Australian (ASX) Stock Market Forum

Electric cars?

Would you buy an electric car?

  • Already own one

    Votes: 10 5.1%
  • Yes - would definitely buy

    Votes: 43 22.1%
  • Yes - preferred over petrol car if price/power/convenience similar

    Votes: 78 40.0%
  • Maybe - preference for neither, only concerned with costs etc

    Votes: 36 18.5%
  • No - prefer petrol car even if electric car has same price, power and convenience

    Votes: 24 12.3%
  • No - would never buy one

    Votes: 14 7.2%

  • Total voters
    195
Hyundai and Kia are showing the big advantage of E.V's, especially in cities, with having direct drive electric motors and constant torque plus the advantage of electronic control systems, development is only limited by the manufacturers imagination.


 

A new patent filed by Ford could give us a look into its upcoming electric vehicle platform ahead of its launch.

Originally filed in 2021, the newly published patent (discovered by Road & Track recently) shows off a skateboard-like design with multiple configuration options—similar to General Motors' Ultium platform. The front and rear subframe assemblies appear to be interchangeable.
 
I recently had a discussion with a sales rep for a national car parts supplier, he was so full of disinformation about EV batteries that I wondered how he got the job. Maybe I should send him this video.

There's a persistent piece of disinformation that we know isn't the case - the claim that EV batteries need to replaced frequently and after very short distances. Lots of research shows that isn't the case, but the last few years have seen several high profile battery recalls from multiple manufacturers.

So what's that about, will it keep happening, and should you worry about buying an EV now?

00:50 - Introduction
02:26 - What evidence is there that EV batteries will last in use?
03:34 - Battery degredation
07:11 - Recalls and Warranty Replacement
09:50 - There are only a few battery maufacturers
13:06 - Running the gauntlet
14:09 - How do we fix this?
16:11 - Should you run screaming?
19:08 - Conclusion
19:40 - Thanks and Credits

 
I recently had a discussion with a sales rep for a national car parts supplier, he was so full of disinformation about EV batteries that I wondered how he got the job. Maybe I should send him this video.




whether it please proponent of EV or not, there is an inbuilt issue of reliability in current EV battery systems:
They are made of zillions of small independent batteries:
Each of these being a chemical reactions system and so liable to failure:
we are not talking transistors or IC but more chemical capacitors style tech;
the old lamps transistor; and the issue is that once corrupted, we can not just bypass (via the onboard electronic cards managing these small batteries charge/discharge and diagnostic).
The reason being the affected individual cell can and do leak/explode etc even if bypassed
So easier to build/ expand /scale these systems build on zillions of 5.4v batteries or similar, but hard to manage them and a smallest failure can spoil the whole assembly..usually meaning whole recall or change.
Our own home battery was changed and we had a new system when moving in due to a recall.
This issue could be sorted thru either a mega battery : one giant bottle with anode/cathode and liters of electrolyte: binary failure
or even design so that these battery units could easily swap sub section: but space wasting if using current architecture but with ability to easily swap a few units.
Considering batteries in cars are subject to vibrations, collisions, serious heat changes and potentially corrosive environment: dust/salt/pollutants , I actually believe having a battery on an EV running for more than a couple of years is nearly a miracle and proof of quality manufacturing...
The expected lifetime for these batteries must actually differ widely between locations: Canadian arctic, a crazy Broken hill Tesla :) or a Darwin one.
That would be interesting reading
 
whether it please proponent of EV or not, there is an inbuilt issue of reliability in current EV battery systems:
They are made of zillions of small independent batteries:
Each of these being a chemical reactions system and so liable to failure:
we are not talking transistors or IC but more chemical capacitors style tech;
the old lamps transistor; and the issue is that once corrupted, we can not just bypass (via the onboard electronic cards managing these small batteries charge/discharge and diagnostic).
The reason being the affected individual cell can and do leak/explode etc even if bypassed
So easier to build/ expand /scale these systems build on zillions of 5.4v batteries or similar, but hard to manage them and a smallest failure can spoil the whole assembly..usually meaning whole recall or change.
Our own home battery was changed and we had a new system when moving in due to a recall.
This issue could be sorted thru either a mega battery : one giant bottle with anode/cathode and liters of electrolyte: binary failure
or even design so that these battery units could easily swap sub section: but space wasting if using current architecture but with ability to easily swap a few units.
Considering batteries in cars are subject to vibrations, collisions, serious heat changes and potentially corrosive environment: dust/salt/pollutants , I actually believe having a battery on an EV running for more than a couple of years is nearly a miracle and proof of quality manufacturing...
The expected lifetime for these batteries must actually differ widely between locations: Canadian arctic, a crazy Broken hill Tesla :) or a Darwin one.
That would be interesting reading

It all relates to the manufacturer's warranty. Choose the vehicle with the best battery record and the least issues.

Electric car battery warranties explained

Can you hear what’s coming over the horizon? Probably not, because it’s a swathe of near-silent Electric Vehicles (EVs), set to supersede the bog-standard gas-guzzling Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car within the next decade or two.

There’s a raft of new topics to get up to speed on in regards to EVs, including learning if there’s such a thing as an electric car battery warranty (there is) and if the number of EVs on Australian roads are increasing (they are).

The good news is that EVs have far less moving parts than ICE cars, meaning you’re less likely to face problems that will mean you need to exercise your rights to use your warranty.

Having said that, EV battery packs do succumb to wear and tear and won’t last forever, so car manufacturers are providing warranties - warranties that are separate from the actual car warranty, and usually covering a longer period of time.

Electric car battery warranties typically cover the battery pack for a period of time or number of kilometres, but they’ll also cover reduced capacity of the battery if it drops to less than 70 per cent (ie 30 per cent is expected over time, and anything beyond that will be covered during the warranty period).

Batteries are the most expensive thing in an EV, and a lot of research and development goes into ensuring they’ll be as efficient and long-lasting as possible.

While there’s no way to predict exactly how long the battery will last - how much you use the EV, how you charge it and the power you use will all effect the battery pack’s lifespan - they are built to outlast the usability of the car itself, and a life cycle of 10 to 20 years isn’t an unreasonable assessment.

Electric car battery warranty for each brand​

Tesla battery warranty​

esla-model-3-long-range-my21-tw-1200x800-%281%29_1.jpgTesla is the poster company for vehicle electrification.

The Tesla Model S battery warranty and Tesla Model X battery warranty are the same: eight years or 240,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period.

The Tesla Model 3 battery warranty: The Model 3 Standard Range is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period. The Model 3 Long Range and Model 3 Performance: eight years or 192,000km, whichever comes first, with minimum 70 per cent retention of battery capacity over the warranty period.

Tesla also have a Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty (that covers your vehicle for four years or 80,000km, whichever comes first) and a Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty (covers your vehicle for five years or 100,000km, whichever comes first).

Tesla also offers a Used Vehicle Limited Warranty where they cover used vehicles for the remainder of four years or 80,000km left on the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty. After expiration, the Used Vehicle Limited Warranty provides additional coverage of one year or 20,000km. If the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty has already expired, the Used Vehicle Limited Warranty will provide coverage of one year or 20,000km, starting from your delivery date.

The Tesla Parts, Body and Paint Repair Limited Warranty begins on the purchase date of the part(s), and coverage extends for a period of 12 months or 20,000km, which ever comes first. Specific categories of parts have unique warranty coverage periods.

Audi battery warranty​

2021-audi-e-tron-50-quattro-red-suv-1001x565p.jpg

The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback are covered for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. The vehicles themselves comes with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre new-car warranty.

Mercedes-Benz battery warranty​

2020-Mercedes-Benz-EQC-400-1200x800p%20%2827%29.jpg

The Owner Protection Plan for the Mercedes-Benz EQC provides five years unlimited-kilometre coverage, including coverage for the 12-volt battery. The EQC Owner Protection Plan also covers the High Voltage (HV) Battery for eight years or 160,000km, whichever occurs first.

Nissan car battery warranty​

nissan-leaf-hatch-red-tung-nguyen-1200x800-%281%29.jpg

The Nissan Leaf battery warranty is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. The New Vehicle Warranty is five years and unlimited kilometres unless the vehicle is used as a commercial vehicle, in which case it’s five years or 200,000km.

Hyundai electric battery warranty​

2022-Hyundai-Ioniq-5-1001x565%20%281%29.jpg

The Hyundai Ioniq battery warranty and Hyundai Kona battery warranty are both eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. Hyundai's warranty for defects in material and construction of the battery is 10 years/unlimited kilometres. The vehicle itself is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

BMW battery warranty​

2022-BMW-iX-M60-suv-red-1001x565-%281%29.jpg

The BMW battery warranty is eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first (this also goes for BMW’s plug-in hybrid range). The vehicle warranty is three years and unlimited kilometres.
 
It all relates to the manufacturer's warranty. Choose the vehicle with the best battery record and the least issues.
Yes definitively not for me, I do not buy and sell within 3 y..a keeper type,
My ute is over 200k KMs and now 15y old so would probably look at its second battery change if it was electric ..not that there is anything equivalent in EV..
But that type of warranty makes sense for novated leases etc..
 
Just checked:
byd moved from unlimited battery warranty to 8y to match competition in 2022

BYD was 7 years/unlimited, they then changed to 8 years/160,000km. Sounds fair to me.

Final warranty and servicing details for the BYD Atto 3 were confirmed last week, revealing six-year/150,000km coverage – versus the seven years/unlimited km warranty announced earlier this year, which prompted many customers to place deposits. The battery warranty has since changed to eight years/160,000km
 
Yes definitively not for me, I do not buy and sell within 3 y..a keeper type,
My ute is over 200k KMs and now 15y old so would probably look at its second battery change if it was electric ..not that there is anything equivalent in EV..
But that type of warranty makes sense for novated leases etc..

I think that you are misunderstanding the warranty, and maybe did no watch the video in full.

Just because a manufacturer gives an 8 year/160,000km warranty does not mean that the battery is going to fail one day and 1km after that.

There are many variables in all vehicles. Take the modern automatic transmission, some are up to 10 gears, there are examples that have done well over 300,000km and there are also many examples failing at under 100,000km.
 
The Indonesia government want an EV industry, they are offering large incentives for industry to invest.

Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest auto market and its second-largest production hub behind Thailand. Indonesia’s government has set an ambitious target of producing some 600,000 EVs by 2030

Indonesia gives automakers more time to qualify for EV credits in investment bid

TANGERANG, Indonesia, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Thursday it would give automakers two more years to qualify for electric vehicle incentives in Southeast Asia's largest auto market, a move followed by investment commitments by China's Neta EV brand and Mitsubishi Motors.

The moves announced at the Jakarta auto show come as Indonesia races Thailand and India to build out an EV industry as an alternative to China, the world’s largest producer.

Under the relaxed investment rules announced Thursday, automakers need to commit to producing at least 40% of the content of EVs in Indonesia by 2026 to qualify for incentives, two years later than the initial target. The 40% threshold had been set to encourage local battery production.

"The relaxation on the local content requirement is to attract the investors," Indonesia's industry minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita told reporters on the sidelines of the Jakarta auto show.

Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest auto market and its second-largest production hub behind Thailand. Toyota (7203.T), its affiliate Daihatsu and Honda (7267.T) account for two-thirds of sales but have been slow to pivot to EVs.

Indonesia’s government has set an ambitious target of producing some 600,000 EVs by 2030. That would be more than 100 times the number sold in Indonesia in the first half of 2023.

Indonesia had earlier said it would reduce import duties from 50% to zero for EV makers planning investments. That was seen as aimed at attracting Chinese EV makers and potentially Tesla (TSLA.O), a company the government has long courted.

“We roll out incentives for all the global carmakers, not for a certain name only,” Agus said.

The industry ministry said Mitsubishi Motors (7211.T) had committed about $375 million to expand production, including for the Minicab-MiEV electric car. Mitsubishi said production of the EV would start in December.

Neta, an EV brand of China's Hozon New Energy Automobile, said it had begun taking orders for the Neta V EV and would start local production in 2024.

Until now, only two manufacturers have shifted enough production to Indonesia to qualify for full incentives: Wuling Motors (0305.HK) and Hyundai (005380.KS). Both have factories outside Jakarta and lead the market in EV sales.

Wuling offers the cheapest EV on offer in a market where analysts say affordability is one challenge to wider adoption. The Chinese carmaker plans to announce a cheaper version of the Air EV, starting at around $13,200, people familiar with its plans told Reuters.

Wuling did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Toyota used its presentation at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show outside Jakarta to showcase locally produced hybrids. Toyota said it would deploy 200 charging stations at dealerships but had not committed to building EVs locally.

"We don't have a concrete plan yet," Hiroyuki Ueda, president of Toyota-Astra Motor, a joint-venture between the Japanese carmaker and Indonesian conglomerate PT Astra International (ASII.JK), told Reuters.
 
Looks like we're all looking at history repeating itself, we haven't seen this many automotive start ups since the 1930's and 50's.

The auto industry is hosting the most startups in 100 years, and CES was a showcase for their wares. Electric startups Fisker Inc., VinFast LLC, Turkish-based Togg and Mullen Automotive Inc. all were on hand, with the latter employing a staged introduction once common at the Detroit Auto Show.
Hoping to follow in the footsteps of Tesla, which made the first smartphones on wheels, auto startups made a big splash.

Las Vegas — The 2024 Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center is a sprawling electronics buffet....

Naturally, because the modern car contains all of the electronic products listed above. Stick a battery in its belly instead of a combustion engine, and it’s a rolling smartphone. No wonder, then, that CES, the world’s biggest trade show covered by a swarm of media, has become the show for EV news, presenting more competition for traditional shows such as Detroit's, where automaker attendance has shrunk in recent years. Even with the Detroit Three missing this year because of the UAW strike, CES 2024 was stuffed with vehicle debuts.

72172189007-ces-2024-afeela.jpg

Honda Motor Co. introduced its 0 Series line of electrics, Volkswagen AG showcased its ID.7 EV — the first mainstream vehicle using ChatGPT, Sony and Honda rolled out an updated version of their joint Afeela EV sedan, Mercedes-Benz Group unveiled its electric CLA Concept, Kia Motors Corp. showed off a new line of electric vans, and Bugatti showcased its electric scooters (no, they don’t go 200 mph). Hyundai Motor Co. even debuted a vertical-takeoff airplane. Past Detroit Three debuts here have included the Chevy Silverado EV and Ram 1500 Revolution electric pickups.

The auto industry is hosting the most startups in 100 years, and CES was a showcase for their wares. Electric startups Fisker Inc., VinFast LLC, Turkish-based Togg and Mullen Automotive Inc. all were on hand, with the latter employing a staged introduction once common at the Detroit Auto Show.

72172226007-ces-2024-mullen-rs.jpg

“Today’s electric cars are not the traditional vehicles like we used to make,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in an interview. “They are not quite electronic appliances, but vehicles are moving in that direction with the pace of software development.”

Indeed, the Honda Saloon and Space-Hub EVs that Honda rolled out here might as well be electronic devices were they not on four wheels. Their yoke, e-steering wheels — like something off a game console — recede into the dash if passengers want to ride autonomously. Anticipating a self-driving future, the 0 Series vehicles are essentially smartphone extensions — a space where passengers can make phone calls and play games.

“Given the technological changes in the industry, CES is a natural event for automakers,” said Stephanie Brinley, S&P Global associate director of auto intelligence. “Auto brands are increasingly tech-based, which integrates well into a technology show.”

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The Afeela concept (which a Sony pr—senter remotely drove on stage using a PlayStation 5 controller) is the first in a series of cars from a Sony-Honda joint partnership that explores, for example, connecting Sony’s millions of PlayStation users or streaming Sony-owned Columbia Pictures like "Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse" and "Bullet Train."

Volkswagen’s ID.7 sedan is sleek as a smartphone and integrates the latest smartphone craze — Open AI’s ChatGPT Chatbot — into the vehicle.

72172232007-ces-2024-vwchatgpt.jpg

“Hey, Ida,” I queried the car using its ChatGPT voice recognition prompt. “Set the temperature to 70 degrees.”

The car complied. Then. . .

“Hey, Ida, I’m feeling hungry,” and the car responded to my offhand question (not the usual stilted command) with a list of nearby restaurants.


VW’s system competes with Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Siri and has lots of room to improve. Like a smartphone, those updates will come OTA. And the feature is only approved for Europe, for now.

72172225007-ces-2024-mercedesclaconcept.jpg

Traditionally, CES’s auto displays have been consigned to the LVCC’s West Hall, but so integrated are electronics and autos that vehicles displays now bleed into all three of the center’s halls. Electronic giants like Sony, Samsung and LG dominate CES just as the Detroit Three dominate NAIAS, but Afeela was adjacent to Sony’s display in Central Hall and Fisker joined Panasonic. Honda and Mullen were in the North Hall near displays for wireless tech and pool-cleaning robots.

“CES is a trade show — not a consumer show like Detroit — and it’s an opportunity for industries to see what the others are doing,” said auto analyst Brinley. “You may be a tech company that gets inspired by what an auto company is doing — and visa versa. It’s a way for businesses to build partnerships.”

72172229007-ces-2024-screens.jpg

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of Tesla, which made the first smartphones on wheels, auto startups made a big splash.

Los Angeles-based Mullen’s display was stuffed with its array of brands including Oak Park-based Bollinger Motors, an electric truck-maker of which it is now a majority stakeholder. Key to the company’s future success is its Mullen Five SUV — a competitor to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

72172228007-ces-2024-vinfastvf-3.jpg

Mullen leapfrogged them both with a Five RS performance model that boasts a staggering 1,000 horsepower, 900 pound-feet of torque, a sub-2.0 second 0-60 mph dash and a drone that activates out of the rear hatch to videotape you in the act. The challenge? The Five RS will debut in 2025 for $295,000 — well above the cost of a $55k Model Y Performance or even a $110k, 1,020-horsepower Model S Plaid. Like VW's ChatGPT, Europe will be its first market.

Vietnamese EV-maker VinFast continued its determined bid to break into the U.S. auto market following Asian pioneers like Hyundai and Toyota Motor Corp. Following the three-row VF 9’s introduction last year, VinFast rolled out the wee, two-door VF 3 and mid-size VF Wild pickup concept — complete with a midgate like the Chevy Silverado EV.

72172224007-ces-2024-fisker.jpg

For all their electronic synergies, EVs remain niche products in the U.S. market. Rush-hour traffic outside the LVCC on the Las Vegas strip featured few non-Tesla EVs.

“Electrification is here to stay, but it is clear we are now at an inflection point (beyond) early adopters,” said Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker, in an interview. His plug-in Fisker Karma helped pioneer battery-powered cars in 2012. “We are now getting normal consumers into the vehicles and there is a different mindset. I don’t think (the $7,500 government incentive to buy an EV) is the right way to do it. I think we should spend money on infrastructure — the new consumer wants to know that they can find a charger.”

The real-world challenges of the electronic auto are right under the LVCC.

72172219007-ces-2024-looptesla.jpg

Elon Musk's Boring Company has built a 1.7-mile, three-station, underground “Loop” that shuttles passengers from the convention center to nearby hotels. Even though the Loop is a closed environment, the service’s Tesla Model Y and Model X utes do not use the brand’s autonomous Autopilot software. They are still driven by human pilots.
 
BYD was 7 years/unlimited, they then changed to 8 years/160,000km. Sounds fair to me.
Hum, my search result article was 2022
So illimited (life warranty) initially 2020s then matching competition at 8 y then 7y recently then 8y back hum..
 
I think that you are misunderstanding the warranty, and maybe did no watch the video in full.

Just because a manufacturer gives an 8 year/160,000km warranty does not mean that the battery is going to fail one day and 1km after that.

There are many variables in all vehicles. Take the modern automatic transmission, some are up to 10 gears, there are examples that have done well over 300,000km and there are also many examples failing at under 100,000km.
But it means any used car buyer would be an absolute idiot buying a 8y old or more EV...do we agree?
Unless basically given away ...
De facto gives a life expectancy to EV cars in my view.
Anyway interesting discussion cf battery warranty among EV manufacturer.
 
Yes definitively not for me, I do not buy and sell within 3 y..a keeper type,
My ute is over 200k KMs and now 15y old so would probably look at its second battery change if it was electric ..not that there is anything equivalent in EV..
But that type of warranty makes sense for novated leases etc..
I am in year 5 now of Tesla ownership, I will keep you guys posted if I have any issues.
 
My two cents worth regarding purchasing an ebike:
Be brutally honest with yourself, do you want the ebike for exercise, or do you want the ebike because it makes riding a bike less work.
If it is because it is less work, buy a hub drive electric, they are cheap very simple and work very well in reducing the amount of time you need to pedal.
If you want it mainly for exercise and have a more natural riding experience, get a quality centre drive ebike with either Bosch, Shimano or Yamaha drive motor and battery.
The centre drive is just the same as riding a normal bike, no matter how much assist you have, you still have to pedal, but if you face a strong headwind or a major rise, increasing the assist is just like having stronger legs, but you still pedal and have to put in effort if you stop pedaling it stops.
The centre drive IMO is on the whole much nicer experience, but much dearer to purchase, IMO it is worth the extra money and is the reason I'm selling the hub drives.
I prefer to ride a normal bike, over the hub drive ebike, I just don't find them enjoyable.
They are o.k if you just want a non car, fast form of transport, but zero enjoyment for me.
You get what you pay for IMO.:2twocents
Hub drive has the electric motor in either the front wheel or the back wheel.
Centre drive has the motor mechanism incorporated in the pedals and chain wheel assembly.
I have been talking about getting an E-bike for a while, and today the wife surprised me and took me to the Bike shop to pick one, ended up riding away on one right of the floor off the shop. 😄

IMG_0261.jpegIMG_0260.jpeg
 
I have been talking about getting an E-bike for a while, and today the wife surprised me and took me to the Bike shop to pick one, ended up riding away on one right of the floor off the shop. 😄
Nice bike.
Mine is the Merida 29er and the wife has the Norco scenic VLT.

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Prices of EV's and batteries set to fall, if the government gets it act together.

Nothing to do with government, market forces.
i know I am in the minority here, but EVs are going to keep dropping to below the cost of petrol cars which will mark the big change over.
They will become more like fridges as they are much easier to build and there is less technology. As a result there will be a glut of sellers eventually, think flat screen TV.

Future cars will be about fashion and trends. Companies will have trouble retaining the present sales margins.
 
Prices of EV's and batteries set to fall, if the government gets it act together.


All Australian governments must use all tools at their disposal to encourage and help industry value add to all the resources that we sell. We need to bule batteries with our metals, manufacture chemicals with our gas, produce flour with our grains, and sell it all overseas.
 
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