The future?

rockylizard · Guru

The future?

Dickodownunder · Guru

Interesting John,

I like the storage trunk behind the rear doors and the front boot but I would not like to get a flat tyre and have to unload the back tub to access the spare wheel.

They might be good for a fifth wheeler where you could have a massive solar array on the roof and help to top up the batteries during the days drive. I would have liked a pic of the batteries themselves just out of curiosity.

The front and rear treatment of the vehicle is....well....just plain ugly

The tare weight will cause a lot of angst with the fraternity that need the tow vehicle to be heavier than the trailer. That towing capacity would be a dream come true for any caravan salesman. biggrin biggrin

Whenarewethere · Guru

A good start, but can't the manufacturers build something with only "reasonable" acceleration, a bit more battery power, a fuel powered charger until this issue can be solved, plugin charging 240/415 & solar. Last but not least looks reasonable!

Yuglamron · Guru

Dyson of the Vacuum people already have a new Lithium Polymer battery in the works that will give a projected 45% increase in power over present Lithium batteries.

The other thing with electric motors and power output is the control of the huge power.

It costs a lot more to limit acceleration of an electric motor in the weight dept. Takes a lot of extra parts to limit the use of the power for acceleration. It's a catch 22 situation.

More weight to slow the acceleration and basically it's like tying up one leg of a horse.

You still have control of you're right foot. Lots of amps to control in modern electric motors, but it's getting better bit by bit.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Bring it on! I'm certain the importers would sell the car with optional charging facilities to suite the Australian bush situations!
However, this is being shown by Top Gear - any past viewers of that program would know that "Unless the car GOES", the rev heads would not be interested. So this falls within their ideal choice of a car.
Like Dickodownunder, I like the storage areas.

There may be one hiccup - cost. My brother-in-law bought his Dodge Ram 2500 in the States for $40,000 & it cost another $40,000 to get it here & converted to RHD, etc!

With what I have been reading recently on here about caravans controlling cars, new cars(utes) with weak chassis, I think the old gold Nissan might be worth hanging on to for a while yet! It's fuel consumption is well within a lot of newer vehicles - providing Autogas doesn't go off the market.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Bring it on! I'm certain the importers would sell the car with optional charging facilities to suite the Australian bush situations!
However, this is being shown by Top Gear - any past viewers of that program would know that "Unless the car GOES", the rev heads would not be interested. So this falls within their ideal choice of a car.
Like Dickodownunder, I like the storage areas.

There may be one hiccup - cost. My brother-in-law bought his Dodge Ram 2500 in the States for $40,000 & it cost another $40,000 to get it here & converted to RHD, etc!

With what I have been reading recently on here about caravans controlling cars, new cars(utes) with weak chassis, I think the old gold Nissan might be worth hanging on to for a while yet! It's fuel consumption is well within a lot of newer vehicles - providing Autogas doesn't go off the market.

Whenarewethere · Guru

We had a major electrical replacement/upgrade in our block of units last year and while at it as it was not difficult I paid extra to get 3 phase 20 amps per phase wired to the garage ready for an electric car if it happens. A few of the other owners did the same.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Oops sorry about the double post!

Tony Bev · Guru

There may well be a battery, and/or manufacturing cost breakthrough, in the next few years

According to the article below, ten electric vehicles are in the pipeline for 2021

I am unsure if some manufacturers are going to do it, just to make sure they are not left behind, or if they think that they will get a premium price for their product

Below is the link

https://www.caradvice.com.au/618789/ev-onslaught-10-electric-cars-coming-by-2021/

Whenarewethere · Guru

It will probably change like digital cameras. Fiddling around at first and a few going under like Kodak who were stuck in their old ways. Then suddenly everyone is using digital.

It going to be a challenge for longhaul remote travel but there will be workarounds.

MikeL · Veteran Member

I've long been a fan of the idea of a motor per wheel - even though it's a poor idea as far as suspension is concerned, it does however, keep the weight low which is important. They aren't the first with the motor per wheel concept www.riversimple.com/ and this one is fuel cell based. It's just a shame the car is small and ugly!

Traction control is the big advantage to a motor per wheel - youi already have all the sensors and speed control built in so it makes sense as the rest is just a neat little computer to run it. No heavy gearboxes and differentials.

If I won the lottery, I'd be lining up for one!

There is also another firm that produces a small 800cc engine that fits in a spare wheel well that effectively turns an electric car into a hybrid. The engine is optimised to run at a certain RPM and is very economical, quiet and with very low emissions. Be nice if this could be a 'bolt on' for the Rivian.

PeterD · Guru

Yuglamron wrote:
The other thing with electric motors and power output is the control of the huge power.
It costs a lot more to limit acceleration of an electric motor in the weight dept. Takes a lot of extra parts to limit the use of the power for acceleration. It's a catch 22 situation.
More weight to slow the acceleration and basically it's like tying up one leg of a horse.
You still have control of you're right foot. Lots of amps to control in modern electric motors, but it's getting better bit by bit.

I don't understand your concerns. Large power control is achieved through PWM. A simple digital computer can be programmed to limit lead footed people. Power control is simple these days, we no longer use heavy resistive components and switches like those used in the old trams and trains.

PeterD · Guru

Three battery sizes will be offered: 180kWh (400 mile range) and 135kWh (300 mile range) packs available at launch, and a 105kWh battery (230 mile range) offered six months later.

I am paying 25.52 cents per kWh for my power. With the 180 kWh battery that gives me over 600 km for a cost of $52 or so.

Jaahn · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Yuglamron wrote:
The other thing with electric motors and power output is the control of the huge power.
It costs a lot more to limit acceleration of an electric motor in the weight dept. Takes a lot of extra parts to limit the use of the power for acceleration. It's a catch 22 situation.
More weight to slow the acceleration and basically it's like tying up one leg of a horse.
You still have control of you're right foot. Lots of amps to control in modern electric motors, but it's getting better bit by bit.
I don't understand your concerns. Large power control is achieved through PWM. A simple digital computer can be programmed to limit lead footed people. Power control is simple these days, we no longer use heavy resistive components and switches like those used in the old trams and trains.

Hi smile

I agree with Peter on this. The easy control of the power to the motor is already there in current electric vehicles. The 'throttle pedal' just sends a signal to the electronic power controller to allow as much as needed. You could easily program the computer to set some limits if you want. Or you can set an eco mode for longer range etc.

I have been in and driven some electric cars just this past weekend and they are very easy to drive and do jump off the mark starting in an impressive manner. The electronic power control system allows a normal cruise control or adaptive cruise also so that part is no problem at all. No big rotary contactors or that old stuff these days LOL. Very impressive to drive and I could live with one now for normal use. The purchase cost is the only problem and that will settle to something affordable. Tesla too is working on cheaper models.

Some people now "drive them for free" around the city, day to day use, by having solar on their roof tops and batteries. Just the same as free campers do it with panels. Makes sense in several ways to me. hmm

Jaahn

PS I pay about 15c/KWHr off peak rate so when I charged the electric car over night it cost even less to 'fill it up'. smile

-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 29th of November 2018 08:24:26 AM

Mobi Condo · Guru

Yeah - I like the idea, but would like to have an idea of recharge times and of course recharge station spacing's in all out back areas.

A while back a similar design of true 4WD was mooted which had a small jet turbine to generate the power to charge the on board battery pack. Apparently the fuel for the turbine was/is standard aviation fuel and the turbine about the size of those used in radio controlled jet model planes.

The fuel economy to produce the electrical energy to store in the battery worked out at about 1 litre per 100 k of travel.

Interesting days ahead folks.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Just thinking - wouldn't it had been great if oil (& hence petroleum) had never been dug up! After all it was this industry that wiped the early electric vehicles & trams out of the market!