Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM

[G. David Felt]

On 10/3/2020 at 10:20 AM, balthazar said:

FIFTY THOUSAND?!?!?!?!?!?

By the by, apparently one of the hallmarks of an electric-propelled vehicle is under assault, and not just by the Government.
Now the aftermarket is stepping up to address one of the glaring shortfalls of EV cars- the lack of noise. (Apologies you have to suffer thru this douche host to see the results) :

 

If I wanted ICE Noise, I would buy ICE. This Douche Bag as is appropriate needs to go back to the ICE world and stop attempting to screw with the Silent EV products.

[balthazar]

Well, they aren't actually silent. They're going to get mandated sound tracks below 18-20 MPH, and they have the exact same wind & tire noise above that.

But it's not just the douche above; apparently there's some market demand for this; and if Tesla is going to appeal to performance enthusiasts by making '0-60' one leg of their 3-legged advertising stool, that crowd covets engine noise. If you don't care & want an EV, that's fine. But a certain percentage (of the tiny percentage of EV buyers) will go for this like the 1000 apps on their phone for all sorts of useless nonsense.

Hilarious.

[daves87rs]

My god Tesla going custom.....ricers are really coming back, aren’t they? ? 

[G. David Felt]

19 hours ago, balthazar said:

Well, they aren't actually silent. They're going to get mandated sound tracks below 18-20 MPH, and they have the exact same wind & tire noise above that.

But it's not just the douche above; apparently there's some market demand for this; and if Tesla is going to appeal to performance enthusiasts by making '0-60' one leg of their 3-legged advertising stool, that crowd covets engine noise. If you don't care & want an EV, that's fine. But a certain percentage (of the tiny percentage of EV buyers) will go for this like the 1000 apps on their phone for all sorts of useless nonsense.

Hilarious.

Good point, but I suspect just like the 70's with the stupid speed set option on my Grandmothers Buick Skylark that would make noise if you went over the set speed limit or the buzzer of the unconnected seatbelt, I bet someone will figure out how to disable the fake mandated sound track.

Not a fan of all the useless phone apps.  

[balthazar]

I have the Safety Buzzer on my B-59. It's a handy safety item, IMO.
You don't have to 'disable' it, you simply set it at it's max and you're less likely to engage it :

^ For folk who want to go 105, but not 110. :D

Edited October 5, 2020 by balthazar

[G. David Felt]

Tesla Model Y delivery Goes from CUV to Convertible on the pickup ride home.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/05/tesla-model-y-roof-fall-off/#more-149657

 

[daves87rs]

4 hours ago, David said:

Tesla Model Y delivery Goes from CUV to Convertible on the pickup ride home.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/05/tesla-model-y-roof-fall-off/#more-149657

 

Yikes!

[G. David Felt]

Golf Size VW ID.3 EV first reviews. Pretty Positive.

 

Seems Mercedes-Benz is needing attention in the news and so they have revealed more of their EV line up via You Tube. Welcome to the 21st century auto show, reveals on You Tube.

First looks with Camo on of the EQS, EQE and EQS SUV.

 

[G. David Felt]

New York is joining the cities that are looking to ban new ICE auto's starting in 2035.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/05/new-york-bill-ban-new-ice-cars-2035/

New World record set in quarter mile by an EV Bike @ 195 plus mph and under 7 seconds.

 

[G. David Felt]

Ford has a Range Extender for the F-150 EV Pickup.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/03/ford-electric-pickup-range-extender-design-f150/

Press sure is going positive overboard on the up coming F-150 hybrid.

Makes me wonder what are the negatives when you read such positive overloads on a new truck.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2021-ford-f150-powerboost-hybrid-torquiest-ever/

[ccap41]

I think a plug-in-style hybrid for the F150 will definitely be the smartest and safest way to go. 

[daves87rs]

11 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I think a plug-in-style hybrid for the F150 will definitely be the smartest and safest way to go. 

Agreed!

[balthazar]

AN EV work truck presents an interesting sub-category; EV passenger vehicles only expend their energy operating the vehicle / driving. Here, with the electrical outlets to power a hundred different power draws creates a true unknown WRT remaining vehicle range.

IE; drive your model 3 to work, you have a possibility of charging it while you're in your cube.

Drive an EV pickup to a site where there's commonly no charger, plug in a bunch of tools, work all day.... how much is left to drive back home is something that's going to be of concern.

[ykX]

6 hours ago, balthazar said:

AN EV work truck presents an interesting sub-category; EV passenger vehicles only expend their energy operating the vehicle / driving. Here, with the electrical outlets to power a hundred different power draws creates a true unknown WRT remaining vehicle range.

IE; drive your model 3 to work, you have a possibility of charging it while you're in your cube.

Drive an EV pickup to a site where there's commonly no charger, plug in a bunch of tools, work all day.... how much is left to drive back home is something that's going to be of concern.

 I am not sure how big will be battery of the EV F-150 but lets take Model 3 battery as an example.  I believe base battery is 75kWh.

It seems most popular DEWALT 12in miter saw draws 15A which means with 120V power supply it will require 1.8kW of power.  Therefore 8 hours of CONTINUES use (which doesn't happen) will require 14.4kWh.    Of course there are losses converting battery power to AC voltage and other issues like load on the miter saw, temperature and many more.  However, in a nutshell it seems that even fully charged Model 3 can comfortably provide enough juice for a full day of work with different power tools and still get you home.   I am assuming trucks will have a bigger battery.

Edited October 7, 2020 by ykX

[balthazar]

Apparently I was thinking about the '21 F-150's onboard generator, because the press pic of that shows (4) 110V plugs and a 240V plug operating ... but that's on the hybrid IC F-150. That pic shows a lot more draw than just 1 tool... but that's a completely different scenario.
It'll be interesting to see how the EV F-150 is set up in comparison to this.

[ccap41]

4 hours ago, balthazar said:

Apparently I was thinking about the '21 F-150's onboard generator, because the press pic of that shows (4) 110V plugs and a 240V plug operating ... but that's on the hybrid IC F-150. That pic shows a lot more draw than just 1 tool... but that's a completely different scenario.
It'll be interesting to see how the EV F-150 is set up in comparison to this.

I would assume they would use something just like this on the "full" EV model as well and your concern is justified, imo. 

Yes, one tool will not have a huge draw but maybe a few people are working off the boss' truck.. it adds up. 

[G. David Felt]

6 hours ago, balthazar said:

Apparently I was thinking about the '21 F-150's onboard generator, because the press pic of that shows (4) 110V plugs and a 240V plug operating ... but that's on the hybrid IC F-150. That pic shows a lot more draw than just 1 tool... but that's a completely different scenario.
It'll be interesting to see how the EV F-150 is set up in comparison to this.

 

1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

I would assume they would use something just like this on the "full" EV model as well and your concern is justified, imo. 

Yes, one tool will not have a huge draw but maybe a few people are working off the boss' truck.. it adds up. 

Valid concerns, I think that is where the Range Extender package comes in as it is like a tool box, but has a built in generator and the option of 5, 10 or 15 gallon tank for running the generator. I would expect in a Full EV that if they are going to use it at a work site, then it would make sense to buy the Range Extender that can boost your own drive distance but also support the electrical outlets.

Considering that Ford, GM, Rivian have all stated that the trucks would come with 100 kWh battery pack or bigger up to as big as 250 kWh battery packs that that would help in allowing power usage for the outlets as well.

[G. David Felt]

According to The Drive web site, it seems Toyota has announced that under their Hino truck brand, they will bring to production a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Class 8 Semi truck as replacement for Toxic dirty Diesel trucks. As such, The Drive says if Toyota delivers, this could be the death of Nikola and other start ups due to the deep pockets Toyota has to fund the Hydrogen clean semi trucks.

https://www.thedrive.com/tech/36924/if-it-works-toyotas-fuel-cell-semi-truck-could-doom-the-startups

[G. David Felt]

Seems everyone wants to have their own unique auto sounds. Audi has announced that the new e-tron GT will have it's own unique sound. At 2:30 is where you get to hear their patented auto sound. Seems in the press release they had another video that you can watch at this web site that covers the sounds in use too.

https://www.thedrive.com/tech/36959/hear-it-the-audi-e-tron-gt-rs-wont-be-a-quiet-electric-car 

You can also hear their sound here under normal load and under heavy acceleration.

 

[G. David Felt]

Amazon took the first of the 100,000 delivery vans that Rivian will build for them this week. Very cool that the van assembly line seems to be up and working.

 

[balthazar]

When you say ‘first’, does that literally mean Rivian built 1?

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

When you say ‘first’, does that literally mean Rivian built 1?

No,

"The working prototype is one of three different models that will begin delivering goods in 2021."

[balthazar]

So if it's a "prototype"... then I assume Amazon hasn't, actually, "taken" it and is using it for deliveries.

If correct, what a strangely-worded story.

[G. David Felt]

Seems British Motor Heritage is building from the ground up all Brand New MGB Roadster EVs priced at $116,000.

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/10/09/electric-classic-mgb-roadster/

On 10/9/2020 at 6:12 PM, balthazar said:

So if it's a "prototype"... then I assume Amazon hasn't, actually, "taken" it and is using it for deliveries.

If correct, what a strangely-worded story.

While a concept, according to various news stories and Amazons news release, this is to be used as a test mule to verify the design.

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/transportation/introducing-amazons-first-custom-electric-delivery-vehicle

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129894_amazon-shows-rivian-electric-delivery-vans-it-will-use-starting-in-2021

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34315562/amazon-rivian-electric-van-prototype-revealed/

On 10/9/2020 at 6:12 PM, balthazar said:

So if it's a "prototype"... then I assume Amazon hasn't, actually, "taken" it and is using it for deliveries.

If correct, what a strangely-worded story.

While a concept, according to various news stories and Amazons news release, this is to be used as a test mule to verify the design.

https://blog.aboutamazon.com/transportation/introducing-amazons-first-custom-electric-delivery-vehicle

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129894_amazon-shows-rivian-electric-delivery-vans-it-will-use-starting-in-2021

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34315562/amazon-rivian-electric-van-prototype-revealed/

[ykX]

13 hours ago, David said:

Seems British Motor Heritage is building from the ground up all Brand New MGB Roadster EVs priced at $116,000.

The old MGB had a LOT of electrical issues.  I am scared to think how many electrical issues will have FULLY electrical MG

[Robert Hall]

1 hour ago, ykX said:

The old MGB had a LOT of electrical issues.  I am scared to think how many electrical issues will have FULLY electrical MG

Sounds like the new electronics aren't from Lucas.   I can only imagine the horror if Lucas had built British EV technology in the 60s..they would have spontaneously caught fire..

Speaking of MGBs, I had a coworker in the late 00s that drove a BMW Z3 (later replaced by a Porsche Boxster).   He loved small convertibles...told me he had long ago driven a Corvair convertible that was replaced by an MGB...he told me he drove it in fear of rain at night...if he drove it in the rain the headlights and wipers usually would quit working.. eventually traded the MGB on a slightly more reliable Alfa Romeo spyder..

Edited October 13, 2020 by Robert Hall

[balthazar]

I was inder the impression old MGs were basically worthless. Used to see plenty - haven’t noticed one in probably a decade. The depreciation on this madly overpriced clunker would be a bunker buster.

[G. David Felt]

EV News of the Day.

Tesla has increased the range of the Tesla X. Seems Tesla has done a mid year refresh and started to call the Tesla X 2021 models with a 371 mile range over the 2020 model of 351 miles. Seems Panasonic is delivering their updated denser battery cells that the Tesla S & X use.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/13/tesla-model-x-range-increase-2021/

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/2021-model-x-monroney-sticker-range-increase.209560/

 

Next News is the all New Mercedes-Benz EV SUV. The EQC 4x4 off road EV. According to the press release, the EQC 4x4 rides higher than a standard EQC or the G Wagon. While no info on what the HP or Torque is, MB does state that they will compete with Rivian in a solid off road recreational SUV.

https://electrek.co/2020/10/13/mercedes-benz-rugged-eqc-4x4-electric-off-road-suv/

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/mercedes-eqc-4x4-squared-off-road-concept/

https://www.thedrive.com/news/37040/mercedes-benz-eqc-4x4-this-is-what-happens-when-you-give-an-ev-portal-axles

Seems some sites talk more with MB than others as the following site states this EV SUV has 402 HP and 561 lb-ft of torque.

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/10/13/mercedes-benz-eqc-off-road-portal-axles/

Seems the EQC which is what the 4x4 EV above is based on is set to be released December 13th 2020 as a 2021 model. They do not say if actual EQC EVs will be on the dealer lots or not. So this makes me wonder if an actual purchase will happen or if a reservation will happen starting on Dec 13th 2020.

Great details on the EQC EV SUV at the link below.

https://www.thecarhp.com/news/2021-mercedes-benz-eqc-preview-expected-prices-release-date-mpg-and-performance#:~:text=Expected Price and Release Date of 2021 Mercedes-Benz,extended up to %2476%2C620 for the advanced trim.

[balthazar]

$68 grand (to start).

And the ‘electrics are for high rollers’ approach continues.

[G. David Felt]

Fiat has released the concept of their city ev car.

 

[balthazar]

Looks like a mild refresh of a 25-yr old Golf.

[USA-1]

 Reveal a week away Oct. 20th...

 

 

https://www-motor1-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.motor1.com/news/448780/gmc-hummer-reservations-choose-trim/amp/?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D#aoh=16026423006594&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor1.com%2Fnews%2F448780%2Fgmc-hummer-reservations-choose-trim%2F

[ocnblu]

8 hours ago, balthazar said:

Looks like a mild refresh of a 25-yr old Golf.

Except the FIAT 126 came out in 1972, so it predates the Golf...

[balthazar]

OK, Robert; settle down.

[A Horse With No Name]

On 9/30/2020 at 12:25 AM, David said:

Buick Electra EV for the Win!

 

I love it. 

A cool project!

 

 

[G. David Felt]

Battery Wars are on!

Inobat from Voderady Slovakia has introduced an EV battery with denser cells than anything out there even Tesla. a 20% boost in range that they will start production of in 2021 showing up in EVs of 2022 as 2023 model year. CEO Marian Bocek former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer have joined to mass produce these batteries for the auto industry. 

Tesla teased on Battery day that they would have this energy density by 2025, Inobat actually has shown off the real thing that is going into production starting in 2021 and plans to produce up to 10 gigawatt of cell production by 2025.

China's CATL battery producer has stated that they will have a 45% denser battery cell design in production by 2025.

Seems the war is on to reduce the size of battery packs while increasing the energy density per cell.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129928_inobat-claims-20-range-boost-by-2023-gigafactory-by-2025

[riviera74]

Now that is a war where I do not want a decisive winner.  GO everybody!  If the batteries are great, then charging time should be dramatically reduced and efficiencies raised.  It may be the next decade where BEVs can truly replace ICE at all new car levels.  This race for the best EV batteries is so good, that by 2035, even ocnblu might actually want one as a latecomer.

[A Horse With No Name]

11 hours ago, riviera74 said:

Now that is a war where I do not want a decisive winner.  GO everybody!  If the batteries are great, then charging time should be dramatically reduced and efficiencies raised.  It may be the next decade where BEVs can truly replace ICE at all new car levels.  This race for the best EV batteries is so good, that by 2035, even ocnblu might actually want one as a latecomer.

If he lives long enough, he will end up with one regardless of his desires. Even RAM with the E Torque is going Hybrid....as is Jeep with E torque. 

Midsize and compact SUVS' are selling in number as Hybrids. it's only a matter of time. 

 

A very thoughtful video. I would love to trade the Ranger on an elecric truck in ten years or so. 

Bonus points if you look at the guys face light up when the truck acceleratges right after the 4:25 mark. 

Edited October 15, 2020 by A Horse With No Name

[G. David Felt]

Picked up by the Green Car Report site, UK Startup Arrival that is building Electric Busses and delivery vans for Europe has picked their site for building in the US. South Carolina will be the site for Electric Bus and Van production in the US.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129958_arrival-will-make-its-stylish-electric-trucks-for-us-at-south-carolina-plant

UPS has started to take delivery of the Arrival Van in the UK. They will be building 10,000 plus of these vans for UPS use in inner city deployment first in the US and has an open contract with Arrival for an unspecified allotment of more vans.

[A Horse With No Name]

Good news on UPS, time to start retiring and recycling ICE vehicles en masse, as rapidly as possible. 

[G. David Felt]

Green Car Report is also reporting that Ford has delayed the Escape Plug-In Hybrid till 2021. Rated at 37 miles of pure electric driving and combined 41 mpg average, the delay comes as European regulators says there is a fire hazard for the auto. The recall is based on 7 plug-in fires that have happened and Ford has recalled all 20,500 that have been sold so far in Europe. Ford has stated for owners to drive in EV auto mode only and not charge their auto's. Seems the battery pack next to the fuel tank is causing an unspecified fire to happen while charging.

Makes me think Ford Pinto Bomb mobile.  

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129954_ford-delays-escape-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-to-2021

[A Horse With No Name]

1 minute ago, David said:

Green Car Report is also reporting that Ford has delayed the Escape Plug-In Hybrid till 2021. Rated at 37 miles of pure electric driving and combined 41 mpg average, the delay comes as European regulators says there is a fire hazard for the auto. The recall is based on 7 plug-in fires that have happened and Ford has recalled all 20,500 that have been sold so far in Europe. Ford has stated for owners to drive in EV auto mode only and not charge their auto's. Seems the battery pack next to the fuel tank is causing an unspecified fire to happen while charging.

Makes me think Ford Pinto Bomb mobile.  

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1129954_ford-delays-escape-plug-in-hybrid-deliveries-to-2021

I was with my parents at the site of the intial PINTO explosion shortly after it happened, burn marks on highway still...

[G. David Felt]

1 minute ago, A Horse With No Name said:

I was with my parents at the site of the intial PINTO explosion shortly after it happened, burn marks on highway still...

Hope everyone got out safe.

[A Horse With No Name]

1 minute ago, David said:

Hope everyone got out safe.

We were not involved in the accident, and no, none of the teenaged girls in the PINTO survived IMHO. 

 

ICE in this thread to appease the Neanderthals here....consider me a neanderthal....I love old Jeeps!

 

[G. David Felt]

@ocnblu Found the perfect EV for you. 6 wheel EV Duck from the Movie Batman Returns, ButDuck of the Pinguin. Asking only $16,000, seats 4, very spacious and can go anywhere.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movieprops/permalink/3666263460080223/

[G. David Felt]

14 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

We were not involved in the accident, and no, none of the teenaged girls in the PINTO survived IMHO. 

 

 

Sad to hear that the teen girls lost their life.

Clearly the video above shows the guy is a Tesla lover and is NOT a balanced review. He says GM is behind and too slow to building EV's and yet Tesla has proven again and again that they are always late on delivery of their own tech and I challenge the guy on Tesla having the best quality in the world on Software and Auto build. What a joke.

 The Guy talks as if the Tesla Cyber Truck is already a production auto and that GM has not proven it can beat the Tesla Cyber Truck. What a Joke this guy really needs to suck some clean air and rethink his review.

[G. David Felt]

 

[G. David Felt]

Want a good laugh, watch this Cyber Truck review as this guy is a hard core Tesla lover. At 10:03 you can see a bit of the side to see how TERRIBLE the design is as the back seats are a good 6 inches below the front seats. As such, the people in the back will never see out the front as they will be sitting in a hole. Terrible truck design. The guy does nail one thing right, stop thinking of this as a truck and think of it as a new category of auto. What that is I have no Idea, but after seeing and listening to this guy, I AM NOT SOLD on the Cyber Truck.

 

[G. David Felt]

Find this video to be a very balanced review of the F-150 EV truck versus the Tesla Cyber Truck.

 

Thought this was also a good video about the up  coming top 5 EV trucks.

 

[A Horse With No Name]

13 minutes ago, David said:

Want a good laugh, watch this Cyber Truck review as this guy is a hard core Tesla lover. At 10:03 you can see a bit of the side to see how TERRIBLE the design is as the back seats are a good 6 inches below the front seats. As such, the people in the back will never see out the front as they will be sitting in a hole. Terrible truck design. The guy does nail one thing right, stop thinking of this as a truck and think of it as a new category of auto. What that is I have no Idea, but after seeing and listening to this guy, I AM NOT SOLD on the Cyber Truck.

 

Cyber truck will be fantastic for people who advertise, lots of flat surface for graphics....and easy to change with the stainless steel easy to change. Make mine Rivain though, much better design. 

8 minutes ago, David said:

Find this video to be a very balanced review of the F-150 EV truck versus the Tesla Cyber Truck.

 

Thought this was also a good video about the up  coming top 5 EV trucks.

 

Thanks for posting this up. Ford has tons more cash for R and D and a loyal buyer base, they have an enormous head start, plus they are infinitely better at actually producing vehicles than Tesla is.