G. David Felt

Watch the video if you do not want to read as you will see how exciting the new battery tech is that is coming. BP has partnered with StoreDot an Israel battery company that has finally delivered their first battery cells to auto companies and battery production companies for testing and review. The benefit of StoreDot battery cell's is that you are looking at a 5 min recharge time. Also these battery cells do not use graphite that tends to slow down the recharging of battery cells and instead uses a metalloid nanoparticles design. Interesting marketing fact is that while they are working on these fast rechargeable batteries for auto's to portable cell phones, etc. they found that a 2020 study done globally of people filling out their input found that most would be happy with a 31 minute recharge time along with a 291 mile battery range and a $36,000 starting price for EVs. This would be the tipping point in having people change from ICE auto's to EVs. BP partner StoreDot produces cells with 5-minute fast-charging tech (greencarreports.com)

Seems all the gains from EVs in reducing carbon emissions has been negated by the 42% change to SUVs across the globe and especially more with trucks in the US. Trucks and Especially SUV/CUVs are gaining popularity across the globe as car sales sink. Carbon emissions fell across all sectors in 2020 except for one – SUVs – Analysis - IEA

I can understand the point your making and believe that advances in battery management will negate the current range loss in cold or heat in the next few years. Chevrolet Bolt with it's liquid temperature mangement system on the battery pack has shown that the reduction can be managed. I expect it to get better.

Big Ben

GM has started the Tease of the Chevrolet Bolt EUV ahead of the February 14th online reveal.

Very cool Video, thanks for posting it. I am Very Happy for you that you like your new Ford. As you say to each their own. Right now the only Ford that has me excited is the Mach-E. Very much waiting for one to get to the local Ford Dealer so I can go check it out. Crazy the amount listed at the local Ford Stores for the Mach-E but none in stock yet.

For those that might remember the big Tesla 3 auto accident in Oregon where the battery pack was broke up and cells were sent flying into homes, through windows, etc. and the Fire Department had to wait for special equipment to come in so they could pick up the hot cells, seems at battery day Tesla showed off their new battery pack which will go into production in the Model Y and Plaid S Auto update car at the Berlin Germany plant first. This new design is building the cells into the whole auto frame so it is even more rigid. This reduces parts and weight, but I see that it does open up the auto to sending cells flying everywhere in a bad crash. While as a Tech guy I am always excited by new stuff, having the battery pack an integrated part of the frame with both front and rear wheel connection points now part of this does make me think that this is going to reduce even further the ability to repair an auto like this versus recycling it as they move to using steel strength plastic. Very interesting design change. First look at Tesla's new structural battery pack - Electrek GM and Microsoft have joined forces with the GM subsidiary Cruise to advance self driving auto's into the future. GM Bought Cruise rather than like Ford and others creating their own in house software company for EV's and the future of auto's. With this, then Honda became an investor in Cruise with a $750 Million investment for use of the Cruise software in the new versions of Honda ICE, Hybrid and EVs. Microsoft has now become the latest company to put skin in the game with a $2 billion dollar investment in Cruise and bringing a much needed secure Kernel software design to the Cruise Subsidiary Startup. Ford uses the Secure NT Kernel for their Sync system and the new Mach-E software system. It looks like the EVs of GM could very well have a secure solid software system as part of the new BEV3 platform. GM's Cruise self-driving startup raises $2 billion led by Microsoft - Electrek

Interesting read as Honda has confirmed a total Hybrid Portfolio for Asia and Europe and new direction for North America. The fact that Honda signed a long term exclusive deal with GM to use GM's Ultima battery and power train system for EVs for the North America Market, I have to wonder if the new BEV3 platform would not be used as the New HR-V EV and they bypass hybrid for going right to EVs? Next Honda HR-V will be different for America, possibly all-hybrid (greencarreports.com) In regards to the Ford Mach-E on recharging, a good read on this review done in Oregon. Far faster than past EVs and still has natural room to improve. Was surprised to see they compared this to the E-Tron from Audi which had the fastest recharge of 80% battery pack recharged in 15 min. Still excellent review as they person points out like in past EVs where Early Adopters that have the patience for new tech to be working some times and some times not, the Mach-E just worked, everything. Very positive experience. 2021 Mustang Mach-E: How fast does the Ford EV charge up on road trips? (greencarreports.com) Seems we are moving faster than expected towards Cobalt free batteries with the energy density improving. Charged EVs | New class of cobalt-free cathodes could enhance energy density of Li-ion batteries - Charged EVs China has unveiled their 385 mph magnetic train. Very cool!

Seems without going public that Rivian has secured another $2.65 Billion in funding for the company WITHOUT going public like Tesla. Existing investors have ponied up the dough and clearly with $8 billion in funding is set to move forward as a solid auto company. Rivian shuns SPACs, closes another $2.65B investment ahead of electric trucks’ arrival (greencarreports.com) Seems RJ has finally spilled the beans on the potential investment by GM. GM was going to use the platform for it's own auto use and provide them with manufacturing but wanted to own everything and not allow Rivian to let others use their tech to bring product to market. RJ choose to leave GM for an investment by Amazon and Ford and private investment companies while continuing to own and control their platform for licensing to other companies around the world. As such, Rivian now has plans to have additional 6 EVs come to market by 2025. Cars as well as expanded Trucks and SUVs are on the road map. I think that Rivian could surpass Tesla as RJ seems to be a bit more modest and yet smarter than Musk. Gonna be an interesting battle of EV Titans. Also once GM does get to market with their EV product line, I think they will have a cool big battle. Be interesting to see how GM does their marketing in comparison to Rivian and Tesla. Report: Rivian plans six new models by 2025 (greencarreports.com)

Loving all the continual updated info on the Hummer EV Edition 1 at their web page. Introducing the GMC HUMMER EV | Electric Truck Really liking the dash layout of the Hummer EV. I know my wife does not like the grey and black interior. I am hoping that once the Edition 1 is launched that GM will be offering other interior options. I would like a nice Mocha Brown interior.

Medical Drama

XT6 is such unimpressive blah CUV.

@William Maley What is the rectangle on the front grill? That just looks terrible to me as it really sticks out.

Love the wood work, crazy true about e-Bikes, I seen more than my share of them get nailed in Seattle. Auto drivers just do not see them coming so fast. Mustang is a true labor of love as it really was end of life IMHO. Still cool to see the amazing metal work. Blah, that is as attractive as a Tesla, just no passion in that bland body shape to me. WOW, The Original 427 Cobra owned by Carol Shelby underwent a full restoration and then just sold for almost $6 million dollars. Crazy. Carroll Shelby's Personal 427 Cobra Sells for $5.94 Million - Mecum (roadandtrack.com)

Currently re-watching the series Numbers and finishing up the Last season of Sabrina.

So then we can easily relate this to how Mercedes-Benz trashes everything with putting AMG on crappy FWD appliance auto's trashing the history of the AMG RWD History. Every auto company thinks they can do things with branding and it does not work, yet some really does. In this case a proper tri-motor 1000HP Corvette CUV EV AWD would work and yet you can still have as you call it the crappier interior Blazer SS, GMC Typhoon, Cadillac V edition, etc.

Happy Days

Dead Baby Jokes

I agree that Peugeot will cause overlap and nothing to gain except for those that hate all things American and only want European auto's. Small market to be sure, I think it would be better to badge Peugeot as Chrysler products and use the brand awareness to grow Chrysler sales.

I disagree as Buick will have an Electra EV, Corvette needs to define their future with a performance EV be it a car or a CUV, but they need to figure out where the future will be for them and I think a Performance CUV EV under Corvette works. I honestly do not see Chevrolet having a top end EV except for a Camaro EV fitting in under the Corvette.

Here is the updated link. GONE ELECTRIC. - Rants - Autoextremist.com ~ the bare-knuckled, unvarnished, high octane truth... Great read, I think a very balanced review of his time with his new purchase, not a supplied manufacture loaner Bolt. QUOTE: I have never underestimated the quality of the engineering represented in the Bolt, because in a lot of respects it is truly outstanding. GM’s True Believers worked on this machine, and you can tell that from the moment you get in and drive it down the road. Yes, the usual electric driving characteristics that you’ve all read about for years are present and accounted for: It is seamless, it is quiet, it is remarkably responsive, it is quick, and above all, it is actually fun-to-drive. That last part is absolutely paramount to me, and in my brief time with it the Bolt delivers. This is a great read considering he was looking at the V8 Camaro and V8 Challenger for his next ride before sitting down and really thinking about it. QUOTE: But - and there’s always a “but” - the more I thought about it, the more I began to think that it was time to turn the page. As a society, we’re collectively about to embark on a New Age of transportation. Will the ICE cars of previous glorious eras survive? Yes. And there will be parts (and gasoline) for them too. But the Battery Electric Vehicle revolution has begun and there’s no turning back. Yes, there is a raft of associated problems that will come with this transformation as many have pointed out, but remember, at the dawn of the ICE Age there was much hand-wringing about the problems of having gasoline “bombs” (automobiles) roaming our streets and byways.

Still a Blah of an auto, Subaru is just blah to me but killer looks when compared to this. Yes a truck guy, but did build at my dads shop Camaro and Mustang racers for others that were always a blast to drive in the final test check before returning to the owners. Road rally is a cool sport, but this just has no passion to me. Guess growing up in Darrington WA in the woods around loggers and trucks, that does make a bigger impression on youth.

I can understand that and I also think the Hybrid would work well too, but now that GM has shown off the Hummer with 1000HP tri motor. I can see that powertrain in a Sleek C8 inspired CUV that would allow the 400 mile range battery pack to do even better than what the Hummer Brick by GMC will do.

I remember this and it still holds true that while all auto's ev or ice loose performance in extreme cold or heat, it is not as extreme as some say. This is a great story on a Chevrolet bolt in extreme cold and how it did. Chevy Bolt EV electric car range and performance in winter: one owner's log (greencarreports.com)

Seems Ford is taking the Raptor to 700 plus horsepower for the upcoming 2021 Raptor and mules are out and about. 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor Is Coming, and Here's What to Expect (caranddriver.com) Listen to the 2021 Ford F-150 Raptor R's 700+-HP V-8 (caranddriver.com)