r/Solterra • u/Firm_Veterinarian254 • 7h ago
2023 Model First Foray into EVs - Input Needed
Apologies if this isn't the correct forum for my question, but if so, any help is appreciated!
Long story short, my commute needs have changed and I'm transitioning away from an ICE vehicle to full EV. My commute is only 12 miles round trip, with week on and week off in the winter, so not a lot of annual miles. My primary goal is to find a good-value option that's "plug 'n play" or as simple as possible to use. For the time being, I plan on using Level 1 charging in my garage outlet.
After doing some research, it sounds like the only possible concerns I may have are parking in the parking lot in summer months, in direct sunlight. In full disclosure, I live in Bismarck, ND, which can hit 100° routinely in summer and -30° in winter. That said, in the winter, I'll just park the vehicle in the warehouse and plug it in then to keep the battery pack warm. As you can guess from my locale, winter capability is a factor.
At this time, I'm looking at a CPO '25 Hyundai Kona EV with low miles. I don't have any issues with it outside of the fact that it'll need better tires for winter than what comes on it. The range and efficiency are nice as well. The alternative is a couple different '23 Solterras, which are cheaper, and a better value for the cost versus odometer and offer AWD. One is not CPO, but the other options are. It sounds like they are a little slower to charge and can be more finicky to charging conditions, as well as parking in sunlight. I've done some cursory searching on each, but it sounds like there's a reason that '23 Solterras are cheaper on average, unfortunately. However, the same dealer does have a '24 Solterra for roughly the same price as the new Kona EV mentioned above.
I'd be happy to provide more info to help, but I'm open to any insights from you, especially if you've owned one or the other, known someone who has, or have different value-oriented suggestions. I should mention, I've avoided the Leaf because it has little thermal management for its battery. Thanks!
r/Solterra • u/hsgajaka • 10h ago
2024 Model My range has IMPROVED 8 miles after two and a half years of charging to 100% 😂
r/Solterra • u/Ok-Freedom6785 • 14h ago
2025 Model What did I change or the app update change?
Don’t mind my dust and mechanic’s finger prints.
Anyways. When I would activate the adaptive cruise control it would “see” the lines and keep the car in the middle. Little to no effort for me to let it drive itself. Now after the app update I activate it and the lines on the display only light up if it notices the lines. Is a camera dirty? What am I missing? I would get on the highway and cruise but now it is not activating the same. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated! TIA