tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post4102231791580154301..comments2023-08-10T12:55:23.427+01:00Comments on SUBROSA: I'll be Leaf-ing It Alonesubrosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-29146614303929959962010-03-20T12:02:19.861+00:002010-03-20T12:02:19.861+00:00Sorry Richard, I didn't make my point clear. ...Sorry Richard, I didn't make my point clear. Politicians will have an input because taxation will be involved.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-38181267981006028222010-03-20T11:44:28.395+00:002010-03-20T11:44:28.395+00:00The politicians wouldn't be operating it; that...The politicians wouldn't be operating it; that would be a commercial operation. It would therefore work. Cynical, moi?Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15743685798068014455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-18052267604918798382010-03-20T11:01:57.805+00:002010-03-20T11:01:57.805+00:00Richard, you've put a lot of thought into that...Richard, you've put a lot of thought into that and yes I too could see that working.<br /><br />Intelligent metering system with our present politicians? That's the stumbling block.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-64877732256372894682010-03-20T10:28:46.121+00:002010-03-20T10:28:46.121+00:00The idea of a pitstop, where you exchange your par...The idea of a pitstop, where you exchange your part-used battery for a fully-charged one is the closest to the current model of fuel availability, and would probably work better than having to pull over for 3 hours every 100 miles to recharge. The cost of the batteries (including replacement at end-of-life) would be built in to the hire charge, so the individual motorist wouldn't have to worry. It works well with portable gas cylinders, after all. With an intelligent metering system, you would only pay for the difference between the full battery and the remaining charge in the old one, so it would work exactly like filling a petrol tank. I'm a bit of a petrolhead, but I could see that working.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15743685798068014455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-6635216174449573462010-03-19T22:19:05.314+00:002010-03-19T22:19:05.314+00:00That's true Dabs but electric cars have been o...That's true Dabs but electric cars have been on the go for some years now and development hasn't moved much, whereas with computers for example, we've gone from a ZX to the likes of this iMac in less than 25 years.<br /><br />Ah so that's the idea - a pitstop. Already I see problems with that. The battery you may pick up might be on its last legs and you're the one who is going to have to replace it. No?subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-18925424589025356842010-03-19T22:16:14.269+00:002010-03-19T22:16:14.269+00:00Richard, criticise me all you like. I'll just ...Richard, criticise me all you like. I'll just defend my corner. :)subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-66976169566001684142010-03-19T20:03:09.798+00:002010-03-19T20:03:09.798+00:00The very first cars were horrendously expensive, u...The very first cars were horrendously expensive, unreliable and impractical. The roads were not up to much. Fuel station networks were not extensive. We have to start somewhere.<br /><br />I read about the place about efforts by commercial companies to set up battery exchange systems. You wouldnt charge up the battery, you just pitstop and replace it with a fully charged one. That seems sensible. But innovation is a great thing. If there is a market for these vehicles then the market will be innovative. I remember being shown a Sinclair ZX compuer as a lad. Who would have imagined I'd spend my evenings typing comments on weblogs?<br /><br />We have no idea what marvels will be commonplace in the future.Dabshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13794337933211140333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-79414721989708764042010-03-19T19:33:55.835+00:002010-03-19T19:33:55.835+00:00SR, I wasn't criticising you. I just feel tha...SR, I wasn't criticising you. I just feel that all these 'green' initiatives are often pretty suspect when you open them up, and serve more to assuage the consciences of the liberal left than to do any real good. My comment 'only connect' was rhetorical.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15743685798068014455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-64033270020513616602010-03-19T18:41:44.137+00:002010-03-19T18:41:44.137+00:00Yes Lorenzo that's another factor which comes ...Yes Lorenzo that's another factor which comes into it. Imagine the melee with more than one of two of these cars in residential carparks.<br /><br />Will anyone really bother to go to their local charging station then return a few hours later?subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-74482334336099384032010-03-19T18:08:55.580+00:002010-03-19T18:08:55.580+00:00Funny how this government is suddenly interested i...Funny how this government is suddenly interested in electric cars when they refused LDV Vans a paltry £50 million to keep them going in this environment. They were about to bring out an electric version of their new van but it seems this government only gives aid to foreign companies.<br /><br />I also think that this car will be a big flop for the same reasons as everyone else. This car is built on a Renault Megane platform so who is going to pay the crazy price for the Leaf when you can get the Megane or Nissan's version of it for much cheaper.Billy Carlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09898259422411934272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-78394825936485473712010-03-19T18:07:35.832+00:002010-03-19T18:07:35.832+00:00A huge number of the car driving population have n...A huge number of the car driving population have no access to a plug socket near where they have to leave their car overnight. Not everyone gets to park outside their home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-78097942037034236702010-03-19T17:30:37.863+00:002010-03-19T17:30:37.863+00:00Sorry Richard, missed your comment.
I do connect ...Sorry Richard, missed your comment.<br /><br />I do connect where pollution is concerned and I'm all for modern technology to help anyone anywhere we can. <br /><br />The problem is our small islands are being milked for monies by those who couldn't care less and as taxpayers I think we should object - I certainly do.<br /><br />Some of the brown people's problems are caused by their own brown people - in fact most of them.<br /><br />Until the west stops ploughing vast sums of money into these countries where governments are completely corrupt then there is no hope for them sadly. It's up to the 'brown' people to resolve that before anything else but of course they won't, because that would be biting the hand that feeds their lavish lifestyles while their population die.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-60774316962685128342010-03-19T17:23:49.077+00:002010-03-19T17:23:49.077+00:00I've said it could be fine for city dwellers a...I've said it could be fine for city dwellers and those who only do around 100 miles a week or so RA. Just had a thought, if you're held up for a while for some reason of course your car will be discharging. (I'm thinking of jams etc).<br /><br />Oh I'm sure someone at Nissan is writing the advert now if he/she hasn't already done so.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-62846437966530007002010-03-19T17:21:48.889+00:002010-03-19T17:21:48.889+00:00Auch William, Nissan build petrol and diesel cars....Auch William, Nissan build petrol and diesel cars. Are you saying just because a TV manufacturer can build TVs then they know all about satellite navigation?<br /><br />I know that to be untrue.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-48276170056076958852010-03-19T17:19:34.878+00:002010-03-19T17:19:34.878+00:00What an excellent comment DAD. I have no idea if ...What an excellent comment DAD. I have no idea if your points have been analysed but I'm sure some of my readers will know.<br /><br />Thank you anyway for highlighting these issues.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-75482023632800463192010-03-19T17:18:15.501+00:002010-03-19T17:18:15.501+00:00Apogee, cote buying is a scam is not not? ;)
Of c...Apogee, cote buying is a scam is not not? ;)<br /><br />Of course the spec is too low for anyone who wants a car for convenience and to reach a destination without hassle.<br /><br />Aye I see that. The batteries and charging costs are extra, even although charging seems to be self-service (from the videos so far).<br /><br />Naw I'll pass on this idea.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-26492463234009751972010-03-19T16:43:28.235+00:002010-03-19T16:43:28.235+00:00Are we going back to arguing whether the moon'...Are we going back to arguing whether the moon's made of cheese?<br /><br />Nissan has made a car or two in their time and have probably learned a few things along the way.<br /><br />The price, range, life and cost of batteries, even performance are all factors to be considered - but for some it could be ideal, for others, a reasonable compromise while it won't float the boat for long haul enthusiasts and petrol heads.<br /><br />There's one thing for sure, it beats first class walking. That alone will ensure it gets some sort of market, and I'm sure there's a bloke in Nissan with a stubby pencil who's had a stab at working that out.Crinkly & Ragged Arsed Philosophershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230294511455500220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-1707238054638252352010-03-19T16:12:58.527+00:002010-03-19T16:12:58.527+00:00It's possible, and I might be wrong, that Niss...It's possible, and I might be wrong, that Nissan know something about building cars. They might even employ a guy to consider the various technical obstacles.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14384257837409326870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-21967085399684475802010-03-19T15:35:25.103+00:002010-03-19T15:35:25.103+00:00ELECTRIC CARS
Further to your blog on electric ca...ELECTRIC CARS<br /><br />Further to your blog on electric cars.<br /><br />I have never seen any comments by manufacturers or government about how the electric car will cope with the following items that we take for granted in petrol or diesel cars.<br /><br />Car heaters and demisters. As someone who is old enough to remember cars with no heating I find that it incredible that this has not been brought forward as a great concern. Is the driver going to use some of the precious energy stored in his battery to heat the car? Even the heat to demist the windscreen would reduce the battery life considerably. Windows iced-up; you can forget about de-frosting them with battery power.<br /><br />Headlights. How much will the use of headlights reduce the mileage that the vehicle can travel?<br /><br />Air conditioning. Forget it. Just get used to sweating like a pig. No such comforts in an electric car.<br /><br />I can see that a modern storage type heater can be installed in the car. It would be possible to charge this overnight whilst the battery is being charged. The problem is in the weight of the mass of thermal blocks necessary. This weight will reduce the total mileage of the vehicle. <br /><br />What happens one (or perhaps, many) winters night. The car has been parked in the company’s car park all day with no possibility of powering a heater in the car (if one is fitted). A 6PM you leave work to go home. It is freezing. It is dark. The windows are covered with ice. You scrape them before driving off, but as you drive (using you headlights) the condensation of your breath freezes on the interior of the windscreen. You use the de-icer. The interior of the car stinks with the smell of the volatile ingredients. Perhaps they cause you to be light-headed. If you open the window (electrically operated?) you will be even colder. You know that the chemical efficiency of batteries (i.e. the power available) reduces with lower temperatures. All the time this thought will be going thought your mind, “Will I have enough power in your battery to get me home?” The stress and cold will, almost certainly, make you make stupid decisions. WHAT A NIGHTMARE! <br /><br />Have the folk at Nissan thought about this?DADhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07380616722854929936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-44541540009616422912010-03-19T15:09:37.289+00:002010-03-19T15:09:37.289+00:00Hi SR
Don't know if this is an employment sca...Hi SR <br />Don't know if this is an employment scam or not.Might be vote buying?<br />Point I was getting at is the specification is too low. 200miles range at battery mid life and a 3 hour discharge to full charge time might make a useable vehicle but total purchase price compared to battery replacement price is the real hidden killer of sales.<br />Not so much the actual cost but finding it in one hit.<br />Also , if this takes off, the cost of recharging is one point, second point is can the power systems sustain the load? Lots of unknowns!<br />Remember that the cost of the batteries and charging them is the cost of fuelling these vehicles, not just the cost of the electricity!<br /><br />D.Apogeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13942349358439102449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-32051677309196824152010-03-19T14:51:42.573+00:002010-03-19T14:51:42.573+00:00"Let's start at the end Richard. Fair? I ..."Let's start at the end Richard. Fair? I can tell you're far too young to even think you'll reach pension age. :)"<br /><br />Now I know you're kidding! I'm not all that far away from it now, more's the pity.<br /><br />I know China aren't too fussy about pollution or even human rights, but the health risks to the miners are huge, and it's just another example of the smug West salving its conscience by appearing green, when what results is a lot of disease and suffering elsewhere. Look at biofuels - people in developing countried are going to starve so that Islington greenies can drive their 4x4s with a better conscience. Only connect, and all that.<br /><br />I'm not in the slightest bit convinced by the climate change scaremongering, but I still think that a clean planet is better than a dirty one. When they come up with a 'solution' that doesn't dump all the bad effects on brown people far away, I will support it.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15743685798068014455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-5743748818041857902010-03-19T14:17:32.147+00:002010-03-19T14:17:32.147+00:00Let's start at the end Richard. Fair? I can ...Let's start at the end Richard. Fair? I can tell you're far too young to even think you'll reach pension age. :)<br /><br />China is a law unto itself. They don't want to participate in any green issues or discuss emissions. That doesn't mean to say we shouldn't look at pollution closely because, although I disagree with the climate change propaganda, I do feel pollution is a problem is parts of the country.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-25692793326990905342010-03-19T14:13:52.596+00:002010-03-19T14:13:52.596+00:00Oh Rab, tut tut. Mind you if they don't sell ...Oh Rab, tut tut. Mind you if they don't sell they may have to be melted down.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-52386109930425944582010-03-19T14:13:08.250+00:002010-03-19T14:13:08.250+00:00Ah Marvo, at least we can drive up here. No or fe...Ah Marvo, at least we can drive up here. No or few traffic jams and those which do happen last usually around 5 minutes.<br /><br />One great reason for me never to consider living south of Preston again.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8116690042850060767.post-51770462718565784502010-03-19T14:11:45.202+00:002010-03-19T14:11:45.202+00:00Yes William I agree, but putting a car like this o...Yes William I agree, but putting a car like this on the market in any volume is foolish.subrosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151702590329788260noreply@blogger.com