Rival: 2029 Xterra News & Previews

[Brian_B]

I said highly doubt, not a statement of fact, and you're ignoring the 18 years part. Time plays a role on the battery chemistry too.

I did ignore - because I agree with you on that point.

I’d be more worried about software / computer obsolescence though, and you didn’t mention that at all. What happens when your touchscreen or 4G telemetric module goes out in Year 10 and they don’t make them any more? (that applies to all cars, but especially some EVs built like laptops)

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[crzyhawk]

I did ignore - because I agree with you on that point.

I’d be more worried about software / computer obsolescence though, and you didn’t mention that at all. What happens when your touchscreen or 4G telemetric module goes out in Year 10 and they don’t make them any more?

I haven't given that much thought. The Mustang's a lot more analog than my Bronco is. I do worry about the Bronco's electronics over time. But really, I don't know that I can hold that against EVs when all the ICE vehicles are going to have the same issues in that regard.

 

[5GENIDN]

What indication do you have that an EV would last any longer than a standard vehicle? A properly maintained gas or diesel engine will last for quite a long time. Frames and bodies will rust the same, interiors will degrade the same, glass lasts the same, the electronic workings/actual computer hardware lasts the same. If anything? The EV will have a shorter lifespan than a standard vehicle based on the lousy battery technology alone.

The vehicles may be ready for "prime time" soon (5 years?) But the infrastructure, electrical grid and electricity production and cost will likely never be there. If you understand unions, gov't contracts and the snail's pace at which this type of work gets done you'll understand that none of us will be alive by the time EVs are both "prime time" AND able to be sustainable for our society on a large scale.

WTF?... I am not bad mouthing gas.... Lets get that straight... There are a lot of Pros with gasoline...

As far as longevity... Two words... Moving parts.... that is why electric propulsion will operate for many many more miles than an ICE motor. I have personally seen electric motors that preform way longer than any ICE motor ever could. As for the rest of the vehicle... yep you are right, no difference.

Just because the vehicles are ready for prime time (when that happens) does not mean everything else will be... You are right once again. Infrastructure to support them will take will power and "mass".... the momentum is already started but currently slowed by short sightedness (my opinion)...

I have already made it clear.... once again... It is all the other crap auto manufacturers are adding to make vehicles a rolling cell phone that is the problem. It is a serious problem in my opinion. I think they need to simplify things and they would be much better off.... But I do not control them and they do not seem to agree with me.

I do not like EVs as they are being manufactured right now. I think they are trying to be too much. I think the same of ICE vehicles as well though. I do think electric propulsion is the future. Way more pluses than minuses when compared to an ICE motor.

 

[Roger123]

I have personally seen electric motors that preform way longer than any ICE motor ever could.

Are you talking about commercial electric motors or electric motors mass produced for passenger cars?

 

[5GENIDN]

Are you talking about commercial electric motors or electric motors mass produced for passenger cars?

Commercial electric, Locomotive electric, mass produced for consumer products.... I have not worked with electric motors on passenger vehicles but... I have not heard of any issues with them... Plenty of issues with batteries and all the other components auto manufactures want to add in... But the motors? not one story of them dying. I am sure there are a few. Since there will be a failure rate attributable to anything man makes, but I have not heard any. Have you? They are a pretty simple system. Not a lot of things to fail.... I am sure occasionally there is going to be a short in the windings. Mot much can go with the magnets. Bearings can eventually go... but the number of bearings vs the number of bearings in an ICE?.... Diodes... Pretty simple...

 

[michelle227]

They're clapped out and worth $2k. It's an economics thing, not a good car thing.

Some of the 'clapped out' is a region/demographic thing, not a manufacturer thing...

There are plenty of them on the road that have stood the test of time.

 

[michelle227]

I did ignore - because I agree with you on that point.

I’d be more worried about software / computer obsolescence though, and you didn’t mention that at all. What happens when your touchscreen or 4G telemetric module goes out in Year 10 and they don’t make them any more? (that applies to all cars, but especially some EVs built like laptops)

Touchscreen will be 'expensive to replacium' parts. As to the 4g module going out, how is that any different than the 2g hook-ups of 20 years ago? It's why I am not ponying up for the long-term FordConnect or whatever they are calling it- 4g likely won't be supported seven years down the road.

 

[Roger123]

Commercial electric, Locomotive electric, mass produced for consumer products.... I have not worked with electric motors on passenger vehicles but... I have not heard of any issues with them... Plenty of issues with batteries and all the other components auto manufactures want to add in... But the motors? not one story of them dying. I am sure there are a few. Since there will be a failure rate attributable to anything man makes, but I have not heard any. Have you? They are a pretty simple system. Not a lot of things to fail.... I am sure occasionally there is going to be a short in the windings. Mot much can go with the magnets. Bearings can eventually go... but the number of bearings vs the number of bearings in an ICE?.... Diodes... Pretty simple...

I don't think the data is out on EV motors lasting as long as commercial 450v, 4160v, etc. electric motors that get a ton of maintenance performed over their lives.

My background is Naval Nuclear Power where these motors go 50 years and never have an issue but they get tons of maintenance.

I'm sure they all have sealed bearings and will last as long as the grease inside them lasts, which will be a very long time, but I doubt equivalent to commercial stuff.

My point is that I really don't think you can compare commercial stuff to light duty passenger car stuff.

 

[Brian_B]

As to the 4g module going out, how is that any different than the 2g hook-ups of 20 years ago?

You are correct - Its the exact same situation, which was my point. Even if you can get parts the network may be gone

 

[5GENIDN]

I don't think the data is out on EV motors lasting as long as commercial 450v, 4160v, etc. electric motors that get a ton of maintenance performed over their lives.

My background is Naval Nuclear Power where these motors go 50 years and never have an issue but they get tons of maintenance.

I'm sure they all have sealed bearings and will last as long as the grease inside them lasts, which will be a very long time, but I doubt equivalent to commercial stuff.

My point is that I really don't think you can compare commercial stuff to light duty passenger car stuff.

I understand what you are saying... and it is valid... but I also just lost a small single phase motor that has been running an air compressor since 1972... I know of a 300 hp 3 phase that was installed tough environment, receives absolutely no maintenance although the pump it is running has had to be changed out 3 times since 1989... A lot of agricultural pumps around here that last forever with no maintenance.... I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they are very simple. Not much to them. My anecdotal examples may well be the exception to the rule but they sure do not seem to be. At least (again) just in my experience. I do not have number counts and statistical data for or against my assertion.

 

[King_Bronco0327]

The path to a fixed-roof Bronco is easier with the current platform. If Ford wanted to go the Hummer route and offer three sizes of Bronco, it could do an F150-based version. It probably would be larger than what you are imagining, though. It would be interesting to learn how many people would want that.

A hummer sized Bronco would be awesome.

 

[GoHawks63]

I haven't given that much thought. The Mustang's a lot more analog than my Bronco is. I do worry about the Bronco's electronics over time. But really, I don't know that I can hold that against EVs when all the ICE vehicles are going to have the same issues in that regard.

Yep, I lost On-Star connectivity for my 2012 CTS-V a few years ago because they were sunsetting 2G support. I liked it for the same reason I like it on the Bronco, remote start capability when I am out of the range of the fob. There was talk of GM evaluating a retrofit, but to no one's surprise, no retrofit ever came about. There was really no incentive for them to come up with one.

The same will happen with the Bronco in time.

 

[michelle227]

Interesting, and somewhat relevant, article on EV's when the software maker or the company itself goes under...

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/0...pany-behind-its-software-goes-under/#comments

 

[5GENIDN]

Interesting, and somewhat relevant, article on EV's when the software maker or the company itself goes under...

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/0...pany-behind-its-software-goes-under/#comments

Read it all... That complaint (and a whole bunch of others) are about Electric and ICE.... even 40 and 50 year old cars. They are valid complaints but have NOTHING to do with which type of energy they are using for propulsion... generalized it is about the lack of support for vehicles by the auto manufacturers or their suppliers. Very valid and needs to be considered during any purchase.

 

[michelle227]

Read it all... That complaint (and a whole bunch of others) are about Electric and ICE.... even 40 and 50 year old cars. They are valid complaints but have NOTHING to do with which type of energy they are using for propulsion... generalized it is about the lack of support for vehicles by the auto manufacturers or their suppliers. Very valid and needs to be considered during any purchase.

I DID read it all. Hence the 'somewhat relevant' comment.

An EV has a greater risk of being a yard ornament though. But this is ALSO why four of my six vehicles are older than 20 years in age- I can still work on them and they don't rely on software updates.

And yes, one of them is at risk of being orphaned because it is a company I've seen leave the US previously in my lifetime.

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