Hawaii Tesla Owners

[Akikiki]

Solar powered, Of course you are correct about site-specific. But if you were not pleased with their work, you would have said so. So your referral of that company is actually more important that a cheap price.

 

[spleen]

When I was at Moanaloa plaza the other day looking for a charge there was a Leaf and a Volt charging on the 2 working chargers. I could see that the Leaf had only 1 LED lit and the other two were dark so I knew they had just plugged in. with the Volt it was a bit harder to tell if they were done charging (no indicator on the BetterPlace style chargers) after thinking about it a bit I came up with a fool-proof way to tell if a Volt (or Plug in Prius) is done charging.
Just look to see if there is a Tesla parked next to it, that way you know they are done.:tongue:

lol. For the Better Place chargers, while charging, the two white LEDs on the unit will glow in and out while charging is in progress and will go out completely when charging is completed, AFAIK.

 

[Akikiki]

ddruz, that's a significant change. But still, I am grateful we get anything. Thank goodness some of these beneifits are actually useful. Get even 24 hours at the airport is a big deal. Even if we lost some free time, its still a lot better than nothing.

Hey y'all, Hawaiiskibum and Leeward got me thinking. Let's see a show of hands (so to speak), who has named their car and what's the car's name? (Please).

Mine's Tessie. I admit, not very original. But I am an old-fashioned boy, so I didn't reach beyond that. Who else, please?

- - - Updated - - -

Solar Powered, Regarding your meter upgrade from 100 to 200. Does this enable you to also install the HPWC if you wished?

 

[dpodoll]

They changed this law. That's what I wrote Senator Gabbard about--to confirm or deny. Not all the airport parking check out people know of the change and they sometimes let you skate for more than 24 hours. When I drove my Leaf I also had some very extended multi-day airport parking stays. That was before the law was changed. But according to Senator Gabbard the limit is now 24 hours at the airport for free EV parking.

Act 168 includes:

• The department of transportation may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the registration of, and issuance of special license plates for, electric vehicles.
• An electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from payment of parking fees, including those collected through parking meters, charged by any state or county authority in this State, except that this exemption shall not apply:
  • For more than two and one-half hours of metered parking, or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer; or To parking fees assessed in increments longer than one twenty-four-hour day, including weekly, monthly, or annual parking permits.
  • An electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from high occupancy vehicle lane restrictions.

Believe the highlighted text is important. The airport assesses per 24 hours or fraction there of. The law is excluding weekly, monthly, or anual parking permits. Airport paking management explained the 30 day limit to me. My personal experience is that you can get at least 23 days. Next test will be July 7 - 12.

 

[solar powered]

Tomas Electric

Solar powered, Of course you are correct about site-specific. But if you were not pleased with their work, you would have said so. So your referral of that company is actually more important that a cheap price.

Akikiki: Yes, I am very pleased with their work. Rueben Tomas used to do high voltage work at the Naval Shipyard before he started his own company. He is very sharp, knows all the latest codes, and is very conscientious. Even though my old cables in the overhead riser was properly sized for the new load, he changed them out anyway. He is a fun guy and plays in a local Journey tribute band. He can shred Van Halen and Joe Satriani too!

 

[hawaiikaiguy]

Writing to see if anyone else has had not-so-good experiences with "Delivery Specialist" (Robert). It's been like pulling teeth to get updates.

Let me preface everything by saying I am indeed aware of the large shipment of Model S that has come in, how overworked the service center is. I'm guessing the shipment is mostly the remaining 40 kwh Model S (mine included), as it seems ideal for us here on Oahu. More background, a timeline of events so far:

- Balance paid in full almost a full month ago, on 5/14, when delivery process started
- EOL given as 5/25
- Model S left CA week ending 5/31
- Model S arrived on Oahu midweek last week
- Delivery window was presented to me by DS last Tues 6/4
- Same day -- 6/4 -- I gave him back 3 prioritized options and DS stated he'd let me know by end of week [Fri 6/7]
- With no updates yet from DS by 2pm Hawaii time on Fri 6/7, I have to ping him to check if there are any updates since it's the "end of the week" (5pm CA time)
- 7pm Fri 6/7 rolls around , I receive an email from DS along lines of "Please send 3 prioritized dates + times within delivery window..." (which I already did back on Tues)
- I respond immediately with same 3 dates
- Monday 6/10 afternoon rolls around, with no response yet from my DS, so I again have to ping "Any updates...?"
- Response: "No sooner than Friday" OK, now we're getting somewhere; at least a response with a date mentioned as a reference point

And then this happens yesterday: I get a call from DS saying my Model S is actually ready earlier than expected and available for pick up at the service center, we schedule a time in the afternoon. The big day has arrived!!! I notify my wife, she shifts her schedule around etc. We're literally headed out the door with temp registration, etc. in hand to get our Model S, and I get a call on my cell from the service center saying "There's been a mixup, your car isn't ready." !!! Not service center's fault, what can you do. Then an hour+ later a call from my DS apologizing, and on top of it all he's still unable to nail down a delivery date/time.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind waiting a few extra days (though I do have a ProTint appointment that is now in danger of having to be moved), I've waited this long as it is. What I do mind is the terrible customer service where I'm the one always pulling for updates and then getting jerked around.

So what exactly does the DS "specialize" in besides talking to the service center and scheduling pickups? Because they're not really doing their job well at all. At least mine isn't. [/vent]

 

[nanimac]

hawaiikaiguy, I think Robert is the only DS for Hawaii. To me, it's obvious that Tesla has communication issues between the different departments. It seems like the product specialist team (Mac) and the delivery specialist/logistics (Robert) have no further communication unless there's an issue after the Mac releases the car for transit. Then communication is somewhat spotty with the service center after that especially when there's a big shipment of cars which could be the result of Tesla trying for another big push to meet/exceed quarterly production/sales #s.

I fully understand that they are a relatively new company and as early adopters we are the guinea pigs to hopefully make the customer service process better. With that in mind...I hate to say it, but I already expect to have further issues with the delivery of my car. Hopefully, Tesla proves me wrong

 

[jatk]

Act 168 includes:

• The department of transportation may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the registration of, and issuance of special license plates for, electric vehicles.
• An electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from payment of parking fees, including those collected through parking meters, charged by any state or county authority in this State, except that this exemption shall not apply:
  • For more than two and one-half hours of metered parking, or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer; or To parking fees assessed in increments longer than one twenty-four-hour day, including weekly, monthly, or annual parking permits.
  • An electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from high occupancy vehicle lane restrictions.

Believe the highlighted text is important. The airport assesses per 24 hours or fraction there of. The law is excluding weekly, monthly, or anual parking permits. Airport paking management explained the 30 day limit to me. My personal experience is that you can get at least 23 days. Next test will be July 7 - 12.

From the aiport website:
Designated parking spaces for electric vehicles will be provided in the international arrivals parking structure at various locations on levels 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. These spaces will be identified with ground markings and signs. In addition, an electric vehicle charging station will be located on level 1 of the international arrivals parking structure.

"Electric vehicle" means: A neighborhood electric vehicle or a vehicle with four or more wheels that draws propulsion energy from a battery with at least four kilowatt hours of energy storage capacity that can be recharged from an external source of electricity.

Effective July 1, 2013, an electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from payment of parking fees for a maximum of 24 hours. Applicable parking fees will be charged to electric vehicles parked in excess of 24 hours.

 

[dpodoll]

Effective July 1, 2013, an electric vehicle on which an electric vehicle license plate is affixed shall be exempt from payment of parking fees for a maximum of 24 hours. Applicable parking fees will be charged to electric vehicles parked in excess of 24 hours.

That sucks

 

[jatk]

hawaiikaiguy, I think Robert is the only DS for Hawaii. To me, it's obvious that Tesla has communication issues between the different departments. It seems like the product specialist team (Mac) and the delivery specialist/logistics (Robert) have no further communication unless there's an issue after the Mac releases the car for transit. Then communication is somewhat spotty with the service center after that especially when there's a big shipment of cars which could be the result of Tesla trying for another big push to meet/exceed quarterly production/sales #s.

I fully understand that they are a relatively new company and as early adopters we are the guinea pigs to hopefully make the customer service process better. With that in mind...I hate to say it, but I already expect to have further issues with the delivery of my car. Hopefully, Tesla proves me wrong

Sorry you're dealing with many unanswered questions and no real eta nanimac and hawaiikaiguy. I get increasingly frustrated every week. I was first told on 5/24 that I would have the car in hand in 2-3 weeks. Then it became 2-3 weeks from 5/31, then 2-3 weeks from 6/7. Now it's 2-3 weeks from whenever the car gets on a boat (that's assuming it ever gets on a boat). I found out yesterday that my car is sitting in Van Nuys. No one can tell me why it's just sitting there, with no progress made to get it to a port. At this rate, maybe I'll get it next year sometime. Had I known this, I would have gone with a production vehicle. I was willing to pay the upcharge for features I do not really need based on what is apparently the misrepresentation that all that I'd have to wait for is shipment/delivery. I told Tesla that I'm tempted to fly up to Cali and put the car on a boat myself. At least then the job will get done.

Agreed that communication is severly lacking between deparments, to our detriment. I too understand that with any new company, there will be some kinks and growing pains, but for the price we pay, I expect better.

 

[Leeward]

I got a call from Robert this morning. He said my car is ready to be picked up and he asked when I could come out. I told that I'd like to do it today but needed to call him back with a time. I called my 18-year old godson, who is fortunately available to give me a ride out, and called Robert back around 10:30am to tell I would be out at 12:30pm. He said okay.

Now I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting for a call back from him telling me it was all a mistake! Oh the sweet agony of it all! So much drama...!

 

[nanimac]

jatk..when I found out my car was still at the oakland port this weekend, I asked my brother who lives in San Jose to go pick it up for me...at least someone would be enjoying driving it...lol

leeward...CONGRATS!!

 

[Akikiki]

I wonder what the purpose of designating various locations on levels 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are for if when you get the the toll booth, they are going to check the time and let you go for free if its less than 24 and charge you if its more than 24 anyway. ?? I mean, the toll booth attendant is not going to know if we parked close to the ramp or elevator, or in the designated parking spaces for EV, are they? Hmmm, unanswered questions.

 

[jatk]

I wonder what the purpose of designating various locations on levels 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are for if when you get the the toll booth, they are going to check the time and let you go for free if its less than 24 and charge you if its more than 24 anyway. ?? I mean, the toll booth attendant is not going to know if we parked close to the ramp or elevator, or in the designated parking spaces for EV, are they? Hmmm, unanswered questions.

I just assumed it means that there a number of "reserved" stalls available only to EVs, but that EVs can park anywhere (kind of like handicap spaces). In part I think it is to comply with HRS secion 291-71. But, that's just my interpretation.

 

[spleen]

I just assumed it means that there a number of "reserved" stalls available only to EVs, but that EVs can park anywhere (kind of like handicap spaces). In part I think it is to comply with HRS secion 291-71. But, that's just my interpretation.

Agreed.

 

[Akikiki]

jatk, spleen, That makes good sense. I haven't been in the airport parking in a while. Not since I would have noticed EV parking spaces anyway. I wonder how close or far these reserved slots are compared to those near the stairs, elevator and walk-ramp?

jatk, Glad to have you join us here and share your experiences. Tell us about your configuration. What did you get? Color?

 

[jatk]

nanimac - too funny! Yes, someone should be enjoying your baby, and that someone should not be the port of oakland.

Akikiki - orphan 60 kWh, black, black leather/piano, pano, 21", air, sound, tech, child seats, supercharging. I saw a beautiful, new (assuming so because no plates) black MS the other day on the freeway and could only dream . . . .

 

[Akikiki]

jatk, That's nice. I noticed the supercharging. Was that already enabled? I am hopeful one day we will have at least one supercharger here. That would be nice, huh?

 

[jatk]

jatk, That's nice. I noticed the supercharging. Was that already enabled? I am hopeful one day we will have at least one supercharger here. That would be nice, huh?

It would be great to have a supercharger on the island, but I'm not holding my breath. I tried to get tesla to eliminate the supercharging capability from my config, but was told I have to take the car exactly as it was built. You're very lucky they allowed you to make changes.

 

[Akikiki]

Yes, I think I was lucky. But my changes were not as permanent as yours. They pulled the 21's and went back to 19's. The savings difference there offset the tech pkg it had. Then I added the second charger. I told them I accepted the responsibilty to pay for the charger. If it had been added at the factory, there would have been no labor. So I asked TM to eat the labor. That was what, $2000? They agreed. TM shipped it to Barry a couple of weeks later. And he installed it a week later when he wasn't so busy. I don't think I would have been so lucky, if it was not the last day of the 1st quarter. That was another car sale that moved from their books to a sale.