John Smith wrote on Feb 13
th, 2021 at 5:08pm:
Mix_Master wrote on Feb 11
th, 2021 at 7:26am:
Firstly, the "Touch Screen" in the Tesla would seem to be considerably more critical to the operation of the vehicle than those in more conventional vehicles.
So what happens to conventional vehicles when your timing belt goes? Or the clutch? or even the oil and you don't replace it?A tesla is just like any other vehicle ... if a critical part stops working you pull over and call a tow truck. Much like every other car out there.
Mix_Master wrote on Feb 11
th, 2021 at 7:26am:
Secondly, the replacement of mechanical components in an ICE vehicle would be more analogous to the replacement of "equivalent" components in an electric vehicles (such as batteries/anything associated with the electric motor/s, and running gear they have more or less "in common" with ICE vehicles, no?
No.I don't agree. I think you're just trying to make the problem sound worse than it is by pretending the problem is worse. A critical component in an ice vehicle is no different than the touch screen in a tesla. At least when the screen goes blank you can still drive until you can pull over safely.
Herein lies the "crux" of the issue. The items you mention are service items. Attend to them regularly, (i.e. "service" them), and you should never be stranded on the side of the road. We had the timing belt (plus water pump, idlers etc. and ancillary belts) replaced in our little Corolla a few years back. Maybe $600 all-up (including Labour). Good for another 150,000kms (or somewhere between 12-15 years given the kms we do in the car).
The clutch is still the original one (car has ~210,000kms on the clock) and is still gong well. Helps that both of us know how to properly use and look after a clutch. Naturally, I check clutch fluid and the system itself for leaks...might be time for a fluid change soon, now that I think of it.
Oil?
Literally a half hour exercise in either of our cars...and most of that is allowing for it to drain properly. Oil at around $40 and filters at $15. I supply my own labour for free.
Most other service items (plugs, filters, brakes etc.) are easy, DIY replacement items, which can be had aftermarket for very little money.
How does one (self) service a poorly implemented touch screen (or more correctly, an MCU) which controls a myriad of functions in the car, as an end-user? Preemptively replace it (at ~$USD2200) every few years, just so it doesn't put you down somewhere?
How many user-serviceable parts would an EV actually have? Maybe they come with a "No user serviceable parts inside" warning label
As I noted earlier, I regard the current crop of electric vehicles as "N" versions.
From a technology perspective, I'd be waiting a while before considering purchasing one (at N-1 or 2), because I think there are "teething" issues - including a poorly designed/implemented "control centre" - that I wouldn't be comfortable with.
Let other mug punters whinge to the manufacturers enough so that they improve the overall package...and until the price of the vehicles themselves isn't so out of whack with the critical mass of ICE vehicles still being sold. When an entry level Nissan Leaf costs around $50K, well...
Which all ties in nicely with the thread I started elsewhere re: EV take-up.
Until the tech gets better, charging infrastructure improves, and the financial case stacks up a lot better than it currently does, they'll remain a niche product for very well-heeled (or heavily indebted) people...
EDIT: Far easier (and cheaper) to work on this, than an EV, as things currently stand...largely because I reckon that anything you'd need to do to an EV would be "dealer only".