I quite fancy one of these....

[Tony]

I've got friends that think we'll have electric vehicles (as in me and them) in the next ten years, I can't see it, the base cost of the bollinger is about $100,000 and the Rivian is $70,000. I know that they'll come down in cost, but by the time I can afford one I imagine the batteries will need changing etc etc.
I also wonder about the huge increase in power consumption, over the next ten years every day things are going to be more connected, millions of vehicles will need to be powered etc, all off of wind and solar power and other clean energy generators.

My intention isn't to turn this thread into a power discussion, it's just a thought.

Anyone else got an EV they like the look of?

 

[MrEd]

Must admit I'm not sold on electric vehicles from the environmental point of view. The precious metals used in the batteries and the need for polluting power stations to generate electricity. I've been to Switzerland and seen waste plants turning organic waste (food, grass, leaves) into biogas that can then go into vehicles. Cheap fuel for the local citizens. I wish we were going down this route.

Yes agreed, all it had done is move the pollution from the tail pipe to somewhere else out of sight and mind

 

[XRV John]

My intention isn't to turn this thread into a power discussion, it's just a thought.

Neither was I Tony

I just think there is another alternative which isn't getting the same marketing hype and traction with the public but is better than either electric and hydrogen fuel cell

 

[Broch]

One thing bugs me with both designs.

The front screams to have a radiator, but only has a flat panel.
Ugly.
Reminds me of a Tatra, but worse.

I agree, aesthetically they're not pretty but that's just because of what we're used to. Now a nice hybrid, that significantly reduced pollution in cities and is fitted with the most economical engine possible used only to charge batteries and provide 'power' for cruising at speed, would need a radiator

 

[Janne]

The Defender is an iconic, collectable vehicle in the US, and I imagine that is why they designed it this eay.

I do like one part, the ability to transport long bits of wood.

 

[GuestD]

https://www.army-technology.com/fea...nary-hub-drive-for-armoured-vehicles-5885217/

You can be rest assured, that when it involves killing people, technology moves in leaps and bounds. You should see how transferable technology has moved from the 'battlefield " to the building site. Foot clutches/brakes, hand operated steering clutches/brakes, now electronic joysticks, like a computer game.

 

[GuestD]

Oh there's also an electric off road motorbike in production too I forget the name but the makers seem confidant the motors are up to the job, as they would be obviously

 

[Nice65]

You can be rest assured, that when it involves killing people, technology moves in leaps and bounds.

Or does it?

Everything is profit driven, there were even a few minutes when I fell for the whole Richard Branson thing. Boeing first offered a software patch. It’s not a faulty iPhone app. To add further to the insult of the lives lost, there is this story. It truly beggars belief.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/business/boeing-safety-features-charge.html

The joystick was born of good rep as a control mechanism that improved on the left/right/up/down buttons on any Atari controller. The micro switch, possibly developed for military machine controls, just seems like a natural progression.

 

[Nice65]

Just watched this vid. It’s a good one as it shows the high cost and weight factors involved with carrying a load of batteries. Battery technology has a fair way to go yet, we’re still stacking cells in series in our laptops, powerbank chargers, electric scooters, hover boards etc because that’s the only way at the moment. A huge single Li-Ion battery isn’t possible just now. But, it’ll come because we need it like we need the people experimenting with what can be done.

But it’ll be like bulb to LED when we do, the technology to improve the LED outputs and runtimes since I first bought a Nitecore Extreme running a CR123 Lithium ion at an amazing 200 lumens has come on loads. The driver boards, power regulation, the whole efficiency has been embraced and improved upon by companies wanting to improve the spec to stay ahead of the competition.

If the need for massive illumination in the palm of the hand was military based, then why are America’s police still issued Surefire torches?

I’d still want a petrol engine on a low cc off road motorbike, even to run it up to recharge the batteries.

 

[GuestD]

I’d still want a petrol engine on a low cc off road motorbike, even to run it up to recharge the batteries.

over the years I've played around with various forms of electric propulsion. The most successful was a "pusher" trailer, which was wheel driven via a 12 volt electric motor, supplied by deep cycle led gel submersible batteries. These could be safely charged via a modifier Kubota diesel (small) alternator direct coupled to a small lightweight strimmer (Ryobi) 4stroke petrol motor. I now have a modern ebike. If I run it at full power (pedal assisted) I'll get around 30 miles. By learning how to "manage" the battery use, I have managed just short of 100 miles. The problem with this set up is that the battery/charger, doesn't like anything other than mains electric, and charging time is 5-6 hours. The ebike is light enough to cycle without power, which is a great improvement over earlier designs, this is mainly due to improvement in battery technology, greatly reducing weight. It also comes at a (financial) cost. Being honest, I don't really find much advantage from owning the ebike, as I tend to use my normal street bike because, on average, it's 4-5 mph faster. Where I live, the local government is becoming more progressive in promoting pedestrian (cycle) transport. One thing I would like to see, would be charging stations incorporated within safe bike parks, once the manufacturers standardise their charging systems of course.

 

[Woody girl]

Yes all the talk of charging stations for cars is great but nowhere is there any mention of ebike charging. Despite being urged to cycle more. At least I've not heard or seen anything.

 

[GuestD]

Here's some info,

https://www.energysavingtrust.org.u...v-tour-spreading-word-about-electric-vehicles

https://ebike-mtb.com/en/bosch-powerstation-uk/

 

[Woody girl]

I don't live in Scotland though or have a bosch battery. It would be a long push to recharge even if I did have the right battery!

 

[GuestD]

I don't live in Scotland though or have a bosch battery. It would be a long push to recharge even if I did have the right battery!

you need one of these then.

 

[Woody girl]

Yes I'd love one. Did think of getting a motorised one and making a mini camper out of it,that would be fun! Shame it's not realy possible to put solar panels on bikes so you can charge as you go. That would be an ideal solution for me.

 

[GuestD]

Yes I'd love one. Did think of getting a motorised one and making a mini camper out of it,that would be fun! Shame it's not realy possible to put solar panels on bikes so you can charge as you go. That would be an ideal solution for me.

Well,

 

[Woody girl]

Cool!

 

[GuestD]

Cool!

As always, there is a down side. Cost.

https://organictransit.com/product/elf-2fr/

people always ask me how much my ebike cost. When I tell them, they think I'm mad. I bought it, and got rid of the car, but that doesn't wash either.

 

[Woody girl]

Very true. Cost is the biggest inhibitor sadly.
I was lucky with mine and got it second hand. Still cost a small fortune though. But with only one good knee it's been a blessing not to have to hobble up hills pushing the bike instead of riding up them.

 

[petrochemicals]

Look at it this way, early cars now sell for far more than they where originally purchaced for. Its an "investment opportunity".