G. David Felt

United, AA, & Delta are horror stories for me. I pretty much stick with Alaska Airlines now. Hate the cattle car approach of Southwest and Frontier was a one and done of dirtiness and I was ridiculed by the flight folks for wiping down my table and space with anti-septic wipes to have a cleaner space. Shocking how dirty it was, so pretty much one can call me an air snob if you want, but for what we pay for a ticket, one should expect clean planes and polite service. I always check a bag as my clothes are just way too big to fit in that tiny carry on and with the continued reduction in carry on size, not going to fight over overhead space.

Cool site for those that like older gear. Refurbished, Serviced, High Quality Vintage Electronics For Sale — SpenCertified

@Drew Dowdell So we are having a huge winter storm and lots of cold rain here at sea level, white out conditions in the mountains. The wife went down south to deal with her side of the family. She said it was not very grippy on the road, so I took the EV9 to Discount Tires for a check on the tires. Unlike the dealership that has told me 40%, Discount Tire says I have 6/32 tread left or 20%. They recommend replacing them before next fall. So I will run these tires till the fall and then replace them. Should have about 40,000 miles on these 50,000 mile tires per Hankook. The tires I am considering are the following: Michelin CrossClimate2 275 /50 R20 113V XL BSW | Discount Tire Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 275 /50 R20 113V XL VSB | Discount Tire

Yup, 2027 is going to be a very ugly year imho. A top economist predicts a 'very significant' 2027 recession with 2 growth engines in peril The economy just did this for only the 13th time in the past 85 years; history shows it usually leads to a bear market

Sounds like a great vacation Robert!!! Any found memory meals?

At the 32,000 inspection, they came back at 40% tread for a 50,000 mile tire from Hankook Hankook iON evo AS SUV 275 /50 R20 113V XL BSW | Discount Tire These are the OEM tires it comes with. They have not been bad, but for a snow rated tire, the first year they were fine up on the pass for skiing, but this year with less tread I had more slip than I have experienced with my Michelin on the Escalade. So will be looking at other options when I do replace them.

Savings of $4,424

After 22 months of ownership for my Kia EV9 with 32,000 miles, Total cost of electricity since we bought our EV9 is $1,176

Interesting read on these batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are getting ready for prime time. How can they improve EVs? Some additional information on the Scout EREV engine placement. Scout CEO explains why extended-range models have engines at the back

Scout, with over 150,000 reservations for their Traveler SUV and Terra Truck, is quickly heading toward full production aimed to start by the beginning of 2027. Test mules have been spotted out and about around the factory in South Carolina. Many things were stated when the SUV and Truck were first revealed back in 2024. Here we are in 2026 and less than a year away from full production of these EVs. Let's dig into an update on what the details are for the Traveler and Terra. Shared Specs: Traveler SUV & Terra Truck First, let's start with some basic details that cover both the SUV and truck. EV version will go 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds Extended Range generator versions will go 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds Acceleration capabilities Scout reminds us will depend on final vehicle configuration, equipment, etc. The numbers supplied is an empty vehicle with a driver. SUV and Truck are both estimated to produce at least 1,000 lb-ft of torque through the electronic drive units. Projected payload capacity is 2,000 lbs for both the SUV and Truck. Battery size for EV only will be 120 - 130 kWh size Estimated range of 350 miles Range Extender models will be 60 - 70 kWh size Estimated range of 500 plus miles American Axle is the supplier for the front and rear electronic drive axle units. Off-road capabilities have been stated as follows: They are projected to come standard with dual-motors for four-wheel drive, a solid rear axle, a locking rear differential, and off-road drive modes. Plus, the bumpers and rockers are separated from the body and are designed to act as protective elements. For even more capability, customers will be able to select an optional off-road package, which includes off-road tires, special shock tuning, a locking front differential, and more. Scout vehicles will also offer a front sway bar disconnect, designed to improve wheel articulation, comfort, and traction on uneven terrain – offering the best of both on-road and off-road handling. Final details will be confirmed as we approach production. Type of Differential: A standard mechanical-locking rear differential. A mechanical-locking front differential will be part of an optional off-road package. Scout vehicles are designed to come standard with a dual-motor, four-wheel drive system. The rear motor is paired with a standard solid rear axle for enhanced capability and durability. Each Scout will come with a spare tire: Scout Traveler: Offers a rear-mounted spare tire carrier that seamlessly integrates into the vehicle’s body and rear design. It can hold a full-size spare up to 35 inches with minimal impact on aerodynamics. Scout Terra: Offers an underbody spare tire carrier for up to 33-inch tires, with an option for a 35-inch all-terrain tire carrier mounted in the bed. Scout will use an 800V high-voltage architecture with fast charging capable of up to 350 kW. Physical controls: Scout has confirmed that market research has stated that while a big screen is desired for feedback to the end user, a mechanical tactile experience is preferred. Scout has confirmed the following: Mechanical door handles Mechanical grab bars Mechanical switches / dials for traditional things such as heat, cooling, radio, defrost, windows, etc.—a real hands-on experience Scout platform is an all-new ladder-frame chassis designed for long-term durability and reliability on- and off-road. Suspension is currently still not stated, but Scout has stated that they will offer an optional air springs system with active damping working with the solid rear axle. All Scout vehicles will come with USB-C for easy access to all seats and 120V outlets. Scout vehicles are expected to handle up to 100% grade. Water fording capabilities are projected to handle three feet of water depth. Multiple Roof options with powered shade, open-air options with privacy and thermal control. Seating options Captain chairs with multifunctional center console or front bench seat. Community UX interface The Community UX ecosystem will prioritize simplicity and convenience. Instead of hiding features in complex menus, it will combine tactile buttons and knobs with a responsive, right-sized digital interface. This will ensure intuitive and low-effort interactions for all users. The system will also offer three customizable information modes: Detailed View: For those who love diving into vehicle data. Default Mode: Displays essential information for easy, stress-free driving. Detox Mode: Minimizes distractions with a clean, simple display. Scout Terra Truck Specs & Dimensions Details specific to the Terra Truck. Rear retractable window Towing Capacity of 10,000 lbs Pickup Dimensions Length: 229.2 in Width Without Mirrors: 79.9 in Width With Mirrors: 91.6 in Max Height (with Antenna): 77.7 in Wheelbase: 148.6 in Max Ground Clearance: 12+ in Bed Length: 66 in (5.5 ft) Cab to Bumper: 71.7 in Offered Tire Size: 35 in Scout Traveler SUV Specs & Dimensions Details specific to the Traveler SUV. Split Tailgate Towing capacity of 7,000 lbs SUV Dimensions Length With Spare Wheel Carrier: 207.9 in Length Without Spare Wheel Carrier: 190.9 in Width Without Mirrors: 79.9 in Width With Mirrors: 91.6 in Max Height (with Antenna): 76.3 in Wheelbase: 120.4 in Max Ground Clearance: 12+ in Offered Tire Size: 35 in Scout has confirmed that the Traveler SUV will go into production first and then the Terra Truck. Scout has been mum about if they will support Android Auto / Apple Carplay. A big question that has not been answered yet is will the Scout EVs have a heat pump or not. Related Articles 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning EREV Details 2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss Details 2026 BMW iX3 Details VW ID.EVERY1 Details In addition, Scout Motors has started a community to enable people to talk about both old and new Scout products, ask questions and explore the world of Scout. Scout Motors Community Check out more at Scout Motors View full article

Yes, one can never sneeze at 49mpg or more when it saves one money. I am keeping my eye on the Scout as they have already announced that it will be a pure 800V EV / EREV Truck / SUV. The only unanswered question is will they support AA / CP? The EV Scout Truck / SUV will have a minimum of 300 miles of range on a charge and the EREV will have 500 plus. So many of my coworkers have already placed deposits for the EREV model. Yet with that said, my wife and I are past the point of camping on the ground, in a tent, etc. We love the outdoors, but would rather stay in a hotel or book a house for the family and enjoy the outdoors and come back to a hot shower, house to have dinner in, play games with the kids and enjoy a more relaxing setup. As such, my kids and I now plan yearly outings where we book a house and still enjoy hiking, fishing, etc. but on a more luxury level. SCOUT Options Scout Motors

Very cool, thank you, that picture is awesome and I look forward to seeing more pictures from you.

Interesting read from a AI Learning Engineer who now is out of work. I talked to one of the laid-off Block employees. He gave me a sobering warning.

BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging World's most advanced power battery works with world's fastest mass-produced EV charger to make recharging as easy as refueling 1,500kW of charging power achieves a 10%-97% refill in just nine minutes – and even in -30deg C, 20%-97% takes only 12 minutes Energy-station integration opens locations to FLASH Charger Stations Plans for 20,000 chargers in China by end of 2026, plus overseas rollout BYD breaks down final barriers to electrification with Blade Battery 2.0 and FLASH Charging - BYD

Congratulations, excited for you and your wife. Look forward to hearing your reviews on it, pictures of the new car. Welcome to the Hybrid life. Ranked No. 1 in California, BYD Energy Storage Offers High Reliability to Central California Energy Storage Project - Technological Innovations for a Better Life | BYD USA

Great picture capture. Use a Selfie stick attached at the front?

The biggest challenge that Toyota could face with this is that the competition from Korea and China is 800V and this is a 400V product. If most customers charge at home, not an issue, but if the person is planning to use public charging then the 18 min to 80% versus 34 min to 80% could become a problem.

This makes American tech look so old/ancient. 10 to 97% charged in 10 minutes for 626 miles of range. https://insideevs.com/news/789094/byd-second-generation-blade-battery/

Canadians now see the U.S. as the biggest threat replacing China. Eight charts show ‘rupture’ with Canada under Trump’s tariffs Interesting idea PHEVs are legal fraud: Why Detroit is using fake batteries to launder their V8 sins

I could so see this as a Future EV product like the following:

Not Surprised by this as Ford becomes a Chinese company underneath. Ford is no longer American: Ford just became a landlord for Geely to hide its own tech bankruptcy Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler all foreign companies now. Ford could be the next company to become Chinese owned as they FAIL to keep up in the competition for Software, Hardware, technology needed to sell products consumers want.

I know that some might find it a thing of beauty but WOW, that front end is just UGLY to me.

Figured out the BYD SUV in the story about Canada. It is the Great Tang top of the line SUV. BYD’s Flagship SUV Leaks as a 784-HP, Ultra-Luxury Land Cruiser Rival - Autoblog

Interesting, what do others think about Canada starting to allow in Chinese EVs? Canada Hands Out First China EV Permits, But Not Everyone Is Getting A Turn | Carscoops Have to say I really like the BYD SUV in the story above. The start of the end for Stellantis After Burning $26 Billion On EVs, Stellantis Might Turn To China For EVs | Carscoops