Are electric cars the future?

[Creeper]

I'm sure someone here in CZ can figure out how to obtain and employ antimatter.

You laugh but what do we really know about antimatter, dark matter and even gravity. Perhaps one of these or something else will one day be controlled to propel our lawnmowers and weed whackers.

 

[rags747]

I don’t have one although I do have a Tesla Solar system. I pay $25 service charge a month for electricity. EVsales are forecast to skyrocket in the coming years.

Did you do the Tesla solar shingles or the panels? If I was building from new I would definitely do the Tesla solar tiles or shingles. What state are you in? Have you been happy with the product? You have Powerwall as well?

 

[Runwildboys]

You laugh but what do we really know about antimatter, dark matter and even gravity. Perhaps one of these or something else will one day be controlled to propel our lawnmowers and weed whackers.

The only thing we know about dark matter (assuming it actually exists in the way it appears to) is that it doesn't interact with anything we know of, I believe.

As for antimatter, it's very hard to find, because it only lasts until it comes into contact with matter, then both particles destroy each other. That also makes it very difficult to contain, much less make use of it.

Gravity is hard to figure out. Some believe it's related to time. Einstein theorized that it's a product of the curvature of space. It's one of the four fundamental forces, yet it's not really a force...Yeah, gravity is weird. But we don't really need to know why it works to know how it works. We may need to know why it works if we're ever to make antigravity a thing, or artificial gravity.

There are probably more viable alternatives that have yet to be dreamed up... hopefully.

 

[1942willys]

For those interested, I found this article that tries to dispel some myths about EV’s and the power grid.

https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero/electric-vehicles-myths-misconceptions

its a power company so can we trust them?

 

[SlammedZero]

It's difficult to answer whether the electric car is the future or not. A more efficient energy source could come along. The internal combustion engine is not the future. I like the sound of a V8 as much as the next person, but technology advances.

I believe for the next decade or so, auto manufacturers are going to be moving towards smaller ICE/hybrids instead of making a drastic, overnight switch to electric.

Look at the new Tacoma, for instance. It has a whiny 4 popper in it, yet can put down 317 ft lb of torque and tow 6,500 lbs. The new Chevy Silverado has a 4 cylinder option too, and it can tow up to 9,200 lbs.

Before the majority of new cars are all electric (or whatever energy source), they'll be majority turbo 4-cylinders.

Yeah, they are getting really efficient at turbocharging motors these days and squeezing out power. I remember back in my 20s when we were throwing turbos on everything. If you could get 300hp out of a 4 cylinder, you were the king. Now that's commonplace. We bought my wife a new Kia Sorrento (nice car btw) and it has a turbo-4 with 281hp/311 lb-ft. It's crazy.

Those kind of cars really help with the CAFE standards coming down the pipeline. This is also why we are seeing American companies flinging out their last hoorah of "muscle cars". When you can go out and buy a 1,000hp Challenger "out of the box" from the factory, you know the writing is on the wall. The boys in the lab are having their last bit of fun before it goes away. Challengers, Chargers, Camaros, Mustangs, etc as we know it will no longer be, or, they'll be electric. It's going to be a new era of Pony Cars.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I'm sure someone here in CZ can figure out how to obtain and employ antimatter.

We are in desperate need of one of those Mr.Fusions from Back to the Future I.

 

[1942willys]

We are in desperate need of one of those Mr.Fusions from Back to the Future I.

Considering so far we have been banging our heads for decades trying to get FUSION to work and so far little progress, I would say anti matter is a LITTLE beyond our reach...

 

[Rockport]

Did you do the Tesla solar shingles or the panels? If I was building from new I would definitely do the Tesla solar tiles or shingles. What state are you in? Have you been happy with the product? You have Powerwall as well?

I did the Tesla Power Wall but not the shingles. I’m happy with both. The Power Wall is connected to the internet so if a big storm is coming, it will pull off the grid if necessary to make sure it’s 100% charged in case power goes out. I live in Hawaii which is very friendly to renewables so got a state tax rebate as well as a federal.

 

[Flamma]

With the ever-growing technology we have in the world today, I oddly find electric cars are the "most feared" (for lack of a better term) technology. It's crazy to me. There are so many people that are pushing back on this evolution and I have no idea what they're so afraid of. I wonder if people in the early 1900s talked down on the production of the automobile? "They'll never replace the horse!".

There probably wasn't much talk like that because the automobile was the superior choice. For long distances and a lot of driving, the ICE vehicle is still the more convenient choice. Beyond that, there was no reason to fear automobiles because no one was stopping you from riding your horse.

 

[Flamma]

I agree in general. But I do wonder if the fundamental design of energy storage will have to change to get us to where we need to be. Will we find a way to pack more energy into smaller spaces using technology that does not yet exist? Can we create some kind of "reactors" that produce electrical energy on demand? Probably not in the next 50 years, but is this the way of the future rather than the trying to squeeze the every last bit of efficiency out of current technology?

I think a leap will have to happen at some point. Not quite like the chip in computers, but a significant leap in tech. I heard solid state batteries are supposed to be better, but I don't know where they are with that.

The other thing I would find super annoying is that you need your phone to charge. And apps if you're not driving a Tesla. I know most people have their phones surgically attached, I just don't like it being a requirement. I take my phone to work, that's it. So I can watch you tube all night. I even forget it sometimes. Imagine how that can play out if you need a charge. No reason to make things more complicated.

 

[Flamma]

I have 4 Italian toys for myself and the wife has a Model Y Performance. The Tesla was invented from the ground up unlike Ford, GM, Mercedes, VW etc. Zero range anxiety with a Tesla as Elon built out the Supercharger network unlike all of the others. No greenbacks, charge/debit cards required when charging on the road, plug in and the car is recognized and the card on file is debited. 1 pedal driving is a huge improvement over having to use a brake pedal, rarely will u,use a brake pedal ever again, get in the car and go, get out of the car and walk away, never turn on or off, all recognized by your phone, no keys. Leave the car and Gimme Shelter was playing, get back in the car and the music picks up where it left off. The technology available is out of this world. Zero maintenance schedule. At any Red light the knowledge that you can blow anyone off of the line is quite wonderful. See an opening and go for it with ease. Instant on power is intoxicating. I could care less about being green, I bought it for the tech and speed.

Until recently, I've always had fast cars. That is my weakness. I just have one question on regenerative braking, or whatever they call it. Wouldn't a minor side effect be more drain on the battery? Not much, but slightly more because you're always hitting the pedal to go forward. As opposed to coasting on occasion.

 

[Quickdraw]

I don’t have one although I do have a Tesla Solar system. I pay $25 service charge a month for electricity. EVsales are forecast to skyrocket in the coming years.

Not when auto makers are cutting back production.

 

[Quickdraw]

Depends on your source I guess.

https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/electric-vehicles-are-forecast-to-be-half-of-global-car-sales-by-2035.html#:~:text=EV sales will soar to about 73 million,be well over 80% in many developed countries.

USA Today. People are just not buying them.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...ales-2023-slow-inventory-pile-up/71572499007/

 

[rags747]

Until recently, I've always had fast cars. That is my weakness. I just have one question on regenerative braking, or whatever they call it. Wouldn't a minor side effect be more drain on the battery? Not much, but slightly more because you're always hitting the pedal to go forward. As opposed to coasting on occasion.

Well the only time that you are free rolling in an ice vehicle is when you are coming to a stop. In the Tesla the same thing but when approaching a light or stop sign etc you are lifting off of the go pedal to slow down, the more you lift off of the pedal the faster you stop. Takes maybe an hour to get used to the amount to lift off in order to stop at the red light. Brakes should last forever as you literally very rarely use them. Understand what you are saying just tough to explain.

 

[CyberB0b]

Until recently, I've always had fast cars. That is my weakness. I just have one question on regenerative braking, or whatever they call it. Wouldn't a minor side effect be more drain on the battery? Not much, but slightly more because you're always hitting the pedal to go forward. As opposed to coasting on occasion.

This is why EVs do better in city driving than highways, as far as efficiency goes.

 

[Rockport]

Not when auto makers are cutting back production.

Just stating facts. Not only here, all over the world.

 

[Rockport]

USA Today. People are just not buying them.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...ales-2023-slow-inventory-pile-up/71572499007/

They’re everywhere and growing exponentially.

 

[Doomsday]

The entire narrative is a bit unrealistic in my opinion and it can only scale so far.

What about people who live in condos, apartments, townhouses, etc? Where are they going to be charging their electric vehicles?

Are they supposed to be lined up at electric charging stations for hours on end every day or two after work?

Not to mention that the lifespan of the batteries is 7 to 12 years and it is $5k to $15k to replace them. Who wants to be a used car that once had 200 miles of range that now gets maybe 140 miles and the batteries will need to be replaced?

 

[Rockport]

The entire narrative is a bit unrealistic in my opinion and it can only scale so far.

What about people who live in condos, apartments, townhouses, etc? Where are they going to be charging their electric vehicles?

Are they supposed to be lined up at electric charging stations for hours on end every day or two after work?

Not to mention that the lifespan of the batteries is 7 to 12 years and it is $5k to $15k to replace them. Who wants to be a used car that once had 200 miles of range that now gets maybe 140 miles and the batteries will need to be replaced?

Charging stations are being built throughout the country via some government bill. And it’s just the beginning.

 

[Flamma]

Well the only time that you are free rolling in an ice vehicle is when you are coming to a stop. In the Tesla the same thing but when approaching a light or stop sign etc you are lifting off of the go pedal to slow down, the more you lift off of the pedal the faster you stop. Takes maybe an hour to get used to the amount to lift off in order to stop at the red light. Brakes should last forever as you literally very rarely use them. Understand what you are saying just tough to explain.

Yes, when coming to a stop Sometimes you're just coasting and then the light turns green. Or on the highway when your foot is barely on the pedal. I would imagine if an ICE vehicle had that feature, it would use up more gas. But I love the idea of that feature. I know many people hate it. It's cool to be able to stop and go with one pedal.