EV lots getting cleaned out.

You might be surprised what a modern N-type E-W oriented vertical bifacial panel array will do in the winter, especially with snow cover.
I have a database of all Ontario's grid data going back over 10 years, which includes our most recent solar installations, which aren't that old. That 3-4% is based on the output of those installations.

This was an exercise I did back in 2024, which was to take the entire installed solar capacity for the province, and apply the hourly output profile from our higher performing grid tied units to it, since hourly data isn't provided for the smaller installations, only the annual average (which is notably lower than for the grid-tied ones). So this is basically just our grid-tied capacity increased 5.5x for the first two weeks of January. 2nd two weeks are similar, which I can share if you are interested.
Screen Shot 2024-02-19 at 10.53.34 AM.webp
 
It was inevitable after we stopped giving Americans $7500 as a down payment on an electric vehicle.
It was a no-brainer, walking into a dealership with no money drive out in a car.
Good news is maybe on a global scale gasoline inventory will increase and keep US consumer gasoline prices stable for the next few decades. 😀

For sure if the price is right, there can be solid reasons to own an electric vehicle if you can charge at home and for someone like me, it would be local use only. I would always maintain a gasoline vehicle for my interstate Crusades!
 
How do you think consumers would react if EVs had just as much range, cost about the same and there were significantly more chargers?

Curious how the new BMW i3 does against the ICE version.
I don’t think they would react much differently. To recharge a vehicle at a charger can be quite expensive and then there is still the inconvenience for many of charging while on a trip and unable to charge at home.

You can get a Chevy equinox in the EV version or the electric version pretty close on par with price.
Let’s not forget there are no big electric vehicle interstate cruisers in a good price range. Most all electric vehicles are in the compact to small sedans
 
You have to buy the right ones.

Mazda's torque converter + multiplates are reliable, Honda's DCTs with torque converter are reliable, Toyota's CVTs with starter gear are reliable, Prius' eCVT are usually reliable.

Stay away from garbage brands near bankruptcy (like the older Nissan with both Jatco CVTs and Leafs). It is not about the fundamental design but who built them.
Have to laugh at the mention of Nissan being a garbage brand. My current Nissan has been by far the most reliable/lower cost to maintain over 4 decades including several Yotas, Pontiac, Olds, Chevy, Ford, Mitsu...and yes mine is a 2013/125k with a CVT that has easily been the best automatic in any car I have owned/driven. The power delivery in very useful range just blows the typical shifting most autos are annoying to tolerate away.
 
How do you think consumers would react if EVs had just as much range, cost about the same and there were significantly more chargers?

Curious how the new BMW i3 does against the ICE version.
I think you are talking about Supercharging on the road. If we assume charging prices would go down due to more supply, that would be good. But current prices are at least comparable to gas prices.

Now, if we are talking about charging at apartment, condo, places of work, etc, that will be a game changer. Renters around here have been asking for charging capabilities for years, and landlords have used it as an enticement.

On the road, I stop at a location with a Starbucks, or whatever, and pick up a few miles. 15-20 minutes goes by faster than you might think. It's no big deal. In fact, it gives you a nice break, and may introduce you to a new area. Can be kinda cool, actually. That's my experience.

I expect to see more charging opportunities going forward. You gotta have a hook; give people additional benefits to stopping.
Heck, right now gas vehicles spend a bazillion times more time fueling up that I do. Gas stations are a drag and are so expensive.
 
I don’t think they would react much differently. To recharge a vehicle at a charger can be quite expensive and then there is still the inconvenience for many of charging while on a trip and unable to charge at home.

You can get a Chevy equinox in the EV version or the electric version pretty close on par with price.
Let’s not forget there are no big electric vehicle interstate cruisers in a good price range. Most all electric vehicles are in the compact to small sedans
I've been watching videos of people that cross country their EVs. It can be done, but it can also be a hassle if you're not careful.
 
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Let’s not forget there are no big electric vehicle interstate cruisers in a good price range. Most all electric vehicles are in the compact to small sedans
There aren't many electric sedans. Most are compact to mid-size SUVs or CUVs.
 
I've been watching videos of people that cross country their EVs. It can be done, but it can also be a hassle if you're not careful.
This is the same as anyone who switched from horseback travel to train and passenger cars back in the days. The same would happen with self driving trucks as well. A lot of transit would go through places that doesn't snow and self driving trucks would run 36 hours (with diesel engines) instead of 2 drivers taking turn every 10 hours. Despite longer distance it would get to destination faster and cheaper that way.
 
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