4xe TEST DRIVE

[XJADDICTION]

IMOP
- lithium ion batteries will probably be replaced in the next 5 years with Glass Batteries. This technology is here to stay.
- the whole China thing and Fiat/Renault/ Chrysler, get used to it. The world economy is well underway whether we like it/accept it or not.

Sure current arguments against not only the lithium mining, but also the charging. Really a plug in full electric or plug in hybrid (the wrangler) is a COAL FIRED car. Not so clean.

Still a good thing fiat/Renault/Chrysler is trying to keep up.

Fuel prices are going up... I’m sure y’all know why.

I drove a Prius V when I was a med device rep because it got 44 mpg over my Expedition that got 16 mpg. I averaged 800+ miles a week. I didn’t drive the pregnant Prius V because I was worried about global warming. ?

In 10 years, IMOP
- we will have to pay higher insurance costs to physically drive a vehicle vs self driven vehicles.
- Fuel costs will be outrageous as solar, wind and nuclear power take over.

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[Dqban]

The united states actually has the capacity to produce a large amount of lithium. We were, at one time, a relatively big player. If the price point gets there, i wonder if there will be a resurgence in US lithium mining.

Cobalt is actually becoming the more challenging mineral to get cheaply for our current lithium batteries.

Toyota thinks they solved the solid state battery and that could largely negate the need for lithium....given the higher density, this will be an interesting breakthrough.

Not a battery, but Porsche is throwing a ton of money at synthetic, clean burning fuel. They actually have something but from what Ive read its not easy to produce in large quantity.

 

[sirphenergan]

I’ll just throw out my $0.02 because I picked up a 4xe a week ago today. I still have my JTR and got a 4xe Rubicon with a handful of options. I got it because it’s super peppy when considering it’s a wrangler with 33” AT’s... with a 0-60 around 6 seconds, I’m able to spin tires on just about every turn if I floor it. In regards to the hybrid system... it DOES charge while driving, although only a couple percent at most unless you put it in charge mode, where it puts the battery on hold and prioritizes the gas engine. When fully charged, it runs in hybrid mode by default but VERY MUCH prioritizes the battery-only mode. I’m able to run to the store and come back with the engine not cranking up even once. If you select electric-only mode, you can get about 24-26 miles electric only and I have no problems hitting highway speeds but high speeds kill the battery super fast. My daily commute is about 14 miles with six of those being on the highway. I’ve averaged driving 4 “gas miles” and 24 ”battery miles” daily. I filled my gladiator up every five days or so and the 4xe is still running on the original tank from the dealer and it’s been a week today. I still have just under half a tank remaining.
There will always be people who bash on electric cars but this is my fourth hybrid/electric vehicle and my ninth jeep and it’s by far one of my favorites.

 

[Gvsukids]

I’ll just throw out my $0.02 because I picked up a 4xe a week ago today. I still have my JTR and got a 4xe Rubicon with a handful of options. I got it because it’s super peppy when considering it’s a wrangler with 33” AT’s... with a 0-60 around 6 seconds, I’m able to spin tires on just about every turn if I floor it. In regards to the hybrid system... it DOES charge while driving, although only a couple percent at most unless you put it in charge mode, where it puts the battery on hold and prioritizes the gas engine. When fully charged, it runs in hybrid mode by default but VERY MUCH prioritizes the battery-only mode. I’m able to run to the store and come back with the engine not cranking up even once. If you select electric-only mode, you can get about 24-26 miles electric only and I have no problems hitting highway speeds but high speeds kill the battery super fast. My daily commute is about 14 miles with six of those being on the highway. I’ve averaged driving 4 “gas miles” and 24 ”battery miles” daily. I filled my gladiator up every five days or so and the 4xe is still running on the original tank from the dealer and it’s been a week today. I still have just under half a tank remaining.
There will always be people who bash on electric cars but this is my fourth hybrid/electric vehicle and my ninth jeep and it’s by far one of my favorites.

Can you still modify components of the Jeep, or does the battery effect any upgrades? How long would it take to repair any of the components related to the electrical propulsion of the vehicle?

 

[sirphenergan]

Can you still modify components of the Jeep, or does the battery effect any upgrades? How long would it take to repair any of the components related to the electrical propulsion of the vehicle?

My understanding is that the suspension components are the same. The only thing regarding lifting a 4xe is that they may require a stiffer coil setup in the rear to accommodate the additional weight of the batteries Under the rear seat.
I’m not sure what you mean by repairing components of the electrical propulsion... hopefully not long? [should something go wrong] I guess only time will tell once they get more of them on the road.

 

[Firestarter]

My intention isn't to piss in anyone's Cheerios. Nor do I want to stoke a conversation on environmental sustainability. But I'm skeptical of any electric vehicle. Especially one that boasts off-road capability. It's no secret which side I fall on but I do have solar panels on my house because the sun shines in NM over 75% of the time so I did it for practical reasons not environmental and it's through this lens I view the 4xe.

1) What's the range on these things? How far can they go on a charge? There's many a times I've been out wheeling and stop to gas up on the way home. A couple weeks ago I was stuck in snow in the mountains for 4 hours and I had my JT idling the whole time for the winch.
2) How deep of water can one fjord with the 4xe? I'm not one to go plowing through water but if I need to I will. I'm not sure but electronics and water don't quite mix.
The battery is under the rear seat and motor is sandwhiched between the trans and engine, so it has the same water fording and rock smashing capabilities
3) Can the 4xe take a licking and keep on ticking? Jeep is branded for one thing. Can the 4xe hang after some pounding on a trail? I'm not saying gassers and deisels don't break but are the 4xes more fragile?
It has more torque, but it also weights substantially more. Nearly 800 lbs more. Instead of a torque converter it has a clutch iirc which means no torque multiplication from the converter, but it allows it to run 100% on electricity and the electric motor should compensate for the converter missing.

These are some of the things I would consider before looking into buying one. I look forward to seeing these things in action to see how they stand up against the standard Jeep has set for off roading.

 

[red/green hawk]

@Firestarter
It has more torque, but it also weights substantially more. Nearly 800 lbs more. Instead of a torque converter it has a clutch iirc which means no torque multiplication from the converter, but it allows it to run 100% on electricity and the electric motor should compensate for the converter missing.

The website states the electric motor can run by itself for 21 miles at highway speeds and that it gets 48-50 mpg. It definitely isn't getting that on a trail. The website states the range is longer than rhe rest of the fleet. But with gas tank carrying 5 gallons less and a hard day on a trail how much more if any are we talking about? I wonder what the mileage would be after mods like steel front bumper, winch, lift 35s, etc.

My friend has a Tesla and she told me that she can't even take it to an automatic car wash because it could fry the electronics (in so many words). I (now) know 4xe isn't fully electric, but I would still think long and hard about submerging it in water.

 

[red/green hawk]

Sure current arguments against not only the lithium mining, but also the charging. Really a plug in full electric or plug in hybrid (the wrangler) is a COAL FIRED car. Not so clean.

This is the thing that is totally lost on most people. Lithium mining is one of the most environmentally destroying endeavors there is. That electricity to charge these cars comes from good old fashioned, smoke belching, coal burning power plants. That said I'm all for saving money. Show me Jeep truck that can save me money on gas that justifies and makes up for the higher cost over a short period of time and I'll seriously think about it.

 

[sirphenergan]

@Firestarter
It has more torque, but it also weights substantially more. Nearly 800 lbs more. Instead of a torque converter it has a clutch iirc which means no torque multiplication from the converter, but it allows it to run 100% on electricity and the electric motor should compensate for the converter missing.

The website states the electric motor can run by itself for 21 miles at highway speeds and that it gets 48-50 mpg. It definitely isn't getting that on a trail. The website states the range is longer than rhe rest of the fleet. But with gas tank carrying 5 gallons less and a hard day on a trail how much more if any are we talking about? I wonder what the mileage would be after mods like steel front bumper, winch, lift 35s, etc.

My friend has a Tesla and she told me that she can't even take it to an automatic car wash because it could fry the electronics (in so many words). I (now) know 4xe isn't fully electric, but I would still think long and hard about submerging it in water.

Well for starters, I would think long and hard about submerging any Jeep in water... but the 4xe has all the electronics neatly tucked and has the same fording capabilities as any other Jeep. The battery pack is in a sealed container under the rear seat so unless you’re diving in your Jeep it should be fine.
I’m eager to find out how it will perform with the lift and bigger tires as well. Mine is currently stock and, while common sense tells me it’ll take a hit with the larger setup, I’m hoping it’s not too much.
Not sure who told your friend that a car wash would fry her car but I assure you that’s not accurate. I have several friends with Tesla’s and they have never had an issue. There IS an issue with owners complaining that the paint is cheap and they are urged to hand wash their Tesla’s. Perhaps she misunderstood? If Tesla’s were being killed in car washes it would’ve have become a huge deal by now and it would’ve been remedied. There’s a video on YouTube by a very well known guy that bought a Tesla after sitting under water for ten days during a flood and the battery was perfectly fine [and dry].

 

[XraytecH]

Exactly - anyone buying these electric cars thinking they are doing something for "the environment" is being sold a lie. The technology is cool and the torque/power and other advantages this offers is certainly there, but the whole "electric cars are more sustainable" thing is total nonsense.

So Basically there's no free lunch if you go electric or stay gas.

 

[IamAlan]

Keep in mind…the largest lithium car battery manufacturer in the world is CHINESE.

Cobalt ore grades average about 0.1%, thus nearly 30,000 pounds of ore.(e)

Blasting and electricity consumption in cobalt mining is damaging to the environment. Eutrophication and global warming are the most affected impact categories. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emission are highest from cobalt mining.

60% of the planet's cobalt is mined in the Congo. Sketchy politicians that they are, The DRC (Warlords) control these mining operations and are using child labor and political prisoners to man the process. This has been well documented.

I remember in the 70's, when the Arabs tightened the flow of oil to the US, we mysteriously felt an immediate need to establish boots on the ground in Afghanistan, where they have been firmly planted for the past 50 years.

I'm guessing the there will be a desire to drop some freedom on Africa in the near future.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50812616

 

[red/green hawk]

Not sure who told your friend that a car wash would fry her car but I assure you that’s not accurate.

I'm talking to her now she said the dealer told her that.

 

[marcwithac]

I'm talking to her now she said the dealer told her that.

You believed that?

 

[sirphenergan]

I'm talking to her now she said the dealer told her that.

I did some research on the subject and apparently the reason dealerships don’t recommend the car washes is because you have to disable all of the sensors on the car [there are a LOT] before you can go through... but the electronic components are perfectly fine going through a car wash. Currently the only thing left to be a nuisance is that I guess you can’t turn off the automatic windshield wipers. I’m looking into this because I have a Tesla arriving next month so I’m legitimately curious.

 

[XJADDICTION]

Y’all can probably quit worrying about lithium ion batteries. The inventor of lithium ion batteries has invented the Glass Batteries of the near future. Samsung is currently top producer of three manufacturers. Below is some info. Petrol driven vehicles are probably at the end of their production. Many petro/chemical companies are heavily invested in glass battery technology.

From a NASDAQ article, Jan 13, 2021:

Here are the basics

3 Quantum Glass Stocks Powering the Market
CONTRIBUTOR
Muslim Farooque InvestorPlace
PUBLISHED
JAN 13, 2021 3:23PM EST

“Tech enthusiasts, auto manufacturers and investors are buzzing about a new innovative battery design that could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. It’s called quantum glassand the concept was provided by a research team led by solid-state physicist John Goodenough. He is also the man behind the ubiquitous lithium-ion battery. The quantum glass battery can reportedly power an EV for 1,000 miles and takes only 60 seconds to charge. Moreover, it doesn’t degrade for thousands of cycles. Hence, quantum glass stocks are set for major gains in the not-too-distant future.
The quantum glass battery concept revolves around spiking glass with lithium or sodium to form an electrode within the battery. It is said to provide three times with the lithium-ion battery’s energy and is neither volatile nor flammable.
Additionally, the problem of dendrite growth is also non-existent with an innovative concept.”

“Therefore, technology is likely to disrupt the EV industry and pose a severe threat to its competition. Let’s look at some of the top quantum glass stocks in the market:

• Samsung (OTCMKTS:SSNLF)
• QuantumScape (NYSE:QS)
• Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM)”

PS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO THINK ABOUT

WORLD MARKETS WILL PROBABLY BRING WORLD PEACE... for the most part.

All countries are struggling with crisis and pushback from citizens of those countries.

Stop thinking just locally, always do what you can to push for peace and the American values, but you need to also listen... read... study that will alleviate some fear. Social media and the news media do not typically favor peace and prosperity. Their prosperity (measured by $$/ power /greed)

WE MUST SEEK OUT THE TRUTH IN ALL MEDIA. WE NEED TO STOP BEING PART OF THE MACHINE. BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION TOGETHER.

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