Electric Cars were all the rage a century ago. I wonder why they never caught on and were out of existence by the 1940s... I once saw the remains of one of their batteries in the 60's. Basically, it was a suitcase sized box filled with the remains of what looked like #6 dry cell batteries that apparently fit under the bench seat. They sure didn't look like they were rechargeable.

Electric cars died out because gasoline was dirt cheap, being due to the fact at the time it was considered a waste product, that fact also killed Ford's idea of using biofuel.

 

that fact also killed Ford's idea of using biofuel

That's like the good ole John Deere Model A & B tractors. It was fairly easy to hand start them by turning their flywheel on gasoline. But once they started, they could run on almost anything from kerosene to high proof corn squeezins. Henry Ford was reputed to have been conned by a fellow who had a "secret" additive that he had been given by an extraterrestrial traveler that you could add to water and run a model T on. The additive was acetone and yes, the car would start and run around for a good while but would fairly quickly destroy the engine.

 

https://fortune.com/2023/12/22/no-o...piling-weed-infested-graveyards-tesla-bmw-vw/

Still, most consumers remain reticent buying used EVs. Manufacturers are already working on new battery technologies including solid-state that promise cheaper cars with longer ranges and faster charging. The likes of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW have announced plans to introduce several next-generation EVs around mid-decade, while Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault are developing models costing €25,000 or less.

 

several next-generation EVs around mid-decade,

So we might see them in 2035.

 

So we might see them in 2035.

Always the optimist.

 

A $60K battery for a $50K car...

"Hyundai is working to achieve lower battery prices through a number of actions including building of a battery plant in North America. "

"We are also evaluating remanufacturing possibilities that would allow us to safely repair batteries in the near future which is not a viable, safe option today."

So, essentially, they designed and shipped a very expensive (even after subsidies) disposable vehicle.

I'm trying to understand where anything about EVs is environmentally responsible.

I got nothing.

 

Hi,

Yes there is something going on behind the scenes that we are not able to be aware of. EV's are being highly recommended but their impact on the environment is very questionable at best, and even their sustainability comes into question.
We'll just have to wait to see what "Big Gov" does next. It may turn out that some of them have a vested interest in the EV market.

 

We'll just have to wait to see what "Big Gov" does next.

I'm not the "wait and see" type.

 

The entire EV marketplace is a mess with changing EV charging standards and battery technologies with used EV's losing value daily. I see little reason to buy one this year unless it's a Tesla.

https://qmerit.com/blog/the-tipping-point-in-ev-charging-standards-what-consumers-need-to-know/

The adoption of the NACS charging standard will be beneficial for consumers. These compact plugs are easy to connect and can support a total output of up to 900 kW, which is significantly higher than the maximum output of 500 kW supported by CCS1 connectors.

Under current law, federal funding for EV charging is restricted to CCS chargers ...

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-680

Connector type. All charging connectors must meet applicable industry standards. Each DCFC charging port must be capable of charging any CCS-compliant vehicle and each DCFC charging port must have at least one permanently attached CCS Type 1 connector. In addition, permanently attached CHAdeMO (www.chademo.com) connectors can be provided using only FY2022 NEVI Funds. Each AC Level 2 charging port must have a permanently attached J1772 connector and must charge any J1772-compliant vehicle.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/us/politics/electric-vehicle-chargers-network.html

State officials said they did not know when or if they would award contracts because that would depend on the level of interest. Keith Fulton, an assistant chief engineer at Wyoming’s Transportation Department, said the process was taking more than two years partly because the department has never installed an electric vehicle charger before.

States are also considering the types of connectors they will need. Although they only have to provide ports with Combined Charging System connectors, some states, such as Texas, will also require the plugs that Tesla cars use, known as the North American Charging Standard. Ford and General Motors have also announced that they would equip future vehicles with Tesla’s ports.

Loren McDonald, the chief executive of EVAdoption, a data and analysis firm that has been tracking each state’s progress, said it was concerning that some automakers have not been clear about whether they will provide adapters with the purchase of vehicles. That is in part because it could complicate the ability of some drivers to use the new chargers. But he noted that Tesla has won many of the bids so far, and other station owners will probably make upgrades to adapt to the market.

 

Seeing how things currently are, and I mean in regards to infrastructure, technology, and market-wise ... I think might eventually decide to buy an EV ... say, in a couple of decades more or so ...

 

I see little reason to buy one this year unless it's a Tesla.

We'll just have to wait to see what "Big Gov" does next.

Putting Musk out of business. Wheels are already in motion.

 

​

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67912033
What's all this N2116 stuff, anyhow?

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67912033
What's all this N2116 stuff, anyhow?

AI's on the job. We're saved!

 

AI's on the job. We're saved!

Probably it just made it up, and it's bicarbonate of soda really.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67912033
What's all this N2116 stuff, anyhow?

I see nothing but PR hype from a computer company with a vested interest in AI and a lab that's a partner with that large computer company.

Ready in 10 to 20 years, ... maybe.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67912033
What's all this N2116 stuff, anyhow?

Hi,

Again, the key word is "could".
Again this leaves us guessing and waiting forever.

We "could" come up with a battery that you charge one time only and it lasts for 1000 years and it fits in your pocket.
Then again, maybe we "can't".

 

The use of AI in this case was very narrow and only for discovery. The AI—trained on very reliable chemistry data, already vetted—was searching for candidates. The scientists involved do not just “take the AI’s word for it”, they vetted the 18 candidates that fell out of the process.

This is very different than the general purpose large language model applications where the training data is of dubious veracity and the results are intended to be “helpful”. This AI had solid data in, and—it seems—solid data out rather than something like ChatGPT that can’t avoid the law of GIGO, exacerbated by being programmed to please.

 

The use of AI in this case was very narrow and only for discovery. The AI—trained on very reliable chemistry data, already vetted—was searching for candidates. The scientists involved do not just “take the AI’s word for it”, they vetted the 18 candidates that fell out of the process.

This is very different than the general purpose large language model applications where the training data is of dubious veracity and the results are intended to be “helpful”. This AI had solid data in, and—it seems—solid data out rather than something like ChatGPT that can’t avoid the law of GIGO, exacerbated by being programmed to please.

In other words it's not really AI (requiring intelligence). It's dumb (more optimized than a brute force search) pattern matching with a human decided pattern to find matches from a large data-set.

 

In other words it's not really AI (requiring intelligence). It's dumb (more optimized than a brute force search) pattern matching with a human decided pattern to find matches from a large data-set.

Don't discount the claims, @nsaspook.

It's backed by Microsoft, reported by the BBC, and posted on the internet (hat trick!).

It must be true.