Tesla Model 3

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by island911

Not true. Methane, for example is quickly made from decomposing carbon-based plants, animals.

And on battery limitations...




Point being, 'fossil fuels' have massively more energy density than the limited electro-chemical battery. And believe me, Plenty is being done to find ways to build a better battery. (cell phones to satellites --the motivation has existed for decades. Hell, WW2 subs would run on batteries.)

Currently produced methane isn't a fossil fuel. I don't believe "plenty" is being done to advance electricity storage. I don't believe we've come close to the limits of our ability to generate and store electricity.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by red-beard

All energy exists in finite amounts. There is a finite amount of solar energy that hits the planet.

Back to the original issue, electricity does not travel well beyond a certain distance. Even at the very high voltages, it has significant losses. Distributed generation is best.

Battery storage technology STILL isn't great. It weighs too much. It takes too long to charge. And some of the new technologies are prone to catch fire.

I don't think we'll have to worry about the sun running out of energy. We'll be long gone by the time it browns out or whatever.
I am not of the philosophy that if it hasn't been done it can't be done. Engineering challenges are challenges, not insurmountable walls. I still have hope for fusion. It hasn't been done yet. Should we just quit trying?

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't think we'll have to worry about the sun running out of energy. We'll be long gone by the time it browns out or whatever.
I am not of the philosophy that if it hasn't been done it can't be done. Engineering challenges are challenges, not insurmountable walls. I still have hope for fusion. It hasn't been done yet. Should we just quit trying?

How much time do you want to spend on why hydrogen fusion won't work? 3 words: High Speed Neutrons.

Instead of trying to go for fusion, we could concentrate on making fission smaller, cheaper, faster and safer. And then go for the brass ring: Matter to Energy. With fully developed fission, we have roughly 500-1000 years...

[red-beard]

Oh, I thought the Tesla 3 looked familiar...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't think we'll have to worry about the sun running out of energy. We'll be long gone by the time it browns out or whatever.
I am not of the philosophy that if it hasn't been done it can't be done. Engineering challenges are challenges, not insurmountable walls. I still have hope for fusion. It hasn't been done yet. Should we just quit trying?

No, but there are companies spending billions of their own R&D dollars on innovating new battery technology because there is significant money to be made. There's no reason why tax dollars and incentives should be thrown at one company with a loser of a business model, it's not as if Tesla is the last hope for battery technology.

[island911]

it's not as if Tesla is the last hope for battery technology.

Yep. They took existing laptop battery tech and piled it high. Truly nothing pushing battery tech there. And as large as their stack o battery tech is, I'll guess that Apple sells more battery by volume. Clearly Apple needs/deserves some free govt money. Maybe some big rebates for their offerings.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by vbnhj

I can't see a situation, that I would ever want an electric car. I don't have the money to be one of the speculative fools plunking down a large deposit on something that isn't in production yet. I really like hearing the sounds associated with acceleration from my Porsche, and Mustang GT.

Why are they speculative fools ? They put $1000 down to secure a place in line and it is refundable. The car costs the same as the average new car (crazy!!) ! Very few people ordered 2 (which could be speculation or a big family). And the odds someone else will come out with a nicer electric car than the T3 before the T3 are high (that nose!!) ... Not much of a speculative gamble. They're close to 300K orders - respect ! They put a new market segment under the microscope.

I can see a situation: any commute < 300 miles (should cover a lot of people) where you want a car that, with the optional 2nd motor, can kill 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. I'd like that as a commuter... I can hear and enjoy my flat 6 on week ends only...