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05-01-2015, 05:29 AM | #1 |
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Tesla launches betteries for homes, businesses, and utilities
This story posted to MSN about an hour ago. I'm in Northern California right now, and this was discussed here on local radio a week or two ago. One of the points mentioned during the radio broadcast (that is not mentioned in the linked article), is that 11 Wal-Marts in the region have this technology currently installed as part of a test program.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/techn...n=true#image=1 |
05-01-2015, 06:57 AM | #2 |
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Some have the idea that home generated electricity will soon put the power companies out of business ie it will be an order of magnitude cheaper to generate your own. This is making the establishment in Europe nervous according to some articles I have read.
Toyota says electric cars are a dead end and is pursueing fuel cells as the "car of the future". Which if they are right is a bad sign for Tesla/whats his name. Me I say hybrids, electric cars, self driving cars, and anything that is going to cost me $50,000 to buy hopefully will go extinct (like the Volt) I dont even like expensive "safety features" like air bags, ABS etc which add cost and complexity. I can take care of myself.
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05-01-2015, 07:52 AM | #3 |
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Fuel cells are great. The problem is making them work. The only by product is water.
They are can power electric or a fueled vehicle. The technology still needs more development. |
05-01-2015, 08:41 AM | #4 |
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Fuel cells have been around for a LONG time. So have electric cars. If FC were going to suceed they would have by now.
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05-01-2015, 12:14 PM | #5 | |
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I've also seen cars I haven't seen anywhere else. I've seen 3 different 2nd gen Toyota RAV 4s (only a bit over 2,400 were sold in the entire U.S. during the 2012-2014 production run). I've also seen a B-series (?) all-electric Mercedes SUV, an all-electric VW Golf (started in the U.S. with the 2015 model year), and probably 10 electric Fiat 500e examples. The world headquarters of the Safeway supermarket chain is (until next year's merger with Albertson's) in Pleasanton. The Safeway in Pleasanton that is closest to the HQ has electric charging stations just outside the store. The Fallon Gateway shopping center on the eastern edge of Dublin is still developing. There are charging stations in the front of the parking area that serves the Panera Bread/Chaat Cafe/BJ's Brewery/and The Vitamin Shoppe. These charging stations front on Fallon Road. When people get out of their cars, I've noticed they tend to look over to see what types of cars are charging in the bays. One time, 3 Fiat 500e examples were congregated there. All 3 had DGDG.com signs where the California plate would go (....a promotion...DGDG.com = the site for a dealership group that includes a Fiat dealership). I sense a sort of 'keeping up with the Joneses' vibe in that valley when it comes to electric vehicles. I suppose this isn't surprising. The Tesla manufacturing plant is just over the hill, and (per the 2010 census) Pleasanton has the highest median household income of any mid sized city (65,000-249,999 population) in the country. The Vitamin Shoppe above labels the parking spaces closest to the store to benefit those 'supposedly trying to be green'...labeling them all either 'compact car' or 'clean air vehicles only' (think the sticker on (IIRC) all of the Prius models). |
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05-01-2015, 01:15 PM | #6 | |
Embracing Curves
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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: Quote:
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
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05-01-2015, 03:49 PM | #7 | |
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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 $174k per year. |
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05-01-2015, 05:37 PM | #8 | |
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05-01-2015, 05:55 PM | #9 |
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More info., this time from The Washington Post,...'Why Tesla's announcement is such a beg deal' :
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/e...business_pop_b |
05-01-2015, 07:34 PM | #10 | |
Embracing Curves
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Quote:
We have annoying laws, too: A 30 year old natural aspirated 2l-diesel with about 70 sluggish hp and a reasonable consumption of ~6l/100km costs ~600$ 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$
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05-01-2015, 08:44 PM | #11 | |
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05-02-2015, 08:19 AM | #12 | |
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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...
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05-02-2015, 08:27 AM | #13 | |
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So lets say $10,000 for an up and running out the door unit. My average electric and gas bill is less than $50 a month. $600 a year = 16.66 years until break even. I'll be dead or in gaga land by then. Not for me even if I was 30. I REALLY hope Munch doest go belly up with Tesla and bankrupt Space X in the process of screwing around with his for rich people only electric fantasies. Not that manned space flight makes any sense. It will when it can make money...and not money from the wealthy.
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05-02-2015, 12:02 PM | #14 | |
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05-02-2015, 12:18 PM | #15 | |
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05-02-2015, 03:46 PM | #16 | |
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05-02-2015, 03:49 PM | #17 | |
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05-02-2015, 04:28 PM | #18 |
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