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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

#11

Post by axaxs »

rorykoehler wrote: post #8
axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

I’m not informed but it seems all the high range cars are also the expensive ones. Mercedes EQS and Tesla Model S for example.

Don't forget the higher end monstrosity of a cybertruck.

Looks aside, something like that would interest me but I don't need the extras. I don't need extra motors and 4wd. Why not just offer the base version with the bigger battery?

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

#12

Post by codezero »

eropple wrote: post #4
kbos87 wrote: post #2

What I’m really curious to see is whether or not “electric” is the single killer feature it is often positioned as. Semi-autonomous driving and overall UX are two places that Tesla is just so far ahead. I think other manufacturers will make progress, but they are likely to be slow. Electric is compelling but it’s only a small part of the overall value prop for a lot of buyers.

n=1 of course, but to me Teslas aren't compelling until they 1) are a company I want to support, 2) building a vehicle I want, at 3) a price I want to pay. They fail #1 in a bunch of entertaining ways, they don't make a vehicle that satisfies #2 either in features/size or in the absence of misfeatures like the center console or the quasi-automated car crasher, and they'd have to take a significant haircut to satisfy…

I agree with your points in general, the main reason I don't want a Tesla is that they all look the same to me, across models, years, features, they just have a similar look and it's boring. I wish they also offered a wide range of body modifications to add some flavor and individuality to the car.

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

#13

Post by matmatmatmat »

kbos87 wrote: post #2

What I’m really curious to see is whether or not “electric” is the single killer feature it is often positioned as. Semi-autonomous driving and overall UX are two places that Tesla is just so far ahead. I think other manufacturers will make progress, but they are likely to be slow. Electric is compelling but it’s only a small part of the overall value prop for a lot of buyers.

It's obviously very personal, but for me, electric alone is a big plus. I find it more enjoyable to drive: No transmission shifting, really smooth acceleration, quieter, and that instant-on torque is pretty nice, too.

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

#14

Post by stefan_ »

axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

It's a huge cost and weight penalty that makes no sense 99% of the time.

You seem to be stuck in a 2010 mindset - battery swapping in particular is a hilarious failure of an idea. Watch out for the world overtaking you.

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

#15

Post by Saris »

black_puppydog wrote: post #7
axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

I think if there was a perspective to upgrade to a more modern battery later on, that would make a huge difference for these decisions. I wonder how much the actual battery contributes to the production costs. It can't be trivial, right?

>I wonder how much the actual battery contributes to the production costs. It can't be trivial, right?

I would think it's a good portion, at say $200 per kWh of battery a 50kWh pack is $10k.

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

#16

Post by rsynnott »

rorykoehler wrote: post #6
codetrotter wrote: post #3

I am never buying a Volkswagen after the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal in 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal

Then I guess you’re never buying any European car ever again because it has since come to light that they were all at it. A bit misplaced given the electric push anyhow surely?

Not just European; practically everyone who made diesel cars was at it.

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

#17

Post by tpmx »

kbos87 wrote: post #2

What I’m really curious to see is whether or not “electric” is the single killer feature it is often positioned as. Semi-autonomous driving and overall UX are two places that Tesla is just so far ahead. I think other manufacturers will make progress, but they are likely to be slow. Electric is compelling but it’s only a small part of the overall value prop for a lot of buyers.

I think what you're actually describing is the largely fan activist/toy (Yes, Tesla Autopilot is a toy) attitude that's common to a certain kind of Tesla owners. This is embarassing and needs to go so that responsible adults can buy EVs too.

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

#18

Post by MrRadar »

axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

How often do you drive that far? The farthest I drive in one go is 350 miles and I only make that trip once every other year because it's exhausting. (If I could fly there I probably would.) A vehicle with a 100 mile range would cover pretty much all the other driving I do regularly.

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

#19

Post by axaxs »

stefan_ wrote: post #14
axaxs wrote: post #5

I'm kicking around the idea of an electric car, but the ranges of these things just utterly disappoint me. With some companies offering, or planning to offer 500ish mile ranges, it would feel immediately outdated to me to throw 40k on something with a ~200 mile range. Is battery tech that different between companies, is it cost prohibitive?

It's a huge cost and weight penalty that makes no sense 99% of the time. You seem to be stuck in a 2010 mindset - battery swapping in particular is a hilarious failure of an idea. Watch out for the world overtaking you.

As someone who drives about 300 miles each way rather regularly, for me it -is- a real concern.

Re: battery swapping, are you referring to the idea of like, hot swapping batteries on the road, or swapping to an upgraded battery at some point? I'm only specifically interested in the latter.

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

#20

Post by MattGaiser »

codetrotter wrote: post #3

I am never buying a Volkswagen after the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal in 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_emissions_scandal

It was everyone's emission scandal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_emissions_scandal

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