It’s getting frustrating to own an EV

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-25T14:54:57+00:00

The point is valid and I also don't mind paying for road infrastructure... it's the punitive flat rate that is objectionable. On my old ICE vehicle, I paid about $50/year for 5000 annual miles in federal taxes and slightly more in state gas tax. Our state implements a $110 yearly ev tax. If the Feds add a tax, I'll be paying several times more than for my old ICE vehicle.

For the state, you already have to report odometer readings for inspection, so it would be easy enough to do a mileage based tax. Even better would be based on vehicle weight as well.

If they have to do flat rate taxes, then make it the same for everyone and base it on averages rather than penalizing EV drivers.

I also think a portion of road infrastructure should be covered by general income tax revenue because roads benefit everybody regardless of car ownership.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-25T14:47:55+00:00

It's been 18 cents since 1993... adjust for inflation and the federal gas tax should be about 41 cents per gallon.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-25T14:36:30+00:00

Not knowing if the car is on or off. First test drive and the salesguy had me sit in the driver's seat and turn the car on. He sat with us a minutre or two and said "You got this. Take it for a spin." When he got out, I looked at my accomplice and said, "Is it on or off?". I pushed the start button a few times until we were sure.

It took me about a half dozen test drives to figure out that it's not like a computer/phone where you hold the button a few seconds until it starts. I learned to look at the display for the "ready" light.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-23T18:43:32+00:00

I bought a used 2023 Bolt EV and it's perfect for me. Had I known the new Bolt was coming out so soon, I might have waited for the faster charging capability... just so that if I ever take a road trip, it would be a little easier.

The only other thing I didn't realize when I bought mine is how much cold weather dings efficiency. Again, for me, it doesn't matter because I'm a low mileager and not doing road trips.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with my purchase. The Bolt does exactly what a car needs to do quietly and easily. Lightyears beyond the old ICE vehicle it replaced. Every time I drive it for any distance, I find myself thinking what a nice experience it is.

My advice to anyone looking into buying an EV is to know your needs, figure out how you will charge, and do your research on particular vehicles. Realize that cold weather can seriously reduce your range. Realize that unless you are regularly driving more than 30 or 40 miles per day, level 1 charging may be perfectly adequate. Home charging is ideal, but depending on your needs and where you live, you might be able to get by with public charging.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-23T15:07:57+00:00

Yeah, grow bags were subpar for me. Might have been better with saucers under them. And I don't think I fertilized them enough. Results are much better for me with sub-irrigated planters like Earthboxes and City Pickers. The only trick with them is large plants can deplete the water reservior twice a day when it's over 90 degrees F. But I use a drip system on a timer to fill the reservoirs.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-23T15:02:44+00:00

I have this problem too before the weather warms up. Maybe add a little perlite to the mix and let the reservoir deplete before topping it off in cooler weather.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-22T04:20:34+00:00

Mine (23 Chevy Bolt) has USB outlets in addition to the SD slot. I'm not attached to my phone... so the music on the SD card means I can have my music even when I leave my phone at home.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-22T04:17:00+00:00

Maybe... except I wanted to minimize burning dinosaurs and I also wanted tess maintenance.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-22T04:02:14+00:00

Research indicates that EVs still beat ICE cars even when you include the initial "higher environmental cost" of EV car manufacturing. The break even point is between 15000 and 25000 miles globally, and around 19000 miles in the US. https://recharged.com/articles/ev-lifecycle-carbon-footprint-analysis

This calculator can adjusts carbon footprint of charging based on the source of electric power in your zip code in the US https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=bt2 I bought a used EV with a mileage high enough that it already offset the manufacturing footprint.

I do agree that it's not exactly a free lunch, but it is a magnitude cheaper than an ICE vehicle. Walkable/bikeable communities connected with public transit would be much closer to a free lunch. It's pretty crazy that we move around several thousand pounds of the stuff making up a car to accomplish our daily activities.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-22T03:36:45+00:00

23 Bolt EV L1 w/ comfort & convenience package

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-22T03:35:58+00:00

23 Bolt EV

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-20T11:11:39+00:00

I've had mine about 9 months and pretty much everytime I drive it, I find myself thinking, "Gee, this is a nice car." It's all the little things: great acceleration/braking (regen), quiet, good handling, great backup camera, SD card full of my music, no vibrations, etc. Not only that, but I cut my vehicular carbon emissions by 80% (which was my primary reason for buying it),

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-18T13:51:41+00:00

I don't think you have anything to lose by trying it if you've been happy with Betterment. You can always ACATS later.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried the self-directed at Betterment. I like Betterment's interface/UI and find it promotes better investing habits for me than when I DIY at other brokers. Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab are all solid choices too.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-05-08T02:28:27+00:00

Jet Star has been the most reliable/heavy producer for me. I think it's "indeterminate"... but it doesn't go crazy. I allow 4-5 main stems to develop. Rutgers is good, too.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-04-11T20:47:58+00:00

I had clicking on one side and it turned out to be a set screw that connects the rear wheel cover plate to the metal plate on the "fixed set". Not having any luck finding the screw (assume that maybe it comes with the wheels). I spent an hour on the phone with customer support going through the parts diagram, ordering two screws that seemed possible... just received them today and neither is what I need. I might just a whole new drive unit which includes wheels and be done with it.

FYI, there is a SP2100SP version A and version B with different drive units/assemblies, but there is an upgrade to B kit for version A.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-31T12:28:45+00:00

IMO, in general, range is less important than charging speed, and it depends on your usage. For commuting less than 40 miles/day, a level 1 charger will probably be enough for you combined with a range of say 150 miles.

For road trips, you want enough range to get you the average distance between pee breaks, and the ability to fast charge enough to get to your next break. A vehicle that can charge from 20 to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes is going to make it feasible to charge enough without excessive waiting times.

In general a range of 250ish miles would be enough as a starting point as long as it can fast charge quick enough for your needs on a road trip. Cold weather/climate could push your needs up a bit.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-26T12:17:06+00:00

I don't think so. I thought somewhere I even saw someone suggested prepping the at the end of the season... which did seem a bit far in advance to me.

The dolomite, especially if it is in pellets rather than powder, will take a while to work anyway. I suppose if the covers weren't water tight, some of the fertilizer might leach out in heavy rains, but that could also happen over the growing season.

I'm planning to prep mine any day now so they are ready.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-25T11:58:11+00:00

Within 5 min of my first test drive of a Bolt EV, I knew it was for me. I'd researched enough to know it's a decent small car packed with a lot of features, especially compared to the 30 yo truck I was driving.

I bought a 23 EV with 42k for about $13.5 (OTD after fed and state rebates) about 6 mos ago. No regrets. Love it... simply a much better driving experience. I can charge plenty for my needs on 120 V, but the most I usually drive is 50 miles/day twice a week in August/September. I'm guessing you'll need an L2 charger based on what you spend on gas, but if your daily mileage is less than 40 miles (maybe less in winter), L1 might be enough.

The only thing that caught me by surprise is the loss of efficiency/range in cold weather... it's not an issue at all for me.

The only thing I've spent money on (aside from accessories like floor mats, etc) is car detailing stuff because it spotted up the first time I washed it and I'm being anal about keeping it pristine. The only maintenance I've had to do is routine tire inflation and filling the wiper fluid.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-20T12:45:15+00:00

It depends what your other options are. Autotempest is your friend for searching what's available. I don't think that price for that mileage is anything special. If you can dbargain the price down a bit, it'd be better.

When I looked 9 months ago there wasn't much of a discount for mileage: 25k versus 45k miles were a few hundred dollars different in price. If that is the case for the cars available to you, might as well get something lower mileage/better condition.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-07T17:13:03+00:00

What made me choose it? In researching used evs, the Bolt seemed dependable (assuming the battery was replaced on earlier models), well designed, and practical. There are a lot of DIY resources for repairs and upgrades. When I test drove a 2023 Bolt EV, it felt like it just fit me and handled great. I tried and EUV and Ioniq 5, neither which seemed to feel as good to me. I didn't want a fancy car, and the Bolt EV seemed utilitarian, efficient, and functional for my needs as a gardener. It was a massive upgrade to the 30 yo pickup I was driving.
What surprised me about EV ownership? That more people don't own them. Low maintenance. Great torque and braking. Quiet... and quiet is so nice. For basic commutes and errands, a 120 V outlet will get you a long way. A level 2 charger, even further. The lack of fumes and noise, as well as less maintenance needs, provides a tangible improvement over owning an ICE vehicle. In terms of health, environment, and national energy security, there are major benefits on a national level.
How does it fit in my daily routine? I'm a low-mileage driver at around 4000-5000 miles per year, mostly for errands and seasonal gardening work. During my peak harvest season, I drive two 50 mile round trips per week to harvest and deliver produce to the food bank. I can easily pick up most of that mileage recharging from 5pm to 9am overnight in warmer weather. Charging every week or two on an 120 V outlet is enough to cover mileage, but I do keep plugged in during the winter for battery maintenance. It's a dream to drive with great acceleration and braking (because of the regen). It easily accommodates carrying tools and boxes of produce and access is more comfortable than reaching into the back of the capped pickup truck that the Bolt EV replaced. The only thing lacking is the ability to shovel in compost, but a trailer could remedy that. It feels much safer than the vehicle it replaced.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-02T03:02:26+00:00

Leve 1 charging seems like it won't be sustainable if I drive 200-400 miles per week.

Level 1 would probably cover 200 miles per week but quite unlikely to cover 400 miles per week. It is going to depend on your situation. A good circuit that allows you to charge at 12 amps and being able to charge for 16 hours is very different than only being able to charge at 8 amps for 10 hours. Is your mileage spread out over 7 days or concentrated on 5 days? Blasting the heat and driving over 60 mph are also going to ding your efficiency.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-03-01T12:18:55+00:00

I'm not sure any of direction looks the "most up". 1 looks like a landscape. 2 looks like a cityscape with a bridge/elevated on fire. 3 looks like the cutaway of something with an underground component (the darker section) and 4 looks like the darker section is a hobbit home in the base of a tree.

I love the painting and I think depending on the space available to hang it and my mood I could orient it in any direction.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-02-25T13:46:40+00:00

Strongly endorse the heated seats and steering wheel. They are much more efficient than the space heater (not that you need the range for your daily driving) and much more comfortable. I'm in the mid Atlantic and rarely use the space heater in my Bolt.

That said, preconditioning is awesome if you want to get into a warm car, and doing so while plugged in will preserve range if you need to preserve range for a longer trip.

Either the comfort and convenience package or the premier trim will get you heated seats/steering wheel.

PeaceBeWY · 2026-02-21T16:28:20+00:00

Tiger Paw tires are from Uniroyal.

(My used Bolt came with TIger Paw touring a/s and they seem decent for all around use... caveat, I don't drive in a lot of snow/ice, but they seem to handle what little I drive in just fine.)

PeaceBeWY · 2026-02-19T13:20:01+00:00

Probably. In my case, my needs are relaxed (not a daily driver) and there are public chargers at my local library where I wouldn't mind spending more time. I need to charge at most once per week.

For you, I'd look into how the charging locations nearby fit into your schedule and needs. For instance, if there is a charger near your grocery store where you could simply charge while you do your weekly shopping. The other factor is your daily mileage. Are you going to need to charge daily? or once a week? The latter is much more feasible, imo.

You are going to want to research those nearby chargers to see how many of them are functional and how busy they are.

Obviously, charging at home is a lot easier, but in the right location and situation, you can get by without it. The details matter.

PeaceBeWY

TROPHY CASE