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I don't think you can compare the network effect of people with VCRs and charging networks. Each person only needs 1 VCR, in their own home, and it's not that e

I don't think you can compare the network effect of people with VCRs and charging networks. Each person only needs 1 VCR, in their own home, and it's not that expensive to switch to the dominant format. Charging on the other hand has a huge compounding network effect. Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network, and right now Tesla has a huge lead. I'd wager that the supercharger standard isn't going anywhere. I'd also add that we already have two mutually compatible fuels for cars: diesel and petrol. In practice, every petrol station simply supports both fuels.

deleted 5y ago
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neogodless 5y ago
> Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network Presumably this is somewhat true for marketing and removing obstacles for potential EV buyers, and in practical terms, for long trips. But short of those long trips, the network is not a big factor in the quality or usability of the EV.
- seniorivn 5y ago
  having a vehicle that is not capable of long distance trips is a no go for everyone who can't afford more than one car that being said, owning a cheap(but good quality) short range ev for every family member and a regular huge car for long trips is the best way to go https://www.aptera.us/ https://www.aptera.us/ this might be it, though it can be ordered with 1000miles range, so not necessarily short range
  - myko 5y ago
    Wow! I was excited about these folks way back. They completely shuttered in 2011. I'm glad to see them back, though by now I've got on the Tesla bandwagon.
danso 5y ago
I would think it'd be very hard for Betamax adopters to switch their machine and their collection to VHS, especially if they lived in an area where there was mostly Betamax retailers.
chrispeel 5y ago
> diesel and petrol. In practice, every petrol station simply supports both fuels. In the US they definitely do not :-)
- TheParkShark 5y ago
  The US is a bit large. Where I’m from in the US of A they have them at every petrol station ;-)
  - Arrath 5y ago
    Conversely, when I worked at a gasoline-only gas station, I had the location of the nearest diesel providing ones memorized for those who asked.
phkahler 5y ago
>> Charging on the other hand has a huge compounding network effect. Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network, and right now Tesla has a huge lead. I'd wager that the supercharger standard isn't going anywhere. Tesla may have the largest network, but since all the other networks are compatible it's actually harder to find a Tesla charger than a standard one. The adapter situation for charging a Telsa on a standard plug isn't all that great either, it's hit or miss.
CarelessExpert 5y ago
> Charging on the other hand has a huge compounding network effect. Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network, and right now Tesla has a huge lead. I'd wager that the supercharger standard isn't going anywhere. I just wanna clarify something: that's not what the network effect is. The network effect is defined as "the phenomenon by which the value or utility a user derives from a good or service depends on the number of users of compatible products." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect For example, if each Tesla owner served as a charging station for every other owner, that would constitute a network effect, since the value/utility of a Tesla vehicle would increase with each additional owner. What you're describing is just a traditional moat or barrier of entry. The Tesla supercharger network is a strong competitive advantage because it makes their product more viable for people. But that advantage isn't increased or decreased based on the number of Tesla owners out there. And that advantage certainly doesn't "compound" in any meaningful way that I can see.
fomine3 5y ago
VHS also wins for network effect. Betamax doesn't allow rental tape but VHS allows.

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neogodless 5y ago

> Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network Presumably this is somewhat true for marketing and removing obstacles for potential EV buyers, and in practical terms, for long trips. But short of those long trips, the network is not a big factor in the quality or usability of the EV.

seniorivn 5y ago
having a vehicle that is not capable of long distance trips is a no go for everyone who can't afford more than one car that being said, owning a cheap(but good quality) short range ev for every family member and a regular huge car for long trips is the best way to go https://www.aptera.us/ https://www.aptera.us/ this might be it, though it can be ordered with 1000miles range, so not necessarily short range
- myko 5y ago
  Wow! I was excited about these folks way back. They completely shuttered in 2011. I'm glad to see them back, though by now I've got on the Tesla bandwagon.

danso 5y ago

I would think it'd be very hard for Betamax adopters to switch their machine and their collection to VHS, especially if they lived in an area where there was mostly Betamax retailers.

chrispeel 5y ago

> diesel and petrol. In practice, every petrol station simply supports both fuels. In the US they definitely do not :-)

TheParkShark 5y ago
The US is a bit large. Where I’m from in the US of A they have them at every petrol station ;-)
- Arrath 5y ago
  Conversely, when I worked at a gasoline-only gas station, I had the location of the nearest diesel providing ones memorized for those who asked.

phkahler 5y ago

>> Charging on the other hand has a huge compounding network effect. Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network, and right now Tesla has a huge lead. I'd wager that the supercharger standard isn't going anywhere. Tesla may have the largest network, but since all the other networks are compatible it's actually harder to find a Tesla charger than a standard one. The adapter situation for charging a Telsa on a standard plug isn't all that great either, it's hit or miss.

CarelessExpert 5y ago

> Charging on the other hand has a huge compounding network effect. Your electric car is only as good as the density of its network, and right now Tesla has a huge lead. I'd wager that the supercharger standard isn't going anywhere. I just wanna clarify something: that's not what the network effect is. The network effect is defined as "the phenomenon by which the value or utility a user derives from a good or service depends on the number of users of compatible products." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect For example, if each Tesla owner served as a charging station for every other owner, that would constitute a network effect, since the value/utility of a Tesla vehicle would increase with each additional owner. What you're describing is just a traditional moat or barrier of entry. The Tesla supercharger network is a strong competitive advantage because it makes their product more viable for people. But that advantage isn't increased or decreased based on the number of Tesla owners out there. And that advantage certainly doesn't "compound" in any meaningful way that I can see.

fomine3 5y ago

VHS also wins for network effect. Betamax doesn't allow rental tape but VHS allows.