Electric Vehicles

[WorkingOnIt]

[quote="MadMaxAtom and company"]
" They simply make small cars, with small conventional engines, and just keep it simple."

  What a novel idea. 
[/quote]

Ford picks it up:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/22/ford ... f-beijing/

[Heywood-Yablowme]

This is the first argument toward EV's that I actually consider viable....an infrastructure based on swapping out batteries to refuel/extend range, instead of 2hrs of use,22 hrs to recharge...
 
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/05/11/A ... index.html

[benyeats]

[quote="MadMaxAtom and company"]
This is the first argument toward EV's that I actually consider viable....an infrastructure based on swapping out batteries to refuel/extend range, instead of 2hrs of use,22 hrs to recharge...
   
     http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/05/11/A ... index.html
[/quote]

I have always thought that would be a good way forward, you could get batteries on an exchange basis like you do gas for a camping stove.  This would be better for the obvious reasons and because the 'filling' stations could have access to a much meatier supply of electricity to allow rapid charging of cells, this would still be more efficient than petrolium based solutions as the raw material does not need to be transported around the country.

[Heywood-Yablowme]

What this would require is a GIANT effort for EV manufacturers to get together and agree on a common battery to power the cars,so there would not have to be a hundred different batteries available.  This could be the stumbling block.  
I remember when you could keep 6 oil filters on the shelf and have pretty much 98% coverage on anything that may come in for an oil change.
Now, 6 filters won't even cover a single model in a car line...   I won't even get into tire sizes...

[WorkingOnIt]

And if you are leasing a battery (or have a battery contract) rather than own it, you address the concerns of dwindling performance, replacement, and obsolescence.

Need the performance of a less than year old battery - pay a little premium.
A 5 year old battery serves your undemanding needs - get a cheaper contract.
New battery tech? - another premium and you instantly upgrade; assuming as was mentioned, that manufacturers are smart enough to standardize sizes and interfaces.

[benyeats]

[quote="MadMaxAtom and company"]
What this would require is a GIANT effort for EV manufacturers to get together and agree on a common battery to power the cars,so there would not have to be a hundred different batteries available.  This could be the stumbling block.  
I remember when you could keep 6 oil filters on the shelf and have pretty much 98% coverage on anything that may come in for an oil change.
Now, 6 filters won't even cover a single model in a car line...   I won't even get into tire sizes...
[/quote]

There are already various groups working on this kind of standardisation, the problem being the word 'various'.  Fortunatly these are early days for the electric car so anything could happen.  If a market leader such as Toyota specify a battery interface and make it open to everyone then the problem could be solved

Ben

[Heywood-Yablowme]

[WorkingOnIt]

Toyota to invest in Tesla. (nervous about the Nissan Leaf?)
Tesla buys the Fremont, CA NUMMI plant for Model S production.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/ ... th-toyota/

Tesla press release re: Toyota
Tesla press release re: NUMMI plant

[Bruce Fielding]

...so much for "They'll never get a plant built in the time frame..."

[benyeats]

Tesla seem to be doing rather well, iirc DamilerBenz also made an investment in them.  This is good news as it increases the likelyhood of cross manufacturer co-operation on things like removable batteries.

I am considering the business opportunities presented by electric vehicles and the modification thereof to improve performance.

Cheers

Ben

[wisp]

[quote="benyeats"]
I am considering the business opportunities presented by electric vehicles and the modification thereof to improve performance.

Cheers

Ben
[/quote]

Yes it's crossed my mind that there could be some fun ventures in future. The main secret is to not let the smoke out of any of the components. 

[WorkingOnIt]

WSJ: Tesla Has Second-Best IPO Debut Of The Year, Rising 41%
"Tesla's ability to rise 41% against a backdrop of plummeting stock indexes wasn't the only sign of high demand for the initial public offering. It also bucked a trend of new companies cutting the prices of their IPOs in the past several months amid stock-market volatility, and was able to sell its shares at a level above its expected range. Some IPO hopefuls haven't been able to complete their deals and have shelved them for the time being.
...
Tesla closed at $23.89 on the Nasdaq, up $6.89 from its IPO price of $17."

Tesla IPO shows brand's star power -- from Brad Pitt to George Clooney

[WorkingOnIt]

Tesla briefly dropped below the initial offering price last week, but is hovering back around $20.  TSLA

A report about a couple companies involved with alternative power took me by surprise.
Ener1, a company involved with fuel cells, solar cells and li-ion batteries, has lost about 50% of its value this year.  HEV
and A123, a company more specifically dedicated to batteries, has lost close to 60% since its IPO last September.  AONE

I would have thought batteries to be a safe investment, at least while demand is growing.  Apparently there is concern that they are becoming commoditized.  This column suggests that the more steady and predictable play may be with component suppliers.  (of course non of the component companies mentioned are US or European)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 22942.html

[WorkingOnIt]

[quote="Bruce Fielding"]
[quote="MadMaxAtom and company"]
C'mon Bruce.You know exactly what I mean. A good handling road car is just that. It can change direction without feeling like a two story bus.The brakes allow you to stop with authority.The tires hold you to the road regardless of rain or shine.The engine will power you onto highways at meaningful merging speeds.
[/quote]

I'm curious. Name any ordinary saloon that fulfills all your criteria, one that 'handles'...
[/quote]

Prius and Jetta TDI head to head
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article. ... id=1153436

Conclusion, unsurprisingly - Prius is the urban runabout mileage champ, but the Jetta is the more satisfying drivers car.

[WorkingOnIt]

Tesla / Toyota partnership continues - joint electric RAV4 project announced.
A prototype has already been built

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07 ... tric-rav4/

http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/16/autos/t ... esla_rav4/

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/th ... v4-ev-dri/