A team from General Motors took two pre-production electric vehicles on an epic road trip, collecting real-world data and even helping solve annoying charging issues along the way.
The company documented a 5,000-mile road trip testing the Cadillac OPTIQ luxury crossover and GMC Sierra EV pickup truck. While driving, three GM engineers collected data on hands-free driver assistance systems, electric vehicle charging, and real-time range predictions when towing a trailer.
“We have direct access to many real-world scenarios, from towing capabilities and GPS navigation updates to Super Cruise behavior in unusual situations,” said Tony Kraatz, quality engineering manager.
GM noted that both vehicles were equipped with advanced monitoring equipment that helped the team “find the root cause of the frustrating issue”: slow performance of a public fast-charging system. Eventually, they discovered a typo in the charger’s software code that was causing the slowdown. They contacted the operator, who immediately resolved the issue.
This kind of extreme real-world testing helps improve the overall performance of electric vehicles, which should be a win for wider adoption of electric vehicles. Driving an electric vehicle can help lower fuel costs, according to the Department of Energy, but it added that the initial cost of an electric vehicle can be higher than that of an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Still, many states offer rebates or tax credits to help offset the impact. For example, New Mexico residents can receive a $3,000 state tax credit when purchasing a new electric vehicle.
Electric vehicle owners can save more money and avoid annoying glitches like the one described by GM by charging at home instead of using public chargers. If you’re interested in exploring home charging options, Qmerit can help you get started with a Level 2 charger system. The company also offers free installation estimates.
If you’re ready to save even more, using solar energy to power your home can help lower charging costs even further. TCD’s Solar Explorer has resources to connect you with trusted partners, helping you save up to $10,000 in installation costs.
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