Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary
That's why ultra efficient EV's make sense for the masses.
Big batteries are expensive. But ultra fast DC charging stations are also expensive. One way or another those costs will be passed down to the consumers. Three only way to bring the costs of both down immediately is to increase efficiency.
Let's say you made an EV that can go twice as far per kWh than your average EV. The same battery used in you average EV will now take you twice as far. And every charging station that's already out there will now be able to charge your car "twice as fast."
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Big batteries are getting cheaper and cheaper but they aren't really needed. The push for EVs with giant batteries and super long ranges is a marketing and physiological problem not really a technical problem. Automakers made EVs for use cases were they make a lot of sense - urban commuting - and nobody bought them. People aren't happy with a car that can make 95% of their trips they want 100% with zero compromise. So automakers have focused on adding range.
People also want to buy crossovers so automakers are making their new EVs crossovers. It doesn't matter how great you make your super efficient EV if it isn't in a body style that people want to buy.
Doubling EV efficiency based on vehicle shape is a pipe dream while staying with shapes that are useful as a vehicle. Look at Hyundia. They have the Ioniq and Kona. The Ioniq is rated at 25 kWh / 100 miles while Kona is 28 kWh / 100 miles. Going from a popular crossover shape to an unpopular aero hatchback shape saves 11%. (Not even that because the Kona has a heavier and larger battery to increase range) Saving 11% of the Kona's 64 kWh battery would save a buyer about $700. Is that enough for them to chose sedan instead of a crossover?
The key to making EVs viable for long distance travel is access to DC fast charging. We have to built out the network. Level 2 charging isn't viable for long distance travel even with 200 mile EVs. The Ioniq has 170 miles of range and takes 36 hours to charge on 110V, 6 hours on 220V, and 1 hour on 440V. Nobody is going to buy an Ioniq over a Kona because they can charge 11% faster or 11% farther on the rare times they do a road trip and need to fast charge.
I don't know if we should celebrate when someone buys a 30 mpg crossover but we certainly should when they buy a 120 mpge electric crossover.