Electric Cars

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

I was just thinking about these electric cars I've seen driving around. I think they're called Smart Cars?

It's great to save gas and go "green". I just wonder...even though you're saving gasoline does anyone figure in the financial cost of electricity, and more importantly the process of creating electricity and its cost?? Creating electricity requires coal, oil, or gas.

Do you really save anything in the end, especially if your sole reason for driving one is to be "green"? Electricity is not free, and is not a clean process either. Just because we don't actually see the fuel being used does not mean it isn't, right?

I'm not an expert and am just looking for some feedback. What about a diesel hybrid, or this "algae fuel" that I see is so easy and inexpensive to create? Algae is even good for our environment, soaking up our carbon dioxide.

 

[djabend]

Hi Staci,
I drive a Toyota Prius, not to be green, but because I like the car and like getting 50-55 MPG.
I understand making the car and disposing of the cars components are harmful to the environment.
So for me its not about being green.
The smart fortwo car is not electric, unless you are talking about the smart fortwo EV,
which is being released in the UK under a limited lease. The smarts you see are likely gas powered.

HH,
Donny

 

[Staci (Fargo ND)]

Donny,

Thanks for the input. I'm looking for it from both sides, and will not take offense to anyone's opinions.

The cars I'm seeing around are almost completely silent. I believe they are made by Revolution, and aren't smart cars like i'd assumed. I'm curious as to the price of owning an electric car as well; do you need to plug it in ever (costly?), or does it just create it's own power by using engine braking? Are hybrids different in that aspect?

 

[djabend]

The Prius is a full hybrid. It generates its own battery power. But it is not a plug in unless you buy a 3rd party system for it. <--(costly)
The gas engine only turns on to assist the electric motor at speeds over 42MPH or to charge the battery.
The regenerative break system also charges the battery.
The electric motor can operate by itself at speeds under 43MPH and runs the car silently.
The car is a real pleasure to drive, it almost has a calming affect on people.
HH,
Donny

 

[Oscar Goldman]

This industry and technology is still evolving and will take time to establish enough critical mass to have all of the underlying service industries become available. That includes the ability to recycle these batteries, more charging stations, etc...Right now all of the EV owners should be considered 'early adopters'...they are helping to work out the kinks in the market.

I'm not an EV owner, but one thing that I read was comments from Jay Leno who has over a hundred cars in his collection. The amount of effort to maintain his collection of Internal Combustion Engines compared to Electric Engines is reason enough that recognizing that EVs maintenance costs are so negligible that the total cost of ownership will be the motivation for new EV owners to emerge. I think I heard the comparison that Tesla has been able to replace 700 typical car components with one single component. There's no oil change, no spark plugs or fuel injectors to maintain, etc...

In my opinion, I think the real proof that EVs will revolutionize the transportation market will be how the trucking industry embraces the replacement of diesel Semi-Trucks with Electric. You get big business to fully commit then more investment to efficiently generate electricity and set up charging stations and recycling services will begin to flourish.

 

[Duckshot]

I wonder how far a Tesla can travel before it's battery needs to be removed, disposed of, and replaced?

 

[RTR]

I wonder how far a Tesla can travel before it's battery needs to be removed, disposed of, and replaced?

100k miles & 16k $$$ > https://www.thedrive.com/tech/38915/it-costs-nearly-16000-to-replace-a-tesla-model-3-battery-pack

 

[Chadeaux]

I wonder how far a Tesla can travel before it's battery needs to be removed, disposed of, and replaced?

Don't say that!!! Millenials get confused someone presents a logical argument and they have to use their grey matter for something other than following the other lemmings.

. . . don't you dare mention that converting energy from one form to another causes losses. Electric cars are magic because, apparently, we are supposed to believe that the laws of physics and science don't apply to them.

 

[RTR]

100k miles & 16k $$$ > https://www.thedrive.com/tech/38915/it-costs-nearly-16000-to-replace-a-tesla-model-3-battery-pack

Lets see the "savings". Per this article. Batts last 8 years & cost $16,000 to replace.This equals (the price of) 5,333 Gallons of gas at $3.00 per gal.
OR...667 gal. of gas per year.
OR 33 (20 gal) fill ups at $3.00 per gal.
OR one Fill up (20 gal.)per every 10 days.
So where is the savings $$$ And this is not counting tires,brakes,etc. etc, etc

 

[Fat]

.... I have caught more crap in my life for buying a new 2010 Prius. I didn’t buy it to save the earth. I bought because I buy the gas. 130k miles and still running strong. I still like the thing and 2 of my friends have them now also.

 

[islamoradamark]

on those electric cars I heard we would have to buy all the batteries from china

 

[Duckshot]

on those electric cars I heard we would have to buy all the batteries from china

Afghanistan supposedly has the richest lithium reserves in the world. So we can forget all about that....

 

[RTR]

Electric car batteries have the following elements w/in them.
Nickel.
Cobalt.
Alum.
Iron Phosphates.
Nickel Manganese.
The "experts" say only 5% of the elements are recycled .........Yeah,"save the planet" huh

 

[Chadeaux]

Electric car batteries have the following elements w/in them.
Nickel.
Cobalt.
Alum.
Iron Phosphates.
Nickel Manganese.
The "experts" say only 5% of the elements are recycled .........Yeah,"save the planet" huh

There you go again, destroying the millennials' dreams!

Next thing you know you'll be saying that getting the Covid vaccine doesn't protect everyone from covid . . . or that even vaccinated people should wear masks.

 

[TobyFrederick]

This issue has many different factors that should be considered. If I'm not mistaken, there is a separate environmental use of electric car. There is a separate term to designate elegges to the atmosphere with a full cycle of energy generation and use. As already discussed, the gas is also an excellent alternative. At least when you have to overcome quite large distances on personal transport.