Re:What 2020 Would Look Like If Automakers Had Seriously Inv...
by fyfy18 on Thursday December 26, 2019 @09:51PM
(#21888751)
Most of the work done during servicing of modern cars is simply inspecting and testing mechanical parts for damage. EVs still have mechanical parts (brakes, suspension and drive train) that can wear out and fail. EVs still have brake fluid, coolant and oil which needs to be checked and replaced, but not as often.
If anything, I see it will be more profitable for automakers as they will continue to charge the same service prices as they do now for less and simpler work. Plus they can make up new maintenance like Toyota have done with their 'hybrid battery health check', which is a paid optional extra, but extends the battery warranty for one year.
Re:What 2020 Would Look Like If Automakers Had Seriously Inv...
by 8bitsrule on Friday December 27, 2019 @12:04AM
(#21889350)
Yep. Many people know that Hydrogen and Hindenburg start with the same letter.
There are no hydrogen wells. So you'd have to use a lot of energy to make hydrogen fuel in the needed quantities. And then (because it's such a light gas) highly-pressurized containers (collision-survivable) are needed.
Instead, use that energy more directly.
For automakers, the worst problem of electric vehicles is that maintainance/service is easy and they make more money servicing vehicles that from selling... but it can be fixed: 1- renting batteries (and still charging annual service fee). 2- renting whole cars by the minute using a mobile app.
The problem with Hydrogen is that's still an _explosion_ motor with a different fuel, and you have to develop a new kind of motor for it plus a way to store and consume the hydrogen cells safely.