Thread: EV general discussion

If this fire at Luton airport turns out to have started with an EV this debate will change big time.

Note: I'm not saying it did, nobody knows yet. But it will impact the market. Even if not, there were many EVs there and the potential of thermal runaways is great.
Fire rips through car park at Luton Airport - BBC News

Chatting with an owner, perhaps you can confirm…

Tesla Model 3 Long Range.

Owner says he was told / recommended to use 80-90% charge to help preserve the battery life. Supercharging is hard on the battery and shortens this life if used regularly and a 7kwh is the preferred option?

In 3 years and nearing 100,000km he’s down 15% below the claimed range (according to dash) and in reality gets less than that with 400-425km the normal (quoted 629km)

This vehicle is used regularly for runs to his shack up here near Whyalla from Adelaide, so for those runs is charged to 100% and he’s getting close to not making it on a single charge. Eg, once he gets to the shack he’s on charge overnight before he heads into town. His solution is a small 4cyl runabout for when he gets here.

He loves the power, handling and comfort. And back home it’s perfect for him - he has an 18kwh array and 3 Tesla batteries on his house so no charge issues.

My question: Are people really willing to accept spending such money on a vehicle that is <80% capable of its claim and then within 5 years is even less capable again?

People went mental when phones started losing charge capacity. These current EVs don’t even seem to start with the capability claimed and slide quite notably from there.

I’m also puzzled how one of the big statistics companies quotes (USD) a Tesla annual maintenance cost about 15-20% higher than the average of other similar sized vehicles? Besides a check over, maybe some greasing, battery coolant service etc. what’s the annual cost?

Sure, tyres, what else? And at end of warranty kms allow a full suspension replacement - that’s just wear and tear and should be done…

Originally Posted by Tombie

Chatting with an owner, perhaps you can confirm…

Tesla Model 3 Long Range.

Owner says he was told / recommended to use 80-90% charge to help preserve the battery life. Supercharging is hard on the battery and shortens this life if used regularly and a 7kwh is the preferred option?

In 3 years and nearing 100,000km he’s down 15% below the claimed range (according to dash) and in reality gets less than that with 400-425km the normal (quoted 629km)

This vehicle is used regularly for runs to his shack up here near Whyalla from Adelaide, so for those runs is charged to 100% and he’s getting close to not making it on a single charge. Eg, once he gets to the shack he’s on charge overnight before he heads into town. His solution is a small 4cyl runabout for when he gets here.

He loves the power, handling and comfort. And back home it’s perfect for him - he has an 18kwh array and 3 Tesla batteries on his house so no charge issues.

My question: Are people really willing to accept spending such money on a vehicle that is <80% capable of its claim and then within 5 years is even less capable again?

People went mental when phones started losing charge capacity. These current EVs don’t even seem to start with the capability claimed and slide quite notably from there.

I’m also puzzled how one of the big statistics companies quotes (USD) a Tesla annual maintenance cost about 15-20% higher than the average of other similar sized vehicles? Besides a check over, maybe some greasing, battery coolant service etc. what’s the annual cost?

Sure, tyres, what else? And at end of warranty kms allow a full suspension replacement - that’s just wear and tear and should be done…

Might be right or maybe not. A study I read found no impact of Fast or Snail-paced charging on most aspects of Battery Charging. The 80% rule is a guide for longevity in the clearly not so great current tech only happily. A slightly newer style in a BYD is not impacted due to the chemistry changes I was told.

The truth is batteries can burn in the current tech and old school tech as well Next Gen are not a issue at buring if damaged abused or faulty
Want to cosider the flip side? "On average, 213,000 cars catch fire every year in the United States, which is about 600 car fires per day1. The vast majority of these fires are sparked by mechanical or electrical problems1. In 2021, there were around 174,000 highway vehicle fires reported in the United States2. Passenger cars averaged 117,400 fires annually between 2013 and 20173. From 2014 to 2016, an estimated 171,500 highway vehicle fires occurred in the United States, resulting in an annual average of 345 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property..."

Saw a car on fire while riding around on Sunday. It was put out happily.

My car is still rolling about 10km south of Anglesea. The Melb Ports must be very very busy! Must cost a PACKET for all the ships waiting out there! Bet we get to pay for that of course

Originally Posted by NavyDiver

Want to cosider the flip side? "On average, 213,000 cars catch fire every year in the United States, which is about 600 car fires per day1. The vast majority of these fires are sparked by mechanical or electrical problems1. In 2021, there were around 174,000 highway vehicle fires reported in the United States2. Passenger cars averaged 117,400 fires annually between 2013 and 20173. From 2014 to 2016, an estimated 171,500 highway vehicle fires occurred in the United States, resulting in an annual average of 345 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property..."

Want to consider that those fires are relatively easily extinguished, and are rarely caused by spontaneous combustion, while the exact opposite is true of EVs.

Demurrage here is currently $35,000USD per day for a ship that isn’t being actively loaded/unloaded having arrived inside its Laycan and exceeds its load/discharge window.

On the subject of fires, there are quite a few vids of a Tesla which slid in off a boat ramp. The car is burning merrily.... underwater. I can't link to them due to language, but a simple "Tesla fire underwater" goggle should find one.

There is talk that very many multistory car parks are going to ban EVs from entry. That will also impact the market.
No wonder Tesla dropped prices.....