I’ve got a green oval stamped on my ass but I absolutely want one of these ...

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Originally Posted by cripesamighty

If I bought one of these, part of my payload would be taken up with some roll out solar panels....

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If you do the maths - those solar panels will help you not at all. Consider those ultralight, tiny solar racers they use across the desert each year in that uni race here in AUS.
They can run on solar using the entire upper surface covered in expensive high efficiency solar panels. Bugger all wEIGHT to speak of - ONE PERSON, no luggage, no lights, no air con, no... etc


So that's a no go with current tech.



As for the RIVIAN - hell yeah !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMfxJEfb4lw

Mark French ( the bloke that founded Marks 4wd Adaptors) got the Guiness record for the first bloke to drive across the Simpson in an EV 100% solar powered, took just under 4 days. EV Converted old school Suzuki 4x4 .

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Originally Posted by Bohica

I wouldn't mind one, expect for the goddam ugly front, the limited range and the lack of charging infrastrcture.

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Ugly front - agreed

Limited range - current max 600 kms which is pretty good. By Dec2021 for RHD markets battery tech would have improved.

Lack of charging infra - they’re currently compatible with DC-DC chargers but - fair point.

Outdoor Retailer is a huge US trade show - which Rivian has attended.


Mens Journal

Outdoor Retailer: The Coolest Gear We Saw at This Summer's Show


Video from Gear Patrol - scroll through to 6:47.

All of Our Coverage from Outdoor Retailer Summer Show 2019 • Gear Patrol

Seems to have a lot of the video that's on Rivian's website.

The reviewer thinks that it would suit someone who has, like, a Defender in the garage ...

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Originally Posted by Arapiles

Outdoor Retailer is a huge US trade show - which Rivian has attended.


Mens Journal

Outdoor Retailer: The Coolest Gear We Saw at This Summer's Show


Video from Gear Patrol - scroll through to 6:47.

All of Our Coverage from Outdoor Retailer Summer Show 2019 • Gear Patrol

Seems to have a lot of the video that's on Rivian's website.

The reviewer thinks that it would suit someone who has, like, a Defender in the garage ...

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And this review:

Can Rivian Actually Beat Ford and GMC to the EV Punch? • Gear Patrol

Yes there are issues with energy storage right now, but they will absolutely get solved.
There is huge research in this area right now as it's got huge potential.

Imagine getting stuck in the desert with an empty fuel tank when there are no other vehicles around that run on petrol/diesel :)
Imagine living on a several thousand acre station and not having to pay fuel trucks to come to your property as you're running your own solar array.

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Originally Posted by VladTepes

If you do the maths - those solar panels will help you not at all. Consider those ultralight, tiny solar racers they use across the desert each year in that uni race here in AUS.
They can run on solar using the entire upper surface covered in expensive high efficiency solar panels. Bugger all wEIGHT to speak of - ONE PERSON, no luggage, no lights, no air con, no... etc

So that's a no go with current tech.

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Decided to look in to the specifics of The World Solar Challenge race, Overview | World Solar Challenge 2019.
Important points is:

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It's all about energy management! Based on the original notion that a 1000W car would complete the journey in 50 hours, solar cars are allowed a nominal 5kW hours of stored energy, which is 10% of that theoretical figure.

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To put things in to perspective, the Tesla Model S has 100 kWh of capacity.
Also important to remember that these vehicles are all built by university students, not full scale manufactures,

Not saying that solar would work, but just got to compare apples with apples :)

Depends where the power in the recharge comes from .. solar, wind or coal - we love our coal here in Oz.. and of course if we change to renewables - we are still sending Adani level coal exports to pollute from elsewhere, but it all goes into the same sky.

What about Battery degradation - is it possible every time you go out you have slightly less range?

Remember to factor in battery replacement in x years and add that to travel costs.

Plenty of other issues - like the complex in Melb CBD who asked for EOI for a power point for EV's and got 24 replies but infrastructure would only allow for 8 - up the street things got worse..

Perhaps towing a boat or van would possibly only allow you to go from power point to power point and no straying off the route unless using nike's.

Just thoughts really.

I love my V8 D3 for now.

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Originally Posted by arejaybee

:)
Imagine living on a several thousand acre station and not having to pay fuel trucks to come to your property as you're running your own solar array.

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You blokes keep imagining.

My place runs completely off-grid from solar and wind. But the Land Rover stays diesel, thanks.

Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere and not having a clue how the technology you rely upon works, how to fix it and having assembled the parts, tools and know-how to maintain.

In the outback, behind every fancy solar installation is a Kubota generator ready to kick in.

Alan

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Originally Posted by NT5224

You blokes keep imagining.

My place runs completely off-grid from solar and wind. But the Land Rover stays diesel, thanks.

Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere and not having a clue how the technology you rely upon works, how to fix it and having assembled the parts, tools and know-how to maintain.

In the outback, behind every fancy solar installation is a Kubota generator ready to kick in.

Alan

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And for many people who own a Disco and it drops on all fours and incessantly bongs at them - do they have a clue how the technology works? At some point you just have to trust in it and cross your fingers.