1910 & 1914 electric cars

[Bskicrash1]

Interesting to see electric cars were being sold over 110 years ago… our current electric motorcycles and bicycles have similar range to these century old relics.

 

[the Ferret]

Does that tell you anything? Lol

 

[mzflorida]

View attachment 48902
View attachment 48903Interesting to see electric cars were being sold over 110 years ago… our current electric motorcycles and bicycles have similar range to these century old relics.

Very interesting history. Ther is an episode on the history channel on these cars, specifically in New York. I don't recall the name of the series. I think the range on some of the vehicles was measured in time as opposed to distance back then and they operated for ten minutes or so? Wayne Carini owns one or two also, if memory serves.

 

[the Ferret]

Unfortunately, and much to my dismay after 110 years, the issue with electrics are still range and charging opportunities. Something they are going to have to remedy soon, as more and more states are pressing for the end of ICE vehicles. I just read an article tonight that the Gov of Washington state signed into law a bill that says in 2030 Washington will no longer register ICE vehicles. That means if you live in Washington in 8 years your bike is going to be obsolete.

 

[mzflorida]

Unfortunately, and much to my dismay after 110 years, the issue with electrics are still range and charging opportunities. Something they are going to have to remedy soon, as more and more states are pressing for the end of ICE vehicles. I just read an article tonight that the Gov of Washington state signed into law a bill that says in 2030 Washington will no longer register ICE vehicles. That means if you live in Washington in 8 years your bike is going to be obsolete.

Not disagreeing with anything you said at all...100% correct. But I think the 2030 deadline is aspirational and will not be met. I want to own an electric vehicle. But until the range can get me out of SW Florida, anytime but especially during hurricane season, without stopping for a charge, it's a no go as a primary vehicle option.

Here's my take on it.

• You may need to evacuate, unexpectedly, because of a natural or manmade disaster.
• A safe distance from the event may be beyond the range of electric vehicles even eight years from now.
• Infrastructure will likely not be in place by 2030
• Swapable batteries at stations may solve this; companies are collaborating to that end, developing a common battery architecture, but it is more than 8 years away.
• Battery range

I'm not sure the politicians will like the risk models presented by the actuaries. Michael Bilandic, former mayor of Chicago, lost an election because of his approach to snow management after a storm shut down the city in 79 (which you and I are both old enough to remember). Not sure electric cars covered in ash after a volcano erupts would be a good campaign image.

For the record, I believe electric vehicles make sense but they have a very long way to go. Also, if we are dependent upon foreign countries to create tech that solves the EV issues, there are national security concerns.

 

[the Ferret]

Unlike some I would have no aversion to riding an electric motorcycle. I like the movement, the airy feeling, the leans of riding, not necessarily the smell or noise. I have test ridden a Zero S and other than too taught of suspension, it is something I could easily ride as long as it matched my requirement of a minimum 500 mile range at freeway speeds and a place to recharge it easily found, whether I'm in Ohio where I live or any of the other 47 states I'm liable to ride too. Ideally there would be charging stations linked to every hotel room, so I could charge up overnight while I slept, or a quick charging station nearby where I could sit on the curb for 20 minutes while it comes to a full charge for the next days ride.

And like you said, I dont see that happening in 8 years. 20 years maybe. And that's a big maybe. My son will most likely see it, but he will be in his 60's by then. His son's will be adults then and probably remember their dad and grandfather taking trips together on ICE bikes..