I really don't see much advertising for the electric cars, some on the internet but there is constant advertising for the gas power cars here in the states at least.  As far as owning one it seems a bad sign when the insurance co feels it is safer to rob you because they are dealing with an unknown.  I don't think there are many people trained to repair the cars if there is a problem.  My thoughts
Carl2

It's difficult to see the scaling problem this early on, but looking at the annual percentage of increase in production just over the past 5 years, and applying even a simple geometric progression (as opposed to a reverse logarithmic progression, which I'm confident will be closer to reality) over the next 5 years will probably see that gigafactory at or near capacity, and beginning to struggle to keep abreast of demand for just Teslas. And while it's by no means rare, (Lithium isn't exactly the easiest metal to extract from the Earth. That said, however, one of the extraction methods (brine extraction) is pretty cool (if you like the sciencey stuff).

Some nice info there Dave thanks

The brine extraction method looks interesting, more efficiently Lithium production, has to be a good thing.

Talking of battery technology, Samsung have just revealed something pretty neat.

Samsung shows off electric car battery that gives a 310 mile range on a 20 minute charge

  I just came across an ad for the Dodge muscle car 700 hp, they are also mentioning the Camero and the Vett with big engines.  I like the electric cars but it seems squeezing more HP out of the big engines is what gets attention.
Carl2

@Data: Let's just hope they have better luck with their EV batteries than they did with the S7.

@Carl: That they do, right up until the time that someone comes out with a 400HP EV muscle car that leaves those monsters in the dust.

Quote from: DaveMorton on January 12, 2017, 20:07:15 PM
@Data: Let's just hope they have better luck with their EV batteries than they did with the S7.

I admit, the thought had crossed my mind too 

Quote from: DaveMorton on January 11, 2017, 21:24:11 PM
And while it's by no means rare, (Lithium isn't exactly the easiest metal to extract from the Earth. That said, however, one of the extraction methods (brine extraction) is pretty cool (if you like the sciencey stuff).

From previous reading and posts, I thought the limiting factor was cobalt. Most lithium ion batteries use lithium cobalt oxide but other types are available. Just checked world production for both and came up with these figures for lithium and cobalt.
Judging by these figures, maybe I was wrong.
Chilie has some of the best reserves so will probably do well in the coming years.

Of course we love the sciencey stuff. 

We also have sources for Lithium here in Nevada, and one of the largest mines has entered into a vendor agreement with Tesla to supply the gigafactory. I don't think it could handle all of tesla's needs for the metal, but I would imagine it's a significant amount.

Things are moving on with battery technology I see.

Renault have as near as dam it doubled the battery capacity of their new Zoe model. The battery is the same size and shape as the original so it can be fitted in the older Zoe model.

Well I think it's impressive 

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/news/cornish-firm-unveils-plans-for-uks-only-lithium-mining-operation/ar-AAm13wJ?li=AA54rU&ocid=spartandhp

Potentially Europe's only source of Lithium.......

Quote from: DD1975 on January 19, 2017, 18:08:53 PM
http://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/news/cornish-firm-unveils-plans-for-uks-only-lithium-mining-operation/ar-AAm13wJ?li=AA54rU&ocid=spartandhp

Potentially Europe's only source of Lithium.......

Now that sounds like a rather timely announcement to me 

Excellent news   

2 very interesting articles. A doubling of power density is very impressive. And UK industry can get on the lithium bandwagon.

I can't find the actual batteries they use but LG Chem seems to be using lithium ion manganese oxide (or lithium-manganese spinel). Manganese world production.

Been thinking about some other (minor) down sides to all electric. Your range will decrease if dark or cold due to lights and heaters. The up side is you are only producing the heat you need rather than using the 'waste' product of an internal combustion engine.

Regarding the lights and heaters, they are not powered by the main battery but are powered buy the secondary lead acid battery.

QuoteThe 12-volt battery stores the power for the 12-volt system that runs components like the lights, entertainment system and the heating/cooling system.

more info

The lights are also LED and very efficient also the heaters are being made more efficient year on year. I agree it's a minor problem but they seem to have found a way round it and are still working on improvements.

  I wonder if they could put the heaters next to the motors, I wonder if there are cooling fans next to the motors, vent the fan air into the heaters.
On snow blowers the put the carb in a box close the exhaust.   At 10 to 20
F I always have to take out the spark plug, squirt starting fluid into the chamber to get it running.
Carl2

Slightly off topic but interesting. Feel free to move to another thread, Data.