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Ford-UAW plan for Flat Rock plant

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Electric motors or batteries?
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,425
8,356
Exp. Type
Time Attack
Exp. Level
20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
I still see the future going to more sophisticated Hybrids and it won't be that many years before the regeneration from braking and addition of solar panels generate a decent amount of the power. Along with the gasoline motor combo, we utilize all power supplies to a modicum. The electrical grid system in the US is woefully short to supply homes, industry and then a full compliment of electric vehicles. Sad example , but think of the folks that could be stranded with no means of escape in California if their vehicle could not charge up?
 
Don't forget all those solar companies that want to put solar panels on your roof!!!!..You still need an electric Co.to augment that, so what's the point????..............now you have two electric bills.....................
 

TMSBOSS

Spending my pension on car parts and track fees.
7,530
5,247
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
10-20 Years
Illinois
To a point. You can install a system which over produces and added to the grid and your bottom line.
The risk and return Delta is too wide for me to jump in. 15 years without unforeseen maintenance issue to break even is not an exciting investment. This assumes rates will be as predicted.
 
Don't forget all those solar companies that want to put solar panels on your roof!!!!..You still need an electric Co.to augment that, so what's the point????..............now you have two electric bills.....................
Actually, you can have panels installed that produce more electricity than you consume, which reduces your bill for consumer energy from month to month. The “bill” for the panels is the financing for the install, cost, and maintenance on account of them being so expensive. Eventually, however, they are paid for, and the power company actually pays YOU to harvest the surplus electricity your panels generate.

We looked into it at our shop. The problem, like TMSBoss eludes to, is that it takes typically over a decade or more to actually reach that plateau, so it’s still not practical for most people at this point.
 
Sad example , but think of the folks that could be stranded with no means of escape in California if their vehicle could not charge up?
So guess what happens to gas pumps when the power is off? You guessed it they don't work. There were several local news stories about people having to drive 10-20 miles just to find a gas station and then the lines were long or the stations were out of gas. That happens during hurricanes too. Contrary to popular belief people keep their EV's charged when parked at home. You can literally never leave home without a full charge if you so desire. Much harder to do that with an ICE.
 
1,289
1,113
Exp. Type
HPDE
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5-10 Years
Philly Metro Area
There is also the added expense of a new roof earlier than expected. For example, if you still have 5 years of life left in your roof you'll have to replace it now before the installation. And nobody discusses the cost of having to remove the panels in 20-25 years to replace the roof again.

And there are hazards to firefighters. You can turn off the feed to the house by the panels themselves are still generating power during the day. It makes it difficult and hazardous for firefighters if they need to ventilate the roof during a fire.
 

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