Featured Threads Archive
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What Drives Us Podcast - #161 Maximum Bobbing - What Drives Us
This week Tony, Paul and Russell take on… Consumer Reports downgrades Tesla reliability… http://www.hybridcars.com/consumer-reports-downgrades-tesla-model-s-to-below-average-reliability/1 Bob Lutz reared up on his hind legs this week in a desperate and rather flaccid attempt to regain the relevancy he never really had… http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a26859/bob-lutz-tesla/ Only 16%? http://www.hybridcars.com/kbb-used-volkswagen-tdi-values-drop-16-percent/?utm_content=buffer9e2f7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer Speaking of VW http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100229_epa-will-test-new-car-emissions-on-the-road-after-vw-scandal?fbfanpage&utm_content=buffer865e2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer BEV versus hybrid http://www.theicct.org/blogs/staff/US-cities-where-electric-vehicles-make-sense Possible last minute entry? […]
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Gas Prices Shrink as Inventory Swells
First off, I'm conflicted about this report because there is a seasonal softening of gas prices in the fall. Gas prices typically reach a low point around Thanksgiving/Christmas until around February when they rise again. But here it is again: Gas Prices Shrink as Inventory Swells | TheDetroitBureau.com
Falling crude oil prices and big inventories have contributed to the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline moving lower with the average price at the pump has fallen for 17 consecutive days, for a total savings of 12 cents per gallon, according to the latest survey from AAA.
Motorists are enjoying lower prices at the pump, with the average reflecting a discount of six cents per gallon week-over-week and nine cents per gallon month-over-month. Prices remain significantly lower than this same date last year and the national average is down 85 cents per gallon and the... -
EV charging, CO2 and delayed charging
Study Shows Nissan LEAF Emits Less CO2 Than Prius Plugin and Volt In Many U.S. Markets - Torque News
Apparently charging at night produces more CO2 due to heavy reliance on coal.
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Electric Cars have a long way to go to make a dent in the Oil Consumption of Cars/Trucks
A bit depressing, but a dose of cold reality. This is 2013 data. I hope it is ground zero and that 2014 data will at least register at least a twitch of the needle.
Fact #896: October 26, 2015 More than 80% of Transportation Energy Use is Highway Fuel Use | Department of Energy -
GM paying $145 per kilowatt hour
Source: AD #1727 – Tesla Model S Misses Cut, Ferrari’s Value, LG Chem Unhappy With GM – Autoline Daily
. . . GM told analysts earlier this month that it’s only paying $145 per kilowatt hour for its battery cells, about $100 cheaper than what anyone else is paying. That prompted another battery supplier to provide Autoline Daily with an English translation of what the Korean media is reporting about the deal. According to a report in E Today, LG Chem is ticked off. It can’t understand why General Motors would disclose the price of the batteries because now all of LG’s other customers will be asking for the same price. . . .
I remember an article that claims at $125/kWhr is the break-even point for when an EV reaches parity with an engine. Perhaps someone has a reference to articles trading off battery cost vs engine cars?
Bob Wilson -
What Drives Us Podcast - #160 You’re Number One - What Drives Us
This week, Russell, Tony, Evan and Mark work over Tesla’s new 7.0 operating system, Toyota’s love for all things hydrogen and much more. Yes, we do think you’re number one.
Read more about this episode on WhatDrives.Us -
Toyota to stop selling Traditional Gasoline Vehicles by 2050
I don't know why they're going with 2050, I think 2030 is doable if not sooner! I don't see why all cars today aren't hybrids. Even with just a few MPG saved it's better than not. But I guess too many die hard combustion engine fans out there still. 2050 will be a new generation of car buyers that have never know that there wasn't a hybrid option available. By 2050 most of us currently on this forum will either be in diapers again or dead.
Toyota Plans To Stop Selling Traditional Gasoline Cars By 2050
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Toyota's statement regarding emissions testing
Oct. 14, 2015
Toyota is committed to complying with applicable laws and regulations, and does not engage in vehicle emissions testing manipulation. Customers can continue to drive our vehicles with peace of mind. Our approach continues to be the development of low emission systems that respond rapidly to ever-changing global environmental requirements. -
VW going electric
Announced today:
MEB electric toolkit
An MEB electric toolkit for future use in compact segment vehicles is to be developed based on the experience gained with existing vehicle architectures. This will be a multi-brand toolkit suitable for both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and will thus leverage synergies from other electric vehicle projects in the Group. The standardized system will be designed for all body structures and vehicle types, thus allowing particularly emotional vehicle concepts, and will enable an all-electric range of 250 to 500 kilometers.
Phaeton redefined – the future is electric
The Volkswagen Phaeton has embodied the brand's technological competence and brand ambition from the first generation onward. The future generation of the Phaeton will once again be the flagship for the brand's profile over the next decade. In light of this, the Board of Management redefined the current project. The specification features a pure electric... -
Toyota, others ask for 70% increase in pollution, NOx
I'm not surprised. I'm sure VW is not the only company using "creative accounting" to pass the tests. In the past Volvo, GM, Honda, and Ford were caught by the EPA, and I think they're about to get caught again.
I WAS surprised to learn hybrids are harder to pass because when the engine is off, the catalytic converter cools & stops neutralizing the NOx and CO.
"Despite the cloud cast by the Volkswagen scandal, automakers are proposing that they be allowed a 70 percent increase in the nitrogen oxides their cars emit..... .....The automakers are essentially conceding what outside groups have said for some time — that the industry cannot meet pollution regulations when cars are taken out of testing laboratories."... -
What Drives Us Podcast - #159 Crowdsourcing the Panel - What Drives Us
First and foremost, big thanks to Tom Stangl and Bruce Nowrocki for being on the show this week, our first ever, crowdsourced panelists. As usual, thanks as well to all our regular, hard working panelists, Patrick, Paul, Mark and our special panelists tackle… Porsche picks Apple CarPlay over Android Auto http://www.ibtimes.com/porsche-picks-apple-carplay-over-android-auto-due-privacy-concerns-google-data-2128769 Toyota wants the Thai […]
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Over 1,000 people interested in the Mirai
More Than 1,000 People Want 2016 Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Should be very interesting to see how people like the Mirai. And additionally, how reliable the hydrogen filling stations will be. Hope we see some scenarios where 3-6+ people need to fill up at the same time. -
Just saw the awesome 'Dog chase a Prius' commerical
Well done!!!
It is the first time I've seen a Prius commercial that didn't make me want to hang my head in shame!
THANK YOU TOYOTA!
Bob Wilson
ps. Some pricks are posting the YouTube with false claims about 'dog abuse'. Screw them! It is a laughing out loud funny commercial and the best I've ever seen. -
Dashboard Summary: September 2015
Source: September 2015 Dashboard - HybridCars.com
model Sep_15 Aug_15 Jul_15 Jun_15 1 Prius Liftback 9952 10450 11203 9559 2 Ram Pickup Diesel 3836 4093 4775 5050 3 Prius C 3367 3844 3517 2756 4 Camry Hybrid 2629 3314 2756 2755 5 Prius V 2575 3119 2620 2272 6 Model S 2400 1600 1800 2800 7 Fusion Hybrid 2002 2441 2157 1691 8 i3* 1710 792 935 551 9 C-Max Hybrid 1247 1501 1225 1814 10 Leaf 1247 1393 1174 2074 11 Sonata 1185 1647 1837 2334 12 Optima Hybrid 1136 1167 873 897 13 CT200h 1131 1504 1374 1118 14 Avalon Hybrid 1064 1322 1175 973 15 Volt 949 1380 1313 1225 16 ES Hybrid 907 1281 891 711 17 Accord Hybrid 854 1369 1481 1241 18 Golf Sportwagon Diesel 834 1977 2174 1506 19 Fusion Energi 808 949 852 727 20 Passat Diesel 779 1991 2372 2489 21 C-Max Energi 719 723 693 667 22 Jetta Diesel 674 1820 1999 1852 23 Civic Hybrid 613 590 463 391 24 MKZ 596 713 725 700 25 RX 400 / 450 h 443 599 530 486 26 Q5 Diesel 406 421 567 462 27 Touareg Diesel 373 411 374 328 28 XV Crosstrek... -
October 8th
A resolution designating October 8, 2015, as “National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day”
A date chosen in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008). The occasion is intended to raise awareness of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies that provide reliable and resilient power, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase America's energy security.
A resolution designating October 8, 2015, as “National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day”. (S.Res. 217) - GovTrack.us
USA Hydrogen Stations (51 in California by 2016):
Toyota Mirai – The Turning Point
Europe Hydrogen Station Map:
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What Drives Us Podcast - #158 Tesla Model X reveal - What Drives Us
Yes, we talk the inside, the outside and everything in between on the Tesla Model X this week, as well dissect some new Volt ads and briefly mention hydrogen. Featuring: Russell Frost Tony Schaefer Patrick Connor Mark Coughlan My 2MN: One more reason why Jeremy Clarkson is an oversized douche http://www.theweek.co.uk/jeremy-clarkson/62887/jeremy-clarkson-comes-to-the-defence-of-volkswagen In addition to our […]
Read more about this episode on WhatDrives.Us -
Model X - the features you need for the zombie appocalypse
Tesla launches Model X SUV with a focus on safety
Thought this was a joke at first, but its a real feature. Pretty cool. You can also take your hands off the wheel and foot off the accelerator so that you can use your other weapons to fight zombies, vampires, or mutants
Tesla Autopilot has gone live for select beta testers...
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