Battery based electric vehicles of today and tomorrow.

[MossRoad]

Why do you jump on coal as if it is the only means of electricity production? Coal produced only 19% of the USA consumption of electricity in 2020: Electricity in the U.S. - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Furthermore, if you work the math (for some reason the EPA would rather obfuscate this) a power hog 380Wh/mile Tesla Model S on pure 100% coal fired electricity is responsible for the same CO2 generation as a conventional gasoline automobile getting 30 MPG. But the EV can effortlessly use nuclear, natural gas, hydro, solar, or whatever form of electricity is available. While the gasoline engine has great difficulty when gasoline is diluted by as little as 10% ethanol. Not to mention the difficulty of making and transporting ethanol.

Or the same difficulty, questionable benefit, questionable economics, of biodiesel.

Yes, coal only produced 19%, however, fossil fuels did a total of 60%. Burning fossil fuels will have to increase if the demand increases until there are other alternatives to generate that load. Solar won't do it during the night, however, it can offset fossil fuels during the day, so overall fossil fuel consumption may go down as solar ramps up. Get used to seeing more windmills, too. They'll offset fossil fuel use as well and can operate at night, however, wind usually decreases at night, generally.

The real answer is nuclear. Today, 20% of U.S. power is generated by just 55 nuclear power plants. It would take less than 300 nuclear plants could replace all fossil, solar, wind, and hydroelectric plants with power to spare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

www.eia.gov

INFOGRAPHIC: How Much Power Does A Nuclear Reactor Produce?

A typical nuclear reactor produces 1 gigawatt of power per plant on average. Just how much power is that exactly?

www.energy.gov

 

[Grumpycat]

Yes, coal only produced 19%, however, fossil fuels did a total of 60%. Burning fossil fuels will have to increase if the demand increases until there are other alternatives to generate that load. Solar won't do it during the night, however, it can offset fossil fuels during the day, so overall fossil fuel consumption may go down as solar ramps up. Get used to seeing more windmills, too. They'll offset fossil fuel use as well and can operate at night, however, wind usually decreases at night, generally.

The real answer is nuclear. Today, 20% of U.S. power is generated by just 55 nuclear power plants. It would take less than 300 nuclear plants could replace all fossil, solar, wind, and hydroelectric plants with power to spare.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

www.eia.gov

INFOGRAPHIC: How Much Power Does A Nuclear Reactor Produce?

A typical nuclear reactor produces 1 gigawatt of power per plant on average. Just how much power is that exactly?

www.energy.gov

No, you are spinning. You tried to make it appear EVs were only going to add to coal consumption as if there was no other source of electricity. And pretending the EV is not replacing gasoline/diesel consumption. And ignoring how a coal-powered EV is still cleaner than a gasoline automobile.

A Tesla Model S consumes 380Wh/mile from the grid. The Ford Lightning appears to be in the 500-650Wh/mile range backing out numbers from published charge times and ranges.

The better Tesla Model 3 only uses 260Wh/mile. Some versions use more but nothing like the original Model S pig.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Toyota arrives to the EV dance late but with a partner who is a world class EV maker. Sounds weird Toyota's initial purchase of Tesla's shares today would be worth more than Toyota is today if had they not sold their shares per this story.

 

[MossRoad]

No, you are spinning. You tried to make it appear EVs were only going to add to coal consumption as if there was no other source of electricity. And pretending the EV is not replacing gasoline/diesel consumption. And ignoring how a coal-powered EV is still cleaner than a gasoline automobile.

A Tesla Model S consumes 380Wh/mile from the grid. The Ford Lightning appears to be in the 500-650Wh/mile range backing out numbers from published charge times and ranges.

The better Tesla Model 3 only uses 260Wh/mile. Some versions use more but nothing like the original Model S pig.

You have me confused with someone else.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That gentleman in the video on the previous page needs a napkin every time he says Tesla.
First off, he states the Mustang Mach E is a failure. Incorrect. It out sold the Mustang the last two months.
He states that people who are waiting for a Tesla might settle for an inferior Ford EV. Inferior? Apparently, Tesla has never had an issue with anything they’ve sold as far as reliability. Wait......
Lithium mining is about to really ramp up. Does Tesla have contracts for all of it? I don’t think so, Tim.
If the Cybertruck ends up being far superior to the F150 Lightning, and cheaper, the F150 EV may only outsell the CYbertruck by a ratio of 7 or 8 to 1. I’m thinking 12:1 is more realistic.
There are some people who would benefit logistically from a BEV. They might buy one. Others will continue buying traditional ICE vehicles. But, most truck owners would switch over to the brand they’re familiar with. Who sells the most trucks again?
Aesthetically, lots of folks buy based on appearance. I think Tesla might be in last place there, in the truck segment.

Regarding lithium mining, a possible German mine in conjunction with geothermal power plants could eventually come online, but it will take years. Meanwhile, current battery recycling recovers cobalt, copper, silver, etc., but new low temperature liquid recycling promises to also recover the lithium. As batteries wear out, most of their materials will be recovered. Charging stations are not the only infrastructure than needs to be built out.

Germany plans to mine boiling-hot lithium deep beneath the Rhine River

Germany will mine lithium from hot springs in the Rhine River Valley. The deposits could house enough of the rare mineral for 400 million electric cars

www.autoblog.com

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Regarding lithium mining, a possible German mine in conjunction with geothermal power plants could eventually come online, but it will take years. Meanwhile, current battery recycling recovers cobalt, copper, silver, etc., but new low temperature liquid recycling promises to also recover the lithium. As batteries wear out, most of their materials will be recovered. Charging stations are not the only infrastructure than needs to be built out.

Germany plans to mine boiling-hot lithium deep beneath the Rhine River

Germany will mine lithium from hot springs in the Rhine River Valley. The deposits could house enough of the rare mineral for 400 million electric cars

www.autoblog.com

Larry thanks for sharing this news about the vast accessible lithium deposits in Germany. The EC has committed to building out lithium ion battery factories to support their vehicle and energy storage needs.

Thankfully lithium ion batteries do not "CONSUME" or use up the lithium.

While car lithium ion battery packs do require replacement when they degrade (State Of Health or SOH) by 30-35%. However they are still fine for energy storage at your home or business that your low cost high efficient solar panels produce daily.

Say for example when the small 40 kWh lithium ion battery in our Nissan Leaf SOH degrades by 30% it functionally acts like a 28 kWh battery. That is 3x of one first generation Tesla PowerWall storage capacity. Or in my case someone with a 2015 Leaf EV that came with the 24 kWh battery will pay $3000+ to get a bolt compatible used larger EV battery pack.

As a side note Nissan lost their EV market position because their battery life inhales in a major way in hot climates or when DC fast charging because even today they have no active temperature management solution. Tesla had it in their initial 2008 battery packs for a good reason.

 

[Hay Dude]

Got a question for you, since you're a person that works their truck VS daily driver/grocery getter on short hops. Are your working hours set day-to-day? Are there days where you work late into the night and get up early the following to make another heavy delivery of hay? Will you have enough time overnight to get it charged fully before you have to go again? Do you make more than 1 trip a day and will the battery last as long as you need it if you have to do 2 trips? Things like that. I'm curious how much range it'll provide if you have to do a double or triple some day. Or are you going to have to stop somewhere and take a nap for an hour or four, depending on charger availability?

I don't drive for a living. I have, however, had 'those days' in my life when I had to make a couple fully loaded back-to-back runs more than 200 miles round trip each to the same place for various reasons. College move-ins and move-outs come to mind. Had 9 years of dealing with those. 1 day to complete the job. No choice. Had a two-day event where I had to tow a 6x12 trailer 100 miles, load it and my Suburban full of furniture, then drive back home. Sleep for a few house and the had 1 day to drive 375 miles to Pittsburg, unload a full apartment of furnishings, drop off the trailer, and then drive back 375 miles. Due to other engagements, work obligations, etc... I had just 2 days to complete those tasks. I could not have done it on time with an electric vehicle.

So while an electric truck may work for you on most short trips, will there be enough times when it won't to be of concern? Maybe you have multiple tow vehicles, so the point is moot. Take the electric on most of the trips and the spare diesel on the longer hauls?

I just don't see an electric truck working for us. An electric car would be fine as a 2nd car for around town for us. But I like 4 door sedans for road trips, so we'd again want 3 vehicles, and I'm trying to pare down to just 2 for the two of us.

Thoughts comments appreciated, thanks.

Those are all good questions and thoughts.
My hours are, for lack of a better term, are crazy. Yes, I have worked late into the night and then may have the following day "off", but use it to make repairs, pick up parts, etc. Honestly, I dont know what the range on a hypothetical "Ram 5500 electric truck" would be? What would it be towing 40,000lbs? I would need to know top make an informed decision. My typical day for delivering mulch hay would be 2 or 3 loads travel distance is only about 15 miles each way, so even a 200 mile range would work. Delivering feed hay, I could drive as far as 75 miles each way, so again, a 200 mile rage would be enough.
I would say if itll tow heavy for 300 miles on a 8hr charge, I could make it work-maybe be a buyer, but 500 would be way better. My current Ram 5500 range on a full tank of diesel is 500-700 miles (50 gallons @ 10-15 MPG). Refuels in 5 minutes.
However, I don't see the range of 500 miles or more happening for a while. I would think the first models might be 200 miles. At 200 miles, I could get most any day of work done, but would need a full recharge. How long would that take?
BTW: I have a Jeep Rubicon for running around. Wife & kids have vehicles

 

[Hay Dude]

Why do you jump on coal as if it is the only means of electricity production? Coal produced only 19% of the USA consumption of electricity in 2020: Electricity in the U.S. - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Furthermore, if you work the math (for some reason the EPA would rather obfuscate this) a power hog 380Wh/mile Tesla Model S on pure 100% coal fired electricity is responsible for the same CO2 generation as a conventional gasoline automobile getting 30 MPG. But the EV can effortlessly use nuclear, natural gas, hydro, solar, or whatever form of electricity is available. While the gasoline engine has great difficulty when gasoline is diluted by as little as 10% ethanol. Not to mention the difficulty of making and transporting ethanol.

Or the same difficulty, questionable benefit, questionable economics, of biodiesel.

Theres no bigger proponent of nuclear energy than me. I think it makes more sense than any other source. I just "jumped on coal" because traditional coal plants do pollute and if they make 20% of our electricity, They will be running at 100% with the wave of recharging stations headed our way.
I dont believe EVs should be subsidized. I believe free markets should battle it out and let the winner earn our business. Cars and trucks burn so cleanly now, its ridiculous to replace them.

 

[fatjay]

Theres no bigger proponent of nuclear energy than me. I think it makes more sense than any other source. I just "jumped on coal" because traditional coal plants do pollute and if they make 20% of our electricity, They will be running at 100% with the wave of recharging stations headed our way.
I dont believe EVs should be subsidized. I believe free markets should battle it out and let the winner earn our business. Cars and trucks burn so cleanly now, its ridiculous to replace them.

Remember, subsidies aren't free money. They're the government giving your tax dollars to people that buy EV's. The government doesn't have money, they have YOUR money.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Blue Bird Celebrates Sale Of 500 Electric School Buses

I didn't realize commercial EV sales was progressing to this extent. Soon kids being born today may go home from the hospital in an EV then to school on an EV.