Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In my area, the Tesla Model 3 is out of control - tons of sales and it might be expanding to people who are not exactly “techies,” which is a win for Elon Musk. Since EVs have a “1-speed” transmission, are they more reliable? Of the numerous vehicles I’ve owned over my life, seems like the transmission is the most unreliable part, and very expensive to replace.
Also, no oil changes or other engine maintainence like spark plugs, coolant change, air filter or valve adjustment. Does regenerative braking help with brake maintenance? Seems like a software update can take care of many Tesla or EV issues.
On the other hand, I realize battery lifespan needs to be looked at. I’ve also heard things about Model 3 build quality/rattles but seems like my neighbors say there are no rattles at all?
Flashlights should be very reliable, but every time you need one, it won't work.
What sort of battery management system does a flashlight have? EVs (other than Leafs) tend to have intelligent battery management, with controls on how far down the battery can be used to, and how full it can be charged to. This combined with liquid cooled thermal management for both heat and cold, tend to make EV batteries much more reliable than those in flashlights, phones and laptops.
Yes, in theory it is a less complicated more flexible way to power vehicles. But battery technology and charging infrastructure is at least one generation short of being able to provide the highly capable service we have come to expect. So I recently bought a IC vehicle.
[quote=cvetters63;55265873]What sort of battery management system does a flashlight have? EVs (other than Leafs) tend to have intelligent battery management, with controls on how far down the battery can be used to, and how full it can be charged to. This combined with liquid cooled thermal management for both heat and cold, tend to make EV batteries much more reliable than those in flashlights, phones and laptops.[/QUOTE
Typically, D cells, AA or AAA cells, all easily replaceable by owner, available at every store.
What sort of battery management system does a flashlight have? EVs (other than Leafs) tend to have intelligent battery management, with controls on how far down the battery can be used to, and how full it can be charged to. This combined with liquid cooled thermal management for both heat and cold, tend to make EV batteries much more reliable than those in flashlights, phones and laptops.
If eye rolls could be heard, it would be deafening.
For a given cost, complexity is the enemy of reliability. So yes, a system with fewer moving parts should be able to be made more reliable at a given price point. But there are no guarantees, it all depends on the manufacturer, there are plenty of poor designers that are no doubt able to build a simple, cheap system that is prone to failure through inept engineering and execution. I'm watching Honda's prototype City Car carefully, if the market grows to the point where Toyota and Honda start churning these things out, they're the ones to watch for better quality and reliability, although the Koreans have improved their quality greatly in recent years. Time will tell whether Tesla's turn out to be reliable vehicles for the long term.
It's not much different than the former technologies - for example, solid state is vastly more reliable than Tubes, etc.
Modern electric motors are miracles of simple efficiency. These motors are driving a LOT of high technology (drones, for example) due to reliability, computer control and the flexibility of use.
A regular care engine is incredibly complicated - then you have to add all the various transmissions, gears, etc.
A properly designed EV will use vastly less in terms of brakes, since that energy is being used to charge the battery back up.
In theory, there is no comparison at all. The EV is not just slightly better.....
In practice, tho, 100+ years of making cars the old fashioned way has made them incredibly reliable....especially considering the complexity.
Still, in the long run that doesn't change the formula. Eventually there are likely to be few, if any, internal combustion engines in our passenger vehicles.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
