Flux Capacitor Rental

Rented a AWD Long Range Model Y Tesla to see if I liked an EV enough for future consideration. True, I could have gotten a loaner from a dealer for a test drive - which tend to be limited and / or you have to deal with someone from the sales department. Thus I decided to rented a Model Y Tesla from Hertz for a weekend to put it through everyday driving tasks instead of ‘going on an around the block’ test drive.

* Since it was a rental, the wheels in the photos were already scuffed up - this was noted at time of pickup If you rent car(s) you are interested in, it can help you decide if you like a particular model instead of sitting in and staring at one at a dealership. While there is plenty of info on-line regarding vehicle features and specs - driving and experiencing them in person is equally important.

As with most modern EVs they come with a host of customization options to set up driver profiles which takes time to get familiar with them. Switching from a traditional gas-powered vehicle to an all electronic vehicle is like going from a manual typewriter to a touch screen laptop with cloud connectivity. You have to learn new steps and ways of doing things. More EV capable vehicles are appearing on the market every year. Like all vehicles, there are pros/cons, various designs, features and options for consumers to consider.

EVs drive differently with responsive acceleration, no gears, “one-pedal” driving, with majority of the options controlled via a touch-screen. A weekend rental gave me an opportunity to put a EV through its paces on local roads, highways, in parking lots and charging tasks. I did not plan any long distance road trips at the time of the rental. From what I’ve read / been told - long distance trips require a little more upfront planning to ensure you can reach a charger to avoid complete battery drain. Which can be a problem in rural areas and out West.

Teslas, some of the fastest EVs, blast from 0 to 60 in roughly 4.8 seconds! Which makes them snappy enough to merge onto a tollway effortlessly. Faster than the Delorean in the “Back to the Future” movies! 😎. Historically, Deloreans were a flop mechanically. Movies had made the car seem cool. The model Tesla Model X with gull-wing doors comes close to being similarly designed as a Delorean. Read more about the Dolorean here. I titled this article “Flux Capacitor Rental” because it is an alternative fuel vehicle that reminds me of the “Back to the Future” movies. Although EVs rely on coal-fired, hydro and / or nuclear power plants to recharge they are not totally independent for producing power. Driving the Tesla felt sporty and confident on the open highways. There was a reasonable amount of storage space in the rear and front trunk - a.k.a. frunk. One feature I missed was Apple CarPlay connectivity - currently not offered. Tesla has their own version of in vehicle maps and route planning app. Yet, its route planning to chargers is a nice feature. The Model Y is slotted between a sedan and full sized suv. There are some blind spots in the rear due to the slopping roofline and trunk, the dash mounted screen helps to identify vehicles around you. However, you should not be over reliant on technology alone - being an attentive driver is still important. I know several Tesla owners, including family members who love their cars. Even though I have driven and ridden in a Model 3 several times, I wanted to compare the Y and 3 models. The Model Y is a bit taller and a wider than a Model 3. While both are somewhat similar - I felt that the Model Y is better suited for tall and older drivers (the Model S and X’s are much more expensive). There is plentiful information about EV vehicle reviews one the web. I do not necessarily agree with various online articles about vehicle recommendations for those who are taller than average and/or over the age of 50 in terms of ease of access, leg room, and useful / safety features - everyone has their own preferences and needs. Shopping for and selecting a car today is a lot different from 20+ years ago with various options, features and prices. With EVs you have to consider: travel range, the ability (locations) to recharge, prices, safety features, creature comfort options, insurance and operating costs. Be sure to become familiar with the various levels of charging options. As well as the need to consider the installation of a Level-2 charger in your garage. For apartment and condo owners, getting a charger set up can be an issue or prohibited. If you live in the North/Midwest snow belt, all-season tires, heated seats and steering wheel, and AWD are highly recommended options. Learn more about the various levels of EV charging and adapters with this quick guide. On a side note, today the average age of cars have reached a high of 12.2 years (source: S&P Global). My 10-year old / +100K mile Honda as a Summer daily driver is still chugging along. The Honda was a secondary family car for my teen drivers. Now that they have jobs and their own wheels, I’ve kept it as a daily driver. While I take long road trips, the range of EVs are still somewhat a concern. Thus many owners may have a gas and an EV vehicle. Eventually in the near future I will have to decide if I want to stay with an ICE (internal combustion / gas engine), go hybrid, or get a pure EV. One can always rent a gas powered vehicle for trips. Happy and safe motoring !