Quote:
Originally Posted by fast_e_man
You are presuming that hundreds of pounds of burning/exploding Alkali metal batteries with flammable electrolyte is either risk neutral or lower risk than a vehicle with 20 gal tank of gas (~120 lbs) that catches fire. We have the experience with gasoline vehicle fires to bound their risk.
I don't think enough data has been collected to assess either the normalized frequency of occurance or the severity of consequences if there is a fire --- comparing Li+ batteries to gasoline or diesel.
Defending innovation is laudable, but one should seek to understand collateral risks that are associated with the innovation. I think the jury is still out for Li+ vehicle fires.
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Everyone should applaud automotive companies that encourage their engineers and designers to really innovate without the fear of failure, Tesla sounds like this type of company.
Technology moves on very quickly, its unstoppable and the only way to gain real knowledge is to get on with it. At some stage the research, talking, and yet more talking has to take 2nd stage to just getting on with it so as to gain real world experience.
If we waited for GM, Ford or Chevorlet to push forward the technology of cars everyone would still be driving pick up trucks that are only good at driving in a straight line.
With any new technology comes risk and yes the risks need to be assessed but no technology is risk free so risks have to be taken. One Tesla fire doesn't sound like they didn't didn't assess the risks well enough. I'm sure they will gain much more knowledge from sifting through the remains than they would still testing in the lab.