Big brother Tesla

[icowden]

They are merely estimates. Still, scientists, climatologists and other experts can't seem to agree and there are wildly varying estimates, even recently. There are many variables as pointed out, but there seems to be no clear consensus or standard to measure against.

It's because you are measuring string. The "break even" point depends on the mix of the fuel being used for electricity generation, so if that changes the break even point changes. What we can say, unequivocally, is that we have removed tailpipe emissions by switching to BEV. Thus any changes made to electricity generation benefit the entire BEV estate.

Besides, i don't buy into all this breaking even bullshit. A car is fantastically convenient, jobs and economy rely on this convenience and individual mobility but is a terribly inefficient way to travel, 1-2 tonnes of metal moving about to move and deposit 150 - 200 lbs of human meat and bone around is wasteful no matter what powers it...

Unfortunately our Government has decided it is the best way to do things. If they wanted to reduce car use, they would reopen some of the Beeching stations, run far more trains and subsidise the railways to ensure that ticket prices are low. Bring back the goods wagon to take bicycles and suitcases etc. Subsidise busses so that more areas are served more effectively, more of the time. Tax cars more harshly to move people to public transport.

This will involve raising taxes significantly either on individuals or businesses (or both). The Conservatives are not interested in this as their core belief is in low taxation. Labour might be, but they tend to be too busy in-fighting, and even they recognise that "we are raising taxes" isn't a vote winner.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

It's because you are measuring string. The "break even" point depends on the mix of the fuel being used for electricity generation, so if that changes the break even point changes. What we can say, unequivocally, is that we have removed tailpipe emissions by switching to BEV. Thus any changes made to electricity generation benefit the entire BEV estate.


Unfortunately our Government has decided it is the best way to do things. If they wanted to reduce car use, they would reopen some of the Beeching stations, run far more trains and subsidise the railways to ensure that ticket prices are low. Bring back the goods wagon to take bicycles and suitcases etc. Subsidise busses so that more areas are served more effectively, more of the time. Tax cars more harshly to move people to public transport.

This will involve raising taxes significantly either on individuals or businesses (or both). The Conservatives are not interested in this as their core belief is in low taxation. Labour might be, but they tend to be too busy in-fighting, and even they recognise that "we are raising taxes" isn't a vote winner.

Yup!
The solution is probably a public transport system that is more convenient and simple (and cheap) to use
I live in a faily populated area
but it is quicker for me to walk 25 minutes into town than to get the bus
Getting the bus also involves about 15 minutes of walking

OK - at the moment you could say I should just walk (or cycle) but that leaves it far more convenient to drive if it is cold/wet or I am shopping for something heavy (like tins and the like)
There is a bus route nearer - but it runs about every hour and only at rush hour - so basically about 5 a day
not very convenient

and, as far as cost goes, we are going on holiday in the UK this year - involves driving up to Aberdeen
Cost to drive (petrol only) is way less that taking a train!

 

[albion]

Trains are a waste. The none political solution is to get rid of all cars and then force everyone onto electric road trains for long hauls.

 

[icowden]

Trains are a waste. The none political solution is to get rid of all cars and then force everyone onto electric road trains for long hauls.

That's kind of where Tesla is going. The idea is that you have driverless fleets of cars that are as cheap or cheaper than busses or trains and you just call one when you want one. No walking to the bus stop and plenty of room for your luggage / shopping etc.

First stage is to get to autonomous.
Second stage is to send your car off to work when you aren't using it.
Third stage is cars remain property of the company and you don't bother buying one any more.

 

[matticus]

That's kind of where Tesla is going. The idea is that you have driverless fleets of cars that are as cheap or cheaper than busses or trains and you just call one when you want one. No walking to the bus stop and plenty of room for your luggage / shopping etc.

First stage is to get to autonomous.
Second stage is to send your car off to work when you aren't using it.
Third stage is cars remain property of the company and you don't bother buying one any more.

Surely if you just move everyone from private cars to driverless taxis, you solve parking (and a lot of urban pollution), but still have the same congestion?
Shirley??

 

[icowden]

Surely if you just move everyone from private cars to driverless taxis, you solve parking (and a lot of urban pollution), but still have the same congestion?
Shirley??

Possibly. Ideally you do both. Trains etc are better for long journeys but a taxi to the station is expensive...

 

[multitool]

Third stage is cars remain property of the company and you don't bother buying one any more.

We are already at that stage, are we not?

 

[albion]

We are already at that stage, are we not?

Not all electric cars are closed loops.

 

[icowden]

We are already at that stage, are we not?

Not really. You are still paying for the full price of a car. Robofleets don't involve you paying for anything but the journey (and possibly a membership fee).

 

[newfhouse]

The Conservatives are not interested in this as their core belief is in low taxation.

Only for the already rich. They pretend they care about low taxes for all when it suits them electorally. The reality is significantly different.

 

[albion]

Mr Obsessive sends shorts to short sellers.
https://www.thestreet.com/technology/elon-musk-aims-to-counter-his-worst-enemies

 

[icowden]

Mr Obsessive sends shorts to short sellers.
https://www.thestreet.com/technology/elon-musk-aims-to-counter-his-worst-enemies

Indeed. He really doesn't like them. I think they are bad for company share price? I read this but didn't absorb it fully...
https://www.wired.com/story/what-are-short-sellers-and-why-does-elon-hate-them/

 

[albion]

Very short on staff too so maybe we call call him Mr Shorty?

 

[albion]

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...afety-review-a-sham-demand-answers-from-musk/

Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[icowden]

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...afety-review-a-sham-demand-answers-from-musk/
Nothing to see here, move along.

Some of it is a bit disingenuous. For example the "shocking safety flaws" are really nothing of the sort. Tesla have temporarily withdrawn the FSD release that contains Autosteer on city streets in order to address concerns raised by the NHTSA, and previously released a software update that fixed an issue whereby users reported inappropriate braking. Neither of these things is an actual recall, just a software update.

This is the "shocking issue" raised by the NHTSA:

In certain rare circumstances and within the operating limitations of FSD Beta, when the feature is engaged, the feature could potentially infringe upon local traffic laws or customs while executing certain driving maneuvers in the following conditions before some drivers may intervene: 1) traveling or turning through certain intersections during a stale yellow traffic light; 2) the perceived duration of the vehicle’s static position at certain intersections with a stop sign, particularly when the intersection is clear of any other road users; 3) adjusting vehicle speed while traveling through certain variable speed zones, based on detected speed limit signage and/or the vehicle's speed offset setting that is adjusted by the driver; and 4) negotiating a lane change out of certain turn-only lanes to continue traveling straight.