3 ms·

And then, from an adoption perspective, you needed to make them accelerate faster than gas cars. Prior efforts failed from lack of demand because the cars were

And then, from an adoption perspective, you needed to make them accelerate faster than gas cars. Prior efforts failed from lack of demand because the cars were (perceived as) extremely slow.

BlueTemplar 4y ago
Are you talking about the pre-model T ones ? (But then the first Porsche was electric and overwhelmingly won a race ??) The 1996 GM EV1 already had a fan following thanks to it's high acceleration.
- ProjectArcturis 4y ago
  I was thinking of the GM EV1. It went 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds[1], which is slightly slower than a 1996 Ford Taurus SHO [2]. A modern BMW 328 is 5.3 seconds. The original Tesla roadster was 4.6. 1 https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ 2 https://www.zeroto60times.com https://www.zeroto60times.com
  - BlueTemplar 4y ago
    Ah, but it might not as simple as that one single number : > Driven like a regular car, GM's "voltswagen" is quite adept in traffic. Its 7.7-second 0-60-mph ability equals that of potent performers such as the '69 Camaro SS 350. And since the electric motor produces the same 110 pound-feet of torque at one rpm as at 7000, response is instantaneous. > With more than a half ton of batteries low in the chassis, the car is very stable and handles remarkably well despite the ultranarrow, low-rolling-resistance tires. Darting from light to light along L.A. 's bustling La Cienega Boulevard, the car would easily spurt ahead from intersections for uninterrupted lane choice. However : > Of course, this driving style meant I was sucking amps like the Las Vegas strip, and the battery state-of-charge gauge used everything but sarcasm to get me to slow down. However, I'm a performance driver first, an environmentalist second-so I decided that while my trip up the coast may be brief, it would be without accelerative compromises. [...] > Driving smoothly is the key to efficiency (read: more mileage) in any vehicle, but given the current limitations, it's all-important in an electric car. So, to make my way through the 36 urban miles to my home, I was a virtual rolling roadblock, easing into the throttle with such delicacy that within the first few miles I knew I'd be late for my wife's lovingly prepared dinner. That would explain my confusion after reading this : https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car > With a range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just seven seconds, -which I took to mean that they were much better than average- > the EV1 quickly gained a cult following.

And then, from an adoption perspective, you needed to make them accelerate faster than gas cars. Prior efforts failed from lack of demand because the cars were (perceived as) extremely slow.

BlueTemplar 4y ago

Are you talking about the pre-model T ones ? (But then the first Porsche was electric and overwhelmingly won a race ??) The 1996 GM EV1 already had a fan following thanks to it's high acceleration.

ProjectArcturis 4y ago
I was thinking of the GM EV1. It went 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds[1], which is slightly slower than a 1996 Ford Taurus SHO [2]. A modern BMW 328 is 5.3 seconds. The original Tesla roadster was 4.6. 1 https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ https://www.motortrend.com/features/1997-gm-ev1/ 2 https://www.zeroto60times.com https://www.zeroto60times.com
- BlueTemplar 4y ago
  Ah, but it might not as simple as that one single number : > Driven like a regular car, GM's "voltswagen" is quite adept in traffic. Its 7.7-second 0-60-mph ability equals that of potent performers such as the '69 Camaro SS 350. And since the electric motor produces the same 110 pound-feet of torque at one rpm as at 7000, response is instantaneous. > With more than a half ton of batteries low in the chassis, the car is very stable and handles remarkably well despite the ultranarrow, low-rolling-resistance tires. Darting from light to light along L.A. 's bustling La Cienega Boulevard, the car would easily spurt ahead from intersections for uninterrupted lane choice. However : > Of course, this driving style meant I was sucking amps like the Las Vegas strip, and the battery state-of-charge gauge used everything but sarcasm to get me to slow down. However, I'm a performance driver first, an environmentalist second-so I decided that while my trip up the coast may be brief, it would be without accelerative compromises. [...] > Driving smoothly is the key to efficiency (read: more mileage) in any vehicle, but given the current limitations, it's all-important in an electric car. So, to make my way through the 36 urban miles to my home, I was a virtual rolling roadblock, easing into the throttle with such delicacy that within the first few miles I knew I'd be late for my wife's lovingly prepared dinner. That would explain my confusion after reading this : https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-electric-car > With a range of 80 miles and the ability to accelerate from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just seven seconds, -which I took to mean that they were much better than average- > the EV1 quickly gained a cult following.