Quote from: Carl2 on April 06, 2017, 13:17:03 PM
There is something about the thought of plugging in a car charger to the 240 volt electric outlet that I find very  unappealing probably because I learned Electricity cost much more for heating a home than the gas for a Furnace and if everyone switches to electricity and the demand for electricity goes up the price of electricity increases. 

While that is certainly true for heating your home, it's not the same as charging your car. And many (if not most) home charging stations for EV's have tech within them that tries to charge the car most efficiently, including saving the heaviest charging till off-peak hours, so that you save on your charging bill. Here are a couple of links that might help:

http://www.fleetcarma.com/electric-vehicle-charging-guide/ (scroll down to "What is Smart Charging?")

http://www.fleetcarma.com/what-is-smart-charging/ (a bit more info here)

Something else to consider is that many cities/towns/etc/ have vehicle charging stations in a number of places that are completely free to use. Granted, these won't help you charge your EV at home, but if there's one within walking distance of the places you go in town, it's worthwhile(?) to take advantage of a "free fillup", as it were.

  I have to admit I never before thought about off peak hours.  I guess what I'm thinking of is if all automotive needs in the future is switched to electric cars the oil industry is supplying a small fraction of what it is now. I guess it is something like the e cigs, although somewhat popular most people are smoking cigs and cigars.  It'll be a long slow process before the majority of people smoke e cigs.
Carl2

I think you hit the nail on the head there Carl, "long slow process", with EV's it's going to have to be isn't it, so many cars on the road that will need to be scraped, at the same time as electricity generation will need to increase, hopefully renewable. Yes this isn't going to happen quick at all.

For some people there is an opportunity with EV's now, if they feel brave enough.

After driving a Leaf, one thing that hit me the most was that it's digital, it's smart, it's switched from old analog to the 21st century. Yes, like e-cigs     

  The car has been evolving since it was first invented,  some of the largest improvements in engine performance were during prohibition since people illegally moving alcohol around wanted the fastest cars.  Anyways my 2003 Chevy has a computer in it which is plugged into during State inspection. The computer has all the sensors connected to it, spark is initiated by the computer, fuel injection, the right amount to the right piston.  It seems that now that we have a good handle on the gas engine it was all done for nothing.
  I have not looked at the dashboard of an EV or even a newer vehicle.
Carl2

I've got to post this.

A self driving Leaf now, this is the working prototype but Nissan are saying that it could be available and on the road by 2020.

Not sure I would want one but ...

Pretty interesting, it explains why there were so many things on the internet about computers being able to recognize pictures of different things.  I've read there is a company that has a permission to test out this kind of car.  Since I find it relaxing when another person drive and I can sit back and relax I think I'd like the idea, must be a period where you have to gain trust in the system.
Carl2

1.5kW, ouch. Bet than affects the range a bit.

It couldn't safely drive around a bus but safely stayed behind. I've always felt motorway driving is the best application of this tech but they're getting there for town as well. I think it'll be impossible to program for all eventualities but keep it safe and allow the driver to seamlessly intervene seems workable.

  I drive through a lot of snow storms and keep wondering how the elec cars will do during the storms and on slippery snow covered roads.
Carl2

I don't think snow is really a problem for electric cars but the cold can temporarily reduce the mileage available from the battery.

 

I've learned it will cost about 5 to 6,000 to replace the leaf batteries, Nissan dealers sell the batteries to people that want to buy them.
Carl2

It's about the same price over here, 5000 for a new battery and they give you 1000 for your old one, so 4000 to replace the battery.

  Since I had to pay 3,000 to repair my car after a hit and run a new battery system for a elec car seems like a reasonable thing to do if you really like the car.
Carl2

If anyone is interested in how the other half live then here is the Tesla Model X 

  From the sound of it it has many good features but is to large since I have a mid size car.  Like the Caddy maybe some of the features will trickle down to the lower priced cars.  Over all it is nice to see someone has been able to do that with an elec car.
Carl2

We were talking about the UK's coal free day in another thread, here is a video about it. If anyone is interested.