WSJ has a story to appear in tomorrow's print edition on public charging stations - they are essential to the success of EVs, but wait - EVs must deploy in sufficient numbers for charging stations to succeed. 80% of charging may end up being done in garages (or driveways, depending on mfr's advice), but the power grid hasn't the capacity now to fulfill the ambitions of the EV manufacturers. Anticipate electric utility rates to triple by 2030 in tandem with mass migration to EVs. I'll be running my propane powered Generac to charge my environmentally responsible EV in 2025.

 

Easier for those that exist in suburbia, however urban charging is a whole different problem. Hundred's of thousands (if not millions per city) of cars in garages and on-street parking. Parking meters will need to be converted to charging stations. Underground garages with hundreds of cars will need to be retrofitted with dozens of charging stations. Then comes the cost, our elected leaders will have a perfect excuse to tax the hell out of us to pay for all this new infrastructure.

 

so this means that our g63 which are going way over sticker, essentially have zero cost of ownership given retained values will continue to increase in value 😂🤞😎

 

CNN reports that the Chevy Bolt EV recall will cost almost $12K per vehicle to replace the battery pack. With MB's recall record, it should introduce its EV G-Wagon with caution.

 

Agreed. I can't begin to imagine all the issues on the upcoming EV horizon, we're just getting started.

 

Biden is signing an executive order today mandating that half of all vehicles sold by 2030 will be zero emission (hybrid(?) or EV). I plan to load up on stock in Generac and Briggs&Stratton.

 

This will be repealed by DeSantis in 2024. So no worries there...

 

It's voluntary

 

I sure as hell hope so.

 

Apparently US power demand has required greater growth in the past and in fact there has be no growth in electrical demand in the US in the last ~10 years. This report does a good job of actually presenting data and analysis of what the EV demands will look like by 2030 with a total of 40% of all new cars being full EVs: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/fi...%20Nov2019.pdf

...I am glad there is going to be continued progress in the automotive space. I like my G63 with 577 hp over a 1979 230G with a whole 90 hp.

 

An interesting read that I'll digest more thoroughly over the weekend. The U.S. electrical power industry does not lack the capital or technology to grow and meet increasing demand from EVs, but every expansion project - whether fossil, nuclear or renewable - encounters opposition. Pipelines, transmission towers, generating stations, wind farms, solar farms, hydroelectric dams, etc. all meet resistance from groups citing environmental impact concerns. Then lawyers take over and progress is choked by the courts in protracted litigation and by government intervention. Assuming there's sufficient electrical power available merely because there's an unused electrical outlet on your garage wall is like assuming you have money in the bank because you have a full book of cheques. I remain skeptical of the target date by when conversion to 50% EVs will be achieved.

 

And the amusing sidebar story is that while the big three automakers were represented at the signing ceremony, Tesla, producer of most of the EVs being sold currently, was snubbed, presumably for being a non-union shop. With EVs requiring less labor content than ICEs, it will be interesting to see how government mandates and organized labor interests play out through this decade.

 

Saw this today from a reliable source:

 

Do folks that (will) buy these realize that the MAJORITY of the power that is used to charge these EV’s are from fossil fuels?

 

If this is the actual end product then they have done a great job because it still has the G's characteristics and doesn't look horrendous like the rest of the EQ models.

That being said I really can't see this thing getting great range at all. Being shaped like a fridge is terrible for aero and its so damn heavy; Im also sure it will be getting the current Merc EQ battery which doesn't have the greatest range to begin with compared to any Tesla.

I'll stick to the G63 and watch the value of it skyrocket as soon it becomes extinct or illegal through emission regulations!

 

I love the cardinal red but with a grille like that, it's basically begging the buyer to get black.

Agree range is going to be poor--the vehicle itself will be heavy and then adding on all the batteries needed to get it going--oof. As long as there are gas stations I'll stick with the G63 too.

 

Let's get real - EVs may prove practicable for 95% of passenger commuting traffic less than 200 miles r/t where overnight charging at home is available. Long distance travel and heavy load commercial vehicles will be ICE or hybrid for many years to come. Still waiting for the environmental lobby and feds to make Boeing and Airbus pledge all electric planes by 2040.

 

Isn't EU mandating no new ICEs after 2035?
I think Cali and New York are planning to follow suit.

I guess they are banking on improvements in technology and infrastructure buildout by then. Im sure this will be funded by various taxes.

 

If it were me I'd rather keep a gas G class and try an all electric Range Rover. Just seems to fit better on the Land Rover than on the G to me mentally.