Great take, Tim. The problem in Oregon increasingly is getting renewable resources (especially solar) sited. There are transmission issues, view shed issues, wildlife issues, power purchase agreement issues and labor issues. - Mike McArthur, Community Renewable Energy Association
Hey Tim, can you link to your prices for conversion? All in, cost is approaching >$20k in the builds I've examined which include motor, batteries, controllers, inverters. Issue also: EVs rely on efficiency of all components, like heat pumps. Just running traditional heating and AC would zap the battery fast. Aerodynamics, special tires, network architecture with centralized processing, low center of gravity, redesigned chasis for structural integrity and safety all contribute to why modern EVs work in today's world. Last, demand for EVs is so high that extra batteries and propulsion will be hard to come by at scale even for automakers. Instead, we need a lot of the metals from existing ICE. Dismantling may be the best option.
On conversions - it's an interesting idea and one we're pursuing for other vehicle types (e.g. electric school buses, transit buses) but for cars I just don't think it scales well, meets warranty and durability expectations, etc., at least until/unless someone develops a cost effective and fairly universal "drop in" conversion kit so it's less custom. Various folks have been exploring that for a while so we may yet see it - especially for international markets.
Good point, Mike. But, if "all of the above" is the best approach to climate change, then the "above" should include the acreage suitable for solar in rural homesites of 1+ acres. That should be the long hanging fruit for solar.
Great take, Tim. The problem in Oregon increasingly is getting renewable resources (especially solar) sited. There are transmission issues, view shed issues, wildlife issues, power purchase agreement issues and labor issues. - Mike McArthur, Community Renewable Energy Association
Hey Tim, can you link to your prices for conversion? All in, cost is approaching >$20k in the builds I've examined which include motor, batteries, controllers, inverters. Issue also: EVs rely on efficiency of all components, like heat pumps. Just running traditional heating and AC would zap the battery fast. Aerodynamics, special tires, network architecture with centralized processing, low center of gravity, redesigned chasis for structural integrity and safety all contribute to why modern EVs work in today's world. Last, demand for EVs is so high that extra batteries and propulsion will be hard to come by at scale even for automakers. Instead, we need a lot of the metals from existing ICE. Dismantling may be the best option.
Hey Tim, it's been a while!
On conversions - it's an interesting idea and one we're pursuing for other vehicle types (e.g. electric school buses, transit buses) but for cars I just don't think it scales well, meets warranty and durability expectations, etc., at least until/unless someone develops a cost effective and fairly universal "drop in" conversion kit so it's less custom. Various folks have been exploring that for a while so we may yet see it - especially for international markets.
Also, FYI we have the electric tractor thing moving (see e.g. https://forthmobility.org/news/electric-tractors-come-to-oregon) and will likely have a loaner in your area in the coming year or so if you'd like to be part of testing. Shoot me an email jeffa@forthmobility.org and I can hook you up.
Good point, Mike. But, if "all of the above" is the best approach to climate change, then the "above" should include the acreage suitable for solar in rural homesites of 1+ acres. That should be the long hanging fruit for solar.