Only in California. This is some crazy stuff...

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

I read an interesting article that talked about a problem that isn't talked about very much: energy storage. One of the big issues with our infrastructure is that a lot of the power generation capacity is wasted because we cannot efficiently store the electrical power once it is generated, and we also lose a huge amount of power trying to get it from the point of generation to the point of use. Solar is a perfect example of this issue. Solar could be much more useful if we were better at storing solar-generated power so it could be used when the sun isn't shining and transferred more efficiently to the areas where the sun isn't shining. Instead, what happens is that we have excess energy at some times and in some places, and energy shortages at other times and other places.

And, of course, the batteries are the real problem with EVs. Battery technology has not significantly changed in decades. Do you know what is inside a Tesla battery pack? Over 7,000 Panasonic 18650 lithium ion cells, that are just like you will find in most rechargeable flashlights and all laptop battery packs. It's not some magical battery - they are cheap as dirt.

There are some newer tech batteries being worked on, but nothing that is a quantum leap over Lithium ion. The most interesting is the super capacitor technology. These are amazing because they do not require the long recharge times like batteries. You hook them to a big enough power source, and they are charged almost instantly. The trick it to get them to discharge in a controlled way that doesn't fry you to a crisp...

[kootenay joe]

The real answer is: don't make unnecessary driving trips. There is an environmental cost whether vehicle is gas or electric.
There is no doubt that Earth is suffering from our resource extraction & use in addition to our population of nearly 8 billion people.
The 'heyday' of "do whatever you want whenever you want to" is over. There is an environmental cost to all the stuff we buy and most of it we don't actually need. The intensity of wildfires, hurricanes, etc. is increasing because of human activity. We all need to act more responsibly.
kj

[1967redrider]

This thing looks way better than a Tesla, in my opinion.

[bladehound]

California is like a box of granola, take away the fruits and nuts all that's left is the flakes.

[Waukonda]

This thing looks way better than a Tesla, in my opinion.

Another, of a recent string of great photos from you, John. Would love to see and hear that thing highballing down the tracks!

[1967redrider]

This thing looks way better than a Tesla, in my opinion.

Another, of a recent string of great photos from you, John. Would love to see and hear that thing highballing down the tracks!

You and me both, brother! Not to hi-jack the thread, but Western Maryland Scenic Railroad is about 95% finished in restoring C&O 1309 articulated Mallet, it's a 2-6-6-4 I believe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesape ... _Ohio_1309

The above loco is only a 2-8-0 for comparison.

[bighomer]

a big 8 wheeler rolling down down the track.

[KnifeSlinger#81]

I guess Newsom thought Californians weren’t leaving the state fast enough so he gave them yet another reason.

[Mumbleypeg]

Electric powered cars have been available from mainstream automakers for about 10 years. To date they account for just 1.5% of the market, despite generous government subsidies averaging $7500 per vehicle. In California the state government adds $2500 on top of the federal subsidy. So we as taxpayers are paying for electric vehicles whether we like it or not! (It’s for the “greater good”, don’t you see?)

BTW when the onboard battery wears out, they typically cost between $4000 to $6000 to replace.

Ken

[TwoFlowersLuggage]

California is still the most populous state in the country, with ~12% of the US population. That is more than the combined population of these 20 states:  Utah, Iowa, Nevada, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, West Virginia, Idaho, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota & Alaska.

The top 4 states (CA, TX, FL & NY) represent 33% of the US population.

California is also 14.6% of the total GDP of the country. That's 66% more than the #2, Texas.

If California were a country, it would have the 5th largest GDP in the world, right between Germany & India.

You may not like the California politics, but there is no denying the importance of the state to the country as a whole.

[TPK]

That's OK, by 2035 there won't be anywhere worth going...

[TPK]

This thing looks way better than a Tesla, in my opinion.

Nice pictures Buddy!

[1967redrider]

This thing looks way better than a Tesla, in my opinion.

Nice pictures Buddy!

Thanks, bro!

In Cali there would also be a plaque next to the Baldwin Locomotive Works one stating, "The State of California has determined that licking the paint off of this locomotive, consuming coal or drinking expelled boiling water could cause injury."

[samb1955]

The real answer is: don't make unnecessary driving trips. There is an environmental cost whether vehicle is gas or electric.
There is no doubt that Earth is suffering from our resource extraction & use in addition to our population of nearly 8 billion people.
The 'heyday' of "do whatever you want whenever you want to" is over. There is an environmental cost to all the stuff we buy and most of it we don't actually need. The intensity of wildfires, hurricanes, etc. is increasing because of human activity. We all need to act more responsibly.
kj

Good luck with that.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Just saw on the news that experts are saying that this mandate WILL over tax the electric grid in CA. The governor wants the only nuclear power plant in the state closed by 2025 and the state completely green by 2045. So I come back to my original post that this is going to cause major problems in California when millions of cars every day are plugged into a system that depends on the sun to shine and the wind to blow, with NO backup.
Not to worry though, these liberal politicians always have a scapegoat, it will be PG&E’s fault and not theirs. They will also blame profiteers from other states that sell them emergency power at ludicrous prices when they run out of power.