- This Fisker Ocean has pushed over 10,000 miles and remains to be going sturdy.
- That is regardless of Fisker going bankrupt and promoting its belongings.
The Fisker Ocean was presupposed to be one of many many “Tesla Mannequin Y killers.” And whereas it was a promising EV, its destiny was sealed after the automaker behind it went bankrupt. Roughly 11,000 models have been ever made, and all of them are topic to 2 hardware-related remembers which are but to be resolved.
That stated, barely used Ocean EVs are promoting for lower than $25,000 on-line, making it a fairly enticing choice, albeit not one for the faint of coronary heart. There are lots of proprietor tales of bricked automobiles. Servicing choices are few and much between, and only a few spare components can be found, so the prospect of proudly owning an EV from an unproven and bankrupt automaker is daunting, to say the least.
However not all Ocean EVs are basket circumstances. Some house owners, like the one within the video under, have pushed their automobiles for over a yr and have racked up over 10,000 miles with only a few points.
This specific EV, limited-edition Ocean One, was delivered on October 26, 2023, and has since pushed 11,380 miles. Earlier than I get into the small print–together with some fascinating mods–I’ll get this out of the way in which: the automobile has by no means stranded its proprietor, which is reassuring.
Now, for the problems. On supply day, the automobile’s small rear quarter home windows didn’t roll down and there have been a number of paint defects. The air-con system vents and module additionally went a bit loopy and the Bluetooth connectivity was lackluster. All these issues have been mounted, although, with some requiring a go to from a cellular technician–again when Fisker was nonetheless a functioning firm–whereas others went away with software program updates.
Talking of software program, the automobile is operating the most recent software program model 2.2. That is the final iteration equipped by Fisker earlier than its liquidation case was permitted, and it signifies that house owners won’t ever profit from options like Adaptive Cruise Management, which was promised by Fisker however by no means delivered.
There’s some hope, although. The Fisker House owners Affiliation, a volunteer group, was an enormous a part of the chapter case and it gained entry to the automobile’s core software program, in addition to the diagnostics device wanted to repair points. Volunteers might step up and add new options to the automobiles, however at this level, it’s too early to inform what’s going to occur.
Some fairly artistic mods have been added to this Ocean EV, akin to a 12-volt battery tender cable that’s accessible from below the windshield. That is used to maintain the low-voltage battery topped up as a result of if it dies, the entire automobile turns into a brick. The door handles don’t come out and even should you get inside, the automobile won’t activate.
One other mod is a hidden swap put in below the dashboard. When used, it primarily cuts energy to the infotainment system similar to you’d by eradicating the suitable fuse after which placing it again. Because it seems, the central display screen within the Fisker Ocean tends to go clean or freeze and the short and soiled repair is to take away the fuse. this modification means the proprietor doesn’t must entry the fuse panel anymore, which is fairly good.
In the case of effectivity, the typical after 11,380 miles is 0.32 kWh/mile or 3.1 miles/kWh. The Ocean EV additionally has a photo voltaic array on the panoramic glass roof. On this case, the photovoltaic cells added 20 kWh of vitality in a yr, however that’s as a result of the automobile was principally parked inside a storage or within the shade.
Following Fisker’s chapter, it’s unclear what’s going to occur with the web connectivity of the Ocean EVs and with the navigation providers supplied by TomTom. The proprietor of this automobile stated he has by no means obtained a map replace and that the web connection remains to be going sturdy, although.
There’s quite a bit to digest, that’s for certain. However for the precise worth, I certain can be tempted to get one, realizing all too nicely what the implications could also be. What about you?
