Out of interest, which mower did you get? Our little Stiga drinks petrol like...er...a petrol drinker. Dad just bought a new Kioti mule too and great though it is, I couldn't persuade him to look at the Polaris electric one. Not even sure if you can get it in the UK.
Death of Diesel Cars
- Thread starter cosmiccrofter
- Start date
ollie989898
Member
The problem may reside in mass producing big rechargeable batteries. Even basic materials like nickel are subject to a supply constraint, add in lithium and cadmium etc etc, and the supply stream might not be large enough to supply all this stuff to meet a huge rise in demand, it will take time to expand them perhaps?
I do think the US and EU should step in an enforce a standardised battery or something so they can be easily recycled though.
I do think the US and EU should step in an enforce a standardised battery or something so they can be easily recycled though.
Roger Perry
Member
There is a huge new plant being built in Nevada right now to produce batteries, Elon Musk, (Tesla) persuaded the U.S. government to anti up a few $$$billion of taxpayers cash for it's construction.
I am ever hopeful that his battery technology will prove to be the breakthrough, in a few years we may look back on the early part of the 21st century as the demise of regular engines in auto's...?
I am ever hopeful that his battery technology will prove to be the breakthrough, in a few years we may look back on the early part of the 21st century as the demise of regular engines in auto's...?
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
It will be very difficult to increase or sustain an increase in availability of some materials. Rare Earth for magnets is one such material which has a finite supply controlled by one very aggressively opportunistic country. China.
China produces and owns about 98% of the world's supply and production of rare earth resources. A product that is essential to modern electronics and high efficiency electric motor production.
ollie989898
Member
The Chinese are big producers but only because the US has a peculiar way of legislating the rare earth's industry. There are supplies of rare earth materials in the USA, which has mines of every kind within it's borders. The problem is that they are often dug up along with stuff like thorium which is of course regulated rather tightly as it is mildly radioactive.
I doubt he does spend £90k on a family car,I wish everyone would stop having a pop at Clive - £90 is a reasonable amount to spend on a car .
Be more like hire it at £10k or 50p a mile which is about what my old 4x4 costs me now
I see Tesla are looking at building a truck for 2018 to take on the F-150. Should be interesting. Will my 93 Hilux last until then? Of course it will. The driving range of EVs and the charge time are improving all the time as these firms are pumping billions into research. Plus I believe Tesla has it's own recycling scheme? Sure I saw a video on it once. Not much is wasted. Exciting times ahead.
Last edited:
- Location
- North Norfolk
Its a Huskvarna, very pleased with it.
Funny, just watched a youtube video of one after I asked the question. Looks pretty neat.
- Location
- North Norfolk
The only problem I find is that the deck does not lift high enough to go up kerbs, you have to reverse up. We used to use about 5 l petrol a week, now the charge indicator does not drop from full at all.
- Location
- North Norfolk
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
If you think diesel is going to go out of fashion in the next 50 to 100 years, think again. There's nothing on the horizon that can power tractors, trucks, trains, or indeed aircraft that will replace diesel and kerosene in that time period. So our current cars and light trucks and whatever else will continue to work, well into the future when you and I and our children and our children's children will have kicked the bucket.
- Location
- East Essexshire
Hydrogen?
I know there are a lot of problems to iron out, and it's a long way off, but I quite fancy the idea of a wind turbine/solar panels on the farm, producing hydrogen into a storage tank year round, to use in tractors when you need it.
Last edited:
Nearly
Member
- Location
- North of York
suffolksmallholder
Member
- Location
- Suffolk
I'm a battery fan but I'm not sure if the ride-on machines have the 'umph' yet £ for £ I think they have some way to go. I did however buy an electric walk-behind. already a fan of this manufacturer and one day I'll possibly get a robo-mower....
My new machine is great, little noise, my wife can start it unlke its predecessor, no servicing ie, oil/petrol and it does all we need it to. At present the battery is in its store at the correct temperature & charge awaiting the mowing season. http://www.etesia.co.uk/etesia/pedestrian-mowers/etesia-duocut-46-pacts.html
SS
suffolksmallholder
Member
- Location
- Suffolk
Perhaps the next step for ploughing/land tillage would be a pair of electric machines similar to those fantastic steam ploughing engines that occasionally show up dredging lakes?
Remote control of course!
SS
Remote control of course!
SS
marcusthehat
Member
GTL Diesel
simples!
since liquid hydrocarbon appears to be the most effective, well understood, easily handled, energy dense fuel about.
edit: Apologies to the Duck, who said this first, somewhere above.
mth
simples!
since liquid hydrocarbon appears to be the most effective, well understood, easily handled, energy dense fuel about.
edit: Apologies to the Duck, who said this first, somewhere above.
mth
Last edited:
Roger Perry
Member
If you google up the Toyota Mirai you can check out the details on hydrogen cars that are on the highway now.
Lease it for $349 month, buy it for $57,500 list with 3 years of fuel thrown in as an incentive...........312 miles per tank of fuel.refill in five mins.
Lease it for $349 month, buy it for $57,500 list with 3 years of fuel thrown in as an incentive...........312 miles per tank of fuel.refill in five mins.