The case for hydrogen-powered cars

Post by mikeash » Sun, Apr 22, 2018, 6:04 PM UTC

Fins wrote: post #80

mikeash wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m pretty sure most of those still fit into an EV’s range. There are some who won’t, but it’s a fairly small number.

Stockton to Sunnyvale is 80-100 mils one way. And I imagine working people who have to live in Stockton or Tracy because they can't afford living near work in SV probably aren't buying extended range Teslas. Most likely don't have any chargers at home either.

Post by Fins » Sun, Apr 22, 2018, 10:19 PM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #78

Fins wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's true if you never need to run errands after coming home, visit friends who live an hour away and don't have a charger, etc. etc. Let alone people who actually make a living by driving around. If you don't have your own charger or access to a free one, commercial chargers aren't necessarily cheaper than gas either. Last time I ran numbers for my wife's plug-in, apart from free chargers (Volta or some municipal…

Just how far are you driving for errands?

Post by mikeash » Sun, Apr 22, 2018, 10:44 PM UTC

Fins wrote: post #82

mikeash wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone like that probably can’t afford any EV with a range to even make that trip one way. Affordability isn’t really there yet. That’s something that’s also true with hydrogen cars and so has little bearing on the relative advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen and batteries.

True. Which is why ICE isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But if prices could be brought down (i.e. by mass production), fuel-cell/hydrogen vehicles would work, but electrics still would not. Although at this time I do wonder what could possibly move one to purchase a Mirai.

Post by Fins » Mon, Apr 23, 2018, 2:35 AM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #84

Fins wrote: post #83

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Sometimes 1 mile, sometimes 20. Or I might want to visit friends, who don't have a charger and live 50 miles away.

Sounds fine. With a Model 3 LR, you could have a 100 mile commute each way, do 20 miles for errands, then visit your friend 50 miles away and return home before recharging. And I’m pretty sure 100 mile commutes are highly unusual.

Post by mikeash » Mon, Apr 23, 2018, 12:06 PM UTC

Fins wrote: post #86

mikeash wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cost and range are closely related when it comes to batteries. A 500 mile range would cover almost everything, and should be practical before too long, and affordable eventually. Tesla’s new Roadster will have a 600 mile range, although the price is absurd.

Eventually, and we don't know what might happen with fuel cell technology before that. It is likely to always be faster to refill.