More Audi Arrogance: Audi President "Volt is car for idiots"
09-08-09, 06:02 AM
#61
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MD
Posts: 4,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see people around here who run extension cords out to their cars in town home parking lots or even street parking for engine block heaters or to charge the bat. on a wheel chair van. What's to stop them from getting a Volt and doing this?
09-08-09, 06:27 AM
#62
Lexus Test Driver
09-08-09, 10:06 AM
#64
Lexus Fanatic
Automakers are working in conjunction with power companies to develop special high-speed chargers that will give complete battery charges in as little as 20 minutes.....and installed in many public places of buisness. That will allow you, for example, to park at a restaurant, go in and eat, come back out, and have the battery all up to snuff. What and how they are going to charge for the electric use (no pun intended) has yet to be worked out.
09-08-09, 10:10 AM
#65
Lexus Test Driver
Automakers are working in conjunction with power companies to develop special high-speed chargers that will give complete battery charges in as little as 20 minutes.....and installed in many public places of buisness. That will allow you, for example, to park at a restaurant, go in and eat, come back out, and have the battery all up to snuff. What and how they are going to charge for the electric use (no pun intended) has yet to be worked out.
09-08-09, 10:46 AM
#67
Lexus Test Driver
09-08-09, 11:32 AM
#70
Lexus Test Driver
In today's time is money metality, who has the time to sit at a gas station for hours waiting for a full charge. The Volt and the Tesla, which still require 3-4 hours for a full charge. The technology is simply not ready for prime time yet. There are many un-answer issues.
09-09-09, 06:16 PM
#71
One other thing about diesel. Diesel fuel itself contains about 20% more energy than gasoline. It also weights about 20% more than gasoline. And of course it seems that a good diesel gets 20% better economy than its gasoline sibling.
But it seems that it also takes more oil to produce a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gasoline. So while you might be using up less fuel in your car, but it in the end still the same amount of crude oil has been used.
The bottom line is that theres only so much energy is stored in a barrel of crude... it can be measured in BTU's, watts, horsepowers, whichever system you want to use. It of course varies depending on the quality of the crude, and the goal is to extract as much energy out of it as possible, and to use it as efficiently as you can. And it seems to like diesel and gasoline engines are roughly the same efficiency wise. You put 20% more BTU's in the fuel tank of your TDI and you get 20% more miles out of it. Even game.
But it seems that it also takes more oil to produce a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gasoline. So while you might be using up less fuel in your car, but it in the end still the same amount of crude oil has been used.
The bottom line is that theres only so much energy is stored in a barrel of crude... it can be measured in BTU's, watts, horsepowers, whichever system you want to use. It of course varies depending on the quality of the crude, and the goal is to extract as much energy out of it as possible, and to use it as efficiently as you can. And it seems to like diesel and gasoline engines are roughly the same efficiency wise. You put 20% more BTU's in the fuel tank of your TDI and you get 20% more miles out of it. Even game.
09-09-09, 08:47 PM
#73
Lexus Champion
Even if the electric may not make a whole lot of sense, it is a the start of a new technology. Whether you can or can't afford it is not really the point. You just have to agree that electric power is the future and understand you're going to pay the price to be an early adopter.
Given time, most new technology will improve and go down in price. Look at the price of digital cameras, computers, LCD TV's. The first iPod had 5 GB and cost $400. People thought it was ridiculous to spend that kind of money for something that works like a WalkMan. Fast forward 8 years and see how far we've come......
You'll probably be able to buy a Volt for $18,000 in 15-20 years.
Given time, most new technology will improve and go down in price. Look at the price of digital cameras, computers, LCD TV's. The first iPod had 5 GB and cost $400. People thought it was ridiculous to spend that kind of money for something that works like a WalkMan. Fast forward 8 years and see how far we've come......
You'll probably be able to buy a Volt for $18,000 in 15-20 years.
09-10-09, 06:49 AM
#75
Lexus Champion
The Prius is substantially bigger and better built than the Yaris with standard and optional tech teh Yaris doesn't have. It also gets 20 MPG better than the Yaris.
So there isn't a diesel here that gets 50 MPG city/Highway. So then how is it better?
People buy hybrids again MORE than just for MPG. People continue to miss the much lower emissions they produce. They are quieter as well and some people LIKE the new technology.
$65,000 335d that gets 27 MPG average. Nearly twice the price. Not a fun game is it.
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...EIyW2HhA29cts=
I like diesels, they are great and its a shame we don't get more diesels here. Prius> any diesel here in regards to MPG. Period.
So there isn't a diesel here that gets 50 MPG city/Highway. So then how is it better?
People buy hybrids again MORE than just for MPG. People continue to miss the much lower emissions they produce. They are quieter as well and some people LIKE the new technology.
$65,000 335d that gets 27 MPG average. Nearly twice the price. Not a fun game is it.
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...EIyW2HhA29cts=
I like diesels, they are great and its a shame we don't get more diesels here. Prius> any diesel here in regards to MPG. Period.
Last edited by bagwell; 09-10-09 at 07:04 AM.