Thread: EV general discussion

Hyundai have announced in the last day that they are recalling 10s of thousands of EVs worldwide due to fire problems in their battery packs. Replacement packs are reported to cost USD11,000 each. 82,000 cars was one figure I read. Models and years are vague depending on news items but Kona 2018-2020, Ioniq, 2017-2020, and Elec City Buses were listed.

The cells used are apparently the LG Chem batteries. GM were recalling 70,000 Chevy Bolt using the same cells.

So when we are all driving EVs what will change?
Will our dependency on crude be less? how is that even possible?
Will the standard of living in third world countries where they mine cobolt (as just one example) be better? how is that even possible?
Will the planet be somehow greener? again how is that even possible?

I see the advantage of cleaner better air quality in inner city areas if all vehicles and delivery trucks are all EV.
I see no other advantage

My Perentie is over 30 years old, original engine, gearbox, drivetrain, its fuel economy is on par with modern vehicles. How much of a burden has it been on the planet when compared to a EV that needs its battery replaced every what 6 years or so? whats the current lifespan on EV battery packs for a modern EV?
Or do we simply throw it away and consume more and more.

The problem isnt internal combustion engine vehicles, its the never ending disposable consumerism that is pushed upon people by profiteering corporation to the total detriment of the planet.

Originally Posted by DazzaTD5

So when we are all driving EVs what will change?
Will our dependency on crude be less? how is that even possible?
Will the standard of living in third world countries where they mine cobolt (as just one example) be better? how is that even possible?
Will the planet be somehow greener? again how is that even possible?

I see the advantage of cleaner better air quality in inner city areas if all vehicles and delivery trucks are all EV.
I see no other advantage

My Perentie is over 30 years old, original engine, gearbox, drivetrain, its fuel economy is on par with modern vehicles. How much of a burden has it been on the planet when compared to a EV that needs its battery replaced every what 6 years or so? whats the current lifespan on EV battery packs for a modern EV?
Or do we simply throw it away and consume more and more.

The problem isnt internal combustion engine vehicles, its the never ending disposable consumerism that is pushed upon people by profiteering corporation to the total detriment of the planet.

Hit the nail on the head. Consumerism is the main problem, and overpopulation. If people kept their vehicles for a minimum of 30 years and medical science didn't interfere with Darwinism we would not be in such a pickle.

Saw this article the other day in a mate's AOPA magazine written by a physicist from Arizona State University (online link attached below). It makes for some interesting reading in regards to future applications of EV's in helicopters, VTOL, and fixed wing aircraft. Hint: not so good for helicopters just yet.

Technology: hp versus kW - AOPA

Not taken into account in that discussion is the relative mass of the electric motor vs the piston/turbine motor. I suspect that the electric motor is lighter than the piston engine, but heavier than the turbine, but I very much doubt the difference is enough to affect the conclusions of the article.

Similarly, the fact that the electric motor is smoother than the piston engine may enable a slight reduction is airframe mass, but again, won't be enough to affect the conclusion.

there are already electric helicopters flying. Physicists aren't engineers.

Originally Posted by akelly

there are already electric helicopters flying. Physicists aren't engineers.

Yep, but as mentioned the current crop of EV helicopters have crappy range compared to VTOL and fixed wing aircraft of similar size. This is due to most of the rotor's energy being devoted to lift and not propulsion. The tech will eventually catch up to improve range.

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Yep, but as mentioned the current crop of EV helicopters have crappy range compared.....

or payload or both.

One other point I failed to mention where EVs have an advantage is the lack of need to have cooling air inlets/outlets, although this is likely to be even less of a drag reduction factor. Some IC aircraft have been able to produce actual thrust from the cooling system greater than the drag of the cooling system.