StrongTurd
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Ja, using normal lead acid batteries (like those you find in a golf cart). These guys are using lithium ion technology, which is more expensive by an order of magnitude.
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SA's first electric car
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Ja, using normal lead acid batteries (like those you find in a golf cart). These guys are using lithium ion technology, which is more expensive by an order of magnitude.
Just power it with your home power, still much cheaper.
Solar will catch on quickly in coming times. For now, rather get a wind generator.
Chev Volt Charges on 8000watts
"The Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon." An Average car costs more than $60 cents per mile
That is 30x Cheaper, which means that if you usually through in R3000 per month for fuel, it will now only cost you R100 per month.
The problem here is not at all where you get the power from, it will always be far cheaper than petrol. The problem is getting new, cheaper, longer lasting battery tech to the market faster. The tech is there, just has to be commercialized quick enough.
Solar will catch on quickly in coming times. For now, rather get a wind generator.
Chev Volt Charges on 8000watts
"The Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon." An Average car costs more than $60 cents per mile
That is 30x Cheaper, which means that if you usually through in R3000 per month for fuel, it will now only cost you R100 per month.
The problem here is not at all where you get the power from, it will always be far cheaper than petrol. The problem is getting new, cheaper, longer lasting battery tech to the market faster. The tech is there, just has to be commercialized quick enough.
StrongTurd
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Just power it with your home power, still much cheaper.
Solar will catch on quickly in coming times. For now, rather get a wind generator.
Chev Volt Charges on 8000watts
"The Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon." An Average car costs more than $60 cents per mile
That is 30x Cheaper, which means that if you usually through in R3000 per month for fuel, it will now only cost you R100 per month.
The problem here is not at all where you get the power from, it will always be far cheaper than petrol. The problem is getting new, cheaper, longer lasting battery tech to the market faster. The tech is there, just has to be commercialized quick enough.
Yes, but you'll still have to work out very carefully if these savings are eventually going to offset the very steep purchase price of the Volt. IIRC they're shooting for a price of $40K, right? Now, I doubt that it'll leave your friendly local GM dealer's floor for less than R450 000.Considering that the Volt is roughly in the class of a R200 000 Opel Astra (same manufacturer) then you've got to work out how long it'll take you to offset the R250K saving in terms of reduced fuel consumption and running costs. I'm too lazy to work it out now but my guess is that you won't break even until many moons have passed.
general_koffi
Expert Member
It's uglier than a ****ing war wound.
1. Expense.. 200k ??? I think it is way way too pricey. sorry but it is!
2. 6 seater !??? are they nuts? I mean i know to make make economy you must mass transport but 6 seater??? For the price then hrm.. maybe, still where are the two seater versions?
3. How fast does it go?
4. I remember hearing about a battery car going 60km/hr, 2 seater that would effectively cost about 60-100k(bells and whistles)... again, 200k??? if better be going a lot faster than 60km/hr.
I think, like most production in SA, its priced for the overseas market.
2. 6 seater !??? are they nuts? I mean i know to make make economy you must mass transport but 6 seater??? For the price then hrm.. maybe, still where are the two seater versions?
3. How fast does it go?
4. I remember hearing about a battery car going 60km/hr, 2 seater that would effectively cost about 60-100k(bells and whistles)... again, 200k??? if better be going a lot faster than 60km/hr.
I think, like most production in SA, its priced for the overseas market.
risingtide
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I think it is quite a good looking thing. Simple and clean lines.
If the specs are as they are said to be then this is the first pure electric car I am aware of, that has a useful travel range and is comparable in its performance to normal cars.
IIRC, the design is different to hybrids in that every wheel will have its own motor. It will be available in 4 wheel drive as well as 2 wheel rear-wheel drive. Price mentioned was from R150k up.
If it lives up to the hype and specs even just close we should congratulate the technical and artistic designer on producing this car. Well done!
If the specs are as they are said to be then this is the first pure electric car I am aware of, that has a useful travel range and is comparable in its performance to normal cars.
IIRC, the design is different to hybrids in that every wheel will have its own motor. It will be available in 4 wheel drive as well as 2 wheel rear-wheel drive. Price mentioned was from R150k up.
If it lives up to the hype and specs even just close we should congratulate the technical and artistic designer on producing this car. Well done!
Ok I have two gripes about this EV.
1. It's priced outside of a lot of people's budget much like the Toyota Prius.
Maybe mass manufacturing will bring the price down but with all the price gouging going on in South Africa I doubt that will ever happen.
With a lot of people only being able to buy cars in the 150K range I doubt these EVs are going to sell like hot cakes any time soon.
2. How long do the battery packs last? Lithium ion battery packs are flipping expensive and they don't last forever. I'd be surprised if they last 5 years.
I know of a EV in production that uses a ~50kW motor and it costs about R90000 to replace the Lithium ion battery pack.
1. It's priced outside of a lot of people's budget much like the Toyota Prius.
Maybe mass manufacturing will bring the price down but with all the price gouging going on in South Africa I doubt that will ever happen.
With a lot of people only being able to buy cars in the 150K range I doubt these EVs are going to sell like hot cakes any time soon.
2. How long do the battery packs last? Lithium ion battery packs are flipping expensive and they don't last forever. I'd be surprised if they last 5 years.
I know of a EV in production that uses a ~50kW motor and it costs about R90000 to replace the Lithium ion battery pack.
Don't think that the car is cheap to run. You have to lease the battery at a cost of around R1600.00 a month. Takes the advantage of driving an electric car right out of it.
Also, it must be your second car. Who needs a car that can't even get to Bloenfontein on one charge?
Also, it must be your second car. Who needs a car that can't even get to Bloenfontein on one charge?
shadowfox
Senior Member
It's also only useful if you never have to travel long distances.
True, I do most of my driving in the city, but I do a couple of long trips a year, and an EV just isn't practical for that. It's not like you can stop for 7 hours every 200km's to recharge.
True, I do most of my driving in the city, but I do a couple of long trips a year, and an EV just isn't practical for that. It's not like you can stop for 7 hours every 200km's to recharge.
HaltAndCatchFire
Senior Member
R200k is really not that bad, some people don't get it...
like someone mentioned the Tesla is just shy of a million bucks, ok granted that is a performance car.
But consider this, it will be so cheap to run, all your friends might be going haha my Toyota verso is so much better... but how much is fuel going to be a litre come 2010, even though we have had electricity supply problems our electricity is still fairly cheap, much much cheaper compared to petrol!
Short sightedness, never got anyone anywhere.
Batteries are getting cheaper year on year, li-ion is def the best tech for it lead acid will not be able to deliver the punch. as batteries get smaller and lighter your cars performance will go up! just like that 2011 they say ok upgrade your Joule to the new Sports eddition wit a XXXKw power booster pack... or the new endurance power pack, whic will give you 1000km per charge, that is the power of electric vehicles...
My major concern is if it actually makes it out of the factory, look at the EV1....
If they do get it up and running by 2010 it would be great!
But we do need more conclusive specs like max speed acceleration interior comforts, eg, will you be able to listen to music and aircon and still get 400km? stuff like that...
But R200k is still reasonable...
like someone mentioned the Tesla is just shy of a million bucks, ok granted that is a performance car.
But consider this, it will be so cheap to run, all your friends might be going haha my Toyota verso is so much better... but how much is fuel going to be a litre come 2010, even though we have had electricity supply problems our electricity is still fairly cheap, much much cheaper compared to petrol!
Short sightedness, never got anyone anywhere.
Batteries are getting cheaper year on year, li-ion is def the best tech for it lead acid will not be able to deliver the punch. as batteries get smaller and lighter your cars performance will go up! just like that 2011 they say ok upgrade your Joule to the new Sports eddition wit a XXXKw power booster pack... or the new endurance power pack, whic will give you 1000km per charge, that is the power of electric vehicles...
My major concern is if it actually makes it out of the factory, look at the EV1....
If they do get it up and running by 2010 it would be great!
But we do need more conclusive specs like max speed acceleration interior comforts, eg, will you be able to listen to music and aircon and still get 400km? stuff like that...
But R200k is still reasonable...
HaltAndCatchFire
Senior Member
You are absolutely correct, I read an article that the total emissions generated from producing a Prius is more than a average car will produce, so in the long run, it serves only as an individual help but the manufacturing of batteries remains an issue, also the charge time and capacity and weight are all major concerns, I wrote my post purely based on the car as an alternative to the Internal Combustion Engine, Electric is so much more efficient in and ICE most of the energy is lost in the form of heat dissipation, the ICE has also not really undergone mayor overall since the introduction of fuel injection even with that it still is a very unefficient means to use energy.
The electric car's toque curve is also very impressive getting maximum power from 0 rpm.
When PV cells get cheaper maybe solar will be an alternative but then it will only serve as a charging medium the car will need to run from some sort of energy reserve, like a fuel cell or battery.
But the concerns for the environment are obviously still in debate... I think cows are a threat now too
shadowfox
Senior Member
But the concerns for the environment are obviously still in debate... I think cows are a threat now too
So are cockroaches apparently
Turiko
Banned
Funny that, they were actually loadshedding during these times earlier this year...
Yet another lie...
HaltAndCatchFire
Senior Member
Are some of you guys affiliated with the petrol companies or are you just so damn pessimistic that if anything new and remotely promising comes to our shores it must be doomed to fail filled with conspiracy theories and lies! Lies Lies I tell you...
...Or is it a simple case of too much XFiles.
makes you think
HaltAndCatchFire
Senior Member
mmm a new meaning you say... GOOD! I dont know the old meaning anywhoz
“izinyoka”, a nick-. name given to cable thieves...
ettubrute
Expert Member
Sorry to say, but I am also pessimistic... and damn curious why they went for a 6 seater, when the average car on the road, and especially in the cities, are 4 seaters? Why 6? Are they trying to create mini-taxis? 
This is actually world-wide a stupid scenario with regards to EV: they either develop a sportscar, or, like this, a big car... why not start with a normal car for a change?
And then the price... Who can afford this? Absolutely not the masses, thus the impact of this car will be virtually nill, like all other EV projects around the world... must be a conspiracy!
This is actually world-wide a stupid scenario with regards to EV: they either develop a sportscar, or, like this, a big car... why not start with a normal car for a change?
And then the price... Who can afford this? Absolutely not the masses, thus the impact of this car will be virtually nill, like all other EV projects around the world... must be a conspiracy!