EV general discussion

[Robbo]

AP/EAP for the UK is stuck on v12, so ACC/TACC is also stuck on v12. the latest FSD v14's algorithms supposedly improves this a lot, hopefully VCA approves this sooner rather than later

Unless we are getting FSD (now renamed to TAD at the request of Germany ), they need to improve the standard system. As you say, they can just lift the relevant parts out of the more advanced system as a temporary measure for now.

On top of that, not everyone is going to want to pay £99 a month for it either. Although as it's effectively a chauffeur, I can see it being quite popular.

Either way, it'll be down to cost I reckon.

It is - it's cheaper to just use cameras for everything than having to fit additional sensors/radars/etc. Curvature Assist seems to be the main issue for me, it's very erratic at times. There are some straight stretches of roads where it decides to brake, surely they should cross reference the camera with the mapping data...

 

[tamzzy]

Unless we are getting FSD (now renamed to TAD at the request of Germany ), they need to improve the standard system. As you say, they can just lift the relevant parts out of the more advanced system as a temporary measure for now.
On top of that, not everyone is going to want to pay £99 a month for it either. Although as it's effectively a chauffeur, I can see it being quite popular.

the code is combined in v14. there's no longer AP/EAP iirc, if you don't sub to FSD you just get the ACC portion of the suite.
v12 AP/EAP is deprecated hence why it's atrocious now as it was back in 2023.

 

[b0rn2sk8]

It’s worse than that. The U.K. is stuck with what is in effect the version of autopilot developed back in 2019.

As for the car itself, I’m not sure it’s positioned against a Merc or BMW, it’s priced more like a VW, Ford, Kia and Hyundai.

The base BMW i3 is about the same price as a long range RWD model 3 with the upgraded interior.

The i3 you actually want is waaaaaay more expensive, particularly by the time you have added all the stuff you expect a BMW to have and the Tesla has as standard.

You know full well the used market is going to be littered with i3’s with the basic stereo and without a powered boot, heated steering wheels because they were separate options that will have added a lot of £££ on a lease.

I agree some stuff could be better though. Autopilot being one of those things.

I’m not sure I agree on the ultrasonics though. There are pros and cons in my view. I have loads of situations/scenarios where the camera ‘parking sensors’ have picked up stuff a set of ultrasonics never will because the obstacles fell outside of the swept range, usually because they were low down.

The car doesn’t have the cameras in the right place for Birds Eye view but all the essential angles are covered. I assume you have the side cameras up when reversing also? If not there is a small arrow (or swipe up) to add them when the rear camera is on.

 

[tamzzy]

It’s worse than that. The U.K. is stuck with what is in effect the version of autopilot developed back in 2019.

oh wow that bad!?

 

[Robbo]

I remember trying a new Model S for a weekend in 2019 and I recall the Autopilot being better than what we have now. They've abandoned it to develop FSD!

 

[b0rn2sk8]

I remember trying a new Model S for a weekend in 2019 and I recall the Autopilot being better than what we have now. They've abandoned it to develop FSD!

It regressed a bit when they had to curtail it’s ability to bring it inline with regulations (particularly steering, Tesla breached what was allowed).

They were also forced to implement a bunch of driver monitoring changes because you know people are gonna people.

They still people though and it’s possible to ‘trick’ the system still so you can do what ever is more important than not killing yourself or other road users…

 

[tamzzy]

It regressed a bit when they had to curtail it’s ability to bring it inline with regulations (particularly steering, Tesla breached what was allowed).

also annoying that with EAP they limited the smart summon to 6m in the UK...like wtf lol, i'd just walk up to the car if it was 6m away

 

[ICDP]

i've driven all 3 revisions so i can probably chime in on that

the original model 3 2017-2021 (the ones with the chrome lining) has very variable build quality, if i didn't inspect the car, i wouldn't touch with a bargepole
the revised model 3 2022-2023 (made in china, and has the upgrades - black lining, ryzen, heatpump etc) the early examples still suffered from variable build quality, but the later ones were very acceptable - i currently own this one
the latest model 3 2024+ (highland) is a massive step in general ride comfort, interior quality, noise insulation and general fit and finish

to rate the fit and finish only, versus my old f36 440i - the 22-23 model 3 was a step down, the highland model 3 i'd consider on par if not just slightly better
the original bmw g20 is better obvs (not sure about the LCI with all the tackiness involved though )

This matches my own experiences. I test drove a 2020 Model 3 made in Murica and it was terrible fit and finish. A few years later I tried a 2022 model 3 made in China and it was decent, but lack of regen on the brake pedal was a red line for me.

So they were (to me at least) objectively inferior to their competitors.

Now in 2025 the new Highland and Juniper models are on par with similar priced legacy competitors in both fit and finish and comfort. The problem for me is Musk started his far right political agenda.

 

[tamzzy]

but lack of regen on the brake pedal was a red line for me.

the latest model y juniper models have blended braking but not on the model 3 highland
honestly with one-pedal driving i (personally) don't find the lack of regen on the brake pedal a deal breaker...i don't think i use my brake pedal for most of my trips tbh
it's a nice to have and it's nice to see that tesla have finally brought this feature back and caught up to the competition lol

 

[Rilot]

I drove all the way from Hayling to my home in Wargrave last night and the only time I pressed the brake pedal was to shift in to drive at the beginning, and to shift in to reverse at the end.

 

[m4rmite]

I drove all the way from Hayling to my home in Wargrave last night and the only time I pressed the brake pedal was to shift in to drive at the beginning, and to shift in to reverse at the end.

But what about all the extra brake dust ev's create because of their weight?

 

[tamzzy]

But what about all the extra brake dust ev's create because of their weight?

have you not seen the state of the roads and the numerous potholes?
damn EVs i tell ya! can't wait for EVED to be implemented, EV drivers should pay more!

 

[Bug One]

I wonder if the value of older PHEVs is going to tank once EVED comes out. If people rarely use the plug in ability, the extra tax will be a massive phycological liability.

 

[Uther]

Just seen a pic of the new Citroen 2cv ev (only a concept at the moment) but it looks brilliant

 

[Bug One]

Looks like a bit of a toy. But £13k for a city runabout - might be very popular. It worked well enough for the Fiat 500.

 

[Rilot]

But what about all the extra brake dust ev's create because of their weight?

Ah yes, that. Interestingly, the trip to Hayling was to see my mother and her husband. Both are Daily Mail and Express readers. It was almost a game of anti-EV bingo.

Don't they catch on fire?
They cost more to run than a petrol car
They are so heavy that they damage the roads
People get locked inside them
The batteries fail after 5 years and then what are you going to do?
I heard that they don't work when it's cold
They are so complicated compared to a normal car that no one can fix them
How are you going to do long journeys in it if you need to charge it for 24 hours every 100 miles?

All things that are easily refuted with a tiny bit of logical thought, or 1 minute on Google, but because it was 'in the paper' it must be true.

 

[Kenai]

I wonder if the value of older PHEVs is going to tank once EVED comes out. If people rarely use the plug in ability, the extra tax will be a massive phycological liability.

I think the bigger impact will be between that and BIK moving to 18% minimum for any PHEV causing the popularity as company cars to collapse

 

[Bug One]

Ah yes, that. Interestingly, the trip to Hayling was to see my mother and her husband. Both are Daily Mail and Express readers. It was almost a game of anti-EV bingo.

Don't they catch on fire?
They cost more to run than a petrol car
They are so heavy that they damage the roads
People get locked inside them
The batteries fail after 5 years and then what are you going to do?
I heard that they don't work when it's cold
They are so complicated compared to a normal car that no one can fix them
How are you going to do long journeys in it if you need to charge it for 24 hours every 100 miles?

All things that are easily refuted with a tiny bit of logical thought, or 1 minute on Google, but because it was 'in the paper' it must be true.

Most the time I think it boils down to - I don't have a drive way - therefore I resent EVs, those that drive them, and hope that they fail.

 

[Nabinium]

People get locked inside them

Wut

 

[Bug One]

Wut

In an emergency and in the event of power loss, due to not having physical door handles / locks. Just a feature of modern car design, rather than an EV specific issue.