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313 comments on DrumBeat: July 25, 2008

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Marco on July 25, 2008 - 10:26am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

would be a real vulnerability in the real world

I don't know about you, but the real world I'm going to be living in shortly is going to have a lot less (and smaller) cars on the road - and it won't be by choice either.

Take for example Fords moves to smaller vehicles. It's already started re-tooling it's facilities. Cuts in non-discressional driving, car sharing, move to public transport, freight to rail etc.. etc.. All these things are going to REDUCE the amount of traffic on the raods by necessity due to high fuel costs.

Therefore these vehicle will become more practical as time progresses. There is one caveat. This is all assuming the roads are in good enough condition to handle personal vehicles without resorting to 8in suspension!!

Marco.

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bruce from chicago on July 25, 2008 - 10:48am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

This is all assuming the roads are in good enough condition to handle personal vehicles without resorting to 8in suspension!!

I believe that is assuming a lot. I’ve noticed that roads, especially the two lane county blacktops have been getting much worse. In large urban areas there are streets that are almost impassable from large potholes after the winter freeze/thaw/salting cycles. With less vehicles, less taxes to repair. County budgets are stressed as it is to maintain roads. I’d lean toward a modified dune buggy type of vehicle myself, one that could go down gravel roads with a minimum of discomfort or loss of handling.

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Marco on July 25, 2008 - 11:01am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I see the same as you. There is the other side to the coin and that is less traffic and lighter vehicles will do much less damage to the road.

If you study the dynamics of sprung masses (a highly exciting topic I got to do (almost fail) in 2nd year engineering!!) - reudcing mass greatly reduces rebound forces and road damage.

Marco.

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DIYer on July 26, 2008 - 8:43am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I foresee a boom in the shock-absorber business.

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Durandal on July 25, 2008 - 11:31am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I am also anticipating rougher roads. That's one of the reasons for my procurement of a dual-purpose motorcycle. Offroad capabilities, but street legal, and gets fantastic gas mileage. If I can run through mud pits, go over felled trees, over large rocks and across large holes in dirt trails, I'm pretty sure I can handle a few potholes. ;)

~Durandal(http://www.wtdwtshtf.com)

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ChrisN on July 25, 2008 - 9:12pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Bruce: I saw a modified dune buggy sort of thing at the Plug-in 2008 Conference in San Jose two days ago that looked really, really sweet. All-electric (lead acid) 4WD, ~50 mile range (on the flat) on a charge, incredibly beefy steel construction, rear and roof cargo racks, winch on the front, great suspension, big knobby tires, the works. This ain't no dressed-up golf cart. Runs about $9K though, made out of Mississippi. www.badboybuggies.com The trade show rep said they have about 10,000 of them in the field so far. Might be just the thing for the badly maintained roads of the future!

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Datamunger on July 25, 2008 - 11:03am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Therefore these vehicle will become more practical as time progresses.

One way to get a fix on the underlying economic logic for vehicles such as the Aptera is look at what's happening with golf carts.

Golf carts are incredibly inferior to regular vehicles in almost every way.

Yet.....

(with a quick search on news.google.com)

Here's a fraction of recent stories:

Golf carts may take to the streets

Pinehurst allows carts on village streets

Golf carts switch course from green to road
Rising fuel costs drive move to economical but unconventional transport

Gas prices fueling golf cart use, sales

Golf Carts Prove Good Alternative in Certain Neighborhoods

Vincennes considers making golf carts legal streets

Golf carts driven on city streets

The Aptera, on the other hand, can do 85 miles per hour. There are youtube videos of it on highways alongside 18-wheeler transport trucks. At one point they draft behind one! :-)

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313 comments on DrumBeat: July 25, 2008

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