I am in a similar position. Q4 Etron also comes to mind; but deliveries might not be until January. Lucid is also interesting, but way out there with deliveries.
Tesla has some serious advantages, that as an ICE convert, I feel are a big deal. Like…
- Infotainment mapping software - ability to effortlessly plan trips & stops with charging stations
- Charging station experience - more reliable, “lite-touch” - plug-n-go (Out of spec motoring experience with different EV’s on different non-Tesla chargers is an eye opener to the reliability and annoying payment authorization processes. Tesla has this figured out). Tesla sets a standard with charging performance that only Porsche seem capable of hitting
- Range. As a ICE convert, I seem to think I always need the ability to drive 600 miles in a day, if I want. The ability to charge fast, and also get 300 miles+ of range, is reassuring
Ford has some things I like. A rotary volume knob, comparable performance, dealership support network and auto body shops capable of servicing them everywhere, history of building vehicles, a frunk.
A lot of it comes down to looks. I feel the charging experience is going to create a lot of friction on road trips - unnecessary detours, slow charging & waiting in the car, staying in more expensive hotels (for their chargers). I almost want the Model S - just for the 400 miles of range. So I am placing a ton of emphasis on things that eliminate these concerns. I live in a cold climate, and can’t imagine the anxiety of driving an EV with mid-200 mile range (in warm weather…) in 2 degree temperatures with -20 degree wind chills. Throwing a ski rack on a vehicle will reduce range (trying to imagine the long weekend trips with 600 mile round trip of driving), add some family to the vehicle, luggage on the trailer hitch…
I try and be a realist. I know some of the areas won’t have significant amount of EV charging - especially fast charging. They might not be reliable. Ford (and other brands) need to improve the charging experience (reliable charging, fast charging, super easy payment and authorization). Imagine a frustrating day - you are in a rush, and now you have to deal with all the (potential) annoyances of non-Tesla charging experience? No thanks. Laggy infotainment, poor route planning software, clunky payment & authorization, unreliable chargers, can’t use Tesla chargers…other auto companies are just doing this for the first time - in a serious way.
Tesla has a decade on these guys, in every area that matters. Their build quality isn’t an issue - they could fix it if they wanted. It isn’t for the lack of knowledge or brain power. These folks at Tesla are focusing on the areas that allows Tesla to be the top EV company. This includes beating unproven brands (with great tech) like Lucid. GM makes reliable vehicles, yet they are caught up with battery issues. VW/Audi/Porsche make millions of vehicles - but the original Etrons had tons of issues, massively depreciated, had mediocre range, and mediocre driving dynamics. Tesla is the only company that really knows how to do this. Other companies make cars, not EV’s, and are trying to figure out how to build EV’s - and integrate the suppliers, retool the factories, retrain the workforce. These same companies are going to have issues - like GM. People will have bad experiences, mediocre experiences - and awesome experiences. Tesla provides the best experience an EV owner can get.
Mach-E is pretty sweet; though I wish it were made in America, especially in Michigan. But it is made in Mexico. Model Y’s are made in Fremont, California or Austin, Texas. I like what Ford is doing, but….every brand but Tesla….Lucid….Rivian…are taking half hearted approaches toward this effort. Tesla is the only game in town, delivering vehicles. This is why Tesla is worth 1 trillion dollars - more than the combined value of all other automotive companies (including Rivian and Lucid). Every employee at Tesla wakes up to work at an electric vehicle company, that has only ever existed to make electric vehicles. Every other brand is making ICE vehicles, and reading the instruction booklet on how to make EV’s - trying to copy and paste Tesla success. The other brands don’t even know how to make EV’s - many are relying on suppliers and OEM’s in ways that Tesla doesn’t (almost as if they are building a custom computer in the 90’s - everyone could source parts, and build Frankenstein computers).
It’s like…Apple…and Tesla will rule the world. These two brands just get how to to make products consumers want…and deserve.
