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To: NavVet
The problem is the cost.

Respectfully, that ain't the only problem.

I'd like to see how Tesla gets 250 miles worth of electricity down to a battery in 30 minutes. Must be running on 480V? (which still would be a stretch) Or, the PR flacks at Tesla are stretching the truth a bit? Either way, the average household isn't equipped with 480, so the thought of just going home and plugging in your car after work, isn't much of an option. I'd also like to see how much faster the battery breaks down while using the "fast charge" option.

Then, I'd like to see how an already overtaxed, under-developed, and overregulated electrical infrastructure, currently dominated by NIMBY environmental activists, would handle millions of cars all running a fast recharge near-simultaneously.

If engineers ever solve these two issues, then I'll be listening. Until then, electric cars are destined for nothing more than filling a niche.

38 posted on 04/09/2012 8:35:37 AM PDT by wbill
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To: wbill
I'd like to see how Tesla gets 250 miles worth of electricity down to a battery in 30 minutes.

You won't, they don't.

Their fast charger is 4 hours.

57 posted on 04/09/2012 8:57:12 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: wbill

I don’t think there is enough lithium mines to produce enough lithium metal for the rechargeable batteries. Minor oversight in high tech concepts, it is called industrial revolution logistics.


65 posted on 04/09/2012 9:24:49 AM PDT by Fee
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To: wbill

Tesla isn’t the only one with fast charge capability. From what I’ve read, a fast charge to 80% isn’t that much worse for a battery than a trickle charge. It’s when you try to get that last 20% of charge with a high current that you start to cause problems. Who would install a fast charger at home. You could charge overnight with 220V at off peak rates, and get electricity that is practically free. There is so much excess capacity on the grid at night that the utilities are providing incentives for people to use it. Save the fast charges for those 500 mile trips, when you want to stop to eat and get right back on the road. I’m not saying they are ready for prime time, with the current price tags, but the range of batteries has been increasing about 7% per year, and the price is steadily coming down. In a few years, they may be practical for all but the most demanding drivers.


92 posted on 04/10/2012 3:15:48 AM PDT by NavVet ("You Lie!")
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