The EV fact thread

[markjay]

So if the software say drive at 133mph, then that's feasible?
This would be a good time to acknowledge that the 'result' MB has achieved here is completely irrelevant.

Time that changed then.
Two current difficulties I have. The pop-up ads on this forum (only this forum) and currently being unable to access any Channel 4 programmes on-line. This forum says use an ad blocker, Channel 4 says disable any ad blocker. FFS, why are these contradictions and complications. A mechanical engineer wouldn't get a free pass on shit like this.

Most of the programmers who wrote the code for Ms-DOS, which is the basis for Windows 3.11, parts of which are still alive in Windows 11, are either retried or dead. The same goes for Word, Excel, Outlook, and may other programs in daily use. We no longer know what software does, or how it does it. Going back? Sure, you know here to find the Amish (they are in Pennsylvania).

As for MB's achievement, these things are known as technology demonstrators, they are meant to demonstrate and test the tech, a variant of which eventually finds its way into production models - that's just how the car-making industry works.

 

[Bellow]

Most of the programmers who wrote the code for Ms-DOS, which is the basis for Windows 3.11, parts of which are still alive in Windows 11, are either retried or dead. The same goes for Word, Excel, Outlook, and may other programs in daily use. We no longer know what software does, or how it does it. Going back? Sure, you know here to find the Amish (they are in Pennsylvania).

It's worse than I thought. No prospect of starting afresh and doing better? Instead of going 'back'?

As for MB's achievement, these things are known as technology demonstrators, they are meant to demonstrate and test the tech, a variant of which eventually finds its way into production models - that's just how the car-making industry works.

Puffing up share price more like - as per DiesOtto. The fastest rising car manufacturers - the Chinese - have no need for this nonsense.

 

[Mactech]

Mercedes making noise about one of their new model ev prototypes suggests there ev ardour is waxing not waning? Mercedes-Benz CLA prototype breaks EV 24-hour distance record | Autocar

I think that this distance in the 24 hr period is actually very good.
Back in 2015 I was charged with seeing if a Bentley Flying Spur could set a new 24hr speed record for a production car. I'd used NARDO before with the XJ220 and Bentley had a high speed test squad down there semi permanently.
The car would do 200mph average lap speeds, but only for a few minutes prior to the rear diff over heating and at that speed it would be less than 20 minutes before it required refuelling!
Given we were not allowed to change the production fuel system, it was taking almost 5 minutes to fuel....3 times an hour. The decision was made not to attempt the record.
Whilst I agree the infrastructure is not yet there to 'refuel' an EV at such a high rate exactly where you might like, the 'delta' between ICE and EV cars for a really long journey is certainly on the way down.
....and that assumes you can find somewhere you can travel at anything like these speeds legally for any length of time

 

[ChipChop]

Two current difficulties I have. The pop-up ads on this forum (only this forum) and currently being unable to access any Channel 4 programmes on-line.

uBlock Origin is a very good free blocker.

 

[markjay]

It's worse than I thought. No prospect of starting afresh and doing better? Instead of going 'back'?

No. Far too complicated, time-consuming, and expensive to "reinvent the wheel".

 

[Bellow]

No. Far too complicated, time-consuming, and expensive to "reinvent the wheel".

So we hobble along on a busted rim increasingly relying on it for the functioning of the world - wow!

 

[BIGDOG]

I know a couple people with them, they love them.

Any more feedback on the Buzz?
Prices are dropping on nearly new.

 

[markjay]

So we hobble along on a busted rim increasingly relying on it for the functioning of the world - wow!

Errr.... yes.

 

[markjay]

Any more feedback on the Buzz?
Prices are dropping on nearly new.

This one....?

 

[BIGDOG]

This one....?

That would be great but I’m on about a basic MPV type Buzz. They are down below £40k for a barely used one, not a camper.

We have an ICE convertible, a large SUV and a dog/tip van currently.

I’m thinking of swapping the SUV and the van for a Buzz.

Minimal mileage daily but X2 big Euro holiday trips per year, will save pots of fuel/tax/ins on a day to day basis.

Need to investigate whether I could rent a 911 for the holidays.

 

[markjay]

That would be great but I’m on about a basic MPV type Buzz. They are down below £40k for a barely used one, not a camper.

We have an ICE convertible, a large SUV and a dog/tip van currently.

I’m thinking of swapping the SUV and the van for a Buzz.

Minimal mileage daily but X2 big Euro holiday trips per year, will save pots of fuel/tax/ins on a day to day basis.

Need to investigate whether I could rent a 911 for the holidays.

This, then?

 

[BIGDOG]

This, then?

Nearly, the cheapest ones I see don’t have the 3rd row of seats but have a ‘board’ which splits the cargo area horizontally which means that I can take the bins to the tip and the dog down the beach every morning.

 

[clk320x]

Any more feedback on the Buzz?
Prices are dropping on nearly new.

I will ask now, expect a reply by tomorrow latest.

 

[clk320x]

Any more feedback on the Buzz?
Prices are dropping on nearly new.

a) The form factor and space are great. The easy-to-remove rear seats make it very versatile, almost like a small van—or even a larger cargo van if you need more space.

b) It’s got a charming design with some nice touches that work really well.

c) It’s definitely not slow—has that EV feel and drives smoothly.

d) Tows beautifully, though it has an 800 kg limit.

However, the UX is a huge letdown. The haptic buttons are frustrating (is it adding 5 mph or 1 mph to cruise? Who knows?). The center console controls are blank and lack backlighting (I think this was fixed in newer versions). Online features don’t reliably save user preferences, and unlike Tesla, it can’t handle multiple user profiles well; logging out completely when you switch drivers.

Also good video here:

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[BTB 500]

With that frontal area it obviously won't be as efficient at higher speeds as a more normal car. That may be something you're happy to live with if you really want/need the form factor, but it's something to be aware of.

No different to larger ICE vehicles of course - we have a diesel Vito and changing the motorway cruising speed by 5 or 10 mph has a much more significant effect on the MPG than would be the case with a less bulky vehicle.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

So we hobble along on a busted rim increasingly relying on it for the functioning of the world - wow!

You wouldn't believe how much the main IT systems you use are built on legacy systems that corporations don't really understand, but work around.

Cash handling, savings, investments, insurance, logistics, the lot.

But somehow the planes keep up in the air.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Holy Road Fund Licences !! Have you seen how much the Road Fund Licences are next year? Both first year and ongoing...

This isn't politics, its the differential between buying a new EV and "something nice."

JLR: eat your heart out.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I think that this distance in the 24 hr period is actually very good.
Back in 2015 I was charged with seeing if a Bentley Flying Spur could set a new 24hr speed record for a production car. I'd used NARDO before with the XJ220 and Bentley had a high speed test squad down there semi permanently.
The car would do 200mph average lap speeds, but only for a few minutes prior to the rear diff over heating and at that speed it would be less than 20 minutes before it required refuelling!
Given we were not allowed to change the production fuel system, it was taking almost 5 minutes to fuel....3 times an hour. The decision was made not to attempt the record.
Whilst I agree the infrastructure is not yet there to 'refuel' an EV at such a high rate exactly where you might like, the 'delta' between ICE and EV cars for a really long journey is certainly on the way down.
....and that assumes you can find somewhere you can travel at anything like these speeds legally for any length of time

I had the pleasure of listening to Jonathan Palmer last week talking about the prospect of EV racing at his racetracks.

He was clear that he's a long way from getting sufficient juice on site within the foreseeable future, with the exception of his Spanish track which has a solar farm "on site."

 

[Mactech]

I had the pleasure of listening to Jonathan Palmer last week talking about the prospect of EV racing at his racetracks.

He was clear that he's a long way from getting sufficient juice on site within the foreseeable future, with the exception of his Spanish track which has a solar farm "on site."

Yes, my son is working with some of Formula E teams at the moment, and the absurdity of these 'green' races is that there is a line of diesel generators, out of line of sight, suppling the charge for all the cars....
I worked for JP for a couple of years based at the Bedford Autodrome and there are very few people I have ever met with a greater work ethic than he has.
16 hour days were a minimum for him using his own helicopter transport to dart about Europe

 

[BTB 500]

Yes, my son is working with some of Formula E teams at the moment, and the absurdity of these 'green' races is that there is a line of diesel generators, out of line of sight, suppling the charge for all the cars....
I worked for JP for a couple of years based at the Bedford Autodrome and there are very few people I have ever met with a greater work ethic than he has.
16 hour days were a minimum for him using his own helicopter transport to dart about Europe

I remember VW having a big diesel generator to charge up their Pikes Peak car when they took the record there.

Years ago I did a corporate JP day at Bruntingthorpe and he arrived by helicopter for the closing talk/drinks at the end of that