#368 Let’s Return to Better
- Russell spent some time with a Tesla Model Y and a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Both reviews are available in our “Car Reviews” playlist. Make sure to check out “The Tesla Life” to get Russell’s full Model Y review.
- Toyota recently introduced the PROACE van, offering a warranty of 15 years or 1,000,000 miles, whichever comes first. After that time, they promise the battery will still have 75% or more capacity remaining.
- People will only return to riding the bus when they feel safe doing so. We spend some time discussing how buslines can maintain ridership by helping people feel safe.
- BloombergNEF predicts that by 2040 new car sales will favor EVs over ICEs. Interesting side topic, they also predict that ICE vehicles peaked in 2017.
- Volvo has taken the bold step of limiting the top speed of all new vehicles starting next year. This will be done in the name of safety, referencing the amount of vehicular fatalities attributed to high speeds.
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2017, battery, bus, Car, EV, first, hybrid, LE, Model Y, review, Tesla, Toyota, van, Vehicles, Volvo
#367 Tried and Died
- General Motors and LG Chem have formed a joint venture to create batteries for EVs. They are calling it Ultium. The factory will be in Lordstown, OH. It’s expected to employ more than 1,000 people. This could be a really big thing. Here’s hoping.
- Toyota introduced two new hybrids to their fleet: Venza and Sienna.
- Russell just finished spending a week with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. There are things he really liked. And then there are other things.
- In case you didn’t know, Dyson (yes, the vacuum company) announced a while ago that they were developing an electric vehicle. After actually creating a very nice looking prototype, they have announced that they are abandoning the effort. Reportedly, Dyson realized there was no way to manufacture and price the car such that it would be even remotely profitable. Let’s hope they continue the idea and work on a lower-priced car they can bring to market.
- GM had created an e-Bike called the Ariv (pronounced ‘arrive’). They had a standard version and a folding version. Sure it looks a little quirky, but in a time when e-bikes are seeing a huge uptick in sales, GM kills theirs.
- We’re about more than just vehicles. We like the whole circular lifestyle of generating your own electricity, storing it in your own batteries, and using that electricity to power your house and/or charge your car. However, far too many utility companies few residents with solar panels as competition. They work very hard to make going solar difficult and fins ways to punish the homeowner after the panels are installed. We decided to take a little time and talk about how utilities companies can be real jerks.
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2020, batteries, Car, e-bike, electric, EV, General Motors, gm, hybrid, LE, LED, solar, Toyota, Vehicles
#365 The Rise of the EVs
- Paul talks about the ground-level pollution created by gasoline powered lawn equipment. It’s better for you and the environment if you swapped them out for something with a plug or battery.
- Tony discusses that Lincoln has cancelled their anticipated partnership with Rivian to produce a luxury SUV EV. We would like to think that this is just a temporary thing.
- Kacey tells us about Tesla’s latest software update and how it improves stoplight recognition and smart summon mode.
- Georgia talks about a JD Power survey indicating people’s heads are still stuck in the sand when it comes to alt fuel vehicles.
- Mark talks about Rivian declining to accept a $1 million grant that was guaranteed to them from Normal, IL where they have their factory. Normal promised that if Rivian invests $22 million the town would kick in $1 million. Since then, Rivian has secured Billions in funding and decided the town could put the money to better use.
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battery, Eco, EV, funding, gasoline, law, LE, LED, pollution, rv, Software, SUV, Tesla, update, Vehicles
#364 The Exciting New Kia Labradoodle
- Mark celebrates his 3rd Voltiversary and tells us how reliable and amazingly efficient his 2017 Chevy Volt has been.
- Chicago recently voted to implement more stringent regulations requiring new construction to be ready for EV charging.
- With ridership down and reduced routes, how will the US mass transit system rebound once/if the pandemic is over?
- Kia has surprised a lot of people with the unveiling of the HabaNiro, which they say will be due out by the end of 2021. This will be their first dedicated EV model.
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2017, Charging, Chevy, chevy volt, chicago, EV, first, Kia, LE, regulations, Volt
#363 Don’t Take Stock Advice from the Guy Who Drinks Gasoline
No, it is not safe to drink gasoline.
This week we discuss the Rawlinson-Motor Trend interview, gas prices and futures and Patrick explains what a future is, the upcoming Evoltis and much more.
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#362 You Bought It But It’s Not Really Yours.mp4
On this week’s the panel discuss, electric RVs, what does it mean when you own something but the company that made the product controls it, Ford PHEV truck rumors and more.
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#358 Self Quarantine
1) EV sales reach 8% market share in Switzerland
2) A look back at the Tesla Power Pack system in South Australia
3) A new electric motorcycle in the UK
4) The affects throughout the EV world from the coronavirus
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electric, EV, LE, motorcycle, Tesla
#357 Inches And Balls With Special Guest, John Voelcker
Special guest, eminent mobility journalist. John Voelcker, joins the panel for a discussion on the GM’s EV announcement. They spend the hour digging into the details and what they think will happen.
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audio only,What Drives Us episode
#356 – Three Fifty Something
1) The Union of Concerned Scientists have completed their study and concluded that ride sharing (such as Uber and Lyft) introduce almost 70% more pollutants than the rides they are replacing. Not only the rides they are replacing but taking people off mass transit.
2) A study of vehicles interacting with pedestrians at a crosswalk showed that there is a direct correlation between how aggressive the vehicle is towards the pedestrians and how much that vehicle costs. So yeah, rich drivers are bigger jerks and the data backs it up!
3) The coronavirus is impacting the supply lines of vehicle manufacturing along with other appliance manufacturing. Couple this with Ford’s continuously declining stock price and market share and we’re starting to wonder whether Ford can avoid a bankruptcy or total liquidation.
4) Continuing our discussion about Tesla’s Buffalo, NY, factory, the state of New York is looking to sell some manufacturing equipment it had purchased for Tesla but was never used.
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audio only,Special Episode,Special Guest
WDU 1on1 #8 Matthew Klippenstein
Fuel cell engineer and sustainable energy expert Matthew Klippenstein comes on One on One to discuss the Nikola merger and what it means for Nikola, fuel cell and BEV semi trucks. A little aside on GM’s new announcements but mostly, why a diversified energy sector is a stronger one.
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