G. David Felt

Lordstown Motors had entered the San Felipe 250 off road race. Sadly they had to pull out after Stage 1 due to having misjudged the energy consumption the desert terrain caused on the battery pack. The auto over all did great. Lordstown is planning to address and return to race and finish next year. According to electrek web site, seems Mercedes-Benz will be using Tony Hawk, American Pro Skateboarder to introduce the next auto in the BEV lineup, the EQT electric minivan. To Quote the Mercedes-Benz press release per the story below: The near-production Concept EQT offers a clear glimpse of the electric version of the forthcoming T-Class. With the completely newly developed city van, Mercedes-Benz Vans is transferring the winning formula of the V-Class people carrier to a compact format and bringing a new level of quality to the small-van segment. The Concept EQT combines a spacious and variable interior with attractive design and Mercedes’ hallmark high standards of comfort, connectivity, value, and safety. Mercedes-Benz teases new EQT electric minivan - Electrek

And we are supposed to trust Musk and want to pay him to go there to live and vacation? ?

Seems Tesla is pissing off customers in China just like the rest of the world. Welcome to poor quality control as it appears she is complaining about her brakes having failed on her Tesla 3 almost killing her family. insideevs.com posted about this as well and is trying to follow up on the story. Tesla Owner Protests At Shanghai Auto Show, Standing On A Tesla (insideevs.com)

As of February 23rd, 2021 ion Ventures and LiNa Energy released their results of their first successful trial of the proprietary solid-state sodium battery platform at an undisclosed South East England location. ion Ventures, a 21st century utility and energy storage infrastructure specialist with LiNa Energy a solid-state battery technology developer had finished the final milestone of the prestigious UK BEIS Award. LiNa Energy was formed in the summer of 2017 as a spin-out of Lancaster University. The goal was to apply modern material engineering to the sodium-nickel-chloride battery allowing them to create a game-changing battery storage technology. The goal here was to commercialising a safe, cobalt-free battery platform that would be suited for both BEV and Grid Storage by the Utility industry at a substantial reduced cost. The achievement was that they hit $50 per kWh which is a substantial reduction over current battery technology. LiNa Energy went even further in focusing on a superior solid state cell design that also did not need Lithium removing both rare earth elements as they successfully created a solid-state sodium battery. Development time was just under two years from concept to development and finally operational prototype that produced energy density comparable to todays existing lithium/cobalt batteries. They went even further in building a battery pack that can operate in a wide range of temperatures and does not require expensive cooling systems. The aim of this trial was to demonstrate the ability to charge and discharge a battery module containing LiNa's patented system design which included optimized thermal and electrical management and control systems. LiNa Energy created the battery platform and ion Ventures is leading the deployment of the battery in real-word environment with a view to deploying it in the grid storage market near future. The benefit of LiNa battery cell design is that this helps to manage grid volatility created by the decline in fossil fuel generated power by providing a synthetic source of inertia as the world moves towards green power generation. Lithium-ion technology is the dominant chemistry for battery storage systems. The LiNa Platform is a disrupting technology to the Lithium-Ion batteries currently being used in Grid storage markets, passenger and commercial vehicles (BEVs). The clean-tech specialist consultancy BEIS Award, E4Tech performed an independent, strategic study of the stationary grid storage application based on LiNa's Technology. They identified that LiNa's platform was superior to existing Lithium-Ion based storage in regards to distribution, generation level storage and behind the meter owing to superior CAPEX, OPEX, LCC, battery self-discharge and safety metrics. The next step is to setup a commercial large scale production for taking this battery technology to market focused on the following: Utility Scale Storage: Transmission grid Distribution grid Generation level storage Behind the meter Transport: Passenger EV Commercial/heavy duty EV Bulk transport Maritime Railway Aerospace LiNa Technology hit's these very important points: High Performance Higher volumetric and gravimetric energy density than incumbent lithium-ion Expected significant operational cycling improvement vs. lithium-ion Low Cost: Cell Cost as mass manufacturing of c.$50 kWH Uses abundant raw materials, cobalt and lithium free and easily recycled Safe: Inherently safe system reduces system-level costs and complexity Ceramic separator is non-flammable Chemistry & IP: Underlying NaNiCl chemistry proven commercially LiNa IP is protected by several patents and 60+ years of combined specialist materials know-how LiNa and ion Ventures conclude successful test of pioneering solid-state sodium battery platform - LiNa Energy Technology - LiNa Energy ion Ventures • ion Ventures and LiNa Energy conclude successful test of pioneering solid-state sodium battery platform ion Ventures • homepage View full article

? Yes if it is actually real. We have not been able to return to the moon which makes the so called moon landings questionable to me. We struggle to keep an international space station going as well as we dumped our own ability to fly our astronauts to the station having to depend on Russia. So many things that make me question how real the Nasa actually is. We see the failures of Space X and others. So I have to wonder just how much have we really been into space? It is cool tech if we actually have a real rover on Mars and a small drone actually survived the trip, landing and actually flew in the atmosphere there.

Seems Hyundai is paying attention to Toyota Hybrid line as the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid seems to hit all the right notes. First drive review: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid superiority extends beyond gas mileage (greencarreports.com)

? I thought the pope and his minions always sprayed holy venom all the time!

Using the VWs groups MEB platform, Audi first introduced the world in 2018 to the Audi e-tron GT and today takes the next step in showing the world their A6 e-tron luxury sportsback sedan. Audi premiere the world to their Light, Design and Technology with the Audi Q4 e-tron Audi Q4 e-tron premiere Audi A6 e-tron concept – the next e-volution | Audi MediaCenter (audi-mediacenter.com) View full article

According to CHARGED EV Mag web site, Taiga Motors is building a new assembly plant in Quebec for all it's off-road EVs from Snow mobiles to Personal Watercraft. Charged EVs | Taiga Motors to build new assembly facility for its off-road EVs in Québec - Charged EVs Taiga - Electric Snowmobiles and PWCs (taigamotors.ca)

Toyota Motor Corporation announced their Toyota bZ line-up of BEVs at the Shanghai Auto Show. The first to be unvealed is the Toyota bZ4X, an AWD in the bZ series. This CUV plays off the success of the Toyota Rav 4 hybrid series in style. Toyota had 4 key points that they made with tonight's product reveal: Toyota intends to contribute to SDGs based on the perspective of "home planet" that responds to environmental issues of global scale above and beyond the concepts of "hometown" and "home country" that the automotive industry has long continued its business in. Toyota intends to fully concentrate on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, in accordance with the energy and industry policies in different countries. Toyota is establishing a full line-up of electrified vehicles, which has worked in reducing carbon emissions, based on the concept of introducing sustainable vehicles practically to the market. The number of electrified models will reach around 70 by 2025. In establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles, Toyota is underway to introduce 15 BEVs, including seven Toyota bZ models, by 2025. Toyota is working together with Subaru Corporation (Subaru) to promote car-making that takes advantage of the strengths of both companies. Toyota hopes to begin worldwide sales of the Toyota bZ4X, a new SUV BEV, by the middle of 2022. While Toyota had heavily invested in Hybrids and believed Hydrogen is the future, they have quickly paired up with other companies to share the cost of BEV development. China's BYD, Daihatsu, Subaru and Suzuki are partners in using the new e-TNGA platform. Toyota and Subaru jointly developled the Toyota bZ4X taking advantage of the companies strengths. Toyota expertise in electrification with Subaru's superior AWD technologies and driving performance that is both comfortable and enjoyable is what has allowed the bZ4X to be a class leading design with Toyota planning to have the bZ4X produced in Japan and China for global sales starting in the middle of 2022. The Toyota bZ4X has the following characteristics: Using a BEV-specific platform, the bZ4X combines a long wheelbase with a short overhang; this results both in a distinctive design, and in an interior space comparable to a D-segment sedan. A uniquely shaped steering wheel eliminates the need to change grip when steering, and also contributes to a spacious interior; the vehicle adopts a steer-by-wire system that provides a smooth driving feel aligned with the driver's intentions. The low position of the instrument panel and the location of the meters above the steering wheel serve not only to enhance the vehicle's sense of space, but also improve visibility and contribute to safe and secure driving. The bZ4X adopts a new AWD system jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru; it combines safe and pleasing driving performance―made possible by the unique responsiveness of electrified vehicles―with an impressive off-road performance. In addition to the use of regenerative energy systems, the vehicle also adopts a solar recharging system; this cleverly recharges the battery while stationary, and further enhances the unique environmental performance of a BEV. It also provides cruising range that ensures customers not to be inconvenienced in wintertime. Toyota believes they can greatly reduce CO2 emissions via their electrification program and as such plan to have globally 70 electrified models by 2025. This includes their HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles), PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and FCEVs (fuel cell electric vehicles). Toyota currently has 22% of their global product line some form of electrified vehicles. They plan to increase this to 70 models covering an undefined percentage of their global product line depending on customers needs Toyota will slowly phase out ICE only auto's as they move to a full hybrid/BEV/FCEV product line. An interesting observation is in their first commercial for the Toyota bZ product line and how they are clearly showing the BEV line as an activity / lifestyle auto with the ability to play in the city and just as easily play in the woods. You can find additional photo's and videos of the product release at the company link below. Toyota announces its new BEV series, Toyota bZ, in establishment of a full line-up of electrified vehicles | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website View full article

Even though I know it was not this car in the Horror movie Christine, Every time I see it, it reminds me of that movie.

So as those that have been around a long time, I used to have a truck, still have my suburban and miss the truck. Wife wants it for her gardening. I have fitted much into my suburban from loads of sheetrock, protected from the rain to lumber. Love the almost 5ft wide interior and with second row seats down and third row bench seat removed, that is 10 feet long space which works for many things, but smells do linger inside an SUV. Why did I get rid of the truck, simple, the kids grew up, the niece needed a truck for her husband and the wife was wanting a mid size suv awd as at the time she was in college. So gave the truck to the relative, solid little Dodge Dakota and got the SS. No regrets, but ready for a crewcab pickup truck with a bed liner for easy wash out. Both Hummer and Rivian are at the top of the list. Will see what I end up getting in the future. Eventually the Escalade will get retired and a full size EV SUV will replace it. Trucks like this Hyundai Santa Cruz Activity Life Style truck will become very common as I see the bulk of society having an SUV/CUV and an Activity Truck to meet their needs.

Makes sense on the Acadia as that section is so big, they really need a window there. Agree that the Envision also should have a window too, crazy that we are removing the shoulder checks for the corner of the auto due to lack of windows to ensure roll over protection is there for the roof not crushing down.

So no use for any bed hauling? No yard projects, no kitchen gear?, I am surprised as usually people can see a valid use for a small bed to haul stuff, hose it out and not worry about getting the inside of their auto dirty. So hobbies, kids stuff, camping, nothing in your life you can see a truck or hybrid SUV/truck or Suck use for ?????? ?

My sister really loves the look and Snazzberry color of the Gladiator, but with her job being on the road all the time going from patient to patient, she needs gas mileage over functional fun. I think this Hyundai will serve a great purpose and sales will be solid.

When someone says Canadian, I think of Ehhhhh.

Totally agree, I think state license plates should cover the whole state rather than just a certain segment. I see that on pretty much all of them. Happy to see the old Orange and black plates go, but they do seem to fit on the criminal auto's.

Liking the Hummer twins very much, great to see a second Ultium battery plant is going to get built in Tennessee. GM Is Building Another $2.3B Ultium Battery Plant in Tennessee (thedrive.com) Very cool story on the GMC V12. GM’s Final V12 Was an Obscure 11.5-Liter Truck Engine From the 1960s (thedrive.com)

This is a good little pickup for those that want to haul people and occasional stuff or the run to Home Depot. Will be interesting to see it sales numbers, but I suspect there is more than enough to justify the R&D and sell them to be profitable. Interior reminds me of what we will see for the standard on all future auto's be it ICE or EV as the screens with programming are easier and cheaper than all manual instruments or individual dummy lights and alerts. Exterior I find pleasant enough, not offensive. Decent numbers for what it is and gotta love the 20ft turning radius, great for maneuvering.

Not sure what the service interval will be, but I did find for Yamaha Electric golf carts that they recommend an SAE80 W90 high performance gear oil with filter change every 10 years or 10,000 hours. Knowing how little Golf carts are driven, I can see this not affecting the average buyer. I would think it would be an equally long time on the gear oil for this electric motor.

I think as we move towards EV's just like GM has their connect and cruise motor, transmission and electrical harness with CPU that allows someone to update an old ICE auto with a modern power train, GM has committed to having connect and cruise EV conversion kits with choice of battery packs. I can see Yamaha doing the same thing and if not, a 3rd party company that will bundle the motor/controller with a battery pack and wiring for those that want to convert an auto to electrical.

Dr. Pepper