Lately, CleanTechnica printed my article about outdated age and electrical autos. It obtained a a lot larger response than I anticipated, so I assumed, why not share a number of 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 automobile? Can a Tesla Mannequin 3 change a pacemaker or play cupid?

Let’s begin with an electrical romance. Seems an EV is nice for the guts. Hugh Sykes met Margaret MacDonald by means of their shared love of EVs. They’re each over 75 and love to advertise EVs by means of group shows (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 occupied with 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 beneath). Love the pickup line from the ’50s — “Would you want to come back for a drive in my automobile?”

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 guts. Photograph courtesy of Hugh Sykes.

“As a result of I’m an outdated fart, I referred to as my M3LR ‘SilentButDeadly’. If you happen to’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 guts 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 often, so I purchased a 2nd era Hyundai Kona. To date 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 automobile now, I’ll not get an opportunity to drive one, so I purchased a BYD Atto 3. My daughter (mid 30’s) desires to attend one other 10 years to see how the know-how improves and if costs go down. I don’t know what I’ll be like in my 70’s so far as driving potential 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 worth 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.”

“Once we collected our Tesla we have been the one 60 plus couple amassing. Largely youthful households with their excited youngsters. 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 we’ve had our BYD since January. Adore it, and I like the acceleration after I take off. I’m certain I don’t use as a lot of the technical stuff as I might, 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 acquired my Atto3 to absorb a number of the energy I get from my photo voltaic panels. I simply get 420 km from a cost and I’m utilizing my automobile to drive for Uber. I’m consistently complimented on the automobile with about 1 in 5 passengers saying the automobile 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 barely 10 cents/kWh, lowering this to $6 for 420 km. In summer season I export loads of energy at 5 cents/kWh, lowering a full cost price to $3. I want somebody would work out a value efficient option to run my home off the automobile battery at evening.”

“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’ll be able to simply drive it, with out worrying/understanding all of the techno-stuff out there. After just a few months, we did learn to use the good cruise management, which we love on our occasional freeway journeys. Additionally, you’ll be able to simply drive it with out worrying about numerous upkeep. We’ve rotated the tires (at our native long-time pleasant unbiased auto service store) just a few occasions, and that’s it. Electrics are positively nice automobiles for us outdated people.”

“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 now have the time and want to journey slowly, and to discover the nation on our journeys, which makes common stops for charging fulfilling. Our solely problem is the batteries overheating after lengthy distance driving and 2-3 quick prices in a day. We love driving it across the metropolis — quiet, responsive, and straightforward to park.”

“I feel tech-savvy is a greater predictor than age of EV acceptance. Youthful folks are inclined 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 12 months. Popping out of your pension it’s some huge cash. As a result of I’m retired, I can cost the Leaf in the course of 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 guts and for the pockets.

“Older folks most likely don’t drive sufficient to make EV worthwhile. If you happen to’re spending $700 a 12 months on gas, a $40k-plus EV isn’t wise.”

“I’m in my mid-60s, and I feel 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’ll be able to focus extra on the environment; quietness — can hear exterior 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 wish 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 break your weekend. Should say it positively beats the AMG (actually). My spouse, additionally an octogenarian, drove a 25 12 months outdated Mitsubishi Magna. Lately she purchased an 11-year-old Nissan Leaf. With an 80–100 km vary she says it’s excellent for ‘tootling off to the retailers’. The Leaf beats the RAM pushed by her a lot youthful sisters to select up the children from faculty. We take pleasure in sharing our information and love of EVs with youthful generations.”

“The older I get the extra I wish to keep away from doing oil and filter modifications. Additionally, regenerative braking ought to scale back the variety of occasions I’ve to go in for brand new brakes. And at last, if I die, the spouse can be significantly better off with an EV, as a result of automobile upkeep just isn’t her robust swimsuit. The purpose being, being older makes me extra prone to need an EV, not much less doubtless.”

“A lot of enjoyable and really easy to regulate to the variations. No bother in any respect and most of the options are a lot safer for older folks. My reflexes will not be as quick, however my automobile 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 residence. Been mugged twice at fuel stations and we’re focused as we’re older and slower. I don’t have the total driving options however will most likely add it subsequent 12 months. 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 feel it’s fantastic that each one these modifications have occurred throughout my lifetime and I’m going to benefit from them. No horse and buggy for me.”

One reader prompt 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. Could 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 applied a restricted paywall for some time, however it at all times felt incorrect — and it was at all times robust to determine 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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