For EV Drivers, Realities May Dampen The Electric Elation

[got3fords]

EV's require electricity. Electricity requires fossil fuel (about 90% of the time). EV's require about 3-4 times the fossil fuel to manufacture. EV's require a ton of earth metals that require destructive mining. Recycling EV's takes even more fossil fuel. You just can't win with EV's. Clean burning fossil fuel is the best choice for now until a viable alternative is worked out.
Having said that, EV's are freaking cool. I rode in one and acceleration was amazing. If I bought one, it was because I had money to waste just to have a cool, techy and fast car. But my tuned Ranger suits my needs big league.

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[JesseS]

Face it, EV's certainly have a place, urban daily runs or commuting 100 miles or less, this is actually the bulk of most peoples driving. For long road trips it is not good (yet) and that is where hydrogen fueled vehicles come in, baring a huge jump in battery technology (solid state batteries?) Oil WILL run out, simple math, we are burning it way faster than nature could produce it (although that has stopped), and if you shrug and say not in my lifetime, then what about your kids? Besides, we use oil for so many things, like everything made of plastic, road surfaces, medicine, all machinery, just name it and uses oil. EV's will be a stepping stone, and ICE are on the way out....slowly.

 

[MIBuckeye]

Wow, it's such a pleasure to be in the presence of such enlightened folk, espousing the "truths" about things they clearly know little about. I have no dog in the EV fight, but I do have opinions. Opinions based on over 20 years of actual first hand experience in the energy industry. I would only ask, as a representative of the industry, that you spend a few minutes truly researching the serious issues related to EV production and use, the impact to the grid, to national security and the significant reliance on delinquent mining before making comments here (or anywhere for that matter) as though you are the knowledgeable one. There have been quite a few "facts" stated here by a few folks that are simple-minded ignorant opinions. Please, if you truly don't know, please don't post it. (i.e. "energy companies raise prices for whatever they want" or "90% of energy is from fossil fuels") It just makes this forum feel Neanderthal. Oh, yeah, and the comments about what news channels/podcast qualifies one to be able to comment or not is so 2020...please stop that crap too. Please.

 

[SigOris]

Just wondering, do EV’s have one piece driveshafts?

 

[TJC]

I just glanced at the article and it must be written by a really stupid person - most people that are truly interested in a F-150 lightning understand that you pay extra for the larger range battery - there is no deceptive marketing practices by the makers and then there was a range anxiety comment while driving thru death valley ? Really , maybe you can sell the author some dampers, the guy would likely go for it irrespective of having a tailgate or not.
And saw a comment about a larger gas tank or some nonsense, well with most ICE autos if there are options as far as engines you pay extra for the more powerful , but some of those anti EV articles are if nothing else good for humorous reading. Factually most people that buy EVs like them, some like them a lot, but of course there are always the fools who don't do their homework.

People have all kinds of tastes, that is what makes the world go round. One size does not fit all.

Try towing a RV Camper with a Ford Lightening (even with the BIG battery) from Las Vegas to the Furnace Creek Visitors Center of the Death Valley National Park and see how far you get!. I'll wager you dollars to donuts you couldn't even make it taking the shortest route (120 miles). Forget about all the other sights that most would want to visit. Lots of people buy trucks to go on adventures. If you are going to the city park 5 miles from your home or commuting, you're good, but a $90K truck being used for that purpose is a foolish decision for most of us. There are many much less expensive EV options that fit the bill better.

If you plan on traveling with a camper or a boat in tow, the Ford Lightening is not a reasonable option. I'd even go so far as to say it is not a reasonable option if you plan to travel over 500 miles and get there in a reasonable time. Reasonable to me is averaging 50mph with pit stops calculated in. That's 10 hours. I usually make a 660 mile trip in that time with my 2005 Ranger which is relatively thirsty... going through major metro areas, Richmond, VA, Wash DC, Harrisburg, Scanton - Wilkes Barre, Syracuse NY. Stopping only two or three times for gas.

I agree with you on this point, it is true that foolish people don't do their homework.

 

[TJC]

And, take into account if charging stations don't keep up, scenes like this could become common...here are EV owners finding out a new charging station has opened, and their rushing home to get their EV's...

And if they do keep up but the national electrical does not, it won't matter anyway, as we will all be sitting in the dark with food going bad in the Frig!

 

[TJC]

I know from visiting Germany that they our very energy concious. They have acres and acres of solar panels powering their towns and villages.

Germany is in dire straights and in the process of recommissioning coal fired electrical generating plants (Since the US blew up their natural gas pipeline (With friends like that who needs enemies?)). And their native coal is very dirty.

And FWIW, the methane released from the gas line rupture has been estimated to have negated the last 30 years of the West's greenhouse gas savings! That's North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Methane is far far worse than CO2 with regards to global warming . CO2 has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1. Methane's GWP index is in the 28 - 36 range. A little methane goes a very long way when it comes to heating up the atmosphere.

 

[Highlander]

Here is a talk by Peter Zeihan, to the Business Council of Alberta (Texas of Canada). Give it a listen. If how he sees the next decade play out, then those who remember how things were in the '70-80's, will be ready.




I'm glad we're your hat, and I'm sure Mexico will be glad to be your underwear!

Frank

 

[dtech]

Ford's Michigan Batt Plant making lower cost EV batteries, $3.5 M investment

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a43007746/ford-ev-lfp-battery-tech/?

 

[got3fords]

Wow, it's such a pleasure to be in the presence of such enlightened folk, espousing the "truths" about things they clearly know little about. I have no dog in the EV fight, but I do have opinions. Opinions based on over 20 years of actual first hand experience in the energy industry. I would only ask, as a representative of the industry, that you spend a few minutes truly researching the serious issues related to EV production and use, the impact to the grid, to national security and the significant reliance on delinquent mining before making comments here (or anywhere for that matter) as though you are the knowledgeable one. There have been quite a few "facts" stated here by a few folks that are simple-minded ignorant opinions. Please, if you truly don't know, please don't post it. (i.e. "energy companies raise prices for whatever they want" or "90% of energy is from fossil fuels") It just makes this forum feel Neanderthal. Oh, yeah, and the comments about what news channels/podcast qualifies one to be able to comment or not is so 2020...please stop that crap too. Please.

Ok, I will revise my statement, it was old data (EXCUSE ME!) " As a result, fossil fuels have accounted for about 80% of U.S. energy production in the past decade. "
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45096

 

[MIBuckeye]

Ok, I will revise my statement, it was old data (EXCUSE ME!) " As a result, fossil fuels have accounted for about 80% of U.S. energy production in the past decade. "
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=45096

... and still... this article is from 2019. Click the link to the current data and you'll see that 2022 was significantly different....quick look I believe was 67%. ...2023 will be lower yet.

 

[got3fords]

... and still... this article is from 2019. Click the link to the current data and you'll see that 2022 was significantly different....quick look I believe was 67%. ...2023 will be lower yet.

The point is we are still extremely reliant on fossil fuel.

 

[MIBuckeye]

The point is we are still extremely reliant on fossil fuel.

I agree. And that's not a bad thing necessarily. Just say it like you did here instead of using inflated numbers to make a point. That's all I'm saying.

 

[MountainGoat]

I came across this video the other day. Had no idea you can't just plug the thing in. Instead they made it schedule charging with the Fordpass app that crashes so the truck doesn't charge? Come on.

 

[DeathRanger]

US Vehicle sales 2022 vs 2021. 2023 will be even worse

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