Hyundai Motor closes engine development division. All development will focus on EV

I find EV’s very desirable. From a driving enthusiasts point of view! Every time I drive a Tesla I want one.

I'm mostly in agreement. There's many things in life I find desirable. But also equally wishful thinking, impractical, unrealistic, financially foolish, etc.

Tesla still has not achieved the 4680 cell, and solid state cells are nowhere near viability, or low level production, not to mention the decline in cost through years of mass production.

that last point is key. nothing is pointing towards affordable and more capable cells. We have reached the very real limits of our capabilities.
Exactly.
 
We will need 75-100 new "safe nuclear" power plants in the USA to feed all the EV's. Hybrids are the answer. Start building!!!!! We are in brownout mode in the summer now. Let EVs progress slowly as they have. No need to force them on everyone from brainwashed cultish pompous rich guys that can afford it now. Tell the $35,000 year old guy he has to replace his $30,000 EV battery because a rock skipped up and broke a water cool line, or a small side impact toasted the battery. Hybrids are the answer.

We have summer brownouts due to A/C. Only the pompous rich guys used to have A/C. So where is the outrage at air conditioning taxing the grid? Doesn’t exist, no one is outraged at air conditioning. Society doesn’t stand still. In 1893 at the Chicago Word’s Fair Tesla demonstrated his method of electrifying and it went from there. Old houses may have one outlet for a lamp in each room, if that. They didn’t say ok let’s not have radios as it will tax our electrical. Let’s just stop here, they never said that.
 
Can I go buy a $4000 used Tesla?

I can, right now, go buy about 100 used functional 20-30 year old ICE cars, locally, sub $4000, that will serve me well for many many years and probably longer than a new EV will. For example, there's a nice low miles $4000 2004 Buick Regal with a desirable 3.8L engine nearby right now. I bet that car if cared for will last another 15-20 years.

What % of Americans do you think can afford a Tesla? Maybe 2%. The only Teslas I see are in the uber rich areas I've traveled in or lived near. It's a rich persons car. Guess what rich people don't do. Their own maintenance. They also flip cars every 5-10 years, so they don't have the headaches of long-term ownership.

I've venture about 80% of Americans buy and drive old cars. In fact the average car age is 12 years old, which means on the far end of the bell curve there's a lot of 15-20 year old cars on the road. Probably not 5% are EVs.
Good points. The only $4000 EVs are probably junk and poor designs, like the early Leaf.
I love our '06 TSX; it is rock solid and a great driver's car with over 200K. Our '01 Tundra is flat out not for sale.

Musk's plan, from early on, was to build an affordable EV, starting with the expensive cars to learn and develop the technology. That is exactly what is going on. The $25K Tesla is likely less than 2 years away.

But let's look at today... Depending on use case, the Std Range Model 3 can be a compelling case as compared to many cars with far cheaper MSRPs. Not for everyone, but definitely for some.
 
This Chevy Impala ICE commercial got 5.5 million views in 2 weeks on just this link alone.

The notion that people don't want ICE vehicles and the emotional connection to real cars, is nonsense.

There will NEVER be an EV that people connect to like ICE vehicles.

 
This Chevy Impala ICE commercial got 5.5 million views in 2 weeks on just this link alone.

The notion that people don't want ICE vehicles and the emotional connection to real cars, is nonsense.

There will NEVER be an EV that people connect to like ICE vehicles.


That '66 Impala is gorgeous. When is the last time you saw one?
I would love to see one. I go to classic car shows for this very reason.
 
That '66 Impala is gorgeous. When is the last time you saw one?
I would love to see one. I go to classic car shows for this very reason.

There's one around the corner from me, in really good shape and could easily be restored to pristine. They drive it often.
 
There's one around the corner from me, in really good shape and could easily be restored to pristine. They drive it often.
1965 4-4-2, built at GM plant in Fremont. Same as our Model 3. 97K original miles. Check out that panel alignment. Even has the original hounds tooth trunk liner.
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We have summer brownouts due to A/C. Only the pompous rich guys used to have A/C. So where is the outrage at air conditioning taxing the grid? Doesn’t exist, no one is outraged at air conditioning. Society doesn’t stand still. In 1893 at the Chicago Word’s Fair Tesla demonstrated his method of electrifying and it went from there. Old houses may have one outlet for a lamp in each room, if that. They didn’t say ok let’s not have radios as it will tax our electrical. Let’s just stop here, they never said that.
No, I have a bunch of poor friends who use A/C, But I mostly see pompous leftist RAMMING EV with mandates down people throats. No ICE in 10 years is what the EV dictators want. WHERE are the safe nuclear plants that are needed? Where are the cheap batteries needed? Give it 30 years maybe. The EV dreamers "already " have mandates for 10 years. Sorry too fast. It takes what 7.5 to 8 years to build a nuc plant....Start building now!!!!

We do not or will in the even near future have inferstruture for mass EV use. It is a leftist pipe dream. IF IF we were build mass "safe nuclear" power plants right now (in mass) I would say EVs make some sense. But then the battery issue for the semi-poor is not going to be solved for the semi-poor. Hybrids ARE the answer!!!!
 
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Most people literally have 30 years* until they “have” to buy an EV. Settled down, you guys will be fine 😂

*A few states are mandating NEW cars be EV by 2035, but most will be 2040 or later for NEW cars. My recommendation, save up for a quality new ICE car in 2039, drive it for 12 years (the average age of a car in the US), and now you’re at 2051. 30 years away.
 
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Most people literally have 30 years* until they “have” to buy an EV. Settled down, you guys will be fine 😂

*A few states are mandating NEW cars be EV by 2035, but most will be 2040 or later for NEW cars. My recommendation, save up for fancy new ICE car in 2039, drive it for 12 years (the average age of a car in the US), and now you’re at 2051. 30 years away.


I agree and I think we will see those mandates get pushed back as the reality sinks in.
 
No, I have a bunch of poor friends who use A/C, But I mostly see pompous leftist RAMMING EV with mandates down people throats. No ICE in 10 years is what the EV dictators want. WHERE are the safe nuclear plants that are needed? Where are the cheap batteries needed? Give it 30 years maybe. The EV dreamers "already " have mandates for 10 years. Sorry too fast. It takes what 7.5 to 8 years to build a nuc plant....Start building now!!!!

We do not or will in the even near future have inferstruture for mass EV use. It is a leftist pipe dream. IF IF we were build mass "safe nuclear" power plants right now (in mass) I would say EVs make some sense. But then the battery issue for the semi-poor is not going to be solved for the semi-poor. Hybrids ARE the answer!!!!
The “pompous” about A/C were in the past. I prefer to say wealthy and not go to their character. Just used pompous because you said pompous. No your friends and everyone else sits in the A/C a lot now. I sit in it. It pulls down the grid in the summer too.
 
I work as a operating engineer in a very large office building in Manhattan. Speaking to ConEd engineers, between the new moratorium of natural gas hookups, "decarbonizing" of commercial buildings (40% CO2 equivalent reduction by 2030, 80% by 2050) read electric heat-pumps, huge increase of plug in EV's, you will need a increase of electric distribution capability by at least 50%.

The enormous costs will be borne by the rate payers by a magnitude of doubling or tripling electric rates which are already among the highest in the nation. They are doubtful that the capacity can be increased quickly enough to meet these goals.
 
The “pompous” about A/C were in the past. I prefer to say wealthy and not go to their character. Just used pompous because you said pompous. No your friends and everyone else sits in the A/C a lot now. I sit in it. It pulls down the grid in the summer too.
When I was growing up decades ago A/C was a bit of a luxury and we used it when it was necessary. Cars the family had back then had A/C, but those systems left a lot to be desired... was best sticking with the 2/60 method when driving, lmao. I know there's argument on both sides regarding global warming and I for one am tired of seeing 70s in December in NC. So it is nice to use A/C to keep things consistently regulated year round as we rarely use heat. Main thing for me is really needing/appreciating lesser humidity by using A/C as I have been a FUBAR'D lunger for quite some time now and I can't really complain about electrical requirements when it actually gives quality of life. Back in the day of wood/oil/candle burning I likely wouldn't have lived to be 30...
 
One issue many of us have with EV's is the fact that an engine from 1922 can still be used and will still make full rated power, yet a battery pack that is 10 years old, is pretty much used up and dead. The value of an older fuel powered vehicle remains subject to market conditions. The value of an older EV is directly tied to battery age and it's replacement cost. My car is 20 years old, and will be making the trip from PA to FL next week.

Yeah, it's a bit of an excuse to post some vintage pictures of 100 year old engines. Hope y'all don't mind. I'm not into ancestor worship, but I do appreciate examples of ancient technology. It's good to keep in mind that the better engines from the 1920's were quite good.

We have run up against some hard physical limits with regard to batteries. Capacity, weight and price have all stabilized.

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https://about.bnef.com/blog/behind-scenes-take-lithium-ion-battery-prices/
Wholesale raw battery prices for current technology are expected to follow the below economic trend: Note, this is not the price of the battery pack, just the price of the battery cells.


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What mpg is your 1920 engine getting? other than collector value how is the cost of ownership in fuel per mile? Seriously, you can bash EV all you want but please don't call 1920s tech "still reliable". I can get a "still reliable" horse in 2021 and it will cost way more than driving a Dodge Caravan with a slipping transmission from the 1990s. I can also get a new Chevy Volt every 10 years and still have lower cost to drive in the battery replacement cost than your 1920s wasteful low power gasoline car.
 
Can I go buy a $4000 used Tesla?

I can, right now, go buy about 100 used functional 20-30 year old ICE cars, locally, sub $4000, that will serve me well for many many years and probably longer than a new EV will. For example, there's a nice low miles $4000 2004 Buick Regal with a desirable 3.8L engine nearby right now. I bet that car if cared for will last another 15-20 years.

What % of Americans do you think can afford a Tesla? Maybe 2%. The only Teslas I see are in the uber rich areas I've traveled in or lived near. It's a rich persons car. Guess what rich people don't do. Their own maintenance. They also flip cars every 5-10 years, so they don't have the headaches of long-term ownership.

I've venture about 80% of Americans buy and drive old cars. In fact the average car age is 12 years old, which means on the far end of the bell curve there's a lot of 15-20 year old cars on the road. Probably not 5% are EVs.

1) You can buy a used Nissan Leaf with about 50% battery range left for about $4500 before the pandemic. Why do you have to insist on a used Tesla? Will you get a good quality 20-30 year old Mercedes that will serve you well for many years to come? Not for $4k.

2) In 14 years you will probably buy a used Tesla for the same price as a used Lexus, Buick Regal will still be a used Buick Regal that nobody found appealing because they are boring and old fashion. Still, that doesn't means gasoline is bad and EV is good, just that Buick makes boring cars that nobody like to buy (despite them being OKish).

3) In 15 years you will find homeless people driving EVs instead of gasoline cars, camping all over low income area near charging stations.

4) You also cannot buy a $4k reliable pickup, but that does not mean everyone wants to spend a lot of money on a pickup they never needed.
 
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I work as a operating engineer in a very large office building in Manhattan. Speaking to ConEd engineers, between the new moratorium of natural gas hookups, "decarbonizing" of commercial buildings (40% CO2 equivalent reduction by 2030, 80% by 2050) read electric heat-pumps, huge increase of plug in EV's, you will need a increase of electric distribution capability by at least 50%.

The enormous costs will be borne by the rate payers by a magnitude of doubling or tripling electric rates which are already among the highest in the nation. They are doubtful that the capacity can be increased quickly enough to meet these goals.

I do see this happen in a lot of older cities or older areas with minimum infra. This may lead to some cities declining and some new area redeveloped for sure. Is it going to be more like when automobile started replacing street cars and old neighborhood starts having parking issue? I think it is going to happen just like that.

The way we have mandates on heat pump instead of natural gas heating, IMO is going to be a way bigger problem than EV charging. EV charging can be done slowly or off peak if you have enough capacity and variable prices. Heating a home is going to cost way more power draw in short notice and you cannot just store heat efficiently for a long time. Unless they have waivers for bad weather condition and mandate backup gas heating I do see problems France have when they are cold enough that heat pump stopped working.

We may see better grid management in the summer eventually though, when ice based AC becomes cost effective and patent expired, that we can make ice in large commercial buildings at off peak and then cool them during peak hours.
 
I find EV’s very desirable. From a driving enthusiasts point of view! Every time I drive a Tesla I want one.

However the claim that battery tech will suddenly improve or become more affordable is, at the moment, unrealistic.

Tesla still has not achieved the 4680 cell, and solid state cells are nowhere near viability, or low level production, not to mention the decline in cost through years of mass production.

that last point is key. nothing is pointing towards affordable and more capable cells. We have reached the very real limits of our capabilities.

this is why I like the Tesla 4680 so much. It seems to be the best practical solution.

I am on the cusp of retirement. I must choose carefully, as 10 years down the road, a $20,000+ battery replacement is out of the question. its likely I won’t live to see EV’s meet the promised goals of range, charge time, affordability and lifespan.
Yes, that point is real. I do see EVs replacing low end Kei cars but not on the Corolla size $20k range anytime soon. We probably have to rely on China, Japan, Korea to crack that.

However, don't forget that we are also reaching the limit on gasoline engine. We already get all the low hanging fruits from variable valve, direct injection, CVT, diesel, HCCI, all the racing mod like SkyactiveG was doing. We even got to almost EV with hybrid. There is also a limit in law of physics.

Also as I said repeatedly, oil is not a resource every nation has domestically, so there's always incentive to replace it with other fuel sources to reduce imports. We are lucky to be in US with cheap gas and diesel, this is not the case in a majority part of the world.
 
Is that different than anything made in the last 20 years? actually, maybe even farther back than that.
I can say the 90s Corolla and Integra I had are designed to last about 25 years. People calling Crown Vic "reliable" but eating transmissions every 70k like candy...... Yeah I really think they should change their definition of "reliable" when replacing tranny every 70k, but not battery every 15 years.
 
1) You can buy a used Nissan Leaf with about 50% battery range left for about $4500 before the pandemic. Why do you have to insist on a used Tesla? Will you get a good quality 20-30 year old Mercedes that will serve you well for many years to come? Not for $4k.

2) In 14 years you will probably buy a used Tesla for the same price as a used Lexus, Buick Regal will still be a used Buick Regal that nobody found appealing because they are boring and old fashion. Still, that doesn't means gasoline is bad and EV is good, just that Buick makes boring cars that nobody like to buy (despite them being OKish).

3) In 15 years you will find homeless people driving EVs instead of gasoline cars, camping all over low income area near charging stations.

4) You also cannot buy a $4k reliable pickup, but that does not mean everyone wants to spend a lot of money on a pickup they never needed.
The reason for that is, nissan does not really support the leaf. They tell you to just buy another car. They raised the price of a battery from $3500 to $8500 so you don't want to order it. The range of a 2013 leaf with 50% battery is probably 35-40 miles, from the 75 original range.
 
Dominating the entire world is not a goal and never has been for the USA.
https://www.pgpf.org/chart-archive/0053_defense-comparison

"The United States spends more on national defense than China, India, Russia, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Australia — combined."

So it is not "dominating the entire world". Please tell us what is it called instead. I'm fortunate to enjoy this and call it what it is.
 
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