Electric car conspiracy?

Except "10 cents per kWh" would buy a heck of a lot more 100 years ago compared to today.

Bob Wilson

 

poppycock. electric cars had to deal with the exact same problems then as now, vastly inferior to gassers. same with steamers. i hope we're not having the same discussion a hundred years from now. (okay, not 'us' specifically)

 

I didn't waste my time with the vid, but judging from the comments it's old w(h)ine in new bottles.

 

I don't have any personal experience but I believe EVs weren't "vastly inferior" a century ago. A Model T was on display locally with a poster reproducing the regular maintenance list. From a modern perspective that thing needed constant attention.

All cars were "slow". (60mph was a winning speed at the track.) Few cars were capable of running for 24 hours. They were all "short range" and fair weather use due to a lack of refueling infrasture and paved roads. At least with the EV you didn't have to worry about breaking your arm trying to get it started.

 

i think henry ford changed the paradigm.

 

Cadillac gave us the electric starter in 1912.

 

made a huge difference, especially with women who were driving electric.

 

Henry Ford unmasked at last!!

1901 Baker Electric Car - at 25 mph

 

The key was the electric starter invented in 1911. Before that cranking the car to start it gave it disadvantages versus electric, versus refueling speed. By 1925 it was game over bev, as ford and gm made gasoline cars with electric starters affordable.
+1

Yep, once you replaced the crank with a battery and motor the stage was set. Think distance and easy to fix. The first gasoline cars broke down, but they were easy to repair.

 

The film points out that electric cars came first, before the ICE, and the ICE took over and the film offers that as proof of a conspiracy by the oil companies against electric cars. Electric cars in the early days, however, took their power from overhead electric lines and were more like buses. Consumers want more independence and more privacy. That's why the ICE took over. That's why the ICE still rules. Today, even after all the advances in battery technology, electronics, motors, etc., one must pay more money for less mobility to go electric, so there is no conspiracy. When electrics offer more overall utility per $ than ICE or hybrid/electric, they'll take the market back.

 

Steam powered cars outshone ICE ones in the beginning. Not being available now doesn't mean they were surpressed

 

all good points. who had the agenda in that video?

 

I don't know even when that was. Steam powered cars existed before the gasoline ice was invented. Daimler didn't invent the first modern carburated ice until 1885. Benz built a car with such an ice in 1886. Maybach built the first 4 stroke 4 cyclinder engine in 1890. After the daimler/benz/maybach innovations steam cars died, it was a race between improving this ice based car and electrics. These early engines needed to be flex fuel and improve reliability and power. Bertha Benz did the first road trip in 1888, to prove the ice based auto could be practical for long distance. During the trip she invented brakelinings and used a hat pin to clean the fuel pipe, and used her garter to insulate a wire ;-) She refueled with ligroin, available at drug stores in germany at the time.

I don't think electrics were suppressed they simply lost when the battery ignition took over, and ice tech more quickly improved than battery tech. Electrics are older, 1835 started with primary cells (non rechargable batteries). They really started in 1859 when plante invented the rechargable lead acid battery. Jenatze produced a rocket car in 1899 breaking 100 kph for the first time (105kph, 65mph).

The model T and Cadilac Touring really is what killed the electric car. It was much less expensive than electric cars or low volume ice cars, but even Clara Ford (Henry's wife) wouldn't drive one. Life changed when the cadilac touring added an electric starter in 1912. The model t got an electric starter in 1919. By 1920 it was game over for electric cars. Detroit electric was one of the most sucessful lasting until 1939, with a range of 80 miles and a record of 211 miles. The long range battery cost $600 more as an option. A model A in 1927 started at $385 cheaper than just the long range battery. When the depression hit those willing to pay extra for electric decreased a great deal.

Yep no conspiracy for cars, but electrics could run everywhere not just when powered by streetcar wires. The video did point out a real conspiracy though.

GM, Texaco, and Firestone did conspire to destroy electric public transportation.
The StreetCar Conspiracy

GM and Texaco did bury the ovonics patents but these only delayed plug-ins a short time.

 

The GM Trolley Conspiracy: What Really Happened - CBS News

 

The Great American Streetcar Myth

 

Electric vehicles have been being produced for a long time on a large scale. Millions of golf carts, forklifts, and other special use vehicles have been built and in use for decades throughout the world.

What's new is that batteries and electronics have recently made large improvements in performance and safety, and decreased in cost. Also, emissions requirements have become stricter for ICE cars.

Here's a question for the conspiracy theorists: Given that the best and newest electric cars are now just good enough to compete for a small share of the market, how could the outdated technology of earlier electric cars compete for a large market share?

 

It is the conspiracy of ignorance:

• how to make semiconductors, power semiconductors
• how to make microcontrollers and software
• how to make compact powerful motors
• how to make small, light-weight, high energy batteries

Bob Wilson

 

Completely wrong, IMO.
When electrics offer more useful overall utility/convenience/performance per $ than ICE they'll take the market back.

For me, they already do, which is why I'll never drive a hayburner again.
They also won't take the market back overnight.
I'm willing to guess they will start out similar to hybrids, then ramp up their growth.
Except they won't plateau around 3%. Growth will of course slow, but it won't stop until at least 20% (again, just my opinion).

 

150 mile hatchback similar to a prius but more crossover style for 30k will cause a big jump in sales. but not at $2. gas.