EV (electric vehicle) general news

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3936 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2152713 31-Dec-2018 16:40

kingdragonfly:
Aredwood: Surely a diesel car would be better for the environment than burning the diesel in a generator, just to get power for charging an EV.

I've heard that an EV charged from a gasoline powered generator is equivalent to 77 MPG, because an electric motor is more efficient than an internal combustion engine.

You need to compare the efficiency of the electricity generator plus lines plus battery charger plus electric motor vs the efficiency of the fuel delivery system plus the ICE. I expect that a diesel generator will be well-optimised at converting diesel/kerosene/whatever into electricity, whereas an ICE (whether petrol or diesel) is a compromise which rarely runs at optimal energy conversion rates.

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154068 3-Jan-2019 19:16

First "Coal Rollers” now "ICEing." Some truck owners are just d**ks.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/conservatives-purposely-making-cars-spew-black-smoke-2014-7

Model X Towing a Chevy Silverado Truck out of a Supercharger Station

Tesla Supercharger De-ICEing Experiment, we see if a Model X could tow a Full Sized Pickup if it was blocking Supercharging Stations.

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154690 5-Jan-2019 08:41

Suspicious vehicle.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/other/auction-1896354776.htm

Looks like a Chinese knock-off of the Renault Twizy. I can't find anything on Google about Opai X1, though Opai does make some ebikes.

I'm doubtful it has ABS brakes, Air conditioning and Power steering.

It appears to me to break every guideline for a mobility scooter, and can not used on a foot path or bike lane. The seller encouraging someone do these actions is irresponsible at best, and likely illegal

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/low-powered-vehicles/mobility-scooters/

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/Vehicles/docs/General-guidance-on-what-to-look-for-when-importing-a-mobility-vehicle.pdf
Anyone in Christchurch wants to follow up?

MikeB4

15555 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2154693 5-Jan-2019 09:01

kingdragonfly: Suspicious electric mobility vehicle.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/other/auction-1896354776.htm

Looks like a Chinese knock-off of the Renault Twizy. I can't find anything on Google about Opai X1, though Opai does make some ebikes.

I'm doubtful it has ABS brakes, Air conditioning and Power steering.

The lack of wattage rating is important, since the laws around mobility scooters change at 1,500 watts. I think if it's above that it must be registered as a motor vehicle, with a lot of regulations, and can not be used on a foot path.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/low-powered-vehicles/mobility-scooters/

Anyone in Christchurch wants to follow up?

It looks very good for disabled who are ambulatory over short distances but are unable to use a car.

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154694 5-Jan-2019 09:04

It appears to me to break every guideline for a mobility scooter, and can not used on a foot path or bike lane. The seller encouraging someone do these actions is irresponsible at best, and likely illegal

MarkH67

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2154696 5-Jan-2019 09:12

kingdragonfly: It appears to me to break every guideline for a mobility scooter, and can not used on a foot path or bike lane. The seller encouraging someone do these actions is irresponsible at best, and likely illegal

There are some unknowns, but they do say it can be used on a footpath or bike lane and they also say it has a top speed of 60kph. I'd be surprised if it was OK to travel at 60kph on a footpath in NZ. That sounds VERY dangerous.

MikeB4

15555 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2154697 5-Jan-2019 09:17

It is hard to fully judge from photos but it has a tiller and suitable brakes, entry is easy and has no armrest etc to impede entry and exit. It also seems to have room for mobility aids. It's low powered and looks smaller than the vehicles used by NZ Post. It appears to be about the length of a large mobility scooter however the full cover gives it a larger look.

logo

473 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2154708 5-Jan-2019 10:32

MarkH67:

kingdragonfly: It appears to me to break every guideline for a mobility scooter, and can not used on a foot path or bike lane. The seller encouraging someone do these actions is irresponsible at best, and likely illegal

There are some unknowns, but they do say it can be used on a footpath or bike lane and they also say it has a top speed of 60kph. I'd be surprised if it was OK to travel at 60kph on a footpath in NZ. That sounds VERY dangerous.

It says top speed 35kmph - max range 60kmph

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154727 5-Jan-2019 10:44

I wonder why more mobility scooters don't have some kind of roof.

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154729 5-Jan-2019 10:53

It's expensive and not a mobility scooter but here's an article about the Renault Twizy.

A strange beast

https://www.autocar.co.nz/autocar-news-app/renault-twizy

Twizy lands but stays in the car park

Renault NZ has landed a Twizy EV, but as yet it can't be registered for the road.

The Twizy joins other Renault EVs like the Zoe and Kangoo Z.E. but is unlike anything else in the line-up. Just look at it. It's classified as a quadracycle,which means it falls foul of registration requirements for road use.

It's said to weigh 450kg and is powered by a 13kW/57Nm electric motor. It's rear-wheel drive, and narrow in design, just 1.24m wide, to help flow through heavy traffic. It has space for two with the passenger seated behind the driver. There are seatbelts, and only minimal side protection.

https://www.driven.co.nz/news/news/renault-reveals-plans-to-expand-local-electric-vehicle-range

Renault reveals plans to expand local electric vehicle range

...Renault is also bringing its unique Twizy quadricycle, described as a 'personal mobility statement vehicle' intended to show what is possible in the EV market....

MarkH67

401 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2154756 5-Jan-2019 11:23

logo:

It says top speed 35kmph - max range 60kmph

Oops, that'll teach me to read more carefully.

So, what is the normal top speed of a mobility scooter? Is 35kph acceptable on footpaths?

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2154839 5-Jan-2019 12:59

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/108475435/lack-of-restrictions-on-mobility-scooter-speed-a-risk-for-pedestrians

Lack of restrictions on mobility scooter speed a risk for pedestrians

New Zealand's import laws are allowing dangerously fast mobility scooters into the country.

Mobility Manawatū owner Rob Stick, who sells and services mobility scooters, is concerned that import laws are putting scooter users and pedestrians at risk.

Australian laws state that anyone who imports mobility scooters must prove they are limited to travelling at a maximum speed of 10kmh. In New Zealand, "anyone can import anything" that is designed to be a mobility scooter, regardless of its top speed, Stick said.

Mobility Manawatū sells scooters that can go between speeds of 8kmh and 12kmh, which is similar to a jogging speed. Some imported scooters have top speeds of 40kmh, posing a risk to pedestrians.

wellygary

4999 posts

Uber Geek

#2157607 10-Jan-2019 14:31

Tesla just bumped up its entry price by nearly 18K USD for the Model S and X by killing off the 75Kwh option,

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1083141248872075265

"Starting on Monday, Tesla will no longer be taking orders for the 75 kWh version of the Model S & X. If you’d like that version, please order by Sunday night at"

I'm guessing they are due to push out some new battery options for the S/X and its gives the 3 more space at the bottom end, but for RHD markets without the 3 it certainly raises the entry price significantly .....

KiwiME

148 posts

Master Geek

#2159736 12-Jan-2019 14:39

What items do you see as are non-compliant?

kingdragonfly: It appears to me to break every guideline for a mobility scooter, and can not used on a foot path or bike lane. The seller encouraging someone do these actions is irresponsible at best, and likely illegal

kingdragonfly

5109 posts

Uber Geek

#2159774 12-Jan-2019 14:58

Unlike many counties, New Zealand laws around mobility scooter are almost non-existent.

In Australia, mobility scooters are restricted to 20 KPH. In the UK, it's 12 KPH.

If you want to import or make a NZ mobility scooter that can do 100 KPH down a footpath here, there's no law against it.

It reminds me of the Lime electric scooter mess.

With an aging society, and New Zealand lousy public transportation, the situation will get worse without speed restrictions,

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