Tesla is not dead yet!!!

[Nintendesert]

So has the US rare earth metal mines reopened for business or are we still buying all the materials for these batteries from China?

 

[Train]

So has the US rare earth metal mines reopened for business or are we still buying all the materials for these batteries from China?

I assume the reason they are looking at places like NV and UT is to use local suppliers.

 

[IronWing]

So has the US rare earth metal mines reopened for business or are we still buying all the materials for these batteries from China?

http://www.molycorp.com/

 

[Thebobo]

That sucks, I guess I will be buying a car before 2020....do NOT want Electric

Why? Because of your politics?

 

[Train]

Unpredictable range and slow recharge for long trips, how do I drive from NH to IN non-stop in any foreseeable electric car?

You might be able to make that drive now, if you can make the distance between Albany and Cleveland charging stations. Would probably need to stop for lunch in there somewhere where you can leave your car plugged in while you eat.

By sometime this year, you'll be able to make that drive by hitting super charger stations along the way. You wont spend any more time than you would getting gas, and you'd spend a LOT less money.

 

[Nintendesert]

I assume the reason they are looking at places like NV and UT is to use local suppliers.

I hope so, I know China made a huge push to undercut prices to drive our mines out of business. I hadn't read any follow up stories on the recovery if there was one.


Edit: Well, articles as recent as last year and late last year still show China controlling upwards of 95% of rare earth metal production and screwing with quotas to manipulate prices. Bleh.

 

[Vdubchaos]

So has the US rare earth metal mines reopened for business or are we still buying all the materials for these batteries from China?

Why do you think we are in Afghanistan?

They have crazy Lithium deposits.....

 

[Vdubchaos]

Why? Because of your politics?

Why? Because electric cars have limit range...take too long to charge...and limit my options of long drives(which I take very often).

Cost is a whole another story, but that's to be improved as it becomes mainstream.

I don't think "long charge" issue will EVER be resolved though....

 

[Vdubchaos]

Panasonic can't even make a regular 12v car battery that's worth half a shit.

This should go well.

Thats my beef as well.

Not just Panasonic either, most 12v batteries don't last longer than 3-5 years in cold or very hot climates.

If they can't make 12v worth a shit...you get the point.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Why? Because electric cars have limit range...take too long to charge...and limit my options of long drives(which I take very often).

Cost is a whole another story, but that's to be improved as it becomes mainstream.

I don't think "long charge" issue will EVER be resolved though....

And you'd be incorrect once again.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Why? You hate more torque, less maintenance due to fewer moving parts, and better efficiency or something?

You are talking about pros, without bringing up any cons.

Cons overshadow ANY pros electric cars might have, sorry.

 

[Vdubchaos]

And you'd be incorrect once again.

Prove it

If it's ANYTHING longer than it takes to fill up my gas tank, no thanks.

Ok fine, double or triple that time and I'm cool with it.

After that we will get into range.......current cars can go 400-500 miles on a tank.

 

[Fritzo]

Why do you think we are in Afghanistan?

They have crazy Lithium deposits.....

Really?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...ae2206-9e49-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html

 

[Train]

"Full charge in 90 seconds"

http://www.teslamotors.com/batteryswap

 

[Vdubchaos]

I could see a lot of use for people who are city dwellers. Most likely if I were an electric car owner and living where I do, I would rent an internal-combustion engine car for road trips instead of owning one.

Sure, unfortunately you fail you realize that 90% of America lives in Suburban areas and travel long distances (10000-20000 miles a year).

City dwellers = VERY small market share....most use public transportation anyways.

 

[Train]

Sure, unfortunately you fail you realize that 90% of America lives in Suburban areas and travel long distances (10000-20000 miles a year).

City dwellers = VERY small market share....most use public transportation anyways.

dafuq? No they don't. Your numbers are straight out of your ass.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Really?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...ae2206-9e49-11e3-a050-dc3322a94fa7_story.html

Yeah, now that our Corps moved in/we are in process of getting their resources.



Wait, we went there for Terrorism and to fight for freedom.

 

[Fritzo]

You are talking about pros, without bringing up any cons.

Cons overshadow ANY pros electric cars might have, sorry.

There aren't many cons to hybrids, other than expensive replacements every 7-10 years (and they're working on that). There's also a computer that switches between the electric and IC engine that could fail (but how often do computers in cars fail?)

Other than that, there's not a lot of problems. It's part of the reason you still see 10 year old Prius's scooting around everywhere.

If you want a great car, wait a couple of years and pick up a used Chevy Volt. That car is amazing and completely underrated. Sit in one once and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Vdubchaos]

"Full charge in 90 seconds"

http://www.teslamotors.com/batteryswap

You buy that?

No body is asking the most important questions.

a) how much is a battery swap
b) how long will it take to implement "stations" around the country (especially in remote areas)
c) will they be as common as gas station

That was just bunch of marketing BS, you really can't see through it?

a) is most likely A LOT
b) decades
c) no.....ok maybe century from now

Electric cars = limiting your range and freedom

And driving = ultimate freedom

 

[Vdubchaos]

There aren't many cons to hybrids, other than expensive replacements every 7-10 years (and they're working on that). There's also a computer that switches between the electric and IC engine that could fail (but how often do computers in cars fail?)

Other than that, there's not a lot of problems. It's part of the reason you still see 10 year old Prius's scooting around everywhere.

If you want a great car, wait a couple of years and pick up a used Chevy Volt. That car is amazing and completely underrated. Sit in one once and you'll see what I mean.

I've been in one and even drove it.

Hybrid tech is too complex, unproven and you CANNOT say it's reliable.

Out of how many priuses sold 10+ years ago are still on the road?

How many just bought a new car cause the cost of battery swap after 7-10 years is more than the car is worth?

Batteries will NEVER have the life of a combustion engine, sorry.

Since I work on cars, extra complexity creates less space, more parts (that can break)

With more parts/system = lesser reliability. There is no going around that.....

Of course many of those points don't apply to full electric.

 

[Train]

Yeah, now that our Corps moved in/we are in process of getting their resources.



Wait, we went there for Terrorism and to fight for freedom.

This is so far out of left field I have to assume you are joking/trolling at this point.

Do you really think there is a single US corp that has established a mining operation in Afghanistan?

 

[Wreckem]

I've been in one and even drove it.

Hybrid tech is too complex, unproven and you CANNOT say it's reliable.

Out of how many priuses sold 10+ years ago are still on the road?

How many just bought a new car cause the cost of battery swap after 7-10 years is more than the car is worth?

Batteries will NEVER have the life of a combustion engine, sorry.

Since I work on cars, extra complexity creates less space, more parts (that can break)

With more parts/system = lesser reliability. There is no going around that.....

Of course many of those points don't apply to full electric.

Except Consumer Reports would say you are wrong. They list the Prius as one of the most reliable new cars as well as one of the most reliable used cars. Also in terms of maintenance costs, they list the Prius aas one of the cheapest used cars to own. Finally you can also get a low mileage used battery for $500 these days. New for less than $2k.

 

[kt]

I've been in one and even drove it.

Hybrid tech is too complex, unproven and you CANNOT say it's reliable.

Out of how many priuses sold 10+ years ago are still on the road?

How many just bought a new car cause the cost of battery swap after 7-10 years is more than the car is worth?

Batteries will NEVER have the life of a combustion engine, sorry.

Since I work on cars, extra complexity creates less space, more parts (that can break)

With more parts/system = lesser reliability. There is no going around that.....

Of course many of those points don't apply to full electric.

 

[Vdubchaos]

This is so far out of left field I have to assume you are joking/trolling at this point.

Do you really think there is a single US corp that has established a mining operation in Afghanistan?

I don't know, but I have doubts you would know either.

They are in process of fighting for it....but tell me, clearly they did LOTS of work/investment has been made to FIND those deposits.

Why are we looking for resources in Afghanistan?

:biggrin:

 

[Vdubchaos]

Except Consumer Reports would say you are wrong. They list the Prius as one of the most reliable new cars as well as one of the most reliable used cars. Also in terms of maintenance costs, they list the Prius aas one of the cheapest used cars to own. Finally you can also get a low mileage used battery for $500 these days. New for less than $2k.

Consumer Reports (and JD Ppwer) get contributions from manufactures and there is clear conflict of interest.

It's like Government telling you they are honest.

I also seen how their studies are done and even been part of their study. Based on what they asked me, their study is completely flawed.

I also don't give a crap about first year or even 3 years of reliability when the car is under warranty.

I care about 5-10 years down the line and NOBODY is doing any of those studies.