Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

GreatApe

1961Nick wrote: »

I think everyone initially looked at the Cybertruck as a 'lifestyle' vehicle rather than a 'utility' vehicle. It's true that many trucks are bought to make a statement, but there's also a vast number bought to do a job. As a working vehicle, the Cybertruck seems to do everything better than it's peers & without paying a premium.

The designers appear to have looked at everything a truck is supposed to do & then engineered the Cybertruck to do it much better. Many of the traditional truck drawbacks have been completely engineered out ... integral ramp, load cover etc.

It may actually turn out to be a game changer & maybe Ford should worry about the impact on F150 sales.

Making virtue out of necessity

Let's guess the average new truck buyer in the USA
90% male. 90% aged 36-70. 80% obease

They have to buy a truck of some sort because they can not easily/comfortably get into and out of a sedan or a smaller vehicles. 'I love my truck' is virtue hiding the necessity of 'I can barely get in and out of a sedan'

So will the Tesla truck sell. Yes definitely it meets the obease middle aged man who wants an electric truck needs. The tough element is also nice they fragile men can boast about how strong their trucks are compensating for how fragile their own bodies have become

Ovrall I like the truck I've said so from the beginning
It will take some sales away from model 3s and Ys but overall it will boost Tesla sales
In the USA it could even outsell the model 3 assuming the price point is true
In the UK it's unlikely to sell well even a model X seems too large

GreatApe

How many miles could a model 3 (or equivalent sized BEV) get if it had solar panels on its roof

https://youtu.be/HmDBJNU4Pf8

A model 3 using just the roof space can add a 0.5KWp solar system which would add about 11 miles a day or about 4,000 miles a year in sunny country (most the world's population live in sunny countries)

Should be an option. The dude estimates it would cost $600 going off Amazon solar prices But I think it would be closer to half of that so just $300 and in sunny locations you'd get 4,000 miles a year self charge

GreatApe

Musk 15 miles self charge option for truck plus solar
Should add this option to model 3s using the roof and perhaps hood In a pure black would look fine

5,500 miles per year self charge in sunny country
Also no real limit to solar cell production
Less potential future grid upgrade problems
And better than most grids which are indeed coal and gas powered

Others should do a Plug in solar hybrid model 3 clones
1/3rd the battery size and cost and mass so about 80 mile all electric range then ICE kicks in
Even if never plugged in this car would emmit half the CO2 Vs conventional ICE
So instead of say 120 grams a km 60 grams per KM even with zero plugging in.
That is a lower CO2 figure than a full electric Tesla charged indirectly by marginal coal and gas

Martyn1981

1961Nick wrote: »

I think everyone initially looked at the Cybertruck as a 'lifestyle' vehicle rather than a 'utility' vehicle. It's true that many trucks are bought to make a statement, but there's also a vast number bought to do a job. As a working vehicle, the Cybertruck seems to do everything better than it's peers & without paying a premium.

The designers appear to have looked at everything a truck is supposed to do & then engineered the Cybertruck to do it much better. Many of the traditional truck drawbacks have been completely engineered out ... integral ramp, load cover etc.

It may actually turn out to be a game changer & maybe Ford should worry about the impact on F150 sales.

True. The only 'decent' criticism I've heard, and it's been mentioned quite a lot, is the lack of ability to side load the bed due to the raised sides, those 'sails'.

But, I'm starting to doubt that argument given that historically these trucks are very tall anyway, so side loading anything heavy will already be difficult, and the integrated ramp, and the ....... not sure what to call it ...... ability to squat ..... sit up and beg ...... what ever it is called, seems to offer an even better solution to loading. Plus of course the raised sides allow for that tough cover, and extra storage space.

Have folk also heard that Tesla are considering a solar version of the tonneau that could provide 15 miles per day, Elon even suggested fold out sails taking it to around 30 miles per day. Apologies if this has already been mentioned, double apologies if I've already mentioned it, been overdosing a bit on the CT news.

Martyn1981

I'll admit it, this really tickled me!

So, quick history, the US has CAFE standards for vehicles (corporate average fuel economy). These have been rising slowly, forcing auto makers to make more efficient cars.

Obama set steep rises for the CAFE standards going forward, but Trump has decided to remove those increases and effectively stall the increase.

However, there is a work around, as California has a waiver, it's been in operation about 50yrs, and 100 (6 monthly) renewals. As Cali represents about 10% of the US, their higher standards effectively force automakers to work to Cali standards rather than have two different cars.

But Trump has also removed the Cali waiver, though this is now in court as he may not have the right to do so.

As a result sides have been drawn, with multiple states joining Cali, and some car makers (GM, Toyota) siding with Trump.

But Cali is not done ..... they've now specified that all government agencies going forward, can only buy BEV's (apart from emergency services, where choice may be limited), and to really put the boot in, from Jan they can't buy BEV's from companies that have sided with the Trump CAFE standards ..... so no sales of Bolts from GM.

Gotta hand it to Cali, they know how to fight dirty ..... or is it clean!

California to Stop Buying From Automakers That Backed Trump on Emissions

WASHINGTON — California’s government has hit back at automakers that sided with President Trump over the state on fuel efficiency standards, saying Sacramento will halt all purchases of new vehicles from General Motors, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and other automakers that backed stripping California of its authority to regulate tailpipe emissions.

The ban, which the California governor, Gavin Newsom, plans to implement in January 2020, is the latest shot in the intensifying battle over climate change between Mr. Trump and the state, which he appears to relish antagonizing.

“Carmakers that have chosen to be on the wrong side of history will be on the losing end of California’s buying power,” Governor Newsom said in a statement on Monday.

Vlog:
California vs Trump: GM & Others Get Banned

Martyn1981

Collection of CT facts from CT ..... that's not confusing at all!

20 Tesla Cybertruck Updates From Elon Musk

The Tesla Cybertruck reveal shared a few key details about the truck thingie, but it left many people itching for more information (and, well, scratching their heads). Naturally, Elon Musk monitored responses pretty closely by checking out what was popping on Twitter in the hours and days following the event, and he has responded to numerous tweets sent his way. Below are ~20 pieces of information succinctly added to other details about the Cybertruck.

joefizz

Martyn1981 wrote: »

True. The only 'decent' criticism I've heard, and it's been mentioned quite a lot, is the lack of ability to side load the bed due to the raised sides, those 'sails'.

But, I'm starting to doubt that argument given that historically these trucks are very tall anyway, so side loading anything heavy will already be difficult,

Fishing rods, sheets of 8x4 whatever, cooler boxes, etc etc. Its not heavy stuff but rather stuff that can be thrown over the side or just chucked in on top of stuff already loaded.
Not a biggie but when ads in the states make a play of it and various grades of tail that can be sat on/split/opened/lowered its more about how people actually use the thing.


Will be interesting if they do a 2nd charge port on this one as it wont fit in the supercharger bay?


In its current format it will face more design issues though than the side loading. If it doesnt have 5th wheel capability with those sides it will be an issue and its boat launch capability might also be an issue with it being electric. (doubly so in salt water). Those just make it mass market, 5th wheelers will probably just stick to gas and Id be very doubtful of any electric cars salt water boat launch capability.

JKenH

Model Y said to be coming early


https://seekingalpha.com/news/3523445-model-y-said-to-be-coming-early

Martyn1981

The same ole story, but with some battery price updates:

Could EVs start to displace fossil fuel-driven vehicles within five years?

With almost a decade having passed since electric vehicles hit public roads, the price of battery packs has dropped 87% since 2010, according to a report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. With rising efficiency and evolving supply chains, the market research group suggests cumulative demand will bring prices down to parity with internal combustion engine vehicles by 2024.

Personally, I think that's the point where ICEV's are dead in the water, but the real crossing point is when the TCO of BEV's is cheaper, and we've probably already passed that point, but not everyone will be aware, plus of course, all the calcs and speculation mean little whilst BEV's are so supply limited, but getting better every day.

Martyn1981

Article on BNEF's battery cost analysis.

Powering The EV Revolution — Battery Packs Now At $156/kWh, 13% Lower Than 2018, Finds BNEF

Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has released the results of its 2019 Battery Price Survey, finding that industry-weighted average battery pack prices have already fallen to $156 per kWh. This is over 13% lower than the 2018 average ($180/kWh, when adjusted for inflation), and BNEF foresees cost reductions continuing, with $100/kWh potentially being reached by 2023. Let’s dive in.