Sandy Munro said the big factors are (1) Weight, (2) Aero, (3) Friction, and (4) Efficiency (things besides aero, presumably). Aptera checks all the boxes. The advice of looking for a vehicle with small battery and fast charging as opposed to large battery and slow charging is sound advice. But "fast charging" needs to be in terms of miles of range added per kWh, not just kW limit of the vehicle or the electrical source (Level 1, Level 2, or DCFC).
@@glike2 don't really know anything about zaptera, but I doubt it. Sure seems to be that it was created in order to troll their patents. Just me speculating.
Sorry the footage was soo shaky. I was stood up planning to ask why Phevs dont use LFP. Battery degredation in phevs is a problem if they are driven electric for commutes since the battery is only about 12 kwh and will be cycled very deeply every day. A friend of mine has a Volt and couldn't get the warranty to be honored despite 40% degradation. I did ask Sandy about it after the panel and I was quite surprised to hear him claim phevs (even used) are a fine option and degradation is not a problem. PS: I did some research on this topic afterward and the key seems to be related to c rates. LFP can only do ~2.5c while NMC can easily do 4-5c for brief periods. This is slow if trying to accelerate a 3000-4000lb vehicle since it translates to about 40 hp. To get incentives phevs use batteries just large enough to have the required electric range but if they used a large enough battery for the battery c rate / size to be more reasonable they would have a 100-120 mile electric range and a 25 kwh pack weighing ~350lb. I'm all for this but auto makers are doing the minimum to get incentives because they know most drivers don't actually plug phevs in and as a result the fact the vehicle is a degraded mess if plugged in consistently is ironically not priority.
I had 3 Volts and a Cadillac ELR and had zero measurable battery degradation with any of them. GM designed their batteries so that they only used 80% of the capacity, so they could be charged to "full" every day, and depleted to "empty" for years. LFP is not a bad idea, but they are heavier and have less energy density. Still, PHEVs should have evolved to be more competitive against BEVs to provide maybe 100 miles of range and the ability to do DC fast charging. Maybe the next generation of PHEVs will have those capabilities. And they may used sodium ion batteries, and even hybrid chemistry battery packs, with a smaller solid state or lithium metal battery as a buffer.
I bought 80K mile used Ford PHEV with 7.5 kWh. Prior owner plugged in all the time for 25 mile/day commute. 20 mile factory rating down to 15 miles. At ~40 mpg, gasoline cost is similar to kWh plus preserves my battery. So I only drive in HEV mode, larger battery has more ability. I recharge every month or two when battery gets below 30%.
Sandy Munro said the big factors are (1) Weight, (2) Aero, (3) Friction, and (4) Efficiency (things besides aero, presumably). Aptera checks all the boxes. The advice of looking for a vehicle with small battery and fast charging as opposed to large battery and slow charging is sound advice. But "fast charging" needs to be in terms of miles of range added per kWh, not just kW limit of the vehicle or the electrical source (Level 1, Level 2, or DCFC).
What about practicality and price?
I think the moderator was the best. Thanks for sharing.
Nice to hear such positivity. Thanks, Steve.
Im with Sandy, bring on the Chinese EVs! Ive followed a lot of those manufacturers, and a lot of those cars look fantastic!
Is Zaptera going to make a Chinese version?
@@glike2 don't really know anything about zaptera, but I doubt it. Sure seems to be that it was created in order to troll their patents. Just me speculating.
@@brianrosenlof388no they are just a patient troll
Sorry the footage was soo shaky.
I was stood up planning to ask why Phevs dont use LFP. Battery degredation in phevs is a problem if they are driven electric for commutes since the battery is only about 12 kwh and will be cycled very deeply every day. A friend of mine has a Volt and couldn't get the warranty to be honored despite 40% degradation. I did ask Sandy about it after the panel and I was quite surprised to hear him claim phevs (even used) are a fine option and degradation is not a problem.
PS: I did some research on this topic afterward and the key seems to be related to c rates. LFP can only do ~2.5c while NMC can easily do 4-5c for brief periods. This is slow if trying to accelerate a 3000-4000lb vehicle since it translates to about 40 hp. To get incentives phevs use batteries just large enough to have the required electric range but if they used a large enough battery for the battery c rate / size to be more reasonable they would have a 100-120 mile electric range and a 25 kwh pack weighing ~350lb. I'm all for this but auto makers are doing the minimum to get incentives because they know most drivers don't actually plug phevs in and as a result the fact the vehicle is a degraded mess if plugged in consistently is ironically not priority.
I had 3 Volts and a Cadillac ELR and had zero measurable battery degradation with any of them. GM designed their batteries so that they only used 80% of the capacity, so they could be charged to "full" every day, and depleted to "empty" for years. LFP is not a bad idea, but they are heavier and have less energy density. Still, PHEVs should have evolved to be more competitive against BEVs to provide maybe 100 miles of range and the ability to do DC fast charging. Maybe the next generation of PHEVs will have those capabilities. And they may used sodium ion batteries, and even hybrid chemistry battery packs, with a smaller solid state or lithium metal battery as a buffer.
I bought 80K mile used Ford PHEV with 7.5 kWh. Prior owner plugged in all the time for 25 mile/day commute. 20 mile factory rating down to 15 miles. At ~40 mpg, gasoline cost is similar to kWh plus preserves my battery. So I only drive in HEV mode, larger battery has more ability. I recharge every month or two when battery gets below 30%.
Interesting!
@25:52 who knew Dr. Demento was in the audience??
He was from the Vancouver ev owners club. They also restored a 1912 ev by Detroit electric which is awesome
@@ccibinel seems like the same guy was in one of the factory tours.
What is her website for comparing vehicles on the market?
Is Zaptera going to make a Chinese version?
Obviously not
@@GoClimbARockEh The Chinese version of what? Last I checked, they weren't building anything.