westend wrote:
I guess everyone posting in this thread knows how technology is implemented, by market pressure and application. The electric Nikola trucks are a perfect example.
There's also ancillary effects at work for mining, removing exhaust fumes and replacing with fresh air isn't cheap. There are mines in Ontario that are allowed to flood and all the equipment left in the mine, later to be overhauled when market prices reach operational/cost effective levels. If that's easier or cheaper to do with electric drives I doubt.
Even though Benz made electric vehicles in the 19th century, they never became popular because oil was a cheap and dense power source. Now, we are at the mercy of climate change and the price of fuel is climbing. That makes electric motive devices attractive. If Musk can roll out battery exchange stations where it takes less time to change out to a fully charged battery than filling a tank and one doesn't need to leave the vehicle, he'll corner the market.
The typical mentioned hurdle of electricity production just doesn't mean much, IMO. Just look to Europe to see how they've handled electricity production and infrastructure. Some of these countries will be off of fossil fuels in a few years.
Agreed. But I think people will adjust easier than they think. It took us about a week to adjust to remembering to plug in the car every second or third night. We were also afraid we would forget to unplug in the morning and drag the house down the road. The car actually doesn't let that happen. Charging stations are handy but the vast majority of us charge at home. Opportunity charging is different. If a mall has free charging stations and they use them to entice me to shop there who am I to complain. Some restaurants use coupons for free meals. Some use free charge stations. Wineries are getting into that in a big way where we live. Golf courses also in some areas.
I don't think the 15 to 30 minutes for a fast charge will put people off either. There are routinely 30 to 40 minute lineups at our local costco gas pump. Dozens of vehicles just idling away. They don't seem to mind sitting in the fumes for half an hour. They would probably be okay with a 20 minute DC fast charge or TESLA supercharge.
