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It's amazing how much an article can be both correct and miss the point so strongly. >"The critical limitation preventing EVs from disrupting the lowest end of

by jrock08 11y ago

It's amazing how much an article can be both correct and miss the point so strongly. >"The critical limitation preventing EVs from disrupting the lowest end of the traditional auto market is battery performance, but battery costs are declining every day. As battery technology improves and costs continue to decrease, low end EVs will rapidly gain on their traditional competitors." This is literally what Tesla is banking on. You can't sell a mass market car without low cost high density batteries, but you can't invest in low cost high density batteries without proving that people will buy electric cars. Which was the point of the Roadster and now the S and X. Battery technology won't improve from golf carts because golf carts only need to go 10 miles, and we've had batteries that could do that for years.

SamReidHughes 11y ago
For golf carts, battery longevity could improve, as could their ability to withstand colder temperatures. At Shoreline Golf Links in Mountain View, for a while they switched the front and back nines, so that when their older golf carts' batteries ran out of juice, it would happen a shorter distance from the clubhouse. Edit: Also, gas powered golf carts have other advantages. They can provide more power, which is an advantage on hills. A typical electric cart will go slow on some hills that you'll face on golf courses. Another is that they weigh less -- on turf that means less damage, especially if it's soggy. Let's not forget charging hookups, charging times, and other inconveniences -- maybe they mean you need more golf cart inventory, or more battery inventory? I don't know if golf cart batteries are quick-replaceable. About half of golf courses use gas powered carts for reasons.
- digi_owl 11y ago
  I suspect the problem is more one of cart design than anything related to the type of engine when it comes to hill climbing. It would not surprise me if the electric carts have a minimal at best gearbox between the engine and the wheels. This makes for a simpler cart, but also limits the size of engine you can put in to allow for rider comfort and safety. In contrast a gas engine pretty much need a gearbox to get moving at all, as it needs to get up to revs before it really delivers. So in essence a electric engine could benefit from a gearbox for the inverse of a gas engine.

by jrock08 11y ago

SamReidHughes 11y ago

For golf carts, battery longevity could improve, as could their ability to withstand colder temperatures. At Shoreline Golf Links in Mountain View, for a while they switched the front and back nines, so that when their older golf carts' batteries ran out of juice, it would happen a shorter distance from the clubhouse. Edit: Also, gas powered golf carts have other advantages. They can provide more power, which is an advantage on hills. A typical electric cart will go slow on some hills that you'll face on golf courses. Another is that they weigh less -- on turf that means less damage, especially if it's soggy. Let's not forget charging hookups, charging times, and other inconveniences -- maybe they mean you need more golf cart inventory, or more battery inventory? I don't know if golf cart batteries are quick-replaceable. About half of golf courses use gas powered carts for reasons.

digi_owl 11y ago
I suspect the problem is more one of cart design than anything related to the type of engine when it comes to hill climbing. It would not surprise me if the electric carts have a minimal at best gearbox between the engine and the wheels. This makes for a simpler cart, but also limits the size of engine you can put in to allow for rider comfort and safety. In contrast a gas engine pretty much need a gearbox to get moving at all, as it needs to get up to revs before it really delivers. So in essence a electric engine could benefit from a gearbox for the inverse of a gas engine.