Poll: Do you have, or plan to get, an electric car?

[Kent88]

 

[Newsman]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-lithium-expert-agrees-elon-181259766.html
This is one of the things I worry about with EV adoption... The world has plenty of lithium... But does it have industries able to recover that lithium in the quantities and at the cost necessary to ramp?

The batteries can be reprocessed, just like regular rechargeable batteries

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Is it going to be a 4 door crossover like the "Mustang" Mach E ?

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I have a friend working with some big name labs on using very available alternatives to lithium and that is all I can say about it.

Corky, if the lab has an press releases when they hit on some technology, I hope you can let us know. I'm always interested in that sort of thing.

That said, I can be a bit of a skeptic on such things. Proving a technology in a lab is one thing. Proving it at scale is another. Proving that it can COMPETE at scale economically and be produced in large quantities is another. I literally see this all the time in my field (data storage). I've spent the last 20 years listening to how SSDs will completely replace HDDs. I've spent the last 10 years hearing about promising technologies being proven in the lab that will make NAND flash obsolete. And yet... I think the tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue in the HDD and SSD markets aren't exactly being threatened.

If you get to a point you can talk about it, I'd love to hear. But I'm Missouri... Gonna have to Show Me. And it's possible that this technology is going to be groundbreaking--but when does that mean it'll be able to reach adoption? In the next decade?

The batteries can be reprocessed, just like regular rechargeable batteries

Similar to above, I know that reprocessing is possible. The big question is whether it can be done economically and whether it can scale to the capacity needed to make a difference.

At the very least, I doubt battery reprocessing will make a meaningful difference in EV adoption before 2030.

 

[day_trippr]

From what I've read recently there is enough readily recoverable lithium in the Salton Sea area along with the geothermal energy to economically process it to swamp demand for years to come...

https://www.yahoo.com/now/experts-u-could-enter-lithium-170000824.html
Cheers!

 

[Kent88]

Is it going to be a 4 door crossover like the "Mustang" Mach E ?

Does it matter? That's what people are driving these days.

 

[doug293cz]

Is it going to be a 4 door crossover like the "Mustang" Mach E ?

Does it matter? That's what people are driving these days.

Nothing inherently wrong with a 4 door crossover, if that's the vehicle that fits your mission, but calling it a Mustang is a joke. Calling one a Corvette would be sinful.

Brew on

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Does it matter? That's what people are driving these days.

Nothing inherently wrong with a 4 door crossover, if that's the vehicle that fits your mission, but calling it a Mustang is a joke. Calling one a Corvette would be sinful.

Exactly. I've got nothing against the Mach E, except that I'm not a huge fan of the looks--primarily the rear end. I'm sure it's a fine car.

But it's not a Mustang. A Mustang is a 2-door pony car. It's supposed to be impractical and designed for testosterone-addled 20-somethings who are all about the GTL and DTF lifestyle. It's not a damn utilitarian crossover meant to appeal to middle-aged dads who prefer utility to flash and fury.

As for the Corvette, purists may not even fully accept the mid-engine configuration of the current model, but I think that opinion was drowned out quickly. I think purists would probably balk slightly at the idea of an electric version, but if it's performance bordering on supercar territory, they'll likely be drowned out as well.

If they call a 4-door crossover EV a "Corvette", then I'll be the first one to argue we need to bring back the old tradition of being tarred and feathered for the CEO of General Motors.

 

[Kent88]

Vehicle looks are constantly changing. Back when my wife and I bought our first Jeep, a Patriot, she complained that the Compass looked strange. She pretty much complains about how any vehicle looks if it doesn't look like it was designed before 2005.

I've never understood how people get so caught up in vehicle aesthetics. There are some paint colors I don't care for, a few I would outright refuse, but I can't recall a vehicle from a major manufacturer since 2000 that I've absolutely hated the look of. Dislike, sure. I even found the look of the cybertruck amusing.

I guess I just don't care about the looks that much, unless their air resistance is terrible as a result of gaudy design. There are several other attributes that I care more about.

I still don't care that much about vehicle looks. Ford and GM don't care about my opinion. They think that they can sell cars like that, and with the Mach-E it seems to be working well enough. We'll see how the Corvette does.

 

[Scout]

I dont plan on one, but I have thought about one. It would have to have a lot of range and be affordable.

 

[Scout]

As for the Corvette, purists may not even fully accept the mid-engine configuration of the current model, but I think that opinion was drowned out quickly. I think purists would probably balk slightly at the idea of an electric version, but if it's performance bordering on supercar territory, they'll likely be drowned out as well.

If they call a 4-door crossover EV a "Corvette", then I'll be the first one to argue we need to bring back the old tradition of being tarred and feathered for the CEO of General Motors.

Corvette purists would know that the Corvette was supposed to be a mid engine vehicle since the 60s.

I've heard rumors that GM considered spinning the Corvette off into its own brand, which would include SUVs and crossovers.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I would buy a 4-seat Corvette. Electric or not.

Oh wait.

 

[TwistedGray]

Sold my Telsa P90D and picked up this gas sipper until I can find a deal on a P100D.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I'm not going to talk about this in any level of detail. If you look at their website it's public that the company I work for is an investor in their company. I'm not involved with any of it directly but I don't want to speak in detail so I have zero risk of talking about anything confidential.

Iron nitride magnetics with field strength equal/higher than known rare earth magnets. Because they're made of iron and nitrogen, they avoid most of they supply chain and mining issues with rare earths, and their trademark name is that it's the Clean Earth Magnet™

Throwing it out here because these types of magnets have application in electric motors, and I thought you guys would be interested.

https://nironmagnetics.com/
https://www.startribune.com/minneap...o-be-big-player-in-greener-economy/600136530/

 

[day_trippr]

An upgrade for my stir plates! I want!

Also...which model GT-R is that sweetie? I want that, too!

 

[TwistedGray]

Also...which model GT-R is that sweetie? I want that, too!

It's a wrapped (by the previous owner) 2010 with a lot of money thrown at it - Shepherd transmission, larger turbos, intakes, turbo outlets, downpipe, full exhaust, injectors w/ larger fuel pump, E85, Visconti tunes, and fistfuls of carbon fiber. It's the anti-EV...puts down gobs more torque and power than my P90D. I would rather have a FUSC'd P100D; however, they're still priced in the high 60's if not low 70's, and this GT-R was a steal, sooooooooo here we are : )

 

[Kent88]

Electric boats built by GM and former SpaceX engineers could be the next big thing – take a look

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Probably my wife's next car... To replace the current RX350...

 

[Kent88]

Thought you were on a strict plan, no new to you vehicles for at least a few years.

 

[day_trippr]

It'd be "new to her". She may not let him drive it

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Thought you were on a strict plan, no new to you vehicles for at least a few years.

Oh, this is still a few years out. She wanted to replace her RX eventually with another "RX" type vehicle, and this might fit the bill in 3-5 years.

It'd be "new to her". She may not let him drive it

I can drive her RX whenever I want.

I ask her when I'm allowed to want to

 

[Kent88]

GM slashes price of 2023 Chevy Bolt, making it the cheapest EV in America

 

[Kent88]

I'm not going to link to the articles that I'm finding that discuss this, because most are attributing it to certain politicians and political entities that I don't want to talk about here.

But it sounds like there is a big government push to get EV charging stations along federal highways, within certain intervals (I'm reading every 50 miles or less). I don't know if it will end up being every 50 miles, but if this pans out, it's a big step.

Hopefully they're smart enough to find places with something for people to do besides sit in their vehicles.

 

[day_trippr]

It only takes a moment to realize "scale" is a huge problem - wrt chargers v. EV adoption.
Even now where EV adoption is embryonic there is a bigly problem just keeping existing chargers viable.
For some &%#*@! there are tiny _____ troglodytes that trash chargers on a regular basis...

 

[Kent88]

I think I've had to work around a defective charger once in the past few years of owning a PHEV. And what I had to do was move over to the next space.

Not saying that it isn't an issue, but it isn't one that's been a problem for me.

 

[Broothru]

Hopefully they're smart enough to find places with something for people to do besides sit in their vehicles.

DAMN! If they do that, I'll be stopping every 50 miles just to get a quick charge and (mostly) to waste some more time with you guys on HBT.

 

[TwistedGray]

There are a few stations here in California that have had their charging cables cut and stolen, multiple multiple times!! A federal charging infrastructure would not only be welcomed, but needed ONLY IF manufacturers don't' install stations themselves and rely on third parties.

What I hope would happen is that dealers will install 1-2-4 stations at each dealership around the nation. If that happened, incentivized by the manufacturer or Feds or whoever, that would be a BIG WIN for charging stations and EV's in general (in my opinion).

 

[Kent88]

I'd really like to see the government look at businesses near highway on/off ramps where people usually can spend lots of time but aren't necessarily obligated to spend lots of money. Park-and-ride lots, parks (climate permitting), malls, movie theaters, libraries, restaurants, etc. Hotels are an interesting situation, it just makes sense to me that hotels should find an existing charging network to partner with, as there is probably some demand already for charging at hotels.

It wonder if any gas stations are already looking at what people will want from a charging station station. People are going to have to leave their vehicle parked in a spot for some time, and of course you want to be ready for the least comfortable weather your area has to offer. Until charging speeds improve, we need spaces for people to rest with low pressure to buy anything and some means for people to entertain themselves.

 

[SanPancho]

Curious to know if anyone might have some info on fords “portable charging system “ they filed a patent app on a while back?

Im on the list for both the lightning as well as the e Silverado. Considering they’re talking about 400miles for the Chevy im tempted to wait. But if ford really does have a truck bed charger coming soon then I might pull the trigger on the ford.

I figure the most expensive item in a etruck is the battery- which is also the item that will depreciate the most. So I’d rather pay for smaller battery with a portable charger and use it sporadically (long trips, towing, etc) so I can minimize my battery expenditure$$.

Other than some bloggers posting pics that “might” be a charger system (wrapped in a regular tool box) I haven’t seen news…..

 

[doug293cz]

I'd really like to see the government look at businesses near highway on/off ramps where people usually can spend lots of time but aren't necessarily obligated to spend lots of money. Park-and-ride lots, parks (climate permitting), malls, movie theaters, libraries, restaurants, etc. Hotels are an interesting situation, it just makes sense to me that hotels should find an existing charging network to partner with, as there is probably some demand already for charging at hotels.

It wonder if any gas stations are already looking at what people will want from a charging station station. People are going to have to leave their vehicle parked in a spot for some time, and of course you want to be ready for the least comfortable weather your area has to offer. Until charging speeds improve, we need spaces for people to rest with low pressure to buy anything and some means for people to entertain themselves.

Knowing how most small business entrepreneurs think, they will want to get you to spend as much money with them as possible while you are waiting.

Brew on