EV news. Hybrid News. A Path Forward.

Anyway they want to double range so expect 400-500 mile range EV's from Toyota/Lexus.

 

I'm over here thinking I need to get into a 4cyl because the eb has too much low end torque for my own good. Not that I think it's fast.

Instant torque sounds amazingly good, and incredibly stupid at the same time.

 

How are the driving dynamics? Seems that a M5 with 553 fp of torque would offer a more enjoyable driving experience than a Tesla with instant torque. Tesla cars probably handle well but the experience is probably like tossing a cardboard box through the corners. Can you really drive one with the throttle like a true performance ice car?

 

Lithium battery recycling. You know, the thing people said isn’t happening

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cp68WzCM9vS/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

 

IRS updates frequently asked questions related to new, previously owned and qualified commercial clean vehicle credits

PDF link https://www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2023-08.pdf

Purchase Scenario Wizard
https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml

Quick list I saw posted on a news site

Which models are eligible for the new EV tax credit?
(4-18-2023 and after NEW cars)

2022-2023 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV

2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler PHEV 4xe

2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV 4xe

2022-2023 Ford F-150 Lightning (standard and extended range)

2022 Ford e-Transit

2022-2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E (standard and extended range)

2022 Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid

2022 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring

2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring

2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt

2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

2023-2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

2024 Chevrolet Silverado

2024 Chevrolet Blazer

2024 Chevrolet Equinox

2022-2023 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range RWD

2022-2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance

2022-2023 Tesla Model Y AWD

2022-2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD

2022 Tesla Model Y Performance

 

FAKE NEWS
SAD!

 

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/tesla-fatality-automated

Tesla Inc. disclosed to U.S. regulators another fatal crash involving automated driver-assist systems, bringing its total to 17 since June 2021 when the government required carmakers to begin submitting data on these accidents.

The crash involved a Tesla Model S that collided with an emergency vehicle in February in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the time of the accident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the company for more information.

Looks like ADAS was activated during the time of this crash.

Was that the cause or a contributing factor of the crash?

 

I love how consumers and the rest of us on the road are the beta testers and no one seems to think this is scary.

I see a lot of Teslas every day. And they do weird things, even when you discount the human element.

 

Yes it's crazy, I can see the need for real world testing if a system or what ever is going to produce real world results that work. That does not mean I like the idea of being a test dummy. Tesla still builds a good EV, and EV do not have to operate autonomously, manufacturers are building autonomy into ice vehicles.

 

There’s a little known secret, they do overnight test drives. Ask the gallery nearest you if you can schedule an overnight test drive.

You’ll get the last appointment of the day and they just ask you bring it back by the first appointment the following morning.

 

A number of these functions can be done using the voice control. For example, hold the right scroll wheel down and say “open glove box”

 

One might opine that we are all the subject of said testing if we are near those vehicles as well, at least some features like the self driving.

I'm not bashing EVs, just another angle.

 

With Teslas Autopilot users pay and sign up to be a Beta tester. They know exactly what they're getting into.

 

I have heard about those. Unfortunately the nearest gallery is over an hour away.

That said their miles before an accident is MUCH MUCH MUCH greater than the average driver. Now granted, this is their own numbers, but it would have to be a very big lie, not fudging numbers.

I forget the exact values but the average driver was around 600,000 miles driven before an accident. Tesla drivers (a different demographic than the average Altima owner...) was maybe double that. On the other hand Autopilot was in the four MILLION mile range.

 

Where are you located? An hour isn’t so bad.

They’re a blast to drive. We had fun with it and had a date night when we had the overnight test drive.

We were having fun catching red lights just for the opportunity to try out the 3 second 0-60 mph launches.

 

Here's the latest data I could find on Tesla autopilot. All Teslas have autopilot, Full Self Driving is a $15K option. The average American driver has 1 crash for every .6 million miles driven. A Tesla with Autopilot turned off has 1 crash for every .9 million miles driven (1.5 times safer). A Tesla with Autopilot turned on has one crash for every 4.6 million miles driven (7.7 times safer). Full Self Driving beta has one crash for every 3.2 million miles driven (5.3 times safer). These numbers help explain why the insurance on my Tesla is the same as on my 12 year old Tacoma. They get in fewer crashes. The FUD is deep out there. A full self driving Tesla is one of the safest cars on the road. The FUD spreaders have their own agenda, but it certainly isn't the safety of the American driver.

Having driven around 18K miles on Tesla road trips I will say that autopilot is the second best feature of the car. (acceleration is #1) It makes a huge difference on my fatigue level and I can drive more miles and be more attentive than I ever could in my Tacoma. Autopilot allows me to off-load the endless micro-adjustments that are required in regular cars and pay more attention to the other vehicles on the road. I wish more vehicles had autopilot if for no other reason than to keep them in their own damn lane. The other thing I will say is in the year I've had the Tesla there have been multiple over the air upgrades that have further improved autopilot.

 

Yes but you missed my point, it's also arguable that people driving other vehicles could be unknowingly part of this test as they're on the road with that vehicle.

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

My nephew has a 3 and loves his. His girlfriend recently got a Y. I rode in the 3 once just to the store and back and liked the acceleration but didn't get to see much of the other features.

I'd consider an EV (Tesla or otherwise) if I was in the market and something met my needs/budget/etc. Right now I don't drive nearly as much as I used to the first 30 years of driving, so while the short trips would be something that would make me more a buyer for it (versus a long distance person). Other side, it would take so long to realize the long term cost savings.

 

What is interesting as well is the improvements. Tesla reports this data back to 2018 iirc and the miles before an accident (on autopilot) is always increasing.

 

If you don't drive much and have the ability to charge at home picking up a used Nissan Leaf could be cost effective. With work from home the majority of my driving is short trips to the store and such. If it weren't for my frequent road trips I'd have no need for long range, 50 miles would cover most everything. My electricity is .11 cents/KWh which translates into .03 cents/mile for "fuel" vs .20 cents/mile for my Tacoma. Factor in no maintenance to speak of and the scale tilts a little bit further to the EV. But, I don't think I would be comfortable only having a 50 mile range car. So, that would mean having 2 cars and yeah . . .

 

There’s no pure EV with only a 50 mile range, at least none sold in the US that are street legal. Even my dinosaur of a 2013 Chevy Volt plug in hybrid can go 40ish miles on electricity before the generator kicks in. 2016-2019 Volts can go 53ish miles. These Volts can be had for less than $20k but people seem to think they “HAVE TO HAVE” an EV with 600 miles of range, anything less is useless. Of the current offering of pure EVs I believe the Leaf has the least range at 150ish miles. I have friends that scoff at my Volt’s 40ish mile range…. But imagine every day you got in your Tacoma with approx 1/8 tank of gas. That’s enough for 90% of your errands, maybe more. With a wife & toddler I fill my 9 gallon tank twice a year, yet I average 6-8k miles a year on the Volt. Imagine what you could do with the 150 miles a Leaf offers? That’s about half a tank for a Tacoma…. How often do you drive where you require more than half a tank for the round trip?