You can now get an electric flying taxi in Dubai:
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Maybe with an Indian driver mind you!
Worth the risk?
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Maybe with an Indian driver mind you!
Worth the risk?
OT: ICE or EV.....when's the tipping point?
So....I'm in a position to buy a new vehicle. No real rush...and not sure if I'll go pick up again or SUV at this point.
But let's just say I buy something in 2022.
Tree huggers want everything to go 100% EV by what...2030 something?
As that time approaches more and more EVs will be on the road. Less demand for gasoline.
Price of gas goes up...making an ICE more expensive to operate. Probably fewer gas stations to boot.
And then...try selling or trading in an ICE for the inevitable EV....who will want one, at that point?
I find myself at that transition point.
What to do....what to do?
But let's just say I buy something in 2022.
Tree huggers want everything to go 100% EV by what...2030 something?
As that time approaches more and more EVs will be on the road. Less demand for gasoline.
Price of gas goes up...making an ICE more expensive to operate. Probably fewer gas stations to boot.
And then...try selling or trading in an ICE for the inevitable EV....who will want one, at that point?
I find myself at that transition point.
What to do....what to do?
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MBZ '85 380SL, RR '77 Silver Shadow II, MBZ '98 E300TD, BMW '02 E46
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If these are the same one-person flying taxis I'm thinking of, the maximum weight of passenger and luggage is 250 lbs. Where is aforementioned "Indian driver" sitting? I wouldn't be surprised if they were remotely operated - from China.
Sorry, that should read Abu Dhabi, not Dubai, my mistake.
But we can be sure that Dubai won't be long behind.
See this:
There's no mention of the vehicles for Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai taxis are mostly driven by Indian drivers. They don't know "smooth", just as fast as the speed limit allows, but still a very uncomfortable ride.
Here's ADP:
But we can be sure that Dubai won't be long behind.
See this:
There's no mention of the vehicles for Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai taxis are mostly driven by Indian drivers. They don't know "smooth", just as fast as the speed limit allows, but still a very uncomfortable ride.
Here's ADP:
I'd actually like to fly an electric motor-powered airplane, although probably not far from the traffic pattern. The Cessna 152/172s that I flew way back were fun but pretty damn noisy in the cabin.
Years ago someone asked Igor Sikorsky if he would ever build a helicopter with 2 main rotors like on the Boeing CH46 and CH47. His reply was one rotor, one problem, two rotors two problems. I wonder what he would say about 8 rotors.Sorry, that should read Abu Dhabi, not Dubai, my mistake.
But we can be sure that Dubai won't be long behind.
See this:
There's no mention of the vehicles for Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai taxis are mostly driven by Indian drivers. They don't know "smooth", just as fast as the speed limit allows, but still a very uncomfortable ride.
Here's ADP:
Yes but it is the propeller that is making all the noise.
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I had a few free flights in Tiger Moths and Chipmunks many years ago, leather jacket, leather helmet, goggles and all!
The Cessnas must have been like Rolls Royces, flying carpets!?
Have it/them off, old boy, have them off! The props, I mean!
Lower fares for sharers?
And onboard service!
What about hijackers? 😱 😱
And onboard service!
What about hijackers? 😱 😱
Hydrogen powered Toyota:
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It's just another alternative propulsion system.
There are bound to be more.
Current EV technology is already dead in my view, it's too inefficient.
Toyota recently rescinded its commitment to electric vehicles, because they are working on several alternatives including hydrogen.
This one isn't bad for a first attempt, 300 miles range and 5 minute fillup.
They had previously committed exclusively to produce 30 electric vehicles.
That's a phenomenal number
While there are apparently several ways in which hydrogen can be used as a power source, the one with the most promise has been popular in science fiction for decades - that is the fuel cell. Portable, rechargeable and versatile. No stopping to refuel on a long trip. just put a few extra fuel cells in the trunk and tally-ho! If it's good enough for interstellar travel, powering a road car should be a snap.
'72 350SL, '85 300D, '98 E320, '19 Subaru Outback (sold '14 GLK250)
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I don't know about science fiction fuel cells, but the ones in cars and buses aren't like that! Perhaps you were talking about the type that use use dilithium crystals catalyzing a matter/antimatter reaction that generates a warp field enabling faster-than-light travel ?
Actual earthbound fuel cells convert a fuel like hydrogen into electricity. Not portable and not recharged because they don't store energy.
The hydrogen can be produced by the reverse - Supply water and electricity to an electrolytic cell (much like a fuel cell) and produce hydrogen. But not IN the car
So in effect cars would run on water
Apparently it takes a lot of power to produce the hydrogen, and it then has to be chilled until sold, using more electricity.
So overall it is Not a "clean fuel" until we only have clean energy workdwide.
I think the fillup cost $60.
So it's not the cheapest either.
Early days.
Time will tell.
So overall it is Not a "clean fuel" until we only have clean energy workdwide.
I think the fillup cost $60.
So it's not the cheapest either.
Early days.
Time will tell.
Here comes the ""Tipping Point":
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www.reuters.com
When we're currently paying £25,000+ for the cheapest basic EVs and they can produce basic models for under £10,000 there's a lot of our market share to be gained. 3-year leasing is available now for around £500 per month for EVs and under £400 per month for hybrids in the UK. If they can get the lease price of EVs under £350 they'll rocket up, the car will pay itself back in full in the 3 years, leaving the leasing companies 50-60% residual value, assuming battery life will extend to 5+ years as expected.
Power demands will rocket too, possibly causing power outages unheard of in the UK before.
Let's see.
Chinese carmakers target more European sales with five-star EVs
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers have set their sights on winning over European drivers and large corporate customers with more affordable cars that come with top safety ratings and lots of high-tech features.
www.reuters.com
When we're currently paying £25,000+ for the cheapest basic EVs and they can produce basic models for under £10,000 there's a lot of our market share to be gained. 3-year leasing is available now for around £500 per month for EVs and under £400 per month for hybrids in the UK. If they can get the lease price of EVs under £350 they'll rocket up, the car will pay itself back in full in the 3 years, leaving the leasing companies 50-60% residual value, assuming battery life will extend to 5+ years as expected.
Power demands will rocket too, possibly causing power outages unheard of in the UK before.
Let's see.
How much more are we going to allow ourselves to rely on China? We should be trying to wean ourselves off the Chinese tit, not sucking ever harder.
EV's not much good in Ukraine right now.
The only thing I'd consider would be a plug-in hybrid.
But I'm keeping my stink'in 'ol 1985 300 diesel as a backup, which can run on almost anything including a blend of (filtered) waste oil.
The only thing I'd consider would be a plug-in hybrid.
But I'm keeping my stink'in 'ol 1985 300 diesel as a backup, which can run on almost anything including a blend of (filtered) waste oil.
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