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Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

theguardian.com

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Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#61

Post by toast0 »

Toutouxc wrote: post #55
WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(I suspect it syncs with the grids 60hz...) Yeah, that's the actual reason. I've seen someone use a small Honda generator to generate the frequency required to trick the solar generator into going... it's a weird setup because you basically tie in your generator using a breaker, so both generator and solar can be enabled at the same time.

That sounds borderline stupid, is there a technical reason you can't just generate the "clock" internally? Do most of the devices require grid AC?

Most home solar installs are grid-tied. No utility power, no solar power.

It simplifies the system a lot, because the grid provides "instantaneous" load matching for your house. If the inverter is sourcing more current than your house is sinking, the grid will sink it. If the house is sinking more current than your inverter is sourcing, the grid will source it.

When there's a utility outage, you need something else to provide the load matching. Either a local generator, or a battery is common; but either way, it's a lot more expensive.

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#62

Post by anovikov »

sircastor wrote: post #10

I’ll be interested to see the lifespan of EVs for “normal” people. I’ve got a 2012 Nissan LEAF we bought post-lease in 2015. I love it still, and don’t have any plans to replace it. The battery is not in great shape, but it gets me where I need to go. I am genuinely considering replacing the battery rather than buying another EV when the battery finally fails.

I think, there are also better compatible batteries nowadays, so if you buy a new one, you get a better car?

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#63

Post by gonehome »

bradlys wrote: post #44
Server6 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is unnecessary though. You just plug your car in every night like a cell phone and you have full charge every day. Tesla's supercharger network is plenty fast for long trips and adds a nominal amount of extra time.

> This is unnecessary though. This is presuming you can charge at home. Many of us cannot. Many of us cannot charge at work. Many of us have to rely on gas station like infrastructure for getting any kind of range. (2-3 minute pit-stops to get full range back)

I suspect charging will be more prevalent in time. Charging in apartment buildings, on the street, etc.

Even now you can make trips to the super charger on occasion and just pick one where you can get dinner, though this is obviously not as convenient as gas.

You can also move to an apartment with an EV charger (I did) or have one installed. They’re becoming more common.

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#64

Post by xyst »

colinmhayes wrote: post #52
morty_s wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I felt the same way. My wife and I bought a model y in November and we love it. If I could get an electric Tacoma I would, but I think I’m going to have to get into the cyber truck if I want an electric truck.

Rivian?

next deliveries are supposed to be in 2022 lol. im hyped about rivian though. the r1t is sexy af

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#66

Post by gonehome »

paul7986 wrote: post #50
Server6 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is unnecessary though. You just plug your car in every night like a cell phone and you have full charge every day. Tesla's supercharger network is plenty fast for long trips and adds a nominal amount of extra time.

Do you not travel and or enjoy road trips fairly frequently where you must re-fuel? I personally do(southern PA to central/Northern New York)! Also, can I charge a Nissan Leaf and or Chevy Volt using all the Telsa charging stations? IF I can great if not still these cars aren't for me or people who enjoy frequent road trips. Especially those who expect the same UX as a gas car. In time sure, but not there yet!

Central PA to northern New York is no big deal with the super charger network, I’ve done drives of that length.

Tesla has offered access to their superchargers, but legacy car companies haven’t taken them up on the offer.

Day to day, Tesla’s are better than gas - you don’t have to deal with filling up ever or oil changes etc.

Mid range road trips like you describe are also easy.

Super long cross country trips are doable, but more of a pain since the time spent charging starts to add up (it is a lot cheaper though).

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#67

Post by vbezhenar »

nic-waller wrote: post #19
angmarsbane wrote: post #17

One thing I keep getting tripped up on with EV cars is the usability during an emergency. I grew up in SoCal when there were rolling black-outs. Just this week, a windstorm took out my parent’s power for 3 days. I don’t view electricity to be as reliable as gas. What fact am I missing that can change my view on this?

It's easier to set up back yard solar panels than a back yard fuel refinery.

It is easier and cheaper to keep 100 litres of gasoline for emergency which would allow to drive at least 1000 KM.

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#68

Post by xbmcuser »

sircastor wrote: post #10

I’ll be interested to see the lifespan of EVs for “normal” people. I’ve got a 2012 Nissan LEAF we bought post-lease in 2015. I love it still, and don’t have any plans to replace it. The battery is not in great shape, but it gets me where I need to go. I am genuinely considering replacing the battery rather than buying another EV when the battery finally fails.

With how much the prices of batteries have come down in the last decade and the battery improvements. Nissan should give a cheap battery replacement to people that want it. This guy upgraded his himself https://thedriven.io/2020/11/04/nissan-leaf-owner-upgrades-e...

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#69

Post by speedgoose »

angmarsbane wrote: post #17

One thing I keep getting tripped up on with EV cars is the usability during an emergency. I grew up in SoCal when there were rolling black-outs. Just this week, a windstorm took out my parent’s power for 3 days. I don’t view electricity to be as reliable as gas. What fact am I missing that can change my view on this?

That's a very local problem that SoCal needs to work on. I can't remember having a blackout ever in my life, I live in Europe.

Just keep your car charged between 50% and 80% when you are at home and it should be enough to reach the hospital or a safe place during a blackout.

Re: Sales of electric cars up by 43% in 2020

#70

Post by paul7986 »

gonehome wrote: post #66
paul7986 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you not travel and or enjoy road trips fairly frequently where you must re-fuel? I personally do(southern PA to central/Northern New York)! Also, can I charge a Nissan Leaf and or Chevy Volt using all the Telsa charging stations? IF I can great if not still these cars aren't for me or people who enjoy frequent road trips. Especially those who expect the same UX as a gas car. In time sure, but not there yet!

Central PA to northern New York is no big deal with the super charger network, I’ve done drives of that length. Tesla has offered access to their superchargers, but legacy car companies haven’t taken them up on the offer. Day to day, Tesla’s are better than gas - you don’t have to deal with filling up ever or oil changes etc. Mid range road trips like you describe are also easy. Super long cross country trips are doa…

So my point is it's not the same UX and convenience that a gas car offers present day and for a few years or so.

When it is then it makes sense for me to buy one. I'm happy to be driving a 2015 Nissan Sentra that is paid for.

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