Anyone On Here Own A TESLA
- Thread starter Chuckinden
- Start date
Ridden in one. The technology is scary and awesome. Not sure how long it would take me to trust it driving down the road going 75 without my hands on the wheel.
With that said. I have proclaimed since I rode in it that the minute they figure out how to charge those batteries in the same amount of time it does to fill a tank with gas, gas cars will be obsolete.
With that said. I have proclaimed since I rode in it that the minute they figure out how to charge those batteries in the same amount of time it does to fill a tank with gas, gas cars will be obsolete.
Why do they need to wait for them to recharge?
Every cordless power tool that I own has two batteries. One is always charged. My work doesn't stop to recharge a battery.
What if you exchanged batteries just like you exchange a depleted propane tank for a full one for your bbq grill.
Standardize the batteries like every other consumable battery. AA,AAA,C,D owe no allegiance to products they are installed in. Combustion engine starter batteries are standard sizes.
Pull into your spot and let the automated process begin.
BBDave Gazillion Dollar Idea™.
China working on that... battery replace meant stations.... bet all Chinese cars will look the same......
The battery on an electric vehicle isn't something easily changed. They are "slightly" bigger than a regular battery. A Tesla Model S battery weighs 1200 pounds.
My issues with Tesla is that the cars seem to look like crap pretty quickly. Meaning, a 3-year old Tesla always seems to show its scars compared to say a Lexus or even a nice Tahoe or something. I think the legacy auto manufacturers know a thing or two about this, and Tesla needs more time to figure it out.
Here is a pretty good cost comparison between electric vehicles and gas powered that I came across today. I don't think that I will consider an EV until they get closer to cost parity with gas powered cars.
Last edited:
Tesla’s used to look sharp but I find their design outdated, just don’t like the look of them. I have a big family so wanted an SUV but the model X looks like an egg.
Interesting, because it just so happens that this was the prototype that Nikola Tesla had designed.
&width=645 "Six cars that are shaped like Easter eggs! | GRR")
We had something like this at a warehouse I worked at for changing out batteries in our ride on electric pallet jacks and forklifts. Not sure how feasible it would be for personal vehicles.
They would have to have a universal system that all vehicles use for it to work. Like some kind of battery door that opens so a magnetic arm could pull your battery out and then slide a new one in. It would have to work with various battery sizes for different vehicles.
I just don't think it would be financially feasible. Every charging station would have to have at least a few dozen batteries on hand. Probably a lot more if the batteries don't have a rapid charging system to get dead ones fully charged for the next vehicle in a reasonable amount of time.
Then the cost of swapping the battery out would have to be reasonable. Instead of fueling a car up for $30 to $40 for a week you would have to swap a battery out potentially multiple times a week if you can't get home in time to charge it. Maybe 4 or 5 times when traveling for vacation. Just not sure it would be cost effective.
By the way I think the best option, if it can be done at a reasonable cost (vehicle purchase price and fuel price) is using hydrogen fuel cells. You can fill up almost as quickly as gas and they can get up to 380 miles to a tank. It just costs more than gas right now at like the equivalent of $5 to $6 a gallon and vehicle cost is more than double.
It would help with pollution (water vapor as exhaust) and be less destructive to the environment as mining for lithium is to make the go green folks happy. Just not sure how safe it would be in an accident. I just have visions of the Hindenburg dancing in my head.
It would help with pollution (water vapor as exhaust) and be less destructive to the environment as mining for lithium is to make the go green folks happy. Just not sure how safe it would be in an accident. I just have visions of the Hindenburg dancing in my head.
Nio is a Chinese auto manufacturer that uses battery swapping. Musk (Tesla) has said that they don't want to go that route......but he never really explained why? Many feel that the reason why most brands don't want to go with battery swapping is that before too long the technology of the batteries will render swapping obsolete.
Why don't they split the batteries into two units & charge both simultaneously & thus halve the time?China working on that... battery replace meant stations.... bet all Chinese cars will look the same......
Parents ordered a Y performance yesterday, im sure i will drive it this summer and check it out.
I looked hard at one six months ago, and decided to buy an A220 4 cylinder Mercedes instead, for a lot less money, still fuel efficient, but not electric.
I have owned several hybrids, and they worked fine, so my next car probably will be electric, but frankly, I felt like I was over paying for a Tesla because of being an early adopter of technology, in 4 or 5 years, there will be many EVs to choose from, at a lot better value.
At least IMO.
I have owned several hybrids, and they worked fine, so my next car probably will be electric, but frankly, I felt like I was over paying for a Tesla because of being an early adopter of technology, in 4 or 5 years, there will be many EVs to choose from, at a lot better value.
At least IMO.
I’ve read the electric batteries actually have a larger carbon footprint than a traditional gas powered car.
That 300 mile range isn't enough for me. I leave the house with a cooler of Red Bull and a fresh (empty) piss jug every morning.
Initially yes, but not long term. There was a recent article that compared a Tesla Model 3 vs a RAV4. When new, the Tesla has a worse environmental footprint when looking at production, etc. However, after about 3 yrs, the RAV4 surpasses it and holds on to the lead.
I wish the article compared the Model 3 to something more appropriately sized.....say a Honda Civic or Corolla, but......
This is one of the biggest things that you'll see change before too long. Some estimates state that batteries will change so much, quite quickly. Some are even claiming 1,000 mile range and significantly reduced charging time to be possible within the next 5 yrs.
.....this is why many manufacturers aren't thinking about battery swapping technology.
Yes, another reason why I decided to hold off. Also, the studies I read about carbon footprint are assuming, at least to some degree, that the electricity used to power EVs will continue to be powered by coal and natural gas, which assumption may or may not be true in the future
Agreed. I'm holding off as well.....for a number of reasons.
1. Range - Right now overall range is still not up to ICE engines....and that's without considering doing work with it. Right now my truck has a unloaded range of 450-500. When I tow my boat or trailer, it'll drop to around 350. Some experts are saying that the electric F150 or Tesla Cybertruck will drop to 80-115 mile range under towing similar loads. OUCH!
2. Charge times - I don't want to have to stop on vacation for an entire night to charge. Or, what if I forget to plug in when I get home at the end of a work day? I can't just get up the next workday and go to work. I'll have to plug in and burn a day of PTO.
3. Infrastructure - No charging stations, no mechanics, etc.....yet.....
4. Build quality - Musk/Tesla have said that they haven't been focused on build quality......they've been focusing on quantity. They know their reliability is terrible....that's why they have exceptional customer service. They want to get the product out to the masses.....then work on building better products. Ford is likely going to have a host of bugs to work out with the new F150. Etc, etc. I don't want to jump on EV's too soon.
5. Unintended/unforeseen consequences. When the F150 came out with the all aluminum body parts, it unleashed a host of issues. Ford was not prepared for the issues. They were no mechanics that had experience working with aluminum......and Ford did not build a surplus of parts. Those mechanics that could do the job, gouged prices. And those warehouses that had parts.....gouged prices. Cost (and repair times) to the consumer and Ford went through the roof. Now, Ford has since worked it out well.....but for a few yrs it was not a great situation.
So, I"m waiting as well. It's going to take 5-10 years (maybe up to 10-20 yrs) before the changeover to EV's to really, really, really take effect. I'll give them time to work out the kinks.....then we'll see.
By the way I think the best option, if it can be done at a reasonable cost (vehicle purchase price and fuel price) is using hydrogen fuel cells. You can fill up almost as quickly as gas and they can get up to 380 miles to a tank. It just costs more than gas right now at like the equivalent of $5 to $6 a gallon and vehicle cost is more than double.
It would help with pollution (water vapor as exhaust) and be less destructive to the environment as mining for lithium is to make the go green folks happy. Just not sure how safe it would be in an accident. I just have visions of the Hindenburg dancing in my head.
This doesn't happen too often:
Details, details...
No, I don't think I'm the first one to consider this so there must be lots of stumbling blocks. But, I would never by a tool that didn't have a removable battery. What is this 1983:
Just like it's more expensive exchanging your propane tank at the convenience store over stopping by the propane company and having them refill your tank.
I was thinking for trips. Recharge at home for intown travel.
Thanks for all the input.
My neighbor has had a Model S for three years and he loves it.
Also, I own six vehicles. If I forget to charge, I just hop in a gasser.
My neighbor has had a Model S for three years and he loves it.
Also, I own six vehicles. If I forget to charge, I just hop in a gasser.
That underscores an important point. IMO an EV should only be a second car used primarily for commuting and local errands etc. You still need a gas guzzler for road trips of any length. As far as an electric SUV goes the new Hyundai is really interesting:
Nearly every person I talked to that has one loves it, it was tempting, to be sure
Forbes had an article recently about electric vehicles saying the same thing. Battery technology is expected to change drastically with Toyota saying they have solid state battery designs ready to go. They're also claiming something like 10 minutes to charge to 80%.
There's something very intriguing about it all. Think about this scenario: You wake early in the morning, pile the family in the car along with all their luggage.....the car drives itself to your vacation spot 800+ miles away without having to stop ("obviously you'd have to stop for food, bathroom, etc). During the trip you sleep, read a book, play on the internet, play a game with your kids/family, watch a movie/TV, etc. You arrive rested and ready to enjoy your vacation.
Now, I'm old enough that it's going to take me a LOOOOOOOONG time to where I can trust a vehicle to drive for me.......but the above scenario sounds pretty interesting. And it's not science fiction......this is going to be a possible reality in about 10-15 yrs.
Sounds like riding on a train, especially a high speed train, which we should have started building 50 years ago, like they did in Asia and parts of Europe. Maybe someday . . . .
Too many tech bro's and nerd bombs drive them.. They've kind of lost their appeal to me, at least from a look and status appeal.
I don't base my decisions on what others do.
I am waiting on a politician to fly to an airport in his private jet that uses 250 gallons per hour, get into his oversized Suburban that gets 14 MPG, drive to a press conference where the media is powering their TV equipment with gas guzzling generators and tell me that I need to buy one to save the planet first.
Last edited:
My brother majored in math and computer science and works in tech. He drives a Tesla.