OT - Telsa Model 3

MYHATINTHERING

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Mar 25, 2015
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I have a 2017 Volt and I drove for an entire year without filling the tank. I have solar panels on the roof, so my fuel cost was zero for the year I was driving. Twelve bucks a month to be hooked up to the grid.
you're $hitting us?
 

Turn234

Sophomore
Mar 5, 2003
1,216
171
63
Read recently roughly 400 Walgreens locations across the country now have charging stations.
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
48,360
59,276
113
Question for those who know: at theses "supercharging" stations, how long does or will it take to recharge a vehicle?
Bloomberg projects in 20 years. I'm a bit more bullish than that. EVs have basically been really available since about 2010 with the PHEV Volt and the Leaf. But now just about every major manufacturer makes them and the overwhelming demand for the Tesla 3 shows that Americans are ready for this. So I'd guess closer to 15 years as a conservative estimate, and as soon as 10 years if there is another battery breakthrough.
I'm thinking 15 years is too soon - I'd be more on board with 25 years minimum. This country is going to need to build a whole infrastructure to be able to support these vehicles. Plus, the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one seems to want to address is, if we do have a fairly quick shift over to EV's, where's the juice gonna come from? And how is it going to be transmitted? Yes, people have mentioned that cars will be charged at night, which is considered downtime, and for a percentage of these vehicles that will be true. But for the rest, that will be increased capacity required through the grid. So that means more generating capacity, and more transmission capacity. And the latter is the more serious issue, as the infrastructure and capacity of the grid will not be up to that without serious upgrades.
let's see how the practical application of this plays out. No way electric can do what diesel rigs are doing and for duration
Now that's an area I'm not familiar with - I'll have to run it by some of the experts I talk with to see what they say.
I have a 2017 Volt and I drove for an entire year without filling the tank. I have solar panels on the roof, so my fuel cost was zero for the year I was driving. Twelve bucks a month to be hooked up to the grid.
Has your Volt ever switched over to the gas engine to provide charge for the batteries?
 

MYHATINTHERING

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Mar 25, 2015
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Question for those who know: at theses "supercharging" stations, how long does or will it take to recharge a vehicle?

I'm thinking 15 years is too soon - I'd be more on board with 25 years minimum. This country is going to need to build a whole infrastructure to be able to support these vehicles. Plus, the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one seems to want to address is, if we do have a fairly quick shift over to EV's, where's the juice gonna come from? And how is it going to be transmitted? Yes, people have mentioned that cars will be charged at night, which is considered downtime, and for a percentage of these vehicles that will be true. But for the rest, that will be increased capacity required through the grid. So that means more generating capacity, and more transmission capacity. And the latter is the more serious issue, as the infrastructure and capacity of the grid will not be up to that without serious upgrades.

Now that's an area I'm not familiar with - I'll have to run it by some of the experts I talk with to see what they say.

Has your Volt ever switched over to the gas engine to provide charge for the batteries?

well I know trucking very well and despite the promise of electrical engines, that promise is decades away from today. It's not that they these engines cannot produce the energy but it's that they cannot produce enough to sustain extended periods of high usage. There is not foreseeable benefit that the trucking industry and farming can get from these motors yet
 

RU05

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Jun 25, 2015
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I have a 2017 Volt and I drove for an entire year without filling the tank. I have solar panels on the roof, so my fuel cost was zero for the year I was driving. Twelve bucks a month to be hooked up to the grid.
This is where I need to go. I only drive about 4K miles a year anyways.
 

FanuSanu52

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Nov 8, 2011
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well I know trucking very well and despite the promise of electrical engines, that promise is decades away from today. It's not that they these engines cannot produce the energy but it's that they cannot produce enough to sustain extended periods of high usage. There is not foreseeable benefit that the trucking industry and farming can get from these motors yet

Not the big rigs and heavy machinery you're talking about now, but since I remember chatting about Broncos and Defenders ... This 200-mile "SUT" debuted just last week in NYC, developed a little north in the Catskills. Converts from a 4x4 to pickup truck within a few minutes and has a pass-through all the way from tailgate to front trunk. Interesting design that capitalizes on the design flexibility of the electric motors, though not sure anyone wants to go off-roading with a battery. Also not sure they'll be able to hit the right price point.



http://bollingermotors.com/
 

MYHATINTHERING

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Not the big rigs and heavy machinery you're talking about now, but since I remember chatting about Broncos and Defenders ... This 200-mile "SUT" debuted just last week in NYC, developed a little north in the Catskills. Converts from a 4x4 to pickup truck within a few minutes and has a pass-through all the way from tailgate to front trunk. Interesting design that capitalizes on the design flexibility of the electric motors, though not sure anyone wants to go off-roading with a battery. Also not sure they'll be able to hit the right price point.



http://bollingermotors.com/
hahaha...I meant to post this and see what you thought you fker!!!! lol

I'm not sure how or what I think yet. I mean, I'm all about the new bronco but this has a very German and Spartan appeal my 'functional' nature
 

FanuSanu52

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hahaha...I meant to post this and see what you thought you fker!!!! lol

I'm not sure how or what I think yet. I mean, I'm all about the new bronco but this has a very German and Spartan appeal my 'functional' nature

Lol, was actually at the debut. Yeah, I'm not sure either. Thought I was going to slice my finger off on those straight edges, and the interior is basically bare metal - no carpets or anything. Need to figure out something more compelling for that front-end, toi. Not sure there'll be buyers for whatever price they'll have to charge for all the in-house development and electric components.

And if you get range anxiety on the road, imagine being out kicking dust in the 100-degree desert :eek:
 
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MYHATINTHERING

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Lol, was actually at the debut. Yeah, I'm not sure either. Thought I was going to slice my finger off on those straight edges, and the interior is basically bare metal - no carpets or anything. Need to figure out something more compelling for that front-end, toi. Not sure there'll be buyers for whatever price they'll have to charge for all the in-house development and electric components.

And if you get range anxiety on the road, imagine being out kicking dust in the 100-degree desert :eek:
Ha....

Its going to price itself out of mkt...watch

How was debut, what did people say
 

FanuSanu52

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Nice, straightforward event. Small, though, so hard to gauge. Seemed like 75 percent there were family of company employees.
 
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SkilletHead2

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Sep 30, 2005
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Question for those who know: at theses "supercharging" stations, how long does or will it take to recharge a vehicle?

I'm thinking 15 years is too soon - I'd be more on board with 25 years minimum. This country is going to need to build a whole infrastructure to be able to support these vehicles. Plus, the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one seems to want to address is, if we do have a fairly quick shift over to EV's, where's the juice gonna come from? And how is it going to be transmitted? Yes, people have mentioned that cars will be charged at night, which is considered downtime, and for a percentage of these vehicles that will be true. But for the rest, that will be increased capacity required through the grid. So that means more generating capacity, and more transmission capacity. And the latter is the more serious issue, as the infrastructure and capacity of the grid will not be up to that without serious upgrades.

Now that's an area I'm not familiar with - I'll have to run it by some of the experts I talk with to see what they say.

Has your Volt ever switched over to the gas engine to provide charge for the batteries?
Spank, the infrastructure is already there. It's called McDonald's. Or Starbucks. Or any other fast food chain. It doesn't cost all that much to put one in and it would be a super draw.

But look at it this way. Well over 90% of the cars on the road right now (one estimate at 98%), are on daily total trips of 50 miles or less. Any electric car will cover that. If all cars on the road right now were electric, only 2-5% would need recharging at a station. And, those 95%-98% of cars wouldn't be throwing out any CO2. And, those cars would almost all be charged at night when the power demand is much lower.

Electric cars are simply one positive after another. And maintenance is simpler as there are only a fraction of the moving parts of an ICE.

I really have to get that Leaf when I'm back in NZ. Have to test drive it first, though. Make sure is has enough grunt to easily get up the big hill I drive every day.

As to recharge time, get a PHEV if you're panicked about driving 500 miles and not having to take a half hour break in the middle of it.
 

RU4Real

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Jul 25, 2001
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Spank, the infrastructure is already there. It's called McDonald's. Or Starbucks. Or any other fast food chain. It doesn't cost all that much to put one in and it would be a super draw.

There's only one problem with this enthusiasm.

Food service business models are always deeply rooted in turnover. They don't want you hanging around for however long it takes to charge your electric car. Starbucks, certainly less so than others, but McDonald's (for example) is built around a dwell time of under 15 minutes.
 

RUJohnny99

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Nov 7, 2003
64,666
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My next car will be an EV. Ideally, one with autopilot, so I can watch TV, read the paper, surf porn, etc on the way to work. My office has 4 charging stations, with 3 hour time limits, so no need for me to use my own electricity. Hopefully, within the next couple years the autopilot feature will get to the point where I can pimp that ***** out while I'm working. 300 miles/week Ubering and the Tesla 3 will pay for itself in 18 months.
 
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SkilletHead2

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Sep 30, 2005
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There's only one problem with this enthusiasm.

Food service business models are always deeply rooted in turnover. They don't want you hanging around for however long it takes to charge your electric car. Starbucks, certainly less so than others, but McDonald's (for example) is built around a dwell time of under 15 minutes.
Fast food chains are already signing up for this. Along with shopping malls, traditional restaurants, etc. It's value-added. And Mickey D would be happy to have a high end customer for a half hour; as would Starbuck's. It's why they give away wifi already.

They may not want folks for hours, but the fast charge can get you 170 miles in 30 minutes today. And the time frame improves regularly.
 

FanuSanu52

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Porsche started testing its 800V system designed for 80 percent in 15 mins this month. VW's got nothing but motivation to throw its weight behind EV tech.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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Porsche started testing its 800V system designed for 80 percent in 15 mins this month. VW's got nothing but motivation to throw its weight behind EV tech.

VW announced that it's shedding $12B in cost to throw more money at EV tech.

I still think we need turbine range extenders.
 
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FanuSanu52

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I'm still with ya. Love the tech. Been teetering on "almost there" for too damn long.

I think someone linked the SLC company in this thread, developing turbine-backed electric big rigs (Nikola). They also have an insane little electric UTV with like 500 hp. More "believe it when I see it" stuff, though.
 

ru_ts

Senior
Jun 23, 2001
6,347
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Question for those who know: at theses "supercharging" stations, how long does or will it take to recharge a vehicle?

I'm thinking 15 years is too soon - I'd be more on board with 25 years minimum. This country is going to need to build a whole infrastructure to be able to support these vehicles. Plus, the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one seems to want to address is, if we do have a fairly quick shift over to EV's, where's the juice gonna come from? And how is it going to be transmitted? Yes, people have mentioned that cars will be charged at night, which is considered downtime, and for a percentage of these vehicles that will be true. But for the rest, that will be increased capacity required through the grid. So that means more generating capacity, and more transmission capacity. And the latter is the more serious issue, as the infrastructure and capacity of the grid will not be up to that without serious upgrades.

Now that's an area I'm not familiar with - I'll have to run it by some of the experts I talk with to see what they say.

Has your Volt ever switched over to the gas engine to provide charge for the batteries?

Once the Volt battery is drained it automatically kicks over to gas. It'll function more like a Prius at that point, but you'll never get back to full battery driving until you plug it in. The battery recharges when braking and while coasting, so if you drove extremely efficiently, not hitting the gas unless absolutely necessary, coasting up to stopping points, you can stretch that battery even further.
 

ivan brunetti

Heisman
Nov 26, 2003
16,448
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300 miles per charge is pretty damned impressive. Not difficult to plan a trip with that kind of range. And powering up overnight in your garage for all commuting needs.
 
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MSRU71

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Aug 2, 2003
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Please, Please, Please, do not buy the Model 3. Buy a Volt or a Hybrid. I have been enjoying my Model S P90D (0-60 in 2.8 seconds, baby) for a bit over a year and have only charged it at home once in 12,000 + miles. About 2-3 times a week I head to the supercharger around lunchtime at Menlo Park or sometimes on the Turnpike on the way to work. I have never had to wait for the supercharger. I plug it in, have lunch, and I am done in 40 minutes. I am grandfathered and do not have to pay for the supercharging.

I do not want to compete with the 3's, the Tesla Volkswagen, for a spot at the superchargers. So, forget about the performance, range, and futuristic experience of driving a Tesla and buy something else!

Thank you.
 

RU4Real

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Jul 25, 2001
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Please, Please, Please, do not buy the Model 3. Buy a Volt or a Hybrid. I have been enjoying my Model S P90D (0-60 in 2.8 seconds, baby) for a bit over a year and have only charged it at home once in 12,000 + miles. About 2-3 times a week I head to the supercharger around lunchtime at Menlo Park or sometimes on the Turnpike on the way to work. I have never had to wait for the supercharger. I plug it in, have lunch, and I am done in 40 minutes. I am grandfathered and do not have to pay for the supercharging.

I do not want to compete with the 3's, the Tesla Volkswagen, for a spot at the superchargers. So, forget about the performance, range, and futuristic experience of driving a Tesla and buy something else!

Thank you.

I just ordered 6 of them to give to friends - all of whom work very near the Menlo Park mall.
 

MYHATINTHERING

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Please, Please, Please, do not buy the Model 3. Buy a Volt or a Hybrid. I have been enjoying my Model S P90D (0-60 in 2.8 seconds, baby) for a bit over a year and have only charged it at home once in 12,000 + miles. About 2-3 times a week I head to the supercharger around lunchtime at Menlo Park or sometimes on the Turnpike on the way to work. I have never had to wait for the supercharger. I plug it in, have lunch, and I am done in 40 minutes. I am grandfathered and do not have to pay for the supercharging.

I do not want to compete with the 3's, the Tesla Volkswagen, for a spot at the superchargers. So, forget about the performance, range, and futuristic experience of driving a Tesla and buy something else!

Thank you.
don't worry, I'd never buy a tesla in a million years:)

it's just not me and I think they look like a hyundai to be honest. Fantastic engineering and performance for what it is but you can count me out
 

RUfinal4

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Please, Please, Please, do not buy the Model 3. Buy a Volt or a Hybrid. I have been enjoying my Model S P90D (0-60 in 2.8 seconds, baby) for a bit over a year and have only charged it at home once in 12,000 + miles. About 2-3 times a week I head to the supercharger around lunchtime at Menlo Park or sometimes on the Turnpike on the way to work. I have never had to wait for the supercharger. I plug it in, have lunch, and I am done in 40 minutes. I am grandfathered and do not have to pay for the supercharging.

I do not want to compete with the 3's, the Tesla Volkswagen, for a spot at the superchargers. So, forget about the performance, range, and futuristic experience of driving a Tesla and buy something else!

Thank you.


How often do you go 0-60 in 2.8 secs? Not on many NJ roads since traffic will prevent it.

Now I hope everyone gets a Model 3 and Tesla builds out their super chargernetwork to support the additional vehicles.

Of course they should build out the network everyone where but near Menlo Park :)
 

RU4Real

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Jul 25, 2001
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How often do you go 0-60 in 2.8 secs? Not on many NJ roads since traffic will prevent it.

You'd be surprised. I don't have a Tesla and my 0-60 time is a couple seconds slower than Insane Mode, but I run it out every time I drive it. 'Sport Mode' learns. I don't want it learning to go slow.
 

Scarlet_Scourge

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May 25, 2012
26,524
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You'd be surprised. I don't have a Tesla and my 0-60 time is a couple seconds slower than Insane Mode, but I run it out every time I drive it. 'Sport Mode' learns. I don't want it learning to go slow.

How many speeding tickets have you gotten over your lifetime, would you say?
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
50,955
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How many speeding tickets have you gotten over your lifetime, would you say?

I have gotten 1 speeding ticket in the last 30 years (90 / 65, NJTP - 11:30 on a Sunday night, south of E11).

When I was young and had a succession of average-condition 70s muscle cars I got many speeding tickets. And the funny thing is I didn't drive as fast, generally, as I do now. Cops like to hassle kids in big-block Chevys. Old guys in Audis? not so much.
 
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RUBlueLot

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Dec 4, 2002
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I signed up for the deposit. However, I'm not sure I'll need the car until 2020. I have a TSX with 200,000 miles that puts on less than 10,000 per year. I could hopefully go another decade without a car. That's what I really want.

In any event - the range is perfectly fine for me. We have a 2nd vehicle that is an SUV and family trips would always be in that.
 

TheB1GTerp

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Anyone reserve one? Can you lease it? The website doesn't seem clear on that. Also, what's the deal with the tax credit? Sounds like it would be $7,500, but then I read it's only for the first 200,000 cars so it may not be available still. Anyone with good knowledge of how that works.

TIA

I have the model x, and it is wonderful, the model 3 is scalred down, but you could lease the model x.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
19,211
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You'd be surprised. I don't have a Tesla and my 0-60 time is a couple seconds slower than Insane Mode, but I run it out every time I drive it. 'Sport Mode' learns. I don't want it learning to go slow.
so, you're that guy.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
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Doesn't bother anyone else. I don't get in anyone's way. If I have open road in front of me, I take it. So, no, I don't really get what you're trying to say.
Where do you drive in NJ that you don't bother anyone else?
 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
48,360
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How often do you go 0-60 in 2.8 secs? Not on many NJ roads since traffic will prevent it.

You'd be surprised. I don't have a Tesla and my 0-60 time is a couple seconds slower than Insane Mode, but I run it out every time I drive it. 'Sport Mode' learns. I don't want it learning to go slow.

YO! (Raises hand in agreement.)
 

TonyLieske

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Yeah, but it's tech and Audi (in particular) has a well-defined release cycle when it comes to that stuff.

Two years ago the virtual cockpit was introduced in the TT-RS. It's now available across the entire lineup and standard on all "S" variants.

As of 2018 the virtual cockpit has rolled all the way down to the VW Golf (as an option).