Electric cars?

[sptrawler]

Once set up it’s probably cheaper than paying for diesel, especially with the added cost of diesel trucks to deliver the diesel to the remote area.

In Germany they have put power lines over a motorway so trucks driving down the freeway can charge.

The possibilities are almost endless, but those scarecrow videos you like to watch will only show you negative side.

Yes I think Perth is going to trail electric buses.

We humans are strange creatures, constantly re inventing the wheel.

 

[qldfrog]

Yes I think Perth is going to trail electric buses.

We humans are strange creatures, constantly re inventing the wheel.

View attachment 146597

I hope at the very least they will be on wheels, not track to allow a slight degree of freedom and avoid Melbourne nightmare

 

[JohnDe]

TEARING APART my new Ford Lightning electric truck made my mechanic WANT TO RETIRE?!?!

 

[sptrawler]

I hope at the very least they will be on wheels, not track to allow a slight degree of freedom and avoid Melbourne nightmare

What, you mean like Russia.

List of trolleybus systems in Russia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Or China.

Trolleybuses in Shanghai - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I remember in Perth quite a few years ago, there was a suggestion of changing over to electric trolley busses, that would use dedicated roadways, rather than putting in train services, the general public didn't like the idea, how times change.
You never know, that may be the way of the future, it would certainly alleviate the issue of running lightly loaded trains.
When we were in St Petersburgh three, or four years ago, they had the trolley buses with the trailing arms on top, I thought at the time they looked like a good idea.

 

[JohnDe]

What, you mean like Russia.

List of trolleybus systems in Russia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Or China.

Trolleybuses in Shanghai - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I remember in Perth quite a few years ago, there was a suggestion of changing over to electric trolley busses, that would use dedicated roadways, rather than putting in train services, the general public didn't like the idea, how times change.
You never know, that may be the way of the future, it would certainly alleviate the issue of running lightly loaded trains.
When we were in St Petersburgh three, or four years ago, they had the trolley buses with the trailing arms on top, I thought at the time they looked like a good idea.

I was in San Francisco in 2017 and saw these driving around -

Trolleybuses in San Francisco - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sptrawler]

I was in San Francisco in 2017 and saw these driving around -

Trolleybuses in San Francisco - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Look just the same.
Australia doesn't like change, it's a bit like the Holden and Falcon story, we don't want to lose them, but we don't want to buy them.
Public transport, we need more of it, but I would rather use the car.

 

[qldfrog]

What, you mean like Russia.

List of trolleybus systems in Russia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Or China.

Trolleybuses in Shanghai - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I remember in Perth quite a few years ago, there was a suggestion of changing over to electric trolley busses, that would use dedicated roadways, rather than putting in train services, the general public didn't like the idea, how times change.
You never know, that may be the way of the future, it would certainly alleviate the issue of running lightly loaded trains.
When we were in St Petersburgh three, or four years ago, they had the trolley buses with the trailing arms on top, I thought at the time they looked like a good idea.

Europe was doing that too etc..so that your train is not blocked by an accident or a doubled parked car..but nowadays, the aim being to avoid car traffic, we are back to rail on dedicated corridors taken on previously existing roads:
new tramway, more congestion for cars..double win for the watermelons

 

[qldfrog]

Europe was doing that too etc..so that your train is not blocked by an accident or a doubled parked car..but nowadays, the aim being to avoid car traffic, we are back to rail on dedicated corridors taken on previously existing roads:
new tramway, more congestion for cars..double win for the watermelons

at least these do not need lithium batteries and can run during the day with cheap solar power

 

[Telamelo]

https://www.news.com.au/technology/motoring/motoring-news/the-best-electric-cars-on-sale-in-australia/news-story/a39855eda2803922a17cead8294cd7af

 

[JohnDe]

Look just the same.
Australia doesn't like change, it's a bit like the Holden and Falcon story, we don't want to lose them, but we don't want to buy them.
Public transport, we need more of it, but I would rather use the car.

Even Adelaide was using them in 1932.

If the world had people with imagination & foresight the world would already be using EVs for everything, and the technology would be decades old.

Instead we had/have people with blinkers. Oh well, better late than never.

Trolleybuses in Adelaide - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Eager]

Australia doesn't like change, it's a bit like the Holden and Falcon story, we don't want to lose them, but we don't want to buy them.

Contradictory BS. If Australia, or rather Australians, didn't like change, they wouldn't have bought SUV's instead of sedans.

Public transport, we need more of it, but I would rather use the car.

More contradictory BS. So why do we need more of it if you're not going to use it?

Love and kisses,

Bruce.

 

[Smurf1976]

Public transport, we need more of it, but I would rather use the car.

Public transport has a lot in common with broadcast TV and radio.

It's a "one size fits all" approach that delivers exactly the same thing to lots of people at exactly the same time.

It's the ultimate example of the 20th Century business model - here's your curated choice of music, here's your movie, you read this news, you wear these clothes, you follow this religion, you follow this sporting code in winter and this other one in summer, you work these hours and here's your transport. That basically is the approach to business of last century - mass scale production of identical products "one size fits all".

For everyone old enough to have memories from last century, your memories are the same as everyone else your age for that exact reason. You had the same toys, you wore the same clothes, your parents worked the same hours, you listened to the same music as a teenager, you watched the same TV shows and movies, you wore the same clothes and so on. From a transport perspective that meant lots of people going to the same place at the same time which suits public transport just perfectly.

That still has some use today but it's very much waning. Today it's all about individuality and choice.

We're now in a world where everything from music to fashion to working hours are highly fragmented. We still have a few big things, we still have AFL and we still have big concerts and so on but overall fragmentation is the order of the day. Once vaunted things like music charts aren't even all that relevant to the masses anymore, it's no longer important to be doing, and more to the point seen to be doing, what everyone else is doing. It's OK to be yourself in 2022 - the "cookie cutter" days are over.

In 2022 there's far fewer people wanting to travel to and from the same place at the same time simply because there's far fewer people doing the same things at all and even for those who are, they're not doing them at the same time. We don't have tens of thousands of people all clocking on at the same big factories in the same area of the city at about the same time anymore. Basically no employer in 2022 has its own dedicated train station these days and there aren't many that even get a dedicated bus service now. Apart from city CBD's and a few major events, basically nothing else has enough people going to the same place all at once and even the CBD is losing that aspect.

That overall societal shift doesn't kill public transport outright but it does place it in the same category as broadcast TV and radio, organised religion and counting down the Top 40 songs. Still exists, it's not dead, but it's far less relevant than it used to be and for many it's lost all relevance completely.

The motor car is here to stay. How it's powered might change but it's not going away as such no matter what some may wish for. Society's fragmentation simply doesn't work without it.

 

[qldfrog]

Public transport has a lot in common with broadcast TV and radio.

It's a "one size fits all" approach that delivers exactly the same thing to lots of people at exactly the same time.

It's the ultimate example of the 20th Century business model - here's your curated choice of music, here's your movie, you read this news, you wear these clothes, you follow this religion, you follow this sporting code in winter and this other one in summer, you work these hours and here's your transport. That basically is the approach to business of last century - mass scale production of identical products "one size fits all".

For everyone old enough to have memories from last century, your memories are the same as everyone else your age for that exact reason. You had the same toys, you wore the same clothes, your parents worked the same hours, you listened to the same music as a teenager, you watched the same TV shows and movies, you wore the same clothes and so on. From a transport perspective that meant lots of people going to the same place at the same time which suits public transport just perfectly.

That still has some use today but it's very much waning. Today it's all about individuality and choice.

We're now in a world where everything from music to fashion to working hours are highly fragmented. We still have a few big things, we still have AFL and we still have big concerts and so on but overall fragmentation is the order of the day. Once vaunted things like music charts aren't even all that relevant to the masses anymore, it's no longer important to be doing, and more to the point seen to be doing, what everyone else is doing. It's OK to be yourself in 2022 - the "cookie cutter" days are over.

In 2022 there's far fewer people wanting to travel to and from the same place at the same time simply because there's far fewer people doing the same things at all and even for those who are, they're not doing them at the same time. We don't have tens of thousands of people all clocking on at the same big factories in the same area of the city at about the same time anymore. Basically no employer in 2022 has its own dedicated train station these days and there aren't many that even get a dedicated bus service now. Apart from city CBD's and a few major events, basically nothing else has enough people going to the same place all at once and even the CBD is losing that aspect.

That overall societal shift doesn't kill public transport outright but it does place it in the same category as broadcast TV and radio, organised religion and counting down the Top 40 songs. Still exists, it's not dead, but it's far less relevant than it used to be and for many it's lost all relevance completely.

The motor car is here to stay. How it's powered might change but it's not going away as such no matter what some may wish for. Society's fragmentation simply doesn't work without it.

Fully agree but does not fit with the agendas.
And the vision of no personal cars just ubers can not be filled realistically until you get fully self driven taxis..so that is where we will be going.
Self driven, ad-hoc shared shuttle.
Obviously, better live in a city.

 

[sptrawler]

Contradictory BS. If Australia, or rather Australians, didn't like change, they wouldn't have bought SUV's instead of sedans.

Exactly, the irony of it, Australia didn't want to lose the Australian car industry, but didn't buy the Holden or Ford badged SUV's in any great number. Definitely not enough to warrant retooling their factories, if there had been a public push and commitment to buy Australian, maybe the industry could have been saved.
Australians didn't want change to no car industry situation, but they weren't prepared to put their wallet where their mouth was, now ask people if they would buy a Australian made car over a Chinese, EU, U.S or Korean one and the first thing they would ask is what is the price difference.
When the first Japanese cars were imported to Australia, it was classed as Jap crap, you wouldn't catch me dead in one of those. It wasn't long before their stubbornness was broken and now the same people ask, what did I see in those old Holdens and Falcons, push rod gas guzzlers, that leaked oil through cork rocker cover gaskets and a radio or heater was an optional extra.
As opposed to the overhead cam Japanese Honda Civics, Toyota Crowns, with heaters, radios and bucket seats etc, Australians don't like change, but when the change was forced with the tariff removal, the stubborn negativity fell away.

More contradictory BS. So why do we need more of it if you're not going to use it?

Love and kisses,

Bruce.

Why we need more of it (public transport)? To try and encourage more people off the roads and onto public transport to reduce congestion and emissions.
The trolley busses and trams in Perth and Adelaide wouldn't have been closed and the infrastructure torn up, if people had patronised them and kept them viable. People chose the convenience of cars and forcing them to change, back to public transport, is proving difficult.

A bit like when the Government tried to introduce Sunday trading, there was a massive public outcry about the effect it would have on family life and weekend sport, especially for youth sport and family involvement.
Now try and stop Sunday trading, the same ones who decried it, will be demanding it be maintained.
Like I said Australians generally don't like change to the status quo, once the change is enacted they adapt, it is one of the major reasons referendums don't usually pass and why Governments are reluctant to use them.

Of forty-four referendums, there have been five instances – in 1937, twice in 1946, and once each in 1977 and 1984 – where a national Yes vote has been achieved but failed to win a majority of states. In three of these instances, the referendum received a majority in three states.
That doesn't include the recent referendum on marriage equity in Australia.

I wont disagree with your BS comment, that is one subject you are obviously proficient in, Bruce.

 

[Eager]

Turn it up, Keith. From what I've observed, you typically label ANY opinion different to yours as BS.

Every city that ripped up their tram systems now regrets it. Some are reintroducing them. Some, like Canberra, never had them. Those systems will ultimately be successful (as long as they're not monorails, lol). Public transport patronage is driven by supply, not demand.

Love and kisses,

Bruce.

 

[Knobby22]

Turn it up, Keith. From what I've observed, you typically label ANY opinion different to yours as BS.

Every city that ripped up their tram systems now regrets it. Some are reintroducing them. Some, like Canberra, never had them. Those systems will ultimately be successful (as long as they're not monorails, lol). Public transport patronage is driven by supply, not demand.

Love and kisses,

Bruce.

In western Europe, especially France, they have installed trams to every major and minor city with free parking at the terminus to stop the centre being crowded. So you buy your tram ticket and travel stress free while your car gets free parking (as long as you bought a tram ticket).

Melbourne now has the most tram and light rail route lines of any city in the world. Still being extended.

It is the future, along with electric bikes and standard bikes.

 

[SirRumpole]

Speaking of rail (which we shouldn't be in this thread), the Brisbane-Melbourne high speed rail link is being raised again.

Movement at the station when it comes to fast rail plan

Bill for high speed rail authority put into federal parliament with eventual aim of Border stop

www.bordermail.com.au

 

[sptrawler]

Turn it up, Keith. From what I've observed, you typically label ANY opinion different to yours as BS.

Every city that ripped up their tram systems now regrets it. Some are reintroducing them. Some, like Canberra, never had them. Those systems will ultimately be successful (as long as they're not monorails, lol). Public transport patronage is driven by supply, not demand.

Love and kisses,

Bruce.

I dont think I have ever told any poster that they are talking BS, you are obviously confusing my postings with your own.

Maybe you should search your posting history, to realise that it is a common failing of yours, to troll and deride people. Lol
Aside from that I agree with your public transport sentiments, we use it all the time.

 

[Smurf1976]

Melbourne now has the most tram and light rail route lines of any city in the world. Still being extended.

And it still has the overwhelming majority of passenger transport provided by cars,

Public transport has a place but it’s the equivalent of running this forum via articles in a print edition newspaper. All OK as long as your investments are buy and hold index funds or within the top 10 stocks but that’s where it ends.

Biggest problem with public transport in Australian cities is it assumes everyone wants to go to the CBD when in practice that’s a destination of diminishing relevance to which plenty have zero need to visit.

A far more typical transport journey is to a shopping centre or it’s taking the kids to play sport or it’s taking the dog to the vet or it’s visiting friends in another suburb. Public transport fails at all of those.

It has a place certainly but it’s not an alternative to cars outright or even for the majority. Cars and PT are both here to stay.

 

[sptrawler]

In western Europe, especially France, they have installed trams to every major and minor city with free parking at the terminus to stop the centre being crowded. So you buy your tram ticket and travel stress free while your car gets free parking (as long as you bought a tram ticket).

Melbourne now has the most tram and light rail route lines of any city in the world. Still being extended.

It is the future, along with electric bikes and standard bikes.

Spot on Knobby, I love going to Melbourne and using the public transport system, it is terrific.

With electric bikes, just bought the wife a new one for her birthday, it wasn't cheap but as usual you get what you pay for.

The first electric bikes we bought are hub drive and really not that pleasant to use, they are either on or off, when it comes to power.
The latest ones are Shimano centre drive, which works on torque assist, it is a much more natural and pleasant power delivery, you hardly notice the assist the harder you press the pedal the more the assist cuts in and it is seamless.

So I would definitely recommend if anyone was thinking of buying an electric bike, to go and try all the options, as the differences are quite pronounced.