A look at frunks at the Melbourne EV Show

23 Sep 2023 Future Drive AutoShows

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We dropped in to the Melbourne Electric Vehicle Show. Lots of attendees and companies showcasing their vehicles.

We were surprised at how small the frunk and sub-trunk storage is on most of the non Tesla cars.

As usual, Tesla doesn’t exhibit, leaving it to volunteers from TOCA (Telsa Owners Club, Australia) to show off their cars. The Tesla Model X seemed to have endless people, mainly kids, climbing in and out through the gull wing doors. Francis was the first person to try lying down in the Model Y. We did manage to (kinda) spot a Cybertruck.

We chatted to a few attendees considering an EV about their hesitations, which were very similar to ours, just over a year ago.

We listened to a couple of exhibitors about V2H (vehicle to home) prospects, which unfortunately doesn’t yet seem to be economically viable. We would love to at least have V2L (vehicle to load) in our Tesla, so we could plug in appliances like a hot plate. A few other EVs on show did have V2L, in the form of a simple 240V power socket.

There weren’t many accessories on show. Lucky Five Motorsport had a live demo of applying a vinyl wrap (ballpark $4500), and also had some modifications, such as spoilers and an opening sun roof.

There were a few exhaust pipes on the show floor, which I found disappointing. The Maclaren sports cars near the entrance were just plug in hybrids, still with giant fuel guzzling engines. Surely we’ve moved beyond that now.

23 comments

David Posavec via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

It was great to see you guys there yesterday. Did love how the Tesla owners had such a large showing. I too was a bit disappointed wondering how the ice cars got in there.
Like the Model x people were crowding around the Kia Ev9. Byd got a look in with Sixth car rentals having one there, but I really wanted BYD to turn up, instead of having to go to a showroom.
Any Mgs, Ford, Polestar 2, LDV Ute all missing, but hopefully next year they all turn up. I'm very optimistic that next will be double in size.

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
  
  David Posavec Great points. Now that you mention it, there were several conspicuous absences.
  
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John Myers via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

We are camping next week in a tent and have brought a mattress for our Y and will try it one night while camping. Mainly plan on using it for one or two night sleeps only.

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
  
  John Myers We’d be interested to know how you go. We have just ordered a Model Y and hoping to have another go at car camping.
  
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  1. John Myers via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping will let you know
    
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  2. John Myers via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping How long of a wait for your Y
    
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  3. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
    
    John Myers Don’t know yet. Placed order late last week. Still says September to November. We’ll need to sell our Model 3 or trade it in.
    
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  4. John Myers via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping RWD or long range and white seats again?
    
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  5. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
    
    John Myers Same config as our Model 3. White with white seats, RWD standard range. Cost is $50 under the threshold for NSW $3k rebate ☺️.
    
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  6. John Myers via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping Nice, I am very happy with my Y.
    
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  7. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
    
    John Myers We’re very glad you got the Y, after waiting so long for the S no show.
    
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Paul MacNeill via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

Shame they canned the RHD X and S markets. Hoping one day soon Telsa realise there is a market for premium EVs.

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Christopher Leonard via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

I saw the cybertruk too, best part of the show. She got it in an airport in China, I think she said.

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Christopher Leonard via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

I needed more off road off grid touring options. Loved Jaunt. And it seems there's plenty of lift kits and touring options for Tesla. So an old Awd lifted tesla could be my future.

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1. David Posavec via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
  
  Christopher Leonard Yep. 38mm lift kit for Model 3s. Imagine an awd LR with chunky tires lifted. A LR Y lifted even better.
  
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  1. Christopher Leonard via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    David Posavec yep. My wannabee cybertruk lol
    
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Kylie Gilroy via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

After Elon sold PayPay he bought a million dollar McLaren so it's only fitting to have one there 😉

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 24 Sep 2023
  
  Kylie Gilroy That’s a stretch. A clever stretch. But I’m still not accepting the fossil car 😉
  
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  1. Evert Numan via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping only cats can lie in the back of a McLaren. Model Y ftw. :D
    
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Sean Thomson via Facebook ↗ 24 Sep 2023

I very much enjoyed the show. All power to the volunteers from TOCA, who had 7 vehicles on show today. Lots of people visiting and sitting through the seminars. Lots of E bikes exhibited too. The kids enjoyed riding the bikes around the circuit and the games. The only thing missing was accessory vendors. The converted Land Rovers were great

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John Myers via Facebook ↗ 30 Sep 2023

First night sleeping in the Tesla and found it was excellent, set on camp mode at 22 degrees. X-car mattress with extra part that fill in the gap behind front seats. Also shades on all the windows, we are in a caravan park and surprised when we came out of how much more camp noise than in the car.

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1. Tesla Tripping eTripping.au 1 Oct 2023
  
  John Myers Wow. Glad it worked out. Did you side down during the night a few times, putting weight in your hips? One or two people?
  
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  1. John Myers via Facebook ↗ 1 Oct 2023
    
    Tesla Tripping Sue and myself slept in it and no issue slipping down and the part that covers the gap behind front seats has storage net for phones etc. would be good if you could set up a mirror to reflect the Tesla screen to watch a movie while lying down.
    
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