The Times They Are A-Charging

[Grant 302]

There is greed and speculation in all stock, that is what the stock market is after all, a casino.

Of course. Just some of it is what I'd call 'stupid' greed and 'gross' speculation. Would you say it's a good buy or reasonable price in the 230 to 260 range?

However, once you understand that Tesla's business model is not merely making electric cars, but totally dominating the electric car infrastructure, I'd say they are going to be around for a long time. The upside is huge.

So is the down side. If you don't understand that another auto maker could easily build a competing car, then you aren't seeing the bigger picture and the risk to Tesla's future. I certainly hope they reap the gains from the market they are helping to create...I just have less faith that they will.

Personally, I like Ford's approach to their plug in Focus. I don't ever see them pushed or even advertised. Production seems to be well under their capacity to produce, in a more wait and see position while remaining more focused on profitable areas of their business.

The fire risk is *more* real in gasoline powered cars than electrics. There is simply way more potential energy in a tank of gasoline than in a bank of batteries.

The risk is *more* real for whatever car you're sitting in. :

Seriously, a real comparison needs to compare fires and lethal fires per car or mile. Last I checked most gas tanks don't completely cover the bottom of the car and for crash purposes are relatively well contained.

I feel the toxic waste is much worse.

Agreed. I support buying electric cars for whatever reason *except* for the greener-than-thou types.

 

[ufnavy06]

My favorite part of the hybrid/electric car frenzy is when I see them driving significantly more aggressively than their gas powered counterparts. I mean what's the point of buying them if you're going to be hard on the throttle (no gas ) during acceleration and go 10+ mph over the speed limit? I've noticed that here in CA but some of that may be due to the sheer quantity of them compared to Fl that there will be more aggressive drivers.

 

[WinterSucks]

Ditto, but 90% of Prius drivers are the idiot of choice here in MA. They tailgate and drive faster than almost everyone else. Sheeple.

 

[Grant 302]

Haha. Many are like that here too. Very popular when they had access to the HOV lanes.

 

[Grant 302]

And forgot to mention the (small/rare) fire risk when charging overnight.

 

[four-walling]

[size=14pt]...can we all just get along?

[/size]...guess I am the only Boss owner here that parks every night next to a Prius...I feel so dirty...

 

[Grant 302]

Well, at least it's not a Chevy.


My brother, who is a GM fan, parks a Focus EV next to a Volt. ??? He does say he prefers the Focus, except for the speed limiter.

 

[four-walling]

Well, at least it's not a Chevy.

Bonus points for knowing whose sticker is on the rear window...

 

[WinterSucks]

[size=14pt]...can we all just get along?

[/size]...guess I am the only Boss owner here that parks every night next to a Prius...I feel so dirty...

You're good peoples four-walling :-X I did not say all Prius owners. I can only speak from my experience, and in my area drivers are pretty bad regardless of what they are driving. But I would expect a Prius owner to be much more conscientious of fuel economy given they are spending more just to get a car that can get them higher efficiency. Thus, I conclude that most of them in my area are snobs who only care about looking like they care about something other than themselves. Maybe I am just to cynical. Gotta get out of this state.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I have never heard of a Prius catching fire for no good reason. So apparently Toyota knows how to treat batteries right. All these other companies, including Boeing might be behind the curve. They should probably hire EEs that have more Lithium battery experience. And like I said before, I would love an all electric car I could charge solely with solar for a DD. I just have to wait for better solar cells to be developed. One less oil change, spark plugs...blah blah blah. Electrical maintenance is so easy even a service tech could do it. As long as you understand Lock-out-tag-out. Otherwise it will be painful. High voltage DC is worse than AC. Which makes me wonder if fire departments are trained and equipped to deal with it yet.

 

[Grant 302]

Bonus points for knowing whose sticker is on the rear window...

Uh, which rear window? You have two.

 

[coboss]

And forgot to mention the (small/rare) fire risk when charging overnight.

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2006/04/07/own-a-ford-truck-beware-sponta.php

http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6444867/the-general-forum/vw-r32-spontaneous-combustion/index.html

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/silver-spring/2014/06/23/silver-spring-garage-car-fires/11258309/

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/car-fire-erupts-sea-tac-airport-parking-garage/nXcFt/

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/car-on-fire-at-wpb-city-hall-parking-garage-3rd-fl/ngNGb/

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140513/NEWS07/705129831

There was a horrible accident near Moab last week. One of the cars caught fire and incinerated the occupants. I'm wondering why there are not hysterical articles about the safety of gasoline powered vehicles?

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_07215290-06d6-11e4-b79c-0017a43b2370.html

 

[TymeSlayer]

Many of the instances are as rare as finding a republican in Boulder.

 

[Fat Boss]

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2006/04/07/own-a-ford-truck-beware-sponta.php

http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6444867/the-general-forum/vw-r32-spontaneous-combustion/index.html

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/silver-spring/2014/06/23/silver-spring-garage-car-fires/11258309/

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/car-fire-erupts-sea-tac-airport-parking-garage/nXcFt/

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/car-on-fire-at-wpb-city-hall-parking-garage-3rd-fl/ngNGb/

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140513/NEWS07/705129831

There was a horrible accident near Moab last week. One of the cars caught fire and incinerated the occupants. I'm wondering why there are not hysterical articles about the safety of gasoline powered vehicles?

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_07215290-06d6-11e4-b79c-0017a43b2370.html

My guess is the gasoline fires don't fit the narrative that folks who are anti electric cars are perpetuating. Gas cars that catch fire are old news anyway. My friend pulled a guy from a burning new Mercedes after he fell asleep and went off the highway a couple years ago. Didn't even make the news.

One of the benefits of the plug in hybrid like my Fusion is the seriously reduced trips to the gas station. I drive about 300 to 350 miles a week and get gas lately about every three and a half weeks. I don't miss the gas station. Plus I'd rather give the $$$ to the local utility that is primarily owned by Americans in their 401k's than the arabs and big oil.

Here's a chart of my MPG. This DOES NOT include the electricity I put in the car. I plug in a lot, but as you can see I did a lot of ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) driving last fall, while I have done a lot more on the juice lately. 8)

 

[four-walling]

Here's the latest Tesla S catching on fire. Maybe the batteries aren't as safe as advertised?

The thief died having the dubious distinction of being the first person to die in a Tesla crash.

 

[four-walling]

First Tesla Model S crash in China



http://www.carnewschina.com/2014/07/11/first-tesla-crashes-in-china/

 

[Boss1601]

[size=14pt]...can we all just get along?

[/size]...guess I am the only Boss owner here that parks every night next to a Prius...I feel so dirty...

That's my garage but my BOSS is blue and the Prius is "tideland green pearl". Also have a sienna and a winter beater (2002 accord). I love getting 50+ mpg in the Prius and I adore getting 14 mpg in the BOSS.

If finances line up I will consider a tesla P85. But wait....look up the Volvo xc90 T8. 400 HP wagon with up to 100 mpg. Yes...the times they are a charging

 

[VoodooBoss]

But wait....look up the Volvo xc90 T8. 400 HP wagon with up to 100 mpg. Yes...the times they are a charging

That looks interesting.


http://insideevs.com/volvo-xc90-t8-plug-hybrid-worlds-cleanest-powerful-suv/

 

[Grant 302]

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2006/04/07/own-a-ford-truck-beware-sponta.php

http://forums.motortrend.com/70/6444867/the-general-forum/vw-r32-spontaneous-combustion/index.html

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/silver-spring/2014/06/23/silver-spring-garage-car-fires/11258309/

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/car-fire-erupts-sea-tac-airport-parking-garage/nXcFt/

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/car-on-fire-at-wpb-city-hall-parking-garage-3rd-fl/ngNGb/

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140513/NEWS07/705129831

There was a horrible accident near Moab last week. One of the cars caught fire and incinerated the occupants. I'm wondering why there are not hysterical articles about the safety of gasoline powered vehicles?

http://www.moabsunnews.com/news/article_07215290-06d6-11e4-b79c-0017a43b2370.html

Ironically, those probably started from ELECTRICAL problems. :

 

[TMSBOSS]

Many of the instances are as rare as finding a republican in Boulder.

Ouch!!

 

[WinterSucks]

Those are some really good numbers for a car that size. I can get 50 in my focus on the highway if I am willing to annoy people