[Dormant] Electric Vehicles @lemmy.world mesamune @lemmy.world 4mo ago

Easiest used electric car to repair/diy?

What is the easiest used electric car that people can replace parts/batteries?

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Aptera is fully right to repair, so I'd say them even though their car won't be available for a few more months.
- I'm looking forward to seeing where they go in a year or so. They just kinda look strange but I'm all for right to repair.
  
  It's the most aerodynamic vehicle ever made for mainstream production, so that's why it looks a bit odd. But it's amazing they'll send you the 3D printing data so you can print replacement parts!
- Framework of electric vehicles
  
  It would be amazing if vehicle infotainment systems used some sort of framework-style standard to make it easy to upgrade. Currently cars are basically outdated tech-wise before they roll off the production line. Would be great if you could pop in a new motherboard, screen, etc.
Nissan Leaf
I have a basic "compliance" car that is a 2014 Ford Focus with 140,000 miles. The only maintenance i have done so far is replace the 12v battery and put tires on it.
- They sell them as electric?
  
  Edit: interesting I guess they do! How costly was the battery replacement?
  
  The 12v battery is the exact same thing you'd put in a gas car. In the US it's required by law, and it's mostly just used to run your accessories.
- What is a "compliance" car?
  
  There was a short period of time where California required manufacturers to produce EVs. No one was ready for it so they produced bare minimums to stay in compliance.
  
  There are very few of these still on the road. Ford likes to act like the MachE and Lightning are their first EVs, but they had Fusions, Focuses, and Rangers in EV platforms in that era.
If you don't currently own an EV, why not ease into it with a plug in hybrid. Personally, I think it's more practical right now.

18 comments