# 379 Isn’t it Ionic?
00:00 Intros
06:00 A Little Self-Promotion
11:15 Hyundai Launches Ionic Brand of EVs
20:55 The Politics of Saving the Environment
29:40 This Week in Tesla
36:15 California Court Rules Uber and Lyft Must Call Drivers “Employees”
50:45 GM’s SuperCruise is a Subscription Service
1:05:20 Shout-outs and Go Home
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (66.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
California, Employees, EV, gm, Hyundai, LE, lyft, Politics, rv, Tesla, uber
# 378 EV RV IDK LOL
00:00 Intros
05:30 – Rivian to Ship R1T and R1S in 2021
17:20 – Upcycling Old Tires to Improve our Roads
23:00 – This Week in Tesla
34:10 – Boring Company Connecting LA and Vegas?
43:20 – Ready.Set.Van has New Tesla-Powered Van
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (24.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
boring company, EV, rv, Tesla, van
#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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (65.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
battery, Eco, EV, funding, gasoline, law, LE, LED, pollution, rv, Software, SUV, Tesla, update, Vehicles
#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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (63.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
#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.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (56.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
#355 Solar Shakedown
- The guys get into a tussle over Tesla’s Gigafactory in Buffalo New York now that Panasonic has pulled out of the location. Will there ever be Solar glass?
- After 40 years of trying to figure it out, scientists have finally figured out why solar panels experience a 2% efficiency drop within the first hour of operation.
- Hyundai released images of a concept vehicle that is supposed to serve as inspiration for their upcoming EV vehicles.
- Ford allows drivers to sign up for insurance and use their connected cars to track their driving habits. Spoiler: if you’re being paid, you’re the product.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (50.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
Car, concept, connected, Efficiency, EV, first, Ford, gigafactory, Hyundai, insurance, LE, LED, new york, oil, rv, solar, Tesla, Vehicles
#349 Whose Data is it, Anyway?
In this week’s show:
1) The current NTSB requirements for black box data is woefully short of all the data required to determine the actual situation of a modern-day crash. Manufacturers are not required to hand over additional data. Should owners be able to pull the data themselves to turn over to the police? Should they be able to pull data from a used car prior to purchasing it?
2) Tesla’s stock has soared recently to the point that the company is now valuated higher than GM and Ford, combined! It doesn’t help that Ford and GM have seen their own valuations dropping in the recent months.
3) The Boring Company’s 0.8 mile tunnel is completed under Las Vegas between convention centers. It’s likely not going to reach 140mph like previously advertised, it might use skates to move cars or not. Details are few and far between.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (47.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
autonomous, batteries, battery, boring company, bus, Car, CBC, Charging, concept, Convenience, Cyber Truck, Cybertruck, Diesel, Eco, Efficiency, electric, elon, elon musk, Employees, epa, EV, eVolution, FICA, Ford, FSD, fuel cell, Full Self Drive, General Motors, gm, Government, Gratification, hybrid, ID.3, id3, Incentives, las vegas, LE, Lexus, LimePod, lyft, Micromobility, mobility, Model S, model X, motorcycle, nissan, Oregon, Plug-in, porsche, Portland, Range Anxiety, RAV-4, RAV4, review, robots, rv, RVing, Software, solar, Starlink, tax, Tax Credit, Technology, Tesla, the boring company, Toyota, Tracking, TriMet, trump, tunnel, update, Updates, volkswagen
#348 Dieselgate Saves VW
This week:
1) States face roadblocks on path to lower tailpipe emissions.
2) BMW remains committed to ICE cars for at least 30 more years.
3) The Prius is no longer Toyota’s top-selling hybrid.
4) Sony shocks CES by unveiling a car.
5) The Fisker Ocean might actually be areal thing.
6) Tesla’s Gigafactory 4 has to tread lightly in the forest.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (52.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
autonomous, batteries, battery, BMW, bus, Car, CBC, Charging, concept, Convenience, Cyber Truck, Cybertruck, Diesel, dieselgate, Eco, Efficiency, electric, elon, elon musk, emissions, Employees, epa, EV, eVolution, FICA, FSD, fuel cell, Full Self Drive, General Motors, gigafactory, gm, Government, Gratification, hybrid, ID.3, id3, Incentives, LE, Lexus, LimePod, lyft, Micromobility, mobility, Model S, model X, motorcycle, nissan, Oregon, Plug-in, porsche, Portland, Prius, Range Anxiety, RAV-4, RAV4, review, robots, rv, RVing, Software, solar, Starlink, tax, Tax Credit, Technology, Tesla, Toyota, Tracking, TriMet, trump, update, Updates, volkswagen, VW, What Drives Us
audio only,What Drives Us episode
# 347 Robot Replacements
1) Tony reviewed the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Be sure to check out his two separate reviews:
Ride-along review: https://youtu.be/ed4CUB73QWE
Walk-around review: https://youtu.be/hty_KFkWZMY
2) At the beginning of the 2010s, Lithium-Ion batteries were projected to herald in the era of the electric vehicle. We discuss accessibility of battery components and the drop in prices.
3) Volkswagen has released conceptual animations of very cute little battery charging robots. You park your car anywhere in a parking garage and the robots will not only bring a mobile battery pack, the pack will plug itself into your car.
4) December saw a flurry of Tesla software updates. We pick them apart.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (52.9MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
autonomous, batteries, battery, bus, Car, CBC, Charging, concept, Convenience, Cyber Truck, Cybertruck, Diesel, Eco, Efficiency, electric, elon, elon musk, Employees, epa, EV, eVolution, FICA, FSD, fuel cell, Full Self Drive, General Motors, gm, Government, Gratification, hybrid, ID.3, id3, Incentives, LE, Lexus, LimePod, lyft, Micromobility, mobility, Model S, model X, motorcycle, nissan, Oregon, Plug-in, porsche, Portland, Range Anxiety, RAV-4, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, review, robots, rv, RVing, Software, solar, Starlink, tax, Tax Credit, Technology, Tesla, Toyota, Tracking, TriMet, trump, update, Updates, volkswagen, What Drives Us
audio only,What Drives Us episode
#346 Last Episode of 2019
In this, the final episode of 2019, we discuss:
1) The environmental impact of our instant gratification economy. Is it better or worse when we can order almost any amount of almost anything online and have it delivered to our house?
2) The US House passed a new spending bill that extends credits for EV chargers, motorcycles, and fuel cells but fails to extend credits for EV cars. Also, coal plants owned by Native Americans are subsidized.
3) The E-RV is a pretty awesome 5th Wheel camper that has a huge battery for full off-the-grid living. The battery can be recharged by plugging in, solar on the roof, and/or regeneration while being towed.
4) Portland, Oregon, is really stepping up their mass transit game by implementing impressive measures with their Trimet system. From green buses to renewable diesel and free rides for minors, this is mass transit done right.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (62.0MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More
autonomous, batteries, battery, bus, CBC, Convenience, Cyber Truck, Cybertruck, Diesel, Eco, Efficiency, electric, elon, elon musk, Employees, EV, eVolution, FICA, FSD, fuel cell, Full Self Drive, General Motors, gm, Government, Gratification, hybrid, ID.3, id3, Incentives, LE, Lexus, LimePod, lyft, Micromobility, mobility, Model S, model X, motorcycle, nissan, Oregon, Plug-in, porsche, Portland, Range Anxiety, RAV-4, rv, RVing, solar, Starlink, tax, Tax Credit, Technology, Toyota, Tracking, TriMet, trump, What Drives Us