[wlightning]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42021713

Is it just me being negative but I can't see great demand for these trucks unless ultra fast charging is readily available. 500 mile range on a single charge isn't enough for trucks considering they go up and down the country, never mind across countries in Europe. These trucks going out of action when being charged up is money being tied up and time wasted for delivery companies.

0-60 in 1.9 seconds for the roadster is unbelievably quick but doesn't interest me. I've been a passenger in electric cars (Model S, Prius and Leaf), never driven any, but I find them boring and lack character. Admittedly the Model S was rapid but without the engine and exhaust noise there's no fun and the concept of speed isn't the same.

Maybe it's Friday but I can't see me switching away from IC engines for a while.

[Dave_3]

That's what horse owners said as they laughed at the first stuttering "cars".

I'm all for it - nice to see electric cars developing so quickly. A decade ago they were just fanciful projections. Now actually useable. Certainly not for all, but the more that are produced pushes forward the development cycle.

D.

[creepy coupe]

They still look like shite.

[Danny Fireblade]

I think the issue with all electric vehicles is the infrastructure in the uk is not there.

The national grid couldn’t handle it, the charging areas away from home are totally inadequate, the range isn’t there in the actual vehicles and there is not the longevity that is associated with vehicles today.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by wlightning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-42021713

Is it just me being negative but I can't see great demand for these trucks unless ultra fast charging is readily available. 500 mile range on a single charge isn't enough for trucks considering they go up and down the country, never mind across countries in Europe. These trucks going out of action when being charged up is money being tied up and time wasted for delivery companies.

0-60 in 1.9 seconds for the roadster is unbelievably quick but doesn't interest me. I've been a passenger in electric cars (Model S, Prius and Leaf), never driven any, but I find them boring and lack character. Admittedly the Model S was rapid but without the engine and exhaust noise there's no fun and the concept of speed isn't the same.

Maybe it's Friday but I can't see me switching away from IC engines for a while.

I think the trucks have a good chance of succeeding in the pretty near future.

I've worked in the transport industry for over 25 years and currently work for the largest operator of HGV's in Europe. We already have fully electric 18 tonne rigid vehicles working in cities.

The ranges of the trucks, if 500 hundred miles is eventually achieved is perfectly adequate, all it depends on access to a good network of chargers.

Plus the vast majority of trucks on our roads are not long distance drivers nighting out and driving all over different areas any more. Some are, accepted, but there is more then enough working on dedicated contract logistics starting and finishing at a DC that will only do a 300 mile round trip in a shift. Think of any large retailer, they all pretty much have this model. That's a lot of trucks for Tesla to potentially replace. And it looks like they'll charge fast enough to be utilised by different drivers both day and night, so no downside there.

I'm guessing I'll find out, our owner is also an eccentric American entrepreneur and he currently spends £400 million a year on technology, I suspect we'll be testing one out soon enough.

[JustChris]

That 1.9s though.

Christ 1.9 seconds, that would be absolutely pinning you to the seat. Amazing figure for a car.

[wlightning]

Originally Posted by JustChris

That 1.9s though.

Christ 1.9 seconds, that would be absolutely pinning you to the seat. Amazing figure for a car.

100% agree but without the sounds I just feel something integral is missing. It's like one of your senses aren't working. That's what I think every time I sit in an electric car.

[225]

Originally Posted by wlightning

100% agree but without the sounds I just feel something integral is missing. It's like one of your senses aren't working. That's what I think every time I sit in an electric car.

I think the 0 to100 in 4.2 is more impressive! Agree though it would undoubtly be a laugh but you'd miss the sound etc.
Looks nice!

[JD6]

I think that Tesla should learn to walk before they run - concentrate on getting Model 3 production working before cocking around with new concept models.

I'd be pretty annoyed if I was waiting for my delayed Model 3

[Gabreigns]

I can totally see some rich billionaires buy a Tesla semi and put a mobile RV home modification as a trailer.

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Battery technology needs a step change.

I can fully "recharge" my car in five minutes tops. Until battery technology matches that, and we have the necessary investment in infrastructure, not least the national grid, milkfloats will be the eccentric choice.

Except that you charge your car at home when not in use, so you start every journey with a 'full tank'. How often do you use more than 1 tank in a day?

[Wills2]

A good article on just how far we are away from being able to support EV en masse.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/bu...-a7923496.html

Don't use the kettle Brenda I'm charging the car....lol

[TimMcC]

Originally Posted by Lobb

If you drive locally that's fine. But when you've got 150 miles to drive to a business meeting, it's pissing down with rain and 1°C with a biting easterly, I'll be lucky to get a couple of hundred miles out of a charge.

So you're saying I'll need to cars. One for local journeys and one for long journeys?

It might not be for you, but the vast majority of cars do not much mileage most of the time. We have 2 cars anyway, so I can see a future where one is electric. I'll probably replace the 430d with an i3 next year. We will still have a 530d for long distance.

[ronime]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Battery technology needs a step change.

I can fully "recharge" my car in five minutes tops. Until battery technology matches that, and we have the necessary investment in infrastructure, not least the national grid, milkfloats will be the eccentric choice.

James Dyson is already on the case. Solid state batteries seem to be the way forward to solve the charge time problem.

Tesla's giga factory is just producing standard 18650 li-ion batteries by the gazillion in order to drive down the costs of what is already a mediocre technology.

[TouringPleb]

Considering they can't seem to get the 3 up and running and are burning through huge amounts of cash, I will believe it when I see them on the road.

[ronime]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Considering they can't seem to get the 3 up and running and are burning through huge amounts of cash, I will believe it when I see them on the road.

Somewhat bizarrely this bleeding edge tech company is stumped by the simple process of welding various lumps of steel together.

[TouringPleb]

And not that I could ever afford these types of cars but if I was going down the electric Coupe route I much prefer this..

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...olestar-1-coupé-revealed-592bhp-hybrid-drivetrain

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by JD6

I think that Tesla should learn to walk before they run - concentrate on getting Model 3 production working before cocking around with new concept models.

I'd be pretty annoyed if I was waiting for my delayed Model 3

https://www.autocar.co.uk/opinion/ne...est-trick-book

It has been noticed, just when production goes flaccid, he reveals a semi

[Tengocity]

18 months in to running a hybrid I know for sure that we will never not have at least one electric powered vehicle now in our household forever more.
If we only had one car then perhaps not yet, but I hope that when the 330e is replaced I can go fully electric. 300+ mile range would be ideal for 98% of my days. I have a fast charger at home and the office, and any further than 150 miles for work then I'd take the train.

I just hope they don't ban petrol engines though, as I see them being to car enthusiasts like vinyl is now for music lovers!

To be savoured and enjoyed for their character at the right moments. Electric cars will be like your iPod... Modern and convenient and better in so many ways, but missing the emotional connection.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

And not that I could ever afford these types of cars but if I was going down the electric Coupe route I much prefer this..

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...olestar-1-coupé-revealed-592bhp-hybrid-drivetrain

I don't. Looks like an S90 with just 2 doors, not that amazing.

What is amazing is that it is going to cost from £116k. It's not even fully electric, it's just a higher tuned version of their current hybrids. Electric power with another stupid 377bhp squeezed out of a 2.0 petrol.

Put all that together, who on earth do Volvo think is going to shell out for one of these.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Alex440

I don't. Looks like an S90 with just 2 doors, not that amazing.

What is amazing is that it is going to cost from £116k. It's not even fully electric, it's just a higher tuned version of their current hybrids. Electric power with another stupid 377bhp squeezed out of a 2.0 petrol.

Put all that together, who on earth do Volvo think is going to shell out for one of these.

I agree the pricing is shall we say optimistic. But as they are only planning on building 500 a year I can't imagine they will have problems selling them.