Battery based electric vehicles of today and tomorrow.

[Oaktree]

Plus Model E sounds much like Model 3 that is eating margins at the old line car makers. I think Ford and others may be having a knee jerk reaction after being asleep behind the wheel for 10 years while Nissan and Tesla were actually in the EV space and selling them to the public worldwide. The recent story how MB sales were down $22 million in Norway because the EV's in that country made up 40%+ of new car sales.

I think it was world wide but I read Telsa was reporting 22% of trade-ins where BMW or MB higher end cars.

Your last statement tells me that EVs=rich man's toy/status symbol.
I've never been to Norway, but I'm a more than a bit skeptical about EVs accounting for almost half of new car sales unless the government is making it extremely difficult to buy a conventional vehicle or there are other economic factors that don't apply here in the U.S.

I would always have two vehicles so a basic cheap EV would work for me. For most users, adding $10-15k to get a 400 mile range and 30 minute charge will be difficult to justify. On the handful of long trips most of us make, stopping at a gas station and filling up in 5 minutes is the preferred option. Use the ICE for that, and EV for daily running around.

Seems kind of an expensive solution for most people, having a 2nd vehicle just for trips. ISTM that most who have a "standby" vehicle it would be something like a truck that gets used only when they need a truck.

 

[Agvg]

Of course EV has a lot of benefits over ICE in Norway. No sales tax, free parking, free ferries, no road toll and could use bus file on the high way. Some of those benefits are now gone.

All this came long befor Tesla and Nissan.

Adding a picture of a typically EV from the years when all those benefits was introduced. You needed some advantages before you did get out on the highway in a Kewet Buddy....

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I would not factor in the impact on the environment in my purchase decision. If there is a difference, I doubt it will amount to much...but I expect electric will be better.

Reliability, cost of repairs, cost of operation, servicing, and operating range are my drivers. I need heat in the winter and A/C in the summer. 100 miles a day with an overnight charge will suffice for 90% of my needs. I would always have two vehicles so a basic cheap EV would work for me. For most users, adding $10-15k to get a 400 mile range and 30 minute charge will be difficult to justify. On the handful of long trips most of us make, stopping at a gas station and filling up in 5 minutes is the preferred option. Use the ICE for that, and EV for daily running around.

shooterdon I expect many are in or will be in agreement on basic cheap EV solutions in the years to come. They are out there for other markets already. US safety features may drive up the cost but I expect in a few years we will see some new <$15K USD options. At this point I do not see myself developing an interest in the $50K-$100K EV solution. We have enough ICE's around the place to cover longer trips but the number may drop to 2 as the kids will be gone in time. Our 2010 F-150 and Subaru Forester (both 4 doors and 4WD) may last a long time if doing most of the daily runs in the 2016 Leaf. In case of accidents or hard failure we still have good driving options since we are in a rural area. Both of them have been parked for the last two weeks so no gas station visits. EV's do cost money and today just do not make sense for many cases like the person that only makes three 5 mile trips several times a week and own a low mileage quality car or truck. We are doing a min of 500 miles a week (30 to 60 miles round trips) so my geek streak told me we needed an EV NOW to play with.

 

[shooterdon]

Gale,

I agree with you. I was looking at either an EV or used pickup for a couple of months to supplement our like new 2015 F150. Found a good deal on a high mileage 2016 F150 and bought it last week.

On the few long trips we make a year an ICE makes the most sense for us. But most days we put on 10 miles, and once or twice a week 50 miles per day...perfect for a low end EV. With no EV dealers 1 1/2 hour away, it became a deal killer. One downside to living in a very rural area. Another factor was the desire for AWD or 4WD for times of the year roads are bad.

EV's are not for everyone but I believe they will capture a sizeable share of the market. Battery technology will continue to develop and then the last bit is charging stations. For many people, an overnight charge at home will be all they need most of the time anyway.

One of the factors affecting Europe that Americans do not realize is the cost of fuel there...about twice or greater in many countries than what we pay. If fuel goes to over $5/gal, that will incentivize people to EV's. And if they have good experiences with EV's, their friends and family will be more comfortable with them.

With two decent ICE vehicles and the low miles we drive, it may be 10 years before we are in the market again. In another 10 years, EV's will be even better and the mainstream dealers (Ford/GM/etc) will be geared up for them. It is highly likely our next vehicle will be an EV. I see very little not to like with an EV

 

[Jstpssng]

0-60 in under 3 seconds... 5 electric cars giving supercars a run for their money - Business Insider

I believe that EVs will become more widespread. This discussion reminds me of a WWII era series I read as a kid. Two brothers invented a battery and electric airplane which allowed it to rise like a helicopter, and go almost forever on the battery. Fiction, yes, and definitely optimistic... but possibly also ahead of it’s time.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Saw something that pointed out that the Government incentives for electric cars basically subsidize the rich. That's pretty much the only one able to afford them.

Saw another Documentary on an enourmous Indian Solar Farm. They kept talking about all this clean energy saying nothing of the tens of thousands of very "dirty" toxic solar panels.

It ended with talk about bringing "light" into so many poor Indian Households. Gosh, I hope they don't need that "light" at night! How typically STUPID!

 

[Agvg]

Leaf and the VW e-Golf and KIA and Hyundai EV are not for the rich, Tesla, Jag and Audi e-tron is, the same with BMW and MB.

Of course Tesla 3 is not particularly expensive in base version.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Tell that to people that drive twelve year old beaters.

 

[Agvg]

If all you can afford is a old wreck, then all new cars are expensive.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yes, true, but it would be kind of just another slap in the face for the poor guy to hear that rich folks are getting government "green" vehicle subsidies.