G. David Felt

Some very interesting news in the Electrical front: Seems Austria has isolated 53 employees of their electrical Utilities to insure that they keep the electrical grid up and running during this pandemic. This has made our own politicians bring up for discussion requiring electrical companies to isolate employees to insure the electrical grid stays up in this country. https://electrek.co/2020/03/23/egeb-austrian-utility-employees-isolate-us-new-york-state-green-energy-1-billion/#more-127387 Tesla's ELectric Semi truck was spotted coming back from Alaska from Winter Testing. What a dirt covered mess. LOL https://electrek.co/2020/03/23/tesla-semi-electric-truck-spotted-coming-back-winter-testing-production/#more-127369 Seems Tesla has found ways to optimize the battery pack as Musk says they are looking at 600 miles of range on a charge for a fully loaded truck. That is impressive. https://electrek.co/2018/05/02/tesla-semi-production-version-range-increase-elon-musk/ Tesla has committed to Semi production starting in summer 2020 with deliveries to start in the fall. The last interesting bit of info is who would spend $69,500 for a fully converted Classic T1 Samba Bus? This is a converted old VW Vans and they can convert all T1, T2 and T3 Microbus vans. I get that some really love their old VW microbus minivans, but I have to think that waiting for the ID Buzz Microvan that is 21st century EV would make a better deal but I guess the memory of the old vans is just too strong for some in California to not do this too. Crazy but cool too. https://electrek.co/2020/03/23/vw-and-eclassics-unveils-e-bulli-converted-electric-van-available-for-69500/#more-127324 eClassics web site where they are converting various old auto's to pure electric. https://murschel-electric-cars.de/eclassics-bulli/ I use chrome to convert the German web site to english reading. You Choice as it seems you can have them convert the Porsche Classic Speedster, VW bug, VW buggy or VW Samba microbus.

I guess being in the thick of things from both a Big Data storage point in the medical info point and with my background and talking to my sister daily and hearing what is being done and how they are being as protective as possible, I do not see what is so confusing about the facts of we are dealing with a Virus, cleanliness is important, social distancing is important, minimize contact with others at this point till we better understand this virus and the best way to attack it with drugs to help those that are more susceptible to being killed by it. Safety of mingling with family and friends that you feel comfortable around, safe with their personal hygiene and knowing who is and who is not sick is fine as long as people are aware. Using common sense and being alert to those that might be sick rather than just allergies from the spring start up. Example of this is my wife stays home right now as she has bad allergies and sneezes and her nose runs. Yes she takes Zyrtec D to help dry up and control her allergies, but anyone that is allergic to grass, trees, pollen, etc. can understand how the nose runs and the sneezing. Not sick, just allergies, as such so that others do not freak out, she chooses to stay home having me run the shopping to keep things going. I also for the safety of my senior parents who do have medical conditions, do their shopping and drop it off at the front door, then back off and have my mom get the stuff. Just being safe, even though I would love to hug them and give them a kiss on the cheek, just being vigilant in safety at this time for them and everyone else. Just trying to do my part and help others in this time of pandemic craziness. Wishing everyone else a great Monday and start of the week. In other news, have not watched any races as I was out in the yard working to get my garden going. I did find this fascinating as it was considered to be unique, not one of the first Hybrid auto's, but one of the first on 6 Wheels, YUP 6 WHEELS. Built on the Heels of the 1979 oil embargo and Jay Leno's Garage got them to take it out on the road for the first time since 1988. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1127540_this-american-hybrid-concept-faced-spiking-gas-prices-with-six-wheels Briggs and Stratton built this 6 wheel hybrid. The Hybrid was actually quite advanced—and sophisticated looking—for its time. The vehicle has a parallel drive system, allowing the driver to manually select whether the vehicle is physically powered by the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both. It could go up to 60 miles, fully electric, at 40 mpg or less in EV mode, with nearly 1,000 pounds of lead-acid batteries and an 8-hp electric motor. Very cool tech as the ICE motor was an 18hp, 694 CC 2 cylinder Air cooled engine with a 4sp manual transmission running on a 72 volt power system with regenerative braking. very advanced for the time considering it was 40 years ago. 3,200 lbs vehicle weight, 68 mph top speed and 30 mpg fuel efficiency. @dwightlooi What are your thoughts on this 1980 Hybrid Auto?

We shall learn soon enough unless GM kills it due to the world wide pandemic.

@trinacriabob @ccap41 I will say that with my own medical school background, having a sister who is an RN on the front lines as well as her best friend and as of this morning they are dealing with in home care of multiple seniors who have Covid-19. It is NOT something to take lightly. Also it is not less than the 1918 Influenza that killed 150 million world wide. We are at the start of a Global Pandemic that could match the 1918 death count if we do not use common sense. With 15,430 according to JHMC site or 15,419 from the world meter site either way we look at this, we are at the beginning of a reduction in population. It is sadly hardest on seniors with reduced immune system and men who smoke / drink heavy reducing their health. The important thing to take away from this is that we CAN SURVIVE it by doing the common sense things of cleaning surfaces, washing hands, coughing into your own shirt of a napkin so that we do not spew water vapor droplets out and about. Those that have healthy immune systems can survive just fine by also remembering to not touch your face, nose, mouth, eyes and ears. Yes all places that can allow the virus to get into your body. Strong personal hygiene along with just being aware of those around you can go a long way to keeping you virus free and safe. Being cautious is fine, but cabin fever as the spring weather gets nicer can drive one nuts if you do not get outside and at least go for a walk and be aware of those around you. Be safe, be clean and be alert and we will all get through this together.

Yes it is, while I like the John Hopkins site for the Medical Info, I have really enjoyed the link you shared with the base fact numbers they present. Thank you, War Time rules, GM, Ford and Tesla given green light to make Ventilators and medical supplies. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-ford-gm-tesla-given-ok-to-produce-ventilators/ar-BB11xm9r

Went to Costco today, good social distancing, they got this down as you get a sanitized cart or flatbed upon being let in. Clear signage of what is and is not available.

This is a great spot to check if you want to follow the count of infections, death, recoveries by country around the world. Clearly Coronavirus has surpassed SARS / MARS and is right behind the Spanish FLU, which is not what is truly is called but due to multitude of reasons is truly known in the medical community as 1918 influenza pandemic. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ SnapShot for you all: Much more info on the site, interesting how China has stopped reporting new cases as they say they do not have them among their own population from from those that traveled to their country and as such they do not claim them to be cases in China. Bizarre

That was FORD who is using used Coffee beans to build parts on their Auto's. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/04/ford-is-making-car-partswith-waste-from-mcdonalds-coffee-beans.html Yes I also get that you are poking at Rivian who is using recycled materials on the inside of their auto's. Great Read on what areas each auto maker is using recycled material in their auto's. The German Trio has had much of their over rated interiors using recycled materials as is others especially Ford. https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/07/automakers-are-building-your-cars-with-interesting-recycled-materials.html

Huge Reconstruction project is rebuilding that whole complex and so all the stores, businesses and yes the 24hr fitness in that compex of downtown Kirkland are gone. That was the Parkplace compex. https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Development_Info/projects/Parkplace.htm Map of that area of what is being built there now. All the IDIOT College kids got a stern response from our Companies founder, CEO and Chairman. Do not apply to us, we do not want irresponsible employees like you. I am so behind his message and their lack of responsibility during this pandemic. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/19/michael-dell-to-spring-break-video-coronavirus-partiers-dont-apply.html Your new Golf Cart.

I have Ramen as a fast meal back up but still taking time to cook. Love fresh food. Missing my daily workout at 24hr fitness. ? Pesto Alfredo pasta with veggies Chapagetti with beef bites Home made Cinnamon rolls Harvested the last of my winter Leeks and made Leek soup. Love Grilled Sandwiches, so using Potato bread and only butter, mayo sucks to grill a sandwich and gives a weird taste/texture. Pepperoni and Havarti grilled cheese. Or start buying the 24 oz Monster with the screw top. Increased caffeine.

Pretty much every restaurant either has drive thru or they are doing pickup and a number of them have started delivery. Very weird not interacting with people. Been 3 weeks of working from home and only seeing the wife. Crazy.

Does not seem to say and have not seen any clear statement but the increase in industry emissions seems to indicate that factories are getting back up and running which would imply people are moving about, going back to work it would seem.

Good Point, I would also agree with you on that the State is clearly at Fault too for giving a Commercial License to the guy who should not of had one. Makes me wonder how lax their requirements are for Class 8 Drivers.

Seems that while NO2 emissions are dropping across Europe and Especially in Italy due to the Pandemic, China which has seen a huge drop in emissions is now ramping back up as they allow people to go back to work and move about. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-china-emissions-recovery-pollution/ Very cool video to watch from Space.

WOW, This final report blames Tesla for not having the proper restrictions in place for the auto pilot. Truck company for employing a driver who is pretty much blind as he has blindness in one eye and tunnel vision in the other. Should have never been behind the wheel of the Semi. I also do not agree with the Family suing Tesla and the Truck company as the father / Husband had turned on autopilot and was watching a movie when it hit the semi at 69 mph. The idiot had a responsibility to watch the road. Tesla is not Level 5 pure autonomous driving. As such, I fault the driver as much as Tesla and the truck company. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/19/ntsb-investigation-tesla-autopilot-florida-fatal-crash/ Interesting pictures recovered from the Tesla 3 auto pilot camera system as to what the car actually sees. Even with the roof cut off from going under the semi trailer and a dead driver behind the wheel, the auto continued on for another 1/3rd of a mile before the system responded and coasted to a stop. Looks like Coronavirus might claim it's first auto maker, NIO which is based on using Tesla Tech to build two different EV CUVs. Sadly the Pandemic is hitting at a time that many startups where getting going and now we will probably see them close and die. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/03/18/nio-doubts-financial-report-production-deliveries-coronavirus/

What an Ugly POS

Let me help you out @ocnblu NO FIRE DANGER HERE

Thank you, for understanding my thoughts, and yes, mixing up revenue with profit. In regards to your last statement, Tesla has stated they will never have it as a profit center but as a break even center that supports their auto industry products. Interesting read: https://www.tesla.com/support/supercharging Here is another discussion on it in the Tesla Motor Club forum asking if charging networks can ever be profitable and what is the cost. Seems $3,500 is the cost per month for a traditional charging station. I do wonder how they truly justify that cost. Yet, still an interesting read. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/can-the-supercharger-network-be-profitable.154320/ Good read on Electrify America and if they are making money. https://technotes.seastrom.com/2020/03/01/electrify-america.html Plus a comparison with the Tesla network. Very interesting read.

Will say that Pierce county which is where Tacoma is located is now reporting deaths and increase in infections but no numbers on the news this morning. I suspect this afternoon we will see just how much it has increased down there. Clearly places that have more frequent travelers are more susceptible to getting infected faster.

Awesome Train, thanks for posting

Bigger question to ask is why is the power companies not jumping on this as it would increase their income potential. It is understandable why gas companies would not do this as they want EVs dead and just burn baby burn along with Drill baby Drill and Pump Baby Pump. For auto companies, there is the money making capabilities of having your own charging network. I would think local power companies would love to have a charging network as an additional source of income. That is why Tesla built there network of super chargers to support their auto's and it makes sense for an auto company to build a network so there is an income potential. A bigger question is how much income potential to cost is there. Once people can get the type of auto they want in EV format and change their thinking to plugging in at home or having a wireless pad they drive over to charge from, the income potential for chargers changes much lower I would think.

According to this story I found from last year :https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/jan/03/gm-now-top-automaker-in-mexico-as-it-idles-us-fact/ Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet Silverado

I would agree with you, but so many govs around the world are saying to flatten the curve, stop people from moving around especially those that have the virus and are in an incubation period and do not realize they are sick. Stopping them from moving around would limit their contact with others who will get sick. Sucks, I agree and I have not stopped living my life as common sense cleanliness is what keeps the healthy, healthy. Wash hands, sanitize, use tissues rather than your finger for your nose, etc. Seems common sense, but I guess not so common.

California has shut down the state and issued a first Stay at home / Stay in place order. Except for going out for food, no one is to travel. Transit shut down, state shut down. This is forcing Tesla to comply with a shutdown starting March 24th of their Fremont assembly line. https://www.newsweek.com/california-worlds-biggest-economy-lockdown-governor-orders-residents-stay-home-1493352 https://electrek.co/2020/03/19/tesla-factory-shutdown-starting-march-24/ California is the Worlds 5th largest economy. Now shutdown, WOW ?

Seems GM Mexico plants are now to be shutdown for Coronavirus concerns. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus/gm-mexico-to-halt-operations-at-san-luis-potosi-plant-from-march-20-april-13-idUSKBN21646Q