Who killed the electric cars? (lease, 2015, buy, Chevrolet)
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Burdell got it right. The lead acid battery is just too heavy for the energy stored. I have heard that some of the new hybrids are using Lithium-ion batteries with a plug-into-the wall socket to allow overnight recharge. This technology allows the best of both types of energy storage. Batteries recharged by the grid for local trips and petroleum fuel for longer distance. The ideal engine would be a turbocharged diesel properly loaded by either the energy requirements of the car and/or the battery. It could also be rigged to provide emergency power for your house if the power failed.
I agree with GregW about the electric car: battery technology just not quite there yet. I also agree that the best hybrid at this time would be a diesel hybrid (not the current crop of gas hybrids). Why isn't anyone making one?
I agree with GregW about the electric car: battery technology just not quite there yet. I also agree that the best hybrid at this time would be a diesel hybrid (not the current crop of gas hybrids). Why isn't anyone making one?
Bud
The really high compression ratios in diesels makes them a lot more difficult to start than a petrol engine. It requires a lot more energy and it makes them not well-suited to the constant stop/start cycles currently used in hybrid cars. Not to mention diesel powerplants cost a lot of money and hybrids are already a tough sell to most outside of the early-adapter demographic.
video killed the radio star....so .... follow the money...
My wife and I were just joking the other day that streaming killed the video star. Music videos were such a production and now things like Youtube, TikTok, and IG have taking the spotlight with $40 4K cameras. I remember when GNR's November Rain was the most expensive video shoot in history.
As for the original post, I saw the film about a decade ago and nearly cried. The greed and lies of Big Oil was so frustrating and I felt so powerless. They get huge tax-breaks, paramilitary security forces, and made huge profits for far too long. Now most of them are green-washing and trying to change their public perception, and in many cases is just a smoke and mirrors show.
Even though I see Big Oil as a bad actor, I still have at least 5% of my investment portfolio in COP, PSX, & LNG. The reality is that we might not demand as much gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, but we'll still need oil for rubber, plastics, and emergency use generators...at least for the next 20 years.
On a lighter note, I bought two used BEVs over the last 6 years and have reduced our gasoline and diesel fuel demand by 1,000 and 200 gallons a year respectively. We now have a short-range Fiat 500e, Tesla Model S 85, VW Golf TDI, and old Duramax. With the final production of the NiMH GM EV1, it seemed they were about 8 years ahead of any competition (Nissan and Honda were the only other EV makers in the early 2000s that I could think of). It really makes you wonder how much further along they would be had they not snuff the product.
Now the age of the electric motor and Li-poly/solid-state batteries is taking off. More contractors are ditching their corded tools, auto mechanics are converting from air tools, and aviation/nautical industries are beginning their conversion. We've come a long way from lead-acid in the last 20 years.
With the final production of the NiMH GM EV1, it seemed they were about 8 years ahead of any competition (Nissan and Honda were the only other EV makers in the early 2000s that I could think of).
All of these companies (big 3 domestic, and big 3 Japan, + Mazda) were trying to comply with California's Zero Emission Vehicle program which actually began in 1990.
GM EV1 was the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) offered to the public
Honda (EV Plus, May 1997),
Toyota (RAV4 EV, October 1997),
Chrysler (EPIC, 1997)
Ford (Ranger EV,1998)
Nissan stated they planned to offer the Altra in the 1998 model year as well to fulfill the MOA.
As an acceptable alternative, Mazda stated they would purchase ZEV credits from Ford.
CARB threatened to prohibit the top 7 companies from selling in California unless they complied and built an EV.
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