Electric cars head toward another dead end

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Comments

  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    I prefer Hydrogen (HICEV) and I also think that it's the way to go (forward), well that and more walking.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,674
    Idris wrote:
    I prefer Hydrogen (HICEV) and I also think that it's the way to go (forward), well that and more walking.

    What's the latest on making hydrogen vehicles safe? Last I heard, they were still considered a bomb on wheels.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Prince Of Dorkness
    Prince Of Dorkness Posts: 3,763
    brianlux wrote:
    Interesting article but as I see it, there are a few problems here. First off all, I don't remember "electric vehicles, or EVs," dominating "U.S. streets in the first decade of the 20th century".

    You remember the first decade of the 20th century?

    Good gravy, how old are you?
    I can't drive without Pearl Jam
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,674
    Prince Of Dorkness wrote:
    brianlux wrote:
    Interesting article but as I see it, there are a few problems here. First off all, I don't remember "electric vehicles, or EVs," dominating "U.S. streets in the first decade of the 20th century".

    You remember the first decade of the 20th century?

    Good gravy, how old are you?

    Old enough to hide my own Easter eggs. :lol:

    I think I might have meant "the 21st century".

    Sorry, what were we talking about? :lol:
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    the supercharger tesla's have like a 250 mile range which is about 400 km ... that's pretty good ... and they take like 90 mins to fully charge ... sure ... it isn't 10 mins in and out of a gas station but if you are doing a road trip - it's do able ...

    here's a couple of links related to a NY Times review of the car that subsequently was deemed to be a fraud by Tesla ...

    http://www.treehugger.com/cars/new-york ... itter.html
    http://www.treehugger.com/cars/tesla-re ... drive.html

    electric is the way to go ...
  • Prince Of Dorkness
    Prince Of Dorkness Posts: 3,763
    Honestly, they just don't have the range that I need. I live in LA and I work in SF and those are 450 miles apart. And I'm not going to drive for an hour or so... stop... recharge.... get going again....rinse repeat....
    I can't drive without Pearl Jam
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    Prince Of Dorkness wrote:
    Honestly, they just don't have the range that I need. I live in LA and I work in SF and those are 450 miles apart. And I'm not going to drive for an hour or so... stop... recharge.... get going again....rinse repeat....

    the new tesla's ... have a range of about 250 miles ... probably a bit more in warm weather climate like southern and central CA ... with the supercharger (of which there are stations in california) - it takes about 90 mins to charge ... so, you'd have to plan your lunches or so around something like that ...

    a bunch of reviewers ran a test driving it from dc to boston in a day ... in the winter ... outside of the NYT review which tesla's log records prove were a bit of a fraud ... most completed the trip successfully ... without significant fuss ...
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    polaris_x wrote:
    Prince Of Dorkness wrote:
    Honestly, they just don't have the range that I need. I live in LA and I work in SF and those are 450 miles apart. And I'm not going to drive for an hour or so... stop... recharge.... get going again....rinse repeat....

    the new tesla's ... have a range of about 250 miles ... probably a bit more in warm weather climate like southern and central CA ... with the supercharger (of which there are stations in california) - it takes about 90 mins to charge ... so, you'd have to plan your lunches or so around something like that ...

    a bunch of reviewers ran a test driving it from dc to boston in a day ... in the winter ... outside of the NYT review which tesla's log records prove were a bit of a fraud ... most completed the trip successfully ... without significant fuss ...
    Aren't the Teslas something like $100K? How long would it take for "savings" to kick in?

    Crazy.
  • lukin2006
    lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    The base model tesla starts at something like 52 k ... yup real affordable for the average consumer ...

    a Toyota Prius start at around 27 000 ... start adding options and that price is probably much more ... once again hardly affordable for the average consumer ...
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxUsGiGp3w

    :D

    (It get's into the prius mid way)
    -
  • lukin2006
    lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    Idris wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxUsGiGp3w

    :D

    (It get's into the prius mid way)
    -

    That was great ... amazing ... when the environment is talked about people tend to ignore the process that goes into just making the battery ...
    I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin

    "Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,674
    Idris wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxUsGiGp3w

    :D

    (It get's into the prius mid way)
    -
    I like what he says at the end, "Change your driving style". They might have added to that, "Drive less often, walk or bicycle or use public transit when ever possible, and ride share."

    Before we get too critical about the Prius battery though, think about what's in the computer sitting in front of you. Also keep in mind that a well cared for Prius driven reasonably should last at least 20 or 30 years/ 300,000 miles or more and over its lifetime should average 45 MPG, not 17 point something.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,327
    A 903 horsepower hybrid .... the McLaren P1 :shock:

    http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/mclaren-p1-supercar-903-hp-plug-hybrid-153640689.html

    This may sway me to be a hippi. Anyone want to buy me one?

    :P
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,674
    Jason P wrote:
    A 903 horsepower hybrid .... the McLaren P1 :shock:

    http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/mclaren-p1-supercar-903-hp-plug-hybrid-153640689.html

    This may sway me to be a hippi. Anyone want to buy me one?

    :P

    Looking at the schematic, I can't help but wonder if the window price sticker will read:

    Basic car....$24,500
    Radio/CD player $250.00
    Battery: $35,250.00
    Net before tax and licensing: $60,000.00
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Idris
    Idris Posts: 2,317
    Jason P wrote:
    A 903 horsepower hybrid .... the McLaren P1 :shock:

    http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/mclaren-p1-supercar-903-hp-plug-hybrid-153640689.html

    This may sway me to be a hippi. Anyone want to buy me one?

    :P

    The next generation Enzo and Carrera GT are also hybrids. We are in the age of the hybrid hypercar :D

    http://www.gizmag.com/porsche-hybrid-918-spyder-770-hp/22551/

    http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130218/GENEVA/130219825
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,327
    Idris wrote:
    The next generation Enzo and Carrera GT are also hybrids. We are in the age of the hybrid hypercar :D

    http://www.gizmag.com/porsche-hybrid-918-spyder-770-hp/22551/

    http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130218/GENEVA/130219825
    The Porsche looks sweet! :shock:
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    hedonist wrote:
    Aren't the Teslas something like $100K? How long would it take for "savings" to kick in?

    Crazy.

    there are cars for less than half that but they are definitely targeting the luxury market right now ... i'm guessing someone who could afford a tesla is not necessarily going to buy one to save money per se ... it's more the environmental benefit ...
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    Idris wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxUsGiGp3w

    :D

    (It get's into the prius mid way)
    -

    uhhh ... a prius driving at full speed is just a corolla driving a full speed ... :fp: ... this is where the lack of critical thinking kicks in again ... of course a car with a bigger engine is gonna be more efficient at those speeds ... try stop and go commuter traffic ...
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,674
    polaris_x wrote:
    Idris wrote:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxUsGiGp3w

    :D

    (It get's into the prius mid way)
    -

    uhhh ... a prius driving at full speed is just a corolla driving a full speed ... :fp: ... this is where the lack of critical thinking kicks in again ... of course a car with a bigger engine is gonna be more efficient at those speeds ... try stop and go commuter traffic ...

    Yeah- it's really too bad. This video makes some good points, but then goes to great lengths to dismiss something that has good potential while smugly suggesting high performance cars (one's that most of us could never afford in the first place) are a better choice.

    It's true-- the "ecological footprint" (yet another good term that's been abused and disenfranchised) of a Prius is big- especially its battery. That could and should be remedied- there's no reason for its manufacture to "chug" (I believe was the tern used) all around the world. Rare earths mines are already in place and abandoned (without having been returned to a natural state) right here in California. The process could all be done in one region. Outsourcing of jobs to save a few bucks is also a bad idea. Guess who pockets those extra dollars?

    The MPG race involving the Prius is totally misleading. Of course the MPGs will be low at top speed. The same is true when driving up a steep hill. But come one, I never wake up and think, "Gee, I think I'll go out and drive up steep hill or open the throttle all the way all day!" :P

    What are these arrogant bastards trying to prove anyway?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    brianlux wrote:
    What are these arrogant bastards trying to prove anyway?

    they are like shock jock dj's ... they get a kick out of showing how ignorant they are ... let's face it ... if you are car lover ... who wants to consider the planet!? ... you want fast ... anyone else is just a hippie treehugger trying to impede your freedom to burn gas ... the sad part is how people will take this stuff and then go spew how prius's aren't fuel efficient ... :fp:

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