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The Future of Gas Powered Cars for Hobbyists

Warren

Warren

Bronze Level Sponsor
I get 29 mpg pulling a Kendon trailer weighing around 530 lb. 30 with it full of trunk tools. 2008 Civic Si. I've driven in excess of the 291 miles. A good road trip car is at least 700 miles in a day. Adding 31 minutes to a pee stop is only good if you have a cracker barrel :) but not really.
Plus there's the couple hundred pounds of tools in the trunk plus whatever I put on it.
I hope the food's pretty good where those 31-minute charging stations would be at.
I always get a laugh on how they predict the future value of $1. Clearly economy of scale and production is something to be considered. Most of us here remember paying $1,500 for our first cell phone that was the size of 3/4 a std. brick. actually probably a little more because my wife had one that was the size of a Kleenex tissue box.
It's always interesting the tone of the voice, I'm a really smart guy and my voice is so smooth You should believe me....
Where do they get these guys.
But it was an interesting video.
I'm not running out and buying an electric car but I wouldn't mind having one to run errands close to home. If you don't need to go X county or big distance you may not need that 291 mi range or longer. My airline pilot buddy always says if it flies f's or floats it's cheaper to rent it.

* Cracker barrel is a restaurant that serves some high fat, county style food.
* F omitted for G rating :)
 
John W

John W

Bronze Level Sponsor
We have enough gas to last 200 years or longer, even accounting for population explosion. Before we burn it all, a battery will be developed that charges constantly on solar and never needs attention. It'll power our homes and cars. The subsidized new $36,000 electric car of today can be had off lease with 20,000 miles for $12,000 because the battery wears down and is so expensive to replace it will eventually render an otherwise perfectly good car worthless. Why subsidize/build a grid for today's technology. Not to mention that fast charging wears today's battery out a lot quicker. The entire concept of rushing to fix a problem that will eventually fix itself is the very definition of political. Makes everyone feel technologically trendy is my best guess, but at one heck of an unnecessary cost. But what do I know. My cousin's boyfriend told me Ben Franklin was being replaced on the hundred dollar bill by Earnest Tubb.
 
John W

John W

Bronze Level Sponsor
LOL! Got to give a little reality every now and then. Like watching too much of the science channel and switching to wreslin' to even it out a bit.

That Ben Franklin quote above about is prominently displayed near the entrance of the register of deeds office in the county courthouse in Hendersonville NC. There was a Sunbeam gathering held there once, well, not really in Hendersonville, but at the hotel off the interstate past the waffle house. I couldn't attend, but I looked at photos. Everything is relative, and it's all as good as we each make it.

There's no limit to what can be accomplished as long as you don't care who gets the credit. - Ronnie Van Zant didn't say that. That was said by the politician he was named after. (I won't name him, just so I don't wonder into politics here.)
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
I have always thought those cute little pickups were make for grounds keeping chores, not burning up the highway. While some state are limiting vehicles for safety reasons, Here in Indiana we're allowing unlicensed off road fun mobiles to clutter up the roads.
States Rights, 'ya know.
Bill
 
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husky drvr

husky drvr

Platinum Level Sponsor
Bill Blue said:
I have always thought those cute little pickups were make for grounds keeping chores, not burning up the highway. While some state are limiting vehicles for safety reasons, Here in Indiana we're allowing unlicensed off road fun mobiles to clutter up the roads.
Bill
Click to expand...



Bill,

There is more than the "mini" trucks involved. It also involves the "KEI" cars. Overall, this is a VERY small market segment. The problem seems more a precedent setting situation is being manipulated for future reference. FWIW & it might have changed at some point, but I don't think NC ever allowed the mini trucks to be registered because of their limited top speed. On the other hand, you can register a golf cart. Go figure.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...r190067.html&usg=AOvVaw0DxupT1XfVdwDC5eGfLiJs

The point is, by Federal standards and laws, the class of vehicles being removed from the roads should be legally allowed registration. As to safety, why would that class of vehicle be any less safe than your Alpine?

The decision is not based on governmental regulations, but a private, non governmental group's policy opinion. Are you ready for that same group to state they think your Alpine is unsafe because it can't pass safety regulations of twenty-five years ago? By this groups logic, if you had a relative in the UK leave you a home market 1989 Bentley, then you shouldn't be able to import and register the vehicle because "it can't meet 1996 vehicle safety standards". Now think in terms of the original "frog eye" Sprite, the kei cars are in that size and power range. Still think a small private group's opinion should out weigh government regulations?

Don
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
I agree that the decision of the Agency is a model of "Arbitrary and Capricious". Sort of like the guy who said while he could not define pornography, he could recognize it when he saw it. I am particularly trouble by the phrase, "all KEI cars". To me, that sounds like the ban includes 2021 models.

If a car cannot be licensed due to safety issues, especially top speed, it should be allowed on the road if it sports a Slow Moving Vehicle sign. I still think the trucks were designed to be facility work trucks. I can also see them at home in a mass of vehicles moving along at 10 mph (if that much).

The scary part of this story is that a state agency is accepting opinion as fact and using it apply state regulations. As a long time bureaucrat, I find that totally unprofessional and dangerous. Regs should be applied as they are written. If they are inadequate, they should be "tuned up" by politicians or interpreted by courts. In short, if the regs don't address an issue such as top speed, it cannot be an agency consideration.
 
Warren

Warren

Bronze Level Sponsor
Wow, I didn't see all this but It becomes a laugh out loud moment when you see the soccer mom reduced from a Chebby Suburban to a golf cart.
Well actually she got the Ford Explorer and the dad got the golf cart.

If the Co-exist and tolerance mantra was spread to accept the dinosaur vehicles as well as the others.

To look at the stupidity and well intentioned lawmakers ideas one only has to look to the land of unicorns. It is illegal for a school bus including a van to idle for more than 30 seconds while waiting to pick up.
Of course there's a small amount of latitude for the special education types.
 
M

mikephillips

Donation Time
And another thing to consider, as cars and trucks and highways become more and more connected to each other, sharing information from computer to computer, all other cars might end up as restricted use on "vintage" road areas or maybe even outright banned since the then modern cars/truck can't "see" them. Kind of like horse drawn wagons can't go everywhere anymore.
 
puff4

puff4

Platinum Level Sponsor
Well, I just finished towing my 26-foot, 4,000 pound sailboat [note - very eco-friendly] from Rouses Point, NY to Ambler, PA... a 7 hour drive... with my 2020 Toyota Highlander.

I guess I wanna know, in this new world of eco-cars, how the h*ll I'm gonna be able to do that with a battery powered car or SUV?
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
puff4 said:
Well, I just finished towing my 26-foot, 4,000 pound sailboat [note - very eco-friendly] from Rouses Point, NY to Ambler, PA... a 7 hour drive... with my 2020 Toyota Highlander.

I guess I wanna know, in this new world of eco-cars, how the h*ll I'm gonna be able to do that with a battery powered car or SUV?
Click to expand...
Hook up and go, stop for a recharge. . Very simple, sort of like putting four elephants in a Volkswagon, two in front, two in back.
Bill
 
husky drvr

husky drvr

Platinum Level Sponsor
puff4 said:
Well, I just finished towing my 26-foot, 4,000 pound sailboat [note - very eco-friendly] from Rouses Point, NY to Ambler, PA... a 7 hour drive... with my 2020 Toyota Highlander.

I guess I wanna know, in this new world of eco-cars, how the h*ll I'm gonna be able to do that with a battery powered car or SUV?
Click to expand...

Kevin,

:) Not an answer to your question, but have you seen this physics demonstration?


My guess about the answer(s) to your question will begin "Why do you need a boat . . . ?" and end with any number of nosy, belligerent endings. :(
 
MikeH

MikeH

Diamond Level Sponsor
Like the sailboat, it looks like the wind is creating lift across the blades. If you look closely you’ll see the prop is rotating the opposite direction than if the wind was blowing past it and spinning it like a pinwheel.
 
puff4

puff4

Platinum Level Sponsor
Bill Blue said:
Hook up and go, stop for a recharge. . Very simple, sort of like putting four elephants in a Volkswagon, two in front, two in back.
Bill
Click to expand...
What electric car, SUV or truck is gonna pull 4000 lbs up and down the Adirondack range? I’d be charging the bugger every hour!
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
puff4 said:
What electric car, SUV or truck is gonna pull 4000 lbs up and down the Adirondack range? I’d be charging the bugger every hour!
Click to expand...
Who knows?? You are making the mistake if transferring today's technology into the future. Twenty years ago would you believe that a fully street equiped electric car can rip off quarter mile sub 10 sec times? Also, consider that mountainous driving usually results in increased mileage. Uphill, you get 10 mpg. Downhill, you get 90 mpg. Average of 50 mpg in a vehicle that normally gets 40. That's with gasoline, I'd imagine an electric with regenerative braking would do even better.

Bill
 
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