What kind of performance would the Tesla have

[redshift]

I can agree with almost 100% there linc. I will admit to being bipolar about this. For me it's not a green thing, it's being bored with 100+ year old "technology". Fer chrissakes the Garrett water carburetor was invented in the 20s. Look at the advancements made over the last 20 years with computers, and weigh that against conventional engine's 'progress' made in the last 120 years. No comparo. Speaking for only myself, I just want something different.

As for pollution, it seems to me that more components could be recycled, not sure on that one however. Much of that will depend also on how complex the mfr makes it. Tesla surely doesn't get much credit here due to the sheer numbers of cells alone.

I agree about the batteries as a potential problem, but again think about what a gasoline powered vehicle consumes in that same 5 year period, and the waste it will create in more forms than exhaust.

Not trying to preach here, just trying to see both sides better. If we could have something like a Gwiz here (maybe a little less pathetic tho) I would have one. A few years back, Corbin Seats made some 3 wheeled fiberglass cars. In the event of a collision, they would bounce off the other vehicle, was the theory at least. The point is, it is possible to make a small vehicle that is safe, and super efficient. The number of SUVs on the road at any given moment with one person in them is really stupid.

The cost, as pointed out on that Tesla vid, was "three pounds fifty" versus 40 pounds, per roughly the same mileage. Less than one tenth the cost. That's very attractive, and if we don't do something we'll continue to be raped by the petros. I could feel a lot better with the 'bang' being produced in a reactor. Versus some Arab in cahoots with top level politicians producing it at least...

I dunno, shit needs to change.

[lutach]

Originally Posted by redshift

I can agree with almost 100% there linc. I will admit to being bipolar about this. For me it's not a green thing, it's being bored with 100+ year old "technology". Fer chrissakes the Garrett water carburetor was invented in the 20s. Look at the advancements made over the last 20 years with computers, and weigh that against conventional engine's 'progress' made in the last 120 years. No comparo. Speaking for only myself, I just want something different.

As for pollution, it seems to me that more components could be recycled, not sure on that one however. Much of that will depend also on how complex the mfr makes it. Tesla surely doesn't get much credit here due to the sheer numbers of cells alone.

I agree about the batteries as a potential problem, but again think about what a gasoline powered vehicle consumes in that same 5 year period, and the waste it will create in more forms than exhaust.

Not trying to preach here, just trying to see both sides better. If we could have something like a Gwiz here (maybe a little less pathetic tho) I would have one. A few years back, Corbin Seats made some 3 wheeled fiberglass cars. In the event of a collision, they would bounce off the other vehicle, was the theory at least. The point is, it is possible to make a small vehicle that is safe, and super efficient. The number of SUVs on the road at any given moment with one person in them is really stupid.

The cost, as pointed out on that Tesla vid, was "three pounds fifty" versus 40 pounds, per roughly the same mileage. Less than one tenth the cost. That's very attractive, and if we don't do something we'll continue to be raped by the petros. I could feel a lot better with the 'bang' being produced in a reactor. Versus some Arab in cahoots with top level politicians producing it at least...

I dunno, shit needs to change.

I really do wish those 100+ years was spent developing the EV. If that was the case, we would be in a much better shape now as we would have the technology to live oil free in almost all types of industry.

[redshift]

Originally Posted by lutach

I really do wish those 100+ years was spent developing the EV. If that was the case, we would be in a much better shape now as we would have the technology to live oil free in almost all types of industry.

Amen!

[zeropointbug]

To give some merit to Linc's point... if we could have a turbine engine with very high efficiency (inherently efficient anyways)running a compact generator, only need ~20kw at the most, so both would be quite small; that is your energy source... With a small powerful battery pack of between 10 - 20Kwh, made from the uber cells that Luc. has access to, would be provide a ton of power, and the whole power system would be quite light weight and would be very practical. You could have roughly 20-40 mile all electric range with the pack, then gen set kicks in, with 70% efficient turbine, running a 90% efficient gen., makes for a very good well-to-wheels efficiency, very, very good range, and is capable of going on long range trips, all day, same as an ICE car. Overall, this would be, if you factor in all costs, manufacturing, lifetime of components, more environmentall sound than an all battery electric EV with a mediocre battery... as soon as you replace that pack, the impact it has made has gone up.

If a system like this were developed for mass production, it would be very cost effective, and would be almost maintenance free.

I will admit, batteries are not an answer, but more environmentally friendly made batteries (ex. LiFe) are still better over their lifetime than ICE vehicles, several times over.

Linc. btw, I am not sure about in the states, but here in Saskatchewan, Canada, our power generation plants use a clean burning technique by grinding the coal and literally spaying it into the combustion chamber and all that comes out of the smoke stack is not much of anything, just a wisp of white smoke. Much of the power being generated is not used most of the time, so it would not contribute to much of anything. It bugs me when EV critics use that as there main excuse when they don't even bother to look at the numbers... not pointing fingers at you Linc.

[zeropointbug]

Anyone have any thoughts on this idea?

[lutach]

Originally Posted by zeropointbug

Anyone have any thoughts on this idea?

I thought my last e-mail included something special. I'll send it again, please check and let me know what you think.

[Lauri]

Originally Posted by zeropointbug

Linc. btw, I am not sure about in the states, but here in Saskatchewan, Canada, our power generation plants use a clean burning technique by grinding the coal and literally spaying it into the combustion chamber and all that comes out of the smoke stack is not much of anything, just a wisp of white smoke. Much of the power being generated is not used most of the time, so it would not contribute to much of anything. It bugs me when EV critics use that as there main excuse when they don't even bother to look at the numbers...

+1 on this. This talk about "electric cars pollute the same" is just plain stupid. Many big cities have problems with smog and polluted air. Electric cars resolve this easily plus many other.

[lutach]

Tesla IPO. Somebody will get some good change out of this and I hope it works out for Tesla. Maybe they can get some better stuff in future vehicles.

[zeropointbug]

Oh yes, I see you emailed me... looks fantastic unit, exactly what I was imagining. I was gone for the weekend, so no access to PC.

I just did some more searching and found Audi launched a R&D project for turbine electric hybrids as well.