Change is inevitable. So is the choice. But the best decisions are made responsibly. Being responsible is good. Whether you buy a zero-emissions vehicle for the sake of the environment or a safer environment comes as a bonus, the important thing here is tapping into your own motivation that drives you to want to do something. And most humans want to feel they are contributing to something bigger than themselves anyways.

Best decisions are also informed decisions. So when it gets to EVs, you should be able to look at them with a critical eye – not only appreciate their advantages but accept the shortcomings as well. We often tend to exaggerate the virtues of EVs, turning a blind eye to their flaws.

Let’s open our minds and look beyond what’s comfortable; embrace the change, give constructive critique – inspire that perfect EV fleet. Let’s have an honest conversation about issues with EVs.

The charging station conundrum

Right now you are used to pulling up to a gas station and being out in a matter of 10 minutes or less. Even if there’s a line – the wait is still acceptable given the number of available fueling pumps.

Now, imagine having to charge your electric ride. The fastest charge would take you about 15 minutes. And what if there’s a line? How much of your valuable time are you willing to spend just waiting for your car to fill up on electricity?

The most obvious solution to this challenge is building more charging stations and optimizing charging time. It may be a valid option, we just need to be patient and wait for the infrastructure to grow and develop.

Besides, an average range today will allow you a trip of 200 miles on a single charge – we rarely drive more than that in a single day. So when we compare EVs with traditional, gasoline-powered cars, the difference is strictly psychological, according to some researchers. But should we really be justifying the slow adoption of electric vehicles based on the imperfections of human nature? Yes, the human species have a hard time parting with something familiar, something that gives at least an illusion of stability.

But curiosity and exploration are also intrinsic to humans. How about those of us who like to go on adventure trips, getting lost among the rugged terrains? Would we be willing to “contaminate” the virgin landscapes with charging stations? Because it’s not like we can just carry a jerry can filled with electricity around.

While this is still far off in the future, and we first need to get more EVs on our streets, this challenge will eventually catch up to us. We might as well start planning early and solve the charging time and battery capacity conundrums first.

The charging time conundrum

Let’s say the new improved charging stations will be able to supercharge your car in 15 minutes or less. Here’s the thing, though, – the faster you charge your battery, the more you reduce its life, and increase the possibility of fire. A flaming EV battery seems like something you wouldn’t want to experience.

So, there is a good reason why you usually trickle charge your batteries – as you do with your lawnmower or vacuum cleaner, or any battery gadget you have at home. But here’s the thing – you are at home and there’s usually no urgency. With EVs, we don’t have patience or time to wait for a slow charging battery to replenish.

I’ll charge my EV at home, overnight, you’ll say. Well, this leads us to the next conundrum.

The electricity supply conundrum

EV advocates have been dodging the attacks of EV skeptics on this front. To begin with, the latter claim that all EVs together will bring the electricity supply grid. Somehow they even got the CEO of Toyota on board, who has also expressed doubts about electrical grid capacity. Unless that’s a marketing trick to steer the attention towards hydrogen-fueled cars.

To counteract this claim, the Department of Energy produced a report that assures concerned citizens that mass adoption of EVs “will not pose significantly greater challenges than past evolutions of the U.S. electric power system.” And some automakers are feeling positive about EVs being able to even add stability to the electric grid.

Another concern hits closer to home. You can’t use your 120V plug to charge your electric vehicle. Or technically, you can – but prepare to stay home for days waiting for your battery to replenish because your standard plug only adds a few miles of range per hour! And I know you are not buying your EV only to stare at it in your garage for days. So you will need a 240-volt charging system at home, which adds a hefty number to the cost of owning an electric vehicle. And not all homeowners are prepared to assume it right away.

A survey at UC Davis found out that 21 percent of California drivers gave up on their plug-in vehicle after driving it for some time. 71 percent of these drivers didn’t have a 240-volt plug at home.

It seems that some EV enthusiasts are, well, being too enthusiastic, deeming the biggest challenge with EVs is actually getting people to try them. They claim that once you try an EV you are most likely going to stick with it. They say it’s fun to drive and joining the ranks of green-minded individuals should not be the last reason either.

But the reality paints a different picture – retaining drivers is paramount for our bright green future.

Will electric cars be just cars someday?

It’s hard to predict the future exactly as it will be. We can speculate, make projections, and set goals. EVs come with a lot of questions, concerns, and confusion, but also a great deal of curiosity and motivation to solve all the unknowns.

For electric vehicles to become part of our everyday life it will take a shifting mindset to learn to love them. But not just for the end consumer. Automakers, government regulators, scientists, regular drivers, and of course, the Big Oil companies would all need to come together and gear up for the challenge of bringing safe and efficient vehicles to our roads.

The post Issues with EVs we (don’t) talk about appeared first on Altered Steel.

What is the story behind this man who self-describes as “Doctor Frankenstein of Teslas”? Join us in this post, as we explore his work that, no doubt, serves as an inspiration for seasoned and novice mechanics alike. 

What is the story behind Rich Benoit’s passion for rebuilding cars?

Rich Benoit, a father of three, had been working in the IT sector until very recently. However, his transfer from IT to the automobile world is not coincidental. Ever since he was a child, he loved deconstructing and then rebuilding fake Rolexes that his father, an electrical engineer used to bring him. His curiosity and patience while putting all the pieces back together were remarkable.

He gained the confidence that he could truly fix things and was willing to ride along self-learning curves. He wouldn’t use manuals or consult with other experts, just intuition and trial and error approach instead. Little did he know that his passion would eventually bring him on the path of reverse-engineering.

Interestingly, he did not interfere much with his first car: a 2004 Dodge SRT-4. However, soon enough, he would come across damaged second-hand motorcycles and cars. This triggered his ambition to go bigger with his rebuilds. Thus, another more challenging phase would begin for him, as he would figure out a lot of mechanics knowledge on his own.

How did Rich Benoit come across Teslas?

Even though rebuilding gadgets or wrecked automobiles was a genuine passion, focusing on Teslas was more of a coincidence. In 2014, one of his friends calls him and tells him about his latest car: a Tesla Model S. Rich was eager to test it. But, the moment he sat behind that steering wheel and drove the car, he fell in love with it. Probably it was something related to the specific EV engine, or its quietness, which impressed him. He had to have that car!

Once Benoit found out the six-digit price of the car though, he was shocked. Therefore, he started brainstorming for cheaper ways to get his Tesla. He was able to find an old Tesla, which needed parts to be fixed. However, at that time, Tesla refused to sell him any parts, due to its strict repair policy.

However, Rich Benoit was determined to rebuild his Tesla, one way or another. Soon enough, he figured that he could use the parts of another Tesla to do that. Thus, after spending more than 500 hours in his garage, he reached his goal, deciding to call his first rebuilt Tesla, Dolores. He documented the entire process and began posting videos on a random forum, eventually moving to YouTube. This is how his journey as a vlogger began.

What are the dynamics between Tesla and ‘Rich Rebuilds’?

Rich Rebuilds is the name of Benoit’s YouTube channel, a medium that has triggered a lot of debate around him, but which has ultimately contributed to some of his videos going viral. No doubt he is an interesting, snarky, and humorous character, who is not afraid to come across as goofy. His videos are watched by car enthusiasts, as well as by amateurs.

The first controversy came to light when by accident his hand appeared in one of the uploads, and viewers realized that he was black. The racist comments flooded, but that did not stop him. In fact, he would pin the most racist comments and eventually realize that this strategy would actually decrease such comments by 80%.

The next range of polemics had to do with Tesla. For a long time now, Tesla has been very strict about not letting any information regarding its auto pieces or diagnostic tools become publicly available. The idea of having someone documenting this information publicly did not resonate well with the automaker. As a result, YouTube has removed a couple of his videos, and Tesla has canceled Rich’s referral account. It even refused to provide him with service manuals. As you can imagine, this has not stopped Benoit either. On the contrary, he kept expanding his audience and business operations.

What is next for Rich Benoit?

In late 2019, Rich Benoit partnered with Chris Salvo and Chad Hrencecin to open “The Electrified Garage” in Seabrook, New Hampshire. This garage would be solely dedicated to repairing electric vehicles. He then expanded to Florida in late 2020.

Considering the high demand, he plans to get bigger. In fact, he has even announced that he might go back to rebuilding gas cars, which again has raised a lot of controversy among his followers. Probably, someday, we will see him restoring classic cars too. As he says, “Remember: I’m a car enthusiast, not an EV enthusiast”

The right to repair is one of the main causes that stands behind his determination to grow his business. Benoit believes that it is not fair that car manufacturers make it difficult for customers to fix their own cars. Capable auto mechanics should be allowed to get into business and repair different brands too.

Despite changes in the MA legislation, this is an ongoing effort. The story of Rich Benoit though is definitely unique. It shows how someone who is self-taught can accomplish so much and attempt at demonopolizing areas of the auto industry.

The post Rich Benoit – A man with a knack for rebuilding Teslas appeared first on Altered Steel.

When you buy something, you own it and, theoretically, you should be able to do whatever you want with it. Yet in practice, things get a lot more complicated.

Currently, a number of organizations are fighting for the so-called electronics right to repair. But did you know it extends way farther than that? It actually started with the automotive industry, and this is what we are going to explore today. Is your car really yours? Surprisingly, it is not a clear-cut answer!

What is the right to repair?

In today’s world, the repairs niche suffers quite a bit. We are more eager to buy something new when the old breaks (or just gets too old) than fix it. That said, you can still opt for repair… usually.

Think of it like this – if your coffee machine breaks out of warranty, you can get it repaired wherever you see fit. You can try it yourself, or have a specialist do it. The manufacturer of the appliance should not have a say in your decision. Or to put it simply – they cannot require you to only use their repair services. However, things often play out differently.

To get technical, a general “right to repair” does not exist to apply wherever you want. Some say it is implied by the nature of ownership. And while this has rarely been an issue in the past, our world is now split on it. Why? Because the products we use are no longer just “a product”. You buy the hardware, but you also need software to use it. Here things get complicated!

Companies say that while you do own the hardware, you only license the software. Want to break your phone? Go ahead. Want to repair it? Well, that involves a lot of software tinkering as well, and that is often proprietary. It does not stop with phones either – all that also applies to cars!

Do you have the right to repair your car?

Vehicles used to be mostly hardware. You could go to any old mechanic and they could do wonders on your ride. They did not have to know programming, microscale electronics, or software diagnostics. For better or worse, this is changing.

Now Elon Musk calls his vehicles “computers on wheels”. Thanks to the EV revolution he sparked, you can apply the same description to conventional cars too. They are filled to the brim with electronics and proprietary software.

So, what happens when your vehicle’s sensors shout out “ISSUE”? You go to an authorized shop, of course! Only they can decipher what that even means, thanks to the closed source software that runs your car. At least, manufacturers want it to be that way.

What you need to know about the automotive repair rights

Because of legislation passed back in 2012, car companies have agreed to provide third parties with their diagnostic tools. That means that in theory, you do have the right to repair your car.

As you would expect, there is still a catch. Official diagnostics are available… for a hefty fee. That leaves smaller shops to rely on aftermarket tools, which may or may not work. Furthermore, your local mechanic will likely not be able to fix software problems.

This raises the question: Which problems are considered software? Here is how we can classify issues after running diagnostics:

• Mechanical – Those would be your regular part failures. Any repair shop should be able to take care of them without too much trouble.
• Electronic – Those have to do with the electrical system of the car, often related to sensors that talk to the software. Here you might run into repair problems if you opt for aftermarket solutions. Though on paper you can fix such issues anywhere, you may still have to rely on OEM parts.
• Software – While some repair shops can probably handle certain software problems, the “official” way of handling them is to go to authorized shops.
• Mixed – Such issues involve a mechanical/electrical and a software system. Here we get into murky waters. This may be the loophole for companies to go around any further legislation.

Where are the limits of the right to repair your vehicle?

Thanks to current laws, you have the right to repair mechanical and possibly electrical issues. But that may also change. If the modern trend continues, cars will become more and more like computers. How long until car manufacturers start labeling themselves as IT companies? Tesla is halfway there already.

The more vehicle repairs get tangled up with software the harder they will become. Manufacturers can complicate the process, label their software as intellectual property, and gatekeep any further repairs.

To make things worse, they can actually make a good legal case. With more complicated systems, driving safety becomes even more important. Sure, a simple battery change may not amount to much, but what if it disrupts some signals, which compromise the safety features of the software? Dress that up in more technical lingo and you have a recipe for denial of any repair rights.

Put all of this together and you can see how companies can start working towards labeling all issues as “mixed”. Meaning they would all require some sort of software calibration. Where does this leave us then?

Do you really own your car?

According to Apple, you own your iPhone, not its operating system. The tech giant is licensing it to you. In simpler terms, you are renting the software. That renders the device virtually useless on its own.

Could we be heading the same way with vehicles? Of course, you own the car, but you have no rights to the software systems that make it move. For all intents and purposes, all your car’s functions have to be rented. And repairing them? Well, that is messing with the intellectual property!

Do you think that is going to happen soon? Or does it sound a bit too far-fetched for you? To be honest, I think the future of mobility does not favor car ownership.

The post Right to Repair: Is your car really yours? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Even so, this beast was rather short-lived. Who knew a time would come when US folks would actually care about fuel efficiency? Well, the 2008 crisis was a wake-up call for many, and the Hummer fell as one of the business casualties. By 2010, the car marque had officially stopped being manufactured.

Now, almost an entire decade later, the Humvee’s successor is getting revived! However, it will not be coming back with its former reputation. This time around, GMC is joining in the EV revolution. But can the old gas guzzler become the poster electric pickup? Let’s check that out!

The Hummer had a long road to travel

We have to admit one thing – the original Hummer was a great idea. Making a military vehicle viable for the general public seems a very US thing to do. And honestly, it did prove successful for a while.

Even now, the original 1992 Hummer H1 has a fanbase. Thanks to its off-road capabilities and rugged construction, the machine appeals to many. Yet even that very first model was chugging gas like crazy. It had an abysmal MPG ratio of 10.69. For comparison, some modern SUVs can get up to 30 mpg and above. Not quite the fair battle, sure, but a staggering difference nonetheless.

With that said, fewer people cared about efficiency at the time. When GM saw its potential, the company decided to get marketing rights. In 2002, they introduced Hummer H2, which also turned out fairly successful in its niche. It had an even worse fuel economy, with some testers claiming just about 9 mpg.

Seems like the automaker was not even trying to come up with a more efficient engine. The best it managed was 15 mpg on the latest Hummer H3. In light of all that, having  GMC jump straight to an electric SUV (or pickup, depending on the viewpoint) seems a bit… ambitious, to say the least. What is the carmaker really planning?

The Electric Hummer – Jumping on the EV bandwagon or something more?

In a world where polarization seems a regular occurrence, the EV market has been steadily growing nonetheless. I can guess why. Modern “green” cars have less to do with the Prius and more to do with Tesla Model S. Or to put it differently, if you want power, you go electric.

When we state it like this, one thing becomes apparent. GM is not shifting the Hummer market – they are catering to it. See, the cool kids do not go after gas guzzlers anymore. Even SUV enthusiasts understand there is no need for inefficiency nowadays. When we have an SUV that can get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, the bar is now completely different.

I think that General Motors is not trying to set the trend. Instead, the company is playing it safe by going after the performance EV market. But you know what? That is fine. Virtually every manufacturer is trying to shift focus towards electrics, at least partly.

However, as Porsche Taycan has shown us, going electric is not enough. If you do not bring anything new to the table, you will not see much success. How will the new Hummer compete against other premium eSUVs? What about the already infamous Cybertruck? There may be hope!

All you need to know about the new GMC Hummer

First and foremost, the Hummer is no longer its own thing. It falls entirely within the GMC lineup now. Does that mean much? Maybe not, but branding is not done lightly. Perhaps GM is planning on establishing a much more prominent presence once again. Well, with the Hummer, it may be on the right track. Here is why:

• Massive power. GM wanted to make one thing clear from the start – the new Hummer will still be a beast. The engine will have 1,000 horsepower with 11,500 lb-ft torque. Now, that torque number is misleading. It will probably be somewhere closer to 800 lb-ft once you convert the raw torque to actual output.
• Excellent acceleration. GM has stated that the vehicle can accelerate to 60 mph in 3 seconds. Does that sound familiar? Tesla has similar claims for its pickup. We understand whose audience the new GMC EV is going after.
• Versatility to match. The Hummer has a signature look, but it can also fill different roles. Supposedly, it will have regular street-focused models, but also off-road versions too. Plus, GM is making it into an SUV-Pickup hybrid, which could be interesting.

Though all that sounds impressive, don’t be in haste to cheer. The new Hummer is at least two years away. Honestly, I am tired of all these grand reveals, such as that of Tesla Cybertruck. I mean, yes, everything sounds cool, but manufacturers are no longer pitching vehicles. Instead, they are giving us their awesome ideas. For all we know, they might be completely divorced from reality!

The possible pitfall of the electric GMC Hummer

Since everything is turning into a betting game, I take all numbers with a grain of salt. Sure, 1000 hp sounds impressive, but what does it even mean? For starters, horsepower works a bit differently with electric motors. Plus, even if you have a lot of it, performance relies on other things too.

Here is a fun balancing act that all EVs have to manage. The more powerful they are, the more battery they drain. That reduces the range. To counter that, you need a bigger battery. Well, that adds weight, and weight requires more power. It is a bit of a vicious cycle.

Because of this problem, most EV manufacturers are trying to make their vehicles as light as possible. But how light do you think a giant beast like the Hummer can be? I doubt GMC is going to beat Tesla, who has been in this game for a while. Ultimately, any numbers stated by GM may prove less impressive when put to the test.

For instance, the top Cybertruck engine is supposed to deliver real 1000 lb-ft of torque. Instead of addressing that, GM has decided to give us an inflated number. That makes me conclude that the EV Hummer depends too much on marketing and too little on real-life performance.

Does the GMC Hummer EV sound appealing?

In all honesty, I may have been a bit too critical of this EV. That is because I want it to turn out well. See, if Tesla finds proper competition, we can hope to see even better electrics in the future. Other companies will know that they need to step up their game. Even though all are making EVs, most are mediocre. At least the Hummer is aiming higher.

What is your opinion about it? Do you want it to be a good EV contender? Though this vehicle has a bit of a niche look, we could say the same about the Cybertruck. Yet that one proved successful enough. Maybe rough and rugged is the new slick and sexy!

The post GMC’s Hummer EV: Gas guzzler turned eco beast appeared first on Altered Steel.

Infrastructure? Practically non-existent. Not even the most developed cities were EV-friendly.

Today, the general picture has changed significantly. Not only can we name six EV brands, but we also have the luxury of selecting the best six out of numerous other options.


The outlook for electric vehicles seems to be highly positive today.

Car manufacturers worldwide have been investing in developing and perfecting electric models. And companies like Tesla and Hyundai have proudly revealed more than one electric vehicle model.

What has changed? What trends accelerated EV production and spiked market demand?

Cars going green: key modern trends

• Extended driving range: through better battery technology, today’s EVs can traverse over 300 miles on a single charge. An impressive range like this enhances the feeling of independence while driving. No more looking for charging stations. And the best part is that automakers are continuously looking for ways to improve the range. Maybe someday, “Go electric, go free” will be the marketing slogan used by EV manufacturers.
• Faster charging time: Overnight charging is quickly becoming a thing of the past. You can now charge your EV as quickly as 30 minutes. It seems like enough time to enjoy a good cup of coffee nearby. Again, all that thanks to better, more efficient batteries.
• Mass-market production: Electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream. It means that the number of EVs on the market is increasing, and, as an economist would say: once the supply goes up, the price goes down. Indeed, these cars have become more affordable. As you’ll see below, EVs are sold at a wide range of prices to fit different budgets.
• Better green technology: According to the BloombergNEF research, “the volume-weighted average battery pack fell 85% from 2010-2018.” It means that the price went down along with it. Cheaper and longer-lasting Li-ion batteries ultimately significantly lower the EV production costs.
• Better infrastructure: As EVs’ market has been growing, the network of charging stations has expanded. California remains the leading state with the most private and public electric vehicle charging stations, followed by Texas and Florida. EVs are also strongly encouraged in places that generate clean electricity through renewable resources.

Best EVs you can buy today:

2019 Nissan Leaf – $29,990

The Nissan Leaf is among the most affordable EVs on the market. The 2019 model is significantly better than the previous versions in terms of range and battery charging time. The 2019 Leaf Plus can last up to 215 miles on a single charge. Depending on the voltage, the charging time can vary between 7.5 hours and 35 hours. I know this is a big difference, but unfortunately, the range and chargers are not the strongest qualities of the Nissan Leaf.

The performance is very decent in terms of acceleration and horsepower (147-horsepower electric motor). Yet, the interior design looks a bit on the cheap side and is far from luxurious. A big up for Nissan is that each year it brings improved and better-looking EVs at affordable prices.

2019 Volkswagen e-Golf – $31,895

The e-Golf does not look much different from the manufacturer’s non-EVs. Also, driving it does not feel much different either. Thus, if you are looking forward to driving an EV, but worry that it will not feel like driving a “real car,” then this is a perfect fit for you. The interior is of premium quality, and there is enough space to make your driving experience pleasant.

The main drawback of the e-Golf is a low range. It can drive up to 125 miles on a single charge, which pretty much makes it a city car. If you plan on traveling longer distances, you should make sure to locate charging stations along the way.

2020 Chevrolet Bolt – $36,620

With the Chevrolet Bolt, you can go farther than you think. While still being in the affordable range, it can take you as far as 259 miles on a single charge. If you use the DC fast charging, you can charge 100 miles in 30 minutes.

Drivers and passengers alike will appreciate the roomy interior, infotainment system, driver assistance technology, and generous cargo space. The driver screen shows you the percentage of energy used at each car process and activity. Getting real-time information about your driving efficiency definitely adds value to the whole EV experience.

2020 Hyundai Kona Electric – $36,990

This EV offers a great balance of good performance, upscale interior, and price. The range is the generous  258 miles. No wonder it has been voted as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Hyundai has publicly declared its long term focus on e-mobility, aiming to reach a leading position on the EV market globally. Even though the South Korean auto manufacturer may not be the most popular choice among American drivers, its U.S. sales have been increasing. So, you might want to keep an eye out for Hyundai’s upcoming EV models, not only for more innovative features but also for good value for money.

2020 Jaguar I-Pace – $69,850

Oh, the Jaguar! I am personally happy that even luxury auto manufacturers have their electric models. The Jaguar I-Pace could not be any different in terms of premium interior and exterior design when compared to its non-electric versions.

The all-electric SUV has a 234-mile range and promises to take you from 0 to 60mph in 4,5 seconds in style –  part of the Jaguar magic. This is costly magic, though, as this EV costs almost double the previously mentioned Hyundai Kona. But if you give it a chance, you will see it as a good investment in no time.

2020 Tesla Model X – $86,190

Of course, Tesla could not be absent from this list. The reason why we mention it last is its cost. Tesla S and especially Tesla X are among the most expensive EVs on the market today. Yet, for an EV enthusiast, Tesla model X remains the greenest car with the best performance and the highest range – over 300 miles. This model also comes in AWD, meaning that you will be able to drive it safely, even in bad weather conditions.

The interior cabin is spacious, fitting up to seven people, and has a decent infotainment system. The best part for a speed lover: it can reach 60 mph in 2.6 seconds. Driving fast and green in a high-end car. A dream of any environmental and car enthusiast!

What’s your favorite EV?

The six options above are proof that EVs are rapidly growing in popularity. And as the prices are lowering, ultimately, the demand for EVs is going up. As a female EV enthusiast, I can happily say that the cycle is getting reinforced at an exponential rate. More people buy EVs, there is more incentive for manufacturers to go electric, there is more competition, and ultimately, higher-quality cars.

So, after browsing through our top six EVs, which one do you see as a good investment? Would dive into the whole EV experience head-on, or do you prefer an EV that looks more like a regular car? I personally cannot wait to see the 2021 models. Maybe electrifying our mobility is not such a distant dream, after all!

The post The six best EVs to buy in 2020 appeared first on Altered Steel.

On November 21^st, 2019 the news of Tesla Cybertruck rippled through the internet in one giant shockwave. Yet, it was not done through an ad campaign, nor clever marketing tricks. What advertising experts cannot do in a lifetime, Elon Musk did in a simple tweet. With it, the whole world exploded in discussions about the new Tesla. And pre-orders followed by the thousands.

From initially disappointed investors to ecstatic fans now everybody knows about the new vehicle. Even if you live under a rock, I bet a colony of ants would have spelled “Cybertruck” for you. But is there substance behind the hype? Or does Tesla just have the most loyal fans ever? Let’s try to figure it out!

What is the Cybertruck anyway?

Although everyone must have heard about the car by now, not many people really understand what it is. I have even had people asking me whether the Cybertruck is not just a joke. Honestly, though, these were my initial thoughts, too. But while the car is real, many still don’t get it. Is it an SUV, a pickup, or what?

Naturally, such a vehicle warrants confusion. It is made worse by the fact that everyone regards Cybertruck differently. Some think it may very well be an SUV, while others consider it something new entirely. Musk himself sees it as a truck with a sports car’s soul. If you want to use it for its utility, you can; yet, you may also push that pedal and enjoy a nice kick!

Let me clear this up though – the vehicle is a pickup, – plain and simple. Don’t buy into this whole clickbaity mess that tells you otherwise. Everybody wants to be edgy and original, so what do they do? They come with made-up reasons why the Cybertruck is not a pickup. None of them hold up.

Sure, it has shiny new additions, improved systems, and so on, but that should not matter. What would you call a sedan with memory seats? A sedan, still! Same thing here.

That is not to say that Tesla’s new model does not have anything to show. Regardless of its gimmicky design, the car definitely packs a punch (along with some other things). Shall we check what it brings to the table?

How Tesla Cybertruck changes the pickup game

For the longest time, pickup trucks have been pretty boring. Sure, there are big old mean machines, but hardly anything more than that. Although lately, manufacturers have been designing some of them for off-roading, most are still workhorses.

As far as work goes, the Cybertruck does not fail to deliver. It offers 100 cubic feet of external cargo space, almost double that of its rival Ford F-150, for example. Additionally, the space is lockable from the get-go, and also offers modular options.

You can ride the car around the farm one day and go camping in it next. Musk has you covered there too, with climate control for the cargo area too. Top that off with a solar panel roof for some energy, and you can pretty much live off that car for a while.

This leads me to another major benefit of the Cybertruck. In a recent article, I have talked about how SUVs could be bad for the environment. Sadly, pickups have the same shortcomings. Of course, they do not apply to new Tesla, as being electric makes it a cleaner workhorse alternative.

All in all, calling this car a swiss-army knife would not be too far from the truth. Well, aside from that “knife” part. But here are some other great things about the Tesla Cybertruck:

• Safety first. Even though the design is a bit quirky, this is perhaps one of the safest cars available. It comes with Tesla armored glass and ultra-hard steel exoskeleton.
• Towing a mobile home. In its top configuration, it has a towing capacity of more than 14,000 lbs. For comparison, the most expensive Ford F-150 engine could only give you 11,600 lbs.
• Top speed to blow you away. As you probably know, electric engines accelerate like crazy. You can go from 0 to 62 in about 3s. However, what impresses me even more is that you can get to 130 mph. Even the weakest engine has its top speed at 110 mph. A sports-pickup for sure!

Being 231.7 inches long and 79.8 inches wide this is no small beast. It also allows for up to 16 inches of ground clearance, which lends to its off-road capabilities. However, with all those things going for it, one cannot help but wonder about the design. Is there a reason for its extravagance?

The design of the Cybertruck – Gimmick or not?

Considering how many people think this Tesla pickup to be a joke, the gimmick seems rather obvious. Some have even called it an excellent example of marketing ingenuity. Musk was able to tap into a special niche – the nerd crowd.

Undoubtedly, nerd culture thrives in the 21^st century. Superhero movies are cool, video games are considered sports, and science fiction is not dorky anymore. In other words – nerd is the new normal. Still, the automotive market has been really slow in catering to nerds. Elon Musk showed us why that was a mistake!

Even though investors were initially disappointed, the numbers did not lie. The “pros” considered Cybertruck to be a flop from the get-go, yet in a day and a half, it scored almost 150,000 pre-orders. Not too shabby, right? According to Musk, all of that was done without any advertising.

By now all of our gimmick alarms should be running crazy. However, the design is actually a necessity. Because of the materials used (spacecraft steel), curves are nigh impossible and the blocky aesthetic was inevitable. So rather than figuring out a more mass-market design, Musk turned the drawback into a selling point.

Do you know what I find funny though? I think many companies will misread the whole thing. I would not be surprised if we start seeing more such designs in the future. And they will be bound to flop. I think the success of the Cybertruck was a perfect storm of various factors, which most simply miss…

Why such cars will not be the future

There is something special about Tesla, regardless of whether you like the company or not. It has been spearheading the EV revolution for a while now. However, the company also shows a level of extravagance, largely due to Musk. That has helped the automaker get away with things that would have buried other companies.

Because of all that, I think it is safe to say that the success of the Tesla Cybertruck is a bit weird. It has more to do with the cult following that Tesla has, rather than its actual merits. The love-it-or-hate-it design only adds to the truck’s appeal, regardless of whether people actually like the looks.

Furthermore, in a sea of similar cars, individuality is important. I would take the unique-looking Tesla over any other pickup or SUV any day of the week. At least my choice will stand out. I am sure many other people think along the same lines.

The issue arises when we have to talk a bit more objectively about the Cybertruck design. I doubt that anyone would consider it the pinnacle of car design. Its appeal depends on quirkiness. If all other cars were like that though, no one would have cared about it. Which also tells us why copycats are unlikely to succeed.

At the end of the day, the majority of people DO NOT want a Cybertruck design. It would be a niche market at best. We may see more Tesla models like it, but other manufacturers will not be able to bank on that trend, I believe. That puts the new Tesla at the best place possible – it will remain a pioneer of sorts. Maybe 50 years from now we will even consider it to be among America’s most iconic classics.

Do you like the Tesla Cybertruck?

I cannot push myself to say that the polygonal design of the Cybertruck is a piece of art. It may be charming in its own way, but hardly beautiful. However, I realize that the matter of aesthetics is more of a subjective thing. So I don’t doubt that many people would find it cool regardless of the mainstream opinion. Actually, it has started to grow on me as well.

Do you know what I gather from the whole situation? People enjoy cool new tech in their cars. We want to see new things, stuff that breaks the mold. Experimentation should be encouraged, and we should do away with all those copycat models we see nowadays. You can hardly tell modern cars apart. Sure, maybe don’t go as far as boxes on wheels, but give us something new…

So where do you stand on the Tesla Cybertruck thing? Do you think it is all a gimmick? And even if it is, do you still find it cool? In my opinion, gimmicks are not inherently bad, if the company can deliver on its promises. Let’s hope that Elon Musk and Tesla do not disappoint us with the execution of this one!

The post Tesla Cybertruck: The future or a gimmick? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Then come some secondary benefits, which are just as important – better efficiency, much better acceleration, a simpler build. When you put all of that together you start wondering why we have not adopted the EVs sooner. Especially since the first practical electric car was in use all the way back in the 19^th century. So what went wrong?

We can find the answer by looking at the batteries. While old-timey EVs were great, they were not a viable long-distance option. Their range could simply not exceed 30-40 miles, not to mention the lack of fast charging. Due to the inferior technology and no obvious solution, EVs were slowly phased out by more practical alternatives.

But then came the lithium-ion and polymer batteries. They could hold more charge for a longer time in a smaller body with a quicker fill-up. All of a sudden, the EV dream was revitalized. These batteries are now offering a better performing, greener alternative! Or do they?

Are EV batteries too good to be true?

As with many other things in life, if something sounds perfect, it is probably not. EV technology is definitely an improvement over the old internal combustion engine. But at what cost? It turns out there are some things we did not predict correctly – the recycling of those batteries. While that does not mean EVs are a scam, it may be enough to give us pause. However, the problems are not what you would expect.

Technically, EVs are greener compared to the total use of an ICE vehicle. The problem comes from the human factor in this equation. When a battery reaches the end of its lifecycle, it has to be recycled. Yet it cannot recycle itself, can it? And when was the last time you recycled your phone’s battery?

People have a tendency to disregard older stuff they no longer use. But wait a second, are EVs not a little too big to be ignored? The issues cannot all stem from the human factor as we cannot simply throw our cars in the corner of a drawer. That means there is something fishy with all the explanations here, and I am going to find it out!

The truth behind the battery recycling issues

EVs are polarizing for sure. I have to admit that I am also not impartial to them and come from a position of support. So naturally, I see this recent news on battery recycling mainly as fuel for EV opponents. This made me want to delve a bit deeper and figure out if the issues are as prominent as they are made out to be.

Firstly, recycling is indeed a challenge. Yet, it is unreasonable to claim that for EVs only – it has always been an issue for almost all spheres of technology, including regular cars. Secondly, the recycling issue does not make EVs less viable. It simply reduces the “green” aspect of the batteries. Of course, that is not inconsequential, yet it is not a deal-breaker either. The good news is that EVs, in general, are easier to recycle because they have fewer parts and need less clean-up.

Yet, here is the kicker – none of the above even matters. Why? Because the issue with battery recycling has to do primarily with hybrids, not with full EVs. Think about it – a full EV has giant batteries, which you cannot simply avoid. They are a huge part of the whole car.  With hybrids, though, you can do pretty much whatever you want. Even dumping them is pretty easy.

This is why the recycling issue is strictly a human factor. It has nothing to do with how efficiently we recycle the entirety of the battery. Recycling simply does not happen! People can sell their hybrid without many issues, and most of us do not care about the hybrid’s battery life anyway. Though I do have to admit that it presents a unique challenge for the future of automotive history. It is kind of sad to assume that part of your car will become non-functional with time.

Yet it is all about how hybrids were marketed. Even in the beginning, the range was not exactly a major selling point. They were promoted on the grounds that they increase your mpg ratio and recover some energy from braking. Range became a thing only when full EVs were proven to be a viable alternative to traditional cars.

However, I realize that I cannot simply expect people to accept that without more details. This is why I want us to explore full EV batteries in more depth. That way you will see why they are not the issue!

How long do EV batteries last?

If you do a bit of digging online, you will see that most talks about battery recycling focus on 10-year lifespans. This is the red flag to point us that it has nothing to do with the giant batteries in full EVs. Tesla (and many other companies) are working hard to make their batteries last a whole lot more than 10 years.

The biggest issue for any battery is capacity degradation. It does not simply die on you – it stops holding as big of a charge. However, the tech is improving rapidly, and after 10 years of regular use, most EV batteries only lose 15-20% capacity – a practically dismissible amount. Would you say that such a car can no longer be in use? I do not think so.

Furthermore, such degradation will likely get limited even further. Current predictions have it going below 1% a year. So in the span of 10 years, most batteries manufactured today will not lose more than 10% capacity.

Here are a few things that affect the life of a battery so that you have a better idea of why huge batteries will likely never be an issue:

• Charge cycles. Degradation usually happens over charge cycles not simply with time. However, one cycle is counted for the full capacity of the battery. In other words, every 150-250 miles is one cycle. This is not the same for the batteries of hybrids – their cycles deplete much faster since their range is often below 30-40 miles.
• Charging speed. Faster charging shortens the life of the battery as well. Current technologies are trying to limit that, but it still happens. Even though it is not substantial, over time it may shorten the battery life by 1 or 2 years.
• Outside temperature. Physics teaches us that colder climates affect the discharge rate of batteries. That means they have a lesser capacity, meaning shorter cycles. Again – not substantially so, just enough to add up with time.
• Overall battery capacity. All of the above would be problematic for smaller batteries, but it gets exponentially less of an issue with bigger ones. Think of it as larger batteries having more of a buffer against negative impacts.

Why does any of the above matter though? Because if full EV batteries ever become a challenge, 10 or 15 more years need to pass for us to see that happening. Additionally, Tesla has detailed plans on how to recycle their batteries. That means they are already on top of the issue.

That being said, hybrid battery recycling problems still exist. There are many things that need to be done in order to handle it. Let us see what those are!

The real issues with recycling smaller EV batteries

I will be the first to admit that many people have dropped the ball here. The human factor in this issue is multifaceted. For starters, it may not be too obvious when and how we should recycle hybrid batteries. Who is to blame here though? I believe companies should have been responsible for educating their clients. Something they have clearly failed to do.

As if that is not enough, there is simply not much incentive on recycling your battery anyway. Most folks do not realize the impact of disregarding that aspect of their hybrid. We may be environmentally conscious, but many of us have no idea about the value of battery recycling. This again points to the lack of proper education. If I see my failed battery as nothing more than trash, I may not go out of my way to find the proper channels to deal with it.

In addition, there were some talks about EVs leading us to another dependency. It is natural to assume that battery recycling issues will only make that worse. Thankfully though, that does not seem to be the case. The main reason for recycling the batteries is not to get out the rare earth minerals. It is to put less strain on the environment in general. Although extracting some valuable metals should not be overlooked.

Still, the real issues cannot be solved by inventing new regulations. Laws and rules work well for companies on a bigger scale, but they are useless for most individuals. No one has the resources to track every single owner of a hybrid, nor should we want that to happen for privacy concerns.

In the end, most problems require a good old information campaign, maybe paired with some incentives. We know they work for phone batteries, so maybe we can think of something similar for hybrid batteries too!

Do battery recycling issues cause you to rethink EVs?

I explained why I do not believe that full EVs are to blame for the battery recycling crisis. Even so, you may still not be convinced that their “green” marketing is that genuine. To be fair, when it comes to sales and money, nothing is done simply because it is better for the environment. I still decide to remain an optimist though.

But what about you? Have you considered buying an EV before and did the recent news dissuade you? And if it did – why? I would be happy to hear an alternative point of view!

The post EV Batteries: A green alternative or recycling nightmare? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Then come the full EVs. Everyone who has ever been in such a vehicle would tell you how surprisingly powerful they are. The electric motor accelerates in a different way, which always leaves people with thoughts of sheer power.

Recently, Lamborghini decided to prove that there is no need for a contrast in marketing between hybrids and full EVs. On top of that, the supercar company did not only come up with an amazing hybrid – they made it their most powerful car to date.  Let us see what makes Lamborghini Sian so special and why the car manufacturer even decided to make it a hybrid!

What you need to know about Lamborghini Sian

The Sian is an exclusive car with only 63 units planned for production. It is meant to commemorate Lamborghini’s founding in 1963. Why now though? I will answer that in a second. First, we need to learn a thing or two about this new beast.

The staple Lamborghini aesthetic has always been a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. It is aggressive, sharp, and polarizing. Naturally, the Sian model follows the same trend, and I would say that it even steps it up a notch. This is the most futuristic design the company has ever made, looking like it will cut you to pieces just by staring at it.

People have compared it to its Aventador brother (on which the Sian is based). But come on – that one is a happy little kitty, compared to the new vehicle. I guess the translation of the name is quite fitting – flash, or lightning.

That being said, we all know that an aggressive design does not mean a fast car. We should then take a look at the specs to see what monster hides underneath the mean looks. Here are some of them:

• Staple V12 Lamborghini engine – This is nothing new for the company, although they have bumped up the horsepower to 785 bhp. That is still impressive, even if it is not new tech.
• Supercapacitor instead of a lithium-ion battery pack – This may not tell you much, but all you need to know is that a supercapacitor delivers more power at less weight. It powers a 48-volt motor that gives an additional 34 hp. However, the electric motor only ever works alone when parking. The rest of the time it serves to keep constant power to the wheels even when switching gears.
• Top speed of 220mph – This is a speed that only a few people in the world will experience, but the interesting thing is that it is actually an arbitrary limit. It is possible that with some mods the Sian will be able to exceed it.
• Supercar-worthy acceleration of 2.8s to 60mph – Obviously, this acceleration is nothing to scoff at, though it does not break the barrier to enter the top 10 fastest cars ever made.

These specs look impressive on paper, but I noticed something that made me question the whole Sian marketing. It is being touted as the most powerful Lambo ever, yet it is not even the fastest. What gives? I will try to unravel that mystery!

Understanding the hybrid supercar

We have already started seeing the trend of electrified sports cars. Porsche Taycan, for example, stormed the scene with grand promises of unparalleled performance. Other manufacturers are also looking for ways to beat the king – Tesla Roadster. Obviously, the move towards sports EVs has already began.

However, all of those new concept vehicles focus strictly on full electric motors. So why did Lamborghini decide to come out with a hybrid on a limited run of 63 cars? And why do they claim it is the most powerful car in their lineup if it is not the fastest? After all, their own 2017 Huracan Performante achieves 60 mph in 2.3 seconds, beating the Sian by a good margin.

Strictly speaking, the Sian deserves the claim – the engine has combined horsepower of up to 819 bhp. When you actually think about it though, you realize how meaningless such figures become.

Sure, it is technically the most powerful, but good luck reaching those 220 mph during regular driving. Acceleration is more important in real world scenarios and the Sian gets nowhere near Tesla Roadster’s 1.9s for 0-60 mph. Could it be that the Sian’s idea is actually a bit different?

What is the goal of Lamborghini Sian?

One may think we are splitting hairs when talking about the outrageous power outputs of supercars. Who will ever notice half a second of difference? While I understand this remark, it actually misses the point. Indeed, nobody would care, if it was not for Lamborghini’s own claims of power.

The limited-edition Sian run was sold out even before the car was officially presented. Obviously, the buyers do not concern themselves with many technical details. On the other hand, Lamborghini understand that their time to come up with a competitive model is running out – hence the Sian.

This car’s idea is not to prove it is the fastest. Nor are Lamborghini trying to make it a best-seller. In my opinion, Sian’s whole purpose is to serve as a worthy placeholder and buy the automaker some time. With it, the company shows us that it’s definitely paying attention, embracing the EV future one step at a time. Only it is not quite there yet.

In all likelihood, we are going to see the Sian’s engine tech in the next Aventador. While Lamborghini have stated that no other model will follow the visual design of the Sian, its technology will be put to good use. I suppose that the company’s engineers will try to perfect the hybrid engine even further, using it to transition to an EV-filled lineup. Or will they?

Lamborghini’s plans about electric vehicles

It may be a bit soon to tell whether Lamborghini has any serious plans in adopting the EV as a whole. However, the automobile maker is under the Volkswagen AG umbrella. Do you know who else is there? Audi and Porsche, which are both working on future EV design and tech.

In fact, in recent news, we have heard that the first Lamborghini EV will be based on Porsche Taycan. That means two things – firstly, Lamborghini is probably not working on its own EV platform right now; secondly, its first EV will likely not be a stab at Tesla at all.

We know that the Taycan will not be able to beat the competition when it comes to acceleration. Porsche’s main focus is developing a platform that can charge much more quickly and still deliver good performance. To be honest though, Porsche makes sports cars, not supercars like its Lamborghini cousin. What may work as a good addition to the former, may be an underwhelming one for the latter.

This is where the Sian comes back into the picture. With its supercapacitor technology, we can actually expect Lamborghini to put its own spin on any future EV platform. So not only is the company showing us it is actively working on proper hybrids, but it is also hinting at future surprises.

The reason I believe I am right is because of certain things Lambo representatives have said. One such thing is their claim that no EV will come out of the company if it cannot at least match the performance of their current models. And since the news for adopting the Taycan platform came shortly after their Sian presentation, I think everything lines up quite well.

What do you think of Lamborghini Sian?

I usually like sharp designs, but even for me the Sian is a bit over the top. Honestly, the Aventador aesthetic, paired with some Sian tech, sounds like the dream to me. I think it will have the potential to be one of the company’s most successful vehicles to date.

What is your opinion though? Do you think Lamborghini is using Sian as a way to wink at us for its upcoming EVs? Or is it just a last-minute attempt to save face when every other company is coming up with an electric vehicle? To be fair, it will not be a surprise if both are true!

The post Lamborghini Sian: The most powerful hybrid supercar appeared first on Altered Steel.

It is no secret that the US Big Three are facing a lot of issues. At the same time, the oil industry carries its own controversies, in which electric cars play no small part. We have even talked about it in our article on swapping one dependency for another with EVs. However, I think we are all missing one key point – business is all about survival.

We are way too busy taking sides instead of looking at what is happening right under our noses. You may be a fan of EVs, or not – that does not matter. What matters, though, is the actions of the most threatened industries. For example, are they fighting the EV trend or are they looking to join it? Or maybe they have no clue what to do either… Let’s unravel the mystery together!

A quick look at the state of Big Oil and US automakers

For quite a long time, oil has been one of those things you cannot really do without. The whole world depended on it (and still does, to be honest). Because of oil, we can have groceries from across the world, our workplaces and homes can be far apart, and we can go pretty much wherever we want.

Cheap and abundant oil resources also have to do with the boom of the car industry. Big vehicles with powerful engines became a thing because we were not concerned with efficiency. Many people thought that SUVs even spelled the end of the American sedan. All in all, Big Oil and automakers made quite the great team. They forged the perfect consumption cycle. Well, until EVs managed to break it!

Of course, we cannot say that EVs alone disrupted Big Oil. The turmoil in the Middle East, US foreign relations, and climate change awareness all had a play in it, along with other factors. That being said, electric vehicles definitely tipped the scales further.

A similar thing happened to US automakers. Lack of innovation, bad worldwide market penetration, and the better initiative of foreign competitors put them in quite the trouble. Yet, just as they started coming up with solutions, Tesla entered the picture and disrupted everything. See, a Ford SUV may sound nice, but what about that cool looking Model X? People just prefer new stuff!

So a combination of many factors put both the oil industry and US automakers at risk. What makes it even worse for them is that people will not believe “gas is better” anymore. That means marketing cannot turn the tides around this time. Can anything do it though?

How Big Oil will try to stay afloat

We all know how big the oil industry is. Some could even flaunt the saying “too big to fail”. Recently though, a famous psychologist claimed that if something gets too big, failing is a matter of “when”. Even huge companies, such as Amazon and Google, are actually a bunch of smaller operations. That is the only reasonable way to not crumble with time.

The main problem of Big Oil then is adaptability. Since it is not a very diverse industry, its dependence on consumption can also lead to its downfall. In the past, oil abundance and low prices led to more cars being sold, thus more oil being used. Today oil is not exactly scarce, but the demand is not rising either.

So where does the oil industry stand now? What strategy does it have to adapt to the inevitable rise of EVs? As it turns out, Big Oil may just be stuck. The only move companies in the sector have made so far is to invest in some startups for EV charging stations.

Of course, we cannot expect businesses to just lay out their plans. They have internal competition, which they need to counteract. But here are just a few things Big Oil can do to adapt:

• Shift focus to developing countries – Poorer countries will wait a while longer to adopt EVs. Even some EU countries rely primarily on used cars. That means that ICE vehicles will dominate such places for longer. This will not necessarily save Big Oil, but it can buy it time.
• Switch industries – If oil companies decide, they can start to transition to other energy industries. While not impossible, this option is the hardest to pull off and requires a lot of investment. This makes it a hard pill to swallow for many businesses in the industry.
• Push for innovation – Companies can squeeze out their operations to the fullest and use the resources to develop a disruption of their own. An example can be the development of a cleaner way to use oil. Even if cars fully transition to electricity, the oil may still have its place.

Are Big Oil companies blind?

We have to remember that Big Oil is inherently conservative. The supermajors still believe that oil demand will rise because many industries will not be able to transition to electricity. Some analysts even claim that EVs will not displace ICEs, but actually, coexist. That may be possible, but to me, it seems too risky to base your entire backup plan on it.

The problem is that Big Oil only pays attention to what is currently going on. But who can predict innovations though? A business that is not actively looking to adapt will inevitably fail.

Take the airplane industry, for instance. Currently, oil companies think demand will continue to rise because of planes. However, we know that Uber is developing flying taxis. It is not even the only company to do it. Yes, right now it is only a city-scale thing, but that can change. Is it far-fetched to think that air travel will see a disruption too? Of course not!

I cannot speculate further if the oil industry can make the leap. To be honest, the oil companies may be able to survive somehow, but I think it is obvious they will need to change. However, we have still to say something about how the lagging automakers are going to adapt to the EV revolution.

Will US automakers jump on the EV bandwagon?

Do we even have to argue that automakers actually have a much easier way to transition? It is rather obvious – Ford, GM, and Chrysler can just turn to EVs as a whole. Which they are already doing.

Have you even heard of Rivian? It is a relatively small car manufacturer, which focuses on innovation in the EV sector. Rivian has been making the headlines recently, with quite the buzz. One of the major things now is the fact that Ford (and also Amazon) have invested in this startup!

We cannot say if this is a sound decision yet, but it seems promising. Foreign manufacturers have already taken steps in that regard. For them, it is a common practice to invest in innovations. It was a matter of time before the Big Three saw the merits in that. Well, at least one of them anyway.

I do not have much to say about Chrysler and GM right now. We know they are all developing some EVs, but we will have to wait and see. If I have to guess, they hold the same hopes as Big Oil – that gas cars will coexist with EVs. Is that reasonable though?

Will there be a place for ICE vehicles?

Whatever we discuss here is going to be pure speculation. Although we can still make some educated guesses as to what will happen with the car industry.

Many people think that the internal combustion engine will slowly be phased out. It will supposedly become an obsolete technology, much like the steam engine. Nevertheless, I think that does not necessarily have to be the case.

Check out this scenario. When EVs become the norm oil prices will probably drop. In any case, the US will likely increase its reserves. Now, what if companies somehow come up with an innovative solution to make cleaner energy out of it, as I mentioned a moment ago? This would definitely put ICE back on the radar.

However, even if innovation strikes, it will probably be after the major shift towards electric cars. So in any situation, both Big Oil and automakers need to have a better backup plan.

Are you optimistic about the future of Big Oil and US automakers?

Truth be told, everything can happen right now. We have seen tremendous disruptions in the market that nobody expected. Then again many “innovations” have simply died off (check out our article on the all-electric Toyota we have never seen).

I am still thinking that Big Oil has a lot of catching up to do. And my optimism about US automakers has never been strong. What do you think though? Will the oil industry and the Big Three make it in the new era of vehicles? Or will we forget about them in half a century?

The post The EV Revolution: Will Big Oil and automakers finally catch up? appeared first on Altered Steel.

One camp of people claims how amazing driverless cars will be for everyone. They would help the transport economy, reduce inefficiencies, and also accidents. Then there is the opposite opinion of people, whose jobs will just cease to exist.

With all that said, I bet that most of us do not comprehend how big the change will actually be. Its ripples may affect industries we have not even considered. Well, how about we consider them now? Join me in figuring out how self-driven cars will transform the future of mobility!

How far away are self-driven cars anyway?

We have been hearing about the driverless cars for quite some time now. Yet the progress does not seem too tangible currently. According to Elon Musk though, driverless cars will start taking over as soon as 2020.

But why should we just trust someone, who obviously has skin in the game? We should instead explore the progress of AI cars by ourselves. Luckily, experts have already determined 5 levels (well, actually 6) of automation. Shall we take a look?

• Level 0: No automation – These are your regular everyday cars.
• Level 1: Driver assistance – Here the car will help you with some functions, but will not handle anything on its own. For example, if you hit the brakes, it can press them a little harder if you are not slowing down quickly enough.
• Level 2: Partial automation – At this stage, the vehicle can take over some of the major functions of driving. It can accelerate for you, and steer to some degree. However, you still need to monitor it at all times. You are also responsible for safety reactions (e.g. breaking).
• Level 3: Conditional automation – Such cars have many more sensors and can account for safety-critical functions as well. The driver starts giving up the majority of control. Some manufacturers have expressed concerns that Level 3 is problematic. That is because it is not a huge step up from 2, yet may render the driver too careless.
• Level 4: High automation – At level 4 the vehicle can handle most situations on its own, except for the most dynamic ones, such as merging into the highway or traffic jams.
• Level 5: Complete automation – This is the ultimate stage where no driver is necessary. With level 5 automation we will all be passengers. There will be no need to know how to operate a vehicle. This is the level that Musk claims is going to come as soon as 2020.

I am not entirely on board with such optimistic predictions. However, looking at the autonomy levels I understand AI cars are a matter of “when”, not “if”. Though 2020 may not be the year, most conservative predictions do not stretch it farther than 2025. Not too long of a wait, is it? So change is coming. It is time to see how!

Driverless cars and the disruption of air travel

Parallels between planes and AI cars seem a bit dumb right now. After all, a plane only takes 2 hours to travel the same distance that a car covers in 10 to 12. But what if that advantage gets less clear?

Even now a 2-hour flight may actually take up to 6 hours of accumulated travel time, not accounting for delays. Then you have checkups, baggage claim, and risks associated with that. Is that preferable to driving for 12 hours? It still may be, yet with self-driven cars the game changes.

Instead of having an entire schedule around a flight, you can hop in a driverless car whenever you want. You can work in it, take a break, enjoy the countryside, or sleep. The 12 hours will not be lost then. And you will not be exhausted by driving. Can you see how the picture shifts? All of a sudden short-distance flights become much less appealing.

Oh, did I mention that with a whole grid of autonomous vehicles they will move faster too? Self-driving cars stop traffic jams altogether. No gridlock, no traffic lights, no slowdowns. Your previously 12-hour drive may actually be 7 or 8. What other industry can that disrupt?

No more railroads

To say that train transportation has been regarded favorably in recent years would be a lie. When was the last time you were on train? Have you even been on one for that matter? Most Americans consider railroads dead anyway.

Naturally, automation will go beyond the US. It will affect the world, and that includes places where trains usually thrive. Europe is quite big on them, so is Asia. This form of transportation has long been favored by students and city dwellers, yet it may be meeting its end soon. Along with some other things…

Bid farewell to car ownership

Another consequence of autonomous vehicles most people do not consider is the future of car ownership. We have to realize that we may be getting to a point where people will no longer own vehicles.

It seems a bit far-fetched, but the change has already begun around the world. Car ownership is down in general as things like vehicle subscriptions have popped up. Though even those may be gone when we just transition to a world of driverless cars.

If everything is AI-operated, we can just call a car via an app and have it pick us up within a couple of minutes. This is what Uber and Lyft have been working on for a while now. Without a need for a driver, they can focus on vehicles. And with EVs, fuel costs drop as well. In the end, you may be riding around without a personal vehicle and still pay less. This leads me to my final point!

The future comes quickly

Americans love their cars, they will not simply give them up… Right? Honestly, I think we might. I know collectors would still exist, but they will be the minority.

I doubt that anyone would stop you from buying a car per se, you just will not have an incentive. Who wants to worry about maintenance, having a garage, finding a parking spot, and so on? Especially when you could have freedom while also paying less. Sure, it will not happen instantly, though it may be a quicker shift than we think.

So far we have been considering the changes in a vacuum. I think that is a mistake. Such things tend to happen pretty much simultaneously. If this will not lead to a snowball effect, I do not know what will.

I can see how airlines will have to shift their strategies tremendously. They do not make much money on a flight-per-flight basis, and even a 10% drop in revenue will be catastrophic. That means fewer flights will be available. What will people switch to? Trains, buses? Doubtfully, as I have already pointed out.

There is a possibility where automated transport comes in the form of new-gen flying cars. They may fill the void of reduced airplane availability. Frankly, though, the coming changes are too vast to predict correctly. One thing is certain though – they will be here before we know it. Are you ready?

Are the coming self-driving cars a good change?

While we like looking at the positives, some people have their own concerns. When industries get disrupted, there is inevitable chaos afterward. It will take some time to stabilize things for sure.

This makes me wonder if such a quick transition is actually good for us. Perhaps we are not economically and psychologically ready for that change. But what do you think? Are you waiting for self-driving cars with eagerness, or are you concerned about them? In any case, the future will hit us, so we might as well start preparing for it!

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