Posted on 02/06/2020 11:41:18 AM PST by RomanSoldier19
Chances are that by 2035 no one will remember these idiotic promises anyway.
That’s the way politicians operate. All of them. Let me repeat: ALL of them.
Will their military run on electricity too?
So the UK is betting battery technology will drastically change so they are made of something okay for the environment, cheap, and readily available. Okay; I hope that works out.
The UK, being a relatively small place in comparison to Europe or the USA, could get away with a 300 mile charge except for work vehicles making deliveries unless that battery tech also means a 5 minute fast bump charge at readily available e-ports.
Time will tell but I predict we will be using gas engine cars as e-cars are phased in for at least 30 more years. Low income people can’t afford any new car worth much and that’s not going to change. Then there’s the replacement cost of a new battery bank which can cost up to $10k; another cost not affordable to low income people.
Then there’s the car aficionados who love their gas and diesel engine cars, trucks, Jeeps, etc.
I do see one possibility that will make the transition more palatable; kits that make existing vehicles into an e-vehicle. An entire industry could be built on that alone and would not create the problem of massive salvage and recycle yards full of today’s gas and diesel vehicles.
Lastly; the massive load increase on the power grid would have to be addressed as well.
What is the greatest distance between any two points on that island?
Loading... they probably won’t have considered that problem until the last minute and a massive tax will be necessary to upgrade the grid. By that time everyone will be desperate.
Lucas Electrics used to recharge vehicles....YIKES!
US-sold EV manufacturers stipulate supply chain morality. If their supplier is caught using “child labor” etc, supplier is cut off.
This is shocking.
Why not? ALL of their automotive industry is owned by China, Germany and India. There are no UK auto manufacturers anymore.
Why not? You can WALK across that country in a day.
“Then there’s the replacement cost of a new battery bank which can cost up to $10k; another cost not affordable to low income people.”
Not really an issue.
Lifespan of EV batteries are getting long enough that replacement isn’t a concern - at least compared to the point where an ICE pretty much self-destructs (>250,000 miles). Tesla is about to announce a major battery breakthrough, indications are battery will last over a million miles (>80% original capacity remaining at that point).
Costs are plummeting too. Replacement battery for a Nissan Leaf 2011-2015 is $5500 ... quite comparable (or better than) cost of repairing an ICE at about the same age/wear. Given that few parts ever need replacing in an EV, that’s cheap. And at that price, vs the price of used Leafs, just go buy a used Leaf with 50,000 miles on it.
“the massive load increase on the power grid would have to be addressed as well.”
Yes, there is an increase. If adoption can be staged appropriately, grid owners will have time to upgrade.
Load will look something like every home running a hairdryer 24/7. Not trivial, but not overwhelming either.
This load increase likely matches the decrease due to widespread adoption of low-power lighting and other high-efficiency electric products. Yes I’d expect the grid need an upgrade, but not a massive one.
In addition, seems a good reason to normalize expanding use of home solar. If you can, on the whole, power your car via roof panels that’s better in many ways. Don’t need a full-blown system up there, just a big enough “bucket” to buffer whatever PVs one can install. I see this as good not for “green” reasons, but for self-sufficiency.
“kits that make existing vehicles into an e-vehicle.”
I’ve seen references to such kits being available. Not sure how desirable they actually are, but surely there’s a market for such. Did know one guy looking at putting an EV engine in his Jeep.
The environmental impact from electric cars is far worse than gas powered cars. And it will always be so with anything even close to today’s battery technology. And electric cars are close to useless in cold climates.
Smart fuel stations will begin installing high-power chargers NOW. Revenue will drop (powering an EV costs about 1/4 equivalent ICE; people will normally charge at home), but operating costs will plummet too - and may be offset by providing more “I have to wait >15 minutes” profitable distractions.
But what is the point?
Change for change's sake?
Worship of the weird weather religion?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Look for Tesla’s “Battery Day” in a couple months. Rumblings are million-mile / 20-year battery packs, with double the power density and significantly reduced costs.
Lifespan of EV batteries are getting long enough that replacement isn’t a concern - at least compared to the point where an ICE pretty much self-destructs (>250,000 miles). Tesla is about to announce a major battery breakthrough, indications are battery will last over a million miles (>80% original capacity remaining at that point).
Costs are plummeting too. Replacement battery for a Nissan Leaf 2011-2015 is $5500 ... quite comparable (or better than) cost of repairing an ICE at about the same age/wear. Given that few parts ever need replacing in an EV, that’s cheap. And at that price, vs the price of used Leafs, just go buy a used Leaf with 50,000 miles on it.
If what you say is correct, (there seems to be a fair amount of speculation), you do not need government mandates, the market will do it all without mandates.
The numbers you give seem very far from reality. $5,500 for an engine overhaul? Not even close.
A million miles on a Tesla battery? I hope it is true, but would be a major battery breakthrough.
I have seen/read/heard similar claims for decades, only to have them all fall through.
Wonderful if true, a complete game changer.
Color me skeptical.
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