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map40

Florida

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Posted: 01/05/23 02:12pm

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This is going everywhere but where it was originally going. I have been arround EVs (terrestrial, aerial and extra-atmospherical) for 12 years and I have been around designing medium dutty and heavy dutty truck for the previous 20.
The answer is easy. It is a good alternative when it is cheaper to operate. I have 2 electric cars that pay for themselvs. I replaced my RV generator for a battery pack because I hated that darn diesel generator (if you had to work on a diesel generator with no slides you understand), and I was able to buy the battery with the money I got for the generator. Now I run everything for 1/20th of what it costed me with the diesel generator.
Can you use an electric truck? For some applications, not for many. A car is easier. As a matter of fact, there are EVs today that can replace ICE cars with no inconvenience whatsoever (I have driven over 1500 miles without recharging in my EV just to see if it was possible).
Is electricity the light at the end of the tunnel? I don't think so. But in the meantime, for the right applications, EVs are vastly superior and significantly cheaper to own.
Now, I don't see any of us in an electric truck towing a trailer or an electric motorhome any time soon...

* This post was edited 01/05/23 02:44pm by map40 *

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pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Posted: 01/05/23 08:37pm

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map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

Regards, Don
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wnjj

Cornelius, Oregon

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Posted: 01/06/23 12:04am

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pianotuna wrote:

map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

I took that to mean he’s driven 1500 miles and not had to use a public charger (i.e. round trips from home).

map40

Florida

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Posted: 01/06/23 06:47am

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pianotuna wrote:

map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

BMW I3. Small modifications to the controllers and a factory built in APU (A gas generator).
As I said, EVs are good for the right application. 99% of my driving is well within the battery range. When I need to travel further I canrun on gas and I don't have to worry about recharging. And as the EV is way more efficient, I get over 50 MPG easy.
Remember, EVs will work only when they save you money and are convenient. A plug in hybrid is a complex vehicle. An EV with a small backup Auxiliary Power Unit is a really simple vehicle. Fully electric powertrain, can be charged at home, but you don't have to depend on the charging network when you are doing a long trip.
That is why I don't believe the RV industry won't see electric powertrains anytime soon. When you use an RV (Motorhome or towing) you need long distance high power. Electric sucks for that.

map40

Florida

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Posted: 01/06/23 06:50am

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wnjj wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

I took that to mean he’s driven 1500 miles and not had to use a public charger (i.e. round trips from home).

No, 1500 miles with no charging. I have never charged in a public charger. I have an EV that was designed propperly, with an on-board generator. 99% I use battery. 1% of the time I do a long trip I use the generator

map40

Florida

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Posted: 01/06/23 06:59am

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Let me clarify one more thing. Range anxiety is a problem with trucks. You suffer it when you are towing, you want to go to a good gas or diesel station with enough space to drive around and good prices. Good bathrooms and maybe a few snacks. Now imagine you have a truck that can only recharge in a station that can't recharge with your trailer hooked up, and is the only station in 50 miles aroung and you can't get to another one.
Factor number 2: Emergencies. If you have to travel somewhere on an emergency, how likely is to get you with a full battery and with enough time to recharge on the way?
As I said, EVs only make sense when they are cheaper to own and convenient. A lot of people could use EVs and do great with, but THEY ARE NOT FOR EVERYBODY AND EVERY CASE.
There is one thing you have to give EVs, they are ADDICTIVE! Once you are used to the acceleration, durability and covenience, it sucks going back to ICEs....

way2roll

Wilmington NC

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Posted: 01/06/23 08:26am

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map40 wrote:

wnjj wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

I took that to mean he’s driven 1500 miles and not had to use a public charger (i.e. round trips from home).

I'm confused. You said 1500 miles with no charging. But then go on to say the car has a built in gas generator - which is charging.

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d1h

Indiana

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Posted: 01/06/23 08:47am

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Grit dog

Black Diamond, WA

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Posted: 01/06/23 08:47am

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map40 wrote:

wnjj wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

map40,

Which electric car will go 1500 miles on a single charge?

I took that to mean he’s driven 1500 miles and not had to use a public charger (i.e. round trips from home).

So you’re not performing magic here. And aside from the I3 being typical overly expensive for the BMW name combined with lower than avg resale (also typical for bmw) and being an ultra compact cracker box compared to the plethora of other hybrid compact cars that also can knock down 50mpg plus, you DIDN’T go 1500mi without charging, you went 1500miles using the built in gasoline powered generator to charge on the fly. And stopped for gas in that 1500miles.
Nice try at whatever point you were trying to make.

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