Tesla Semi Finally Revealed

[sendler]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Lithium and cobalt production will increase if demand is there, and grid storage will choose the most cost effective solution to the problem.

Perfect. Blind economics 101. Why bother with renewables. Cornucopian demand will provide an endless supply of crude oil because we "demand" it.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by sendler

Why bother with renewables. Cornucopian demand will provide an endless supply of crude oil because we "demand" it.

I bother with renewables because of economics. Free fuel is cheaper than costly fuel.

In economics, demand isn't defined as the collective hope of consumers, but instead the willingness of consumers to purchase at various prices. If something becomes more scarce, the price usually increases. The demand for a good or service decreases as price increases.

In other words, we don't need Castro to tell us how much lithium to mine, or where to look for it. Market forces will more efficiently determine these things.

[sendler]

I felt that you were inferring that demand would create a never ending supply of cobalt. In classic 20th century economic theory style. Cornucopian mindset is obviously false. Resources are finite.

[Xist]

Is there no demand for vacuum energy? I cannot source a supply for it!

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I bother with renewables because...

I appreciate the talking point, but stripping the "" from the quote takes the sarcasm right out of his mouth.

Like, the world needs more sarcasm.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I feel that the ultimate energy storage device is a reactor of plutonium. Better yet, perhaps, antimatter.

I agree on nuclear but not for transportation, even a tiny reactor that only produced 100 hp would weigh 10 tons or more. I stand by nothing is better than a tank of gasoline for transportation. I guess I should stipulate transportation on earth. Transportation without gravity or atmosphere would be well suited for nuclear.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I feel that the ultimate energy storage device is a reactor of plutonium. Better yet, perhaps, antimatter.

Wow, that slipped right past me. Easier said than done.

Think of all the effort being poured into fusion reactors, on the assumption that all the energy boiling off the surface of the Sun comes from beneath the Chromosphere rather than through plasma interactions with the planets and galax[y/ies].

Then think of that effort being put into Thorium reactors.

[freebeard]

automotiveworld.com: First e-crafter vehicles in customers’ hands: use of the electric van in practice begins

VW ships product. A low-speed, short-range tradesman's/delivery van. VW and others are committed to a charger network across Europe.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I agree on nuclear but not for transportation, even a tiny reactor that only produced 100 hp would weigh 10 tons or more. I stand by nothing is better than a tank of gasoline for transportation. I guess I should stipulate transportation on earth. Transportation without gravity or atmosphere would be well suited for nuclear.

I should have included a in my post. I meant that in jest.

Battery is a fine fuel tank for some transportation uses. In certain cases, the Tesla trucks will likely be the right solution concerning total cost of operation, reliability, etc.

Same with EVs for commuting purposes. My parents don't need 2+ gassers for their almost exclusive around town trips. A Nissan Leaf will cover 99% of their trips at 2 cents per mile in electricity.

Originally Posted by freebeard

Wow, that slipped right past me. Easier said than done.

Think of all the effort being poured into fusion reactors, on the assumption that all the energy boiling off the surface of the Sun comes from beneath the Chromosphere rather than through plasma interactions with the planets and galax[y/ies].

Then think of that effort being put into Thorium reactors.

See what I do; depriving people of their sarcasm and not signaling when I'm being facetious?

Of course there are more promising technologies we should be exploring, but when have the masses been good at employing "common" sense or reason?

[Hersbird]

But the battery is really has a poor amount of energy storage compared to the weight. A Tesla battery weighs what, 1200 pounds? That's 150 gallons of gas or on the other side a Tesla's 300 mile range would only require 8 gallons of gas or 65 pounds of fuel in a under 30 pound container, under 100 pounds total. That's what makes a great mobile source of energy, lots of energy in a light weight.