Ok
I split autonomous off from EVs.
Have at it boys.
I’m not sure I follow your symbology but if the energy densities were the same my current vehicle would be replaced by one with a range of around 2000 miles. Petrol engines are less efficient than electric engines.
Exactly. That, coupled with the significant power to weight advantages of a fully electrically powered vehicle (sans battery) don't make a 1:1 comparison in energy density fair.
I guess one issue for far-flung places like Australia is that everything is imported and this puts up cost. If someone in Aus built an EV, the cost might be lower. At least in Aus you have an abundance of renewables - even if you currently get over 3/4 of your energy from fossil fuels. Developing smart grids to harness that renewable energy is going to be key - not just in Aus but everywhere else too.Cold Fussion wrote: ↑Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:10 amIn Australia the Renault Zoe costs $52k AUD while the base clio costs $20k AUD. There are a lot of very nice cars to buy around the 50k AUD level. If I lived inside/much closer to the city center then I would be much better served IMO with an e-bike + car than just an electric car.
Plug in EV sales are typically at around 1-3% of total new vehicle sales. It's hard to judge them as viable when 98% of the new car buying population think that's not the case.Just_a_fan wrote: ↑Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:25 amWill electric vehicles be viable? Yes.
When? Now!
Yes, really, for many people EVs are already a viable vehicle. Are they viable/suitable/best choice for everyone in the world? No, of course not but then neither are ICEVs
About the bolded part, if double capacity, no need to fast charge in 5 minutes, or if batteries can be fast charged in 5 minutes, there´s no need to double the range at allAJI wrote: ↑Sun Jul 08, 2018 9:04 amExactly. That, coupled with the significant power to weight advantages of a fully electrically powered vehicle (sans battery) don't make a 1:1 comparison in energy density fair.
The tipping point seems a long way away with current battery tech, but as Tim said, it's really about how fast we can recharge. IMO, the whole 'battery swaping depot' idea is not a viable option. Sure, the batteries should ideally be based on a universal platform, such as 18650s (or the next iteration of the 18650). They've worked fine for computers and power tools and Teslas after all, but there is much room for improvement. The simple solution with current tech is to have double the capacity you need and fast charging (5 minutes) to ~60% of that capacity.
The strain on the grid is a completely different argument, but has to be considered.
Ps thanks for splitting this off strad. I'm interested in both EV and AV, but they don't really have anything to do with each other even though they are commonly associated.