How much margin for safety would you give yourself?

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
12/01/2016 at 22:51 • Filed to: None

Working for a BMW Store, I have access to a pretty good deal on i3s. My daily commute is about 70 miles round trip, and the new Rex is rated at ~115 elec miles + gas engine. My main concern is my wife and I share a one car garage with whoever leaves second the next day parking inside. What say you Oppo?

DISCUSSION (14)

bob and john > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/01/2016 at 22:57

my bike has no fuel gauge, but it does have a 2 stage low fuel light. (flashes with 4 L left, stays on with 1 L left)

when it starts to flash, I usually start looking for a Petrocanada (I have a card with them). if I’m riding quickly and it stays on , pull over, phone out, look for any gas station.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/01/2016 at 22:57

Could you clarify that last sentence? I do not follow.

Urambo Tauro > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/01/2016 at 23:11

Once my fuel gauge gets below 1/2 tank, I fill up at my earliest convenience, whenever that may be (preferably on my way home so I don’t have to make a left turn out of my favorite filling station). I can delay filling up for a day or two if I have to, but I do make a conscious effort not to let it get below 1/4 tank to ensure that the fuel pump stays submerged. That’s my safety margin.

I would probably use a similar rule-of-thumb for an EV. Under 50%, top off if convenient. Under 25%, top off ASAP.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
12/01/2016 at 23:11

What say you is a fancy English phrase meaning “what do you think?”

Milky > Urambo Tauro
12/01/2016 at 23:25

I run that shit to the gas light every time. Why spend more time filling up than I have to?

Urambo Tauro > Milky
12/01/2016 at 23:34

You know, that’s probably fine. The “1/4 tank rule” is an old-school method that probably predates fuel warning lights. To be honest, I don’t even remember if my car has a light. I’ve been using the 1/4 tank rule out of habit for as long as I’ve been driving.

Clown Shoe Pilot > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/01/2016 at 23:35

Just put the charging station on the outside of the garage, and then get a sufficiently long cable to reach the car inside or outside. You should be able to do a 25 foot charging cable without too much difficulty. If you have to, park ass-in when the i3 is outdoors in order to get the charge port closer to the charging station.

If you do get an i3, don’t cheap out and skip a level 2 charging station. You need that shit. Plus, the 240VAC wall outlet can be used for other cool shit, like welding machines.

Mrs. Shoe Pilot has been backing in for several years because of charger placement. Another few years and she may be able to do it without driving on the grass :)

MrDakka > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/02/2016 at 00:30

Electric cars should come with a solar panel roof to trickle charge the battery

for Michigan > Urambo Tauro
12/02/2016 at 01:16

My Mazda’s manual specifically says to refrain from running the tank below 1/4 full. I don’t remember if it gives a reason or not.

random001 > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/02/2016 at 06:38

I’d do it. Extension cords are cheap.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/02/2016 at 09:08

Do you have winter weather? Running heat, lights, wipers, having winter tires and the cold weather will significantly reduce the electric range. Is the terrain hilly or flat? Is your commute stop and go traffic (better for EV) or high speed highway (bad for EV)?

From what I’ve heard cold weather can reduce EV range anywhere from slightly to 40%. Assuming worst case scenario and bad weather in winter reduces your range by 40%, that leaves you with 69 miles of range. Are you comfortable with that on a 70 mile round trip commute?

What happens if you forget to plug the car in overnight or there is a power outage? I personally am unwilling to deal with those types of concerns. Worst case if my car is on E it takes me 5 minutes to gain 300 miles of range.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MrDakka
12/03/2016 at 20:21

Didn’t Fiskar do that? Also parking garages don’t have sunlight.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
12/03/2016 at 20:22

Does BMW have a good plug in hybrid?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
12/03/2016 at 21:10

Kind of. They make a plug in version of the 3,7, X5, and starting next year the 5-Series. The only thing is that their range is incredibly short.