Electric vehicles won't rule the road until at least 2040, says US government

[cliffordcooley]

Yes, but that high cost comes from the precious metals used. They use platinum and gold in the fuel cell (I think in either the anode or cathode or PEM).

I wish the value of platinum and gold would disappear. We don't need them to maintain ones value. The use of Bitcoins is proof of that. It is not the gold/platinum that holds value. It is the exchange rate between peoples desires that hold value.

We might as well release all materials that hold great value to be used elsewhere. Such as innovation that normally wouldn't be feasible because of material cost. But yet here we are with hordes of gold locked away for safe keeping, when it could be used for future benefits.

 

[Jad Chaar]

I wish the value of platinum and gold would disappear. We don't need them to maintain ones value. The use of Bitcoins is proof of that. It is not the gold/platinum that holds value. It is the exchange rate between peoples desires that hold value.

We might as well release all materials that hold great value to be used elsewhere. Such as innovation that normally wouldn't be feasible because of material cost. But yet here we are with hordes of gold locked away for safe keeping, when it could be used for future benefits.

I agree. Well said.

 

[ekg84]

The 2016 arrival of grapheme electrode lithium ion batteries will double the range of all electric cars, pushing the top Tesla model S over 500 miles and most EV over 200miles. The only gasoline that will be used in cars past 2028 would be for the onboard generator/ range extender. A kilowatt costs 10cents and gets you 3 miles, so that's 30 miles to the dollar, or about 90 miles for the price of a gallon of gas at $3.
The piston engine is obsolete, and the technology to replace it is finally coming on stream, accelerated by the high price of oil.
The only place you will find a V8 in 2040 will be a museum.

Exactly my thoughts, no matter how packed with technology new car is, if there is a tank full of explosive liquid in there - that car obsolete. As much as I love v8 rumble I believe that its time to move forward. Internal combustion engines have been with us for over century and its time for them to go. If small Californian company in 2013 is capable of designing and producing an electric car with 300 mile range - one can only imagine what will be possible by 2040. No matter how much people resist the change - its gonna happen. Its called progress, baby. Batteries will become better and cheaper in next 10 years. Even existing Lithium ion technology can be improved on producing cheaper battery that lasts twice as long.

And I'm having hard time believing that gasoline will cost $4 a gallon in 2040. That notion is just ludicrous.

 

[Guest]

"electric vehicles won't rule the road until at least 2040"

I doubt before 2040 there's still gasoline left for us to buy..

 

[cliffordcooley]

I doubt before 2040 there's still gasoline left for us to buy..

The US doesn't need to buy oil, they are sitting on major deposits waiting for everyone else to dry up.

Massive Oil Deposit Could Increase US reserves by 10x
Shhh...Secret U.S. Oil Discovery - Largest Reserve in the World!

After all it is not possible for the US to keep secrets. I wonder if they label this as national security.</sarcasm>

 

[Guest]

@Clifford
so in the end, US will be the last when everyone else depleted their oil..
omg, Clifford, you've just leaked US' most top secret, your information violating US national security!! (joking) hahaha