Milo Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Re electric cars, I think it's about time Hollywood spilled the beans and shared their technology as I'm sure the big car manufacturers could take it to the next level. If they can make hydrogen/nuclear fuel cells (or whatever it is they use) to fly the spaceships for the films, why can't we adapt the technology for general use? I appreciate the stuff we see in the movies is only short bursts of flight so they can film their scenes (Star Wars is the obvious example) but surely with a bit of investment, it could be adapted to provide a decent range (maybe even the lifetime of a car?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I don't care how fast, how economical, or how cheap they'll become.... I'll never have one. And I don't like the hybrids so far either. I'm hoping that by the time petrol cars become extinct I'll be too old to drive [opportunity for someone like Mook to say I'm already too old to drive ] Wheelchairs are electric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Re electric cars, I think it's about time Hollywood spilled the beans and shared their technology as I'm sure the big car manufacturers could take it to the next level.If they can make hydrogen/nuclear fuel cells (or whatever it is they use) to fly the spaceships for the films, why can't we adapt the technology for general use? I appreciate the stuff we see in the movies is only short bursts of flight so they can film their scenes (Star Wars is the obvious example) but surely with a bit of investment, it could be adapted to provide a decent range (maybe even the lifetime of a car?). Very true, we don't have any need for hyperdrive systems on earth either really, I'm sure that technology could be scaled down, and the massive energy required for a single hyperdrive jump would surely be enough to propel the average car for it's entire life. I'm also surprised at the lack of merchandising from some films, I'd love a hover board for example, and I'm sure my home security could be improved with an ED209. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 ... and I'm sure my home security could be improved with an ED209. Er... No thanks, I like my Androids with the first three rules well and truly intact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted December 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Unfortunately for you, I'm not going to shut up, you saying somethings a fact, doesn't make it so, I'm not sure exactly who, or what you think you are sometimes?In my opinion the RX is smaller than both the cars you mentioned, it might be just as spacious inside, but externally, it's smaller, you've only got to look at the thing to know that. MrMe its ok it turns out that Tipex got the measurements from his wife so you know that inch isn't quite an inch things has gone on..... Lexus 450h vs BMW X5 Length: 187.8 inch - 183.7 in Width: 74.2 inch - 73.7 in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Wheelchairs are electric :roflmao::roflmao: - Very good! But can you mod electric wheelchairs? Are there any carbonfibre bits available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 :roflmao::roflmao: - Very good! But can you mod electric wheelchairs? Are there any carbonfibre bits available? Have a chat with the para-olympian tech people. I imagine there are loads I'd love to hear a wheelchair with a turbo pssshh dump valve (no, not a commode mod) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 MrMe its ok it turns out that Tipex got the measurements from his wife so you know that inch isn't quite an inch things has gone on.....Lexus 450h vs BMW X5 Length: 187.8 inch - 183.7 in Width: 74.2 inch - 73.7 in Ahh, you went to all that effort to try and prove someone wrong on the internet, bless. Where's that 'someones wrong on the Internet' pic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Have a chat with the para-olympian tech people. I imagine there are loads I'd love to hear a wheelchair with a turbo pssshh dump valve (no, not a commode mod) ....Someone I know who is wheelchair-bound (bike accident) has recently converted his Mk5 GTI to a road legal track car and is able to transport his titanium+carbon wheelchair: Btw, the Mk5 GTI doesn't dump air but has a recirculating valve. My Forge air intake sounds like Darth Varder though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Ahh, you went to all that effort to try and prove someone wrong on the internet, bless.Where's that 'someones wrong on the Internet' pic... To be fair, I'm surprised it took so long for someone to find the actual figures rather than having two opinions thrown at each other Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 To be fair, I'm surprised it took so long for someone to find the actual figures rather than having two opinions thrown at each other I didn't think it was really necessary being as MrMe had already admitted I was correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 The thing is Matt, it wasn't two opinions - it was one person quoting facts and another talking out of the top of their head. Then CarMad got the great response of 'you went to all that trouble to prove someone wrong'. Umm, well yes he did actually - and you were wrong. Even then you wouldn't acknowledge it gracefully.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I didn't think it was really necessary being as MrMe had already admitted I was correct. I'm bored. Ignore button active. What a fabulous vB feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 In this thread... How did I get a mention from TDK in a **** of the year thread when I have been nothing but a pussy cat and sweetness and like since I started frequenting TSN again? But in this thread... you haven't a clue what you are talking about and should shut up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 The thing is Matt, it wasn't two opinions - it was one person quoting facts and another talking out of the top of their head. For the record, I agree with you RX400 vs X5. Easy. By opinions, I meant that no one had got the numbers out on the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 These are the 'facts' that mr me admitted were wrong when he said the RX is slightly smaller externally. Anyway, as he's got me on ignore now apparently, all those of you PM'ing me with suggestions on how to wind him up can do it yourselves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Classic Tyresmoke thread. Love a bit of argy bargy. Next it will be "Northern Monkey" and "Southern Poofter" name calling! On the original topic I can't see me ever owning an electric car at least not while I have to do any kind of distance driving. I can't see how they'll ever have any kind of refill time approaching petrol/diesel/lpg/hydrogen, they're always going to take an hour or two minimum to recharge and that's just not practical when driving reasonable distances. What are the pro's/cons about the system where you have a small engine which is used to run electric motors or recharge the batteries in the car. Are they efficient? Does anyone have any decent working examples of them out there? I don't know enough about the basic physics and power conversions rates to tell whether you'd get more efficiency out of that system than an engine driving the wheels directly?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Classic Tyresmoke thread. Love a bit of argy bargy. Next it will be "Northern Monkey" and "Southern Poofter" name calling! ! Doesn't look like it'll get that far sadly, as MrMe has childishly pressed the ignore button (apparently) as he knows he fecked up, and obviously isn't capable of defending himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 What irritates me is that the whole 'raison d'etre' for electric cars is supposed to be for the sake of the environment and yet people have either forgotten or choose to ignore the very eco-UNfriendly aspects of batteries and their production and disposal. Also there is the consideration of how all that electricity needed will be produced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Doesn't look like it'll get that far sadly, as MrMe has childishly pressed the ignore button (apparently) as he knows he fecked up, and obviously isn't capable of defending himself. ....Bagsy a front row seat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I know there are increasing power issues in this country but I think if you went down the whole electric car route it's probably worthwhile fitting a solar panel/wind turbine/geo thermal solution to your house to generate some or all of your energy needs to recharge the car, that would really pee the government off as they'd be getting no revenue and would soon drop all their subsidies. The point you make about the batteries is true though and winds me up as well, the mess they've made in some parts of the world strip mining the materials is truly shocking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I know there are increasing power issues in this country but I think if you went down the whole electric car route it's probably worthwhile fitting a solar panel/wind turbine/geo thermal solution to your house to generate some or all of your energy needs to recharge the car, that would really pee the government off as they'd be getting no revenue and would soon drop all their subsidies. The point you make about the batteries is true though and winds me up as well, the mess they've made in some parts of the world strip mining the materials is truly shocking. They would just change the rules and invent a tax to restore their revenue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 I would have a legit reason for getting one, i would also recharge it extemely cheaply by plugging it in when i get to my office! I dont think i would be declaring that leccy on my return But i just cant see it happening, plus there quite expensive and while i havent in the past been against spending money on cars i want the electric models are just to expensive. They neither make sense financially (price to buy vs unknown resale) nor in a desire to buy it b/c none of them seem that great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 The argument about mining for the batteries being unsustainable is itself unsustainable, though. The more we get on board with battery tech, the quicker it will progress (hopefully) so that soon we might find some better materials with better charge qualities. Investment should be made down this road, but it shouldn't really come from consumers. This is what research grants are for IMO. Sadly, there aren't many uses for battery tech in military applications The same can be said for solar power too. A lack of investment means that pv cells have rubbish efficiency and until they're beefed up, they're not really worth pushing to consumers, but in order to get the investment to fund the research they are being pushed. If we can get obstacle avoidance and auto braking tech going a bit better, surely we can cut down on safety features like crash zones and therefore weight. = better economy and higher performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted December 17, 2010 Report Share Posted December 17, 2010 Shouldn't need a research grant. Battery companies should be doing their own research. If they think the market for battery cars is that large, then they'll research them themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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