Posted on 12/21/2021 1:27:56 PM PST by george76
In Finland, an unhappy Tesla owner decided to blow up his Model S after learning it would need a new expensive battery pack. In the video on YouTube with English subtitles, Tuomas Katainen explains his 2013 Model S was in the shop for more than a month for service. When he heard back from the shop, they told him they couldn’t repair his car, and the only option was to change the entire battery cell.
Katainen said the fix would’ve cost him upwards of €20,000 ($22,500). He told the dealership that was absurd, and he donated the car to a Finnish YouTube channel Pommijätkät, whose name literally translates to ‘Bomb Dudes.’
Instead of fixing the Model S, 30 kg (66 pounds) of dynamite was strapped to the car for one explosive show. Showing his frustration, Katainen even had a doll of Tesla’s founder Elon Musk in the driver’s seat.
Multiple angles of high-definition, slow-motion cameras captured the epic explosion (this time, it wasn’t spontaneous ..
The problem with electric cars utilizing lithium batteries is degradation over time. It’s sort of like a smartphone or laptop — enough charging cycles over the years, and the batteries will begin to hold less charge. The same thing happens with a Tesla or any other electric car.
… and as Katainen found out, the fix becomes so expensive that it’s not even worth putting the car back on the road. Think twice when falling into the ESG trap of buying a fully electric vehicle because in the medium term, if not covered by the automative maker or third party insurer, you might have to shell out an excessive amount of money to replace the battery.
Ha ha. Oughtta try “Corvair” sometime.
Does the Volt's heater work to keep the batteries warm 24/7, even when the car's not being driven?
LOL, that was awesome! Thanks for posting.
As long as the Volt is plugged in, the heater will work to keep the batteries warm.
If it’s not plugged in, and the batteries get too cold, when started it will run the engine to provide power that the cold batteries cannot. At the same time, it turns on the battery heater and when the batteries are warm enough, it will run off the batteries.
If the batteries get too too cold, it’s going to need to be plugged in so the batteries can warm up before it will even start. Places where that can happen likely already have outlets for plugging in block heaters...
It will also run the engine to provide heat for the cabin below a selectable 35F or 17F. In this case it runs the engine until the coolant temp reaches 150F, then turns off the engine until the coolant temp drops to 120F, at which point it runs the engine again. It does have an electric heater but it uses quite a bit of power so it’s probably better to use the engine for heat once it gets cold enough.
This guy had a 2013. 2013 was the first year of the Tesla Model S. 2013 S sales price started at $70,000. A 2021 Model S Teslas still sells at the same price, Wright’s Law in action.
So he got 9 years out of his car. $22,000 to replace the batteries seems way out of line, here in the States it would run him $5,000 to $7,000. Maybe Finland places high taxes on them.
Dropping the Elon dummy from the Helicopter was a nice touch.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. I generally keep my vehicles to the wheels fall off. Currently driving a 2010 genesis coupe 3.8. Not sure it will last till I go out, So I am thinking of biting the bullet albeit the prices now are as you suggest, insane. Lastly, too many companies are being forced into electric fleets through the mileage standards and the subsidies.
Yes, my thoughts exactly. I generally keep my vehicles to the wheels fall off. Currently driving a 2010 genesis coupe 3.8. Not sure it will last till I go out, So I am thinking of biting the bullet albeit the prices now are as you suggest, insane. Lastly, too many companies are being forced into electric fleets through the mileage standards and the subsidies.
Thanks for the info.
Teslas don't have an engine to run.
If this guy was abusing his batteries by not keeping them warm, the service life is going to be dramatically shortened.
I watch those guys. They make some fun videos.
L
Nice! Someone needs to put a diesel in one and go coal-rolling.
pssh. I know a guy who put 552,000 miles on his 2002 Honda Goldwing, then bought a 2015 Goldwing, and has put 658,000 miles on it.
My Goldwing only has 87,000 miles so far. Barely getting started.
(this time, it wasn’t spontaneous ............LOL!!!...............
LOLOL
[but the dragon hood ornament is simply bitchin’]
Yah but where you gonna find enough vintage shields to mount to the sides?
Wouldn’t it knots, not miles?
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.