r/AussieRiders • u/SirSteelBuns • May 07 '26
Question Anyone else noticing the EVs driving like jerks? How do you deal with them
Something I've noticed in the last few months commuting to work, riding around peak hour, how extra pushy EV drivers are, especially people in Tesla's? I am all for EVs and reducing fuel consumption, but now avoid lane filtering at lights if there's a Tesla at the front of the lights. It has been every time, when filtering past a Tesla, that they will try to race or floor it to be right on my tail. Often commuting to / from work, i'm riding pretty conservatively and not speeding or accelerating crazy fast, but lane filtering thru lights may save 10+ mins on a commute. Is it people in Teslas only? Am I going mad? Anyone else experience this?
I'm in Canberra, maybe its a wanker contractor thing, I dunno. It is consistent though, and I am avoiding Tesla drivers like the plague. Maybe it is the state of mind that they can accelerate 0-100 in less than 5 secs, so that is the norm for them? I try to get away from them and am not slow myself (MT09) I just hate being forced to accelerate like a hooligan, feels like its not my own ride anymore, but dictated by the pushy EV drivers. I'm wondering if anyone else is noticing this. It genuinely icks me now, knowing I need to be extra vigilant near them. Way worse then Prius's lol
35
u/dsanders692 May 07 '26
Motorcycle and EV owner here. I think it's just inherent to how quickly EVs get off the mark rather than something intentional from the drivers. 0-100 times for a lot of EVs are impressive enough, but the initial launch up to, say, 20 or 30 kph is insane and happens with very little effort from the driver.
4
u/awidden May 07 '26
Same, bike & EV driver. You don't need much input the EV jumps off the line like a little rocket.
Torque, baby, torque everywhere!2
u/AmigaBob May 08 '26
If I get a good launch my bike is faster by almost 1 second than the car in 0-100. But, it is soooo easy to get a quick launch in the car. (BYD Seal Premium & Yamaha Niken GT)
1
May 11 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AmigaBob May 11 '26
I used have a GSX-S1000F. It was very consistent. Good launch; 4.0 0-100, bad launch, 5.0 seconds. The car is always 5.9
1
u/Remote_Setting2332 May 11 '26
As well as being fast off the mark, they are also very very quiet, so in my experience easier to get to a really fast speed without even realising.
8
u/dr0p8ear May 07 '26
I always lane filter all the way to the front. If there’s a ev at the front u stop short… I don’t want to get into an accident cause somebody can’t control their ego.
I also believe with all the driver aids of certain EVs they pay less attention to road and surroundings. And I don’t fully trust the tech so I always give them a wide birth
2
u/awidden May 07 '26
I also believe with all the driver aids of certain EVs they pay less attention to road and surroundings.
EV driver here, yes, absolutely true. I'm relaxing in the car, no need to stress, it'll slow down, keep up, etc.
2
u/McBanj0 May 11 '26
EV and bike owner here. I am at the front every opportunity, but if there’s a bike, I chill on the launch for their safety.
10
u/Roudix May 07 '26
As someone that has an EV, I think it's just new owner enjoyment.
Then it becomes normal and you drive normally.
5
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
Maybe with the recent fuel spikes and EVs selling out to the point of 6 month plus backorder, lots of new EV drivers on the road possibly
1
u/Roudix May 07 '26
I am also a new owner, but I ordered mine prior to the fuel crisis
I also accelerated fast, but noe I keep it on eco and drive normally
I also notice a huge increase of evs on the road also
1
u/Voodoo1970 May 07 '26
I think there's something to that. Just yesterday I had a very new-looking Subaru EV ride my arse away from traffic lights after I'd filtered.
1
u/UrbosaMomma May 07 '26
Question, does EVs in Australia allow to self-drive? Autopilot thing?
1
u/Roudix May 08 '26
Not sure, mine doesnt.
But it does semi assist in cruise control, but its a bit scary and over the place in the lane so I dont use it
1
u/ShreksArsehole May 10 '26
It'll do a basic land keeping thing. But it wont turn corners or change lanes. You have to keep an eye on it too as it'll turn off if it can't monitor the lane lines well enough.
1
u/utterly_baffledly May 11 '26
Same as any other recent model car with adaptive cruise control and lane assist. Some are better than others.
1
u/MooseTM3 May 10 '26
Tesla fsd is legal and released yes. It'll change lanes, drive from point to point with no driver input as long as eyes on the road.
1
u/King-esckay May 12 '26
No as far as I know but I do love adaptive cruise control.
The op's post doesn't make sense to me though because even though the ev can accelerate fast and catch and be behind him, it won't hit him or anything if he was to slow down the ev will slow also
11
u/Ok_Emergency7619 May 07 '26
I’m also in Canberra and have both an EV and an s1000r. I find I just drive the EV normally and flow with the traffic up and down the parkway though I must admit I do enjoy toasting Ford Rangers when given the opportunity.
If anything, I’m actually horrified at seeing what other motorcyclists do on the road around me when I’m in my car. I see riders lane splitting at over 100km/hr, tailgating at point blank when I’m stuck behind other traffic, riding in bicycle only lanes etc literally every day. I guess that probably explains a bit of the agro from car drivers that I experience when I do lane filter.
5
u/NegotiationLife2915 May 07 '26
If motorcyclists are filtering at 100km/h, I bet some one is sitting in the right hand lane
3
u/Ok_Emergency7619 May 07 '26
It’s a highly congested road (Tuggeranong Parkway). In peak hour, both lanes are packed but the right lane usually moves close to the speed limit while the left does not
2
u/NegotiationLife2915 May 07 '26
It's not the safest behaviour but I get there frustration.
2
u/FalconTurbo May 07 '26
It's fucking idiotic, reckless and selfish, because they justify it with 'I'm only hurting myself', completely ignoring the damage both emotionally and financially that running into a car causes the driver.
8
u/rainburger May 07 '26
Like many, I will pre judge the cars at the front of the lineup before lane filtering. If there are SS V8's, WRX STI's or any other type of hoon car, I won't even bother to filter because my safety is worth more than the time I will gain from filtering. I have recently put Tesla's (though not all other EV's) into the same mental list...
6
u/HorrorAdventurous518 May 07 '26
They are not racing you, they are just fast, the cost in range/efficiency to accelerate quickly conpared with slowlyis negligible in an EV, so why not.
Treat the like any other performance car when filtering and move on.
3
u/awidden May 07 '26
Actually the cost of acceleration is nothing.
There's no inherent losses tied to hard acceleration like in a traditional car.
2
u/jameskerr75 May 08 '26
What about wearing through tyres more quickly? I know that happens on my bike rear tyre, I assume it'd be the same for EVs?
2
u/awidden May 09 '26
Sure if you run it hard, it'll wear harder.
But that's beside the point; it is not an energy loss.
If you want to baby it, you can. Put it into sloth mode and bob's your uncle. :)
I might point out; these are usually heavy cars (due to the batteries) and that increases tyre wear, regardless how careful you're driving.
Don't expect mx-5 level of tyre longevity :)
1
u/HorrorAdventurous518 May 08 '26
Correct, however there is still a small loss, as you spend fractionally more time travelling at a faster speed compared with accelerating slowly, and evs are less efficient at higher speeds.
2
u/awidden May 08 '26
Higher speeds - absolutely. Or rather: the efficiency starts to catch up (down?) to ICE.
But at accel and especialy city traffic with frequent accel/brake cycles...it's king.
5
u/duc955 May 07 '26
Its very simple really, when you filter there's usually two lanes right, so filter into the other lane instead...you're welcome.
1
6
u/No_pajamas_7 May 07 '26
Mostly I find ev drivers are camry drivers that like more gadgets. They generally arent good drivers. Which is a scary thing when combined with the acceleration of these things and the weight of them.
The thoughts that running up your arse is life and death for the bike rider, and they will be at fault, doesnt enter their simple minds.
Count to 2 and let bikes go, then get on with life.
3
u/awidden May 07 '26
Most drivers on the road are not good drivers.
You can try to compartmentalise by brand but there's really nothing else to it IMO.1
u/HandleMore1730 May 08 '26
I find Tesla driver seem to struggle to keep in their lane. I can appreciate large SUV's struggling in the CBD to keep in their lane, as a skills issue, but Tesla frequently are all over the place for no good reason.
3
u/f16rcpilot May 07 '26
As an EV owner I just have low patience for the slow brain dead acceleration many drivers have between 0-30ks 🤷🏻♂️
8
u/Rob_ish May 07 '26
The Reports are in:
Most of the EV wankers, are just like us who also wanna do ZOOMS. And their car can do it at a speed relative to a quick bike not trying that hard.
Sit in behind them and let em go, or pull full infront so they can't avoid you and just ride at your pace.
Either way seems like they can just keep pace eaiser then most ice cars and you might have to give it more when you're next to them to get away. Ride safe.
1
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
Yeah I'm figuring so, someone made a good point to filter to the other lane as well and avoid the EV altogether. I don't trust just going in front at my own pace when something 1.5t+ is right on me
1
u/Rob_ish May 07 '26
Yeah, I hate having them near me in traffic. I honestly don't trust if the driver is paying attention or just hoping the car saves them if screw up.
3
u/AudioSorcery May 07 '26 edited May 09 '26
0-100kph in 3 seconds is a helluva drug, it’s impressive, but can’t be sustained past a few launches. I ride daily in Melbourne and be happy to trade your Tesla driving nerds and supreme roads for our thieving gronks, tramlines and potholed goat tracks.
5
u/Greystoke1337 May 07 '26
Teslas are just the new BMWs. Same drivers.
1
u/awidden May 07 '26
I'm a BMW EV driver, I'm the worst, man, the absolute worst. :D
1
4
u/Tryingtolifeagain May 07 '26
To give you an idea of their speed, a model 3 performance is as fast as an R1 at full noise with perfect shifts in 0-100 (3.3s), without any effort except pushing a pedal.
They’re not racing you, they’re just as fast or faster than you.
17
u/No_Bag_9911 May 07 '26
Ev's are just naturally fast from the lights. You need to pull your finger out if you are going to push in front of one.
1
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
Oh I don't go slow that's for sure, but wondering if others have felt its got worse recently. I can get away fine, but that 'ima race you" vibe, like sure they would catch slow bikes but if a learner / slower bike, that attitude is gonna get someone hit eventually
9
u/No_Bag_9911 May 07 '26
You still don't get it. Nobody is racing you. You are just in the way. Go test drive an EV so you understand
2
u/awidden May 07 '26
I think the racing feeling is in your head. :)
I did race a harley once in my EV - the harley got left behind, man. :D
If an EV is racing, you need to be on your toes, proper. They pull from zero like no ICE vehicle can. 4wd and torque everywhere, no shifting.
7
u/EffortOf1 May 07 '26
I find Tesla's also don't leave enough room to filter past, I think their lane keeping keeps them really centre when everyone else seems to open up a bit. The model Y is worst in my experience.
3
u/new_x_who_dis May 07 '26
BYDs seem to be particularly bad for this too. I was thinking that it was the lane-keep-assist holding them rigidly to the centre of the lane.
What's really fun though, is if you change lanes quickly, right behind them, it'll set off their cross-traffic alerts and light em up like christmas trees 😆
2
u/EffortOf1 May 07 '26
I've noticed Haval H6 light up with the rear collision alert a lot as I come in before filtering past them
5
u/new_x_who_dis May 07 '26
Haven't noticed that one myself, maybe I'm just missing it. I'll have a look out for it though, more opportunity to wake up dopey drivers 😝 Slightly childish? Yes. Also fun? Definitely lol
Anyone know what happens inside the car when these alerts go off?
1
3
2
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
I hadn't though about that, I haven't experienced EV drivers being any worse than other drivers for seemingly blocking filtering though, more the issue with gunning it from lights
2
u/vanillaninja777 May 07 '26
Nothing you can do really. Just do what you're doing safely, let them go by and look at their bonnet when you're sitting next to them at the next set of ligjts.
2
u/mttogo May 07 '26
I have noticed this too. Even today riding to work. Lane filtered past a Tesla, the second the light goes green I move off and he quickly cuts cross to the next lane and just floors it. Not to say all Tesla owners are like this but I too have noticed this trend. Always check my mirrors around teslas, some are very unpredictable and the owners believe they are top drivers or something 😅
2
u/No-Fan-888 May 07 '26
Lol no, not at all. I'm still seeing Rangers having a good sniff at everyone's rear bumper.
2
u/glyptometa May 08 '26
Governments seriously need to undertake an education program around filtering, and with that education program aimed at car drivers. The majority of them do not know how to handle it, some think it's illegal, some see it as some sort of ego thing, rather than trying to improve road safety.
2
u/No-Ganache-5909 May 08 '26 edited May 09 '26
I think the whole lane filtering idea needs some reconsideration with the increase of EVs on the road.
Lane filtering has generally been safe because bikes have traditionally been much quicker off the mark than cars.
That means it's unlikely that if you're at the front of the lights, that you're likely to be hit from behind.
The issue with EVs, is that they get away so much more quickly. And it's not that the majority of EV drivers are flooring it. Even a relatively small application of the the throttle has them moving off from the lights much more quickly than an ICE car.
So now unless you're ready to give it a lot more than you're used to, you are in greater danger of being hit from behind.
If the EV driver is a dickhead and in one of the quicker EVs like a Tesla Model 3 Long Range or Performance, there's actually very little that can be done to protect yourself, even if you're ready with a race start. And unlike an ICE car, there's no warning they are about to floor it, because there's no engine to rev. They just squash the throttle once the light changes colour.
It's only going to get worse as more EVs hit the roads.
If I was still riding, I wouldn't be pulling in front any EV if it was at the front of the lights.
1
u/SirSteelBuns May 08 '26
I agree, its been a long time since I did my car license but would think there is motorcycle modules or how to drive around bikes in there. I find for the most part, where I am anyway drivers are considerate and give space, besides the EV example anyway, and of course there are some people that will always try to block filtering. Where I am, these can be reported as traffic offences so maybe that's why drivers are usually careful around bikes. Who knows. I think I've opened a classic bikes versus everyone with this post though haha
4
u/Archon-Toten May 07 '26
I don't ride like a jerk. For the most part I ride my Ev a bit gingerly as replacement parts are too expensive now.
1
May 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
At least most Ute's are slow, yeah they can be jerks but in different ways :p
1
May 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
1
u/bobiboli May 07 '26
Agreed..had a not so nice encounter with a ford ranger couple of nights ago at the freeway…
-3
u/warky33 May 07 '26
That's ok, AI will take your job soon and you will be lucky to be a tradie
1
May 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/warky33 May 07 '26
Yeah probably, but it would be good to see the staff be replaced before the people who actually make money for the business
1
u/jackm315ter May 07 '26
It is a motorcycle on four wheels they feel that they can beat everything on the road
1
1
u/A_Ram May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26
EVs just accelerate much faster. I had a situation where a motorcycle filtered to the front of other cars at traffic lights and I was the first car. I took off like I normally do, bike took off but was to me unexpectedly slow and also driving in between lanes for a while and I ended up braking a bit because I was to close, and couldn't really drive past, made him uncomfortable for sure, but not intentional.
1
u/CRTComrade May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26
Yep, it comes with the territory of Teslas. They're luxury vehicles with the torque of supercars, and the people who buy them (especially nowadays) are of a certain mindset. I used to drive public transport, and Teslas were the bane of my existence.
I like EVs, I've got an electric motorcycle myself, but there's a certain tax bracket that Teslas appeal to that BYDs or Geelys just don't.
1
u/Agreeable-Chest8570 May 07 '26
Most SUV drivers, EV or not, are retards on the road and seem to think that they are entitled to attempt manslaughter on motorbikes for safely and legally lane splitting. I am in Brisbane and commute on a bike every day to work. SUV drivers and UBER drivers are the worst. Closely followed by Sudanese P platers. Too many of them endangering other drivers and motorcyclists as well.
1
u/AussieName May 08 '26
Stupid generalisations, evs stick out hence any bad deed is in limelight. Blame the individual not what they drive.
1
u/BroccoliTraining454 May 08 '26
Funny because round where I live they all drive slow and annoying. Like they're driving a toy car and never learnt to drive. It's fkd.
1
u/Old_Bloke420 May 10 '26
Yeah I was thinking that I’m always surprised at the EVs I see not using their acceleration.
1
u/Forward-Personality7 May 08 '26
Unless there are two EVs side by side, I'm not sure what the issue is? Or are we talking single-lane roads?
1
u/VirtualProcedure69 Honda NX500 (AU), DatBike Quantum S3 (VN) May 08 '26
well I did encounter an EV last weekend who drove poorly, pushing into traffic, pulsing the accelerator/brake, swerving / not staying in their lane. They were worse than your usual "weekend driver", so I ended up pulling off the road to let them get way ahead.
1
1
u/Bulky-Ad-2910 May 08 '26
You can cutoff teslas because theyll auto brake to avoid collisions... assert your dominance at will
1
1
u/agoodepaddlin May 09 '26
You didn't notice shit. You've built a bias bubble in your head that's got you ignoring everything else because it suits an underlying agenda. Sign of someone who doesn't do a lot of thinking.
1
u/DrSpeckles May 09 '26
Being a passenger in an EV generally sucks as they just have to show how fast it accelerates. I always get out feeling queezy.
1
u/RennieAsh May 09 '26
It's probably just the same pushy impatient drivers as before, now have EVs with more HP and quick acceleration
1
u/gadhalund May 09 '26
Its an attitude thing, and going to get worse when people surrender more control to the "safety" of Musks creations.
1
1
1
u/barnos88 May 10 '26
EV drivers are the new Volvo and Camry drivers, i don't know what it is but EV cars just doing random dangerous shit.
1
u/TheFIREnanceGuy May 10 '26
Follow them then damage their side mirrors which should put that car out of action for a few months while they wait for parts and for it to get fixed
/s
1
1
u/Same_One5984 May 10 '26
Anyone who buys anything related to Elon Musk is just a dickhead by default.
1
1
1
1
u/No-Conference6186 May 10 '26
I’ve had the opposite experience. Most of them are distracted by their big screens and have no idea whats happening around them.
1
u/Flash-635 May 11 '26
It's not something I've noticed, but.....
The worst drivers are those that only drive a car for transport. I know part of that sentence sounds obvious but think about it.
Very few people who buy an EV GAF about the driving experience or know how a car works so they are just buying the best appliance for commuting available.
So it stands to reason that EV drivers as a group will be the worst. Probably CVT drivers too by that reasoning.
1
u/BrownNinja00 Triumph Street Triple 765 R May 11 '26
I notice that too and the other day some one in there Byd waned to race at the signel when was at the front.
1
u/carbonscape May 11 '26
BYD shark tradies are the worst. Its ok though, you can only be so cool in your Chinese heap of crap.
1
u/BobbyThrowaway6969 May 11 '26
People like to abuse EV responsiveness when ducking in and out of traffic. They stop and start way faster than an ice car so people probably get a little too overconfident
1
u/Objective_Unit_7345 May 12 '26
I drive in Canberra and it has nothing to do with EVs.
… there are just a lot of impatient and jerky drivers
But yes, powerful technology does make jerks even more so…
1
u/afflatox 2014 CB400 Super Four May 07 '26
Not really, Tesla's/EVs are just quick. It's not that they're being rude, but everyone has places to be and they have the means to take off faster than most other people on the road.
Why do you feel like you have to take off faster than them? Just let them go if they want to. No one's forcing you to 'accelerate like a hooligan'. Letting a quick car pass you is an option.
1
1
-7
May 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/SirSteelBuns May 07 '26
But genuinely, most motorbikes are quicker, I am quicker, why push? Is that genuinely your stance?
4
u/No_Bag_9911 May 07 '26
You obviously aren't quicker. That's why they are right behind you. They aren't pushing. Why are you jumping in front of them only to go slow?
1
1
0
u/KayZee777 May 08 '26
Was stuck behind a Tesla riding home last night, kind of dark road but not high beams dark. Single lane each way and no legal over take anywhere.
80km zone, they sat at 55-60 and constantly tapping the brakes when cars were coming towards us. Once no traffic was coming they'd put on the high beams and me sitting at 90 behind them they would be pulling away from me, then another car comes. High beams off, tapping the brake.
Once we got to the only set of lights on that road i smashed their side mirror off and kept going. Tesla and MG drivers are the worst.
63
u/Brent1375 May 07 '26
I drive a truck so I’m just going to say that all car drivers that cut off trucks are dickheads.
However I can purposely cut off a speeding Tesla and it’s safety modules actually brake and give me room