Electric car or truck

[drkelly]

This article got me thinking:
Tesla tops Toyota to become largest automaker by market value

I have ZERO interest in buying an electric car or truck right now. I also see a ZERO percent chance of it happening any time in the next 5 years. Very slim chance in 5-10 years, and I guess it is hard to say about 10+ years. If they make major advancements in battery technology, then I guess I might be an owner in 10+ years. It is hard to say.

 

[CasterTroy]

CR-500 Supermoto FO LIFE

 

[shelby27604]

I have some rudimentary experience with electric vehicles, I would like to swap a small electric motor into a small, old 4wd.... something..... as a run around....but it is very cost prohibitive.

I get why some people do it, it's the same reason people buy battery powered chainsaws..... unfortunately electric vehicles and manual transmissions are going in opposite directions, so an off the floor model probably isn't in my future.

 

[zuke]

An off-road vehicle with independent motors in each wheel would be awesome, and high on my list if it became available.

For road use I would consider it from a total value perspective, as in cost per mile, and they might be there in 5 to 10 years, but it isn't there yet..

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Can't see where batteries are headed, but I believe the environmental foot print is going to be as bad or worse.
That's my concern over every other aspect.

Other then that who wouldn't want the break neck performance. But I'm gonna have to have a noise maker or obnoxious music. Dead silence brings out the demons.

 

[UTfball68]

I think I'd need to have a substantial amount of F*ck you money to do it. I'm not against electric vehicles, I just don't really see the point with today's offerings. But with enough money, I'd have no problem springing for an electric 'super car' or one of those Shelby cobras that can do 0-60 in like 3 seconds (might have even been a Tesla motor).

 

[Infamous1]

We have charging stations here at work that I would love to take advantage of. I would like to have a Volt, they are considered plug in hybrids but as long as you stay within battery range the engine will very seldom run.

 

[Tim C]

Detroit diesel swap the world!

Seriously, I don't see buying electric anytime soon. If battery or hydrogen fuel cell technology gets much better and the charging infrastructure get developed more to the point where charging on a road trip is as convenient as pulling into a gas station for 15 minutes then yes. As a performance oriented guy I like the instant torque aspect of e motors, but as a gear head it'll never replace the sound of a loping idle in a big block to me.

 

[Falko]

This thread has two distinct, somewhat parallel questions.

1. Should Tesla be the most valuable automaker by market cap?
And...
2. Whats the deal with electric cars (*Seinfeld voice*)

I'll let the markets decide the first one. After all we believe in them... right?

About the second:

In my driveway, I currently have the option to drive the following:
3500 3rd gen Cummin(g)s - manual trans
Hemi swapped TJ - manual trans
Mercedes diesel swapped MJ - manual trans
DRZ supermoto - manual trans
7.3 Ford ambulance - ok this one is auto
And a Tesla model 3.

I dare anyone to make a case that I'm not an auto enthusiast with that random collection of garbage. I also have unique ability to tell you that an electric car is worth consideration because I actually own one.

About not having a third pedal... you never knew it until you drive one, but you don't actually prefer a manual transmission, you just prefer not an automatic. Not having a transmission at all is quite acceptable.

Everybody gets hung up on the environmental aspect of EVs. I'm not going to try and convince you climate change is real or that you should care.

Here's a short list of stuff you might actually like.

1. What the hell is an oil change?

2. You'll probably never have to swap brake pads unless you go to a track day.

3. On short commutes they're actually more efficient than advertised.

4. Even at sub $2 gas, its still about 60% cheaper per mile.

5. Remotely warming and cooling the car without wasted energy.


The common thread of all of the above is that you get the same level or better performance for less cost per mile. Fret as you will about long term battery life. Mine has a 100k mile warranty. I bet by the time that runs out the technology will have improved so that the replacement gets an even longer range, or that it can be made more cost effectively. Even at the current replacement cost, if you amortized the cost of a replacement at 100.001k miles its still cheaper per mile than a Toyota Camry of comparable trim.

I won't go as far as saying chemical batteries are the correct design choice long term, but electric propulsion definitely is.

 

[CLRracer]

Battery and charging technology needs to advance more before I would consider one. The range to charge time ratio is fine for my day to day activities, but if I'm taking a road trip the distance and time I am willing to drive is farther than what current electric vehicles offer that I have seen.

Duane

 

[orange150]

Battery and charging technology needs to advance more before I would consider one. The range to charge time ratio is fine for my day to day activities, but if I'm taking a road trip the distance and time I am willing to drive is farther than what current electric vehicles offer that I have seen.

Duane

Same. Definitely not against it. All my air tools and yard equipment are turning electric.

 

[Tim C]

Same. Definitely not against it. All my air tools and yard equipment are turning electric.

Me too. Guess which gets used the most nowadays

I'm definitely not against e power in a car or truck, especially if it's just an appliance to go 40 miles a day total back and forth from work.

 

[Falko]

Battery and charging technology needs to advance more before I would consider one. The range to charge time ratio is fine for my day to day activities, but if I'm taking a road trip the distance and time I am willing to drive is farther than what current electric vehicles offer that I have seen.

Duane

I tried to keep my first post objective, as to not sound like a Tesla or Elon fan boi, as I am certainly not. But this is reason that Tesla is th only electric vehicle that can reasonably be considered at this given moment.

The supercharger network is tits.

I've gone on a few road trips with it, as far as ATL. If you are on interstate highways its hardly an inconvenience for that distance. Drive 2, 2.5 hours then stop for 20 min. Repeat one or two times and you're there.

If you are driving cross country... yeah that would get old fast.

 

[DSM Turbos]

I would like to have one, once the infrastructure is there for longer trips and the cost per mile come down a little.

 

[CLRracer]

I tried to keep my first post objective, as to not sound like a Tesla or Elon fan boi, as I am certainly not. But this is reason that Tesla is th only electric vehicle that can reasonably be considered at this given moment.

The supercharger network is tits.

I've gone on a few road trips with it, as far as ATL. If you are on interstate highways its hardly an inconvenience for that distance. Drive 2, 2.5 hours then stop for 20 min. Repeat one or two times and you're there.

If you are driving cross country... yeah that would get old fast.

Tesla is most definitely leading the game right now, no questions asked. It's been a while since I've really looked into the charging network but I know I've seen them popping up more and more, and it's encouraging that you've been to ATL and back with relative ease. But I'm the kinda road trip guy that sees Google Maps estimated time of arrival as a challenge, and so far I'm batting better than .500 lol.

Duane

 

[Ron]

I have an idea...of a battery tray that easily removable and plug and play and universal between manufacturers.
Then traditional gas stations could stock and charge the trays and you could pull in swap and go. Prolly need a high school kid or two to do the swap for old folks...like old school gas station attendants.

Plus it would help the soda and snack industry who fit E vehicles tooth and nail.

 

[cranbiz]

I only said never because I figure I won't be alive by the time the technology matures enough for one to travel the same as with a fossil fuel vehicle.

I'm certainly not against the concept (as I look for another battery powered tool), it's just now the battery technology and execution is lacking from most manufacturers.

 

[Futbalfantic]

There are a lot of articles out there supporting hydrogen over EV(battery). But my biggest concern over all electricity generated vehicles is the grid. According to what I've read, if we go 100% electric car now, we run out of (nuclear) fuel in a few years.

 

[cass92lx50]

I was a doubter till I rode in a s model p100d with ludacrous mode , absolutely insane power , hardest pulling car I’ve ever rode in and I have had a bunch of fast cars. Zero spinning from dead stop .i was amazed .Down side there still 70k used .

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I tried to keep my first post objective, as to not sound like a Tesla or Elon fan boi, as I am certainly not. But this is reason that Tesla is th only electric vehicle that can reasonably be considered at this given moment.

The supercharger network is tits.

I've gone on a few road trips with it, as far as ATL. If you are on interstate highways its hardly an inconvenience for that distance. Drive 2, 2.5 hours then stop for 20 min. Repeat one or two times and you're there.

If you are driving cross country... yeah that would get old fast.

I work with a number of folks with Teslas, and basically agree with what you have said... For me, I still have some concern currently about long trips, but we normally take the wifes car, so it isnt a big deal. Also, many Americans rent a car when going on long trips, and you could likely do this for the amount of maintenance costs you save.

I like gas vehicles, but if a replacement battery costs drop and I am able to find a Tesla for 10k or less, I will have a new commuter car.

I have an idea for a roller-board size backup battery. Basically something that could easily fit in your trunk and would give you an extra 50 miles or so. I was riding with a collegue in his 3, and we had to drive 20mi out of the way to go to a charging station, so we could head back home. The car said he was 25 miles short for coming back to hickory, where a charging station was. But all of that could have been avoided, had he charged the battery all the way up the night before, vs the normal 80%.

I believe that the solar panels/shingles could make a big difference with the infrastructure. Currently I dont believe that the countries power grid is setup to handle what it would take to have 50% of the cars be electric. but if every home generated power, it could go a long way in strengthening it, even though the power companies might disagree.

I also believe that the network would make the most sense to install the charging stations at places like restaurants and shopping centers. Places that you would typically spend 30 min or more at naturally. Sitting at the gas station for 30 min for the car to charge does suck, but isnt the end of the world. But imagine you are on a trip, where you likely stop every 2-3 hours anyway, and you can "fill the tank" while you eat lunch, and then get back on the road.

 

[Falko]

There are a lot of articles out there supporting hydrogen over EV(battery). But my biggest concern over all electricity generated vehicles is the grid. According to what I've read, if we go 100% electric car now, we run out of (nuclear) fuel in a few years.

If the energy storage method in EVs remains chemical batteries, it actually could be imensly help grid management.

If you add more consumption overnight by charging a bunch of vehicles, then the delta between base and peak grid load is decreased. The technologies used to generate the surge load power are much more expensive per kWh.

I've also seen proposals/theories to use EVs charged overnight to remit power back to the grid during peak load during the day.

 

[Ron]

I also believe that the network would make the most sense to install the charging stations at places like restaurants and shopping centers. Places that you would typically spend 30 min or more at naturally. Sitting at the gas station for 30 min for the car to charge does suck, but isnt the end of the world. But imagine you are on a trip, where you likely stop every 2-3 hours anyway, and you can "fill the tank" while you eat lunch, and then get back on the road.

But imagine if the batteries were more modular, on a draw out carriage of sorts, and could be hot swapped.
A "gas station" could have a rack charging bank and you'd pull in and swap your pack and be back on the road...

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

But imagine if the batteries were more modular, on a draw out carriage of sorts, and could be hot swapped.
A "gas station" could have a rack charging bank and you'd pull in and swap your pack and be back on the road...

I agree, this would be nice. But as long as the Big 3 keep buying out everyone in the battery industry, they wont create a standard.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

But imagine if the batteries were more modular, on a draw out carriage of sorts, and could be hot swapped.
A "gas station" could have a rack charging bank and you'd pull in and swap your pack and be back on the road...

This is where I hate to say it: Gov Co could step in and mandate it as part of the polution control stuff. Leave it open for building, engineering, and sales. But force the streamline design for the sake of the benefits.

 

[Ron]

I agree, this would be nice. But as long as the Big 3 keep buying out everyone in the battery industry, they wont create a standard.

ehhh capitalism still works.
Gas/diesel/gravity or vac fed/mechanically injected....in 1900 these were all emerging competing tech...eventually gas one and nozzle size got standardized and then regulated.

Ive spent waaaaay too much time thinking about this and trying to figure out how to own/protect/monetize it.