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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
True. But at least you aren’t adding to global warming so that has to count for something?
You mean like this :)
1689785448740.png
 
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danny_w

macrumors 601
Mar 8, 2005
4,471
301
Cumming, GA
Was a lot cheaper as well!
Actually gasoline prices after adjusting for inflation have remained pretty steady since 1978. Compared to the 60s when I was growing up gasoline is cheaper now (adjusted price $3.98 in 1962 vs $2.98 the last time I filled up a few days ago).

 

JT2002TJ

macrumors 68020
Nov 7, 2013
2,068
1,397
You soon get over the fastness of an EV off the line but they’ll never compete with an ICE sports car for sound and being a lifelong motorsports fan, I totally get the thrill of a loud and powerful engine. I will miss it once everyone goes electric and the fact our kids will never know what it’s like to learn to drive a manual car with driving tests getting so much easier, that’s a scary thought.

I still have my motorcycle. It is loud...

And regarding not driving stick, 99% (I'm making up a percent here) of people here in the US have never even seen a manual transmission, yet alone know how to drive one. It has been more than 1 generation that hasn't really had manual transmissions available to them. It is life... Just like young kids today aren't learning cursive.

If automatics are better than stick (faster more efficient shifting), is there really a need for stick anymore? Other than pleasure for us older people who like sticks?

If everyone types on a phone, keyboard, is there really a need for learning cursive anymore?

EVs as you know being an EV owner, just do everything better, except make loud noises... (except for shorter refueling, for now...)
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
That electricity has to be generated some how, and its been getting more and more expensive.
When I first started living on my own, if I remember correctly, it was something like $.13/kwhr for Tier 1 and that was 2011.

Wow I found a bill from July 2013 (summer time) - 744 kW at $115:

1689789051666.jpeg


This month 2023 we're looking at an estimated monthly bill of $281 or 937 kW - but we also have an EV and I know with the temperatures we're seeing, we'll blow way past that (AC is running like crazy today).

Yes, citing CA ISO http://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/supply.html - we have a lot more renewables (solar and batteries) but we're also paying a lot more for electricity than we did just a decade ago. I think that's where a lot of the cost / charge is going to.

1689789265403.jpeg
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,003
56,027
Behind the Lens, UK
Actually gasoline prices after adjusting for inflation have remained pretty steady since 1978. Compared to the 60s when I was growing up gasoline is cheaper now (adjusted price $3.98 in 1962 vs $2.98 the last time I filled up a few days ago).

In the US I’m sure. Not quite the same story in the UK.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,003
56,027
Behind the Lens, UK
A complaint of mine is that Tesla Supercharging costs were cheaper when I first got my Tesla early last year. They have skyrocketed in the last 6 months. But I think that is more of a California thing because Socal Edison now charges us:

View attachment 2234640

Resulting in (Supercharging Pricing below):

View attachment 2234641
Everything was cheaper last year.
Just been a bad one for many reasons.
 
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Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,003
56,027
Behind the Lens, UK
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BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
This was last year but it has stuck with me
Amid Heat Wave, California Asks Electric Vehicle Owners to Limit Charging

How many states are actually increasing energy production to account for more and more EV vehicles?
I remember both Socal Edison and Tesla begging us not to charge last year. Since we rely on a 110v outlet we really didn't have a choice, but we never charge between 4-9pm anyway because of Socal Edison's Time of Use plans. I do remember the Flex Alerts like crazy last year, lol.

Very good question. I would love to know.
 

BigMcGuire

Cancelled
Jan 10, 2012
9,832
14,032
This is a concern where you run AC all night. But in the UK that is very rare. So the majority of charging is done when the grid is at its quietest. That’s why we rarely have to fire up the coal power stations anymore.
Here we have to run AC all night.

1689790569696.jpeg


This is for the State of California. It's not till midnight that things start calming down electric wise. Between 3pm-11pm we have our heaviest usage. And that's just to keep the house around 78F because of our 105F days here where we are.

Socal Edison is trying to discourage usage / recoup costs between 4-9pm with their time of use plan ($.66/kWh between those hours).
 

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,003
56,027
Behind the Lens, UK
Here we have to run AC all night.

View attachment 2234664

This is for the State of California. It's not till midnight that things start calming down electric wise. Between 3pm-11pm we have our heaviest usage. And that's just to keep the house around 78F because of our 105F days here where we are.

Socal Edison is trying to discourage usage / recoup costs between 4-9pm with their time of use plan ($.66/kWh between those hours).
So here most electricity companies offer cheaper charging off peak. Some even have a service where they control when it charges at night to spread them out.
But I change at work where it’s free. Makes Mrs AFB slightly more happy about the cost of the car!
 
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soulreaver99

macrumors 68040
Aug 15, 2010
3,709
6,420
Southern California
One of the biggest negatives regarding the electric car imo, is the charging speed. There are times, where I drive distances that would require me to go to a gas station and fill my tank up to continue. That takes no more then 2 to 3 minutes, where as an EV, I'm looking at 20 to 40 minutes.

And how many times do you need to drive those great distances? Your point is valid but it's not a big deal as people would think. I have driven from Austin, TX to Orlando, FL without issues. The car helps you plan your drive stopping by Superchargers that are usually located where you would usually stop for food or fill up on gas anyway. By the time you finish eating or taking a dump - you should be good to go.
 

ducknalddon

macrumors 6502
Aug 31, 2018
348
574
This is a concern where you run AC all night. But in the UK that is very rare. So the majority of charging is done when the grid is at its quietest. That’s why we rarely have to fire up the coal power stations anymore.
I read that we could switch the whole UK fleet to electric and we would only need to take generation back to 2002 levels.
 

Tagbert

macrumors 603
Jun 22, 2011
6,259
7,283
Seattle
This was last year but it has stuck with me
Amid Heat Wave, California Asks Electric Vehicle Owners to Limit Charging

How many states are actually increasing energy production to account for more and more EV vehicles?
Yes, CA ask people to reduce their electricity usage during the later afternoon and early evening when it was hotest and the draw for A/C was greatest. This was during an historic heat wave when A/C usage was at an all time high. That kind of heat wave is exactly the thing that we are trying to combat by reducing CO2 production.

Certainly we will need more electricity for EVs but the last estimate I saw was that it would only need to increase by about 2% annually to keep up with increased demand.
 

Tagbert

macrumors 603
Jun 22, 2011
6,259
7,283
Seattle
I seen this years ago.

Yes, that was in interesting prototype that showed GM some of what it takes to build and EV but it was too early for widespread adoption at that time as the tech and manufacturing just were not ready. I’m sure that some of that learning went into GM’s next EV the Volt and then later in their Bolt. Now they are on their 4th iteration in the Ultium platform.
 
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