Posted on 01/03/2023 8:11:16 AM PST by rktman
EVs that use an on-board battery array as the energy storage medium are a dead-end, and only made sense for niche applications, like in a warmer year-round climate, and with the availability of cheap electricity, confined to short commute distances.
The smug emissions for these vehicles is off the charts, and greatly outweighs the other “advantages”.
If only there were a way to generate electric power on-board the vehicle while in operation...
The heater uses more energy than the motors.
EVs make sense for some use cases in some regions, but they definitely aren’t a viable “all around” solution at this point. Until they get all the pitfalls worked out, they should be seen as a compliment to ICE’s rather than a replacement. And SoCal with its never-ending sunny days shouldn’t be allowed to dictate what vehicles the rest of the country can drive. I think even Elon Musk, the king of EVs, has said we’re not ready for them yet.
I’ve got a 2016 F150 XLT with the small ecoboost V6. Gets 18-19 mpg and hauls ass! Just rolled past 140,000 and have had nary a problem. I drive it 70 miles a day, 5 days a week. Get this, 2016 and still has the original factory battery!
I want to see battery performance numbers—
at 20 degrees
at 15 degrees
at 10 degrees
at 5 degrees
at 0 degrees.
Modern “science” seems to be about hiding any data that does not support the official narrative.
In our situation, however, the ICE pickup is a complement to the EV, not the other way around. When it was time to replace her used ICE crossover with another used ICE crossover, I talked her into getting a new EV under the condition that I drive it too on the days I go somewhere that she stays home (unless where I drive involves pickup-type chores). Part of that plan is that we also installed a lot of solar to give us a lot of free power (80% of all the power we need in our now all-electric home, including charging the EV). Thus, the more of our usual driving we put into the EV, the more our overall energy project saves us money as the Dims make energy cost more and also be less dependable.
But all of this works not only in certain use cases, but if you do your research on your own driving habits and power consumption habits and own your own home and research a place to put the solar panels pointing south and how many peak solar hours you get per day during different parts of the year, etc. It's a long project that requires a lot of homework and probably pays for itself only if you live in the southern half of the U.S. But if you're successful at it, it brings a freedom like I haven't had before where one of the Dims' main focus on our lives -- their energy policies -- hardly impacts my budget.
Heat pumps don’t work as well in cold conditions.
Good points!
They still work more efficiently than resistance heat down to about 15°F. Below that then resistance heating provides additional heat, just like home heat pumps.
Heat pumps don't work when the ambient temp is below freezing.
Bad Timimg Award to the BUYER. Caveat emptor.
Yes and the same numbers assuming that the vehicle has been parked outside overnight. There are plenty of Americans (raise your hands) who do not have the option of indoor (warmer) parking.
Current EV technology might be OK if you live in a metro area charging your EV at home and making short trips stopping where top off charging is available. Cold temperatures might be a nuisance and cause you to more frequently look for a charger. However, cross country driving might be very annoying if not dangerous in very cold conditions.
During our most recent arctic bomb when temperatures here remained well below freezing and often below zero, you would drive an EV at your peril. Window defrosting and cabin heating are necessities at these temperatures as well as driving with lights on. Windshield wipers are also a necessity as well as rear window defrosting. With all these devices sucking on an already cold compromised battery your driving range between charges could be tens of miles not hundreds. Slipping off the road and being stranded is also an everyday occurrence in snow country. Most of the time you might be marooned in your vehicle for an hour or two until help arrives, but sometimes help could be many hours away. Here in north country we stock our vehicles with cold weather survival gear including blankets, sleeping bags, food, water and some small source of heat like large candles. We also keep our gas tanks full knowing that our ICE can be a source of heat for potentially days. How you would fare in an EV under these conditions is yet to be seen.
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/electric-vehicle-heat-pumps-improve-range-hot-weather/
Originally, heat pumps were designed to work in weather 30 degrees and above. Now, however, they can run in temps well below zero. While they initially weren’t the component of choice for EVs, they’re now beginning to be installed in many models.
“Heat pumps use less electricity ...”
They don’t do well when it’s real cold. Even if they are warming more cheaply than electric, the warmed air is not very warm (unless electric coils are also turned on).
Got over a foot, then also about two last night here in southwesth (up by Caughlin Ranch Elementary School). I have an electric snow thrower but it is useless in heavy, packed snow.
LOL! Yup. I did our drive mid day, around sundown again and the next morning knowing the battery powered blower wasn’t gonna do the bigger batch. Just did two “ from last night. May have to hire someone. ❄🌬😁👍
My last F150 was an Ecoboost. As soon as the warranty went out, it started going through throttle body motors. Drive by wire. First one I paid $850.00 for the dealer to install. 80 miles from my destination in Midland, it stopped working. Could idle at 5 mph. I stopped the motor and it re-started. Went about 5 miles and it stopped working. Each time I re-started, the distance it would operate decreased. Finally got it towed to the dealer. The new one crapped out on the way home, but I managed to nurse it home. No warranty of course. So I bought a replacement, 10 minutes to put in the new throttle body. It went out in a couple of months. Had to replace it shortly. The next one went out as I started up the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge in morning rush hour. 5 mph going up. Guy in a work truck got behind me with his flashing lights on up to the top. Coasted down at 20 mph, got off the highway, went to the dealer and bought another throttle body. Wife made me trade that truck in. Salesman was so happy to get it! It was loaded, and I got another F150 (Coyote motor) and I haven’t had any problems. Wonder if the new owner had problems, and if so, I hope he used the lemon law. There was a forum about Fords with throttle body problems.
Drive by wire is a bad idea. Can’t wait until all cars’ steering is drive by wire.
My crossover with an internal combustion engine handled being buried up to the windows in a snowdrift while parked in the driveway quite well.
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