What Drives Us episode

#388 Listen to Her

1 Nov , 2020   Video

We learn to listen to Georgia and, we discuss vanadium flow batteries, electric buses, Tesla FSD and more.

00:00 Show Start

04:10 Solar has Become the Cheapest Energy Source

13:55 Vanadium Flow Batteries

21:50 This Week in Tesla

29:40 Electric School Buses

45:20 Vote Because your Rights Depend on It

58:00 Shout Outs and Go Home

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What Drives Us episode

#386 We Do Not Condone Shocking Wildlife

15 Oct , 2020   Video

00:00 Show Start

03:50 Turning Interstates into Solar Farms

13:55 Municipal Microgrids

22:45 This Week in Tesla

28:55 Rivian Releasing R1T and R1S Early 2021

36:00 Can the US be a Green Hydrogen Powerhouse?

44:05 Rivian Delivers 1st Amazon Delivery Van

51:00 Shout Outs and Go Home

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What Drives Us episode

#377 Tonka Toy Van Down By The River

30 Jul , 2020   Video

00:00 Intros

07:40 Hybrid Fleets Would Reduce Emissions Now

15:55 Electric Brands Introduces Module EV Bus

22:00 Tesla Willing to License Software and Technology

26:00 Hyundai Ramps up EV Production Plans

37:40 The Real Cost of “Public” Parking

43:15 Community Solar for Those Who Can’t Solar

49: 30 Fossil Fuel Companies Funding the Police

1:01:15 Shout-outs and Go Home

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What Drives Us episode

#374 The Fast and the Dead

11 Jul , 2020   Video

00:00 Intros 04:10 Ford Mach-e Battery Reporting

12:45 Dodge Hellcat SUV

17:50 Pandemic Brings Fewer Crashes but More Fatalities

25:25 Suzuki Across PHEV is the RAV4 Prime

31:10 Moving Forward Act moves to the Senate

38:00 Solar-Powered Level-2 Charging Station

42:45 Muni Cutting Bus Routes

55:55 Let’s Go Home

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What Drives Us episode

#373 Body Bags are Extra

2 Jul , 2020   Video

  1. American Airlines has started filling their planes to capacity during a pandemic.
  2. Toyota is severely limiting the supply of the RAV4 Prime for some reason.
  3. California is mandating that all commercial trucks be fully-electric by 2045.
  4. 2-sided solar panels that track the sun can increase energy production up to 30%.
  5. Minnesota is suing ExxonMobile and Koch Brothers for damages caused by their disregard of their own research.
  6. All Americans need to support the “Moving Forward” act.
  7. Hyundai has introduced an all-electric shuttle bus.
  8. Oslo is testing inductive charging for taxis.
  9. Electrify American has completed their first cross-country charging network.

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What Drives Us episode

#371 You Don’t Need To Be A Dick To Rule The World

18 Jun , 2020   Video

This week:

00:00 Introductions

03:45 Best and Worst EV Battery Performance

18:53 Tesla Cancels Solar Roof Orders

41:48 “Transportation Fairness Alliance” is actually an anti-EV shill

48:00 Internal Emails indicate Carlos Ghosn was Set up and Forced Out

57:00 Rumble Motors moving Production to California

1:03:30 Shout-outs and Go Home

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What Drives Us episode

#367 Tried and Died

23 May , 2020   Video

  1. 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.
  2. Toyota introduced two new hybrids to their fleet: Venza and Sienna.
  3. Russell just finished spending a week with the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. There are things he really liked. And then there are other things.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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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What Drives Us episode

WDU Special – We Talk with Tom Bodett

23 May , 2020   Video

You know him from Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me or maybe “We’ll leave the light on for you.” but we know Mr. Tom Bodett as a green energy advocate who walks the walk. His self-installed 37kW solar array, advanced heating pump system and his new Tesla Model Y all speak of someone who cares. Spend some time getting to know Tom better.

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What Drives Us episode

#355 Solar Shakedown

26 Feb , 2020   Video

  1. 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?
  2. 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.
  3. Hyundai released images of a concept vehicle that is supposed to serve as inspiration for their upcoming EV vehicles.
  4. 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.

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What Drives Us episode

#349 Whose Data is it, Anyway?

16 Jan , 2020   Video

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.

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