[Zelie EV]

I am brand new to EVs and have a locked in reservation for a Pro S RWD.

Having a charge point installed in my home on 11/17. Purchased Electrify America Home Charging Station.
Expecting to begin my ownership experience in May of 2022.

Observations:

Dealers have the most "accurate and up to date" info on expected delivery date when compared to owner's site or calling VW.
Don't Drill into the tailgate of your ID4 to mount your license plate.
Look for issues of fit and fitment, in particular rear tail light assembly.
ID4s are good cars, not just a good ev.

Comments

At this point I am a sponge. I am attempting to separate good data from bad when it comes to the whole EV ownership experience, particularly as it applies to the ID4.

Not new to forums, as I owned and rode a Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 Motor Cycle and was a member of their owner's group and forum for years.

 

[ChristophW]

Welcome! Sponge mode is ideal, especially with your mindset of separating the wheat from the chaff.
Look at dealers in your area., maybe you find the RWD Pro S you want on the lot.

 

[Zelie EV]

Thank you, I will be looking. I found and drove a "used" Pro S. Loved it, but not interested in losing the tax credit or 3 yrs of free charging. I will keep looking at dealers in my area. I am doubtful anyone will have one on the lot that is not already sold. That has been my experience so far.

 

[SunWizard]

Welcome to the forum. Here is a tip that has worked for many: call all dealers in your area and ask to be put on a waiting list for any cancellations they may get. I just got a callback for one matching my order, but the trouble is that its scheduled ETA Jan. 15 is the same time as my order thats been waiting for a year. So I turned it down, and somebody got it with a much shorter wait!

I agree with your observations, but even the dealer info is not that good until yours is in production. Up to that point, they basically quote the portal info, which you cannot trust, although its much better for RWD than AWD. I expect lots of cancellations as we get into 2022 a few months and they are still delivering 2021 models (depending on what changes they announce for 2022.)

 

[Manybees]

Welcome! I've been driving an EV for over 3 years now (started with a VW e-Golf in 2018), and here are a few things I've learned about EV driving that are not specific to the ID.4, but that maybe you still might find interesting or useful:

• The EPA range for an EV is an estimate, not an absolute, guaranteed number. Your mileage can, and will, vary, even in the middle of a trip.
• The range that you see displayed on the dashboard of an EV (aka on the "guess-o-meter") is only an estimate based on a number of variables, including, but not limited to, how fast you drive it, how aggressively you drive it, on what terrain, and in what weather. One day, you might charge to 80% and the guess-o-meter says 284 miles, and the next day, when you charge to 80% it might say 223 miles. It's all relative to how you've been driving and on those other factors.
• Driving an EV at fast highway speeds (70mph+) will kill your range pretty fast if for no reason other than wind resistance increases exponentially with increased speed. Don't expect to drive an EV 75-80mph over long distances and get anywhere close to the EPA's estimated range.
• That being said, EVs love lower speeds and are a dream to drive in traffic jams. They just eat up slow traffic. If your main use is mostly local driving at non-highway speeds your range will likely exceed the EPA estimated range.
• Download at least the following apps to help you plan your charging and find out what's around: Plugshare, Electrify America, EVGo, ChargePoint, and possibly ABRP. There's also Greenlots and Blnk and a few others but they're not as widespread. Depends on where you are. Plugshare is best for finding charging because it includes all of the networks and has user reviews. That being said, the charging market is a bit of a hot mess right now because everybody has their own payment systems and their own apps.
• One of the most common questions you'll get from non-EV drivers will be "how long does it take to charge." You can, of course, go into a long explanation about Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging, and the different use cases that demand different charging strategies etc. etc. etc. — and watch their eyes glaze over — or (since you'll be charging at home), you can say cheekily "It takes 5 seconds. I plug it in, go inside, and forget about it." It's not really a full or entirely accurate answer, but it helps move non-EV people away from thinking of charging in the same framework as gassing up a fossil car. I like to think of charging EVs more in terms of how we charge our phones — overnight and without thinking about it too much.
• For me, range anxiety only existed before I owned an EV. Once I owned one, I just learned what the car was capable of and planned accordingly. No big deal. Honestly, I think range anxiety is largely (or at least partly) a "but what about..." phenomenon that people use as a default response because they fear change.
• One wonderful moment is maybe a year into ownership (for me at least) when you realize you haven't been to a gas station in almost a year. Same thing with oil changes etc.
• One of the most pleasurable moments of driving an EV is seeing gas prices shooting up and knowing it doesn't affect you. Electricity prices are relatively stable and rarely change (unless you're in a crazy place like Texas).
• And one more great thing for me at least was realizing that after 3 years of EV ownership, I'd spent around $100 on maintenance total over that time period — changed the cabin air filter myself, installed new windshield wipers twice, and added new wiper fluid.
• All of this being said, EVs are just flat out fun to drive. Ultra quiet, peppy, instant power. I found that I was making excuses just to go out for a drive because it was such a pleasure. Fahrvergnügen, indeed.

Welcome to the EV world. I hope it treats you as well as it has treated me so far! Cheers.

 

[VW TECHNICIAN]

And to make insult against ICE cars....some of them will drain full tank of fuel in less than 20 minutes going 200+ MPH... on Autobahn.

 

[Spin]

I am brand new to EVs and have a locked in reservation for a Pro S RWD.

Having a charge point installed in my home on 11/17. Purchased Electrify America Home Charging Station.
Expecting to begin my ownership experience in May of 2022.

Observations:

Dealers have the most "accurate and up to date" info on expected delivery date when compared to owner's site or calling VW.
Don't Drill into the tailgate of your ID4 to mount your license plate.
Look for issues of fit and fitment, in particular rear tail light assembly.
ID4s are good cars, not just a good ev.

Comments

At this point I am a sponge. I am attempting to separate good data from bad when it comes to the whole EV ownership experience, particularly as it applies to the ID4.

Not new to forums, as I owned and rode a Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 Motor Cycle and was a member of their owner's group and forum for years.

Welcome to the group! As others have said, check local (and not so local) dealers for canceled orders. That is how I got my FE last March. This is also my first EV and I am lovin it, especially as I watch gas prices go through the roof! Good luck!

 

[Don]

Welcome! I've been driving an EV for over 3 years now (started with a VW e-Golf in 2018), and here are few things I've learned about EV driving that are not specific to the ID.4, but that maybe you still might find interesting or useful:

Kudos to you for an excellent primer on EV ownership for first time buyers!

In 10 years now of EV driving, we've found 'range anxiety' to be pretty much a nothing burger - And that is driving cars with an EPA 62 mile estimated range. If it looks at all like you might not make it to your destination without running out, just slow down! As you mentioned, the faster you go, the more juice gets eaten up by wind resistance and the obverse is also true - The slower you go, the more miles you can go without running out. If you're low on charge and there is a back road home which is only a little longer (or maybe even a little shorter) than taking the freeway, use the back roads and you'll make it home for sure. In 10 years and 80,000 miles with two Mitsubishi EV's, we've never not made it back home. With an ID.4, this is even less of a consideration - If you end up stranded in this car, you made a major miscalculation somewhere

Don

 

[EddieJoe]

Kudos to you for an excellent primer on EV ownership for first time buyers!

In 10 years now of EV driving, we've found 'range anxiety' to be pretty much a nothing burger - And that is driving cars with an EPA 62 mile estimated range. If it looks at all like you might not make it to your destination without running out, just slow down! As you mentioned, the faster you go, the more juice gets eaten up by wind resistance and the obverse is also true - The slower you go, the more miles you can go without running out. If you're low on charge and there is a back road home which is only a little longer (or maybe even a little shorter) than taking the freeway, use the back roads and you'll make it home for sure. In 10 years and 80,000 miles with two Mitsubishi EV's, we've never not made it back home. With an ID.4, this is even less of a consideration - If you end up stranded in this car, you made a major miscalculation somewhere

Don

I hope I feel the same way once I get my ID and begin driving. Right now, after a lifetime of many ICE vehicles and still owning two, my habits are really ingrained. I AM concerned about range, and about charging away from home, but thinking I’ll get over some of it.
Most of us are used to going 300-400 miles or more before thinking about fuel, and then it’s so easy to find a gas station almost anywhere. At least for me, I don’t let the vehicle determine how fast I’ll drive or which road I’ll take because of available range or charging infrastructure. Instead, my personal desires are satisfied, rather than the limitations of my vehicle. If I want to blast down the interstate at 80 mph to make time or mosey on scenic back roads there will be a gas station although there might not be a charging station.

So going to an EV and being concerned about range or charging is hardly a “Nothing burger”. Actually, it’s quite a big deal for me to contemplate the necessary changes. This is why, IMO, plug in hybrids and regular ICE hybrids are pretty popular still. But I’m still willing to give up my nice, and relatively new ICE Subaru Outback to give it a go, Although, my wife’s CX-5 will be there if we need it.

 

[Stinsy]

I don’t let the vehicle determine how fast I’ll drive or which road I’ll take because of available range or charging infrastructure. Instead, my personal desires are satisfied, rather than the limitations of my vehicle. If I want to blast down the interstate at 80 mph to make time or mosey on scenic back roads there will be a gas station although there might not be a charging station.

Unless you're willing to change a BEV isn't for you.

The best way to control range is by adjusting your speed. If you're "blast[ing] down the interstate at 80 mph" and you're 100 miles from home but the indicator says 90miles left in the battery, you'll make it if you slow down a bit, or be stuck at the side of the road if you carry on at 80.

The same for charging. Long journeys in a BEV require planning around charging infrastructure. If you fail to do that you'll have a miserable time.

None of this is arduous. But if you drive as fast as you like with no regard to how this affects range, and take whatever route you like just hoping a charger will appear where you need one, you will find BEV-ownership to be thoroughly miserable. But please don't blame the car. That would be like criticising a Ferrari for failing to fit a washer-drier combo you found on sale at Home Depot.

 

[EddieJoe]

Unless you're willing to change a BEV isn't for you.

The best way to control range is by adjusting your speed. If you're "blast[ing] down the interstate at 80 mph" and you're 100 miles from home but the indicator says 90miles left in the battery, you'll make it if you slow down a bit, or be stuck at the side of the road if you carry on at 80.

The same for charging. Long journeys in a BEV require planning around charging infrastructure. If you fail to do that you'll have a miserable time.

None of this is arduous. But if you drive as fast as you like with no regard to how this affects range, and take whatever route you like just hoping a charger will appear where you need one, you will find BEV-ownership to be thoroughly miserable. But please don't blame the car. That would be like criticising a Ferrari for failing to fit a washer-drier combo you found on sale at Home Depot.

Now you are getting arrogant. If fast charging infrastructure does not expand or technology does not evolve to make EV driving relatively painless then only the relatively few will buy one. Having to carefully plot a course dependent on fast charging locations is a burden, and an impediment to widespread adoption of EVs. This is why governments around the world are expanding support for infrastructure.

Right now, successful long range EV trips are celebrated like an oddity, rather than normal, and practiced by the devoted. That isn’t an attitude problem, it’s a structural one. Unless I can eventually drive an EV with nearly the freedom I drive my ICE vehicle it will always be a “second car”, suitable only for short trips in town or nearby.

 

[EddieJoe]

I should have also mentioned that the success of Tesla is, in part, due to the fantastic fast charging and destination charger network they have established, and the software to make it so easy to use. I’ve had that demonstrated to me, and it makes other companies look like Stone Age in comparison. But I am not buying a Tesla, so until we all can do the same long range travel will be a PITA.
im hoping for better, soon, or I wouldn’t buy an EV soon.

 

[Stinsy]

Now you are getting arrogant.

I’ve read my post again and could see nothing that could be considered “arrogant”.

You have to understand what you are buying and use it within its capabilities. To do otherwise is a recipe for disaster.

(I only read the first 5 words of your post.)

 

[Don]

Now you are getting arrogant. If fast charging infrastructure does not expand or technology does not evolve to make EV driving relatively painless then only the relatively few will buy one. Having to carefully plot a course dependent on fast charging locations is a burden, and an impediment to widespread adoption of EVs. This is why governments around the world are expanding support for infrastructure.

That's all true - But we're not there yet and until there are 4 or 5 times more fast chargers out there than there are now, the car will dictate a few things and it sounds like you're not ready. Even then, once you're 100 miles from the nearest freeway things will still be scarce, so far as fast charging opportunities go. That's one reason why the ID.4's 11Kw Level 2 charging is so nice - Even when you must revert to 'slow charging' it's not all that slow

A friend has made two 'circuits of America' in his Tesla Model S (which has free Supercharge charging) and he still encountered many 'unusual' charge opportunities, because he wasn't just driving freeways. He carried a box of adapters so he could plug into virtually any electrical outlet, anywhere and I remember him saying he recharged once at a trailer park and another time at a welding shop. He looked on it as an adventure and he met lots of nice people, but somehow I sense that this would not be your attitude

In 10 or 15 years, I suspect there will be a fast charger on most every corner, but until then, it's always going to require some map reading and pre-planning

 

[surprising]

I've been a big EV fan since buying my Volt in 2013 (still runs great, most maintenance free car I've ever had), and then a Tesla Model S (sold after a year), and now an ID.4. But, I feel EVs are not ready for the masses. As a software/engineer type, I am comfortable with talking KW and KWH, figuring out how various factors impact range, etc, but for EVs to be accepted by the masses, we need to get to the 'get in and just drive' stage. I don't know what that means exactly, but probably starts with eradicating range anxiety.

Cold weather performance is a big deal and probably a huge shock to new owners. Even I was surprised at the range dropoff of my ID.4 once the cold weather hit. I was happily charging at EA every few days during the summer and skipping home charging. Now I've got the L1 charger hooked up as I was hitting the EA every other day.

All the factors that affect range add up- driving too fast, tire choice, accelerating too fast, etc. This affects all cars but no one really cares too much. But you take an ID.4 with 250 mile range, really 200 if you follow 80% guideline, even lower because you don't drive down to 0%, all these factors heavily eat into the already low range.

The charging to 80% guideline makes sense from a battery chemistry perspective but deters from the 'get in and drive' mentality. I think any reserve that needs to be added should be factored in, and just give us 0-100% without any need to think about it.

But perhaps all of the above could be tolerated if EV charging stations were as ubiquitous as gas stations, and charging was as fast as filling up a gas tank.

 

[EddieJoe]

I’ve read my post again and could see nothing that could be considered “arrogant”.

You have to understand what you are buying and use it within its capabilities. To do otherwise is a recipe for disaster.

(I only read the first 5 words of your post.)

Gently as I can, I remind you about your “nothing burger” lead statement. Unlike the silly masses of us out there that might have range anxiety, just slow down! Plan your trip, etc.! Anyone who can’t adjust to that paradigm shouldn’t buy an EV! If you can’t adapt to the vehicle, don’t drive one!

Reminds me of the early days of personal computers in the workplace and at home. If you can’t master MSDOS, don’t buy a personal computer, some said. Rather than keep the PC for inside experts, Apple invented a graphic interface and the market was transformed. Infrastructure and new tech will be that sauce for EVs.

The tone of all of your responses is the same. I certainly am aware of EV limitations, but that is exactly what is an impediment to widespread adoption. Right now It’s like a special club for people with time on their hands and/or lots of $, who can buy two vehicles: an EV for around town and an ICE road car. The average American family with three kids and a dog is not likely to go on a summer vacation with an EV, nor is a senior citizen who has trouble with a smartphone or tablet. Tesla has brilliantly made route planning reasonable already, but even there one must stick to major roads.

Everyone knows what is slowing down the adoption of EVs. It’s range anxiety, limited infrastructure, and cost.

 

[Big Blue]

I am doubtful anyone will have one on the lot that is not already sold. That has been my experience so far.

Not necessarily true. I visited two local dealerships and told them I was prepared to buy an ID.4. One called me two weeks later and told me three were being taken off the truck as we spoke. I went there immediately, negotiated the deal and left with the car. The remaining two were sold the next day.

This is in Southern California.

 

[Zelie EV]

Seems we have quite a conversation going. I would only add that I do not possess the qualities of Nostradamus, nor do I expect anyone contributing to this thread, or might I say any one who contributes to this forum can accurately predict the future of battery technology, the growth of EV charging infrastructure, or the rate at which the average world consumer will accept EVs. I expect that the EV world will evolve, the ID4 will evolve even before I accept delivery in May. All of us are quite like the first brave souls who abandoned the horse for a steam, electric, or gasoline powered carriage. None of us were witnesses to the transition from horsepower to fossil fossil fuel power. One of my long standing beliefs is this: “No one likes change except wet babies”. Bob Dylan was right, “The times they are a changin.”

 

[SunWizard]

Not necessarily true. I visited two local dealerships and told them I was prepared to buy an ID.4. One called me two weeks later and told me three were being taken off the truck as we spoke. I went there immediately, negotiated the deal and left with the car.

That must have been RWD. Here in CO, there were RWD sitting on the lots and even being discounted by $3700 off MSRP just a few months ago. Yet for AWD I have not heard of any on the lots, and the dealers I have called all have waitlists of 100-200 people who have been waiting a year like me.

 

[Zelie EV]

I hope I feel the same way once I get my ID and begin driving. Right now, after a lifetime of many ICE vehicles and still owning two, my habits are really ingrained. I AM concerned about range, and about charging away from home, but thinking I’ll get over some of it.
Most of us are used to going 300-400 miles or more before thinking about fuel, and then it’s so easy to find a gas station almost anywhere. At least for me, I don’t let the vehicle determine how fast I’ll drive or which road I’ll take because of available range or charging infrastructure. Instead, my personal desires are satisfied, rather than the limitations of my vehicle. If I want to blast down the interstate at 80 mph to make time or mosey on scenic back roads there will be a gas station although there might not be a charging station.

So going to an EV and being concerned about range or charging is hardly a “Nothing burger”. Actually, it’s quite a big deal for me to contemplate the necessary changes. This is why, IMO, plug in hybrids and regular ICE hybrids are pretty popular still. But I’m still willing to give up my nice, and relatively new ICE Subaru Outback to give it a go, Although, my wife’s CX-5 will be there if we need it.

I can understand how you feel that way. Many people, including my wife and I had some anxiety surrounding "what if we had to drive more than 250 miles". Our answer was to really closely examine our typical driving habits for a month in terms of miles driven. Next step was to form alternative strategies for those long drives or critical range situations. Rent a car, use the other car we have, or in cases where time isn't the top priority, drive the EV and evolve our thinking into a different mind set. I do believe that at owning an EV and enjoying the ride, will require a paradigm change for us. (my wife and I)