Tesla Cybertruck

[frozenchief]

I just bought a new truck after some asshole rear-ended me and twisted the frame on my old one. I had a Toyota Tacoma. 15 years and 300,000 miles. Just got another Toyota because they are extremely reliable.

Would I have purchased the Tesla? Doubtful:

1. it's ugly as sin. I just don't like it
2. I wonder about the range
3. Electric cars do not do as well in the cold and Alaska gets cold (although not this year)
4. I wonder how Tesla as a company will do. If the company goes under, where does one get parts, service, etc.? I keep reading that they have yet to turn a profit and that makes me reluctant to buy one of their vehicles
5. I realize I'm just an old fart who doesn't trust these new-fangled things.

The concept is interesting and in a few years might be worth while but I've learned from computers that its best to wait a bit and get the bugs and kinks worked out.

[underEJ]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

3. Electric cars do not do as well in the cold and Alaska gets cold (although not this year)

Is that true? I had a Chevy Volt and it was exceptional in cold weather, both for running well and for driving in snow and ice. Is that something for which Chevy was just more successful than other electric manufacturers?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by underEJ

Is that true? I had a Chevy Volt and it was exceptional in cold weather, both for running well and for driving in snow and ice. Is that something for which Chevy was just more successful than other electric manufacturers?

They operate fine, but your range is usually reduced since producing heat is actually pretty battery intensive. Think electric space heater. I probably lose 20% of my range on really cold days in my Leaf.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by DaFace

They operate fine, but your range is usually reduced since producing heat is actually pretty battery intensive. Think electric space heater. I probably lose 20% of my range on really cold days in my Leaf.

This is my understanding. And while winters here have not been as bad the last couple of years, I have seen several winters where it did not hit 0 for weeks on end. My concern has been that even if I kept my truck in the garage (I don't*), that truck sits outside while I'm at work all day. And it doesn't take long at -30 for anything to get really cold.

*Like all good Alaskans, I have a block heater in my engine that I plug in at night. It's why you see rows of electrical outlets in pictures of Fairbanks. The plug is a little heating coil that keeps the engine block warm, or at least warm for the temperatures, so oil isn't as thick, starting is easier and the engine gets to operating temperature faster.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

This is my understanding. And while winters here have not been as bad the last couple of years, I have seen several winters where it did not hit 0 for weeks on end. My concern has been that even if I kept my truck in the garage (I don't*), that truck sits outside while I'm at work all day. And it doesn't take long at -30 for anything to get really cold.

*Like all good Alaskans, I have a block heater in my engine that I plug in at night. It's why you see rows of electrical outlets in pictures of Fairbanks. The plug is a little heating coil that keeps the engine block warm, or at least warm for the temperatures, so oil isn't as thick, starting is easier and the engine gets to operating temperature faster.

If I may ask, where do you live in Alaska?

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

If I may ask, where do you live in Alaska?

I live in Palmer but work in Anchorage. Right now, it's wet and sloppy and can't really decide if it wants to snow or rain, which is pretty crappy.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I live in Palmer but work in Anchorage. Right now, it's wet and sloppy and can't really decide if it wants to snow or rain, which is pretty crappy.

Cool. I've only passed through Anchorage briefly, so I know little about it. The southeast peninsula seemed interesting to me, and maybe not as cold if one lived there. I find the area intriguing.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by frozenchief

I live in Palmer but work in Anchorage. Right now, it's wet and sloppy and can't really decide if it wants to snow or rain, which is pretty crappy.

I would pay material dollars to get wet and sloppy around here.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by underEJ

Is that true? I had a Chevy Volt and it was exceptional in cold weather, both for running well and for driving in snow and ice. Is that something for which Chevy was just more successful than other electric manufacturers?

Absolutely. I have a Model S and the efficiency of the battery is reduced up to 25% in the winter. But if you have a long range 500 mile battery that is still more than enough distance, and even more distance than you can go in most trucks on a tank of gas.

Much better efficiency in the summer and on longer trips in my experience.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by underEJ

Is that true? I had a Chevy Volt and it was exceptional in cold weather, both for running well and for driving in snow and ice. Is that something for which Chevy was just more successful than other electric manufacturers?

No. It's the inherent nature of liquid battery cells. Operate best in the low 70's.

I'm not sure that will be an issue for the truck as I'm not sure they plan on using either the 18650 or 2170 cell architectures and seem to be on the verge of commercializing their own solid state batteries, which the cold wouldn't affect nearly as much.

The beauty is that even if it is an issue, with the 500+ like range, you'll still get 400+ miles per charge and recharge should be even faster than the Model 3 with all that battery to take the charge.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk