Farley believes he knows how to beat the Chinese on EVs

[Al_V]

The range extender is just a generator that runs to charge your battery while you are driving.

Exactly why it should be a diesel.

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[Firn]

Exactly why it should be a diesel.

Why?

 

[TMND]

AI reply. Diesel generators are generally considered "better" than other types, like gasoline generators, because they are significantly more fuel efficient, require less maintenance due to their simpler design, have a longer lifespan, and can handle larger power loads, making them ideal for situations demanding reliable, consistent power, especially in emergency backup scenarios

 

[Al_V]

Why?

Just guessing that since electric locomotives and ships are powered by diesel generators that there are likely more advantages than I know about.
Edit: Yep, I was right, see post #63

 

[Firn]

AI reply. Diesel generators are generally considered "better" than other types, like gasoline generators, because they are significantly more fuel efficient, require less maintenance due to their simpler design, have a longer lifespan, and can handle larger power loads, making them ideal for situations demanding reliable, consistent power, especially in emergency backup scenarios

Hahaha! Battle of the AI

Here was ChatGPT's response

Gasoline engines are often preferred over diesel engines for generators in certain applications due to several key factors:

1. Lower Initial Cost – Gasoline generators are generally cheaper to purchase than diesel generators, making them more accessible for residential and small-scale use.


2. Availability of Fuel – Gasoline is more widely available in many locations, especially in urban areas where diesel fuel might be less common.


3. Quieter Operation – Gasoline engines tend to be quieter than diesel engines, which makes them more suitable for residential and recreational use.


4. Lower Maintenance Requirements – Gasoline engines generally have simpler designs and fewer heavy-duty components, making them easier and cheaper to maintain in the short term.


5. Lighter Weight and Portability – Gasoline generators are typically smaller and lighter, making them easier to transport and ideal for portable applications like camping or emergency home backup.



However, diesel engines have their own advantages, such as better fuel efficiency, longer lifespan, and better performance under heavy loads, which is why they are preferred for industrial and large-scale power generation. The choice between gasoline and diesel ultimately depends on the specific application and priorities.

 

[NW Ontario Ford Lightning]

It could be that my GM dealer gave me a rip off quote. I didn't look into if further because although it has degraded quite a bit, I knew it wasn't the issue I was having, so I didn't check around for battery pricing. According to the awesome tech guy I found, he said all hybrid batteries take a beating and keeps him busy. He said, he's shocked that I made it so long without issue, so not sure in your confidence that this is not representative of hybrid systems.

I really hope you're right and that 30k US is not the going rate to replace my battery because I really want to keep this car and it's looking like that time is coming sooner than later. Since I am going to have to bring it back to him this week, I will ask this guy how much it would cost to change the battery just to see if the GM dealer was being honest,

Just an FYI - I build DIY 15.5kWh battery packs for my off-grid-Solar home twice per year. These packs use Lithium-Iron-Phospate prismatic cells that are the re-jects from the higher quality automovtive grade cells (that are x2 or x3 the cost per cell). I build each 15.5 kWh pack for a little over $1,400 USD per each. Factoring in real Automotive Grade cells, a 16kWh battery pack is not worth $30,000 USD.
In Edmonton there is an EV recycling place that sells fully intact, tested EV batteries that have been removed from cars/trucks that have been in accidents. These are used batteries, but they publish the year and model the packs are from and they test and certify the quality of the battery capacity.

If I were in your position I would look for resellers like this who pull the undamaged battery packs from written off EV's and find a low mileage pack to fit your car, then get a price to have it swapped out with the existing pack.

 

[Altivec]

Just an FYI - I build DIY 15.5kWh battery packs for my off-grid-Solar home twice per year. These packs use Lithium-Iron-Phospate prismatic cells that are the re-jects from the higher quality automovtive grade cells (that are x2 or x3 the cost per cell). I build each 15.5 kWh pack for a little over $1,400 USD per each. Factoring in real Automotive Grade cells, a 16kWh battery pack is not worth $30,000 USD.
In Edmonton there is an EV recycling place that sells fully intact, tested EV batteries that have been removed from cars/trucks that have been in accidents. These are used batteries, but they publish the year and model the packs are from and they test and certify the quality of the battery capacity.

If I were in your position I would look for resellers like this who pull the undamaged battery packs from written off EV's and find a low mileage pack to fit your car, then get a price to have it swapped out with the existing pack.

Thank you very much for that info. Oh I know that the battery pack is not worth 30k USD... I am sure a lot of the price from the dealer is so you say forget about that and just buy a new car. I wish I had your expertise to make my own, but I have too many things on my plate to learn that too and knowing my luck, I'll start my house on fire.

I actually live in Edmonton so for you to say there is an EV recycling place right here sounds awesome. I don't know how vehicle specific a used battery needs to be. The problem with my ELR is that it was ahead of its time when nobody wanted a hybrid. Even worse than how EV's are not wanted now. It's basically a unicorn car where they only made 2300 units total in the 3 years it was available. Chances of finding another smashed up ELR in Edmonton that has even less than my 50K miles I think will be slim to none, but you never know. The ELR was based on the Volt system, I just don't know if it shares the same battery exactly. These problems have just come on in the last couple of weeks so I haven't done a ton of research. Even though I love the car, my instinct right now is to get it fixed and then sell it this summer. But you give me some hope with the prices you mentioned that maybe a used battery replacement might give me a little more time with it. I will definitely look at all my options before making my decision.

Thanks again for the great advice.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

I don't think that's a the conclusion we can draw based on the article and even Farley's own admissions.

"If anything, Ford was way too aggressive in capacitizing for more expensive vehicles and late to recognize that it needed the Skunkworks," Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of Market Research at Telemetry Insights said.

Skunkworks is the team of engineers that Ford put together in California to develop a low-cost EV platform."


"Farley told Wall Street to expect more news this year around Ford's EV investment strategy and that one thing is certain: Exorbitantly priced EVs will not yield high sales volume or profits, so don't expect to see them come from Ford, he said."

Experts point out Ford's strategic errors in ramping up Lightning production capacity, and Farley himself basically admits that he got it wrong by rolling out a big expensive EV. But good for him in recognizing that fact and for resetting the strategy and expectations. The Lightning was a very expensive experiment for Ford. The lessons learned will be valuable for the future. So if you want to call that a Farley win....ok.

I came to my own opinion from this.

"Even Tesla was early in recognizing the need to take cost out of its EVs, and while affordability remains challenging with Teslas, they have found a path to profitability, something few automakers globally have achieved with EVs," Abuelsamid said.

I think there's something to be said about a company that continues to make every model they've ever put into production. Just my opinion.

 

[MotoGary]

I came to my own opinion from this.

"Even Tesla was early in recognizing the need to take cost out of its EVs, and while affordability remains challenging with Teslas, they have found a path to profitability, something few automakers globally have achieved with EVs," Abuelsamid said.

I think there's something to be said about a company that continues to make every model they've ever put into production. Just my opinion.

Apparently you're talking about Musk. I was talking about Farley.

 

[TMND]

I was just thinking to myself that Jim looks a lot like Chris Farley and sure as shit they were cousins

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