FYI: Tyler Hoover’s latest YouTube video on his so-called "dead" EV quickly debunks its own premise, demonstrating once again the strength and resilience of modern electric vehicles, even second-hand.
Hoovie’s Garage: A Familiar Tale with a Twist
In Hoovie’s Garage latest YouTube upload, Tyler Hoover dramatizes the supposed demise of a $700 Fiat 500e he acquired at auction. Despite the clickbait title and thumbnail declaring a "DEAD EV BATTERY AT ONLY 40,000 MILES," Hoover swiftly proves this to be a misrepresentation. The video continues Hoover’s signature style—buying bargain-basement vehicles and highlighting their issues humorously.
The Real Issue: EV Reliability Misconceptions
Hoover’s channel is well-known for presenting mechanical mishaps in a light-hearted manner. However, in this video, he makes a misleading assertion about the future of EV ownership based on his experience with the 500e. Hoover’s statement is quickly debunked on two fronts:
- The Car Is Not Dead: Despite his claim, the Fiat 500e in question is fully operational, complete with working air conditioning.
- Historical Context Matters: The Fiat 500e he refers to is a compliance car from 2014, designed to meet regulatory requirements cheaply, not as a robust, forward-thinking electric vehicle.
Understanding EV Reliability
It’s important to note recent model-year EVs have shown above-average reliability issues, mainly due to their advanced tech features like infotainment systems and safety features, rather than core components like motors and batteries. Motor and battery failures remain rare.
The Reality of Hoover’s Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e was sent to auction by Carvana, indicative of it being unsuitable for resale by standard dealerships. Hoover acknowledges that the vehicle needed a charge and a jump-start but was otherwise functional. However, Hoover’s main complaint centers on the predicted range, which he claims dropped significantly during his test drive.
Faulty Diagnostics? Give the Car a Break
While Hoover suggests a drastic range reduction, he doesn’t provide a thorough test to confirm his suspicions. A commenter on Reddit highlighted that after a complete battery drain, the 500e’s battery management system may require recalibration to correctly estimate the range. Therefore, Hoover’s conclusion about the car’s range issue might be premature.
Compliance Cars and Their Legacy
Fiat’s 500e, designed for compliance reasons, was never intended to be the pinnacle of EV engineering. It was notably cheaper to lease and not even sold in Europe. Former Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne famously admitted the car incurred significant losses.
Comparison with Modern EVs
Still, the car functions despite its issues, contrasting with the reliability records of many internal combustion engine vehicles from the same era. Infamously problematic models like the DCT Ford Fiesta and the Dodge Dart often fail to achieve similar longevity, especially when purchased for mere hundreds of dollars.
Addressing Range Anxiety and Repairs
Even with the battery concerns, Hoover concedes that the car remains a functional city vehicle. His mechanic also noted the possibility of cell replacement within the battery pack, highlighting the evolving ecosystem around EV maintenance.
The Broader EV Landscape
Modern EVs, like many Tesla models, consistently surpass 200,000 miles on original batteries, and some Model S units have crossed 400,000 miles. This increasing reliability is underscored by the 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty mandated for EV battery packs in the U.S., encouraging manufacturers to refine battery longevity. These warranties make a compelling case for the long-term viability of EV drivetrains.
Conclusion: Setting the Record Straight
Tyler Hoover’s video may entertain, but it inadvertently spreads misinformation about electric vehicle reliability. The key takeaway isn’t that the future of EV ownership is bleak but that purchasing a problematic $700 car comes with expected pitfalls.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
