Featured Threads Archive

There are reports this complaint has been filed:
https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/12903053


We've seen similar patent disputes in the past that tried to block large format NiMH battery cells and the micro-controller, Prius transmission. Patent sitting comes to mind but there are times when innovation has occurred and the patent owner deserves the win. I say this because I have an open mind and a court filing without deposition and discovery is just one side. So I went to:

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

To see if there were any open court filings, I went to the district court web page and could find no case titled with either Nikola and/or Tesla in the title. Perhaps someone with more legal skills (calling @hill) or others might give some...

Mercedes May Recall 600,000 C, G-Class Autos After Emission Cheating Detailed - Sputnik International

Ya gotta give it to the German auto industry. They really seem to walk in lock step.
.

Source: Tesla agrees to settle class action over Autopilot billed as 'safer' | Reuters

So basically Dodge's marketing team accidentally said that electric vehicles are better than their gas guzzler car with their disclaimer.

Can't wait to see the Tesla Roadster 2.0 racing this car in a few years.

Dodge Challenger Demon ad turns into best electric vehicle advertising yet | Electrek

Automakers have announced they are going electric, are investing $150 billion, and are deploying hundreds of new EV models that will eventually produce at least 13 million EVs globally per year.




Quote: "Many strategic plans are not announced, so the actual investments are likely much
greater than shown. Considering the incomplete parts of the table, like investments
by General Motors and Toyota, the cumulative investment amount is likely to be much
larger. For example, GM indicated it would reach 20 all-electric models by 2023 and turn
a profit by 2023, but has not made an announcement about its total investment level.
Likewise, BMW and BYD have had among the largest deployment of electric vehicles to
date, but estimates of their investments were not forthcoming."


That's just one takeaway from the new report from The International Council of Clean Transporation. You can find their full...

Honda's New 186-Mile Electric Fit Will Be Priced Below $20,000

Now, I just wonder if they'll sell them nationwide in the US, or if they'll still only sell them in California/CARB states.

I do love that it's now comparable in price to entry level sedans. Even though the range isn't the greatest, and I'm assuming that 186 EV miles isn't on the EPA test cycle, at such a fairly low price relative to other EV's, it should get a lot of attention, and potentially sales, if Honda doesn't hamstring availability.

Source: Comrade Musk Wants to Launch “Pravda” Website to Rate Journalists | TheDetroitBureau.com

Most of the article is a demonstration of media malpractice. So I posted this comment:

Hopefully just a passing whim?

Automakers: Trump asks for security investigation of vehicle imports

First thing: no it's not April 1st. (see pics on installation) Second thing: I have no affiliation with product or vendor.



or

Toyota Prius Rangemore Extended Range 10 Kwh Battery Pack | eBay

Source:


The interesting thing is using Model S battery modules to power the car.

Bob Wilson

ps. This probably offends Clarkson.

Why are so many electric cars (still) only sold in California?

http://www.hybridcars.com/tesla-model-3-doesnt-get-consumer-reports-recommendation/

Brakes, ride quality, controls, rear seat comfort.

But the biggest issue was stopping distance and they tried their tests with two sample cars, one they bought and an owner's car.

Consumer Reports, Edmunds report problems with purchased Tesla Model 3 test cars - Autoblog

So many problems Edmunds created a shared doc detailing the issues they have had.

Monthly Update for April 2018 - 2017 Tesla Model 3 Long-Term Road Test

See attached PDF.


Prius Prime is 2/3rds of all April Prius sales (so basically the regular Prius is holding steady near 150 units a month on average). The Camry Hybrid takes up 26% of all Camry sales and the RAV4 Hybrid accounted for 12% of all RAV4 sales (but the RAV4 Hybrid is the best selling Toyota hybrid and right now, it's beating the Corolla as the best selling Toyota in Canada).

Also interesting to note. Total Prius sales for the first 4 months of 2018 is 1,556 units (this includes...

The newly married Duke & Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry traveled from Windsor Castle to Frogmore House in a silver-blue Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero.

It was originally manufactured in 1968 but has since been converted to electric.




From Autoblog:
"Jaguar left as much of the original 1968 Series 1.5 E-Type in tact as possible while replacing the original inline-six engine with an electric motor and battery pack. Enough power is sent to the rear wheels to push this feline from 0-62 in just 5.5 seconds. That means it's quicker now than it was when new and chugging on gasoline."

I just saw a commercial for the BMW I series cars on TV. It looks like it was part of the Blade Runner 2049 movie.

(emphasis is my own)

Shoppers in Canada may wait nearly a year to buy new Chevy Bolt EV

Beyond the aero "tweaks", the truck has a hybridized drive train along with solar panels to power accessories.
The individual/company Shell is partnered with holds the record for fuel economy in a filled truck at 13.4mpg. He was only getting 4.4mpg back in the mid-80's when he started his company.

They plan to start a fuel economy run with this latest truck in about 3 days.

Shell has a plan to match Tesla with energy-efficient long-haul truck
There is links to others in the article.

My understanding is Tesla Model 3 reservations exceed 400,000. Then I started following the VIN tracking of Model 3 production.

Source: Tesla Model 3 VIN Registrations Blow Past 40,000


Of course this could be Tesla having a little fun with the skeptics and VIN counters. But it does fit the "S curve" learning model: The learning curve


Bob Wilson

1979 Avanti 100 % ELECTRIC Conversion using Nissan Leaf donor car | eBay

I think the old body shell on a new chassis idea is catching on. The price is a jaw dropper though...

Bill the Engineer