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Everything posted by balthazar
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Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
IDK. Bullets 3 and 4 reference school buses.... -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
Another factoid: even with the low annual average mileage, due to the sheer volume of units, school buses vastly out-travel any other bus usage ( such as public trans). They’d make the largest difference as far as emissions, but the largest replacement cost. I already pay around $6500 JUST in school taxes as it is. -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
^ And I would agree with that. But wants and costs are common head-butt-ers. We've been over this before, but here it is again. Federal Highway Admin reports the average annual mileage for school buses is only 8000. Recommended lifespan for conventional (Type C & D) is 12-15 years. This varies somewhat beyond that; excess mileage can shorten the lifespan, as can physical deterioration of surfaces due to local weather/climate. There have been numerous studies that were utilized to come to this recommendation. Like I stated earlier, it may well be that EV buses see a longer allowable lifespan in the future, but there's more to the current limitation that just the buses' powertrain. 8000 x 12 years is only 96,000 miles. At 10 MPG, a diesel bus would burn 9600 gals of fuel. Even given $3/gal, that's only $28,800 in fuel over 12 years. Somehow, dfelt's post above sourced some wild estimate that an EV bus : It's simply a ridiculous number, and therefore is assuredly a 'loaded' number to push a viewpoint. Taking that point as logical, the "$400,000" savings drops by $371,200!! - - - - The National Assoc of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services states: "Available funding is likely the single most important consideration in determining when school buses are replaced." To repeat myself - it sounds great to have these much quieter, no exhaust buses floating around, but there has to be money to pay for them. -
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‘64-66 T-bird at back end of driveway, barely peeking around pickup. From what I could barely see, has been sitting a long long time.
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According to the '77 brochure, the Phoenix had the 231 V6 standard, and the Iron Duke 151, the 305 V8 and 350 V8 as options. Also standard was a 3-spd manual on the column, with a 3 on the floor and a THM optional.
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Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
For you, Bill. Taxes due the 15th, time to blow the rust off the mental gears. -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
On their website, the Rivian R1T has a width of 79.3 and a track of 67.3. Difference of 12", divided by 2 = 6 inches from center of tire to edge of 'envelope' (body). Tires are 275/65R20, for a sectional width of 10.8" / 2 = 5.4" per side. So track of 67.3 plus 10.8 (2 half tires) = 78.1. I'd say it's safe to say the mirrors stick out more than 0.6" per side. 79.3 is body width. Whew- exercise. -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
I believe OEMs report without mirrors. My Silverado is 79.7, and I guarandamntee you that's without mirrors. B-59 is 80.74 and doesn't have any standard sideviews. -
I have (illegal) YOM plates on the ‘40, with only a rear legal plate... but as of yet it’s not been seen by Johnny Law. B-59 will run without front plate also, hang the consequences... even tho the front bumper has a dedicated spot for one. All the dailies have front plates. They do look bad on the Sonic LTZ & Malibu.
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Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
They already do that, Felt. (If not 100%) 99% of school buses are owned by 1. municipalities, 2. school districts or 3. bus companies. All 3 of those entities MUST record & report all operating expenses, either for tax or budgetary purposes. The costs for a bus fleet at a given entity are well known down to the dollar. But the unproven claim that an EV bus lasts longer is irrelevant, because all of school districts I looked at last year researching this all had limits on bus life, usually by number of years (often around 12 years IIRC) Now, perhaps that could be re-written for an EV bus, but that would take time and I'll bet require some study/grant to support that change. But diesel buses' powertrain life is not an issue; they'll go 300K miles with aplomb.... except no school allows buses to be held in fleet anywhere near that long. So we're left with the scenario that the amortization of a MUCH higher EV bus purchase price over the same artificial lifespan limitation would require A. greatly increased school district budgets, IE: raised school taxes, or B. greatly increased bus lease deals with bus companies looking to avoid bankruptcy in order to pay off said buses' higher MSRPs. Which again goes back to school budget approvals. Of course, Gov't is exemplary at wasting & squandering money, so it may well steamroll a 50% hike in budgetary transportation costs to get EV buses in fleet; we'll have to see. -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
How come the purchase price doesn’t get included in the cost analysis? -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
What savings? -
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
I see what you're saying WRT wheelbase, but width is significantly down vs. 79". I've never been in either a Colorado or a tacoma... But my old F-150 was 133" WB & about 80" wide (regular cab). -
People stick to themselves here, for some reason. I've made efforts, and I get along well with people, but I don't see any neighbor socializing. It's a shame, I'd enjoy such.
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Took a nice highway rid today to north-ish Jersey, about 55 mins ea way, to pick up my B-59 bumper core. Little back roads off a east-west state highway. Did not get to meet the seller; took the bumper and left the cash under the door mat.
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Yes; yes it is. Figure around 2 grand for the rear & front bumpers plus 2 'eyebrows' over the parking lamps. But I haven't priced anything yet- not ready. Also want to get the speedometer cluster and 2 lower dash panels chromed. There's also taillight & headlight bezels. I think the 2nd grille I picked up is good enough to use. Everything else is stainless.
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Alternative Fuels & Propulsion RANDOM
balthazar replied to G. David Felt's topic in Electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels
79 x 217 is full size. I don’t think with those numbers it has any size similarity with a tacoma.