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Off Topic / Electric Cars !
« Last post by maweida on Mar 26, 2024, 12:24:17 PM »Ok, so have been thinking about EV's. On the surface, they sound great, no fuel, clean (if you charge with solar, not coal), quiet but are they.....
- Cost ... a basic EV starts at $80,000, so comparing to a $40,0000 CX5 it takes ALOT of fuel to save the $40,000 difference. At 10,000km per year at 7l/100 = $1,400 per year in fuel, so $40,000 / $1,400 = 28 years to repay the difference!!! what the!. Also most will redraw on their Morgage, so the interest on $80,000 at 7% = $5,600 per year (far greater than the fuel saving). Also, if you charge your car with coal power, it still costs you electricity (so instead of paying for petrol, your power bill goes up). Fuel seems expensive, but when you crunch the numbers, its very cheap (compared to interest on loan etc).
- Environmental - most EV owners charge their cars with coal fired power. This produces way more Co2 than burning petrol. Charging from your solar panels is the best way (if you have them)
- Shape - most EVs are crappy sedans, no one likes sedans anymore, the boots are small and the driving position is too low, and no offroads etc (can't really compare). Also, EV's can't tow, so they don't even match the capability of an internal combustion car.
- Range - my MuX gets 7.3l/100 - so 1100km from a tank, most EVs only go 500km. LiPo batteries are highly temperature sensitive, at zero degrees, your range can drop by 1/3 (ouch).
- Life - everyone knows that LiFePO4 batteries are lucky to last 8 years. Then you need to buy another $80,000 car. An Isuzu will last 20 years and 300,000km! However, very likely that aftermarket batteries will be available (to avoid having to purchase a new EV)
- Rubbish - ICE (internal combustion) cars last 15-20 years, but EVS only last 8 years. Therefore there will be twice the rubbish (old cars) generated. Also, ICE cars are fully recyclable, but EVS have heavy metals (lithium, copper, Nickle, niobium).
- Resale value - EV batteries have warranties from 5 - 8 years, however, what will the resale value be of your $80,000 car after 8 years (when the warranty expires), will be interesting, but would have thought you would have to give it away!
- Fire hazards, EVS catch fire and I've heard that your house is not covered by insurance if your EV catches fire.
- Insurance costs - i just got a quote for a $80k Tesla Y, at $1600, but my $55k MUX is only $700 (now i have $1000 to buy fuel!)
I think EVS have a future, but they need to be charged by green power, last longer, longer range, SUV shape, and be half the price, and tow 3 tonne for me to consider this (just a few things )
Elon has a bit of work to do!!
- Cost ... a basic EV starts at $80,000, so comparing to a $40,0000 CX5 it takes ALOT of fuel to save the $40,000 difference. At 10,000km per year at 7l/100 = $1,400 per year in fuel, so $40,000 / $1,400 = 28 years to repay the difference!!! what the!. Also most will redraw on their Morgage, so the interest on $80,000 at 7% = $5,600 per year (far greater than the fuel saving). Also, if you charge your car with coal power, it still costs you electricity (so instead of paying for petrol, your power bill goes up). Fuel seems expensive, but when you crunch the numbers, its very cheap (compared to interest on loan etc).
- Environmental - most EV owners charge their cars with coal fired power. This produces way more Co2 than burning petrol. Charging from your solar panels is the best way (if you have them)
- Shape - most EVs are crappy sedans, no one likes sedans anymore, the boots are small and the driving position is too low, and no offroads etc (can't really compare). Also, EV's can't tow, so they don't even match the capability of an internal combustion car.
- Range - my MuX gets 7.3l/100 - so 1100km from a tank, most EVs only go 500km. LiPo batteries are highly temperature sensitive, at zero degrees, your range can drop by 1/3 (ouch).
- Life - everyone knows that LiFePO4 batteries are lucky to last 8 years. Then you need to buy another $80,000 car. An Isuzu will last 20 years and 300,000km! However, very likely that aftermarket batteries will be available (to avoid having to purchase a new EV)
- Rubbish - ICE (internal combustion) cars last 15-20 years, but EVS only last 8 years. Therefore there will be twice the rubbish (old cars) generated. Also, ICE cars are fully recyclable, but EVS have heavy metals (lithium, copper, Nickle, niobium).
- Resale value - EV batteries have warranties from 5 - 8 years, however, what will the resale value be of your $80,000 car after 8 years (when the warranty expires), will be interesting, but would have thought you would have to give it away!
- Fire hazards, EVS catch fire and I've heard that your house is not covered by insurance if your EV catches fire.
- Insurance costs - i just got a quote for a $80k Tesla Y, at $1600, but my $55k MUX is only $700 (now i have $1000 to buy fuel!)
I think EVS have a future, but they need to be charged by green power, last longer, longer range, SUV shape, and be half the price, and tow 3 tonne for me to consider this (just a few things )
Elon has a bit of work to do!!