Drove a Tesla and I'm a bit sad.

[Nader]

While wooing my now wife years ago, I hurried from the racetrack to the church downtown for mandatory pre-wedding counseling. I had my vintage racebike strapped onto a carrier on the back of my old 4-Runner. I came late to the session smelling of gasoline. I had an issue with the Keihin carburators on that bike and had to borrow spares from other racers, which led to me being doused in gasoline when hurriedly changing them between races. I now think she was just being polite/feisty, but back then, she said that me smelling like gasoline was "sexy." She'd never say that now.

Before and since then, I've had numerous sporting vehicles; everything from a stout old BMW airhead and Porsche boxer, to high-strung, high maintenance Ducati sportbike and Ferrari. Those bikes are gone, but I still have the Porsche and Ferrari. Also have a couple older Alfa Spiders (one a race car), and couple indestructible 4X4s including Ford 7.3L Powerstroke diesel (to haul my race stuff) and an FJ40 Landcruiser. I've done my own maintenance and have built a few race engines and done engine swaps on bikes and cars. I feel comfortable both swinging wrenches and racing wheel to wheel.

Over the years, I've watched the emergence of the new electric cars with curiosity, glad that there is progress and choices, but unwilling to give up my cool cars and bikes with their jewel-like drivetrains. Then recently I drove my brother's Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor. At first I didn't want to like it. But man. It felt like alien technology. Maybe like when the Native Americans encountered the first European settlers and witnessed cast iron pans, muskets, and men on horses. Made me feel like the writing is on the wall. Reminded me a bit of when MP3s, digital cameras, smart phones, and flat panel TVs came on the scene for my generation. Every generation experiences this kind of technological advancement, if not sea change.

Now, I'm wondering how long I'll maintain my ICE vehicles until they'll inevitably need retrofitting to electric drivetrains. Like the Delorean in Back to the Future. I'm thinking long game; 15-20 years in the future (I joined this forum over 15 years ago, it goes by quick!). What am I going to do? Box up the engines and gas tanks and keep them in the basement? Sell them while they're worth something to fund the retrofit? I might never smell like gasoline again.

[Arizona_928]

I dunno. I think efficiency of diesel will be the go to alternative compared electric.

Since we're talking shtf. I say horses and the shell of lariat truck.

[Sooner or later]

In 15 or 20 years EVs will be hitting their stride. They will be more than competitive in cost and range. ICE vehicles will be gasping their last breath.

[wdfifteen]

I don’t think enthusiast ICE cars will ever be supplanted by electrics, at least not in my lifetime. Disposable appliance cars just might though.

[john70t]

When electrics can weight the same or less, go 400 miles with all amenities, fill up in 5 minutes, and then continue on...

[Nader]

Can't believe that electrics will rely on the current battery technology. Things are developing too fast, getting better and better, quickly. Just in the last 15 years they have gone from NiCad to NiMH to LiIon/LiFeSO. What's next? Super-capacitors instead of batteries altogether? Regardless, electric motors will be the propulsion.

[pmax]

Electrics need a standards body to control costs.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by pmax

Electrics need a standards body to control costs.

They damn sure should have a standardized charging connection.

[Jim Richards]

Betamax or VHS. Everyone is smarter than everyone else.

[sc_rufctr]

Don't be sad...
The motoring future looks promising and gas cars will be here for a while yet.

James makes some interesting points. Straight electric versus hydrogen fuel cell.

Cool stuff.

[manbridge 74]

Not enough coal to power all the “electric” cars if the ICE is banned...

[Nader]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Not enough coal to power all the “electric” cars if the ICE is banned...

Does this also apply to Texas (among others)? Just curious, because I've heard things.

[pmax]

Don't worry.

The future of the electrics are "cars" like these. It's already heading there given the free market dictates that bigger, faster, higher is better.

[Nader]

Originally Posted by pmax

Don't worry.

The future of the electrics are "cars" like these. It's already heading there given the free market dictates that bigger, faster, higher is better.

What about the Taycan? or the next Tesla Roadster? With a "skateboard" chassis, what's to keep the electrics from looking like anything from a VW microbus to an exotic something or another? The Tesla truck is ridiculous, but also proves they do whatever they want. Better yet, why not just swap in electric crate motors and modular power packs into our classic cars?

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Nader

What about the Taycan? or the next Tesla Roadster? With a "skateboard" chassis, what's to keep the electrics from looking like anything from a VW microbus to an exotic something or another? The Tesla truck is ridiculous, but also proves they do whatever they want. Better yet, why not just swap in electric crate motors and modular power packs into our classic cars?

There are no EV standards, let alone crate motors and power packs.
Even if there were, these drivetrains are 400/800V systems chock filled with specialized electronics and ECU's, unlikely your joe blow mechanics or even mom and pop pro shops can do much with them without messing something up.

[Nader]

Originally Posted by pmax

There are no EV standards, let alone crate motors and power packs.
Even if there were, these drivetrains are 400/800V systems chock filled with specialized electronics and ECU's, unlikely your joe blow mechanics or even mom and pop pro shops can do much with them without messing something up.

And then there are these guys.

https://www.electricgt.com/

And they're not alone. More likely to pop up. I don't think it's that complicated. Electric motor, battery, power control. Not like you're managing stoichiometric ratios of air/fuel, computer controlled ignition (Motec?), dual plugging, head shaving, intake charge theory, exhaust tuning, oiling, cooling, boat-tailing, shuffle-pinning, counterbalancing, porting, polishing, etc. etc.

Look, I'm not going to abandon all my hard-earned motoring treasures. I'm just trying to reconcile them with the future. Hopefully avoid obsolescence by making them future-proof. Maybe even get a modern electric for the wife and kids someday in the future.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Nader

Now, I'm wondering how long I'll maintain my ICE vehicles until they'll inevitably need retrofitting to electric drivetrains. Like the Delorean in Back to the Future. I'm thinking long game; 15-20 years in the future (I joined this forum over 15 years ago, it goes by quick!). What am I going to do? Box up the engines and gas tanks and keep them in the basement? Sell them while they're worth something to fund the retrofit? I might never smell like gasoline again.

Good Question - I'll ask my neighbor with the Model A and see what he thinks

[Nader]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Good Question - I'll ask my neighbor with the Model A and see what he thinks

Why? If he's like 99% of Model A owners, he's probably closer to death than a future lack of access to gasoline.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Nader

And then there are these guys.

https://www.electricgt.com/

And they're not alone. More likely to pop up. I don't think it's that complicated. Electric motor, battery, power control.

Let's see if they and others develop something better than a souped up golf kart or one off racer. Battery longevity, thermal management, regeneration control etc are all system performance concerns managed by specialized software. The super HP and torque is no good if it kills the battery or power inverters shortly for example. Even Tesla had problems with their cars running full on for extended periods of time.

Not like you're managing stoichiometric ratios of air/fuel, computer controlled ignition (Motec?), dual plugging, head shaving, intake charge theory, exhaust tuning, oiling, cooling, boat-tailing, shuffle-pinning, counterbalancing, porting, polishing, etc. etc.

Look, I'm not going to abandon all my hard-earned motoring treasures. I'm just trying to reconcile them with the future. Hopefully avoid obsolescence by making them future-proof. Maybe even get a modern electric for the wife and kids someday in the future.

Not saying it can't be done but there's a crapload of system software written to run these cars and I just don't see that complexity mastered by a small time shop.

[island911]

Originally Posted by Nader

Can't believe that electrics will rely on the current battery technology. Things are developing too fast, getting better and better, quickly. Just in the last 15 years they have gone from NiCad to NiMH to LiIon/LiFeSO. What's next? Super-capacitors instead of batteries altogether? Regardless, electric motors will be the propulsion.

Battery tech is developing too fast?

c'mon. Energy densities of batteries (when you add all of the cooling and controls) have been stagnant over the decades. Just look at the 787... they wanted the lightest batteries they could get... the highest of high tech control systems and cooling wrapped up in a fire box and.... weighs just the same as if they used lead acid.

You can pretend that electric cars are all that, but reality will get in the way.

You want to accelerate hard? hope you don't care about range or longevity of the battery pack. Need a heater or AC? there goes range. Charging is cheap, and s l o w . . . But at least the car is expensive.