Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

silverwhistle

Grumpy_chap said:

Can I have one please?

Sure, straight after I get mine. 

Hey, if you two crash we could have cheap nuclear fission (or possibly fusion..)! :-)

Martyn1981

EVandPV said:

Tesla Roadster 2022: Price, release date, 0-60, range and more

As if the 0-60 time wasn't fast enough at 1.9 seconds, the "SpaceX package" is reported to include rocket thrusters ! 

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/tesla-roadster-2022-price-release-date-0-60-range-and-more

I'll be honest, and admit that I thought the 'rocket thrusters' were just a silly dream by Elon. But over the years, he's kept talking about them, and seems too specific, to suggest it isn't a real option, or at least Tesla hope to offer it.
It'll actually use cold air thrusters, which will be powered from a compressed air tank that will replace the rear seat. The tank will be pressurised (or re-pressurised) when the car isn't running at full power, and has a bit to spare.
As well as sounding daft, they could work well, since the front/rear thrusters will boost acceleration or braking, and the side thrusters will boost cornering ........ whilst shoving the car next to you off the road!
Joking aside, I believe it's to be a for track use only, and I suspect will also need prior approval, since it'll probably be firing loose stones in all directions.
Anyone remember the F1 car was that banned (or withdrawn by the team, on request after its one and only race (and win)) as it  ..... how do I describe it ...... it was a reverse hovercraft! It had a fan underneath for "increased cooling", but actually sucked air from underneath, and blasted it out behind, giving it formidable grip and cornering ...... but the threat to those behind would be significant ..... as my late mum used to say 'it's all fun and games, till someone loses an eye'.

silverwhistle

Grumpy_chap said:

Prior to COVID I was doing 140-mile round trip commute.  I understand a TM3LR could do that in all conditions whereas an MG5 may not.

I'm glad I'm retired! I'd certainly want more range than my MG ZS EV if I were doing that commute, but thus far under lockdown conditions I haven't had to use a CCS charger in anger yet, and my fuel cost per mile must be not much more than 1p. Off to training tonight and the mileage more than covered by a short spell from solar and granny charger this afternoon.

I'm under no illusions that when I get to go further afield on holiday they'll be a few awkward moments and compromises made. But all major purchases such as this involve compromise. What will be interesting is what the situation will be in the EV marketplace in the 5 or 6 years over which I hope to ammortise the cost and save the money. What the residual value might be has never been an issue with my old bangers before!

Martyn1981

For anyone interested, Wifey took 'frg' on a trip today, so we checked the trip computer data when she got back.
She did 155.5 miles, used 37kWh, and averaged 237Wh/mile, or 4.2miles/kWh.
The batt charge went down from 92% to 37%, so 55% consumption, suggesting 280 miles, which seems on par with the real world range, I've seen reported by UK testers (plus the hidden extra 20 miles!).
I've forgotten what the range was supposed to be, but I think it was about 330/340, now the TM3's have some improvements and tweeks, so the car is quoted at 360miles on the webite.

She was however somewhat 'peeved' when twice on the Motorway she entered, and I quote, 'slow and boring 50mph zones', with cameras monitoring average speeds, and these had been introduced 'to reduce local air pollution' ....... she told me she was muttering about driving an F'ing Tesla, as she read those road signs.
Anyone fancy campaigning for high speed, BEV only lanes?

[Edit - Should have mentioned, the weather was a bit cold for May, but at a guess, would probably be around ideal, not sure? M.]

QrizB

Martyn1981 said:

Anyone remember the F1 car was that banned (or withdrawn by the team, on request after its one and only race (and win)) as it  ..... how do I describe it ...... it was a reverse hovercraft! It had a fan underneath for "increased cooling", but actually sucked air from underneath, and blasted it out behind, giving it formidable grip and cornering

The Brabham BT46 "Fan Car", back when F1 was innovative

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT46

And there was the Tyrell P34 six-wheeler:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrrell_P34

JKenH

EVandPV said:

Tesla Roadster 2022: Price, release date, 0-60, range and more

As if the 0-60 time wasn't fast enough at 1.9 seconds, the "SpaceX package" is reported to include rocket thrusters ! 

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/tesla-roadster-2022-price-release-date-0-60-range-and-more

Absolutely, totally pointless, as are all hypercars, except of course for playing Top Trumps. If you want to go fast on the roads (and you really shouldn’t) get a Toyota Yaris GR.

Martyn1981

JKenH said:

EVandPV said:

Tesla Roadster 2022: Price, release date, 0-60, range and more

As if the 0-60 time wasn't fast enough at 1.9 seconds, the "SpaceX package" is reported to include rocket thrusters ! 

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/tesla-roadster-2022-price-release-date-0-60-range-and-more

Absolutely, totally pointless, as are all hypercars, except of course for playing Top Trumps. If you want to go fast on the roads (and you really shouldn’t) get a Toyota Yaris GR.

I always wanted a Ford RS200, such are dreams.
I agree that the ICEV's are totally pointless, but perhaps the point of 'BEV beasts', is to show what can be done. When Elon launched the Roadster II in 2017, he made a statement, and it matters, it really matters - he said it would deliver a "hardcore smackdown to gas-powered cars" and went on to suggest  it would make petrol-burners look like steam engines with a side of quiche.

The point really, is that anyone clinging on to hope that ICEV's have a market role, just lost their grip, so to speak. And when you think about it, some powerful but 'ordinary' BEV's can match some supercars in a street light dragrace, and your choice of the word 'hypercar' is enlightening, as that's what this car should be classed as, going up against $1m+ hypercars and beating them, but at around half the cost of a supercar.

It was nice to see Porsche's sales figures recently, and note that the Taycan is almost its top seller, whilst the Panamera, the closest match to it, has seen sales collapse. Basically the Taycan is a Panamera killer.

If you build it, they will come.

Or if you convert it ..... recent article by Fully Charged on a Ferrari conversion was interesting for so many reasons, and whilst the 308's are not exactly the most loved Ferrari's out there, nor the fastest, the electric conversion gave it a much (much) quicker acceleration, higher top speed, fractionally lighter, and a slightly longer range, who'd have thunk! And now it get used much more often, as the owner doesn't need to worry about it not working, needing tlc to wake it up from winter hibernation, and so on.

Solarchaser

JKenH said:

Plug in. Pay out. Give up? 

The real range on my Tesla Model 3 with some motorway driving? Probably nearer 140 miles a fill. 

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/plug-in-pay-out-give-updrivers-say-cost-is-the-biggest-barrier-to-opting-for-a-zero-emissions-car/

I feel that as a Glasgow boy myself, my experience is rather relevant here.
He mentioned chargeplace Scotland,  and thats who I tend to use, it's strange he talks about cost, since the Glasgow chargeplace Scotland chargers are all free.... even the rapid ones I've used.
I've never found them down as I'm not an idiot and check zapmap and /or the charge your car app to see if there are reported issues and if they are currently being used.

I can't comment on the 140 miles, but it seems from the grumpiness through that article that he believes in the 20-80% charge, and so is only using 60% of the battery when he complains about 140 miles.
But honestly he just sounds like a grumpy old man (no offence to the user named this).

This is definitely fud as far as I'm concerned. 

BTW occasionally the chargeplace Scotland card doesn't work, and sometimes you have to phone the English offices, but I've never been on the phone more than 5 mins, so that 16 min wait is just tosh

EVandPV

Solarchaser said:

JKenH said:

Plug in. Pay out. Give up? 

The real range on my Tesla Model 3 with some motorway driving? Probably nearer 140 miles a fill. 

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/plug-in-pay-out-give-updrivers-say-cost-is-the-biggest-barrier-to-opting-for-a-zero-emissions-car/

I feel that as a Glasgow boy myself, my experience is rather relevant here.
He mentioned chargeplace Scotland,  and thats who I tend to use, it's strange he talks about cost, since the Glasgow chargeplace Scotland chargers are all free.... even the rapid ones I've used.
I've never found them down as I'm not an idiot and check zapmap and /or the charge your car app to see if there are reported issues and if they are currently being used.

I can't comment on the 140 miles, but it seems from the grumpiness through that article that he believes in the 20-80% charge, and so is only using 60% of the battery when he complains about 140 miles.
But honestly he just sounds like a grumpy old man (no offence to the user named this).

This is definitely fud as far as I'm concerned. 

BTW occasionally the chargeplace Scotland card doesn't work, and sometimes you have to phone the English offices, but I've never been on the phone more than 5 mins, so that 16 min wait is just tosh

Haven't used a public charger in about 18 months but can you not also still start a charge with the Charge Place Scotland app ?

JKenH

Solarchaser said:

JKenH said:

Plug in. Pay out. Give up? 

The real range on my Tesla Model 3 with some motorway driving? Probably nearer 140 miles a fill. 

https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/plug-in-pay-out-give-updrivers-say-cost-is-the-biggest-barrier-to-opting-for-a-zero-emissions-car/

He mentioned chargeplace Scotland,  and thats who I tend to use, it's strange he talks about cost, since the Glasgow chargeplace Scotland chargers are all free.... even the rapid ones I've used.

What the article actually says about Glasgow charging fees is “ The decision by Highland Council echoes recent moves by Glasgow City Council, which this month brought in charges for its public network.”

This appears to be confirmed by the article below.

Fees for electric vehicle charging points get council approval

NEW fees for using electric vehicle charging points in Glasgow will be introduced from May.

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19222946.fees-agreed-charging-points/