61–70 of 169 posts
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That's nice, but I'm specifically wondering about the motor "oil changes" and the cost of the motor itself, and this doesn't address that at all.
What's your theory on how they lubricate the spinning parts?
I have also ran similar calculations in my head. I think what I'd want to be convinced is a thorough analysis from a mechanical/industrial engineer on how much you can expect to save from a fully electric car on maintenance. The claim I've heard from Tesla is that, since there are much fewer moving parts within an electric motor, the car will last substantially longer. While this makes intuitive sense, I would love t…
The statement that electric motors have fewer moving parts so they last substantially longer is a fallacy that electric car proponents have been spreading for years. There are still many, moving parts which require servicing and can fail at a rate of similarly serviced gas engines. In fact servicing (rewinding) is quite a labor intensive and expensive operation, given the price of copper or other conductive material…
You think the motor in the Telsa costs 24 large? I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude.
What are the big-ticket repair items on an gas car? The engine and the transmission. Electric motors are maintenance-free, and the Telsa doesn't have a transmission. Also, there is minimal vibration and heat compared to a gas engine.
I would guess maintenance costs on an electric car are 1/4th of a gas car. Except the battery pack, of course. That will eventually need to be replaced.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The statement that electric motors have fewer moving parts so they last substantially longer is a fallacy that electric car proponents have been spreading for years. There are still many, moving parts which require servicing and can fail at a rate of similarly serviced gas engines. In fact servicing (rewinding) is quite a labor intensive and expensive operation, given the price of copper or other conductive material…
>400hp electric motor costs about $24,000 vs. a 400hp gas engine at about $6000. You think the motor in the Telsa costs 24 large? I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. What are the big-ticket repair items on an gas car? The engine and the transmission. Electric motors are maintenance-free, and the Telsa doesn't have a transmission. Also, there is minimal vibration and heat compared to a gas engine. I would gu…
On what basis? I know he didn't cite, and I'm not trying to put the burden of proof on you, but I'm curious why you think this. As in, I'd like to see some data (from either side).
I did some brief searching and he is correct that [45]00 HP brushless motors seem to go in the low five figures (at least on Ebay, which I know is not representative of Tesla's costs). I'm happy to believe Tesla's cost less, but I'm not sure.
What about ruggedness? Up here in (eastern) Canada we have stretches of weeks even months where the temp doesn't go above ... 10F? 15F? (-10 to -15 C) and frequently goes down to -20C or lower (below zero F). How does this affect battery range? Also I don't live in a big city, so who in the hell do I call when there's something wrong with my Tesla and how long do I wait?
also NPV is nice and all, but if you have $5k for a downpayment and you need to finance the rest, there aren't many people who can afford a $95k car loan. Not to mention the interest cost. Hey don't get me wrong, I think Tesla is the future and I would love to own one... but it seems like a "not ready yet" proposition
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Yes... I agree, there is a great deal of over estimation longevity of the drive systems and maintenance of the Tesla. Electric motors are much less serviceable than gas engines at this point. There are still a lot of moving parts. I think a tesla will lose value much faster than this person thinks as battery technology improves and the life of the existing battery pack declines.
Model S battery packs can be upgraded in a few minutes at robotic service stations...
Or the ones where Tesla purposes to charge you $100 to swap it out?
The infrastructure doesn't exist and building a "swap garage" is just a pipe dream unless it can service a large market... so having a propriety battery system doesn't lend itself to that...
Its cheaper to fill up my tank...
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>400hp electric motor costs about $24,000 vs. a 400hp gas engine at about $6000. You think the motor in the Telsa costs 24 large? I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. What are the big-ticket repair items on an gas car? The engine and the transmission. Electric motors are maintenance-free, and the Telsa doesn't have a transmission. Also, there is minimal vibration and heat compared to a gas engine. I would gu…
> I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. On what basis? I know he didn't cite, and I'm not trying to put the burden of proof on you, but I'm curious why you think this. As in, I'd like to see some data (from either side). I did some brief searching and he is correct that [45]00 HP brushless motors seem to go in the low five figures (at least on Ebay, which I know is not representative of Tesla's costs). I'm ha…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
>400hp electric motor costs about $24,000 vs. a 400hp gas engine at about $6000. You think the motor in the Telsa costs 24 large? I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. What are the big-ticket repair items on an gas car? The engine and the transmission. Electric motors are maintenance-free, and the Telsa doesn't have a transmission. Also, there is minimal vibration and heat compared to a gas engine. I would gu…
> I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. On what basis? I know he didn't cite, and I'm not trying to put the burden of proof on you, but I'm curious why you think this. As in, I'd like to see some data (from either side). I did some brief searching and he is correct that [45]00 HP brushless motors seem to go in the low five figures (at least on Ebay, which I know is not representative of Tesla's costs). I'm ha…
Here's a pic: http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Screen-Shot-...
Then of course there is the cost of the cooling jacket and the electronics. I can't estimate that readily.
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> I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. On what basis? I know he didn't cite, and I'm not trying to put the burden of proof on you, but I'm curious why you think this. As in, I'd like to see some data (from either side). I did some brief searching and he is correct that [45]00 HP brushless motors seem to go in the low five figures (at least on Ebay, which I know is not representative of Tesla's costs). I'm ha…
The entire car is only about twice that, and we know the battery is very expensive. There's no way the electric motor costs $24k.
General Purpose 350HP motor. $25K http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/motors/ac-motors-2-phase/3...
In general these motors have tight tolerances and aren't the motors in your electric shaver
The entire car cost $70K...
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> I'd say you are off by an order of magnitude. On what basis? I know he didn't cite, and I'm not trying to put the burden of proof on you, but I'm curious why you think this. As in, I'd like to see some data (from either side). I did some brief searching and he is correct that [45]00 HP brushless motors seem to go in the low five figures (at least on Ebay, which I know is not representative of Tesla's costs). I'm ha…
On the basis that it is the size of a (very large) watermelon. What's it made of? Copper and steel and aluminum. $1000 of materials and $1000 in labor. Here's a pic: http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Screen-Shot-... Then of course there is the cost of the cooling jacket and the electronics. I can't estimate that readily.
TL;DR: What is a sub-one ounce object made mostly of silicon that costs more than a thousand dollars. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116...
