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Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

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Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#371

My opinion is that the industry has gone in the wrong direction with batteries. Cars should use swappable rechargeable batteries swapped by robots at the charging station. Faster pit stops and simpler batteries (no need for water-cooled, etc) and cheaper cars. And elimination of concern of battery warranty.

The problem is Gresham's Law as applied to battery packs.

A new EV owner decides to go on a trip and make use of the new swap stations. Their battery pack is brand new and charges to 100%. When they swap it, they're likely to get a 2 or 3 year old pack that only charges to 70%. It was intentionally exchanged at the swap station by an owner who was willing to roll the dice to try and get a newer pack from someone like our new EV owner.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#372

My opinion is that the industry has gone in the wrong direction with batteries. Cars should use swappable rechargeable batteries swapped by robots at the charging station. Faster pit stops and simpler batteries (no need for water-cooled, etc) and cheaper cars. And elimination of concern of battery warranty.

Many companies have tried this; all have failed. The latest to try is Ample [0], and we'll see how far they get. As a peer poster here observed, this idea seems correlated with people who don't have actual experience with EV ownership. It's a solution to a non-problem for the average driver [1]. Besides, Tesla now spends about $250K to build a supercharger. A robotically-operated battery-swapping station would probab…

NIO succeeded: https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/03/20210327-nio.html

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#373

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm curious... are you in the US? 350 miles is definitely within the realm of reason here-- a couple friends and I made an impulsive 250-something mile trip a couple weeks ago, and my family took a road trip to Florida over the past summer (normally we'd fly, but COVID)-- that trip was actually in an electric car and ended up being about 4 hours longer than it would be in a gas car. Depending on where you are, 350 mi…

> ended up being about 4 hours longer than it would be in a gas car We did some relatively long trips in our BMW i3 last couple of summers. Even though the charging added about 1-1.5hrs to each trip, my SO, which did all the driving, said she preferred it that way. She felt significantly less exhausted when she arrived, thanks to the charging stops. So not clear cut for all drivers it seems.

You know you can stop in a gasoline powered car and take breaks if you want or feel tired. But I cant imagine being forced to take an extra 1-1.5 hours whether I want to or not.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#375

I feel like the prices on electric vehicles are starting to become their biggest hurdle (instead of range, availability, or charging which are solved enough). If you're from California or New York, I'm sure $40K starting for this or a Model Y seems complexly within your means, but there's a large chunk of the US (by population AND land) where People love to spam $40K US "average" while entirely ignoring that the aver…

The best-selling[1] vehicle in America, the Ford F-150, had an average sale price of $47,174 in 2018[2]. I'm sure it's only gone up since. Also, the latest version of the map you shared shows the F-150 being the most popular vehicle in 18 states, none of which are California or New York: https://insurify.com/insights/most-popular-cars-in-america-2... --- [1] https://www.autobytel.com/ford/f-150/car-buying-guides/why-…

Yeah pickups and SUVs tend to cost more (and have much higher profit margins) than sedans and they're everywhere outside of NYC/LA. I would not be surprised to find out pickups and SVUs out number sedans in those areas.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#376

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in DFW also and you are correct. I'd take a guess that 80% of F150 owners live in a quiet suburban neighborhood and have never used the truck bed. What really is insane is the folks like a neighbor down the street who has an F250 Diesel Monster truck that has never seen any off road action except the time he drove on his grass backing out of the driveway. Same with all the Jeeps with oversized tires and 12k in…

> driven by soccer moms I’d really like to get away from this phrase. Some of the most avid off-roading Jeepers I know are women. And mothers. And for all I know they take their kids to soccer. “Soccer moms” is a terrible phrase.

I agree with you, but the problem is, there is no suitable replacement. When someone says, "soccer mom", you know exactly what they mean. And there is no phrase like it.

Just like the phrase "Indian giver". That one is just straight up racist and I will never use it, but sadly I haven't found a substitute for it either. "Someone who gives a gift and then takes it back" just doesn't roll off the tongue...

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#377

I'm puzzled why EVs are so expensive when they have simpler design and parts. Is it because of the battery? Also, isn't EMF radiation an issue for you?

> Is it because of the battery? That's the big contributor, yep. > Also, isn't EMF radiation an issue for you? For who? I mean, if you happen to be an AM radio it may be an issue, but I can't see why it would be a problem for humans.

Good point on the AM radio, my Model 3 does not have AM, but wondering do any BEVs have AM radio?

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#378

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> driven by soccer moms I’d really like to get away from this phrase. Some of the most avid off-roading Jeepers I know are women. And mothers. And for all I know they take their kids to soccer. “Soccer moms” is a terrible phrase.

I agree with you, but the problem is, there is no suitable replacement. When someone says, "soccer mom", you know exactly what they mean. And there is no phrase like it. Just like the phrase "Indian giver". That one is just straight up racist and I will never use it, but sadly I haven't found a substitute for it either. "Someone who gives a gift and then takes it back" just doesn't roll off the tongue...

Since I started realizing how sexist it sounds to me, I’ve not found a need to use it, other than gatekeeping, of which I’m also not fond.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#379

Can someone living in an apartment with no charging point at their space get an electric car?

Yes, but... I'd only do it if I had a DC rapid charger nearby (i.e. a supercharger if you buy a Tesla or a CCS if you buy a VW). And keep in mind you're going to pay more for the electricity at the DC rapid charger than you would at home--probably 2x or 3x the price per kWh.

That would negate most of your gas savings as those charging networks charge more than what you can charge for at home. When I charge at a supercharge the rate is equivalent to gas at 3 per gallon. Charging at home is 80‰ cheaper.

Re: Volkswagen launches its first all-electric SUV, the ID.4

#380

I feel like the prices on electric vehicles are starting to become their biggest hurdle (instead of range, availability, or charging which are solved enough). If you're from California or New York, I'm sure $40K starting for this or a Model Y seems complexly within your means, but there's a large chunk of the US (by population AND land) where People love to spam $40K US "average" while entirely ignoring that the aver…

>rare earth metals that seemingly remain popular within the batteries

To clarify: rare-earths are required for the magnets in EV motors. Cobalt is rare, but not a rare-earth, and is used in the batteries. The supply of lithium and nickel may affect prices at high production volumes (widespread adoption) but is not currently a significant factor. Replacements for cobalt in batteries are the object of recent research; replacements for rare-earth metals in magnets have been sought for decades, with Fe16N2 and AlMn leading the pack at a treacle-esque trickle.

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