GM to dump internal combustion engines

[Jim D.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

In acceleration, yes they are quick, great 0--60 and 1/4 mile times, but like a golf cart, they top out quickly, as an electric motor develops 100% of its' torque on starting. The ZR1s, Porsche 911 Turbo s, etc. will always beat these electric gadgets at top end. No contest.

I don't know. That Mustang top out at 177+MPH. Faster than any golf cart I've driven.

[Michael J.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Yes, but you have not driven a modern ZR1 or 911 Turbo S that are routine 205+ mph cars.

[Jim D.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Yes, but you have not driven a modern ZR1 or 911 Turbo S that are routine 205+ mph cars.

ZR1, yes, 911, no I haven't. Regardless, up to the top speed, which 99.9998% of us would ever realize on the public roads, that electric Rustang out performs both the cars you referred to. What's your point? Ever driven a Bugatti to its top speed of 261? I think not.

[Michael J.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

ZR1, yes, 911, no I haven't. Regardless, up to the top speed, which 99.9998% of us would ever realize on the public roads, that electric Rustang out performs both the cars you referred to. What's your point? Ever driven a Bugatti to its top speed of 261? I think not.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend you, if you like the Rustang, get one. My point is that people have different preferences for what kind of cars they chose to buy and what kind of performance they value. I think it should be open to anything you like, and not constrained by government edicts and mandates. I prefer gasoline engines, but if you like the electric, go for it.

[Jim D.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Not offended at all. The purpose of my post was to point out that all electric cars don't have to have the performance of a Prius. I love gas engines. I own a dual quad C-1 and a big block C-2.

[Duke W.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Electric cars are very peppy and fun to drive around town because of the peak torque at zero RPM characteristic of the motor, but torque falls as speed increases so beyond highway speed acceleration may only be modest.

The Tesla can only deliver peak/torque power for a very short period of time due to thermal considerations. Car and Driver drove a P90D at one of their Virginia International Raceway "One Lap" events, and torque/power limiting came in to play after about a half-lap, so lap times were not that impressive compared to the 0-60 time.

It make sense to me that electrics should have a two speed transmission with about a 2:1 gear spread. That way they won't be turning a zillion RPM at cruise speed, which should reduce internal friction and increase motor life.

Duke

[Michael J.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Yes, and I guess we are going to have to wait a while for the Model 3 and 18 wheeler he is promising.......

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-truck/tesla-delays-big-rig-truck-debut-model-3-in-production-hell-idUSKBN1CB2NQ

[Frank K.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Meeting with a GE engineer one day after GM gave them a Volt to use for estimating here is her opinion. Give me back my impala . Then later in the year she canceled a meeting with me at a school because no one knew how to change the flat she had blown on a major highway> Then the dealership did not have the tire or the rim so she waited a week for her Volt. So after looking at the new Bolt at a Corvette meet in Rhode Island the first thing that came to me who is going to repair this $40,000.00 vehicle. Chevrolet will never go electric the Corvette is there money maker! Also my experience with battery powered electrical devises if you do not maintain and have a excellent charging system your out of business rather fast. My battery cost were double when the operations went to China with little quality improvements.

[Patrick S.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Most electric car people forget to do a complete energy analysis. Try including the electric energy production (pollution of the power plant etc.) and the line losses. Now do the analysis again. I believe that SAE (historically) proved at one time that internal combustion was the most OVERALL efficiency for moving your butt around.
Maybe a nuclear car of some sort would be better.

[Francis F.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Duke,I herd they have a class at Berkly called "CYCO CERAMICS" taught by none other than Jerry Brown.it is the study of "CRACK POTS".
class is expected to fill up quickly....!
Francis

[Ray G.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Tesla Electric Car battery manufacturing plant fire in Phoenix, AZ May 6, 2017
Several story depicting the hazards involved are posted on the internet.
Elon Musk is divesting himself from Tesla.

Just my .02
Ray

[Frank K.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

I believe is any one could do it Elon Musk could. I still see a future with him involved. The problem is i believe he made his money and will be playing back ground music!

[Richard G.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

The reason electric cars are here because they are all above 90% efficient. Our Corvettes do not even make the 20% mark.
Large Power plants efficiently rates vary by fuel type. The overall coal plant efficiency ranges from 32% to 42%. Gas fired plants can run as high as 60%. Still beating the 20% efficiently mark by a long shot even after transmission losses. In the labs they have batteries that charge instantly. Also a fact that the average Corvette owner is in his 60's, we as a group will never have to worry about electric cars being the mainstay as we will be gone.
The efficiency of the auto is all that matters, market forces (cost to move about) will prevail in the end.

[Ian G.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Thanks Mark Pellowski for showing me this. This is the future my friends I know what my project after the vette is going to be (which is probably another ten year off lol). Tesla restoration!!! There are several videos. Pretty fun to watch maybe even for a bunch anti-electric guys :

http://www.teslavana.com/2017/09/worlds-cheapest-tesla-model-s-6500-00/

P.S. A Z06 makes a cameo in two of the videos

[Michael J.]

Re: GM to dump internal combustion engines

Also a fact that the average Corvette owner is in his 60's, we as a group will never have to worry about electric cars being the mainstay as we will be gone.

And that is what makes me less than interested in this subject, we are the lucky ones, our kids and grandkids however, may have to put up with this garbage forced on them by government. When we were growing up, our Dad's and Grandad's cars were being vastly improved year by year, from flathead 4s to 6s, to the incredible V8s visionaries like Duntov Knudsen, and many others were developing. We always had hopes of new, better, more powerful engines to drive our dreams and a gas station on every corner, the engine in my '12 ZR1 is a marvel. Now we have a "visionary" who thinks the earth is doomed, wants to move to Mars (where he thinks is the future of the human race), wants the governments to provide plugs to charge his cars, and uses our tax money to pay off customers to buy his junk. Something is very wrong in America when people like that are making our car choices, I am glad I will not live to see any of it.