Ford's new hybrid Maverick: A 40 MPG pickup for $20,000.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

... I'm a bit biased in that I drained the fuel from a 1976 Buick Riviera that had sat for 15 years, put new fuel in (and a battery), and she ran fine. There's no 40 year old EV that just needs a charge and runs just fine. There is a discussion to be had around this difference in expectation and capability.

No question about it -- in the current environment full EV's are throwaway appliances. I expect that some folks will see that as an opportunity though, so I'll just wait and see what the future brings.

[Piotrsko]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

... I'm a bit biased in that I drained the fuel from a 1976 Buick Riviera that had sat for 15 years, put new fuel in (and a battery), and she ran fine. There's no 40 year old EV that just needs a charge and runs just fine. There is a discussion to be had around this difference in expectation and capability.

Not to be picky, but you did essentially the equivalent to replacing the battery with the fuel drain, although MUCH more economical

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Not to be picky, but you did essentially the equivalent to replacing the battery with the fuel drain, although MUCH more economical

That's exactly the point I make on the EV forum; that a battery is equivalent to a fuel tank. One that costs thousands of dollars, weighs a ton, takes up a lot of space, takes ages to fill, shrinks in capacity over time, and requires environmental regulation (heating/cooling). It's the only thing that sucks about an EV.

Usually that's when I go on about the merits of PHEVs, because they minimize the thing that sucks the most (battery) but maximize its use.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

That's exactly the point I make on the EV forum; that a battery is equivalent to a fuel tank. One that costs thousands of dollars, weighs a ton, takes up a lot of space, takes ages to fill, shrinks in capacity over time, and requires environmental regulation (heating/cooling). It's the only thing that sucks about an EV.

Usually that's when I go on about the merits of PHEVs, because they minimize the thing that sucks the most (battery) but maximize its use.

Even if battery chemistry improves and ultracapacitors become more common, enabling retrofits of improved battery packs when either a full-EV or a hybrid, I still prefer the flexibility of PHEVs over a full-EV.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Even if battery chemistry improves and ultracapacitors become more common, enabling retrofits of improved battery packs when either a full-EV or a hybrid, I still prefer the flexibility of PHEVs over a full-EV.

For the prepper types, it presents 2 options to power the vehicle. If gasoline is expensive or unavailable, you can use electricity. If electricity is out for two weeks like it was for my parents, you can drive on petrol.

On that EV forum, people occasionally ponder the difficulty to add a hitch-mounted genset to extend the range of their car. That's when I step in and point out that already exists (PHEV), and they bought the wrong vehicle.

[freebeard]

Human/electric hybrid? https://www.arcimoto.com/mlm

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Human/electric hybrid? https://www.arcimoto.com/mlm

When they come out with an 8 seater, I'll get one.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

When they come out with an 8 seater, I'll get one.

I must have have missed the part about why you want to replace your Avalon. I believe you have a family of 4, no?

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I must have have missed the part about why you want to replace your Avalon. I believe you have a family of 4, no?

Yep! Well, that, and everyone in the family thinks they need to have friends. If only they would just walk everywhere or ride bikes I could use the our funds to build a spaceship or something. But seriously, it would be nice to have a bigger vehicle sometimes.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

Yep! Well, that, and everyone in the family thinks they need to have friends. If only they would just walk everywhere or ride bikes I could use the our funds to build a spaceship or something. But seriously, it would be nice to have a bigger vehicle sometimes.

It's easy to say from my perspective, but you've provided transportation for your family. Others can get their own cars, or walk, or catch a rideshare. I 100% would not buy a car for someone outside of my family.