Quote:
Originally Posted by NZScott
Ah, an EV thread on a die hard diesel forum...
So many untrue myths when it comes to EVs that I see time and time again. Charging a national EV fleet at night isn't a problem, night time is when when there's the least load on the grid (at the moment). Charging software can control when to turn charging on and off and it's possible to use EV batteries as grid storage for peaks if the owner wishes.
Li-ion battery longevity is hell of a lot better than most think, a Model S got to 200,000 miles with only a 6% capacity loss! People always bring up how bad producing batteries is for the environment, ignoring of course the oil refining industry in its entirety. Then there's the old "EVs still burn coal", so burning hydrocarbons at 30% peak thermal efficiency in very limited circumstances with an ICE vehicle is better..../s
A new EV? Not for me. I hope to convert a W123 to electric though (using Leaf parts perhaps).
|
I also see a lot of myths about electric vehicles floating around the internet.
1/3 the cost? To charge a 60 kw/hr battery pack at standard USA electric rates would cost about $7.80 today. The Model 3 has an advertised range of 235 miles, and I'd be willing to bet it might be able to get that if its used exclusively in its 'sweet spot' of performance IE shorter trips in a city/suburban environment. People that are using Teslas and other EV on longer-range and higher speed drives are not going to get anywhere near 235 mile range. Think a Model 3 driving on an interstate highway at 80MPH when its at sub-freezing temps is going to go 235 miles? Would you want to use the last 50 miles of range if you're driving in a rural environment at night? Not likely.
Also keep in mind that the $7.80 to go 235 miles doesn't currently include a penny of federal or state road tax. If we wanted to be fair we'd have to include the costs that the diesel drivers are currently paying for road use tax into the equation right? That's currently somewhere around .35-.50 cents per gallon depending on where you live.
A Model 3 sized car with a modern CDI engine would return at least 45-50 MPG. Assuming the lower end 45MPG and current diesel fuel cost of $2.30 per gallon it would cost me around $12 for the trip. With the electric car it would be $7.80 for the juice + $2.15 for road tax or around $10.
It's less but not really all that much less, and you'd have to be willing to put up with some pretty significant limitations and inconveniences that don't exist with the CDI vehicle.
I've also read about the Model S that went 200K miles and only lost 6% of its battery capacity due to battery fade. Of course Li-on battery life lifecycle is a well-understood issue and if you use the standard charge/discharge expected cycle life you'll find that at about 150K miles the battery packs should be down to about 60% capacity. Everything I've ever bought/used that has a Li-on battery pack has exhibited the exact same battery fade issues as the charge/discharge cycles add up. Not really sure why Teslas are apparently immune to this issue but apparently they are? I'd like to hear more about how Elon has side-stepped the physics of battery fade. If he has he should license and sell the technology to iPhone battery makers and cordless tool battery makers because that technology would truly be 'disruptive'.
As far as your EV's, coal and 30% thermal efficiency modern CDI internal combustion engine argument I suggest you do a bit more research about the thermal efficiency of modern power plants vs modern CDI engines. They are pretty much identical.
If the Model 3 is such a game changer and its disruptive technology how come the Chevy Volt which has the exact same specifications and costs as the Model 3 is languishing on the sales floor?