only person i knew had a Corvair had a 68 Monza that he never drove in the winter, maybe that was part of the reason
Posted on 12/14/2013 3:59:04 PM PST by chiller
Engineering breakthroughs like the Tesla Model S may be burning up the electric car market (figuratively and literally), but they’re leaving drivers cold and under-powered in the face of Old Man Winter.
Cold temperatures have adverse effects on batteries, slowing down the incoming and outgoing flow of energy and inevitably losing some in the process. The 250-mile average range of an electric car in normal climate conditions can see its performance reduced by 70-miles on a single charge in average winter conditions. The colder it gets, the shorter than range.
Not only that, the average winter driver tends to turn up the heat — a function that also puts a draw on the battery uncommon during other seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
FYI, you can’t put a backup generator in a gas station in CA because of your idiot laws and regulation out there.
Yeah, they were great. I really thought so when I had to push one out of my way to get my Ford Station wagon out of my driveway. There was only 21 inches of new snow. After pushing him for about five blocks, I had to leave him so I could continue to work.
I had more weight on my REAR driving wheels than he weighed. PS; I still drive a rear wheel drive car. the latest is a 2009 Mustang GT. For two years I drove it 189 miles a day round trip over hilly, twisty snow and ice covered roads to get to work. Rain, snow, ice, 90 degree heat, never missed a day's work. Retired now. Love it, if I ever get any time to myself. Might have to go back to work so I can rest LOL
You say I'm lying? NOT false in northern Ohio in the late 70's and early '80s in my wife's '72 Beetle. We never had to roll the window down in winter. In fact, they were probably frozen shut most of the time. The defroster was the main pain, actually. If it was cold, our breath would freeze on the windows.
I never owned one of the earlier Bugs but there was a good reason they offered the optional gas heater. The newer ones must have heated better than the old, but our experience in winters in the '72 was still not anywhere near that of modern cars, especially when it got below 20 F, which if does on many winter mornings.
If WAS fun to drive in the ice and snow, though.
A drunk and his wife totalled it one night when if was parked on the street.
The VW was designed to be a cheap car. That windshield washer was a cheap solution.
Those silly Germans!
Not so silly. They included a valve in their system so that it would stop working before the spare tire was drained to the point at which it wouldn't be safe to use.
It was better than the washer in an English car that I once had. There was a little pump on the dashboard. Each time you pumped it, a little dribble of washer fluid came out. Most of it ended up on the hood rather than the windshield.
The German gas heaters were very effective and safe as long as they were maintained properly.
Of course, a lot of people never bother with maintenance.
Gives some credence to the old joke about saving electricity by turning off your car radio...
... the need for smaller vehicles for short commutes, moderate surface street speeds, and local shopping runs is growing ...
********************************
As an oldster who only runs errands 2-3 days a week, I might not mind a small electric vehicle. My round trips don’t exceed about 15 miles.
I own a ‘01 Impala LS sedan, 3800, that has less than 18k miles. I spend about $35 every 6 weeks to gas up. I like the power, the gas mileage, the safety and the room. On a full tank, I can drive about 350-400 miles with no stops.
I’m betting an electric would cost me much more and not provide the range or the space in the trunk or carry as many passengers.
the latest is a 2009 Mustang GT. For two years I drove it 189 miles a day round trip over hilly, twisty snow and ice covered roads to get to work. Rain, snow, ice, 90 degree heat, never missed a day’s work. Retired now. Love it,...
****************************
Retired here, as well, and I also love it because of the tremendous reduction of stress in managing a large department at a major defense contractor.
I’ve always lusted for and wanted a sporty Mustang, since it was first introduced. Didn’t care for the fastback look, but like the others. ...Probably doesn’t fit this 71 y/o with a gray beard and unkempt brown hair now, but really still want to have one of the newer models. ....Probabally would just get me in trouble. Former owner of a 280ZX T-top 5-speed, but now drive an Impala LS 3800 sedan, like an oldster.
I suppose they could always carry a gasolene heater
with them of course a wood stove would be greener.
WAS fun to drive in the ice and snow, though.
**************************
Nope didn’t mean to imply you were lying. I can understand how below freezing in Ohio can be different than in Texas.
Those little Bugs were great on snow and ice down here! Big heavy cars would just be spinning their wheels trying to go up a slight incline, but I’d just shift gears and move right on up past them. ....Engine in the rear helped. ...My current auto is front wheel drive and will do the same, even though it’s 3600 lbs., as compared to the Beetle.
Why would you consider a diesel hybrid, but not an electric one?
I suppose they could always carry a gasolene heater
with them of course a wood stove would be greener.
How is the electricity to run your car generated?
A propane heater would be much better. It could warm the user and the battery and make them both work better.
Electricity generation in this country is mostly done with coal, natural gas, nuclear, and hudro. There is very, very little oil involved.
See my previous post.
only person i knew had a Corvair had a 68 Monza that he never drove in the winter, maybe that was part of the reason
>>Wrong again. Gasoline and diesel are easily made from natural gas.
You should inform the oil/refinery companies of this. You could make a lot of money.
REally? How is that electricity generated?? By coal, natural gas or fossil fuel generating plants. You are just placing one more step in between the fuel and your end use.
>>1. Gasoline-burning heaters instead of electric heaters.
In Northern Europe, many higher-end cars have factory-option fuel-burning heaters to pre-warm the car in the AM. A company called Webasto makes them, but there are probably others. I think there are both diesel and gasoline models, but they’re more common on diesel cars from what I can tell.
http://www.webasto.com/us/markets-products/car/heating-systems-for-automotive-industry/
It looks like they have / are developing aftermarket heaters for electric and hybrid cars. There’s a link at the link that talks about bioethanol heaters, which seems sort of silly. Gasoline or diesel is much more readily available.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.