Buffett Banks on Obscure Chinese Electric Car

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Both the Tesla and the proposed Chrysler electric vehicle are based on Lotus cars which is a lightweight technology...and that's the key to electric vehicles. An electric vehicle without lightweight technology is going to weigh about 35% more than a comparable internal combustion car. An electric vehicle with lightweight technology is going to weigh only about 10% more than a comparable internal combustion car.

The electric vehicle batteries are available from competing suppliers. Each type of battery and each level of battery development has its pros and cons...

WB is just investing in a battery maker...not in a EV manufacturer.

Reply to
R Mach

It is very interesting that battery technology is getting better. All the telephones and laptops have made that neccesary. It will surely be light vehicles like bicycles, tricycles that will benefit the most and short trips will be the first targets. This will change the way we travel short distances and urban traveling will change. It will benefit small vehicles and big vehicles will be banned in urban traffic. Light vehicles and public transport will be inside the cities.

There is no need for battery powered vehicles to travel far. There will be power outlets at home and at parking spaces. No need to be safe against big fast moving vehicles because they will travel on other roads.

This technology and way of life is already taking place. In many cities people do not need old type cars or have one only for special occasions.

Reply to
Björn

There is no need for battery powered vehicles to travel far. There will be power outlets at home and at parking spaces. No need to be safe against big fast moving vehicles because they will travel on other roads.

This technology and way of life is already tak When I explain that electric vehicles must use lightweight technology just to be reasonable in weight...and to have range...realize that any size car can use lightweight technology.

(And there's something wrong here that an electric vehicle without lightweight technology is going to weigh 35% more than a comparable internal combustion vehicle and yet the electric vehicle gets this astounding MPG conversion advantage.)

But the Electric Vehicle charges overnight only...and this is something worked out with the power suppliers.

And two sets of roads is not going to happen. It's difficult enough for a large metro to have two exercise trails. In fact if you want to be very frugal in a city world then motorcycles in the 125cc to 250cc range are available for less than $3,000 . And the combination of performace and economy is successful...while scooters are poor in performance and poor in stability.

Now we all might wonder why there are no cars based on motorcycle parts. In other words a car for someone who rides motorcycles. Well...most lightweight cars just go ahead and use an automotive four-cylinder engine and an automotive transmission. For instance look up the Caterham 7 and check the weight...but the Caterham 7 is not modern but also seeking performance rather than economy.

And current car manufacturers can't make a lightweight car unless it is a small car. In other words current car manufacturers don't have a lightweight technology but just bring forward a small car. (Well Lotus has a lightweight technology and the Corvette is a lightweight technology in a 400 HP category.)

Reply to
R Mach

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