Electric Vehicles (EV) Thread

[VincentD]

^Bridgestone sell an EV tyre with a 50,000 mile warranty.
That's more than ten years of driving for me in Thailand so they'll be perished before they get that far.

Steve, when I had my (slightly modified) SAAB turbo in Thailand my philosophy re tyres was to use the correct speed rating (Z in my case) and would use them only till 40,000 km or two years, whichever came first. I did, on occasion, drive with a smile on my face but that was the exception rather than the rule. The tyres would start to feel a little less capable by then.
These days I drive a medium size SUV, so will stretch that to around 50,000 km or 3 years. By the 5 year mark, you can see the deterioration of the rubber compound, even on a new tyre. (I had a 'new' 7 year old spare. Even the tyre places won't touch it. So I typically change out the spare with one of the least worn ones when I change the set)

Ten years is really stretching it.

[STEVE G]

Ten years is really stretching it.

That was my point, they're going to get changed for ageing before they're worn out.
On my pickup I was stretching it and changing them about every four years at which point they were hardly worn at all.
A Toyota pickup weighs about the same as the average EV car.

[Dannie Boy]

Another positive report regarding lower battery prices, albeit emanating in China but with the likelihood it will also apply in most of the world quite soon.

https://uk.motor1.com/news/727403/batte ... ects-same/

[STEVE G]

^That's why I think that economics is going to be the main driver of this transport revolution.
Ever cheaper batteries combined with an abundance of virtually free solar electricity will prevail.
Solar PV generating capacity is increasing at an ever greater rate, it's presently doubling approximately three years:

[pharvey]

A Toyota pickup weighs about the same as the average EV car.

And the tyres used are of a different rubber compound - which is my point. It's not like for like.

[pharvey]

^That's why I think that economics is going to be the main driver of this transport revolution.
Ever cheaper batteries combined with an abundance of virtually free solar electricity will prevail.
Solar PV generating capacity is increasing at an ever greater rate, it's presently doubling approximately three years:

Solar Energy is certainly the way forward in my book, but for some reason the technology seems to be lagging (perhaps just me/my thinking). We should be at the point where "Solar Tiles" (even paint) are the norm on buildings - forget these huge "Solar Farms" as we see around the world. The efficiency needs to be far and above of what current Solar Panels provide - especially in the likes of Wales!!

[bigston]

A recent episode of Grand Designs featured solar roofing from Estonia,

its a natural progression from the ugly things on many roooooves today
and apparently perform rather well

[pharvey]

A recent episode of Grand Designs featured solar roofing from Estonia,

its a natural progression from the ugly things on many roooooves today
and apparently perform rather well

It's what we need

[KhunLA]

452927191_2128793407497866_1201757152428963842_n.jpg (67.23 KiB) Viewed 4387 times

[Big Boy]

I guess this could be a bit of a blow to some prospective new EV owners.

Provincial authorities to stop issuing second meters for EV charging from September 1 after learning homeowners are using them for household appliances

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) will from next month stop accepting new applications for second power meters for charging electric vehicles at home after learning they were being misused.

PEA governor Supachai Ek-un said on Monday that no new applications will be accepted from September 1 onwards, though those who already have a time of use (TOU) meter can continue using it.

As for applications received before September 1, the PEA will consider and process them as per normal.

On April 9, 2021, the PEA announced that homeowners could install a TOU meter for charging their EVs if they did not want to expand the capacity of their existing power meter.

The TOU meter charges a lower rate per unit for electricity during the off-peak hours of 10pm to 9am, and weekends.

However, the PEA found that some homeowners had linked up their household appliances such as air-conditioners, TVs and refrigerators during this period to save on power bills. As a result, he said, the PEA has decided to cancel its second meter policy.

From now on, he said, homeowners who want to charge their EVs at home will have to either choose between a normal and a TOU meter or seek an expansion of their existing meter.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40040105

[VincentD]

Hmmm. I wonder if they'll get penalised for tampering with the power meters..

[pharvey]

Interesting, but they're certainly playing catch-up....

Mitsubishi Motors in Talks to Take Part in Honda-Nissan Alliance

TOKYO
"Mitsubishi Motors Corp is in talks to join the Nissan Motor Co-Honda Motor Co alliance to play catch-up with foreign rivals in the development of electric vehicles and advanced technology for next-generation vehicles, sources familiar with the matter said Sunday.

The three Japanese automakers are considering teaming up to standardize in-vehicle software and for other joint operations, the sources said.

As Toyota Motor Corp is expanding its tie-ups with other local peers in developing vehicle electrification technology, the Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will create two major groups in the Japanese auto industry.

Honda and Nissan said in March that they would consider cooperation in the EV segment. Mitsubishi is part of the three-way alliance with Renault SA and Nissan, which holds a 34.01 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors.

Toyota is in partnership with Suzuki Motor Corp, Mazda Motor Corp and Subaru Corp for the development of electrification technology.

The global auto industry is shifting to vehicles that are more connected, autonomous, shared and electric, or CASE, but it is tough for a carmaker to cover all the technologies alone."

More @ https://japantoday.com/category/busines ... n-alliance

[STEVE G]

Chinese E.V. Makers Rush in and Upend a Country’s Entire Auto Market

China’s electric vehicle companies are making inroads in Thailand, a key industry hub, as Europe and the United States wield tariffs to keep them out.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/busi ... iland.html

"In a market once considered a Japanese stronghold, a changing of the guard is already happening. Japanese automobile brands accounted for 86 percent of new car sales in 2022. That figure dropped to 75 percent last year, with China’s BYD, Great Wall Motor and SAIC Motor grabbing significant market share."

[KhunLA]

Chinese E.V. Makers Rush in and Upend a Country’s Entire Auto Market

China’s electric vehicle companies are making inroads in Thailand, a key industry hub, as Europe and the United States wield tariffs to keep them out.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/busi ... iland.html

"In a market once considered a Japanese stronghold, a changing of the guard is already happening. Japanese automobile brands accounted for 86 percent of new car sales in 2022. That figure dropped to 75 percent last year, with China’s BYD, Great Wall Motor and SAIC Motor grabbing significant market share."

Not seeing how that's a bad thing. The Thai customer gets a better vehicle that cost less to buy, operate & maintain.

The industry changes to one for the future, instead of stagnant, while trying to hold on to ancient, inefficient technology.

USA & EU are trying to protect 'their' auto industry. Something TH does not have. Simply make vehicles for JP. Now they'll be making them for CH. Only JP loses since not competitive.

[caller]

USA & EU are trying to protect 'their' auto industry. Something TH does not have. Simply make vehicles for JP. Now they'll be making them for CH. Only JP loses since not competitive.

Its not as simple as that. China plans to bring everything from China, not using local companies to make parts. So Thailand loses as well. The Thai Govt have started negotiations about that. The other issue is that Thailand is still a small market and China is still having to reduce costs and offer incentives for their own people to buy them, the same as Thailand, that cannot be a viable sustainable long term plan. So price will increase at some stage, then what?

Then you get to the thorny issue of China seeking to export from Thailand and whether that will attract sanctions, which you can almost guarentee.