So it appears that the electric vehicles are going to be what more and more people will be driving in the near future with the percentage becoming higher and higher rapidly in the next 10 years or so.

While it has been discussed before that the power grid, that is power plants and the distribution system will become highly and most likely overly maxed out from all the vehicles charging and the whole system will need to be upgraded to supply this additional power demand.

What I haven't seen mentioned is the COST of upgrading the power grid, and more importantly, where is the huge amount of $$$$ needed to do so going to come from. I will guarantee you that the power companies can't and won't just absorb the cost of doing so. I predict that the cost of electricity will skyrocket to cover it. That means that no matter if an individual decides to drive an EV or not, they will be forced to pay for the massive cost of the required upgrades.

So as I believe many people out there (especially among this group) will choose not to purchase an EV for whatever reason, we will still be forced to pay the price.

Thoughts?

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So as I believe many people out there (especially among this group) will choose not to purchase an EV for whatever reason, we will still be forced to pay the price

Its an inevitable transition.We can argue and complain all we want but thats just the way its going to be.100 years from now piston driven engines will be sitting in museums just like a model t ford is now.

I agree but doesn't mean we have to like it.

At least in my lifetime the changes will be minimal.

There is coming a point that the power grid is going to need upgrades anyway, just not at the rate that will be needed for all the EVs.

Some grids aren't as behind as others. The oldest cities and democrat ran cities are probably in the most jeopardy.

I am wondering how and when the state of Texas is going to upgrade their power grid just to support the thousands of apartments and houses that are being built everywhere you look here. Grid charging for EV is just a fraction of what's needed here. I did see a Tesla charging station yesterday at a truck stop, had about a dozen spots with a diesel generator next to them lol

Excellent article in the Wall Street Journal last week describing how EV's do nothing to reduce carbon emissions. It's all political theater pandering to leftist snowflakes.

Additionally, the WSJ report laughed at US auto executives for getting into bed with Biden in search of subsidies for EV's, then he stiffed them. The WSJ report also described how the subsidies go straight into the pockets of the manufacturers, not car buyers.

For example (made up numbers) - GM knows that 500,000 people would pay $50k for EV's. If Biden grants a $10k tax subsidy to buyers, GM just jacks up the price to $60k, the buyer still pays net $50k ($60k sticker price minus $10k tax subsidy) and Biden just funneled $5 billion (500,000 x $10k) in taxpayer funds to GM. And we wonder why corporations are in bed with Democrats.

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Originally posted by SlyFox:
Additionally, the WSJ report laughed at US auto executives for getting into bed with Biden in search of subsidies for EV's, then he stiffed them. The WSJ report also described how the subsidies go straight into the pockets of the manufacturers, not car buyers.

For example (made up numbers) - GM knows that 500,000 people would pay $50k for EV's. If Biden grants a $10k tax subsidy to buyers, GM just jacks up the price to $60k, the buyer still pays net $50k ($60k sticker price minus $10k tax subsidy) and Biden just funneled $5 billion (500,000 x $10k) in taxpayer funds to GM. And we wonder why corporations are in bed with Democrats.

It's all smoke and mirrors.......

quote:

Originally posted by SlyFox:
Additionally, the WSJ report laughed at US auto executives for getting into bed with Biden in search of subsidies for EV's, then he stiffed them. The WSJ report also described how the subsidies go straight into the pockets of the manufacturers, not car buyers.

For example (made up numbers) - GM knows that 500,000 people would pay $50k for EV's. If Biden grants a $10k tax subsidy to buyers, GM just jacks up the price to $60k, the buyer still pays net $50k ($60k sticker price minus $10k tax subsidy) and Biden just funneled $5 billion (500,000 x $10k) in taxpayer funds to GM. And we wonder why corporations are in bed with politicians .

My opinion it is both sides of the aisle.

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Originally posted by CURTIS REED:


My opinion it is both sides of the aisle.

Yup

Yeah we’ve posted the articles showing it’s not good for the environment nor our wallet but as we know they’ve been bought and even though it’s wrong they will proceed. They will make billions investing in a failing infrastructure.

Things will develop and upgrade just as they have for telecommunications and other things. Imagine thinking that 1990s computer or mobile phone technology couldn't progress because we lacked the infrastructure - we built it. You can find articles and reports from people and organizations saying either way - the power grid needs upgrades or that it can manage just fine.

The reality is that EVs are here and will become even more common than before - GM, Ford, Mercedes, numerous Chinese auto makers, and others aren't going to EV entirely because of political reasons - EVs are easier to build once you've developed the tech and require a lot less parts. Average consumers (not racers that need towing rigs or are interested in doing their own maintenance) have responded well to the good EVs that have been manufactured so far. Tesla doesn't spend a dollar on advertising - word of mouth sells their vehicles - most owners are very satisfied with their performance and range.

Power generation and delivery in general will find ways to improve as billions of people around the world continue to find better standards of living that are on par with what we enjoy in the west. Better, safer nuclear power, more efficient solar, or even petrol based power and so on.

YA what Brandon said. Am currently in Tucson AZ lots of solar charging stations down here very smart design use the solar panels for shade- charge your car

Honda and Tesla are missing a big bet after the I95 fiasco. Every EV should come with a small Honda generator as an accessory in the trunk.

This is all a big farce, smoke and mirrors and a corrupt system. Just look at all the windmills that have been removed because they are now obsolete companies And no parts available. I feel bad that our children will be paying for this for years to come.

Brandon, agree on some points but… for argument. Your grid might be ok ( population) ? Ca infrastructure is so far behind it’s scary. Now they want to bury the system. In earthquake country? Failures all the time! I have gen backup and solar. Not worried.
Power has been out four times since Oct then rolling brownouts in the summer because the system is overloaded. In your business you know all about power and demand and not having enough power. I am not opposed and We all know EV are here to stay but it will come with a high cost and costs associated. Good and bad.

Happy New Year.

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Imagine thinking that 1990s computer or mobile phone technology couldn't progress because we lacked the infrastructure - we built it.

I imagine you don't have a firm grasp on the magnitude of the challenge. Find out how much gasoline is used over a given period. Convert that to BTU's, or any other unit that is appropriate, and add that to the capability of current power plants and see what % of growth you need. It would be staggering.

Actually, most of the EV charging will take place during off peak hours, when most power generation is ramping back.
There will be little impact on power systems as a result.

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Originally posted by adv ET 266:
Actually, most of the EV charging will take place during off peak hours, when most power generation is ramping back.
There will be little impact on power systems as a result.

You mean like when people get home from work in the evening and plug in their cars at the same time when dinner is being prepared and people are taking hot showers, TV's are turned on, A/C units are running, maybe washers and driers, etc? Early evenings are one of the highest power usage times. 10PM-5AM are the low usage times, then would be the ideal time to charge up, good luck regulating/controlling that.

quote:

Originally posted by adv ET 266:
Actually, most of the EV charging will take place during off peak hours, when most power generation is ramping back.
There will be little impact on power systems as a result.