Electric Vehicles

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I thought it was the point that kicked this whole thread off

It may be a fair cop, guv. I was referring to the technical point about local electricity distribution not being able to cope, subtlely different to having enough number of charging points which I think is where this thread started.

But, in any event, I knew it wasn't me and thought it right to admit it!

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Grant66

We may be looking at a world where if I need to get from A to B I'll tap my app, an autonomous vehicle will arrive, take me to B. I don't need to worry about buying it, maintaining, parking or charging it.

Can't see this ever quite happening myself. Maintenance and cleaning will be the issue. A lot of current owner-driven taxis are pretty grubby inside - I wouldn't want to sit in many for extended periods when sober.

Also, would you risk being the passenger in a poorly-maintained autonomous vehicle at risk of crashing?

IMHO, cleaning and mechanical maintenance will be the areas where owners seek to compromise in order to maximise the asset availability, leading to a pretty unpleasant experience (depending on previous occupants).

Originally Posted by Grant66

We need to stop thinking about the future as an extension of the status quo and consider alternatives to mass individual vehicle ownership.

Although I do concede that is a good point. I recall a quote I heard in the past: "A developed world is not one where everyone has a car, a developed world is one where the well-off use public transport" (Source unknown).

[Dave20046]

I was musing the other day about what will happen with independent mechanics. Grant’s point about changing the thinking about vehicle ownership probably settles that - eventually they will have no reason to exist.

Originally Posted by Ruffy

It may be a fair cop, guv. I was referring to the technical point about local electricity distribution not being able to cope, subtlely different to having enough number of charging points which I think is where this thread started.

But, in any event, I knew it wasn't me and thought it right to admit it!

I don’t think I articulated it very well but was wary of cabling capacity to houses as well as grid supply and if original designers had anticipated large draws from every house hold down the line . Mainly an observation triggered by working in an office where the lady folk thought it was a good idea to put an electric heater or two under all of their desks and kept flicking the fuse box back on until the cabling in the walls started burning . I’ve just removed fabric cabling and wooden back boxes from my own home, but hopefully city infrastructure is a bit more up to date that domestic one offs! And then there’s the more obvious ‘is there enough power available’ , looks like they’re working on it though.

[Adam Ef]

Legsilation is often a nudge for suppliers rather than consumers, or an attempt to give them confidence to invest in what's needed to make things a reality. A bit chicken and egg.


Things will change a lot in the next 10 to 20 years. Technology moves fast, especially when there's profit possible.

[punyXpress]

. . . but we haven't got 20 years !

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I don’t think I articulated it very well but was wary of cabling capacity to houses as well as grid supply and if original designers had anticipated large draws from every house hold down the line .

Checking back, you did indeed cover it (post #4 of this thread from you). My apologies! I've even gone back to update my own post

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

Checking back, you did indeed cover it (post #4 of this thread from you). My apologies! I've even gone back to update my own post

You’re a nobleman, I was only joshing but thanks.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

You’re a nobleman, I was only joshing but thanks.

Kind of you to say so. I'd taken it as light-hearted which is a credit to your character, too. (Nowadays it seems the form is to get 'offended' and to protest extremely about even the slightest perceived wrongdoing!)

Anyhow, still not an excuse for not righting the wrong.

[DJ123]

This is an interesting video by Harry Metcalfe here. Some good data on Electric cars and the CO2 output (production & driven).

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

There is also a good chance that after an update various parts of the car will no longer work properly...

This is already happening with Tesla over the air updates.