Quote:
Originally Posted by KlokWerk
For me the risk isn't in the mode of locomotion. ICE versus Electric motor doesn't concern me so much.
I wouldn’t compare internal combustion engine to the whole electric car. Bad comparison in my mind. Rather the comparison should be apples to apples, meaning compare the ICE to Electric motor.
Electric motors have been around and in development since 1740. Internal combustion engines have been around for nearly as long. But again, these technologies do not, for me, represent the greatest risk.
For me it’s the battery.
Specifically with battery life, longevity, safety and cost of replacement.
After watching this video of the battery pack being built for the i3, it looks like they could be easily replaced when needed and if newer technology improves on the existing battery.
Safety seems to have been addressed too but with the exception of under-tray impact resistance. I haven't found any information or videos demonstrating the battery packs ability to absorb impacts to the underside of the tray or prevent penetration by road debris. This was a problem with the Tesla and which lead Tesla to provide shielding for their battery packs.
An other risk (for me) involves the financials of the vehicle. Will they hold their value as compared to other comparable vehicles? What will the used market be like for the i3? Because only the original buyer can claim the Tax Credit, used car purchasers may be challenged. How do used Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius and Tesla S owners doing when selling their cars off? I haven’t really looked into it. |
If there is anyone who'd love to drive a hybrid vehicle or even battery electric if the average range was north of 200 miles (the Tesla S supposedly does this) it's me. My commute is 170 miles a day. I've stayed away from the hybrids due just to the issue of battery longevity. Worse is storage charge degradation. I've researched it best I can, and I've found no conclusive information on just how long EV batteries last. Yes most do have 8 year 100,000 mile warranties, but I need 200K out of a car to financially justify my long commute (i.e. I should just move in closer to the city). None of the total-life cost calculations I've done show that a Hybrid or EV is equal to or less than a comparable ICE powered vehicle in total life cycle cost. And all my calculations are based on a 200,000 mile life cycle with no battery replacement. Throw in a battery replacement above 100,000 miles and situation is far worse.
The Volt comes closest to matching a monthly-cycle cost (car payment and fuel cost) for my commute and I've considered it, although the Volt's intended design use is not an 80 mile trip into the city from the rural country side. It's the concern of a battery replacement between 100,000 and 200,000 miles that keeps it out of serious contention.
None of the EV/Hybrid manufacturers come clean on battery life, which tells you something...