EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 771

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1575938 17-Jun-2016 17:32

wellygary:

maxeon:

Tesla is something I am waiting for to launch in NZ.

Although the jungle drums on the model 3 RHD just keep on getting worse, looks like 2018 at the earliest, and personally I think that will be late '18 possible '19

Agreed. Musk will very likely deliver, but he's inventing an industry on a global scale. You have to admire the scope and reach and ambition. But the schedule? It will get here when it gets here...and the Big Boys in the car world may just get here first. Nissan already has the LEAF and for many, like me, it's more than Good Enough™. If they double the range to 300km? That's one re-charge between Auckland and Palmerston North. Job done.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Batman

Mad Scientist
30014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1575941 17-Jun-2016 17:44

I wonder if the AA provides a roadside rapid charge service (assuming it's possible) if they would make lots of money off you guys ;p

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1575944 17-Jun-2016 17:46

I'm still very much in the early phase of get-my-head-around the behavioural changes I'll have to make in my self-imposed EV paradigm.

I'm trying to work out how far - and where - I can go in my EV using rapid chargers. Heading south, you pretty much run dry after Hamilton. The gap to the next one (under contruction) in Palmerston North is just far FAR too big, even for a Tesla with its relative huge range. The only option in that direction would be to drive about 120kms and spend the night. Not very practical.

But northward!!! It's covered all the way to Kaitaia.

Auckland to Kaiwaka (102km) easily in a single charge.

Kaiwaka to Kawakawa (115km) almost certainly in a single charge, though you may want to top up half way in Whangarei.

Then Kawakawa to Kaitaia (98km) easily on a single charge.

Stay the night and charge up and tootle around. Maybe stay a second night to leave in the morning with a full charge.

You can't get to Cape Reinga and back - it's 111km each way from Kaitaia. Plugshare shows zero EV charging points of any kind up there. Of course you could stay night in a hotel and make it a two-day thing. Back to the practicality issue.

But it's great to see that north of Auckland there are no obstacles to a relatively quick, intercity trip at least as far as Kaitaia in an EV.

Update: Just worked out you can get from Auckland to Tauranga via Hamilton. Re-charge at WEL in Te Rapa....then it's 109km to the next rapid charger at Bay Mall in Tauranga. But that's it for rapid chargers until either Hastings or New Plymouth. But this is interesting as the usual AK to TGA distance is 205km via SH2.....and this route would be 211kms (102 + 109) via Te Rapa.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1575955 17-Jun-2016 18:05

joker97:

I wonder if the AA provides a roadside rapid charge service (assuming it's possible) if they would make lots of money off you guys ;p

charge.net.nz already have a good offering. But they need to add more chargers.....though at $50,000 each I can understand why they are rolling out slowly.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Batman

Mad Scientist
30014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1575965 17-Jun-2016 18:28

Linuxluver:

I'm still very much in the early phase of get-my-head-around the behavioural changes I'll have to make in my self-imposed EV paradigm.

I'm trying to work out how far - and where - I can go in my EV using rapid chargers. Heading south, you pretty much run dry after Hamilton. The gap to the next one (under contruction) in Palmerston North is just far FAR too big, even for a Tesla with its relative huge range. The only option in that direction would be to drive about 120kms and spend the night. Not very practical.

But northward!!! It's covered all the way to Kaitaia.

Auckland to Kaiwaka (102km) easily in a single charge.

Kaiwaka to Kawakawa (115km) almost certainly in a single charge, though you may want to top up half way in Whangarei.

Then Kawakawa to Kaitaia (98km) easily on a single charge.

Stay the night and charge up and tootle around. Maybe stay a second night to leave in the morning with a full charge.

You can't get to Cape Reinga and back - it's 111km each way from Kaitaia. Plugshare shows zero EV charging points of any kind up there. Of course you could stay night in a hotel and make it a two-day thing. Back to the practicality issue.

But it's great to see that north of Auckland there are no obstacles to a relatively quick, intercity trip at least as far as Kaitaia in an EV.

Update: Just worked out you can get from Auckland to Tauranga via Hamilton. Re-charge at WEL in Te Rapa....then it's 109km to the next rapid charger at Bay Mall in Tauranga. But that's it for rapid chargers until either Hastings or New Plymouth. But this is interesting as the usual AK to TGA distance is 205km via SH2.....and this route would be 211kms (102 + 109) via Te Rapa.

What happens in a traffic congestion/hold up (eg a crash on SH 1), or weather turns bad, will the power consumption remain constant? Not to mention any detours via middle-of-nowheres.

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1576001 17-Jun-2016 20:01

joker97:

What happens in a traffic congestion/hold up (eg a crash on SH 1), or weather turns bad, will the power consumption remain constant? Not to mention any detours via middle-of-nowheres.

If you're not moving, you use virtually no power. A petrol engine will keep buring petrol...but an EV that isn't moving isn't using enough energy to worry about range. I assume aircon is off. Even the LED headlamps use very little power. You also use less power in slow, stop / go traffic as compared to higher speed highway driving with little opportunity for regeneration and greater wind resistance.

The routes I'm looking at leave about 40km of "slack" per charge. A route being completely closed might require a longer stop at a cafe along the way and use of the slower residential 3112 outlet charge . You'd only have to make up the additional km, so not as bad as it sounds. Maybe an hour or twoto cover any shortage of range. ie: Lunch. The slower charger adds about 12km / hour of charging.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

dwl

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

#1576407 19-Jun-2016 00:29

joker97: What happens in a traffic congestion/hold up (eg a crash on SH 1), or weather turns bad, will the power consumption remain constant? Not to mention any detours via middle-of-nowheres.

As stated, heavy traffic isn't an issue and when it is like Auckland congestion the range can actually improve when the average speed drops provided the heater isn't being run flat out. We got stuck in Fieldays traffic moving less than 1km in 30 minutes and used under 1% of battery.

A detour is only an issue if your planning has been too tight. Provided a buffer of 20-30km has been allowed shouldn't be an issue.

Where you can get caught is unplanned increases in elevation and headwinds. What might seem like a flat road might be slightly uphill and a 15 kph headwind might not be very noticeable but has a big effect on range if you don't slow down. You do learn to adapt as conditions change, and the mitigation of slowing down works, but on single lane highways impacts on other drivers is a concern.

We have just travelled over 700 km last 4 days around Auckland, Hamilton and out to Putaruru and one of the trips to Putaruru started with what I thought was enough charge (plus a margin allowed) to arriving with about 3km range left - far too close for comfort with everything flashing.

It is early days for EV long distance capability in cars like the Leaf and our infrastructure. While quite possible now to travel distances it needs planning a bit like flying a light aircraft cross country. Plan for alternates if problems at destination (e.g. Charger down), consider the impacts of headwinds and be well aware of the limited range. Have to remember travelling with less energy than stored in 3 litre of petrol :-)

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 759
Inactive user

#1576431 19-Jun-2016 01:09

Perhaps a good backup would be a cheap generator in the boot? I bought an 800w genny for about $400 from the warehouse last year as a backup for my motorhome running flat. It weighs about 5kgs without fuel, and 10ish filled up.
Surely this would be the easiest way to carry the electrical equivalent of a jerrycan of fuel? (And take the 5l can of fuel it'd need too!)

I think a mature EV will need a decen solar panel incorporated into the roof to avoid this problem, and maximise its efficiency over distance. Even a basic 100-200W input would do very nicely at helping keep your charge topped up, and costs are dropping steadily over the last 3-5years too.

richms

29104 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10219

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1576434 19-Jun-2016 01:18

800w generator would be too low to charge even on the 6A setting for a portable charger. Not seen any go below 6A which is 1500w or so.

I have the same generator from the warehouse. It cant even run a small fridge.

Richard rich.ms

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 759
Inactive user

#1576437 19-Jun-2016 01:58

Fair call, it does trickle charge my batteries, but I have never needed it since the solar went on.

Any comment on a solar panel being a requirement for future development?

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1427

Subscriber

#1576471 19-Jun-2016 09:19

PhantomNVD: Perhaps a good backup would be a cheap generator in the boot? I bought an 800w genny for about $400 from the warehouse last year as a backup for my motorhome running flat. It weighs about 5kgs without fuel, and 10ish filled up.
Surely this would be the easiest way to carry the electrical equivalent of a jerrycan of fuel? (And take the 5l can of fuel it'd need too!)

I think a mature EV will need a decen solar panel incorporated into the roof to avoid this problem, and maximise its efficiency over distance. Even a basic 100-200W input would do very nicely at helping keep your charge topped up, and costs are dropping steadily over the last 3-5years too.

Isn't that pretty much the concept with the BMW i3. Really small petrol generator that only kicks in when the battery is running out and gives just enough power to extend your range. There was mention from one tech that they should make the small generator pack use a rotary engine. Rotaries are very space efficient, and would actually be reasonably efficient at constant revs.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

RUKI

1405 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 422

#1576510 19-Jun-2016 10:40

maxeon:

I have used Toyota Prius 2nd Gen for 2 years and 3rd Gen for 3 years before recently shifting to Lexus Hyrbid RX 450h SUV now.

They are amazing cars and best of all they are very reliable.........

My family in various parts of the country have around 6 cars in total - various versions of Toyota / Lexus Hybrids and once you get used to their eco model savings on fuel (half the equavalent sized petrol cars) you then find them very addictive and reliable at the same time.

......

I want to get a FULL EV at some stage but currently only limited range is available.....

Have a look at Prius Prime Plug In - 2016 model - 35Km in EV mode, then it switches to hybrid mode. On my wish list...

Scott3

4177 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2990

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1576527 19-Jun-2016 12:03

Isn't that pretty much the concept with the BMW i3. Really small petrol generator that only kicks in when the battery is running out and gives just enough power to extend your range. There was mention from one tech that they should make the small generator pack use a rotary engine. Rotaries are very space efficient, and would actually be reasonably efficient at constant revs.

The REX (range extender variant) of the BMW i3 uses a 25kW BMW motorcycle engine to spin a generator.

Unless circumstances are really unusual I would advise against using a Portable Generator with an electric car. Nothing technically wrong with it, but logistically challenging. Apparently it is best not to run the portable generators at full (continuous) rated load for a very long time. Therefore you would need something like a 3000W continuous unit. To charge at 8A (around 2kw), or (at a stretch 10A (around 2.3 kw).

Random trademe unit weight (4 stroke unit): 49kg (plus fuel & oil), Size 595mm(L) 440mm(W) 440mm(H)
- The weight will have an impact on range, and it will take 2 people to load & unload it from the trunk for use. (please don't use without removing from car)
- Dimensions will use up most a decent chunk of your trunk
- Carrying petrol inside vehicle is not idea from a safety perspective so best avoided if possible
- I really hate the smell of petrol inside car's (I carry marine outboards a bit, and it always seems a tiny bit of petrol gets split and sinks out the car.)
Cannot be used when driving (even if you mounted the generator on the roof or something (Nissan leaf won't move when plugged in to prevent driving off and breaking the cord).
Charging speed will be slow (around 10km per hour), so not really any good for road trips anyway.
Emmissions of these small engines are really nasty (not subject to the same laws as cars requiring Catilitic converters etc) environmentally you would be far better off in a petrol car.
As an emergency only thing, you could pay for a handful of tow's / flatdeck truck rides for the cost of the generator.

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#1578782 23-Jun-2016 07:36

Are electric cars cost competitive. Another study says we're already there.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bites/307019/electric-cars-cost-competitive-report from Radio New Zealand.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

dwl

371 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 46

#1578888 23-Jun-2016 11:10

Linuxluver: Are electric cars cost competitive. Another study says we're already there.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bites/307019/electric-cars-cost-competitive-report from Radio New Zealand.

A positive report (Electric cars, solar panels, and batteries in New Zealand Vol 2: The benefits and costs to consumers and society).

The input data is a bit skewed about capital cost "The capital cost premium of a new mid-range PHEVs and BEVs is estimated at $15k and $12k, respectively, on top of the ICEp equivalent price of $30k, based on recent vehicle price data". The price of the Renault Zoe at $75k in the NZ market is a much bigger premium and if the Leaf were to sell here new I think the premium would be closer to NZ$30k.

Without subsidies the new car comparison is going to struggle but the good news is the used imports can be cost effective, and that's without putting a carbon price on the ICE vehicles. (I know, someone is going to mention RUC exemption for EVs which does help).

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 771