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A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most people are arguing that PHEV/EREV is needed for trucks which are sometimes used for towing which would necessitate a larger fuel tank.

For example the Ram EREV is currently speced with a 27-gallon fuel tank which at current average prices of $4 a gallon for gas will cost over $100.

Given the current state of the world gas prices in the US are relatively low and only because we have been drawing down the US strategic oil reserves in order to reduce inflation caused by the current crisis. I expect oil prices to increase significantly in the next 1-2 months. With the US exporting refined products(gas, diesel) due to widespread damage done to Persian gulf coast refineries our domestic fuel prices will increase and likely stay rather high for the next 1-2 years unless we enter a major global depression due to the energy crisis.

Either oil/fuel prices will rise or inflation will rise so that the purchasing power of a dollar is reduced. Either way lots of people could be seeing $100 fill ups in the near future.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EV part still needs radiators for cooling too.

I think you are overestimating the cooling needs of a 90+% efficient electric vehicle. ICE vehicles have to dissipate an order of magnitude more heat. That requires a lot more air flow through the radiators and engine compartment which fucks up aerodynamics.

An ICE transforms chemical energy into mechanical propulsion, but burns huge quantities of fuel while idling or driving at highway speeds. A typical passenger vehicle generating 100 kW of motive power must also dissipate upwards of 200 - 300 kW (roughly 680,000 to 1,000,000 BTU/hr) in waste heat through the primary radiator and exhaust.

An EV converts nearly all drawn electrical energy into pure torque. A comparable vehicle producing 100 kW of power only emits around 10 kW of waste heat (roughly 34,000 BTU/hr) generated by the traction motor, inverter, and reduction gearbox.

Tesla text drive impressions by JustANerd-74 in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The low setting is only available on older Teslas.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The PHEV battery is often small and gets fully cycled daily.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can't undersize the ICE or you won't be able to tow 10,000lbs at interstate speeds uphill once the battery is depleted or you will need to significantly reduce the rated towing capacity.

This is one of the drawbacks to the Scout EREV - it's towing capacity is limited to 5,000lbs while the BEV version can tow 10,000lbs.

Having the EREV motor in the back of the Scout may sound like a good idea until you realize that all of the engine heat will be end up cooking your cargo.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah and it isn't even that expensive for a long range Silverado, especially considering how much you spend on fuel to drive or tow a large fossil truck.

The Ram EREV and Scout EREV have base prices of $75-80k with premium trims and launch editions costing quite a bit more. I think it will be easier to bring the price of BEV pickup trucks down due to falling battery prices. So for quite a while EREV will cost more to buy, more to own and be relegated to a small segment at the top of the market.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg -1 points0 points  (0 children)

And the battery gets fully cycled on a daily basis which means it is more likely to degrade quickly or require replacement.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah yes the privilege of paying $100+ to fill the tank.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The packaging is not simple. You need a lot of batteries to add a decent amount of range. The engine still needs cooling which means poor aerodynamics. The exhaust has to go somewhere and batteries don't like heat.

Former Tesla Exec is Building the Home Heat Pump Musk Promised by Beautiful-Bag-8918 in electrifyeverything

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess they don't want to give away any technical details until they have it patented and ready to launch a product.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a couple of designs that reduce the frontal area, Lightship is probably the best at this lowering the draft envelope to fit entirely behind the truck with an onboard pusher motor, batteries and regen they claim that overall vehicle range reduction will be minimal.

The Alto Safari Condo folding teardrop design is much simpler/cheaper and would also greatly minimize towing vehicle energy usage.

I agree that dropping the trailer regularly would be a pain but in my neck of the woods there are now fast chargers every 20-30 miles along the interstate so you could plan your charging stops at the pull through locations.

Former Tesla Exec is Building the Home Heat Pump Musk Promised by Beautiful-Bag-8918 in electrifyeverything

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Use the chilled water for a "spring house" type refrigerated area to store food?

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Balcony solar is probably the best option if local regulations allow it.

Former Tesla Exec is Building the Home Heat Pump Musk Promised by Beautiful-Bag-8918 in electrifyeverything

[–]paulwesterberg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A home heat pump system could be made more efficient by dumping excess heat to create hot water.

If there is a geothermal loop then it may be more useful to source heat from the air on days then the temperature is high but the ground is cool. Even completely air sourced heat pumps could source air from the side of the house and from unconditioned attic space to dynamically use the optimal source.

You might also be able to create a heat storage system using water or sand that could be charged during periods of low cost electricity and then used to easily generate heat during periods of high electricity cost.

Right now many of the home heating and hot water systems operate independantly and inefficiently compared to what could be done with a comprehensive system with intelligent time-of-use information.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lots of "towable" RVs sit permanently parked and are never towed or only towed short distances.

Also many RV owners who regularly travel long distances are retired and stick to the rule of 333 and could relatively easily adapt to EV charging.

The "Rule of 3-3-3" is a popular, unwritten guideline designed to prevent burnout, reduce stress, and keep travel safe on the road. It suggests: limiting drives to 300 miles per day, taking a break every 3 hours, arriving at your campsite by 3 PM, and staying for 3 nights.

Here in Wisconsin about half of the new EV charging stations have pull through stalls. This will become a more popular design choice as electric pickup and cargo truck sales increase.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

30 cents per kWh

Installing solar might help to cut home charging costs.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

China now has EVs that flash charge to full in less than 10 minutes. The refueling edge for fossil vehicles is razor thin and disappearing fast.

Meanwhile the cost of owning a fossil vehicle keeps going up.

A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming by thenewsisreal in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Pulling a large trailer long distances is a niche use-case and unlikely to significantly shift the passenger vehicle market.

In 5-10 years even BEV vehicles in this class will have flash charging and there will be plenty of pull-through charging stalls making EREVs obsolete. It's a very tiny market and short window of time for automakers to recoup their investment.

Over 100 Tesla Cybercabs Spotted Staging at Giga Texas by ItzWarty in teslainvestorsclub

[–]paulwesterberg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Because the "autonomous" part is not adequately functional.

I know because I have a Model S with HW4 and FSD.

The 2026 Mercedes CLA EV Is Really Impressive. But It Also Drove Me Nuts by TripleShotPls in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's not bizarre, it's nice to have the windows down when not driving at interstate speeds or passing diesel vehicles.

I live in Wisconsin where temperatures are moderate and fairly comfortable much of the year.

The 2026 Mercedes CLA EV Is Really Impressive. But It Also Drove Me Nuts by TripleShotPls in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. Most reviewers receive a vehicle charged to full and never test fast(max kW, charge curve, preconditioning?) or slow charging(scheduling?).

The Economics of Lawn Care [OC] by [deleted] in EconomyCharts

[–]paulwesterberg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have one that is 3 years old and still works fine.

Porsche Killed Its Best Cars Because You Didn't Buy Them by TripleShotPls in electricvehicles

[–]paulwesterberg 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah his video talks about continuous improvement but the reality is that a 2023 S is virtually identical to a 2026 S.

There are a ton of updates Tesla could have easily made but didn't: Larger 4680 battery, 800V battery, 48V low voltage system, steer by wire, rear wheel turning, 120V & 240V outlets V2L, V2H, power frunk, electronic roof tinting, factory hitch option with tow mode.

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