G. David Felt

Good for you Blu, walking is at least a good start to keeping a strong core for your senior years.

More GM Details on their EV product line. Some very cool stuff! GM actually showed off a number of beta EV's or test mules as we call them in the old ICE lingo. EV's will have Alpha, Beta, RC and finally GA builds. Alpha is the first swing, usually clay models. Beta is the actual builds out on the roads to test everything and find the bugs. RC or release candidate is the last builds for testing with pretty much all final work in place, just flushing out the final code bugs. GA is General Availability when the public can buy it. Hope this helps those that do not understand 21st century tech. So per this story which I found duplicated by just about everyone, GM seems to have held off allowing folks to talk about what they saw till tonight after the dog n pony show. https://electrek.co/2020/03/04/ama-gm-bev-event-ev-hummers-huge-cadillacs-new-bolts-e-uvs/ Gonna cut n past as that will be fastest to quote: GMC Hummer EV truck Fun-looking vehicle with Hummer heritage and large format. Inside and out matched rugged looks. GMC Hummer EV SUT Pretty much the same, but more like an SUV. Cadillac Lyriq This is the SUV we’ve seen images of before, and it will be the first car on GM’s BEV3 platform. The interior was gorgeous and to be honest the first Cadillac that I’ve ever seen that I’ve lusted after. We’ve seen the outside. Cadillac Celestiq This is an out-there kind of luxury station wagon with an extremely futuristic look. It’s quite large yet looks like it could also be incredibly fast. The model didn’t have a finished interior, so obviously more to come here. Bolt EV 2021 I talked about Bolt EV in my post linked above, but it really did address all of the complaints I had in 2017. But it’s now 2020, and the BEV 2 platform is showing its age. Bolt EUV The long-rumored longer Bolt EV with Supercruise. How does it stack up? More info in the link above. Buick SUVs These were clay models but looked like they follow the Lyriq format with a downmarket interior. So Station Wagon fans get a luxury one in Cadillac. Not feeling the names yet, Lyriq and Celestiq makes me think Marvel. So replacement BOLT and a BOLT EUV with supercruise. Very cool. I wonder if it will have the same features or a reduced feature set? Seems Badge engineering to me for Buick of the Cadillac EVs. Full details here on the Bolts. Seems GM is bringing wireless Android and Apple play to all their auto's. That is very cool. https://electrek.co/2020/03/04/2021-chevy-bolt-revealed-significant-redesign/ Seems according to GM, The New Bolts will roll out this fall into select markets before being GA across the US in January 2021. GM has gone with USB-C in their auto's moving forward that are far more powerful than the current 5w usb ports. So be interesting to see how much more powerful. Shifters are GONE! RND is now the 3 buttons you have on the dash to use in EVs. Interesting slide from the GM dog n pony show. Have to say this is an interesting read on the Hummer by GMC SUV EV. https://www.caranddriver.com/gmc/hummer-ev-suv Loving this full size SUV EV. Have to say that GM could finally give Jeep a run for it's money.

Sadly, My mind and body are not as advanced age as you and your friends. I doubt you could stay up with me skiing, in the gym or so many other things. Working from home when you have idiots still moving around sick is a smart move. Just finished my 2hr upper body workout in the gym. What did you do to have a strong mind and body today?

Decided to post this https://www.quora.com/How-the-motor-gets-reversed-in-regenerative-braking Engineering speak as to me it is the simplest way to explain this: In dc motor during regenerative baking, the rotation does not change. When regenerative braking is applied,the supply to the armature(rotor) is cut off and supply is given only to the field winding(stator). Due to this,the rotor conductor cuts the stator magnetic field and produce an voltag(emf),this is fed back to the source. The motor will come to stop when the inertia is equal to the emf produced.

It is very weird as I went into the office yesterday and then decided to just work from home as the bulk of my fellow 1200 employees are working from home. The streets are very quiet, people are clearly standing at a distance from everyone and everyone is wiping down their desk, keyboards, mice, etc. using disinfectant wipes. I was walking down the stairs to the cafeteria to get food yesterday and choked on saliva going down the wrong pipe. Talk about people jumping back and moving away from me. Was way too funny. F5 network company closed their 44 floor HQ tower due to needing to be sterilized since employees got sick. Amazon had an employee and is cleaning that building and sent out very strict guidelines. Even Dell sent out a notice about no more shaking hands, no hugging, keep your distance and if you feel at all not well to stay home. Will be an interesting experiment in work from home. I have to wonder how many companies will rethink having a large office if they can get the job done having far more workers work from home.

BIG NEWS BIG NEWS BIG NEWS GM's annual Investor, Analyst and Dealers meeting in Detroit, GM showed off their newest modular platform with a new battery, motors, etc. This new platform will suppor 13 new auto's as GM steps up to compete with Tesla. https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2020-03-04/gm-shows-13-electric-vehicles-as-it-tries-to-run-with-tesla This new battery pack will allow GM to support a 400 mile range in their Hummer by GMC truck and offer other sizes across SUV/TRUCK/CAR models. Starting with the Cadillac Lyriq to be shown April 2nd we will also get a new Chevrolet BOLT CUV, Hummer by GMC pickup as GM moves forward to have out by 2024 as 2025 models the following: 3 Cadillac SUVs, Luxury Car Chevrolet Midsize SUV along with the Bolt compact SUV and full size truck. 2 Buick SUVs GMC Hummer Truck and SUV Cruise Origin, autonomous electric shuttle GM plans to sell 1 million EVs by mid decade

April 2nd we get to see the Cadillac EV unveiling. Cadillac Lyriq EV Not so sure about the name, but like the Cadillac logo on the grill.

Major Battery play is coming from a California start up called Enevate. They have had $111 million invested in them from LG Chem, Samsung and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. Enevate has in their 4th generation of battery technology developed an XFC Silicon Lithium battery. XFC = Extreme Fast Charging Silicon a very common material and easy to produce in a lab as the new Anode material replacing graphite anodes causeing the use of rare earth elements. Battery storage density is 10 times that of current Lithium-ion cells. Batteries available in 2024-2025 model year EVs. Enevate went revolutionary rather than evolutionary like Tesla, Panasonic, etc. has done with keeping the graphite and adding silicon to increase density. Enevate went with a silicon layer, then copper, then silicon building what is believed to be the current dense's anode around. If your a nerd interested in the deeper details of the battery tech, read the full story here: https://chargedevs.com/features/enevate-says-its-silicon-dominant-anode-technology-is-ready-for-ev-production/ Have to say this is exciting as this will help deliver the power density for range and feature functions that people want in full size auto's.

GM Looking to the Future with their 100 year celebration of Futurama.

GM looking to the Future with their 100 year celebration of Futurama.

Your also not the Normal auto owner. Many here do their own maintenance. Looking at the bigger picture of most people who drive their auto and treat it like an appliance. They go to the dealer or some service shop when the auto needs attention. As such, the EVs for the bulk of society are going to be lower cost due to the less maintenance on the auto. Regenerative braking is from within the electric motor, not actual brakes. Full details can be found here with pictures. https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/regenerative-braking.htm To Quote: In a traditional braking system, brake pads produce friction with the brake rotors to slow or stop the vehicle. Additional friction is produced between the slowed wheels and the surface of the road. This friction is what turns the car's kinetic energy into heat. With regenerative brakes, on the other hand, the system that drives the vehicle does the majority of the braking. When the driver steps on the brake pedal of an electric or hybrid vehicle, these types of brakes put the vehicle's electric motor into reverse mode, causing it to run backwards, thus slowing the car's wheels. While running backwards, the motor also acts as an electric generator, producing electricity that's then fed into the vehicle's batteries. These types of brakes work better at certain speeds than at others. In fact, they're most effective in stop-and-go driving situations. However, hybrids and fully electric cars also have friction brakes, as a kind of back-up system in situations where regenerative braking simply won't supply enough stopping power. In these instances, it’s important for drivers to be aware of the fact that the brake pedal might respond differently to pressure.

CNN is reporting that Ford has announced they will sell an All Electric Ford Transit cargo van here in the US. To me sounds like they could be using the Rivian platform as the Amazon vans will come in the same configuration options as the Ford. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/03/cars/ford-electric-transit-cargo-van/index.html To quote the story and Fords info: The electric Transit van will be made available in a variety of body styles, including three different lengths and three different roof heights. Ford will also offer chassis cab configurations in which there's just a bare chassis behind the van's passenger cabin. Chassis cab models are often used as the basis for creating specialized vehicles like shuttle buses and campers.

Good Read on the review of a 2020 GMC Acadia AT4 edition. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/reviews/2020-gmc-acadia-review/ Over all they gave it a 8 out of 10 on the grading scale. The reviewer said shocking is that the 9sp transmission is one of the best they ever reviewed and was silky smooth with the V6. END RESULT: Quote: A useful segment leading choice. Over all they really like this auto. LIKE Powerful acceleration Superb transmission Solid build quality DON'T LIKE No adaptive cruise control Some cheap interior bits So-so seats

Tesla today started to allow folks to add on a new $5,500 option. TRACK PACKAGE that also included new 20" tires with sticky Pilot rubber and software that totally changes the power train. This is for those not concerned about battery range in comparison to performance at the track. https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-model-3-track-package-electric-sedan-order/ Only model 3 Performance packaged auto's will get the update as long as their file shows they also purchased the rest of the hardware. This being tires and rims along with Performance Brake pads.

Here are some sites that have reviewed EV versus ICE ownership. https://www.2degreesinstitute.org/reports/comparing_fuel_and_maintenance_costs_of_electric_and_gas_powered_vehicles_in_canada.pdf Charts and various deeper dive info, but they studied 3 difference research studies on the comparison of near equal EV to ICE auto's and the average ended up being that EV's were 47% less to maintain and operate than an equal like ICE auto. https://www.energysage.com/electric-vehicles/costs-and-benefits-evs/evs-vs-fossil-fuel-vehicles/ Energy Sage is an independent think tank looking at the cost of ownership per year of ICE versus EV. One of the studies they list as used to review costs had this to say and I quote: A 2018 study from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that electric vehicles cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars. The average cost to operate an EV in the United States is $485 per year, while the average for a gasoline-powered vehicle is $1,117. They do state that the largest expense in an EV is the Battery pack. Yet they also state that every year costs have gone down while longevity has gone up. Now this is by an EV pro web site, but I had to crack up laughing as they use the image of the Maytag repair man as it covers the cost of an EV over the first 100,000 miles. https://insideevs.com/news/317307/ev-vs-ice-maintenance-the-first-100000-miles/ I like this as they take it from the approach of a service file covering in details that I think can resonate with many people. Tires: both EV and ICE will need tires and rotations, based on rotation every 7,500 miles you have 13 trips in your first 100,000 miles for both types of auto's. Oil Change: Older auto's used to be 3,000 miles, newer ones run from 3,000 to 7,500, they took 5,000 miles on average, meaning 20 oil changes for ICE over 100,000 miles. Cost $400 to $800. EV = None Automatic transmission: generally recommended service every 100,000 miles. $30 to $100 for ICE and is more if done at garage or dealer. EV = None Coolant: Generally 150,000 miles and you do have to check on it through out the life of the ICE auto. EV, if they have a thermal management system like the Chevrolet Bolt, you will have similar checks. Fuel: ICE they used 12,750 miles a year which would equal 400 trips to the gas station for the first 100,000 miles based on 28 mpg @$3.50 per gallon equal $12,500. EV's plugged and unplugged daily with 90% of charging done at your home based on cost of 3.5 cents per mile equals $3,500 Spark plugs and wires: Usually 100,000 service, DIY $60, Shop $200 EV's = none Muffler: Location and driving determines the life of the muffler and catalytic converter. Short stop n go driving shortens life compared to long trips Muffler $100 to $250, Cat $500 to $1,000. EV's = none Brakes: Depending on the auto, they figure at least 2 trips in the first 100,000. They average $200, $400 over the life, but I know that is more like $400 each time and $800 for the two trips in 100,000. With regenerative brakes, this is cut in half, so $200 or what I believe is $400. Big 100,000 miles service: from Timing belts to water pumps, tune up, etc. They are quoting $900 to $1,100. I can honestly say I think it is more inline with $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the ICE auto. EV's you might have battery issues to deal with which can run $5,000 unless you go refurbished. Yet batteries are getting stronger and better so this is becoming a much smaller issue for most EVs. In reality as they say, you can keep driving an EV even with a reduced battery life, but an ICE with engine issues has a stronger chance of leaving you stranded. Over all, I think the cost of ownership for EVs is half that for the ICE.

Service of an EV is a fraction or much less than that on an ICE auto.

Mach e is on our list along with the Rivian and the Hummer by GMC. I totally agree with you, full size, right combo of feature functions, range, price, etc. etc. etc. they will sell. Bulk of Humanity hates service on auto's and EVs are a fraction of ICE. Humanity will move once all the right pieces are in place.

GM announced that in support of their employees move to EVs that they will add 3,500 charging spots across Canada and the US for their employees to park in and charge while at work. https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2020/mar/0303-ev.html GM is wanting to support their employees making it as convenient as possible for their employees to enjoy the rewards of EV ownership. GM also confirmed in this announcement that Hummer by GMC will be out at the beginning of the 2022 model year or first quarter of 2021 and Cadillac will have their first of many EVs out at the start of the 2023 model year or first quarter of 2022. Be interesting to see how this all goes for GM. The LG/GM battery plant is under 24/7 construction.

GM has also stated while ICE auto's will be here through 2030, they have clearly stated that they will move to retire ICE as they bring out EV equals. As such, I could easily see an E-ROC replacing the Z28 sooner than later and agree with you that I can see the ICE Camaro dead after 2023. At most like Dwight says, could do minor refreshes letting the current model limp along till full replaced by EV versions.

Three months into open reservations and the first year of the 2021 model Mach e is sold out. That is 50,000 auto's sold. You can get all the details here at the Corporate Ford site. With additional info here at the Ford Sales site. Links take you right into the Mach e info. Yet Green Car Reports already took their Media kit and the News Release from those two sites and broke the multiple pages down nicely. The sales are NOT a California Bubble as Ford released a nifty map showing the Mach e sold in every state of the Nation and by the most popular color. Map at the end. Three-quarters of the Mach e sold are AWD in every state except Connecticute, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire where the Ratio is 90%. 30% of the Mach e sold are the AWD High-performance GT edition. Ford is not releasing at this time what percentage is the First Edition Model nor how many exact units sold in each state only listing where the units have been reserved sold with the $500 deposit. Like the Interior, but would want it in one of the two tone colors rather than all black. I REALLY HOPE they have Dark Mode for that huge screen.

Agree when you talk that price or the price of the Bentley above at $1.9 Million. I honestly cannot think of what really would say this is a million dollar interior. Then a $1,000 to people that buy stuff like this is like $10 to us. They live in a world way outside the common human.

GKN just built and delivered their 1 millionth EV compact power train unit for cars/cuvs and is now developing it's next generation unit which will cover 80 -155 kW power and 2,000 to 5,800 NM or for us Standard peeps, that is 107 to 207 HP and 1,475 to 4,277 lb-ft or Torque depending on controller used with the motor. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/gkn-developing-new-versions-of-edrive-technology-as-sales-increase/

First big Sale by LordsTown Motors, new owners of the old Cruze plant. To quote the story: Northeast Ohio’s Voltage Valley: Akron, Ohio-based FirstEnergy, an electric utility that serves over 6 million customers, has agreed to buy 250 Endurance electric pickup trucks from Lordstown Motors. https://chargedevs.com/newswire/ohio-utility-orders-250-lordstown-endurance-electric-pickups/

Auto show is dead, but Bentley, division of VW just released their new limited production to being 12 copies only built, all 12 sold at $1.9 million each of the Bentley Bacalar with a W12 650 hp 667 lb-ft torque AWD 2 door open coupe. https://www.autonews.com/geneva-auto-show/limited-run-bentley-bacalar-all-about-exclusivity UGLY UGLY UGLY for that amount of money! Wealth does not insure taste.

So a Second Amendment dream come true. Shoot them, Shoot them all and let God sort them out! ?