dulles and recharged the Nissan Leaf there but he is hesitant to do it again because as electric vehicles become more popular he worries about a charging bay being available. (Dulles has only six bays.) Like some others, he has a gasoline-powered backup, a 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid for longer trips. “I’d love to have a Tesla with its range but the price point on those…. it will be my next buy, though.” Range anxiety is the main reason most drivers in surveys say they are apprehensive about an electric car with the battery becoming almost drained and no place to recharge. “I still have anxiety, but one shouldn’t,” said Badley, 61, who drove his 2019 Tesla X to Fayetteville, North Carolina – more than 350 miles one way – with the Tesla X’s EPA estimated range of 295 miles. “People shouldn’t worry,” said his wife. “Tesla shapes your travel for you and makes it a journey after you put in your destination. It tells you where to stop (for recharge) and it only takes 30 minutes.” Tesla locates it’s SuperCharger stations near where there are available restrooms, Wi-Fi, restaurants, lodgings, shopping and attractions, all noted on the navigation screen for drivers to consider while the vehicle is being recharged. “You get to your destination refreshed,” said Badley. Charles Hagen, a retired anesthesiologist and self-described environmental activist, bought a 2017 electric Chevrolet Bolt in January but soon lost time behind the wheel to his wife. They had previously bought a 2017 Subaru because wife Judy said, “I am a devoted Subaru person.” “She drove (the Bolt) to church one morning and I never got it back,” said Hagen, who now mostly drives the Subaru. “For me, it’s a fun thing,” Judy Hagen said. “It’s splendidly comfortable and quiet. I am not interested in speed. It gets people interested, and I hope, to think more positively about electric vehicles.” Her husband added, “I love to drive it too, but I am glad Judy drives it.” The Bolt’s range is 225 miles. “More people see me because I do more driving than he does,” she echoed. Proudly showing off his Bolt, decorated with decals like “Save our Earth” and “100% Electric Chevy” and a license plate reading “TOO WARM,” he added, “If you are at all concerned about the environment, it’s definitely something you should try.” Rick Pomeroy, 74, another recent Tesla owner who retired from National Fruit Product Co. and lives in Winchester. “I am an avid supporter of renewable energy and attempt to lower my carbon footprint in as many ways as I can while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle,” he said. “I ordered my car without hesitation on April 4, 2016.” While waiting 2 1/2 years for delivery of his 2018 Tesla 3 sedan, Pomeroy said, “I didn’t stress over the negative reports of poor quality, delivery delays and accidents that I read about.” “I assumed that the bugs would be worked out by the time I got my car, and it seemed the accidents were primarily due to people not heeding the warnings and limitations,” he added. Behind the wheel these days, “Waves, thumbs up, whistles and stares are common,” he said. “Those who I have trusted behind the wheel are in awe of the precise handling (it’s like it’s on rails going around corners), the powerful acceleration, the ease of driving and not having to take their eyes off the road as the speed is displayed in one’s vision,” he said. “Some are turned away by the sparseness of the interior while others love the minimalist interior without the overwhelming number of switches, buttons, dials and readouts,” he noted. On a recent trip to Newport, New Hampshire, Pomeroy estimated he spent $15 for recharging on a 495-mile trip. (Tesla 3 gets an EPA estimated 310 miles with the long-range battery that Pomeroy has in his Tesla). “Do I love my Tesla!” he exclaimed. “I really didn’t know I’d be this excited about this car. In the past, a car has just been utilitarian transportation. This is a whole new world.” [© nvdaily.com] + https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/19/tesla-partnering-with-manheim-adesa-to-manage-used-cars.html Tesla is turning to partners to help with a growing used-car business 2018-11-19 To manage a growing used car business, Tesla is relying on outside firms, ... giving the company new revenue streams and a way to bring electric vehicles to the ... https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2017/02/13/104278462-Tesla_model_s_and_x_dubai.jpg For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/archive/ {brucedp.neocities.org} -- Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/ _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
