G. David Felt

Many people are incapable of hiring an electrician as they do not want to learn what to ask, who to reach out too. This is why they go to a home depot and pay them to hire a 3rd party to come out and do an install of what ever they want done. My neighbor is well educated computer engineer and his wife is a dentist. They have no interest in learning about things even their auto's, they go to the dealership or they go to home depot and tell them what they want and pay through the nose to have stuff done. I see this all the time especially with H-1 Visa employees who come here and buy a house, auto, etc. and just pay for everything as they only do their career. We have plenty of people that have no interest in learning how to do things such as you and I enjoy doing be it a hobby or a job.

Historical Trends are showing the fall in gas prices that will be good for everyone. Lowest level in the last 12 weeks according to the AAA report. The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Ohio (-10 cents), Kentucky (-7 cents), Indiana (-6 cents), Michigan (-5 cents), North Carolina (-5 cents), South Carolina (-5 cents), Wisconsin (-4 cents), Washington, D.C. (-4 cents), Tennessee (-4 cents) and Illinois (-4 cents). The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Mississippi ($1.86), Texas ($1.87), Arkansas ($1.90), Louisiana ($1.90), Missouri ($1.90), Oklahoma ($1.90), Alabama ($1.91), South Carolina ($1.93), Tennessee ($1.94) and Kentucky ($1.96). https://newsroom.aaa.com/2020/09/gas-report-0914/

I see that last time AAA dug into their data and published it was 2014. https://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/10/roadside-breakdowns-preventable-with-proper-maintenance-finds-aaa/ To Quote: “While problems with batteries, tires and keys are the most common reasons that members call AAA for help, there are more than 12 million calls each year related to engine trouble, fuel issues and other mechanical mishaps,” warned Nielsen. “AAA will always be there to save the day, but this study reveals drivers can save time and money by investing in routine maintenance.” Other key findings from 2014 roadside assistance data include: AAA towed more than two million vehicles for engine-related issues and an additional 600,000 vehicles for transmission failure. More than 235,000 vehicles were towed due to brake system failures. While most modern vehicles are equipped with low-fuel lights, AAA provided gasoline fuel delivery to more than half a million vehicles in 2014. Due to members incorrectly fueling their gasoline-powered vehicle with diesel fuel, or vice-versa, AAA towed more than 13,000 vehicles to repair facilities. “While today’s vehicle technology incorporates maintenance reminders and dashboard alerts designed to prevent roadside trouble, drivers still must take action,” cautioned Josh VanWynsberghe, AAA’s automotive technical engineer. “Finding a mechanic you trust and allowing that shop to perform all of your vehicle’s maintenance will result in improved reliability, higher resale values and increased safety.” You answered yourself earlier. There is enough evidence that ICE owners are just as incapable as EV owners in taking care of their auto's. Regardless of ICE or EV, many humans ignore all the details and play dumb when it comes to taking care of their auto. This is the same approach they take when it comes to new tech and not reading the owners guide. As such, there is a middle man need for having home Level 1 & 2 Chargers installed. You have people who hire you to do various projects as they do not want to learn or do the work themselves. Same thing when it comes to ICE or EV maintenance or tools such as a home charger system installed. Humans are lazy in many ways.

Have to agree with AAA that the Active Driving assistance systems interfere with safe driving than help. Makes Drivers lazy. https://newsroom.aaa.com/2020/08/aaa-finds-active-driving-assistance-systems-do-less-to-assist-drivers-and-more-to-interfere/

While AAA does not break that out, their last detailed report from 2016 way before EVs started to be in the news heavily is that between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the US alone, they rescued 32 million drivers along the road for everything from running out of Fuel, flat tire, dead battery, broken belts, etc. https://newsroom.aaa.com/tag/roadside-assistance/ To Quote: roadside assistance data include: Battery failures, flat tires and keys locked inside the vehicle remain the top roadside assistance requests. Vehicles fewer than five years old have a higher proportion of tire, key and fuel-related issues than older vehicles. Due in part to complex, electronic vehicle designs, one-in-five service calls for a newer vehicle required a tow to a repair facility. Vehicles between 6 and 10 years old have the highest proportion of battery-related issues, as most batteries have a three- to five-year life. Roadside assistance calls peak in the summer (8.3 million) followed by winter (8.1 million), fall (7.8 million) and spring (7.7 million). Drivers are most likely to request roadside assistance on Mondays and least likely to request assistance on Sundays. Drivers in the West experienced the most breakdowns, followed by the South, the Northeast and the Midwest. Despite advances in key technology, AAA came to the rescue of more than four million drivers locked out of their vehicles. “Drivers today have increasingly-connected lifestyles, and want reliable, flexible service options when trouble strikes,” continued Ruud. “AAA has responded with flexible roadside assistance offerings nationwide including app-based service requests and the ability to track assigned service vehicles in real time on a smartphone.”

Once could say the same thing about ICE. Amazing how many luxury auto's are bought due to the badge and yet the owners are idiots about maintaining it let along fueling it. One reason that AAA seems to have such a high call for fuel on the side of the road.

I truly wish what you posted is true about people. Sadly to many have proven that Common Sense is NOT SO COMMON. I have heard plenty of folks across the world that are clueless about chargers and what they need to do. I have sadly heard plenty of unionized electricians that have no clue about EV's home chargers and do not want to learn and just say talk to someone else. In a perfect world, what you say would be common for everyone. Sadly, you and everyone else here on the site are far more knowledgeable about things like this than most people. Sadly, Tesla Makes Bank as so many of their buyers just want Tesla to take care of the home charger for them for those that live in a home, townhouse or condo where they can add such a device. Once training gets better, I believe that GM, VW and everyone else will offer or point the buyers to Electrify Home to get this done. Even Rivian has stated that they will have clear info on home charging for those that want it there. Just how I have seen humans who want minimal maintenance and see the auto, EV's/ICE as just an appliance to use.

Your making an ASSUMPTION that everyone knows how to talk to and hire an electrician. Far more people are clueless and just want a 220V charger in their home to plug their EV into. As such having a site where folks can go and put their info in, learn that they need an electrical permit, etc. to insure proper installation of said home charger is important. Most humans do not have common sense and as such need the guidance and will pay for it. Unlike you my friend and many others here, we can find and buy our own charger online and then hire a local electrician to come and install it where we want if the home is old and not already prewired for garage charging. My sister and her partner just purchased a new house that comes prewired for a 220V charger so all they have to do is buy one with the 30A twist lock connection and plug it in, mount on the wall and they are ready to charge. Far simpler than this need for installation. Big differences.

All-Season

EV

At least it is better looking than BMW version and a better more reasonable to repair engine.

VW Commercial who makes the Amarok pickup on a proprietary platform has confirmed along with Ford that the next VW Pickup truck will move to Ford's Global Ranger Platform and possibly come to America. https://www.motor1.com/news/444921/ford-ranger-advantage-vw-amarok/ To QUOTE the story: Ford Australia’s president, Andrew Birkic, told Car Sales the next Ranger already has the edge over the new Volkswagen Amarok. As a refresher, VW’s pickup will switch from its proprietary platform to Ranger underpinnings with the next generation. In fact, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles admitted recently the Amarok would’ve been discontinued had it not been for the tie-up with Ford. Australian media is reporting the Raptor variant is earmarked for North America this time around, complete with a revamped 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine while other markets will get the amped-up truck with 2.0- and 3.0-liter diesels. VW is preparing its own potent version of the Amarok that would carry the “R” suffix.

Do you like the BMW X5 but want a better motor with more displacement? How about a GM 6.2L V8, AWD, 420 HP & 460 lb-ft of torque matted to a GM 8sp transmission! VinFast, Vietnam first auto company has decided to start with a SUV of quality. With the challanges and expense of clean sheeting an auto, VinFast choose to go to Magna Steyr of Austria which redesigned the BMW X5 SUV for BMW. As a new auto company, they signed Magna Steyr and had Pininfarina work with them to build a 21st century SUV with a reliable V8 motor. VinFast SUV is called the President and comes loaded at the set price of $164,000. Full story here: https://jalopnik.com/you-can-get-a-brand-new-bmw-x5-with-a-6-2-liter-gm-v8-e-1845132236 https://vinfast.vn/

Electrify America is going strong in building out their DC fast charging network across the US. They have now created a new sub division Electrify Home. 80% of charging is done at homes for those that own ev's. One of the biggest challenges for home owners is finding an electrician who will install a Level 2 or 220V home charger. Electrify Home https://www.electrifyhome.com/ now aims to reduce this confusion and simplify adding home charging. As simple as choosing your charger, choose the area you live in and have them tell you who can install the product. 24/7 support for their chargers and 3yr parts n labor warranty. Very simple web site that helps you easily add EV charging to your home.

Tomorrow is Tesla Shareholder meeting followed by their Battery Day. New Announcements are expected of battery cell's that will last triple the life cycle of current cells today plus big energy density improvements. New batteries are expected to be used in the Semi's, Truck and their Roadster 2.0. Tesla 3 has changed battery over to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells these cells are cheaper to produce, longer life and stop using rare earth elements like cobalt. https://www.tesla.com/2020shareholdermeeting

Tequiza

stirred

Been seeing more and more R-31 to R-34 Nissan Skylines in Washington lately. http://davidsclassiccars.com/nissan/115285-1987-nissan-skyline-gts-r-1-of-800.html

True, Hoovers can SUCK well! Agree, that the original Z that started this is still a looker to this day!

Smart (be it a 4 year old or 94 year old, asking questions is always smart)

Maybe this was the Clown Edition!

So true, they USED TO HAVE some good stuff, sadly, those days seem to be forgotten by the current executive team. I get where the Grill is coming from on this concept, but today this is really just seems retro weird on a 21st century auto. Just DOES NOT WORK for me IMHO.

For comparison side by side, 2003 350Z Have to say the back end is better in this new version, front end is a FAIL!

Newest photo's show the true size of the Ford Maverick Mini Pickup with a Ford Ranger right behind it. additional views of the truck with the Ranger on the site. https://www.autoblog.com/2020/09/21/ford-maverick-spy-photos-suspension/

I also wonder how fast GM will roll out the Chevrolet Silverado EV truck since it will be produced in the same assembly line.