Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Let's be real, they wouldn't buy new cars of these prices anyway. And by the time the second hand market is flooded the infrastructure is there. Government policy needs to be in place that developments include chargers, they do that in the rest of the world. Not sure about the USA.

Oh gosh not that again; wrong Europe is not a fraction of the size of the United States. It is actually larger ;) More densely populated as well in some areas, and less so in others. But it is not a fraction of the size of the USA. Sure you've got states that are larger than whole countries, but as a whole the USA is smaller.

It is, laws are in place, sales of new ICE vehicles are being banned.
EU delusion. Is this a disease? I see so much of it.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: jaymc and 4sallypat
Well Toyota's are legendary for that. But generally ICE cars have more moving parts so more things to fail.
EV's have a lot of moving parts, too. While not moving parts, the battery itself has hundreds of parts (cells) connected to each other, and is cooled by fluids. The drive unit has moving parts, not as many as an ICE, however. It is also lubricated and cooled with oil. The other moving parts are similar to ICE automobiles: wheels, rotors, brake pads, calipers, disks, bearings, wiper motors, and so on.

In reality, the concept of electric vehicles is not a bad idea, but the main obstacle is the amount of resources needed to build batteries that still are extremely heavy, and bulky. A perfect EV would be one that would be propelled with a battery that weights around 150-200 pounds, and with a charging system that would keep the battery fully charged for at least 500 miles. But as it is now, a lot of fossil fuel (s) are burned not only by ICE, but also to build all automobiles, batteries, and everything else. There aren't other sources of energy we can use to build and drive both EV and IC automobiles.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 4sallypat
...... A perfect EV would be one that would be propelled with a battery that weights around 150-200 pounds, and with a charging system that would keep the battery fully charged for at least 500 miles. But as it is now, a lot of fossil fuel (s) are burned not only by ICE, but also to build all automobiles, batteries, and everything else. There aren't other sources of energy we can use to build and drive both EV and IC automobiles.
My first gen EV truck has a battery that weighs 1800 lbs so we have a long way to go for weights under 200 lbs.

Maybe in about 15-20 years someone will design a battery that runs on air ?

Past 8 months driving 8000 miles I have had zero maintenance.

At 10K will go in for a tire rotation (free).

Probably by the time the truck goes 30K will have to replace out the tires due to the heavy weight (6500 lbs curb weight) and brakes.....
 
EV's have a lot of moving parts, too. While not moving parts, the battery itself has hundreds of parts (cells) connected to each other, and is cooled by fluids. The drive unit has moving parts, not as many as an ICE, however. It is also lubricated and cooled with oil. The other moving parts are similar to ICE automobiles: wheels, rotors, brake pads, calipers, disks, bearings, wiper motors, and so on.

In reality, the concept of electric vehicles is not a bad idea, but the main obstacle is the amount of resources needed to build batteries that still are extremely heavy, and bulky. A perfect EV would be one that would be propelled with a battery that weights around 150-200 pounds, and with a charging system that would keep the battery fully charged for at least 500 miles. But as it is now, a lot of fossil fuel (s) are burned not only by ICE, but also to build all automobiles, batteries, and everything else. There aren't other sources of energy we can use to build and drive both EV and IC automobiles.
A lot lot less to be honest. Yes the brakes and suspension are the same (although the brakes generally wear a lot less due to regenerative braking).
Lighter batteries would be great. But vehicles for most people don’t need a 500 mile range. You’ve only got to do the daily commute. Then destination charging at home or work would cover most peoples normal life.
My car weighs less than my Golf due to weight saving and the use of efficient materials. That’s what we need more of in car manufacturing.
 
It is unclear what you are railing against.

I was interested in a used Nissan Leaf. I test drove it but had to pass. My issue is that I drive just shy of 50 miles per day, and this particular car was at 95% but only 41 miles remaining on the charge. That would not be usable for me. The ones past 2018 should have a few days charge for my drive.
Not surprising because that wasn’t a response to you. Read the post I did respond to, perhaps then it will make more sense.
For the price the new Leafs make no sense with what’s available today. Leaf intended design for urban worked well, and the power to home was ahead of its time. Too bad England is changing the program.
 
Not surprising because that wasn’t a response to you. Read the post I did respond to, perhaps then it will make more sense.
For the price the new Leafs make no sense with what’s available today. Leaf intended design for urban worked well, and the power to home was ahead of its time. Too bad England is changing the program.
No, I read the entire thread. He is correct, the earth will be fine, regardless what we do to it. Not sure why you are triggered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaymc
A lot lot less to be honest. Yes the brakes and suspension are the same (although the brakes generally wear a lot less due to regenerative braking).
Lighter batteries would be great. But vehicles for most people don’t need a 500 mile range. You’ve only got to do the daily commute. Then destination charging at home or work would cover most peoples normal life.
My car weighs less than my Golf due to weight saving and the use of efficient materials. That’s what we need more of in car manufacturing.
I agree in that for daily commute in a city or close-by, one can very well don't have to refuel (IC vehicle) nor to charge the battery (EV) as often as people who live far away from work. For example, before I retired from my last job two years ago, I would refuel my Toyota Corolla every ten days (nearly 11 gallons of gasoline x 10-day commutes, or 6 gallons per week to top the fuel in the tank). If I were to live in or closer to the city (Fairbanks), then I would have had to refuel less often, since one gallon of gasoline would have allow me to drive the car from 20-30 miles. When returning home by the end of the week the tank was a tad over the full mark.

Living in the city, if driving an EV, I would not have had the need top-charge the battery every night. However, Fairbanks is a small city and drivers don't experience heavy traffic and stoppages, so one can easily estimate the time it takes to drive from one place to the next in a matter of minutes. Yes, I agree that your car is lightweight if compared to a lot other EV's. But because of safety reasons, most EV's cannot be made very lightweight because it would compromise the occupant's safety during a crash, or because the lightweight materials used would make the EV more expensive-if high capacity battery is used. For example, a F1 race car next to a FE race car. In this case the FE car is around 200+ pounds heavier than the 1,700-pound F1 because of the battery (900 kg (battery 385 kg, including the driver). In this case a greater capacity battery to produce more HP cannot be used for the FE car because it would make it too heavy.

I imagine that your EV is just about perfect for you where you live, and probably in most of Europe.
 
Last edited:
I agree in that for daily commute in a city or close-by, one can very well don't have to refuel (IC vehicle) nor to charge the battery (EV) as often as people who live far away from work. For example, before I retired from my last job two years ago, I would refuel my Toyota Corolla every ten days (nearly 11 gallons of gasoline x 10-day commutes, or 6 gallons per week to top the fuel in the tank). If I were to live in or closer to the city (Fairbanks), then I would have had to refuel less often, since one gallon of gasoline would have allow me to drive the car from 20-30 miles. When returning home by the end of the week the tank was a tad over the full mark.

Living in the city, if driving an EV, I would not have had the need top-charge the battery every night. However, Fairbanks is a small city and drivers don't experience heavy traffic and stoppages, so one can easily estimate the time it takes to drive from one place to the next in a matter of minutes. Yes, I agree that your car is lightweight if compared to a lot other EV's. But because of safety reasons, most EV's cannot be made very lightweight because it would compromise the occupant's safety during a crash, or because the lightweight materials used would make the EV more expensive-if high capacity battery is used. For example, a F1 race car next to a FE race car. In this case the FE car is around 200+ pounds heavier than the 1,700-pound F1 because of the battery (900 kg (battery 385 kg, including the driver). In this case a greater capacity battery to produce more HP cannot be used for the FE car because it would make it too heavy.

I imagine that your EV is just about perfect for you where you live, and probably in most of Europe.
One of the key differences when driving an EV (compared to driving an ICE) is practising ABC. Always Be Charging. The concept of running the car empty and filling it up, or not charging it every night, is one taken from years of driving an ICE. When the opportunity arises just plug it in, and if the opportunity isn't there don't sweat it because you've been ABC'ing it right ;)

In practice this means for example;
1. In the UK we went recently to a remote national park, no ultrafast chargers anywhere. But when we parked up to go into a little town my wife spotted in a corner of the car park a few destination chargers (slow). We did not need the charge, but when you practice ABC you plug it in. So whilst wandering about we got added about 8%. Then in the evening there is a lovely spot by the sea, we got some fish and chips and parked up in our usual spot and I spotted at the far end two chargers. We didn't need to 'fill up' but as we were there, having our fish supper, may as well practice ABC and plugged it in. Whilst eaten before setting back home, 35% was added. That is ABC.
2. Or in Anterwerpen, Belgium. We parked up for our hotel in an underground multi-storey car park. Didn't need a charge, drove by the chargers just in case. They were the very slow kind like 2kW/hr, but also broken. It would have been nice to fill up for free whilst sleeping (never had an ICE car where you can do that in a hotel) but as we practice ABC it was also no issue that it wasn't possible this time.

It just requires a slightly different mind set.
 
I don't see this way to operate cars convince anybody. Why are electric cars not better and easier to use than ice cars? They are a pain instead. No range and no chargers where I live.
Maybe charging away from people's private carports should better be done wireless while driving along frequented places like freeways or similar?
 
I don't see this way to operate cars convince anybody. Why are electric cars not better and easier to use than ice cars? They are a pain instead. No range and no chargers where I live.
Maybe charging away from people's private carports should better be done wireless while driving along frequented places like freeways or similar?
EV’s are much more convenient than ICE cars. I don’t miss driving 15 minutes to my local expensive petrol station. Or if I wanted to save a bit drive 25 minutes to the slightly cheaper petrol station. I make around 6 trips a year where I have to charge on the way. Hardly a big deal. But better than filling up twice a month.
 
I don't see this way to operate cars convince anybody. Why are electric cars not better and easier to use than ice cars? They are a pain instead. No range and no chargers where I live.
Maybe charging away from people's private carports should better be done wireless while driving along frequented places like freeways or similar?
I don't understand that remark. Not wasting time ever again, just stopping at and waiting to fill up your car is brilliant. Our BMW M2C we had to fill up every three days for about £80. Our more powerful Polestar 2 is filled every night whilst we sleep and costs no more than £15 per week.

I still have my supercharged range rover, just find it annoying standing there filling up a 100 liter tank every 350 miles. And I'm not even talking about the money that that costs.
 
I have no charger around my place and need to look for a spot to park wherever I can find one. In my country there are less chargers per EV than before now as more people use EVs. I often go to remote places by car where no charger can be found. Topping off my ICE fuel tank gives a 600 km plus endurance within five minutes.

Short EV range is my main concern. Charging hassles the next. I don't want to change my route to wait at chargers or even need to wait for the guy in the line ahead of me to charge first. This technology is just not mature yet. Charging should be automated somehow. How could they miss this?
 
you are clearly not ready for it and are only focussed on finding problems and reasons why not. That’s ok, not everyone is ready to make the change. Nobody is forcing you.

However in the mean time all around the world people are switching and enjoying the significant benefits.
 
I have no charger around my place and need to look for a spot to park wherever I can find one. In my country there are less chargers per EV than before now as more people use EVs. I often go to remote places by car where no charger can be found. Topping off my ICE fuel tank gives a 600 km plus endurance within five minutes.

Short EV range is my main concern. Charging hassles the next. I don't want to change my route to wait at chargers or even need to wait for the guy in the line ahead of me to charge first. This technology is just not mature yet. Charging should be automated somehow. How could they miss this?
Who’s they? Why do people always look to the edge cases?
For the people who can charge at home or work, or run two or three cars having an EV makes a lot of savings.
I get charging could be better. But a slight inconvenience for us now and then is probably worth it so the people of the Maldives can have a country for a while longer isn’t it?
I guess not for all.
 
BBC News today front page articles about oil companies making record profits again, best in 115 years. Proof that price gouging is why prices are high. That's how international monopolies work. Oil companies are called cartels for a reason. EV's are a great option for many, not a great option for others. Tesla has proven the viability of mass production and infrastructure. My fear is as robber barons did hundred years ago, Tesla will kill the competition and create just another greedy monopoly.
 
  • Angry
Reactions: decafjava and jaymc
BBC News today front page articles about oil companies making record profits again, best in 115 years. Proof that price gouging is why prices are high. That's how international monopolies work. Oil companies are called cartels for a reason. EV's are a great option for many, not a great option for others. Tesla has proven the viability of mass production and infrastructure. My fear is as robber barons did hundred years ago, Tesla will kill the competition and create just another greedy monopoly.
I don’t think Tesla will kill the opposition. Especially in Europe. They certainly have a good market share but the prices are pushing them out of many’s reach. I’d never consider one due to the design and build quality.
 
I don’t think Tesla will kill the opposition. Especially in Europe. They certainly have a good market share but the prices are pushing them out of many’s reach. I’d never consider one due to the design and build quality.
Another reason I dislike Tesla - too many in my neighborhood - almost all of them are white - like clones.

Still patiently waiting on my 11 month ordered Ford Mustang Mach E to complement my Ford Lightning EV truck...

IMG_0141.JPG
 
One of the key differences when driving an EV (compared to driving an ICE) is practising ABC. Always Be Charging. The concept of running the car empty and filling it up, or not charging it every night, is one taken from years of driving an ICE. When the opportunity arises just plug it in, and if the opportunity isn't there don't sweat it because you've been ABC'ing it right ;)

In practice this means for example;
1. In the UK we went recently to a remote national park, no ultrafast chargers anywhere. But when we parked up to go into a little town my wife spotted in a corner of the car park a few destination chargers (slow). We did not need the charge, but when you practice ABC you plug it in. So whilst wandering about we got added about 8%. Then in the evening there is a lovely spot by the sea, we got some fish and chips and parked up in our usual spot and I spotted at the far end two chargers. We didn't need to 'fill up' but as we were there, having our fish supper, may as well practice ABC and plugged it in. Whilst eaten before setting back home, 35% was added. That is ABC.
2. Or in Anterwerpen, Belgium. We parked up for our hotel in an underground multi-storey car park. Didn't need a charge, drove by the chargers just in case. They were the very slow kind like 2kW/hr, but also broken. It would have been nice to fill up for free whilst sleeping (never had an ICE car where you can do that in a hotel) but as we practice ABC it was also no issue that it wasn't possible this time.

It just requires a slightly different mind set.
Agree about what you written above. By the way, when wandering about, specially on long drives, I stop by gas stations along the way to keep the fuel at least two-thirds or 3/4 tank full. On the way home I also do the same, except that the tank is nearly full when I arrive. In Alaska there are long stretches of roads that don't have gas stations. It is the same when driving through the Northern Canadian regions.

Now, because of where I live long distance driving is quite common, and since winters are very long and cold, an EV is inconvenient to me. For example, when taking photos of the Auroras at night the temperatures are in sub-zero numbers. In those conditions I keep my truck's engine idling from 2 to 3 hours, and the cabin heater set to hot. The last time I was taking photos of the Auroras was on 27 January, with a temperature of -24 degrees F. I do the same when taking photos of the local sled dog races, but only if the ambient temperatures are -10 degrees F. and colder. Also, while I have a 2-car garage, the three vehicles my wife and I drive are parked at the driveways. Since electricity is so expensive in Alaska, we plug these vehicles to electric timers for a period of two hours before starting the engine before driving. A great number of Americans live in rural areas, and drive long distances.

That's why I said previously that if living in a city I would not mind driving an EV-as long as I can park it indoors, of course. Parking an EV outdoors, unplugged, is out of the question during the winter near Fairbanks. :)

One thing to be considered when discussing EV's versus IC vehicles is as follows: there is no way for one to decide what type of vehicle is the best for anyone but oneself. Every one of us has different live experiences, needs, and wants. As such one (myself in this case) cannot assume that what's is good for me, is the same for another person.
 
Last edited:
Agree about what you written above. By the way, when wandering about, specially on long drives, I stop by gas stations along the way to keep the fuel at least two-thirds or 3/4 tank full. On the way home I also do the same, except that the tank is nearly full when I arrive. In Alaska there are long stretches of roads that don't have gas stations. It is the same when driving through the Northern Canadian regions.

Now, because of where I live long distance driving is quite common, and since winters are very long and cold, an EV is inconvenient to me. For example, when taking photos of the Auroras at night the temperatures are in sub-zero numbers. In those conditions I keep my truck's engine idling from 2 to 3 hours, and the cabin heater set to hot. The last time I was taking photos of the Auroras was on 27 January, with a temperature of -24 degrees F. I do the same when taking photos of the local sled dog races, but only if the ambient temperatures are -10 degrees F. and colder. Also, while I have a 2-car garage, the three vehicles my wife and I drive are parked at the driveways. Since electricity is so expensive in Alaska, we plug these vehicles to electric timers for a period of two hours before starting the engine before driving. A great number of Americans live in rural areas, and drive long distances.

That's why I said previously that if living in a city I would not mind driving an EV-as long as I can park it indoors, of course. Parking an EV outdoors, unplugged, is out of the question during the winter near Fairbanks. :)
Sure totally get that. I do the same here when we have extreme weather conditions with my ICE vehicles, keep it topped up and be ready for the worst. And I appreciate that what is extreme weather is normal for you, and where we can count the days on one hand, you have it for many months.

Interestingly though, our EV is equiped with heatpump technology, very good in the cold as you would expect with it being Swedish developed and tested, and wouldnt use much more than 1% per hour to keep the climate control, together with four heated seats, steering wheel and windows. It will definitely idle way longer than my Range Rover could (5.0V8 Supercharged).
 
Sure totally get that. I do the same here when we have extreme weather conditions with my ICE vehicles, keep it topped up and be ready for the worst. And I appreciate that what is extreme weather is normal for you, and where we can count the days on one hand, you have it for many months.

Interestingly though, our EV is equiped with heatpump technology, very good in the cold as you would expect with it being Swedish developed and tested, and wouldnt use much more than 1% per hour to keep the climate control, together with four heated seats, steering wheel and windows. It will definitely idle way longer than my Range Rover could (5.0V8 Supercharged).
Yes, EV's that incorporate heat pumps do not consume as much electricity as the rest, and work quite efficiently until ambient cold temperatures become extreme. But even at sub-zero temperatures (not extremely low) the efficiency can drop from the initial 300% to 100%, or 1kW of electricity consumed x and equal of 1kW of recovered heat energy. Is this case the pumps cannot extract too much heat from the battery cooling system since the battery must be kept relatively warm.

Now, very little fuel is consumed by my truck's engine once it reaches its normal operating temperatures and the truck is parked, since the idle speed drops to 500 RPM. By then the engine is producing a lot of heat from the combustion process, and the heat is not resistive, just ported to the cabin via ducts with the aid if the heater fan. Also, the alternator is producing all the electricity needed to keep the engine and other systems operating.
 
Last edited:
I don’t think Tesla will kill the opposition. Especially in Europe. They certainly have a good market share but the prices are pushing them out of many’s reach. I’d never consider one due to the design and build quality.
You might check out Tesla sales in Germany since prices were cut. Now VW has cut prices in response.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.