G. David Felt

Saw a mint condition Cadillac XLR today when running an errand with a young attractive woman having the top down and enjoying the smoky sun. Silver and just like the press release version.

Hertz is leading the auto rental push into the EV space with GM. Here is the nuts and bolts of this agreement. Hertz plans to order up to 175,000 EVs from GM over the next five years Hertz will offer Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and BrightDrop EVs across multiple vehicle categories Deliveries of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV are expected to begin first quarter 2023 This EV agreement between Hertz and GM makes it one of the largest to date of an EV expansion among fleet customers and the broadest as it covers from compact to Fullsize EVs. Hertz will offer from trucks, SUVs, and cars from basic entry level to luxury and more with the BrightDrop vans. Hertz has estimated that over the 5-year period, approximately 8 billion miles will be driven in EVs saving approximately 3.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. To quote Stephen Scherr, Hertz CEO: "It's exciting that two iconic American companies that have shaped the evolution of transportation for more than a century are coming together to redefine the future of mobility in the 21st century," "We are thrilled to partner with GM on this initiative, which will dramatically expand our EV offering to Hertz customers, including leisure and business travelers, rideshare drivers and corporates." Hertz is investing to create the largest rental fleet of EVs in North America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company's current goal is for one-quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024. GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra has this to say: "Our work with Hertz is a huge step forward for emissions reduction and EV adoption that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM," "With the vehicle choice, technology and driving range we're delivering, I'm confident that each rental experience will further increase purchase consideration for our products and drive growth for our company." With Hertz taking EV deliveries starting Q1 2023, deliveries will scale as GM rapidly scales EV production across their entire portfolio of products as GM scales to be producing 1 million EVs in North America by the end of 2025 a year. View full article

I like the baby powder blue of the current Airforce one, but I also suspect that is from my engineering background on light colors are better than dark ones for how heat is dealt with. Amazing how much hotter a black auto is compared to the same auto painted white. The rest of the plan is cool, but I have to wonder what will get overlooked as they try to make a commercial plan hardened for being Airforce One. We already know that the wings will be taken off so they can strip all the existing wiring to replace it all with hardened wiring to withstand a nuclear explosion. Then there is the hardening of the hydraulic system, hardening of the windows, fuel tank, control center for the plan on top of a proper command control center that is added to the second floor after delivery, what will be missed in this retro fit? I think the order should have been new plans from the assembly line to begin with.

@oldshurst442 You get the laughing emoji on these posts as you nailed it in pairing the music video with the cars. Awesome and made me laugh.

@oldshurst442 Thank you for posting these pictures. I have come to appreciate the 747 so much more for it's sleek design over the fat turd of a plane by Airbus.

According to Reuters, seems Kia and Hyundai are going to produce EVs in the U.S. so they qualify for the U.S. rebates on auto sales. Read the original story on Reuters, but realized it is a paid for story that if you do not have any free reads left for the month, one could not read it, but insidesevs did a write up on it and the Korean news stories that also say Hyundai is looking to start production of EVs in the U.S. to get access to the rebates and challenge Tesla for the EV sales crown. Production is to begin 2024 on all EVs. Kia To Build EVs In The US From 2024, Per Reports (insideevs.com)

I am looking forward to your write up on the pro's and Cons of each auto you drive and what the personal taste items you did not like about the IONIQ 5.

News seems to be picking up on the flying Bike. world's first flying bike makes U.S. debut - https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/it-s-awesome-world-s-first-flying-bike-makes-u-s-debut/vi-AA11STxc?ocid=entnewsntp

I would love to have input on the F150 Lighting, IONIQ 5, Palisade, Toyota GR Supra 2.0 Palisade for evolution of this SUV and GR Supra 2.0 as I am interested to really know if it is as awesome to drive as people say it is, such an ugly sports car imho.

Due to being a California compliance auto / experiment which I could see people calling it a Hobbyist thing, I do not see that with today's EVs.

Please share what you think are 1.0 compromises in the current EVs being released right now? Ioniq5 or EV6 from Hyundai and Kia. How about the BOLT, BOLT EUV, Mach-e, F-150 Lighting, Any Tesla model. What are these compromises you speak of? Little more than Hobbyists? Electric Vehicle Sales and Market Share (US - Updated Monthly) - YAA (joinyaa.com) Best Electric Cars and EVs for 2022 - CNET EV-Volumes - The Electric Vehicle World Sales Database Quote: Global EV sales reached 6,75 million units in 2021, 108 % more than in 2020. This volume includes passenger vehicles, light trucks and light commercial vehicles.

We here at Cheers and Gears have covered plenty of battery companies in existing or startup form. We even covered places where one could invest some spare coin if interested in taking high risks with these battery tech companies. After all the Golden Goose is the battery company who delivers ICE like charging to an EV battery pack. Every University has groups of people working on their PhD, Doctorate, Masters, etc. in one field or another. Harvard University had a team of scientists that took on the challenge and have now moved from thesis / conceptual theory to working prototype in founding Adden Energy. This team of scientists have developed a solid-state battery and the process to scale up into commercial production a battery cell that delivers on two major fronts: Battery pack charge time as low as 3 minutes Capacity retention for over 10,000 cycles Adden Energy has developed this cutting-edge technologies to enable mass adoption of EVs around the world and contribute greatly to a cleaner future. Professor Xin Li's research group at Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences started studying solid-state batteries in 2015. Doctoral students William Fitzhugh and Luhan Ye played leading roles in the technology development process. Several impactful innovations on solid-state batteries have been discovered by this group Fred Hu, PhD in economics from Harvard and Founder of Primavera Capital joined and advised the team to commercialize the technology portfolio in a Startup Company. Adden Energy incorporated in 2021 Adden Energy received first round funding Adden Energy had the following experimental and theoretical discoveries in battery thermodynamics and Kinetics allowing this group to develop a new field of mechanical constriction design of battery materials and devices. Battery Material papers: Advanced sulfide solid electrolyte by core-shell structural design | Nature Communications Strain‐Stabilized Ceramic‐Sulfide Electrolytes - Fitzhugh - 2019 - Small - Wiley Online Library Devices papers: Toward Higher Voltage Solid‐State Batteries by Metastability and Kinetic Stability Design - Ye - 2020 - Advanced Energy Materials - Wiley Online Library A more stable lithium anode by mechanical constriction for solid state batteries - Energy & Environmental Science (RSC Publishing) The new design approach drastically improves stability of the solid-electrolyte and battery system by carefully controlling the mechano-electrochemical environment of solid-state batteries. This team has created an innovative multi-electrolyte-layer separator with a dynamic stability design. A dynamic stability design strategy for lithium metal solid state batteries | Nature Synergistic effects of chlorine substitution in sulfide electrolyte solid state batteries - ScienceDirect A Two-Parameter Space to Tune Solid Electrolytes for Lithium Dendrite Constriction | JACS Au New machine learning and high-throughput computational chemistry algorithms have predicted and can design more novel solid-electrolytes with improved performance. A High‐Throughput Search for Functionally Stable Interfaces in Sulfide Solid‐State Lithium Ion Conductors - Fitzhugh - 2019 - Advanced Energy Materials - Wiley Online Library Solid–electrolyte-interphase design in constrained ensemble for solid-state batteries - Energy & Environmental Science (RSC Publishing) A Two-Parameter Space to Tune Solid Electrolytes for Lithium Dendrite Constriction | JACS Au Adden Energy's technological break throughs are allowing this startup to scale from a college lab R&D into a commercially acceptable sized cell. These technical advances have spanned material design and synthesis, in-house solid-electrolyte development, and novel cell designs. Combined material and device innovations have enabled the demonstration of the technology with high-current-density lithium metal anodes as well as high voltage cathodes. What does this mean to you, the auto enthusiast? As per their press release that was in Physicsworld website: Sandwich strategy makes solid-state lithium battery last longer – Physics World Long life, the battery cells are expected to allow battery packs on average to last 10-15 years without loss of cells, thus giving EVs similar life as found with Diesel and Gas auto's. Charging, the battery tech that Adden Energy is ramping up means that the average auto would be looking at a 5 to 10 minute fast charge capable over and over with no degradation in the battery. Large size auto's like Trucks or SUVs would be 10 to 20 minutes. Researchers design long-lasting, solid-state lithium battery – Harvard Gazette Current EV battery tech can cause Dendrites to form, shortening the battery life when subjected to large constant high-speed charging. Adden Energy solution is a thicker multilayer between the anode and cathode, much like a BLT sandwich. To quote the Harvad Gazette story: Think of the battery like a BLT sandwich. First comes the bread — the lithium metal anode — followed by lettuce — a coating of graphite. Next, a layer of tomatoes — the first electrolyte — and a layer of bacon — the second electrolyte. Finish it off with another layer of tomatoes and the last piece of bread — the cathode. The first electrolyte (chemical name Li5.5PS4.5Cl1.5 or LPSCI) is more stable with lithium but prone to dendrite penetration. The second electrolyte, (Li10Ge1P2S12 or LGPS) is less stable with lithium but appears immune to dendrites. In this design, dendrites are allowed to grow through the graphite and first electrolyte but are stopped when they reach the second. In other words, the dendrites grow through the lettuce and tomato but stop at the bacon. The bacon barrier stops the dendrites from pushing through and shorting the battery. “This proof-of-concept design shows that lithium-metal solid-state batteries could be competitive with commercial lithium-ion batteries,” said Li. “And the flexibility and versatility of our multilayer design makes it potentially compatible with mass production procedures in the battery industry. A drawing of comparison between Adden Energy battery tech and todays traditional Lithium-ion batteries with the current battery on the left and Adden Energy blocking dendrites on the right. End result is that while the first generation of EVs will be slower to charge and have possible shorter battery life, the future for moving to solid-state batteries is bright with ultra-fast charging times and long life. Adden Energy View full article

No compensation at all, I write for free for Cheers and Gears. Embracing EVs is a good thing. Most folks will charge from home having a full battery pack every day when they start driving. Considering how few miles a person drives each day, the bulk of society will be just fine driving an EV with 300 miles of range. Today's EVs offer far more than the ICE autos did when they started back at the beginning of the 1900's. Most of the Negative reports are from Oil supported writers who are paid by ICE supporters. Fact, only 21% of Americans actually do road trips with road trip vacations taken by Americans making up only 22% of all travel on the U.S. Highway system. Travel and Tourism Statistics: The Ultimate Collection (accessdevelopment.com) AAA reported in the link above that 33% of Americans would take road trips if fuel prices remained low or charging was more widespread for fast charges. 44% of travelers are interested in road trips, but either their ICE auto is not capable of such a road trip, cost of fuel or lack of EV charging infrastructure. Plenty of proof that you can do cross-country trips when you plan for where one would charge, even in paid for auto magazines have covered this especially in a Tesla. Most people are not going to be pulling a trailer for early adopters, the EV would be used for local things like a Home Depot run. Yes we all have read the initial tests of F150 Lighting, Rivian R1T and Hummer how fast the range drops. This is the start of a revolution to change over and for right now, most households can easily get buy with one EV and one ICE auto rather than two ICE auto's. What you post is the fact that you want instant gratification with no reduction in life style even if you are not using it the auto that way. No Compromises? Come on, plenty of ICE autos have compromises, you cannot pull a trailer with a Toyota Yaris, F350 will not be a fuel-efficient commuter auto. The ICE auto has plenty of compromises all depending on how one uses it just like EVs have plenty of compromises. Yet if you look at the initial ICE autos of the early 1900's, todays EVs do far more than those autos ever could. Today you still see plenty of people running out of gas and having issues with getting back on the road in an ICE auto as much as an EV. Your NO COMPROMISES reeks of instant gratification. Especially when you are used to plugging in your cellphone every day or laptop, etc. How is an EV any different when the bulk of society would plug it in at home and have a full battery pack the next morning. Before you say you have to spend $1K to $2K to have a 220 charger at home, plenty use slow 110 to charge today and you cannot have a fueling station at your house, so EVs offer a far more convenient way to power up and know you have a full batter pack for the average 300 miles of range most current EVs offer now. Remember, the average driver only drives 39 miles a day. Statistics for you: How Much Is The Average Car Payment In America? + 21 Stats! (simplyinsurance.com) Top Average Miles Driven Per Year Statistics: Every year, Americans drive approximately 3.2 trillion miles. The typical American driver drives 14,300 miles each year. Americans drive on average 1,000 miles every month. The average driver drives only 39 miles round trip per day. Roughly 229 million Americans have valid driver’s licenses in the United States. So how is an EV a compromise when they all pretty much have Android Auto/ Apple Carplay. Have all the normal comforts from heated and or chilled seats to heaters, AC/Heatpumps, cell service and OTA. Where is the compromise?

I wonder when they do introduce en electric Mustang if it will have a speaker system like the Dodge Daytona SRT concept did to make noise? ?

Donald Trump takes lots of credit for things he had no actual hand in doing. From being a business looser with 6 bankruptcies under his belt to his poor handling of so much, I would have to doubt he had anything to do with the cost overruns since the Airforce issued the contract which while Trump was there for the so called final negotiations and signed contract. Per this story: Trump strikes $3.9 billion deal with Boeing for new Air Force One | CNN Politics QUOTE: “Muilenburg congratulated Mr. Trump on his election win and committed to working with the new administration to control costs as they establish requirements for the new Air Force One to keep the program as affordable as possible and deliver the best value to American taxpayers,” said Boeing’s statement in December 2016. More than a year after Trump famously tweeted “Cancel Order” the President and Muilenburg hammered out the new deal during a White House meeting last Tuesday. The meeting, which was not on the President’s daily schedule, came after nearly a year of lower-level meetings between Pentagon procurement officials and Boeing executives that, at times, reached deadlock. Seems interesting that while Trump was running to become the president, low-level meetings had been going on already leading up to the signed contract as one of the first things he took accountability for yet was already underway while Obama was in office. No matter what, pork is pork and I am sure the Defense department of Boeing will make up for the losses on Airforce One.

Reminds me of the Movie Corvette Summer. Corvette Summer (1978) - IMDb

Thanks, do not watch sports so have no idea who they are. He looks happy though. ?

Seems GM is committed to delivering on a $30K dollar EV and finally hitting big time on Advertising for the EVs. GM bets on electric Equinox to kick-start 'massive adoption' of EVs (cnbc.com) GM launches aggressive EV ad campaign during NFL football to drive more mainstream adoption (electrek.co) Was unable to read the original DetroitFreePress as I had already had my maximum of 6 free reads for the month. So much for free press. ? Quote the electrek.co website of the DFP story: According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, GM’s new marketing campaign, “EVs for everyone, everywhere,” will first air on Sunday, September 18, on Fox during the 1:00 p.m. game and then during Sunday Night Football on NBC. Advertising during NFL games is not a new idea from GM. Anyone who watches football knows Chevy and NFL games go hand in hand. If you watched the NFL kickoff last week, then you know what I’m talking about. And who can forget GM’s super bowl ad last year showing Austin Powers using the company’s Ultium platform to save the world? However, according to the automaker, this time will be different. It will be the first time GM will feature all of its Chevy EV models together to promote mainstream adoption. The campaign will feature the entire Chevy EV family, even those that are not yet on the market: 2023 Bolt EV 2023 Bolt EUV 2024 Silverado EV 2024 Blazer EV 2024 Equinox EV The Chevy Bolt EV, the company’s first long-range EV, starts at $26,595, while the Bolt EUV, the slightly bigger version with an estimated 247-mile range, starts at $28,195. Both are available for order, while the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EVs are due to hit the market next year. Very cool to see, I hope GM keeps up having all the EVs and Concepts at other Autoshows this year. Would love to see the Buick Wildcat EV at the Seattle Autoshow. President Biden Tours Broad Portfolio of General Motors EVs at Detroit Auto Show (gm.com)

Do not know who he is, but ya wanna fight this morning? ?

Interesting read. https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/sylvania-driver-scott-fisher-electric-vehicle-jeep-saving-money/512-fad3618f-d81c-4e7a-9f60-8d19073ef2b5

Seems Bosch is finally stepping up to EVs. https://electrek.co/2022/09/16/bosch-moves-to-support-the-industrys-transition-to-electric-vehicles/amp/#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16633617483387&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com Ram electric pickup will reveal @ LA auto show. https://www.motortrend.com/news/ram-1500-electric-ev-revolution-concept-pickup-truck/

Very true, the days of the protection should end. I agree everyone has their own interests to defend. I agree, the legacy do lobby for their own interest too. Yes we can all agree that the dealerships only car about themselves and not the consumers. Days of protected business needs to end. Have them compete on price and service no matter if the product is sold Direct or not.