Random EV thoughts.....

vimalandrew

Its actually Toyotas's technology. But they can't come out with it suddently. Every Arab family in the middle east has a Land cruiser in their courtyard. Due to the Tie up with OPEC and also US and Tesla, they cant come up with 1200km range car sooner.

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122026854#Comment_122026854

😂

The Japanese don't really invent anything. And the Chinese even less so 😂

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122026834#Comment_122026834

Isn't that the car that started this debate/trollfest?

I'm always wary of cars like that because you have to wonder if the extra range comes from new battery technology or just cramming more kilowatt hours in

We'll have to wait and see how it turns out, I've no doubt it'll have plenty of range, but will also have the price to match

I do agree that Chinese EV brands are pulling way ahead and are putting western brands to shame

The Chinese brands aren't going to bankrupt European manufacturers however, they'll complain to the EU and they'll get tariffs slapped on Chinese EVs to make them more expensive

However I don't see the likes of VW or BMW doing well in China for the foreseeable future

the_amazing_raisin

I'm surprised no-one has talked about the layoffs at Tesla yet. Looks like a 10% personnel reduction overall with lowered production targets for the Cybertruck

There's also talk of Giga Berlin being affected with around 25% reduction. I imagine German unions and politicians will be up in arms so that might not end up being the case

Also the $25k Model 2 has been put on hold with the Robotaxi getting priority. A Robotaxi which requires a fully functional version of FSD as well as a whole bunch of legal hurdles to get through, while being a low volume vehicle by it's very nature

This seems...insane

https://www.electrive.com/2024/04/16/tesla-heads-have-started-rolling-and-musk-postpones-compact-model-development/

Red Silurian

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122026907#Comment_122026907

Tesla banked on the Cybertruck which has production woes, isn't selling as much as they thought it would and if we're being honest, isn't a very good car. There's also the Chinese cars causing a huge shakeup in the global market and the level of FUD related to EVs has gone through the roof in recent months

The story of the 25k car you speak of was rubbished by musk as well.

https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-scrapping-25k-car-report-elon-musk-denies-2024-4#:~:text=Tesla%20CEO%20Elon%20Musk%20denied%20a%20report%20that%20the%20electric,%2Dplanned%20more%2Daffordable%20model.

MojoMaker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122026885#Comment_122026885

😂😂

mfceiling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122026658#Comment_122026658

What do you mean wanting to stop on long journeys?

It's common sense that you should stop. Driving long distances without stopping makes you a danger on the roads.

Why do think truck drivers have mandatory stops after a certain amount of hours?

When I was younger I drove non stop from Cookstown in Co.Tyrone to Dromoland Castle in Co Clare. This was 20 years ago so there was little to no motorway network. I drove through the midlands and it took me almost 5 hours. I could barely keep my eyes open at the end of the journey. Looking back and it was a ridiculous thing to do.

I drive from Dublin to inch in Kerry quite a bit and I always stop halfway to stretch my legs and make sure I'm alert for the rest of the trip.

If you're driving hundreds of Kms without stopping you're an idiot.

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027310#Comment_122027310

+1

I remember most AA type organisations on the continent have advised for many decades to do 2 hours driving, then have a 15 minute stop if you do long distance travelling

Anyone not adhering to that is bringing the safety of themselves and others into jeopardy. I'd have thought a poster like @BrianD3 who has posted numerous times about driving safety on boards, would be well aware of this.

josip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027310#Comment_122027310

Truck drivers are allowed drive 4.5 hours in the EU between stops.

https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/services/s5.6-vehicle-resources/guide-to-eu-rules--912_drivers_hours-v2-web.pdf?sfvrsn=7a3ead76_7

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027366#Comment_122027366

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027310#Comment_122027310

Exactly this, I used to stop in Ballacolla or Cashel for 15 minutes on route from Cork to Dublin in my petrol Lexus, petrol Bmw, petrol Suburu, petrol Audi, diesel Audi, I do exactly the same in my electric M3. I stop for a quick break regardless of the fuel type.

prawnsambo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027475#Comment_122027475

But must stop for a minimum 45 minutes after the 4.5 hours or break it up into one 15 minute and one 30 minute stop during the 4.5 hours.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027102#Comment_122027102

He said WSJ was lying without any clarification and posted a release date for the Robotaxi without any mention of the Model 2 (or whatever it'll be called)

Also the people working on the project have been moved to the Robotaxi. So no-one is working on the cheaper model

Yes they apparently share the same platform but even so it'll take a year or so to develop. And if the Robotaxi has to come first then it'll delay the Model 2 with every setback

Now I was never really convinced about the cheaper Tesla anyway. Boring cheapmobiles don't really fit the company image anyway. I always reckoned it would end up as more of a hot hatch with a heftier price tag

But a cheaper hatchback would sell very well in Europe and China, so I can't understand the logic in delaying it

I assume this is Elon trying to recapture the image of Tesla as a tech company that makes cars as a side business. Just not sure it'll wash this time

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027366#Comment_122027366

I remember driving 9 hours across the UK a couple of years ago, had to stop twice to charge

Honestly I needed those stops, it was my first time doing that length of time in a day and the 20 mins to rest my eyes helped a lot

And that was with Travel Assist doing half the work, I just had to keep an eye to make sure there were no hazards

If I'd had a diesel with 1200km of range I might have tried to push on, but I'd have been worse off for it

Buddy Bubs

I do 2 to 2.5 hour motorway speed journeys quite often for work

Dublin to Antrim, Cork and Limerick

Usually return on same day. I've destination charging in 2 of them now. 1 I don't and I charge on return trip.

I don't stop for the sake of it but anything over 2 hours I'm kinda done with driving at that stage. Had enough glad to be getting out.

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027310#Comment_122027310

A bit of a sweeping statement there? What do you mean by hundreds of km? 200, 300, 400, etc. Tbh I've never in 30 years of driving I've never taken a break after 200kms or 300 or 400. Reading your post Im lucky to be relatively anonymous on Boards

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122021481#Comment_122021481

Like most modern EV’s. Enjoy the trip.

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027711#Comment_122027711

It's more of a long distance driving thing, as in 1000km in a day or so with just one driver. Most people would be fine and perfectly safe doing a one off drive of 300-400km without stopping. But 1000km with just 2 stops (333km per drive) would be totally irresponsible. And we are talking private cars here doing (near) the 120km/h speed limit, not professional truck drivers doing just 80-90km/h

mfceiling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027711#Comment_122027711

Does it matter? 200 Kms driving, if you exclude motorways, is at least 3 hours driving.

If you drive a steady 400 Kms without stopping I'd advise you to be very careful. That's anywhere from 4 to 6 hours solid behind the wheel. Without a single stop?

My father drove trucks in the 70's all over England. He rarely stopped and used to live on flasks of coffee and caffeine tablets. He says looking back and it was lucky he never killed someone or killed himself.

So you've driven over 30 years covering up to 400kms without stopping? That's not healthy or safe.

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027753#Comment_122027753

Agree 1,000 km in a day without a decent break is risky driving and to be avoided. I've done approx 700km a day on many occasions, normally 4hr driving, 4hr break and 4hr driving. Never really had a issue with tiredness unless had a late night before. However everyone is different and should do whatever they feel happy with

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122028192#Comment_122028192

Not sure what point you're trying to make in last paragraph. I've been driving for approx 30 years and have never felt the need to stop (OK once or twice having been out socialising the night before) during a journey, be it 50km, 100km, 300km or whatever.

Before motorways came on the scene a regular 300km journey used take up to 5 hours, whereas now (due to moving house), it's a 350km journey and only takes just shy of 4 hours. Personally I love doing that drive, lash up the stereo and keep on going until destination is reached. However, if you are more comfortable stopping every 200km, that's absolutely no issue but maybe it's not necessary to be calling those who don't follow your routines idots

Not sure what distances your father was doing but I'd respectively suggest he might certainly be a risk on the road if he required caffeine tablets to stay awake/alert while driving an artic, irrespective of the fact it was only travelling at 90kph

mfceiling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122028334#Comment_122028334

As I said in my post, my dad wondered how he never killed himself or anyone else by driving ridiculously long journeys without stopping.

I stand by my comment, that personally I believe that it's idiotic to drive hundreds of kms without taking a break. It's not safe. You can dress it up any way you like but after 2 or 3 hours solid driving, you should seriously be thinking of pulling over. Even if it's just for 5 or 10 minutes to stretch your legs and have a reset before resuming your journey.

That 5 or 10 minutes won't kill you, but it might save your life or somebody else's.

josip

In the summer in Europe, we'd do 900km+ on a few days, occasionally back to back. Everyone doing their job, driver driving, co driver looking after everything else. Yes, we'd take regular breaks, even when in the diesel, but those breaks could be up to 4 hours apart, especially if passengers are asleep and you want to let them sleep as long as possible without waking them up.

European motorways with cruise control is low stress in many countries, although I'd stop a little more frequently in UK, Germany and Italy.

In Ireland we don't drive much, at the weekend we've got a regular 400km trip that I'd usually be more relaxed coming back from, than when I'm leaving. I love driving, it's mentally stimulating, just getting out, being able to leave work and house stuff behind. I know I'm lucky to feel this way about driving, but I'd thought there would be others who feel similarly?

prawnsambo

Likewise I've often done over 1000km in a day on the continent. But I'd take regular breaks every couple of hours or so because it's nice to get out of the car for a bit, have a cup of coffee and a chat or lunch and get back in the car refreshed for another burst. Tiredness sneaks up on you. And it's when something goes wrong that you can suffer the consequences. An old friend of mine used to say "better to be late than dead on time".

allinthehead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122028413#Comment_122028413

I absolutely love driving, I get in the car some evenings and just go for a spin. I do recognise when I feel fatigued and need to stop. 2 hours is my limit, I appreciate this might not be the same for everyone.

prosaic

People are wired differently. I can drive longish distances in quite a relaxed state, but still with good reflex. My OH finds it more stressful and needs more breaks. I have tendency to be focused on one task, ignoring other inputs, while OH is more broadly attentive. Different aptitudes I guess.

liamog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122028457#Comment_122028457

I enjoy going for a spin, but much prefer interesting roads than munching motorway miles. I'm doing a trip to Sheffield tomorrow morning, most of it will be boring roads, the Snake pass part is engaging.

AndyBoBandy

When I did the Euro road trip 2 years ago we drove from Cherbourg to Kiel (1,294km) over 2 days stopping in Maastricht overnight, so 1st leg was 692km, and it was mostly fine with charging stops in Caen, Rouen & Valenciennes (as well as a top up into a hot battery in Maastricht when we arrived for the night), but the last 100-150km I probably started to feel it a bit and was glad to know the destination was approaching.. but certainly wasn't shattered and desperate for a stop. AutoPilot & AutoSteer in the Tesla made a huge difference in my opinion (as well as a tuned in co-pilot when she needed to be).. has to be mentioned too when we got off the ferry in France it was 40 degrees, and remained so for pretty much most of the day… so after the 1st charging stop in Caen, the car didn't even pre-condition for any charges for the rest of the day, and it still pulled the full 170kW every time!! bonus too that I had a sh1t ton of free Supercharging back then, so at every stop, the AC was left on full blast which made getting back into the car a very nice thing to do… each stop was about 20-30 mins.

The 602km the following day mostly through Germany to Kiel had 3 charging stops along the way (Moers, Lohne & Neumunster), and like the day before, all were very welcome and kept us all fresh for the next leg… (it's fun watching how quick the % drops though when cruising at 180km/h). By the time we got to Kiel we were fresh as daisies as the last charging stop in Neumunster we went to 100% on the Supercharger and grabbed a proper bite to eat as its a shopping centre with a few places to eat…

The return leg a few weeks later was 1,322km and done over 3 days… 448km from Kiel to Recklinghausen, then 610km to Rouen, and finally 264km back to Cherbourg… the middle leg was a bit of a ball ache as it was still hot (30+ degrees), sun in the face for most of the day and traffic was sh1te…

I honestly can't wait to do it again…. though I've a better route planned next time.

listermint

I think many people over estimate how engaged they really are for 4 hours doing 1 thing.

Cars by their very nature can give a really false sense of security. 4 hours driving is enough for anyone your brain needs to do something else for a bit. That's life. You're not wired differently you're ignoring the dangers and signs.

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122034136#Comment_122034136

Indeed. I've lost count of the amount of times I've driven 4+ hours in a row, and thought I was fine - especially with autopilot - only to come home and fall asleep with a cup of tea in front of the TV

munchkin_utd

at every stop, the AC was left on full blast which made getting back into the car a very nice thing to do… each stop was about 20-30 mins.

that there is accidentally the best advertisement for Evs I have ever heard !!

When we drive to italy, the second you turn off the AC the car turns into a furnace. We'd often take it in turns to go to the toilet during a stop to keep the engine and the AC running.