G. David Felt

Very cool to see that the Major Technical Schools are offering EV Certified training with heavy input from the OEM Auto Companies. Charged EVs | Universal Technical Institute to add EV repair training to its Ford certification program - Charged EVs

Those are just crazy prices. Glad some rich people have that kind of coin to throw around. Is that not an Add on AC unit for the auto?

Have to say I am really enjoying the GMC Hummer commercials they have on their website. PAYING HOMAGE TO THE KING OF CRABWALK | EV Insider (gmc.com)

Interesting, Toyota is shut down due to cyber-attack today. An estimated 13,000 auto production lost. Toyota halts operations in Japan after suspected cyberattack - UPI.com

Totally agree, that there is good if not great tech here, but the overall package is a FAILURE IMHO due to the styling inside and especially out. Honestly, based on the platform of the motors, electronics and battery pack, I think the Style was a last minute task, make it cut through the air very efficient as we cannot compete against Tesla with what we have right now, close if it will slip through the air. AKA Jellybean EQS, EQE, EQE-AMG, etc. etc. etc. etc. FAILURE to me.

Started in 2013 at the University of Maryland Chemistry lab, ceramic solid-state batteries we the brainchild of Dr. Greg Hitz and Dr. Eric Wachsman. The focus was to increase energy density while making it safer and this gained attention when Samsung Note Phones, especially the Note 7 started to catch fire in 2016. As per the Wall Street story, the United States is far behind the global rivals in the race for energy supremacy in the Green New World. With this, the idea is to catch up and surpass the competition by having a safer energy dense battery. What was a small investment at the beginning by the department of energy has now grown with $8 million in seed money in 2019 into a full-blown battery business called ION Storage. ION Storage will start production on a cell phone size battery pack for the U.S. soldiers which has 50% increase in energy density for the same size and weight of current flammable lithium-ion batteries. Now comes the award from the United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC, a group created in 1992 for advanced research of batteries for the auto industry that has been headed by GM, FORD and Stellantis (Formerly FCA) with input from the DOE. This USABC assessment program contract with ION Storage is a 15 month project that will demonstrate the ION Storage Systems high-rate, high-energy density, solid-state batteries as a safe and versatile option for a wide range of automotive applications that includes a 50% cost share with the USABC. The DOE believes that the electrochemical energy storage is a key enabling technology for advanced, fuel-efficient, light and heavy-duty vehicle application. The Tehcnologies and Teams that the USABC is working on are as follows, advanced propulsion, electrical/electronics, energy storage, hydrogen and fuel cell, manufacturing, materials and of course safety, you can read everything here: USCAR: Technologies & Teams ION Storage Systems has contracts for their solid-state batteries which will go to the Defense and aerospace customers allowing an expected generation of revenue by the end of 2023. CREB, center for research in extreme batteries showcased ION Storage Systems in January of 2022. ION Storage Systems has 4 distinct industry verticals that they are focused on: Defense & Aerospace Consumer Electronics Electric Vehicles Grid Storage The Defense and Aerospace segment is needing a safe battery for deployment into extreme use cases with a wide operating temperature and significant energy density over current battery tech that is made in America. Here ION Storage had hit all requirements. Consumer electronics is a space with huge growth potential as battery density in the same packaging is a drive by all tech companies for their latest product releases from cell phones to laptops and ION believes their 50% increase in energy density delivers on that. Due to the Samsung phone fires of years past, nonflammable batteries are another requirement and here ION delivers along with the need for extreme temperature operating range. Just think of your current 8hr battery life on a cell phone now being 12hrs in the same form factor and with dramatically reduced charge time which ION has shown. ION is the only Solid-State battery tech that has achieved the ARPA-E and DOE VTO fast-charge goals for Li-cycling at room temperature, reducing the need for complex cooling. Electric vehicles are another space where ION batteries can really benefit the industry. A low cost per kWh, increased energy density extending EV range, shorter wait times with DOE achieved fast charging in a wide range of temperatures again reducing the need for complex cooling systems and mass and a simple battery that has reduced dead space and compression. The final vertical as stated above is the Grid Storage where again low cost per kWh, energy density is a win, but better yet is the nonflammable nature of these batteries and with no complex cooling required, an increase in roundtrip efficiency of electrical storage. We have covered many batteries startup companies here at Cheers and Gears and they all bring something different to the table. Solid-State is the next level of batteries for many industries and ION is a unique one based on Ceramic. Let's take a closer look at this battery tech. ION Storage Systems has posted a very clear powerpoint type web page and as such, we have the following slides: Here is an example of comparing ION Solid-State battery cell to the competition. ION Storage Systems has a simple philosophy about who they are: WE ARE a carefully cultivated team of seasoned battery industry geeks who know inside and out how batteries have always been made. We're passionate about power! No, not that kind of power. We know how batteries should work and more importantly, what keeps them from working as well as they could. THAT'S WHY we knew we had to shake-up how batteries were made if we were going to make YOU a better battery. You know that old saying - doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity! Well, that's what other companies have been doing with Lithium Ion for over 30 years. SO WE re-imagined not just how batteries are made but what makes them. We merged two technologies that no one's merged before, and the results are a battery that's simply remarkable. And yeah, we're a little cocky about it. We make sure your batteries are safer and stronger - so your products can protect their users and outlast the competition. They're lighter and more rugged - removing design barriers you've had to live with for way too long. AND WE do it right here in Maryland. Imagine that - shaping the future right here in the U.S.A. America's always been a powerful place. We're delighted to be a part of powering America's next=generation of possibility. TAP INTO THE POWER OF ION That pretty much sums up the latest battery tech company that is making waves and looks to power your auto today and the future BEVs of America and then the world. For those that want to read about other battery companies, you can also look at the last battery story here: U.S. Bets on Faster-Charging Battery in Race to Catch Energy Rivals - WSJ Prince George’s startup Ion Storage Systems raises $30M to make batteries for the Army and others - Washington Business Journal (bizjournals.com) Media | Ion Storage Systems Ion Storage Systems Intrinsically Safe Solid State Battery Defense Sector Continues Support of Ion Storage’s Extreme “Soldier” Battery | Business Wire USCAR: News Release: USABC AWARDS $487,310 BEYOND LITHIUM-ION TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM CONTRACT TO ION STORAGE SYSTEMS USCAR: The United States Council for Automotive Research View full article

WOW, you really are stuck in a single thought track of just 2021. The statement is very clear talking about the past before PANDEMIC when OEMs built crazy amount of auto's, had huge lots full of unsold inventory and then had to slap discounts on the hoods at one point getting to 5 figures to move them. You slap me for not thinking of the physical numbers of sold autos in this country to other statements. I get that in certain context I understand you stating a certain statement, but for a Pandemic that is 2 years old, one would think it was clear and understandable that any mention of the old type of business is over. Psychology 101 teaches that it takes people 6 to 9 months at the least to change habits. 12 to 18 months for new habits to become the new norm. As such, one can clearly understand that going back to the way things were before 2020 is not going to happen. Society has changed and with it, the way people were used to doing business. Auto industry is a perfect example, you can drive around to those jumbo dealers and see their huge, paved lots mostly empty now. The largest selection of autos is used. Pretty clear when a CEO of a company of a general person post or says something about going back to the way things were, pre-pandemic is understood. Many businesses are now stating things just like this that even with mask mandates being removed, many people are not going to just go back to how things were in 2019. Buying items even autos has changed.

@ccap41 @balthazar @surreal1272 Let's keep this in proper perspective. As ccap41 has posted, Kia EV6 started sales in Korea in August and exports to Europe only then. Limited release of the EV6 First Edition Trim, which Kia has hit their sales numbers for Korea and Europe. They have only recently started the delivery of the 1,500 First Edition Trim EV6 here in the U.S. but have clearly stated that all models will be shipping to dealers throughout the year with the performance GT available late 2022. As such, we can expect to see their monthly sales numbers for North America, Europe and Korea go up one would expect month after month. The U.S. numbers will go up as they go to North America monthly numbers as Canada gets the EV6 started in Spring. First Edition Launch will happen and then the rest of the model line will show up over the months there. One has to wonder how much pressure Kia will put on their dealers to NOT add second adjusted market stickers. I hope Kia follows through on changing allocation depending on how a dealership treats the customer and price charged.

Since some can only think of a single year, 2021, edit this to be even more clear. Seems in the latest interview, GM has stated that large lots of prebuilt autos are over, they will never go back to that type of business (PRE-PANDEMIC) in building volume to have a ton of product and then heavy discounts to move it at the end of the year. Welcome to the 21 centuries of build to order or pay MSRP for the few auto options on the lot. GM's Barra expects high new-car prices and low inventory for 2022 (freep.com)

Very interesting read about how one state is taking away the ability for self-driving autos to ensure DUI can be enforced. Tesla, Ford and General Motors Get Some Very Sobering News - TheStreet

Some things I like about it, but otherwise for the over all style, very blah.

The Pandemic had at the start made investors fearful that companies would be hurt, and profits and stock payouts would fall if not be stopped right out as companies looked to find ways to save cash as people stayed home due to Covid-19. Yes, some companies did stop many things and some companies even closed due to the global pandemic, yet Auto companies found that having control of a tight inventory actually pushed up record profits and in this their workers have also prospered along with the executives. Here we are posting just how well the OEM auto companies have done for their workers. 44,000 UAW members, GM employees were eligible profit-sharing payouts of up to $10,250. GM is negotiating in good faith with the UAW to also address due to the chip shortage those employees that were unable to be eligible for profit-sharing due to plant closures. GM employees since 2015 have earned $72,000 in profit-sharing bonuses. 56,000 UAW members, Ford employees are eligible for $7,377 profit-sharing. Ford is expecting even better earning in 2022 which should push up next year's profit-sharing. 43,000 UAW members, Stellantis employees are eligible for $14,670 profit-sharing, the largest in 35 years since the bonus cap was removed. 100,000 Unionized employees at Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG will receive $6,762-dollar profit-sharing bonuses. As more auto companies announce their results this story will be updated. As profits soar for the auto company segment, one must ask will this increased profitability keep the dealer lots on the lean side of inventory? Is a made to order model the new 21st century model of how to buy an auto? GM autoworkers eligible for up to $10,250 in profit-sharing for 2021 (detroitnews.com) Ford's UAW workforce to get average of $7,377 in profit-sharing checks (freep.com) Stellantis UAW workforce set for $14,670 profit-sharing checks (freep.com) Mercedes-Benz Giving German Employees Record Bonus, Close to $7,000 - autoevolution View full article

Mercedes-Benz has marketed for the last few decades with the tag line of "The Best or Nothing!" This February, Mercedes-AMG, the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz announced the two newest members to the BEV family of cars, EQE 43 and EQE 53. These two cars will ride on the EVA2 electric luxury and premium platform exclusive to the AMG line. This platform has had particularly focused attention to the areas of the drive, brakes, sound, exterior and interior design and specific equipment, ensuring a dynamic and emotively appealing AMG driving experience for the AMG connoisseur. This EVA2 platform will allow the following specifications for the EQE43 and EQE53: One interesting observation is that Mercedes-AMG is not building to the 800 VOLT level that Porsche, Audi, BMW, VW, GM, Ford, Hyundai and Kia have all committed to building at which makes one wonder if their 80% recharge time in 15 minutes can be achieved. AMG has stated that their models have always stood for "Emotionality". As such, the hallmark of the AMG Driving experience is an important one and one that will deliver in all three driving modes, Balanced, Sport and Powerful. These modes will be available in both the Authentic and optional Performance programs on the EQE53 with AMG Dynamic Plus Package. Before once thinks we are talking about the actual driving experience of how the car performs, this is actually the Audio experience of how the car sounds. AMG will use their auto sound system to deliver a unique sound experience using special speakers, bass actuator and a sound generator. This AMG Sound Experience is based on the current driving status, the selected drive program or the driver's wishes for both inside and outside audio experience. In regard to actual driving, the AMG platform will have AMG specific electric motors built into the front and rear axle for the ultimate performance. These motors have been built with an optimal balance of power, efficiency and noise comfort. The EQE43 motors have AMG specific tuning and control whereas the EQE53 will have additional adapted windings and laminations for higher currents and a specific inverter enabling higher engine speeds and more power which is noticeable during acceleration and top speed. Rear electric motors will have a six-phase design with two windings with three phases each delivering a strong magnetic field. The AMG-specific liquid cooling system will allow repeated acceleration maneuvers without any needed prep time. The transmission has an oil heat exchanger that also includes a preheated mode for cold starts to increase efficiency. The battery pack for both of these cars is a 90.6 kWh, ten modules with a total of 360 pouch cells. The battery management system is tuned specifically for AMG. The advanced pouch design has a reduced cobalt content for a high density, high charge / discharge life cycle consisting of nickel, cobalt and manganese in a ratio of 8:1:1. The new battery design by Mercedes allows for short charging times using a charging system up to 170 kW of fast charging with direct current. The onboard charger allows charging from home at 11 kW or public using the 22 kW. Mercedes warrants the battery pack for 10 years and 250,000 kilometers (155,000 miles) whichever comes first. Mercedes has taken a copy of one feature that was first on Ford ICE autos with their Flex not having a gas cap but a gas filler seal around the door that you open to fuel the Flex. You have this here in how they have sealed the door to the charge port unlike Tesla with no seal on the door, but two rubber covers you have to apply to the ports. As seen in the picture below, you also have the rubber seals over the ports in addition to the door seal. The cars will have three levels of intelligent energy recuperation or what most people are familiar with as regeneration and can be activated via a switch on the steering wheel. You will have the ability to have one-pedal driving or traditional brake driving. AMG all-wheel drive system will continuously distribute torque between front and rear wheels based on driving situation. This is done checking 160 times per second and the torque will be balanced also depending on the actual driving mode of the powertrain. One can choose between Comfort, Sport and Sport+ where torque is changed from balanced in Comfort mode to a heavy rear-bias in the interests of greater lateral dynamics in Sport+ mode. The ride of these AMG cars is an adaptable AMG RIDE CONTROL+. This air suspension with adaptive adjustable damping on a four-link front axle and multilink rear suspension. To quote the press release: The adaptive adjustable damping uses two so-called pressure limiting valves. These continuously variable control valves located outside the damper allow the damping force to be adjusted even more precisely to different driving conditions and drive programs: one valve controls the rebound phase, i.e. the force generated when the wheel rebounds; the other controls the compression phase when the wheel compresses. The rebound and compression phases are controlled independently of each other. This technology makes it possible to increase comfort on the one hand, but also to make the driving dynamics even sportier on the other hand. The suspension control unit analyses data – including data from the acceleration and wheel path sensors – to adjust the damping force for each wheel in a few milliseconds to suit the situation. The AMG developers were able to significantly increase the spread between sportiness and comfort. Among other things, by widening the spread between minimum and maximum damping force characteristics, as well as even greater flexibility in characteristic mapping. By using the two adjustment valves, the damper is able to provide damping force adjustment across the full range of wheel vibrations. Thanks to the special design of the valves, the damper reacts quickly and sensitively to changing road surfaces and driving conditions. Another AMG standard for these cars is rear axle steering with turn out and turn in depending on the speed. Below 60 km/h the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels. At 60 km/h and faster the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels. These BEVs will also have the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs where the driver at a touch of a button can change to preset driving characteristics in five modes. Due to the dynamic nature of these AMG Saloon cars, they will come with six-piston brake calipers in the front and single piston calipers in the rear. Standard brakes are 415x33 mm front and 378x22 rear. Optional AMG Ceramic brake system uses 440x40 mm in the front and only in conjuntion with the upgraded 21" rims versus the standard 20" rims. AMG has taken the design philosophy of the class leading EQS to a performance level with its one-bow lines and cab-forward design with a fastback allowing it to be clearly distinguishable from the ICE auto versions. Here you can see the difference between the 43 and 53. One will have to look very close as the differences are very subtle between the two. Interior design is where Mercedes says they have applied AMG dominated style-defining touches that the AMG buyer expects. The following list is just some of the points they say you will have inside these autos. AMG Hyperscreen is an optional upgrade on the dash. Instrument panel and beltlines in space grey ARTICO man-made leather with NEOTEX grain and red topstitching Door center panels and also transition from center console to instrument panel in black MICROCUT microfiber with red topstitching AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather, with flattened lower section, perforated in the grip area with silver-colored aluminum paddles for setting various recuperation levels, in addition to standard AMG steering wheel buttons AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and door sill trims with AMG lettering (illuminated with exchangeable cover) EQE43 Dash EQE53 Dash Chairs for the interior with adaptable head rests. Technical chart as per the press release: Additional details can be read at the links below. Mercedes-AMG EQE: Two new all-electric performance saloons from Affalterbach - Mercedes-Benz Group Media Mercedes-AMG EQE, PAD, 2022 - Mercedes-Benz Group Media Latest pictures - Mercedes-Benz Group Media View full article

Interesting story on product demands moving people to EV more than Gas prices. Study: Product means more than gas prices in stoking EV demand (greencarreports.com) Quote: Why did the Model Y cause such a spike in EV intent while the Model 3 didn’t? “Americans want SUVs and are increasingly disinterested in sedans,” Kim told Green Car Reports, citing a simple market reality. “So, the introduction of the Model Y, along with other electric SUVs introduced during the pandemic like Mustang Mach-E, has resulted in a significant increase in demand in a way that the Model 3 sedan could not, despite its own popularity.” AutoPacific predicts total electric vehicle sales of about 700,000 in 2022, with the total rising to more than 900,000 sales in 2023, then accelerating over the following couple of years, passing 2 million in 2026 and hitting 2.5 million in 2027. The firm noted that 75% of consumers see EVs as the “way to the future,” yet 89% of respondents still plan to buy something other than an EV as their next vehicle. “Conquesting consumers out of gasoline, diesel, and hybrid vehicles—none of which require changes in daily routine to accommodate charging—will continue to be an uphill challenge for years to come,” the company said in summation.

Seems at the Stellantis Feb 23rd 2022 yearly reporting live broadcast, they announced that Fiat would go pure electric in Europe starting 2027 with select markets having a few ICE / Hybrids left over but would be 100% electric sales only by 2030. Tried to look at the report on Stellantis, but they have not released the recording yet. Fiat Wants To Only Sell Electric Cars In Europe After 2027 (insideevs.com) Press Releases | Stellantis Seems Hybrid and Electric is the total focus on the Fiat Media Page. New 500 | Fiat | Stellantis

I understand the point your stating @balthazar as ICE will be around for a while. Yet as we move to a pure EV sale only by 2030-2035, trade school training will change and folks then that choose a career to be a mechanic will have less interest in ICE and especially carbureted auto's than EV. I would expect to see more and more ICE powertrains pulled and replaced by E-crate solutions. Just got my request to answer questions as GM plans their e-Crate powertrain roll out as well as installation into older ICE auto's. This I expect to happen faster than slower as we have already seen how the younger generations are taking to electronics with far less interest in older ICE type products. Heck even moving to electric yard tools is changing faster than the hell of owning ice power tools.

We have all been told, large-scale electric vehicle adoption can and will greatly reduce emissions from vehicle tailpipes giving us cleaner air. We have also been told by industry analysts that increased indirect emissions from electricity production and battery production that are not regulated by transport policies will offset the change from ICE to BEV having no affect. With these two statements in mind, a group from Yale SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT set out to study which statement is true, or truest in regard to the BEVs assembly and use in society. The OEM auto industry is right now in the midst of a major multi-billion-dollar investment of creating and building electric vehicles here in the U.S. and for global consumption with many of these auto companies stating by 2030 to end ICE auto's building and focus 100% on building and selling BEVs only worldwide. The Yale School of the Environment study has been published in Nature Communications. The study found that the total indirect emissions from electric vehicles pale in comparison to the indirect emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles. This is in addition to the direct emissions from combusting fossil fuels, either at the tailpipe for ICE vehicles or at the power plant smokestack for electricity generation, showing electric vehicles have a clear advantage emissions-wise over ICE vehicles. To quote Stephanie Weber, postdoctoral associate: “The surprising element was how much lower the emissions of electric vehicles were,” “The supply chain for combustion vehicles is just so dirty that electric vehicles can’t surpass them, even when you factor in indirect emissions.” Question one would ask, what is the major concern with electric vehicles? Answer, the electric vehicles supply chain, including the mining and processing of raw materials and the manufacturing of batteries is far from clean. Quote from the study on this: “So, if we priced the carbon embodied in these processes, the expectation is electric vehicles would be exorbitantly expensive. It turns out that’s not the case; if you level the playing field by also pricing the carbon in the fossil fuel vehicle supply chain, electric vehicle sales would actually increase.” Also, according to the press release from Yale, the study considered future technological change, such as decarbonization of the electricity supply and found this strengthened the result that electric vehicles dominate when indirect supply chain emissions are accounted for. The research team gathered data using a National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) created by the Energy Information Administration, which models the entire U.S. energy system using detailed information from the current domestic energy system and a forecast of the future of the electric system. Wolfram completed a life cycle assessment that provided outputs of indirect emissions, which were then plugged into the NEMS model to see how a carbon tax on these indirect emissions would change the behavior of consumers and manufacturers. Weber assisted in modifying the NEMS code. According to the Wolfram, the study shows that "the elephant in the room is the supply chain of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, not that of electric vehicle." In countries with a sufficiently decarbonized electricity supply, like the U.S., the faster we switch to electric vehicles, the better. Yale_Study_EV-Emissions.pdf Interesting enough is that studies that have been done have always pointed to life cycle of the BEV and yet no study till now has been done to the life cycle of an ICE vehicle. As such, now that one has been done, it clearly shows that humanity benefits from moving to electric vehicles from ICE vehicles. The bigger question I would think is can society get over their political factions to ICE versus BEV for the health of society rather than cling to the past in an attitude of no change is good change? The Yale team used a combination of life cycle assessment and energy modeling to analyze the total life-cycle emissions of conventional or ICE vehicles versus EV or electric vehicles. They then calculated a carbon price on those emissions to see what effect that would have on the vehicle market. End result is that EV sales would increase in comparison to gas auto sales due to the larger increase in cost associated with ICE auto production. What are your thoughts on the study and the emission question? YSE Study Finds Electric Vehicles Provide Lower Carbon Emissions Through Additional Channels | Yale School of the Environment Pricing indirect emissions accelerates low—carbon transition of US light vehicle sector | Nature Communications View full article

Maybe it is an age thing, but as I have gotten older, I have come to not like noise inside the auto and even when I drive, I hate all the kids who have put fart cans on their 4 bangers to make noise. I think one can truly still enjoy the performance of an EV supercar. I would say none of us including @balthazar can honestly say annoying, anemic, whining sound since we have not been in the electric GT40 and we only have limited examples right now of BEVs. I will wait final judgement till we actually have these on the road and more people are driving them.

You can now have your own GT40 officially approved by Ford, 800hp, 560 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels with a 0-60 mph of 3.x seconds. 800 HP Everatti GT40 Brings the Ford vs. Ferrari Legend to the EV Era (cleantechnica.com) Just a killer silent weapon.

WOW lots of love went into that auto. Will have to be a special person to buy it and pay $49,000

Seems more money, hundreds of millions have been invested into another solid-state battery company that has the auto industry watching and investing in them. Factorial Energy Raises $200 Million To Accelerate (globenewswire.com) This is going to be interesting as while Tesla has stated their 4680 is 6x the energy level of their current cells, they are 2.5 times bigger and heavier unlike the considerably less weight of the solid-state. Interesting is that Tesla will not confirm or deny various reports that the 4680 cell is a 20 to 35 amp battery. Compared to the Factorial 40-amp solid-state battery that is going into production this year in New England at their new factory there.