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>That isn't really a worthwhile path to go down It sure is. Given a year in my garage, I bet I can make a more useful, power-converting device from scratch usi

>That isn't really a worthwhile path to go down It sure is. Given a year in my garage, I bet I can make a more useful, power-converting device from scratch using internal combustion tech than using electronics. >I believe the first EV might even predate the first ICE vehicle. I also believe that is true. What's old is new again - time to get rid of those "dinosuar tech" ICEs and move on to...the even older EV? Somehow electric delivery trucks are the new hotness, yet here in the UK, (lead-acid powered) milk floats are also a symbol of a byegone age.

sbradford26 4y ago
Given they were invented around the same time a combustion engine and electric motor take a similar level of technology to create. They require a certain level of machining and material sciences. The biggest changes that have occurred is in the "fuel" massive leaps have been made in oil refining and battery tech.
- rewiuoeriouf 4y ago
  Getting any kind of performance and efficiency out of an electric motor requires a sophisticated controller, which is why development of EVs stalled for so long. Semiconductor tech has only recently progressed to a point that makes this viable. This says nothing of battery tech, which has also seriously lagged. Even now, EVs barely compete on practically any metric with ICE cars (except tailpipe emissions) - in my opinion, the main drivers of market demand for EVs is marketing for the new shiny, and government regulation (at least here in the EU/UK. It will be illegal to manufacture an ICE, quite soon).
  - sbradford26 4y ago
    Electric motor controls have been around a very long time. That isn't to say they haven't gotten better but I would say the largest part of the motor controllers that requires sophistication is regenerative braking and such. But just controlling a motor speed has been around for many years, example hybrid electric trains, elevators, water pumps. Motor controllers were not the limiting factor for EVs it was battery tech. Not sure what metrics you are looking at but EVs cost less per mile to operate, accelerate faster, are quieter, and have lower maintenance. Those may not be the metrics you look for but saying EVs can't compete is ridiculous.
    - rewiuoeriouf 4y ago
      >Electric motor controls have been around a very long time. Not in a format that is useful for EVs, there hasn't. Only recent developments in semiconductors have made it viable to design a motor controller that is very efficient across a broad range of torques and speeds, and is also lightweight and cheap enough for use in a small passengar vehicle. >example hybrid electric trains, elevators, water pumps. Those examples of controllers have almost nothing in common with modern EV controllers. > Not sure what metrics you are looking at but EVs cost less per mile to operate, accelerate faster, are quieter, and have lower maintenance. Let's have a look at those. I am not convinced that the "cost per mile to operate" has been fully worked out over the full lifetime and ownership of an EV - we have yet to see how the overall economics of EV ownership will work out as they filter down the 2nd hand market chain. We will also see how the cost of maintentance works out - EVs are not currently known for being reliable. https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/ev-reliability-varied-as-gasoline-cars-consumer-reports/ https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/ev-reliability-varied-as-... Accelerating quicker - well, that's fine, if you want to burn through battery, and mess around at the lights. It's also not too hard to find or modify a car to make it have more acceleration. That just leaves quieter - which is an undeniable benefit, if only it were safe for multi-ton hunks of mobile metal to be silent. As it is, all the EVs I've seen have speaker-generated tones at low speeds.

sbradford26 4y ago

Given they were invented around the same time a combustion engine and electric motor take a similar level of technology to create. They require a certain level of machining and material sciences. The biggest changes that have occurred is in the "fuel" massive leaps have been made in oil refining and battery tech.

rewiuoeriouf 4y ago
Getting any kind of performance and efficiency out of an electric motor requires a sophisticated controller, which is why development of EVs stalled for so long. Semiconductor tech has only recently progressed to a point that makes this viable. This says nothing of battery tech, which has also seriously lagged. Even now, EVs barely compete on practically any metric with ICE cars (except tailpipe emissions) - in my opinion, the main drivers of market demand for EVs is marketing for the new shiny, and government regulation (at least here in the EU/UK. It will be illegal to manufacture an ICE, quite soon).
- sbradford26 4y ago
  Electric motor controls have been around a very long time. That isn't to say they haven't gotten better but I would say the largest part of the motor controllers that requires sophistication is regenerative braking and such. But just controlling a motor speed has been around for many years, example hybrid electric trains, elevators, water pumps. Motor controllers were not the limiting factor for EVs it was battery tech. Not sure what metrics you are looking at but EVs cost less per mile to operate, accelerate faster, are quieter, and have lower maintenance. Those may not be the metrics you look for but saying EVs can't compete is ridiculous.
  - rewiuoeriouf 4y ago
    >Electric motor controls have been around a very long time. Not in a format that is useful for EVs, there hasn't. Only recent developments in semiconductors have made it viable to design a motor controller that is very efficient across a broad range of torques and speeds, and is also lightweight and cheap enough for use in a small passengar vehicle. >example hybrid electric trains, elevators, water pumps. Those examples of controllers have almost nothing in common with modern EV controllers. > Not sure what metrics you are looking at but EVs cost less per mile to operate, accelerate faster, are quieter, and have lower maintenance. Let's have a look at those. I am not convinced that the "cost per mile to operate" has been fully worked out over the full lifetime and ownership of an EV - we have yet to see how the overall economics of EV ownership will work out as they filter down the 2nd hand market chain. We will also see how the cost of maintentance works out - EVs are not currently known for being reliable. https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/ev-reliability-varied-as-gasoline-cars-consumer-reports/ https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/ev-reliability-varied-as-... Accelerating quicker - well, that's fine, if you want to burn through battery, and mess around at the lights. It's also not too hard to find or modify a car to make it have more acceleration. That just leaves quieter - which is an undeniable benefit, if only it were safe for multi-ton hunks of mobile metal to be silent. As it is, all the EVs I've seen have speaker-generated tones at low speeds.