Bill
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,062
- Reaction score
- 898
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- Vehicle Year
- 2007
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I wouldn't say Musk is a fraud. I think he is very passionate about this. Everything he wants to do is possible. The problems that stand in his way right now are the high costs of achieving his goals. There's really no benefit to the trucking sector if the initial cost of this vehicle is excessive.Electric motors have excellent torque characteristics at low rpm, and there have been wonderful electric vehicles sincevthe dawn of the automobile age. In fact at that time they were relatively more impressive as gasoline powered vehicles stank, leaked, smoked and vibrated.
You still can’t make an automotive transportation system based on electric vehicles. As for freight, put that stuff on electric rail. Then you don’t have to charge anything or haul some battery system around.
Musk is a fraud.
Making an automotive transportation system based on electricity is certainly doable, but it has limitations. They're great for local commuting or traveling within the distance of a charge (300 - 400 miles). However, you aren't going to hop in one and make a roadtrip from Sacramento to Seattle without requiring a charge.
Electric motors do provide excellent torque. They also enable the ability to use better traction control if each wheel is using an individual motor. They are so much better than the railroad industry uses them in their drivetrains. They generate electricity and use the electricity to power traction motors at the wheels. No transmission needed and the motors can be used for braking.