Thread: EV general discussion

The hype, high hopes and sobering reality of the future of car travel

The hype, high hopes and sobering reality of the future of car travel - ABC News

A future of driverless, electric cars is just around the corner, right?
We're shifting to more sustainable solutions like car sharing, right? Right?
There's been lots of hype about car travel and the promise of greener, more convenient, and cheaper ways to get around.
But where are these concepts actually at right now? And what are the complications and challenges holding them back?
We spoke to some experts to get their take.


Electric vehicles

The good news is sales of electric cars are rising.
But there's a catch.
They still only make up about 2.6 per cent of new cars sold each year — that's about 2.1 million cars.
China is buying a lot of those new electric cars. About 5 per cent of their new car sales are electric, in the European Union it's 3.5 per cent.
Australia's at just 0.6 per cent.


Like driverless cars there are challenges standing in the way of an electric car revolution.
There's the need for infrastructure like charging stations, and there are concerns electric vehicle taxes will slow the take-up of the technology.
ABC science and environment reporter Nick Kilvert says if you're charging from the grid in Australia, you're contributing to the burning of fossil fuels (though some states have a better mix of coal versus renewable power).
"How green an electric car is, compared to a petrol car, depends on how green the grid is you're charging it [from]," Kilvert says.

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.