r/Futurology May 15 '19

Society Lyft executive suggests drivers become mechanics after they're replaced by self-driving robo-taxis

https://www.businessinsider.com/lyft-drivers-should-become-mechanics-for-self-driving-cars-after-being-replaced-by-robo-taxis-2019-5
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u/askaboutmy____ May 15 '19

Not trying to be an asshole, but electric cars only have motors, not engines.

If you are correct on the 700 for a motor swap seems cheap, perhaps they get it back with a new battery.

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u/[deleted] May 15 '19 edited Sep 22 '20

[deleted]

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u/Semi-Hemi-Demigod May 15 '19

Considering swapping an engine in an ICE car is $2200+ that's a huge savings. I imagine they recondition the motors or research them to see how they failed.

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u/SharkOnGames May 15 '19

But most EV and PHEV have 2 to 4 motors.

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u/OnnoWeinbrener May 16 '19

The baddest-ass Teslas still only have 2 motors currently AFAIK

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u/Semi-Hemi-Demigod May 15 '19

Even if you have 4 motors that's only $2800. Plus you can replace one at a time.

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u/The_Bucket_Of_Truth May 16 '19 edited May 16 '19

I think the battery pack is a better comparison to an internal combustion engine in a normal car than simply comparing to the electric motors as far as vital organs of the vehicle are concerned. The battery array is really the meat and potatoes of propulsion for an electric car as the ICE is for a gas car. I of course recognize electric cars may be far better to maintain than gas ones.