5 ms·

Imagine how long electric cars would last if the only part you really need to replace is the battery. Not to mention, you have a chance to decouple the parts t

Imagine how long electric cars would last if the only part you really need to replace is the battery. Not to mention, you have a chance to decouple the parts that don't have or need a technical revolution ( the motors ) from the parts that do ( the battery ).

PhantomGremlin 11y ago
In the abstract, one could believe that an electric car would be uncomplicated. But that doesn't seem to be true. For example a few days ago we discussed the BMW i3. Electric means simple? No. Someone in that discussion posted a link to a 40 min video of the i3 production line. I had no idea of how much effort was involved. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11532982 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11532982 Yes, electric cars are inherently simpler than internal combustion vehicles. But they're still quite sophisticated, with quite a lot that can break or become obsolete. There's a whole like more than the battery that needs a "technical revolution". People have been embracing recent developments such as automatic crash braking and Apple CarPlay. It would be difficult to retrofit all the sensors needed for automatic braking and lane change warnings.
- Joof 11y ago
  So we need modular cars that people can update every few years. Or crush them all and get new ones I guess...
csours 11y ago
Fewer moving parts is not "no moving parts". Even non-moving parts move in automobiles - the whole thing moves; add vibration and heat stress, and there will probably never be a zero-repair vehicle (excepting heroic or shiny variants) One of the biggest problems with electric vehicles right now is resale value. If the battery did not degrade, resale value would be much much higher. If resale prices were higher, people would be more willing to lease and buy new electric vehicles, and then those vehicles would be available on the used car market, and available for hacker types to do interesting things with them [1] 1. http://cafeelectric.com/stretchla/ http://cafeelectric.com/stretchla/ ; http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/19/classic-firebird-restomod-swallowed-prius/ http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/19/classic-firebird-restomod...
- stcredzero 11y ago
  Not as big a problem with Teslas, apparently. The battery is trivial to replace, and they hold their resale value well enough so far.
- douche 11y ago
  Not to mention corrosion. In areas that use heavy amounts of calcium chloride in the winter to melt snow and ice, a brand new vehicle can have its frame and body work rust out and compromised in as little as five years.

PhantomGremlin 11y ago

In the abstract, one could believe that an electric car would be uncomplicated. But that doesn't seem to be true. For example a few days ago we discussed the BMW i3. Electric means simple? No. Someone in that discussion posted a link to a 40 min video of the i3 production line. I had no idea of how much effort was involved. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11532982 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11532982 Yes, electric cars are inherently simpler than internal combustion vehicles. But they're still quite sophisticated, with quite a lot that can break or become obsolete. There's a whole like more than the battery that needs a "technical revolution". People have been embracing recent developments such as automatic crash braking and Apple CarPlay. It would be difficult to retrofit all the sensors needed for automatic braking and lane change warnings.

Joof 11y ago
So we need modular cars that people can update every few years. Or crush them all and get new ones I guess...

csours 11y ago

Fewer moving parts is not "no moving parts". Even non-moving parts move in automobiles - the whole thing moves; add vibration and heat stress, and there will probably never be a zero-repair vehicle (excepting heroic or shiny variants) One of the biggest problems with electric vehicles right now is resale value. If the battery did not degrade, resale value would be much much higher. If resale prices were higher, people would be more willing to lease and buy new electric vehicles, and then those vehicles would be available on the used car market, and available for hacker types to do interesting things with them [1] 1. http://cafeelectric.com/stretchla/ http://cafeelectric.com/stretchla/ ; http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/19/classic-firebird-restomod-swallowed-prius/ http://www.autoblog.com/2016/04/19/classic-firebird-restomod...

stcredzero 11y ago
Not as big a problem with Teslas, apparently. The battery is trivial to replace, and they hold their resale value well enough so far.
douche 11y ago
Not to mention corrosion. In areas that use heavy amounts of calcium chloride in the winter to melt snow and ice, a brand new vehicle can have its frame and body work rust out and compromised in as little as five years.