- This Fisker Ocean has pushed over 10,000 miles and continues to be going sturdy.
- That is regardless of Fisker going bankrupt and promoting its property.
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 recollects which can be but to be resolved.
That stated, barely used Ocean EVs are promoting for lower than $25,000 on-line, making it a fairly engaging possibility, albeit not one for the faint of coronary heart. There are various proprietor tales of bricked vehicles. Servicing choices are few and much between, and only a few spare elements 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 instances. Some homeowners, like the one within the video beneath, have pushed their vehicles 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 main points–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 fastened, although, with some requiring a go to from a cell technician–again when Fisker was nonetheless a functioning firm–whereas others went away with software program updates.
Talking of software program, the automobile is working the newest software program model 2.2. That is the final iteration equipped by Fisker earlier than its liquidation case was authorised, and it signifies that homeowners 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 Homeowners 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 instrument wanted to repair points. Volunteers might step up and add new options to the vehicles, 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, similar to a 12-volt battery tender cable that’s accessible from beneath 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 in case you get inside, the automobile is not going to activate.
One other mod is a hidden change put in beneath the dashboard. When used, it basically cuts energy to the infotainment system identical 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 should entry the fuse panel anymore, which is fairly good.
In terms of effectivity, the common 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 continues to be going sturdy, although.
There’s lots to digest, that’s for certain. However for the appropriate value, I certain could be tempted to get one, realizing all too properly what the results could also be. What about you?
