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Why are people waiting at Costco gas stations instead of buying Teslas?

Discussion in 'Electric Vehicles' started by JetFalcon, Oct 14, 2019.

  1. Sklith

    Sklith Member

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    Costco owns, and I can’t wait until they start putting chargers at all their parking lots.
     
    • Like x 1
    • Love x 1
  2. aronth5

    aronth5 Long Time Follower

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    Many good reasons and here is just one...
    For many families the Model S & X are too expensive and a sedan doesn't work when you need to carry taller items. The Model Y will help.
    Good example is my son. He loves my Model 3 but with a family the lack of a hatchback/liftback just doesn't work.
     
    • Like x 1
  3. Kenz

    Kenz Member

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    Plug in when you get home and leave in the morning with a 80% full charge.
    No gas station stops any more. What a relief it is.
     
    • Like x 2
  4. Kenz

    Kenz Member

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    I have submitted a request to COSTCO customer service that they install some EV chargers.
    Maybe they need to hear from others that there is a demand for EV chargers from their customers.
     
  5. Kenz

    Kenz Member

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    Maybe you can't afford a new EV but there are plenty of used EVs out there at inexpensive prices.
    Maybe not a Tesla but others. Used Nissan Leafs can be had for $5000.
     
  6. dmurphy

    dmurphy Woof.

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    ... which don’t have anywhere near the range needed to get most folks to/from work.

    Once used Model 3’s become available for under $20k, you’ll see them explode in popularity. That isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but they’ll be very popular.
     
    • Funny x 1
  7. wdolson

    wdolson Well-Known Member

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    Most of the time I don't wait at all because the car charges during times I don't need it and it has a 90% charge every time I do need it. Last week I did take a road trip to California and supercharged a number of times. More than once supercharging was done before I was ready because I was grabbing a bite to eat. I waited once about 10 minutes for the car to finish charging while I was on the phone. Another time I had to wait about 5 minutes after getting back from answering the call of nature. I stayed a couple of nights with family and had to charge at 120V, which was a little annoying, but didn't need the car (we were hauling stuff with my sister's truck) and the other nights were all in hotels that either had destination chargers or were literally next door to a supercharger.

    Well over 99% of the time charging is more convenient than putting gas in the car and the few times where I do have to wait it really isn't that big a deal.
     
    • Like x 2
  8. Kamban

    Kamban Member

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    Maybe in TX it is different but here in the SE the people who can afford the ever increasingly expensive Costco membership are the ones who can afford the 40K+ cars. Not the poor souls having a beater car. And the people who pull up to the gas pumps in Costco come in Lexuses, BMW, Mercedes and huge expensive pickups. All well over 50K.

    You don't see the $20K Honda civic there much. They usually go to the nearby Shell or QT.
     
  9. Kamban

    Kamban Member

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    Are you asking for free chargers or paid chargers. Our local Sams has a few Electrify America CCS / Other type chargers and the rates are exorbitant. I would rather come home and plug in for a cheaper rate than charge there.
     
  10. ebmcs03

    ebmcs03 Active Member

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    They do. In Torrance CA. And someone had cut all the cables in the whole city for the copper.
     
  11. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    Until a doofus like me plows head on to his Camry with my Model X while I’m watching Harry Potter on my laptop and a nag defeat device on the wheel.

    Tesla’s are a tank when hit and are also a tank when they hit something else.
     
  12. sperkin

    sperkin Member

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    Go early in the morning or late at night. No lines. Also, maybe some people only get gas once a month.
     
  13. ebmcs03

    ebmcs03 Active Member

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    Toyota builds safe cars too.
    Why would you watch it on your laptop? You should defeat the Tesla Theater and watch on Netflix.
     
  14. MXWing

    MXWing Well-Known Member

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    Not the safest though. Point is one should invest in defense even if they don’t care about status symbols, performance, gadgets, etc.
     
  15. ebmcs03

    ebmcs03 Active Member

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    I agree. I don’t understand why some people are so cheap when i know they can afford it. At least get something newer with the safety features instead of driving a 10 year old car.
     
    • Like x 1
  16. MichaelP90DL

    MichaelP90DL Active Member

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    Print up some flyers that say something like:

    WHY ARE YOU STILL PAYING $4 A GALLON FOR GAS? How much do you spend in gas per month? Order a Tesla and kiss gas goodbye. Charge up at home or on the road. The total cost of ownership of a Model 3 is less than a Toyota Camry. Go to: tesla.com.

    Then pass 'em out to everyone waiting in line...before security notices you.
     
    • Like x 1
  17. ElectricLee

    ElectricLee Member

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    San Jose
    No more Costco lines for me. Charge at home and save money. Charge while shopping at the mall or movies. Eat lunch or dinner while on long trips snd charging. Love my Model 3!
     
    • Like x 1
  18. Akikiki

    Akikiki A'-Lo-HA ! y'all

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    Not everyone is as smart as Hugh.
     
  19. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney Well-Known Member

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    Maybe they're not idiots, are rational, and don't get frightened disproportionately by statistics.
     
    • Disagree x 1
  20. JetFalcon

    JetFalcon Member

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    I see plenty of new Mercedes / BMW / Lexus waiting in line at Costco gas stations at the Tustin CA location.

    Think a good amount of them can afford an EV or Tesla but choose not to because they think gas is more convenient. Or they just prefer the sound / feel of gas cars.

    Yet they still will wait in those long lines to save a few bucks on a $50-70 purchase. Like they resent the idea of paying full price for gas but don’t wanna consider alternate energy.
     

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