Hi Eric from Eric in Sactown. Have been following you from the get go. Great series of videos! Always a blast! I have now captured the Boltmas spirit from the top EV Elf.
A little off the charging topic, but Eagle Lake was beautiful. Now that you’re closer, AND charging is more available, it’d be on my top-10 ‘escape-to’ places. Well, once it’s a little warmer …. Thanks for the scenery along with the learning!
@10:40, I am thinking the new EV meca is Ohio where charging is plentiful and easy to install quickly. I think CA can work on a fast track method or perhaps EE stationary storage can shorten the long pole.
This saves me writing a third day "Airing of Grievances" over missing Boltmas content... cutting it close 😬 Big thanks for making the effort. It really is an interesting chronology around what we've got now, where it came from, and how uneven the roll out was (and continues to be).
@@SteveBirkett Thanks, Steve! It's funny how even my memory of the events has a bit of silver lining now. Those were really strange times to be an EV driver.
Eric, these have been great, thanks. Have you considered or do you have a Nema 14-50 portable plug to use in some of these desert charging areas? That would be if there were areas for you to utilize, for instance, such as RV or camping sites?
@@YeOldeTraveller Heh. Got to leverage what I can. It's odd. My original battery would peak at 56-57 kW on occasion. This new battery seems to only peak at 53-54 kW, but it holds 50+ kW for longer (just due to the capacity).
@@Noxspecter Thanks! At this point, I don't think you need one. If you're really concerned about the public charging availability/reliability, any one of the NACS/J3400 adapters would be more than enough. I don't know that I'd spend money on a J1772 adapter anymore, though.
It is criminal that renters still have terrible access to chargers. It seems this is an area for government regulation, especially for rental units with greater than 3 to 4 apartments.
@@ryanfraley7113 I'm considering it, but I'm also trying to downsize a bit. I worry that the Equinox might be a bit redundant with the Bolt, and there's always the upcoming Bolt EV refresh.
@@newscoulomb3705 Eric, you might want to try the Equinox EV seats. They are much more comfortable than the Bolt's and I'm skinny. My partner agrees and he's heavy. Do you find that the seat in the Bolt EV is hard on your bottom?
@@Jeff-wb3hh Yes, I'd definitely want to test drive it. I've personally never had an issue with the Bolt EV's seats, but I do know that they've made them softer and more cushioned over the years. If they kept the same improvements for the Equinox EV, I'm sure it will be fine. At this point, I've really only had issues in cars with low seating positions (like the Volt).
@@Jeff-wb3hh I have a '22 Bolt EV, and I haven't noticed the seats being in anyway uncomfortable. The ride is hard, there doesn't seem to be much suspension so you feel every bump and pothole, but I understand that is not uncommon in EVs.
I don't think I would trade in the Bolt EV at this point. I would definitely be replacing the Volt first, so even if my Bolt EV wasn't my primary, daily driver, I'd keep it as a back up. But my next EV choice will be based on addressing functional needs rather than EV capabilities, if that makes sense. I know I need an EV with 300+ miles of real-world range, but charging speed is less of an issue (2 C is fine for me). Frankly, the biggest EV specific issue for me at this point is efficiency. The only three EVs currently available with better efficiency than my Bolt EV are the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model 3, and I'm not interested in any of those cars because I'd be sacrificing way too much functionality. The way things are going, I might just be waiting on the next generation Bolt EV.
@@newscoulomb3705 Hi Eric, If efficiency is your biggest concern than the Equinox EV is probably not the best choice, because we are only getting 3.0 miles/kW after 1500 miles of combined driving in our Equinox EV, however that is in the Winter, and we have been running the heat a lot. I agree, you'd be better off waiting for the next Bolt which will be more efficient. I pre-ordered the Aptera Launch Edition (400-mile range) because efficiency is a top priority for me as well. Since I only drive an average of 35 miles a day, I plan to never plug in again and only use the solar panels to charge my Aptera leaving outside all the time to charge in the sun.
@@newscoulomb3705I liked the KIA EV3 I drove in Korea. But feels like a replacement for the 2nd gen Soul EV. I drove the Soul in Canada for months while I was up there. Doubtful we will get it in the states.
Its nutty how much things have changed in 5 years, driving an EV is literally easy now. It's crazy.
@@chrisw443 Absolutely! I keep going back to my comment about 15 minute charging to 80% with decent range. It seemed so far away then.
Hi Eric from Eric in Sactown. Have been following you from the get go. Great series of videos! Always a blast!
I have now captured the Boltmas spirit from the top EV Elf.
Your retro Boltmas posts are very interesting, great to see how far we have come.
A little off the charging topic, but Eagle Lake was beautiful. Now that you’re closer, AND charging is more available, it’d be on my top-10 ‘escape-to’ places. Well, once it’s a little warmer …. Thanks for the scenery along with the learning!
@10:40, I am thinking the new EV meca is Ohio where charging is plentiful and easy to install quickly. I think CA can work on a fast track method or perhaps EE stationary storage can shorten the long pole.
@20:00, we had our LYRIQ with a single bed setup in back for our recent trip. Car camping in an EV is great to have as a flexible option.
@32:00 it was off-line for bout a month or two, but now seems to be lit. I have been seeing positive check-ins. Price not too bad too.
This saves me writing a third day "Airing of Grievances" over missing Boltmas content... cutting it close 😬
Big thanks for making the effort. It really is an interesting chronology around what we've got now, where it came from, and how uneven the roll out was (and continues to be).
@@SteveBirkett Thanks, Steve! It's funny how even my memory of the events has a bit of silver lining now. Those were really strange times to be an EV driver.
About to pop out to take Elvira the Bolt EV down to the local EVgo to setup Autocharge+. These Boltmas vids are perfect timing!
🎉🎉🎉 I can never find my old footage, you have been doing a great job at this
Thanks for including the chapters and times of each. Now go BOLT into 2025!
@23:09, don't think I have ever seen deer wade into water like that. I know they can swim. Just never seen it.
❤ the 3rd Day of Boltmas thumbnail Eric! Looks like a Bolt Ev brochure from Bolts of Christmas Past! Great series of vids 😂👍🏻
Thank you!
Eric, these have been great, thanks. Have you considered or do you have a Nema 14-50 portable plug to use in some of these desert charging areas? That would be if there were areas for you to utilize, for instance, such as RV or camping sites?
@@tpalmer3206 I have taken a NEMA 14-50 EVSE with me before, but I never actually needed it. The camp sites where I was are not powered.
Thanks for that Ford. Good thing you didn’t run into any Dentrassi or Vogons!
According to PlugShare, Bolts finally have access to DC fast charging off highway 395 north of Reno (at least those with NACS adapters).
Yes. Tesla built a couple of V3 Supercharger sites along the route in 2020-2021, but there are still no public chargers.
May the timezone be ever in your favor. 🙂
What is the peak charge rate for your Bolt?
@@YeOldeTraveller Heh. Got to leverage what I can. It's odd. My original battery would peak at 56-57 kW on occasion. This new battery seems to only peak at 53-54 kW, but it holds 50+ kW for longer (just due to the capacity).
Great video. Thank you. What would you say are the must have plug adapters you should have these days when traveling in the Bolt?
@@Noxspecter Thanks! At this point, I don't think you need one. If you're really concerned about the public charging availability/reliability, any one of the NACS/J3400 adapters would be more than enough. I don't know that I'd spend money on a J1772 adapter anymore, though.
@@newscoulomb3705 Thanks for the feedback. It helps to not waste money on things not needed.
Hey Eric, so looking forward to seeing you again 😂
Yeah. Someone forgot to tell this maroon that there are 12 Days of Boltmas. 😬
It is criminal that renters still have terrible access to chargers. It seems this is an area for government regulation, especially for rental units with greater than 3 to 4 apartments.
if you decide to go to Patterson for Flying J, there is another EE site planned near Rogers Road.
@@tkmedia3866 That's great to hear! We're finally seeing I-5 built out like it should be.
gotta ask as a fisherman, did you catch any?
@@Pomchidriver Boy do I have a tale for you! 🎣 😁 I only caught a couple of chub. The trout weren't biting.
You considering going to a Equinox or something like that with faster charging?
@@ryanfraley7113 I'm considering it, but I'm also trying to downsize a bit. I worry that the Equinox might be a bit redundant with the Bolt, and there's always the upcoming Bolt EV refresh.
@@newscoulomb3705 Eric, you might want to try the Equinox EV seats. They are much more comfortable than the Bolt's and I'm skinny. My partner agrees and he's heavy. Do you find that the seat in the Bolt EV is hard on your bottom?
@@Jeff-wb3hh Yes, I'd definitely want to test drive it. I've personally never had an issue with the Bolt EV's seats, but I do know that they've made them softer and more cushioned over the years. If they kept the same improvements for the Equinox EV, I'm sure it will be fine. At this point, I've really only had issues in cars with low seating positions (like the Volt).
@@Jeff-wb3hh I have a '22 Bolt EV, and I haven't noticed the seats being in anyway uncomfortable. The ride is hard, there doesn't seem to be much suspension so you feel every bump and pothole, but I understand that is not uncommon in EVs.
@@ziploc2000 GM improved the seats for the 2020 update. I had the 2017 Bolt and for me they were too hard, hardly any cushion for the tushien.
Hi Eric, what features in a new EV would convince you to trade your Bolt in for a new EV?
I don't think I would trade in the Bolt EV at this point. I would definitely be replacing the Volt first, so even if my Bolt EV wasn't my primary, daily driver, I'd keep it as a back up.
But my next EV choice will be based on addressing functional needs rather than EV capabilities, if that makes sense. I know I need an EV with 300+ miles of real-world range, but charging speed is less of an issue (2 C is fine for me).
Frankly, the biggest EV specific issue for me at this point is efficiency. The only three EVs currently available with better efficiency than my Bolt EV are the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model 3, and I'm not interested in any of those cars because I'd be sacrificing way too much functionality. The way things are going, I might just be waiting on the next generation Bolt EV.
@@newscoulomb3705 Hi Eric, If efficiency is your biggest concern than the Equinox EV is probably not the best choice, because we are only getting 3.0 miles/kW after 1500 miles of combined driving in our Equinox EV, however that is in the Winter, and we have been running the heat a lot. I agree, you'd be better off waiting for the next Bolt which will be more efficient.
I pre-ordered the Aptera Launch Edition (400-mile range) because efficiency is a top priority for me as well. Since I only drive an average of 35 miles a day, I plan to never plug in again and only use the solar panels to charge my Aptera leaving outside all the time to charge in the sun.
@Jeff-wb3hh The Equinox EV is a deceptively large car. I don't hate it, but I've been spoiled by the Bolt EV's efficiency.
@@newscoulomb3705I liked the KIA EV3 I drove in Korea. But feels like a replacement for the 2nd gen Soul EV. I drove the Soul in Canada for months while I was up there. Doubtful we will get it in the states.
@tkmedia3866 Yeah. I was really disappointed when VW decided to not bring the ID.3 to the United States. We need more of those smaller EVs.