[Windguy]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

It takes long time to recoup money spent on solar. My concern is by time I break even it I get there the solar will be dead ������.

It takes a long time for a newly planted tree to provide real shade and you likely will never get to enjoy the benefits before you die. I guess we should quit planting trees! ;-)

[Windguy]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Regenerative braking, for example, turns the friction and resultant heat caused by engaging the brakes, into electricity (by use of an electric motor functioning as a generator) which is routed to the battery.

I'm sorry, but that just is not true. Regenerative braking has nothing to do with friction and heat. And, you're not even using the brakes unless you brake really hard. All you are really doing is switching your electric motor from motor mode to generator mode.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The problem with Government subsidies for EVs is that it skews the real cost comparison of EVs to gasoline vehicles. If EVs are competitive with gasoline vehicles, then take away the subsidy and let the free market determine which vehicle people will buy.

Assume you are for removing the $20 billion in subsidies the oil industry gets from the government too?
Chairman Press | Chairman's Newsroom | Chairman | U.S. Senate Committee On The Budget.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

So, why should I partially subsidize even $0.01 of YOUR ev???

Are you saying we should do away with subsidies YOU receive? GREAT....I don't have to subsidize YOUR social security or Medicare anymore!

[cjrjck]

Toyota was criticized for stating the U.S. in general and definitely most other parts of the world are not ready for an all EV personal fleet. They prefer to pursue highly efficient hybrid designs. I agree with Toyota. EVs have their uses but the U.S. has a long way to go before we will be ready to convert all personal vehicles to EV. The electrical grids need massive overhauls. But that doesn't mean we can't continue the transition using hybrid technology for now.

[Blackbird45]

I've been interest in EVs / hybrids for years now, my last 4 cars were Hyundia. The first problem I had was that Hyundia did not sell their hybrids in Florida, and I was warned if I bought it out of state and needed servicing there might be no one in Florida to take care of it. I looked at the Tesla and even though many EVs have the middle panels it wasn't for me. This past year I did take a test drive in the ioniq5, and even though it was the 2022 car of the year I was disappointed. We all know the problems with EVs, Distance, Charging and Cost of the battery. Most of this will be dealt with sooner than you think. Toyota claims they will be able to mass produce solid state batteries by 2027, that would mean longer range, faster charging, longer battery life and supposedly cheaper to produce. I believe the goal will be reach before then. Not to save the earth, but simply EVs will be less expensive to manufacture once those 3 hurtles are addressed.

[DonnaNi4os]

My daughter works for and drives a Polestar. She drove from Mahwah, NJ to Cape May without needing a charge. That’s about 180 miles. When charging at the hotel’s garage there was a golf car also charging. Together it tripped a circuit breaker. From there she traveled to LBI but the battery had a “trickle charge” so it never fully charged. She charged it again at that hotel. On the drive back home, approximately 100 miles, her gauge said she would make it with 3% battery left. She decided not to chance it and stopped to charge and waited. Bottom line is that a dedicated car charger charges faster than your typical home outlet and driving cross country…would take forever. The technology is new. I suspect eventually the batteries will take you further on a charge.

[RUCdaze]

If you think your electric bill is high now, just wait! And it will only get worse over time. You'll see - hug a tree.

[HJBeck]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Not in the market for a new car yet but would like to consider an EV when it comes time. We still make long trips though. We can drive 600-900 miles in a day if we have a destination we're trying to reach. EVs are not practical for that.

An article in favor of EVs pointed out that over 90% of trips are far less than the 300 mile range. While true, the problem isn't the short trips, the problem is I regularly make long trips. Convenient, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly for the last three months doesn't help me much if I'm in the middle of Iowa and can't find a charger.

I thought about buying an EV for around here and renting a car for long trips. Would solve the range problem and would save wear and tear on my car. But then I wouldn't be using my expensive, fancy, comfortable car for the trips where I would most benefit from the comfort and convenience.

EVs have a lot of advantages but as retiredguy wrote, when they make one with a range of 1,000 miles they will start to look attractive.

EV's are not ready for vacation travel. Very rare to find a charging station that meets your particular needs. If you are using it around your local area on a daily basis, range is not an issue what so ever (provided you remember to plug it in after each us). Check into the charging station you need for your vehicle. They are not inexpensive, plus I've read articles about fast chargers requiring way to high a amperage source then any reasonable home service can provide. Fast charging can usually not be obtained at residential load centers. Keeping a long story short, plan on EV's as a local vehicle only (100-150 miles/day).

[scooterstang]

I am doing my part because I have Craftsman battery powered mower/blower but no way in hell I am getting rid of my 70 Chev shortbox fleet for any EV!

[melpetezrinski]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

BINGO, you’re exactly right! I keep posting comments about EV’s & how bad it could be but apparently nobody believes a guy that worked for a auto company for 38 yrs. You’re right pay $40,000. more for a EV & look for a charging station then maybe wait 2,3 or maybe 4 hrs. to get back on the road, people don’t believe me when I comment that ALL the fast chargers that are out there along the road are fast chargers & these chargers will cut the life out of your $20,000. battery. All I can say is keep buying them people. Bet the dealers only tell the people all the Pro’s & never hear a single con!

I believe you! I charged my Tesla from 3% battery life to 61% battery life, which gave me another 180 miles. This took 13 minutes. I then took a nap for several hours and BINGO, I was back on the road in "2,3 or maybe 4 hrs". As for your other expert opinions, you very well might be correct.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Windguy

I'm sorry, but that just is not true. Regenerative braking has nothing to do with friction and heat. And, you're not even using the brakes unless you brake really hard. All you are really doing is switching your electric motor from motor mode to generator mode.

"Regenerative braking is unique to EVs and enables the vehicle’s kinetic energy to be converted back to electrical energy during braking (deceleration or downhill running). The converted electrical energy is stored in energy storage devices such as batteries, ultracapacitors and ultrahigh-speed flywheels to extend the driving range by up to 10%." (K. Chau, "Energy Recovery Management", Science Direct dot com).

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

So, if everyone owned an EV, do you think you would still get instant access to a charging station?

Almost everyone has a petroleum powered vehicle and there are sometimes waits at the pump. EV charging islands will be as common as gas stations

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

So now you want to talk about expected income! Does that mean that when I was able to retire I became a rich person and was essentially given money because my expected income decreased and my tax burden was reduced? That's a pretty odd definition.

I reject the idea that keeping something I already have can be construed as being given something. Taking less from me is not giving something back to me, it is simply taking less.

And this has what relevance to the OPs topic about the negative experience he had with his EV truck?

[bcsnave]

EV not for ME...I will just wait until the Star Trek Transport comes to fruition....beam me up Scotty!

Food for thought from Toyota

Focus: Toyota looks to overhaul EV strategy as new CEO takes charge | Reuters