←back to thread

472 points Brajeshwar | 4 comments | | HN request time: 1.215s | source
Show context
lkbm ◴[] No.46218856[source]
> Particulates issued from tailpipes can aggravate asthma and heart disease and increase the risk of lung cancer and heart attack. Globally, they are a leading risk factor for premature death.

Minor nitpick, but tailpipes aren't the primary source of emissions. The study is about PM2.5[0]. which will chiefly be tires and brake pads. Modern gasoline engines are relatively clean, outside of CO2, though diesel engines spit out a bunch of bad stuff.

[0] https://www.nature.com/articles/s44407-025-00037-2

replies(15): >>46218921 #>>46218933 #>>46219022 #>>46219122 #>>46219147 #>>46219190 #>>46219382 #>>46219549 #>>46219741 #>>46219841 #>>46219865 #>>46220664 #>>46220784 #>>46220991 #>>46222644 #
throwawaypath ◴[] No.46218933[source]
How do EVs fare in this regard? Brakes are used significantly less, but the additional weight from the batteries chews through tires faster.
replies(9): >>46218960 #>>46219005 #>>46219135 #>>46219195 #>>46219426 #>>46219645 #>>46219731 #>>46219820 #>>46219879 #
jgeada ◴[] No.46219005[source]
Why does everyone immediately pivot to EVs on this subject, instead of (looks around) gargantuan SUVs and trucks everywhere, due to peculiarities of US policies regulating SUVs more leniently than cars on fuel efficiency?
replies(7): >>46219103 #>>46219157 #>>46219663 #>>46219712 #>>46219882 #>>46219960 #>>46220111 #
Angostura ◴[] No.46219103[source]
Because a lot if EV buyers are interested in the environmental impact of their purchase?
replies(2): >>46219111 #>>46219693 #
Spivak ◴[] No.46219693[source]
I say this as someone who owns an electric scooter and whose next car will be an EV—the sales pitch for EVs right now is basically pay more (especially now that the tax credit is gone) to have a worse time and maybe eventually claw some of it back over the lifetime of the car in fuel savings. The environmental impact is the pro in the pro con list. So if that doesn't pan out, or doesn't pan out enough it's going to be a tough sell.

Just the cost to get my garage outfitted with a charging port is about to be in the thousands because it requires me to replace the entire breaker panel. Now this is a me problem because that panel is ancient but it does add to the total cost of "doing this" and going EV.

replies(8): >>46219796 #>>46219813 #>>46219899 #>>46219909 #>>46220290 #>>46220349 #>>46220445 #>>46220633 #
1. fullstop ◴[] No.46219899[source]
> Just the cost to get my garage outfitted with a charging port is about to be in the thousands because it requires me to replace the entire breaker panel. Now this is a me problem because that panel is ancient but it does add to the total cost of "doing this" and going EV.

You likely don't need to replace the panel, as load management options exist. Wallbox, in particular, has an option where you can add a modbus doo-dad (carlo gavazzi energy management module) to your panel and it will monitor the overall usage and drop the EVSE current to keep it at a safe level.

It's more expensive than if you had a modern panel, but less expensive than replacing the panel itself.

replies(1): >>46220809 #
2. Spivak ◴[] No.46220809[source]
I'm probably just going to bite the bullet and replace the panel but this is really good to know.
replies(2): >>46220882 #>>46222882 #
3. fullstop ◴[] No.46220882[source]
How many amps is your current service? I have 200A service where I live, but the house is 100% electric -- water heater, range, heat pump, washer, dryer, etc. All electric. There's even a little medallion on the front of the house about it: https://i.imgur.com/BrHj1XQ.jpeg The 70s were weird.

And when you say that your panel is old, just how old are we talking?

4. theluketaylor ◴[] No.46222882[source]
Another option is just stick to a smaller circuit.

80% of 15A x 120V = 1.4 kW

80% of 20A x 240V = 3.8 kW

Just going from a standard 15A outlet to a 20A/240V nearly triples the amount of power, and many homes that would need a new panel for a 50A charger have room for one more 20A circuit. Cars typically spend 8-16 hrs per day stationary in their own driveway, so 3.8 kW translates into tons of range.

While 40A or 50A is nice to have, it's far from necessary.