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

[Kent88]

Well, I guess the obvious question is why do you prefer the Aptera over any other gas vehicle? I imagine almost every vehicle on the road right now is more comfortable, has more power, has greater range, has more interior space (!), is FAR safer, is better in every way.

If I gave the impression that I would prefer Aptera to any other gas vehicle for any given scenario, then my apologies. I thought I compared it to a Tesla pulling a generator.

In certain situations I would definitely take it over most gas vehicles. I don't think it takes much effort to imagine a scenario where a vehicle with low air resistance, a long battery range, built in solar panels, and maybe even limited seating all makes sense.

 

[passedpawn]

If I gave the impression that I would prefer Aptera to any other gas vehicle for any given scenario, then my apologies. I thought I compared it to a Tesla pulling a generator.

In certain situations I would definitely take it over most gas vehicles. I don't think it takes much effort to imagine a scenario where a vehicle with low air resistance, a long battery range, built in solar panels, and maybe even limited seating all makes sense.

Oh I see. Well, it sure would be fun for a touring vehicle on vacation somewhere. I can also see where it would be fine in clogged city driving, where you aren't getting anywhere fast anyway. I'm sure my wife would not feel safe in it though.

 

[Kent88]

I'm sure my wife would not feel safe in it though.

People have strange feelings about how safe vehicles are. My wife insists on 4wd/awd for winter driving. I do feel better in such a vehicle when the forecast calls for snow or the roads appear icy. But our roads are pretty well maintained and the winters seem to keep getting milder, so I just keep an eye on the forecast and do my best to plan my errands around that, which anyone who has lived in a snowy part of the world learns to do anyway. I feel just as safe in the Volt as I ever did in the gently used pontiacs I used to get from family members.

 

[passedpawn]

People have strange feelings about how safe vehicles are. My wife insists on 4wd/awd for winter driving. I do feel better in such a vehicle when the forecast calls for snow or the roads appear icy. But our roads are pretty well maintained and the winters seem to keep getting milder, so I just keep an eye on the forecast and do my best to plan my errands around that, which anyone who has lived in a snowy part of the world learns to do anyway. I feel just as safe in the Volt as I ever did in the gently used pontiacs I used to get from family members.

Your odds of dying in a car crash are 1 in 100. Yea, that sounds higher than you'd expect, but feel free to fact check me. Anyway, that means that violent car crashes are not only common, but commonly end in death. If you know all of that, you might feel nervous zooming out into the agro traffic scene in that little glass bubble you posted above. If everyone was driving them, or you live in Mayberry RFD, different story. I feel the same about motorcycles, which I love.

 

[Kent88]

Your odds of dying in a car crash are 1 in 100. Yea, that sounds higher than you'd expect, but feel free to fact check me. Anyway, that means that violent car crashes are not only common, but commonly end in death. If you know all of that, you might feel nervous zooming out into the agro traffic scene in that little glass bubble you posted above. If everyone was driving them, or you live in Mayberry RFD, different story. I feel the same about motorcycles, which I love.

I haven't gone out of my way to check Aptera's crash test results to know if they're significantly different from traditional vehicles, so me commenting on it's safety is pure speculation. Did you find that information?

 

[passedpawn]

I haven't gone out of my way to check Aptera's crash test results to know if they're significantly different from traditional vehicles, so me commenting on it's safety is pure speculation. Did you find that information?

No, but collision was on my mind and I won't hesitate to speculate . I was reading on my back patio last night and heard a bunch of emergency vehicles whizzing by. Nearby, a small car was tboned by a full sized truck (Tundra). Instantly killed person in smaller car. Neither speed nor alcohol at play, just distracted driving I'd say. This AM I saw pictures of both cars on local news site. If that Aptera has been involved, it would have been reduced to a pile of lego blocks and body parts I'm afraid.

I don't suggest that we should get into this escalatory competition to get the biggest vehicle, but I sure want my wife and me to be in the big sturdy one when my 1/100 moment comes.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

People have strange feelings about how safe vehicles are. My wife insists on 4wd/awd for winter driving. I do feel better in such a vehicle when the forecast calls for snow or the roads appear icy. But our roads are pretty well maintained and the winters seem to keep getting milder, so I just keep an eye on the forecast and do my best to plan my errands around that, which anyone who has lived in a snowy part of the world learns to do anyway. I feel just as safe in the Volt as I ever did in the gently used pontiacs I used to get from family members.

I'm sure this isn't true of your wife, but I always find it interesting how many people that 4wd/awd makes you damn near invincible in inclement weather.

Most of those people don't seem to realize that every car has 4 wheel brakes. 4wd/awd can help you accelerate, but it doesn't help you stop.

 

[D the Catastrophist]

California banning the sale of new gas or diesel vehicles as of 2035 will definitely put a fire under the automakers tails to get more electric vehicles designed and produced. Especially since that puts CA in line with the EU. Combined that is a huge market that they can't afford to ignore.

 

[Kent88]

GM unveils $30,000 electric SUV that will be one of the cheapest EVs available | CNN Business

 

[Kent88]

Jeep's first three electric SUVs want to be able to tackle anything

 

[Broothru]

Jeep's first three electric SUVs want to be able to tackle anything

Whoa! Blows the doors off the competition?

 

[Martys1]

California banning the sale of new gas or diesel vehicles as of 2035 will definitely put a fire under the automakers tails to get more electric vehicles designed and produced. Especially since that puts CA in line with the EU. Combined that is a huge market that they can't afford to ignore.

FYI,Cali might try building some infrastructure first,

 

[passedpawn]

FYI,Cali might try building some infrastructure first,

Yea, I do wonder about that. I get gas at our local BJ's, and there is always a line there, even with 10 pumps. Consider that it only takes a few minutes to fill up with gas, and still that long line. What happens when it takes 30 minutes or more per car?

I supposes the answer is that most people will charge at home, so that alleviates a lot of that traffic at BJs. I would like to see some actual math on that subject though.

 

[Kent88]

FYI,Cali might try building some infrastructure first,

2035 gives them plenty of time for more chargers to be built/installed.

I doubt that the "free" charging EV makers sell with their cars will last long. Home charging is the way to go.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I supposes the answer is that most people will charge at home, so that alleviates a lot of that traffic at BJs. I would like to see some actual math on that subject though.

Biggest problem with home charging is having a home. California ranks as the second lowest home ownership rate in the nation.

A cheap landlord--like mine--doesn't want to invest to install a level 2 charger in these houses for tenants (especially if it requires upgrading electrical service to the house). Many apartments don't have garages at all. There are a lot of apartment complexes where all you get is a carport. I can't imagine all of these properties installing free chargers in every carport metered to each renter--which means you won't get the advantages of the electrical rates you get with home charging.

Many homes here are very small as well, so garage space is HEAVILY utilized for storage. I have a 2 car garage--only one car is going to fit in there. When walking the dog I see EVs in my neighborhood sitting in a driveway with a long charging cable from inside the garage because neighbors can't fit the EV inside a garage to charge.

A lot of the cost and convenience advantages of BEV vs ICEV are based upon the assumption that you can charge at home and thus will only need to pay (or take time out of your day) to charge on road trips. California seems like it very well might be the worst state in the nation for having the ability to charge from home.

 

[Kent88]

This modular off-grid solar EV charger can be installed in just four hours

 

[passedpawn]

This modular off-grid solar EV charger can be installed in just four hours

Yea, that's pretty nifty. Need a bit of space for that though. 5kW output (assuming it's sunny of course). Tesla battery is 100kWh capacity, so 20 hours create enough energy to fully charge. If you get about 8 hours of full sun per day, looks like 2-3 days. I assume those panels are charging storage batteries that are at least 100kWh capacity.

Free energy from the sun, I like!

... er, well ...

September 14 update: PairTree’s starting price is $26,900, and that covers the canopy and solar only (no charging or other electronics). Fully configured units will sell for mid-$60k depending on options.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

Free energy from the sun, I like!

... er, well ...

TANSTAAFEV.

 

[FromZwolle]

Yea, that's pretty nifty. Need a bit of space for that though. 5kW output (assuming it's sunny of course). Tesla battery is 100kWh capacity, so 20 hours create enough energy to fully charge. If you get about 8 hours of full sun per day, looks like 2-3 days. I assume those panels are charging storage batteries that are at least 100kWh capacity.

Free energy from the sun, I like!

... er, well ...

buy 3 and glue them together.

 

[passedpawn]

TANSTAAFEV.

Don't want to start a debate, but you're wrong. Go for a walk along the water, look at the stars, find a girl and do what comes natural. The best things in life are free, for sure.

 

[bracconiere]

i just had a thought about those street cars with the over head electric lines for some reason....reminded me of this thread....

 

[Kent88]

Has anyone checked on Elon lately?

His company makes some good vehicles, but this is absurd.

 

[tracer bullet]

Coastal Florida residents might find out if 3's and S's and such work well as submarines.

(Hope it's not too early for a crack like that)

 

[Kent88]

(Hope it's not too early for a crack like that)

It probably is, but I am not a Floridian.

 

[day_trippr]

Floating like a boat doesn't seem like a win unless that truck comes with a propeller...

 

[mashpaddled]

I would have bought an electric car but the logistics don't work for me right now. I only have street parking which makes home charging difficult. I'm not always parked directly in front of my house. Even if I could, I'm not sure how I feel about a charger in front of my house or running an extension cord overnight. I'm pretty sure I'd wake up once every couple months to a stolen cord. I also would worry about people injuring themselves tripping over it on the sidewalk. I am WFH for the foreseeable future, so no good option to charge during the day anywhere else.

Right now I drive a hybrid which I like a lot. It doesn't get amazing fuel efficiency in the city but I can hit 40-50 mpg on the freeway.

 

[day_trippr]

Ok then, how about full-scale e-flight?

 

[Kent88]

With a recent addition to the family, my wife and I were discussing whether to get a larger vehicle in place of the Volt.

Our choice of EV is not available for test drive within a reasonable drive of our house. There were some nearby very recently, but I guess they're pretty popular right now and they just sold in the last couple weeks.

 

[Kent88]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/26/business/chevrolet-bolt-sales/index.html

 

[Kent88]

Tesla officially makes its charging standard available to other companies | CNN Business