Streamliner

WITH 620+ Mile range!

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...d%20Last%2030D

Frenetic

Elon just invited Toyota to Tesla’s charging network as well. Mercedes should do the same imo. It would certainly up the desirability of their models, at least for me.

I don’t know how proprietary the batteries are. I don’t know what’s patented and by whom and/or if the secret lies more in the manufacturing process than anything else. I think we’re on the precipice of a battery range war, which is good.

Streamliner

The EV manufacturers are going to need an absolute EXPLOSION of additional charging sites on the open roads of the USA. I’m wondering if current gasoline stations will start adding EV chargers or? What do we feel is the longer term viability of current gas stations? Perhaps gas stations with substantial excess land area will attempt to do both in the interim? Has anyone really researched this?

MBNUT1

Not discounting the point but the frequency with which EV owners will use charging stations will be a fraction of what ICE owners use gas stations. For our EV which my wife has put close to 5000 miles on it since we bought it in March that number has been ZERO other than a short experiment to make sure she knew how.

teksurv

I suspect that Shell, Mobil etcetera will add chargers. Independents will have a harder time. The problem in my mind is, you pull up to the gas pump it takes you 5 minutes to fill up. For most EVs it takes ~30 minutes to get to 80%.But with the advancement in tech, I would guess it will even out.

Frenetic

For me, the charging network would be really important. You’re right in that I would probably rarely use it assuming we charge at home, but I like my cars to be able to perform to the least common denominator when needed and without hassle, even if it is only needed a few times a year when I take a long road trip. It probably wouldn’t matter for most people that keep around an ICE, but as we shift to fully electric, the availability, reliability and robustness of that charging network is going to be really important to a lot of people.

teksurv

This is a good point. I charge at home, my EV is a town car with more than 300 in range. I don't take a lot of road trips, but we have a gas car if needed.

Wolfman

I don’t think there is any difference in tech other than the different connector and there should be adapters for that.
If memory serves the issue is that the supercharger didn’t allow a non Tesla to connect and be billed.

But ultimately Tesla is under pressure as well as they get special discounts for the electricity. That discount can be taken away if they don’t open up competitors.

Frenetic

Yeah, I’m not sure either. But battery ranges are different and I assume there’s some key or proprietary differences in how the batteries are made. I think Tesla has a patented battery, although I’m not sure (a simple google search could probably answer that). How can Toyota kick out a 600+ mile battery while others cannot? I’m sure there’s some secret sauce somewhere.

crabman

Everyone is better off with a standardized plug and charger stations competing but the money is pushing for proprietary solutions that allow golden geese to flourish. For Tesla the win is to control the charging; a Standard Oil for the 21st century.

Streamliner

A truly excellent point.

tx170754

Reading all of this makes me believe, one more time, that I will drive my ICE cars for a long time !
Which I really want !

MBNUT1

I have really grown to appreciate and value the efficiency and inherent refinement associated with EV's. It would be hard (not necessarily impossible (never say never)) for me to purchase another ICE car.

Crito

Nio battery swap is almost as fast as gas. You can also swap a standard range for a long range battery and potentially even swap an old tech battery for a new (solid state) tech battery. It really is brilliant IMHO so there's a good change it won't be allowed to succeed in the USA. Why would anyone buy a car with a structural battery pack if this takes off? For the privilege of sitting at a Supercharger for half and hour?

rw594

Only issue is, plugs are easy to standardise, but swapping is much more complicated and therefore will have to remain proprietary. A superior solution, sure; just much harder to scale and universalize.

W205C43PFL

Great video, I suddenly miss removable batteries in phones and computers.