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Tesla started in California after the EV1 was retired. I seem to recall hearing someone from early Tesla talk about the retirement of the EV1 being a catalyst f

by csours 6y ago

Tesla started in California after the EV1 was retired. I seem to recall hearing someone from early Tesla talk about the retirement of the EV1 being a catalyst for them wanting to start Tesla. I don't have a reference for this. They could have been referring to the other compliance vehicles as well. This is only my own opinion, again. The section titled "Select historical production vehicles" [0] is interesting. There were EVs being produced at times before 1996, but they don't really look like anything I would want to drive in traffic. Maybe the Skodas, but nothing besides that. When it comes to accusing corporations, I think it's fair to judge on outcomes, but also remember that the people who work at corporations have their own opinions and values. 0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_electric_vehicle#Select_historical_production_vehicles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_electric_vehicl...

VBprogrammer 6y ago
One of the most interesting things I learned from the Brighton veteran car run is that before 1902 electric cars where very much in the running. Along with steam.
- csours 6y ago
  Yup, pretty much everything was terrible back then (by modern standards), so there was a very level playing field. The energy density and relative ease of handling of liquid hydrocarbons led to rapid iteration and improvement of internal combustion engines. Modern battery electric vehicles require power electronics and lightweight, robust batteries, with good power and energy. Take a look at the top speed of the BEVs in that historical list, then look at the form factor. There are some really good youtube videos out there of people driving them, for example Cheese Louise owned by Simone Giertz (of Truckla fame) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXzcIoq2ing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXzcIoq2ing
Gibbon1 6y ago
I think the big deal with the EV1 is it was notable for being a 100% functional street car. Not an underpowered golf cart thing.

by csours 6y ago

VBprogrammer 6y ago

One of the most interesting things I learned from the Brighton veteran car run is that before 1902 electric cars where very much in the running. Along with steam.

csours 6y ago
Yup, pretty much everything was terrible back then (by modern standards), so there was a very level playing field. The energy density and relative ease of handling of liquid hydrocarbons led to rapid iteration and improvement of internal combustion engines. Modern battery electric vehicles require power electronics and lightweight, robust batteries, with good power and energy. Take a look at the top speed of the BEVs in that historical list, then look at the form factor. There are some really good youtube videos out there of people driving them, for example Cheese Louise owned by Simone Giertz (of Truckla fame) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXzcIoq2ing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXzcIoq2ing

Gibbon1 6y ago

I think the big deal with the EV1 is it was notable for being a 100% functional street car. Not an underpowered golf cart thing.