All things Austin

[pjoseph]

There is much to cover. Here is a consolidated thread

Aftermarket options

• Tint
• PPF
• Paint sealant
• Chrome delete
• Wheels, Powder-coat
• Electronics
• Other customization

• EVSE Install
• Austin Energy's EV360 program

There is probably a few things i missed. Will keep updating this thread as time permits.

 

[pjoseph]

Austin Energy's EV360

This is a world-class program with unlimited charging for $30 per month (for < 10 kW) or $50 (>10 kW)

• Excluding peak hours (2 to 7 pm)
• Charging all over town on the Chargepoint network

Plug-in Austin

There have been 40+ residential installs so far. Mine is scheduled for next week by 512 Solar (they have been awesome, the cumbersome permitting process is finally getting wrapped up),

 

[copyhacker]

Not sure if this is the absolute best place for this post, but it does say "ALL THINGS Austin", so.

I'm looking at a 2017 X90D at a dealership in the Austin area (Round Rock). Would any kind soul be available to go by and eyeball it for me? I'm in SC, and would probably end up needing to buy sight unseen and have it shipped. PM me if you can help!

 

[TexasEV]

How much did it cost to have your submeter circuit installed? Seems like the break even would be a long time for those who don’t spend much more than $30/month charging at home anyway. Even driving an average of 50miles/ day, 7 days/ week, that only adds about $50 to a monthly electric bill. Few Tesla owners have participated in the program as the main attraction is the plug-in anywhere program and that’s geared towards short range EVs, not really relevant for most Tesla owners if they can charge at home.

All the aftermarket items have been extensively discussed over the past six years by the hundreds of members in the Austin Tesla owners group (which is searchable and open to all owners in Austin). No need to repeat all that here for a national audience.

 

[pjoseph]

$900 for the sub-meter install. My napkin math saves me $100 /mo so the ROI is 9 months. It really depends on the number of miles one drives. i can post my math if anyone is interested.

We are using our existing EVSE, but new ones have rebates from Austin Energy.

All the aftermarket items have been extensively discussed over the past six years by the hundreds of members in the Austin Tesla owners group (which is searchable and open to all owners in Austin). No need to repeat all that here for a national audience.

You made my point. There are hundreds of Austin Tesla drivers, maybe thousands now? Maybe one repository would be better? Or would someone rather start yet another Where can i get my car tinted ?

i for one found several of those services (see my list above) on my own. Not trying to rehash anything, just trying to help.

You or i won't click on every thread. Yes, this is a national forum but do you know of any local Austin forums?

 

[buttershrimp]

There is much to cover. Here is a consolidated thread

Aftermarket options

• Tint
• PPF
• Paint sealant
• Chrome delete
• Wheels, Powder-coat
• Electronics
• Other customization

• EVSE Install
• Austin Energy's EV360 program

There is probably a few things i missed. Will keep updating this thread as time permits.

Nate at Bespoke in cedar park for ppf and other options is best in Texas in my opinion.

 

[TexasEV]

Yes, this is a national forum but do you know of any local Austin forums?

Please PM me your email and I’ll send you the link to join the Austin Tesla owners group. There’s thousands of posts since 2012 from hundreds of members, searchable. Many of the posts relate to all the aftermarket things you asked about. Usually owners are told about the group at delivery.

 

[pjoseph]

Wraps

Anybody found a reliable service, and if so can you post the cost? The MC red is a bit too bright for my tastes (after the paint correction & sealant) and the current colors all seem uninspiring to me.

i even tweeted Elon recently about the boring, bonehead color choices.

 

[Xd85]

For EVSE installs, I used SmartCharge America. Friendly customer service, reasonable price i think (250 for NEMA 14-50, upgrade to HPWC on top of that for $250 as well)

 

[pjoseph]

Tint

• Sunbusters
  • 183N & Research
• April 2017
• Llumar Formula One, Stratos, 30%
  
• $699, 4 side & rear windows
  • Interior is now 20 degrees cooler
• $150, Air 90, windshield
  • Cuts glare and has been awesome overall
  • This price included a $50 discount (with windows)
  • Recent quote was $250 (without windows)
• Machine cut, came out flawless
• Great product, just a tad too dark for my tastes. Lighter shades are available

 

[pjoseph]

For EVSE installs, I used SmartCharge America. Friendly customer service, reasonable price i think (250 for NEMA 14-50, upgrade to HPWC on top of that for $250 as well)

We still have our ancient (~7 years old) Schneider EVSE. Works like a charm, but charging is limited to 30 A (sub panel capacity limits). This translates to 21 mi/hr on the Tesla (and 13 mi /hr on the Leaf) which suites our needs.

Backup is the clothes dryer outlet (same charging rate) that is going to be handy if we are in a bind during peak charging times once EV360 ToU is activated.

Considered a Tesla wall charger but i am reluctant to pull new wiring across the width of the house (main panel and garage are on opposite sides). Our house is 16 years old and the garage sub-panel is rated only at 60 amps. EVs were apparently not on the horizon back then.

 

[Xd85]

We still have our ancient (~7 years old) Schneider EVSE. Works like a charm, but charging is limited to 30 A (sub panel capacity limits). This translates to 21 mi/hr on the Tesla (and 13 mi /hr on the Leaf) which suites our needs.

Backup is the clothes dryer outlet (same charging rate) that is going to be handy if we are in a bind during peak charging times once EV360 ToU is activated.

Considered a Tesla wall charger but i am reluctant to pull new wiring across the width of the house (main panel and garage are on opposite sides). Our house is 16 years old and the garage sub-panel is rated only at 60 amps. EVs were apparently not on the horizon back then.

Agree, really don't need anything above 30A practically, but since I got Signature HPWC, why not?

I got exact same config from sunbusters, splendid work. 30% i felt like wasn't too dark, but I have white interior for contrast

 

[brkaus]

Re: ev360

The submeter can cost me an additional $125 when installing an HPWC.

I did put it on a 50a breaker. Would be nice to go above, but not worth it to me ($30 vs $50 monthly).

Based on actual numbers (teslafi), I would be paying about $45-$65 month. Not a huge savings, but it keeps me from chasing around every free j1772 I pass.

 

[pjoseph]

Re: ev360

The submeter can cost me an additional $125 when installing an HPWC.

This is a sweet price and a quick ROI especially if you make some long trips.

Meter location variance is what stalled us for a while. Turns out this was not such a big deal after all, just took some persistence.

EV360 is a hedge against gas prices going up significantly. Back in late 2011 ~ when i first got my Leaf and gas got to $4, i was stopped regularly by folks who wanted to know more about the quirky looking EV.

 

[brkaus]

Meter location variance is what stalled us for a while. Turns out this was not such a big deal after all, just took some persistence.

Good point. The meter location was a huge sticking point for me and could drive a huge price differential. I was lucky enough to find an electrician that would work with the city on the meter location. It's 0.75" above that which is allowed by code. A little extra mulch below and everyone is happy. I ended up lucky.

 

[pjoseph]

DVC *

Had a minor accident during my first month of ownership. Geico (the other party insurance) offered me $400, a pittance compared to the potential lost resale value of the car (it is on Carfax). i contacted TDI** and they in turn notified Geico of the complaint. The law is vague and insurance companies are terrible on payouts for these.

Anybody know a good lawyer in Austin who deals with DVC? There are so many lawyers here in Austin (one for every tree) but most are reluctant to take this on since it does meet their hefty hourly rates.

Thanks..

* Diminished value claim
** Texas Department of Insurance.

 

[JGard]

I'm about 2 weeks away from getting my 3. I want to do a PPF on the front bumper and hood and then have the windows tinted. In the past I've used Tint Specialists on S Lamar for my tint and they've done a pretty good job, but I don't think they do PPF. Anybody have recommendations for south Austin? I live in circle c so of course I don't want to go north of the river

 

[pjoseph]

i'd suggest getting a quote from Sunbusters. Not exactly in south Austin, but worth a trip. They have plenty of experience with Teslas.

Note that i got just the tint from them (see my post above). Called them this summer for one of my other cars and their appointments were two weeks out.

Got PPF and paint sealant through an independent detailer who likely used one of the shops and cost me even more.

i've used Tint Specialists in the past as well. Small world.

 

[JGard]

Thanks. Can you do me a favor and post a pic of your rear window (from the inside and out)? My only current tinting concern is how it's going to look tinting the rear window when half of it is already tinted from the factory to match the roof. I'm not going to get the roof tinted, so I wonder if it may just look a bit off.

 

[Xd85]

Anyone outside Austin Energy limits get solar?