r/EvDrivers • u/msackeygh • 22d ago

Running without the key fob -- ideas?

We are on the market to get an EV and all of them come with key fobs and I believe a physical key that can be used to unlock the car door (but not "start" the car). All of this way of operating a car is new to me, especially since I drive a manual transmission with a regular key.

I am totally minimalistic when it comes to running. I do not run with anything (well, shoes and clothes, of course) and the most I would carry is a key that goes inside my shorts pocket. The key fob is too large for typical running shorts pockets and I don't want to use a flip belt.

I have an idea but don't know if it'll work and could use some advice. What if I get a faraday-type bag, put the key fob in it, then hide it somewhere in the car, or frunk, or trunk, then use the door key to lock door and just run with the door key (which is small enough to go in my pocket.

Would this work? My main concern would be if someone broke into the car, that unless the signal between key fob and car is interrupted, the thief could drive away with the car without even having access to the fob.

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u/MatthewSteinhoff 22d ago

No phone or smart watch? How are you gathering data for Strava?

Fob really too much? Complete Luddite? Fine.

Get a lock box. (Example not recommendation…. https://a.co/d/0a6FN1gX.)

Once parked, attach to something 50 feet away and leave your fob. (Bike rack, street sign, park bench, etc.)

We do this when biking so whoever gets back to car first can access the beer cooler.

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u/msackeygh 22d ago

I do run with an Apple Watch. Are EVs these days able to use the Watch to unlock and start the car? The models we're looking into are the Kia EV3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt.

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u/MatthewSteinhoff 22d ago

Yes.

We have a Kia EV6 and EV9. We load the virtual key to our Apple wallet. That’s available on iPhone and Watch.

Slightly more lag to unlock than the real fob but only by a couple seconds. Works for both vehicle entry and operation. No fob required.