1087

Here is an interesting analysis that goes to what we have been discussing.

1088

In summation and thanks for that info, an EV is great for city driving but for long haul and OTR cargo transportation not yet practical.
I’m still not sold on battery technology. When Ft. Meyers had a 15’ surge wash across the area EVs coming in contact with salt water had battery fires. The battery fires are not easy to extinguish either. And what will the plan be for spent lithium ion batteries? Landfill, incinerator, hide them in an abandoned salt mine?
With ICE emissions technology and energy efficiency I still say refined gasoline and diesel oil powered vehicles are still and will be the more affordable and reliable means of transportation.

1089

Some of these 60+ year old libs think they’ll live to see a world unpolluted with magical fairies and unicorns prancing around a field of solar panels.

That’s called senility, and I hope someone is at least checking up on them.
:rofl:

3 Likes
1090

You’re actually an atypical half ton user. Most half-tons aren’t used to tow heavy loads very often. Most weight the majority of them see is a bass boat trailer, an ATV or two, or a lawnmower.

Most customers who want to tow constantly go for a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. They tow better, even if you’re towing way below their total capacity.

Half tons have pretty much become taller cars with the way most owners use them. Which is why GM, Ford, and Chrysler are introducing independent rear suspension on all their half ton trucks in the next few years. It harms total tow capacity but it greatly improves ride quality. The next gas burner F-150 generation is getting the IRS system from the Lightning. Same with the Silverado, which is getting a cheaper variant of the IRS used in the new EV Silverado.

And honestly it’s overdue. They really should have introduced IRS to half-tons back in the early 00s. Solid axle stuck around out of tradition. But considering how most customers use their half-tons it doesn’t make sense anymore. I’ll sacrifice a thousand pounds of tow capacity in exchange for a car like ride when unloaded.

1091

Only way to a clean energy future is nuclear.

Solar helps but there just isn’t enough nighttime generation to make up for the baseload needs of the power grid.

Only way it can happen is if we leverage nuclear more and add solar to assist. But considering the hatred for nuclear from environmentalists circles I don’t see that happening.

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1092

It really depends on one’s needs.

Someone just needing an A to B vehicle for a work commute would be well served by an EV.

Otherwise, compromises have to be made.

I don’t like the way Ford and GM are marketing their EV trucks. They are marketing them based on towing capacity. Which is a mistake.

Rivian has the right idea. They don’t even really mention towing beyond explaining to a customer that it can be used to tow light loads (like a bass boat) for short distances.

They instead focus their marketing on how comfortable it is, how good it is off-road (that’s an area where an EV can dominate ICEs because you can build a true permanent 4WD system without needing a bunch of extra components), and how fun it is to drive thanks to all of the torque.

GM and Ford are focused on marketing their EVs like traditional trucks. That shouldn’t be the focus. They should be marketed and designed as lifestyle trucks; or adventure trucks.

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1093

We will be extremely reliant on minerals mined in foreign countries. I think that this could be a great opportunity for a venture capitalist like Hunter Biden though!

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1094

The answer is as obvious as cloud seeding areas of drought. These situations are on purpose and they’re for power and control (Occam’s Razor, etc.).

Throw a (D)og a bone and they’ll pay you to do what they pretend to oppose. :man_shrugging:

1095

Don’t you know that there’s not problem out there that the brilliant minds in the Democrat Party can’t solve? We are always just another legislation and government program away from the promised land!

1096

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1097

Aluminum hmmm . . .

So upgrading the grid is going to require a lot of aluminum.
Wouldn’t that increased demand for aluminum drive up price of other aluminum things?

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1098

Not necessarily. Aluminum is one of the most recyclable metals in the world. All those undersized transmission lines can be melted down to make the new ones. And if everyone quit tossing their soft drink and beer cans, it would probably make up the difference for the larger cables.

1099

The TN governor is seeking a 300 dollar yearly registration fee for electric vehicles because they pay no gas taxes which is what they get the money to maintain the roads with.

The normal fee is about 50 dollars.

2 Likes
1100

I never thought of that.

1101

Many states are already doing this.

1102

Several States tax EVs per mile, which is a far fairer way than a fixed fee that must be paid whether you drive on the highway or not.

1103

What states do that? I know there are proposals.

1104

Oregon and California for sure. Others are proposing to do so.

1105

I see they are volunteer for now? But looks like Utah will do it in 23.

1106

Volunteer … Like reporting your income taxes.