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I drive a mercedes diesel van whose engine is likely to last 1M miles. The problem is that engineering the rest of a vehicle to last even half that is incredibl
by PaulDavisThe1st 3y ago
I drive a mercedes diesel van whose engine is likely to last 1M miles. The problem is that engineering the rest of a vehicle to last even half that is incredibly challenging. Suspension systems, steering, braking, even just body panel fit over 500k miles are all subject to incredible demands. At this point, I feel that the 1M target is a bit silly. Given technological change (often but not always progress), a 20 year target seems like a sensible compromise.
- bryanlarsen 3y agoClass 8 trucks regularly do > 1 million miles and Toyota taxis regularly do > 500,000 miles. It's certainly not easy, but it is possible.
- PaulDavisThe1st 3y agoYeah, it is clearly possible. But trucks have the benefit of generally accumulating huge amounts of highway miles, which is substantially easier on the entire vehicle than family hauling and commuting. Those taxis are amazing, but I wonder if that's the right model given technological change over their lifetimes. Also, particularly for trucks, the economics of a vehicle used to make money look a bit different than one that is purely for transportation utility.