The Core

Isn't that the big question? With their new separate software division (Cariad) I'm starting to fear the worst, though all I could find was this promise of a tierd service.

https://www.autoindustriya.com/auto-industry-news/vw-developing-new-vehicle-os-with-subscription-based-services.html

VW ID. Buzz gains solar roof panels for camping and added range

https://electrek.co/2023/04/06/vw-id-buzz-gains-solar-roof-panels-for-camping-and-added-range/

I just saw the Prius added solar panels too. It makes sense for a car that's parked a lot.

>>600W

Let's see, we get on the best days about 12kwh out of 300w array. So roughly 2kwh out of the panels. Let's say 4 since we have some shade trees. That's 5% of the total, which gives you maybe 20 miles * 14 miles* on a long summer day, or more to the point, lets you camp indefinitely without running down your battery. The latter point is something I was thinking about with EVs.

*update: Bad math. Range is 280 miles. 5% best case.

The article says you *could* get 3000km per year. Conveniently, LA to NYC is about 4500km. So a year and a half under ideal circumstances. So say two years. I think you might still beat us across the UK. Maybe even top to bottom

>>TLDR: $65k, 230-ish range

Yeah, that won't be sitting in the driveway soon. I still like it and could see something along those lines in the future.

That said, the Tucson PHEV has been a great compromise - simplytheresa is currently off the grid sleeping in it while doing a 5-day nature journaling retreat. It was set up pretty sweet for a solo "camper" when she left (camper in quotes because this is at a center that also has rooms and a kitchen and showers, but she decided to save the money on the room and stay in the car).

These are key:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HYXZYMN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

We also have a tailgate tent. If the car is going to sit for a couple of days, you lift the liftgate and put this tent over it that gives extra space and a lot of airflow. Very comfy.

The tent was ordered off Theresa's account, so I don't have the exact one, but it looks like this
https://www.amazon.com/Hasika-Tailgate-Awning-Travel-Waterproof/dp/B08B5YS4B4/