Not too long ago, CleanTechnica revealed my article about previous age and electrical automobiles. It obtained a a lot greater response than I anticipated, so I believed, why not share among the different tales folks despatched me about their experiences with EVs as they enter the third age. Many because of those that contributed tales and concepts from CleanTechnica and from Fb. Considerations raised have been: Are you able to get your walker within the boot? Does your gray hair conflict with the color of your automotive? Can a Tesla Mannequin 3 substitute a pacemaker or play cupid?
Let’s begin with an electrical romance. Seems an EV is nice for the center. Hugh Sykes met Margaret MacDonald by way of their shared love of EVs. They’re each over 75 and love to advertise EVs by way of neighborhood displays (Rotary, PROBUS, and the College of the Third Age). They have been married in 2022 and have been interviewed on Australian tv about their modern-day romance. “We weren’t excited about private publicity however have been eager to unfold the phrase about the advantages of adjusting to EVs,” Hugh tells me. Watch the video right here (additionally embedded under). Love the pickup line from the ’50s — “Would you want to return for a drive in my automotive?”
Hugh and Margaret have been on many street journeys and are nonetheless collectively. She drives a 2019 Hyundai Kona Electrical and he a Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary.
Hugh and Margaret discovered that EVs are good for the center. Photograph courtesy of Hugh Sykes.
“As a result of I’m an previous fart, I referred to as my M3LR ‘SilentButDeadly’. For those who’ve ever pulled up within the inside lane subsequent to me on the lights, younger fella, you’ll know why ….” Don’t want a pacemaker to maintain the center racing.
“I’m 72 and had one of many first-generation Nissan Leafs on Wellington, New Zealand. I ran it for 7 years and 80,000 km simply going backwards and forwards to work. It greater than paid for itself. Then 2 years in the past I moved to the Coromandel however nonetheless needed to go to Wellington recurrently, so I purchased a 2nd technology Hyundai Kona. Up to now I’ve travelled 54,000 km in it. Each automobiles have been completely faultless and I like them.”
“My 91-year-old father drives a Polestar. Thoughts you, he additionally writes his personal laptop code to create video games to amuse himself.”
“As an over 60, I realised if I didn’t get an electrical automotive now, I could not get an opportunity to drive one, so I purchased a BYD Atto 3. My daughter (mid 30’s) needs to attend one other 10 years to see how the expertise improves and if costs go down. I don’t know what I’ll be like in my 70’s so far as driving capacity and confidence. I didn’t need one thing that I wanted to subscribe to or one thing so minimalist that I’m consistently twiddling with the display screen. An inexpensive value additionally helped.”
“I purchased a brand new 40 kW Leaf in February. I’m in my late 60’s and located little or no change wanted for transition. Love e pedal driving previous petrol stations.”
“After we collected our Tesla we have been the one 60 plus couple amassing. Principally youthful households with their excited kids. All actively on telephones and in entrance seats investigating their new automobiles’ screens and capabilities. A household occasion. As soon as comfortably within the know, away they drove.”
“I’m 75 and now we have had our BYD since January. Adore it, and I like the acceleration once I take off. I’m certain I don’t use as a lot of the technical stuff as I may, however that’s life.”
“Hmmm … ‘older folks’? Older than what? We’re two people nearing 70 who drove Perth-Melbourne-Sydney and again in our Kona EV. All the time joyful to talk about that have.”
“Our Atto 3 will most likely see us out, as we’re early 70s. Adore it! We don’t stream music or watch Netflix or use Sport mode, however we benefit from the intelligent options we do use!”
“I’m 62 and purchased my Atto3 to absorb among the energy I get from my photo voltaic panels. I simply get 420 km from a cost and I’m utilizing my automotive to drive for Uber. I’m consistently complimented on the automotive with about 1 in 5 passengers saying the automotive is sort of a spaceship. I want it got here with a spare. I nonetheless can’t recover from the wonderful financial system and effectivity of the automobile. 60 kWh prices me $18 for my 420 km. My feed-in is simply 10 cents/kWh, decreasing this to $6 for 420 km. In summer time I export loads of energy at 5 cents/kWh, decreasing a full cost price to $3. I want somebody would work out a value efficient technique to run my home off the automotive battery at night time.”
“In 2022, each 75, my spouse and I purchased an Ioniq 5, to place our cash the place our environmental mouth was. It’s particular, you may simply drive it, with out worrying/understanding all of the techno-stuff accessible. After a number of months, we did learn to use the good cruise management, which we love on our occasional freeway journeys. Additionally, you may simply drive it with out worrying about lots of upkeep. We’ve rotated the tires (at our native long-time pleasant unbiased auto service store) a number of occasions, and that’s it. Electrics are positively nice automobiles for us previous folks.”
“We’re in our late 60s with a 2019 Leaf. We’ve pushed a number of occasions from Sydney to Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. We’ve the time and need to journey slowly, and to discover the nation on our journeys, which makes common stops for charging pleasurable. Our solely problem is the batteries overheating after lengthy distance driving and 2-3 quick fees in a day. We love driving it across the metropolis — quiet, responsive, and simple to park.”
“I believe tech-savvy is a greater predictor than age of EV acceptance. Youthful folks are likely to have grown up with computer systems, however then once more, I’m 64, retired from a profession in IT, and I like our Tesla.”
“I’ve a 2018 gray import Leaf and adore it. I estimate I’ll have saved between $5000–$8000 in gas this calendar yr. Popping out of your pension it’s some huge cash. As a result of I’m retired, I can cost the Leaf through the day from the photo voltaic panels, price $0. I discover I’m driving much less so the vary nervousness is lastly getting underneath management too.” Good for the center and for the pockets.
“Older folks most likely don’t drive sufficient to make EV worthwhile. For those who’re spending $700 a yr on gas, a $40k-plus EV isn’t wise.”
“I’m in my mid-60s, and I believe there are a number of options of EVs that IMHO make them notably appropriate for older drivers and specifically could allow folks to drive longer, eg: simplicity of driving (together with predictability) — you may focus extra on the environment; quietness — can hear outdoors noises extra simply, and refinement — a lot much less tiring on lengthy drives.”
“The general public I do know of their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s constructed their first EV’s many years in the past. However I hang around with unusual crowds, that prefer to tinker.”
“As an octogenarian, I opted to purchase a efficiency Mannequin 3. That was 4 years in the past. An outback street and farm keep north-west of Damaged Hill and plenty of different street journeys later I’m completely hooked. We purchased a caravan to efficiently show EVs positively don’t destroy your weekend. Should say it positively beats the AMG (actually). My spouse, additionally an octogenarian, drove a 25 yr previous Mitsubishi Magna. Not too long ago she purchased an 11-year-old Nissan Leaf. With an 80–100 km vary she says it’s good for ‘tootling off to the retailers’. The Leaf beats the RAM pushed by her a lot youthful sisters to choose up the children from college. We take pleasure in sharing our data and love of EVs with youthful generations.”
“The older I get the extra I need to keep away from doing oil and filter adjustments. Additionally, regenerative braking ought to scale back the variety of occasions I’ve to go in for brand spanking new brakes. And at last, if I die, the spouse could be significantly better off with an EV, as a result of automobile upkeep just isn’t her robust go well with. The purpose being, being older makes me extra more likely to need an EV, not much less seemingly.”
“A lot of enjoyable and really easy to regulate to the variations. No hassle in any respect and most of the options are a lot safer for older folks. My reflexes is probably not as quick, however my automotive has quick reflexes. I can see all of the automobiles round me with out even turning my head. The blind spot display screen and the lean display screen on my Tesla S is a particular profit for older drivers. Love having the ability to cost at dwelling. Been mugged twice at fuel stations and we’re focused as we’re older and slower. I don’t have the complete driving options however will most likely add it subsequent yr. Even the partial auto drive is nice. I went on a visit from Dallas to Galveston 5 days after getting my Tesla S. So go for it! A few years over 65. I believe it’s fantastic that each one these adjustments have occurred throughout my lifetime and I’m going to reap the benefits of them. No horse and buggy for me.”
One reader instructed that I ought to ask the query: Are you too younger for an EV? Put a 16-year-old male driver in a Tesla Mannequin S Plaid and stand again. Is likely to be an article in that! Keep tuned!
I do not like paywalls. You do not like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Right here at CleanTechnica, we carried out a restricted paywall for some time, however it at all times felt mistaken — and it was at all times robust to resolve what we should always put behind there. In concept, your most unique and finest content material goes behind a paywall. However then fewer folks learn it! We simply don’t love paywalls, and so we have determined to ditch ours.
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