Just imagine..

[ironglow]

  You are sitting there at the light, in your new-on-the-road hot rod you just finished after years in the building.  It has 500 cu in of raw power, turbo...must be generating at a minimum of 1,000 hp..

   Just waiting for some yayhoo to try it !

   Then, along comes some little old grandma in a red roadster..and blows you so far off, you have trouble finding your way home !

  Not only she whips you solidly, but fair & square...and she does it in silence !   

   https://www.tesla.com/roadster

   

[BUGEYE]

I was tempted to hit the "reserve now" button but was afraid the price might pop up.

0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds 

That's right up there with funny cars and slingshot dragsters.

[ironglow]

Technology is advancing far faster than I am...

  I wonder if he will be allowed to compete in the national drags.  Think.a light, host, AWD frame and just battery enough to take it 1/4 mile..
   They say this engine can be easily carried by one person..    Set that up in a 5-600 pound host frame..and just imagine.

  No doubt however, the AWD helps to transfer the power to the road...  Perhaps no need to burn so much rubber, nor make so much noise !

[Bob Riebe]

Simple law of mechanical physics; a few hundred miles down the road you can just wave bye-bye as she is looking for a plug in.

[ironglow]

Simple law of mechanical physics; a few hundred miles down the road you can just wave bye-bye as she is looking for a plug in.

   Yes, but grandma got to savor a quiet victory...   Mileage is a consider for now, even though the range is presently 620 miles.  ..But I believe that will be solved as e-cars become more common.  Even now, many labs are developing new batteries,,from iron and graphene etc.

   I am totally against the government bonus for buying an e-car, since they should "win their way" into the marketplace. They should gain their place by honest competition.

   Charging time!  For now at least, but with improvements in battery technology and the more widespread use, I can see battery pack exchanges, just as we can presently trade in empty propane tanks and get full replacements..  ..But that is for the future.

  Much to be learned, much to be experienced.

[Mule 11]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

[BUGEYE]

  Much to be learned, much to be experienced.

^^^^^ This right here ^^^^^

[ironglow]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

   ...And Granny chuckled, all the way to her weekly knitting circle gathering.    

[Mule 11]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

   ...And Granny chuckled, all the way to her weekly knitting circle gathering.    

And whilst knitting, granny’s car is stolen and stripped for profit. Snicker away granny...

[BUGEYE]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

   ...And Granny chuckled, all the way to her weekly knitting circle gathering.    

And whilst knitting, granny’s car is stolen and stripped for profit. Snicker away granny...

Actually, Granny’s car is less likely to be stolen due to the rarity of the car and the number of eyeballs that’s looking at it from among the Tesla fraternity.
You’ll have to continue stealing Mustangs and Escalades.

[ironglow]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

   ...And Granny chuckled, all the way to her weekly knitting circle gathering.    

And whilst knitting, granny’s car is stolen and stripped for profit. Snicker away granny...

    Try again! Word gets around among crooks..and you can be assured they know this !

     Tesla cars are just about the least stolen, and if stolen are the most often recovered vehicles..

  ..So granny can just dial 911, and continue knitting..her car won't be far away.

      https://insideevs.com/features/363880/tesla-vehicles-anti-theft-features/

[Mule 11]

First off Bug, I’m not stealing squat. And IG, I was thinking these thieves would steal the batteries and dump the car ASAP. Maybe you guy’s are right? Just a thought.

[BUGEYE]

Many states are requiring ID to sell a catalytic converter and it has cut way down on thefts.
If a Tesla battery is easy to steal, the crooks will face similar laws.

I hear tell that you fellows also steal a lot of Honda Civics due to the cult following of Civics.

[ironglow]

Many states are requiring ID to sell a catalytic converter and it has cut way down on thefts.
If a Tesla battery is easy to steal, the crooks will face similar laws.

I hear tell that you fellows also steal a lot of Honda Civics due to the cult following of Civics.

   Yes, I hear tell they like the "tuners"..

[Lloyd Smale]

exactly. They tell you theres a 300 mile range (just pulling that out of the air) and dont tell you if you use all the hp the motor is capable of battery life can come down to second. I remember last year chev had an electric camaro that would run high 9 second quarter miles and put out 1200 hp. Battery life? Two quarter mile passes. Take one of those electric hummers or tesla trucks and hook on to a 40 foot camper and drive through the mountains of montana and you just might make it up the first peak and coast down the other side. You can beat ohlms law. Every hp takes 746 watts so a thousand hp uses 746000 watts at full tilt. A  typical car battery produces 70watts for an hour. so you would need the equivalent of a 1000 of them to run a 1000 hp for an hour. AT least be intelligent about it. Wait 3 years and buy a  used one that the dealer cant get rid of because republicans are back in office and gas is again far cheaper. Add to that who the hell wants a muscle car that sounds like a singer sewing machine. Id much rather my challenger with 500 hp that makes music when you push the go peddle. Add another thing. Those numbers come with slicks. There isnt a street car that has tires that can even handle a 700 hp hellcat. So unless your thing is hearing NOTHING but tires squealing and enough smoke to cover a small town all that power is wasted on the street. My guess is someone in a 700 hp hellcat would in a real race beat a 1200 car be it electric or gas on a REAL street. Even a 4 grand clutch dump and a power shift with my car putting out 500 hp is nothing but tire smoke for the first two gears on the street. SPINNING AINT WINNING. Something bob and i learned in the 60s and 70s. Give granny 2000hp and id lay a 500 dollar bill on the hood with my 500 hp car.

Simple law of mechanical physics; a few hundred miles down the road you can just wave bye-bye as she is looking for a plug in.

[Lloyd Smale]

Dont know. Id bet if electrics take off like mule said,  there will be a big black market for stripping them down just for batterys that there already finding out with just 2 percent of americans wanting them that they cant provide.

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

   ...And Granny chuckled, all the way to her weekly knitting circle gathering.    

And whilst knitting, granny’s car is stolen and stripped for profit. Snicker away granny...

Actually, Granny’s car is less likely to be stolen due to the rarity of the car and the number of eyeballs that’s looking at it from among the Tesla fraternity.
You’ll have to continue stealing Mustangs and Escalades.

[ironglow]

  Actually, I look at the e-car phenomena a bit differently. 

   I figure the government should 'butt out' !  Don't help them or hinder them..let them find their level.
   That way, if they are worthwhile, they will prosper..if not, they will fade away..

  They seem to be working, at least for the Tesla owners I know.  ..Besides, i wouldn't even pretend to be anywhere near as smart as Elon Musk !

      Back in the first century, some locals were troubled by the new sect called "Christians".  They were so upset that they wanted to do the Christians violence.

    However, there was an old Rabbi named Gamaliel, who gave some very sage advice..and I believe it is still a great way to view things, and very applicable to many things today.

   Here's how he put it !
 
        38“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”  (Acts 5:38,39)

[Dixie-Dude]

Tesla batteries are built into the frame and cover the entire bottom of the car between wheel wells.  Can't really steal the batteries.  They are not made like regular car batteries.  They almost look like packages of AA lithium batteries when you cut them apart.  They are packaged and sealed.  These huge batteries are what makes the speed and longer range of Tesla cars.  They also are heavier than gasoline cars, with a center of gravity only about 14"-16" off the ground.  Very hard to turn over.  At one time for several years in a row, they were the safest cars in a crash test.  They have gotten the range up to a fair distance.  However, they still need to get the price down and the charging times down.  45 minutes at their superchargers is ok, but still could be lower. 

Popular Mechanics or someone like that did a test of 1,000 miles.  A gasoline BMW.  A Tesla Model S long range version, and a Ford Mustang E electric version.  They had to go the speed limit.  Anyway.  The BMW made the distance in around 18 hours.  The Tesla Model S took about 19-1/2 hours.  The Mustang electric took 26 or 27 hours.  BMW being gas could fill up quicker.  Tesla used the Supercharger Tesla stations for 45 minute charges.  The Mustang had to use other methods of charging which were not as fast, and had to spend the night about half way to charge overnight.  So the Tesla Model S is a little slower than the BMW, but not bad.  The Mustang by not being able to use Tesla's supercharger along the way took longer.  A long range Tesla Model S is supposed to go 320 miles on a charge.  This is 4-1/2 hours.  Say it is 4 hours.  After 4 hours most people want to stop, charge, eat, and walk around a bit.  So not bad.  A long distance trip might take a little longer, but not too bad.  Still a Model S long range is in the $90,000 range.  A comparable gasoline BMW is also about the same price.  It definately is in the luxury car market.  Model 3's are cheaper but have shorter ranges, but are still in the $50,000 range.  Still too high.  Maybe the work on the cheaper iron batteries will work out. 

[Mule 11]

Tesla batteries are built into the frame and cover the entire bottom of the car between wheel wells.  Can't really steal the batteries.  They are not made like regular car batteries.  They almost look like packages of AA lithium batteries when you cut them apart.  They are packaged and sealed.  These huge batteries are what makes the speed and longer range of Tesla cars.  They also are heavier than gasoline cars, with a center of gravity only about 14"-16" off the ground.  Very hard to turn over.  At one time for several years in a row, they were the safest cars in a crash test.  They have gotten the range up to a fair distance.  However, they still need to get the price down and the charging times down.  45 minutes at their superchargers is ok, but still could be lower. 

Popular Mechanics or someone like that did a test of 1,000 miles.  A gasoline BMW.  A Tesla Model S long range version, and a Ford Mustang E electric version.  They had to go the speed limit.  Anyway.  The BMW made the distance in around 18 hours.  The Tesla Model S took about 19-1/2 hours.  The Mustang electric took 26 or 27 hours.  BMW being gas could fill up quicker.  Tesla used the Supercharger Tesla stations for 45 minute charges.  The Mustang had to use other methods of charging which were not as fast, and had to spend the night about half way to charge overnight.  So the Tesla Model S is a little slower than the BMW, but not bad.  The Mustang by not being able to use Tesla's supercharger along the way took longer.  A long range Tesla Model S is supposed to go 320 miles on a charge.  This is 4-1/2 hours.  Say it is 4 hours.  After 4 hours most people want to stop, charge, eat, and walk around a bit.  So not bad.  A long distance trip might take a little longer, but not too bad.  Still a Model S long range is in the $90,000 range.  A comparable gasoline BMW is also about the same price.  It definately is in the luxury car market.  Model 3's are cheaper but have shorter ranges, but are still in the $50,000 range.  Still too high.  Maybe the work on the cheaper iron batteries will work out.

Thanks for the info. That roadster is pretty awesome.

[ironglow]

Dixie Dude is correct, in that the battery packs are filled with batteries that look remarkably like AA cells.
  Each car uses thousands of them.
   

      My daughter-in-law's sister, husband & family have been running Tesla's for years. They grew up in southern California, and just returned from living in Oregon for some years.

  When they used to drive to and from ..they would leave Oregon, and hours later arrive well south in California.  Time for a charge, so they would eat a leisurely meal while the charging completed.and go the rest of the way.

  My d-in-l's son by her first marriage works for Musk at Tesla.  He & his wife each drives a model 3 Tesla, and they have been completely happy with them.
I am not planning to switch to an e-car any time soon, and at my age probably never !  ..But rest assured, the engineering of e-cars will not remain static.  Leaps will be made soon.

  Batteries and rate of charge seems to be one sticking point, but Musk himself is looking at a new, iron based battery..which is super efficient, and will perhaps make China's big buy out of lithium around the world...worthless.

   Then too; Dr James Tour (Rice U.) is making great strides with graphene..  I expect break throughs to come as a result of these efforts !
 

   

[Lloyd Smale]

Dixie Dude is correct, inthat tha battery packs are filled with batteries that look remarkably like AA cells.
  Each car uses thousands of them.

  Thats what youll find if you open the case on most cordless tool batterys too. Most have 16800 batterys in them. Slightly bigger then a aa. Same battery i use in many of my flash lights.

[ironglow]

Dixie Dude is correct, inthat tha battery packs are filled with batteries that look remarkably like AA cells.
  Each car uses thousands of them.

  Thats what youll find if you open the case on most cordless tool batterys too. Most have 16800 batterys in them. Slightly bigger then a aa. Same battery i use in many of my flash lights.

  Are those the same battery I use in my Surefire flashlight?

[Ranger99]

Yeah. One place I worked had a good
many golf carts, and the big cheese
had the gofer replace the motors
with some high torque motors they'd
found offered for those models.
For sure they'd burn the tires and
nearly pull the front end, but the
extra expense made it a loss IMO.
Some extra circuitry or something
had to be changed out, and the
run time was about half per charging
session, the cart body started flexing
and popping every time somebody
got in to use it.  Not much advantage
over the old sedate slow old man
carts as somebody called them.
You don't get any advantage without
giving something up in return when
it comes to mechanical things

[phalanx]

I see a lot of thieves licking their lips over the price of batteries...

One of those battery’s weighs 1000 pounds. I don’t think they are going run off with it. 

Around 1,000 pounds
While the weight of an electric car battery will fluctuate based on the car itself, it will roughly weigh around 1,000 pounds

https://weightofstuff.com/why-are-electric-car-batteries-so-heavy/

[phalanx]

Battery Size   Average Weight
22 kWh   363 lbs (165 kg)
30 kWh   547 lbs (248 kg)
40 kWh   672 lbs (305 kg)
50 kWh   718 lbs (326 kg)
60 kWh   948 lbs (430 kg)
70 kWh   1102 lbs (500 kg)
80 kWh   1267 lbs (575 kg)
90 kWh   1389 lbs (630 kg)
100 kWh   1543 lbs (700 kg)
200 kWh   1836 lbs (833 kg)

[phalanx]

You still want one? I didn't think so.

[Mule 11]

Never said I wanted one. There are a lot of thieves out there. I’m not one of them... just because bug insinuates I am does not make it so.

[phalanx]

Never said I wanted one. There are a lot of thieves out there. I’m not one of them... just because bug insinuates I am does not make it so.

I never said you in particularly did. 

[Mule 11]

Yeah, and the sun rises in the west tommorow...

[ironglow]

Yeah. One place I worked had a good
many golf carts, and the big cheese
had the gofer replace the motors
with some high torque motors they'd
found offered for those models.
For sure they'd burn the tires and
nearly pull the front end, but the
extra expense made it a loss IMO.
Some extra circuitry or something
had to be changed out, and the
run time was about half per charging
session, the cart body started flexing
and popping every time somebody
got in to use it.  Not much advantage
over the old sedate slow old man
carts as somebody called them.
You don't get any advantage without
giving something up in return when
it comes to mechanical things

  Sometimes I wonder just what makes some folks tick.  What does anybody need a high performance golf cart?

  I nver played, but I always pictured golf as a quiet, relaxing game..not a dragstrip!