The official Electric Car discussion thread

[Midwayman]

Nonsense. It's not unreasonable to ask. A $20,000 gasoline car has those stats and is way faster and nicer inside than a Prius. A 50% increase in price with no benefit but fuel cost isn't setting expectations crazy high for an electric car. It doesn't matter if the technology isn't there yet, it needs to get there to be a reasonable alternative to ICE vehicles.

I'm voting for the BJ. If they can garauntee the BJ, I'll buy the electric car.

 

[Brovane]

There is nothing preventing any manufacturer from selling EVs anywhere they have a market. That doesn't mean they are willing to or that they want to.

There are multiple States in America that have specific regulations preventing auto manufacturers from selling directly to the public. Since Tesla Motors doesn't use dealers this is preventing Tesla from selling EV's in any location that they want to.

 

[Brovane]

Presumably, he was just referring to non-Tesla manufacturers. If so, he's almost right. They still sell Leaf's and plenty of other EV cars in other states. (Washington State, for instance)

I really am surprised by how much bullshit auto manufacturers and dealerships can pull to make it so that Tesla cannot sell in certain states. I am just floored that anyone allows that shit to pass. From what I've heard, there isn't any legit reason for it. It's basically lobbying by dealerships to fuck over the common man. Stuff like that really pisses me off when it's so blatant and obvious what is going on. (And how no one does shit about it)

It made sense back in the early days of auto manufacturers. The car manufacturers needed a way to sell their cars and they couldn't afford a nationwide network of dealers and they really didn't want to deal with the end customers. The dealers stepped in and would buy the cars from the manufacturers and handle selling them and maintaining them. The dealers wanted insurance that the manufacturers wouldn’t just turn around after the brand was established and then start selling direct and under-cut the dealers. So the laws were passed and everyone was ok with the setup until Tesla came along. I doubt most people where even aware that these types of laws where in-place.

 

[Kaido]

Chevy has some neat location-based charging tech for the next-gen Volt:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/11/21/chevy-volt-2016-preview/

We'll be seeing the next-generation Chevy Volt in less than two months when GM launches it at the North American International Auto Show in January. But, for the sake of those who can't wait, the company has shown off a bit more of the 2016 hybrid model at an event in Los Angeles. While the first photo that came out in August only displayed the vehicle's logo, this series of images (there are more after the break) shows almost the whole front end with its redesigned silver grille and angular headlights. We still don't know if it's going to be significantly cheaper than its predecessor, but General Motors has at least revealed that the car will boast GPS location-based charging.

Apparently, the new Volt will automatically adjust its charge settings when it determines that you're at home based on GPS data. For instance, the car can tweak its charge levels, as well as make sure it's only consuming electricity during off-peak hours. It can also start the process at a particular time each day (or week) if you're charging in your own house, instead of at a charging station. Plus, there's now a status indicator light (pictured below) on top of the instrument panel that lets you know how much the battery has been charged through a series of flashes. That's about what the company has announced for now, but if you've been waiting to hear about the next-gen Chevy Volt for years, you'll be able to wait two more months for the full deets.

 

[Kaido]

Sneak peek at the new Volt:

http://gizmodo.com/2016-chevy-volt-first-look-less-concept-more-sedan-1677450547

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/04/2016-chevy-volt-sneak-peek-ces-video/

Much more normal looking...almost like a TLX.

 

[smackababy]

The read end still looks awful IMO. It is like a hatch back had a baby with a fast back and it had an extra chromosome. But, I think that is like the "this is how it has to be" when it comes to electric cars, because the rest do the same awful crap.

 

[unokitty]

Detroit Free Press

Hybrid sales down, but EVs rise despite lower gas prices
Plug-in hybrids and pure battery-driven models actually had a strong year. Sales of plug-in hybrids jumped 17% to 51,490 and sales of battery electrics rose 31% to 55,906, of which the Nissan Leaf accounted for nearly half (27,098). Leaf sales were not only up 35% for the first 11 months, they were up 34% in November when gas prices were well into their decline...

Through 2014's first 11 months, gas-electric hybrid sales fell 9% to 418,850, according to hybridcars.com, slipping to 2.8% of the total U.S. light-vehicle market from 3.2% a year earlier...

Will be interesting to see if the current trends in new car sales has an impact on used car prices...

Uno

 

[Kaido]

Chevy Bolt EV concept unveiled: 200 miles for $30k

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/12/chevrolet-bolt-ev-concept-video-detroit-2015/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/12/chevy-bolt-ev-concept/

Due in 2017. Will be interesting to see if Tesla beats them to the market. I like the design of the Bolt, looks like a prettier version of the BMW i3. I saw an i3 on the highway the other day and man is that thing ugly IRL! It's like a shrunk-down minivan that got slapped with an ugly stick, not a good look at all imo.

 

[TridenT]

For $30k, I'd be super impressed if it included that all glass roof.

However, I doubt it will. That will be a $5,000 extra option just like everything else on that car. It's going to include next to nothing for $30k and be closer to $40k+ when optioned up to a decent level.

 

[JCH13]

Cool. It's one of the few 'weird' cars in the last few years that looks appropriately weird. They didn't try too hard to be different, it looks pretty neat.

For $30k, I'd be super impressed if it included that all glass roof.

However, I doubt it will. That will be a $5,000 extra option just like everything else on that car. It's going to include next to nothing for $30k and be closer to $40k+ when optioned up to a decent level.

How can one person possibly be so malcontent with everything they post?

 

[tweakmonkey]

Woohoo! So glad it's a hatchback with some style and not another old-man looking Volt sedan.

Also I think the i3 is really cool looking in real life, maybe cause it's a technical marvel. My friend has one.

 

[TridenT]

Cool. It's one of the few 'weird' cars in the last few years that looks appropriately weird. They didn't try too hard to be different, it looks pretty neat.



How can one person possibly be so malcontent with everything they post?

But you know I'm right. You know it's not going to be $30k for a nice car. It's going to be $30k for a battery, motor, and 4 wheels.

 

[smackababy]

But you know I'm right. You know it's not going to be $30k for a nice car. It's going to be $30k for a battery, motor, and 4 wheels.

I have to agree with this. I think it will end up being far closer to $50k with options.

 

[JCH13]

But you know I'm right. You know it's not going to be $30k for a nice car. It's going to be $30k for a battery, motor, and 4 wheels.

We will see.

In the meantime, you could adjust your attitude a little bit and not see the negative side of everything.

Put a different way: we might be able to get a good electric car with a 200mi range for $30-40k, vs the $70k the bottom-of-the-line 200mi Tesla S costs. With the added benefit of having dealers in every state.

 

[TridenT]

We will see.

In the meantime, you could adjust your attitude a little bit and not see the negative side of everything.

Put a different way: we might be able to get a good electric car with a 200mi range for $30-40k, vs the $70k the bottom-of-the-line 200mi Tesla S costs. With the added benefit of having dealers in every state.

$70k for a known and very good looking luxury car versus $30k+++++++ for... what? We don't even know.

I don't want to compare the Tesla to this. They're different markets. The Tesla is a luxury car first and foremost.

 

[cabri]

$70k for a known and very good looking luxury car versus $30k+++++++ for... what? We don't even know.

I don't want to compare the Tesla to this. They're different markets. The Tesla is a luxury car first and foremost.

Presently the Telsa is what you are stating.

What the new Telsa model(s) will be is unknown.
Will they compete in the $30K market segment for price and features?

 

[JCH13]

$70k for a known and very good looking luxury car versus $30k+++++++ for... what? We don't even know.

I don't want to compare the Tesla to this. They're different markets. The Tesla is a luxury car first and foremost.

🙄

No one is comparing a Volt to a Tesla beyond their range and price. They happen to be about the only 200mi-capable EVs and I've heard of so far.

Look, you can keep being negative about everything, ever, or you can get your head out of your ass and realize that this is a significant, if incremental, step forward in the area of 'affordable and usable EVs' for the masses.

 

[TridenT]

🙄

No one is comparing a Volt to a Tesla beyond their range and price. They happen to be about the only 200mi-capable EVs and I've heard of so far.

Look, you can keep being negative about everything, ever, or you can get your head out of your ass and realize that this is a significant, if incremental, step forward in the area of 'affordable and usable EVs' for the masses.

Until it comes out and proves all of its claims beyond a doubt, I am going to be negative about it.

Just like various studies that come out saying, "We have found a promising cure to cancer... but we need five to ten more years of research and funding to get it to market" I am going to be negative about it.

There is no reason to be excited about something that is not here when it's been shown in the past that auto makers fucking lie about EVERYTHING

 

[Brovane]

Just like with Tesla let's see what the real world vehicle looks like once some Aluminium gets bent. I am also interested to see if they can hit that 200 mile range with the price range they want. Tesla is going Giga-Factory. However I know that GM has gained a lot of exp in battery tech with the Volt so I am interested to see what the result is. I am glad to see somebody might produce a 200+ mile range EV besides Tesla.

 

[nedfunnell]

Until it comes out and proves all of its claims beyond a doubt, I am going to be negative about it.

Just like various studies that come out saying, "We have found a promising cure to cancer... but we need five to ten more years of research and funding to get it to market" I am going to be negative about it.

There is no reason to be excited about something that is not here when it's been shown in the past that auto makers fucking lie about EVERYTHING

 

[Kaido]

I don't want to compare the Tesla to this. They're different markets. The Tesla is a luxury car first and foremost.

Tesla actually isn't a luxury car, it's a performance car. Tesla themselves market it that way, actually: "Model S is a premium performance sedan" That didn't make sense to me at first, but after reading a few articles & reading through some owner's comments on the forums, it makes more sense. I've only ever driven peon cars (mostly Saturns), so I had to do some research to figure out what the difference was :biggrin:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...snt-a-luxury-car-so-stop-comparing-it-to-them

http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2013...esla-model-s-performance-is-not-a-luxury-car/

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ou----tesla-says-the-model-s-is-not-a-luxury-

I'll be curious to see if Tesla does end up offering a "luxury" version of their car.

 

[Kaido]

Presently the Telsa is what you are stating.

What the new Telsa model(s) will be is unknown.
Will they compete in the $30K market segment for price and features?

Yeah, the Model 3 is supposed to start at $30k & compete with the BMW 3-series:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Motors#Model_3

Although it may be more in the $35 to $40k range. The Bolt could be good for the Model 3 tho:

http://www.businessinsider.com/chevy-bolt-is-the-best-thing-that-could-happen-to-tesla-2015-1

 

[sm625]

How do you find information on the current state of series hybrids? If I google "series hybrid" all I get is a bunch of BMW crap. 😛 "Series HEV" yields nothing useful either. You would think that a generator perfectly tuned to generate a constant amount of electricity would be more efficient and cheaper than an engine that is designed to run at a wide range of speeds and fuel mixtures.

 

[TridenT]

Tesla actually isn't a luxury car, it's a performance car. Tesla themselves market it that way, actually: "Model S is a premium performance sedan" That didn't make sense to me at first, but after reading a few articles & reading through some owner's comments on the forums, it makes more sense. I've only ever driven peon cars (mostly Saturns), so I had to do some research to figure out what the difference was :biggrin:

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...snt-a-luxury-car-so-stop-comparing-it-to-them

http://www.greenoptimistic.com/2013...esla-model-s-performance-is-not-a-luxury-car/

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...ou----tesla-says-the-model-s-is-not-a-luxury-

I'll be curious to see if Tesla does end up offering a "luxury" version of their car.

Luxury/performance, whatever. Different market than what we got here. This is the "I can just barely afford a new car" market.

 

[cabri]

Elon Musk tells Detroit: Tesla exists because you wouldn't build good EVs

To an audience full of auto-industry executives in Detroit, Tesla Motors co-founder and CEO Elon Musk made a few bold statements on Tuesday: Tesla is growing, will turn a profit eventually, and was doing so in large part because the rest of the industry didn't want to build electric cars — at least ones that people would buy.
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