Tesla launches betteries for homes, businesses, and utilities

[dj92]

Pure electric cars are a dead end considering there is not enough lithium for everyone and no usable alternative battery technology in view.
The Mirai is an interesting car, sadly, it'd cost me about twice the US price as we have no subsidies for such vehicles here:

In diesem Jahr werden lediglich noch ein paar Dutzend Mirai ausgeliefert, die allesamt in Japan bleiben. Erst im nächsten Herbst sind die USA und Europa an der Reihe. Für Deutschland sind zwischen 50 und 100 Fahrzeuge reserviert. Viel mehr dürften sich auch kaum verkaufen lassen bei einem irrwitzigen Preis von 78.540 Euro.

Dass es auch anders geht, zeigt der Blick nach Kalifornien, wo der Löwenanteil der Mirai-Exportflotte hingeht. In den USA sind Autos in der Regel sowieso billiger, und der Mirai wird für umgerechnet 46.000 Euro angeboten. Zieht man von der Summe noch die Fördergelder ab, kostet der Wagen sogar nur 36.000 Euro. Den Wasserstoff, der in Kalifornien an demnächst hundert Tankstellen gezapft werden kann, gibt es sogar kostenlos.

http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberic...a-1003755.html

I am glad to have ABS, it has already spared me an accident when someone took my right of way.

The only failure on mine (which has also immobilizer, airbags, power windows and power steering) by now is the rear muffler getting a bit louder

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by dj92

Pure electric cars are a dead end considering there is not enough lithium for everyone and no usable alternative battery technology in view.
The Mirai is an interesting car, sadly, it'd cost me about twice the US price as we have no subsidies for such vehicles here:

http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberic...a-1003755.html

I am glad to have ABS, it has already spared me an accident when someone took my right of way.

The only failure on mine (which has also immobilizer, airbags, power windows and power steering) by now is the rear muffler getting a bit louder

Subsidies (not for the Miral...which we don't have) have been kind of a sticky wicket in some parts of the U.S.

A study was published that concluded the average Chevrolet Volt owner in the U.S. makes about $174,000 USD per year. Some people feel that those owners shouldn't be getting a subsidy from 'the taxpayers'...many of whom make less than $174k per year.

[dj92]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

A study was published that concluded the average Chevrolet Volt owner in the U.S. makes about $174,000 USD per year. Some people feel that those owners shouldn't be getting a subsidy from 'the taxpayers'...many of whom make less than $174k per year.

With an income that high, you don't drive such a "cheap" thing here

We have annoying laws, too:
A 30 year old natural aspirated 2l-diesel with about 70 sluggish hp and a reasonable consumption of ~6l/100km costs ~600$ of tax per year, while the biggest, latest Porsche Cayenne (possibly one of the biggest fuel hogs available here) was around 450$ as I looked it up for fun once.

My Yaris (with weight, fuel consumption and power comparable to the diesel mentioned above) costs me ~25$

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by dj92

We have annoying laws, too:
A 30 year old natural aspirated 2l-diesel with about 70 sluggish hp and a reasonable consumption of ~6l/100km costs ~600$ of tax per year, while the biggest, latest Porsche Cayenne (possibly one of the biggest fuel hogs available here) was around 450$ as I looked it up for fun once. :iono

That is sad.....SMH. I wonder if the reasoning behind that is that government bureaucrats want older cars off the road. Here we had 'Cash for Clunkers'....which some groups liked, while others didn't.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by dj92

With an income that high, you don't drive such a "cheap" thing here

We have annoying laws, too:
A 30 year old natural aspirated 2l-diesel with about 70 sluggish hp and a reasonable consumption of ~6l/100km costs ~600$ of tax per year, while the biggest, latest Porsche Cayenne (possibly one of the biggest fuel hogs available here) was around 450$ as I looked it up for fun once.

My Yaris (with weight, fuel consumption and power comparable to the diesel mentioned above) costs me ~25$

BING!

My 79 240D was 58 hp, got ~30 mpg when diesel was 79 cents a gallon and gas 99 cents. $16 to fill up its 20 gallon tank which would go 600 miles. What a car!

I note that Europe, which has beaucoup diesel cars, is having issues with air pollution in cities now. They would like the diesel to go away but that might take some doing...

I note diesel is $2.65 here while gas in nearing $2.40. The closest its been in some time...

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

BING!

My 79 240D was 58 hp, got ~30 mpg when diesel was 79 cents a gallon and gas 99 cents. $16 to fill up its 20 gallon tank which would go 600 miles. What a car!

I note that Europe, which has beaucoup diesel cars, is having issues with air pollution in cities now. They would like the diesel to go away but that might take some doing...

I note diesel is $2.65 here while gas in nearing $2.40. The closest its been in some time...

I wonder if diesels will now get more popular here in California, now that diesel fuel is cheaper than 87 octane gasoline ? I haven't noticed that many diesels in the time I've been here, but I imagine the latest 'diesel fuel being cheaper than 87 octane' phenomenon only started in January with the newest state cap and trade regulations. I know in the past some people didn't like diesels because they 'seemed so dirty'....but is that still the case ?

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I wonder if diesels will now get more popular here in California, now that diesel fuel is cheaper than 87 octane gasoline ? I haven't noticed that many diesels in the time I've been here, but I imagine the latest 'diesel fuel being cheaper than 87 octane' phenomenon only started in January with the newest state cap and trade regulations. I know in the past some people didn't like diesels because they 'seemed so dirty'....but is that still the case ?

CA wont like diesels because of their pollution. And in any case, the long term trend in gas vs diesel prices is diesel is more expensive. Like hybrids, diesels don't make sense economically. Bottom line diesels cost more to own, same as hybrids.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

CA wont like diesels because of their pollution. And in any case, the long term trend in gas vs diesel prices is diesel is more expensive. Like hybrids, diesels don't make sense economically. Bottom line diesels cost more to own, same as hybrids.

. In addition, well taken care of gasoline engines are now closer to the lifespan of diesels, mileage wise...so that advantage is nolt what it once was.