Tesla in talks with other automakers about sharing Supercharger network

Credit: Teslarati

Imagine it is 2017. As promised, General Motors has the 200-mile-range, sub $US40,000 Bolt pure electric vehicle (EV) for sale¹, & Tesla has its Model 3 with similar range & price.

For long distance travel, Tesla has its Supercharger network, free to use for the life of the vehicle².

GM has — a marketing problem.

Tesla’s Model S & Model 3 are only half of the solution to sustainable personal transportation. The Supercharger network is the other half.

Other fast chargers exist, but their availability is patchy, some are only available to paid subscribers & all are slower than Teslas’s Superchargers.

In 2017, which would you buy, a GM Bolt with a partly pay-to-use, relatively slow, patchwork of chargers, or a Tesla Model 3 with an integrated, free-to-use, Supercharger network?

Other manufacturers with plans for 200-mile-range EVs, in similar time frames, take note.

Tesla has offered to make its Supercharger network available to other manufacturers in the past & is apparently in discussions at the moment.

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/elon-musk-tesla-is-in-talks-with-other-automakers-about-sharing-the-supercharger-network/
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¹ “GM 200-mile-range electric vehicle”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/gm-200-mile-range-electric-vehicle.html

² “More about the third generation Tesla electric vehicle”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/more-about-third-generation-tesla.html / Competing fast charging standards electric road trips Tesla Tesla’s vast Supercharger network used by other automakers EV remove roadblock Elon Musk recent press conference Germany Supercharger network walled garden intended available other manufacturers requirements cars take the power output Superchargers pay proportion usage system in talks manufacturers general philosophy Tesla accelerate advent electric cars Electric cars key sustainable future transition away from fossil fuels world’s leader in solar power Germany generates solar energy supply outstrips demand sold to neighboring countries solutions solution more electric cars absorb buffer power stationary storage Power Wall Powerwall /

New global data suggests air pollution kills 10 million people per year

Credit: Casual Science

Pollution & other environmental problems are typically evaluated in terms of the natural systems. More recently, some scientists have looked at its direct influence on human mortality:

http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/09/new-global-data-suggest-air-pollution-kills-10-million-people-per-year/

Recently, an International Monetary Fund working paper said something similar, while quantifying it in monetary terms:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/fossil-fuel-subsidies.html / scientists global atmospheric chemistry satellite data understanding global spread of air pollutants seven emission source categories urban rural environments more realistic prediction health effects very high concentrations particulate pollutants main contributors air pollution ozone fine particulate matter particles diameter less than 2.5μm air pollution developing diseases air quality monitoring particulate matter different countries building a more global perspective dying pollution affect an individual's health air quality guidelines national regulatory policies World Health Organization exposure response functions mass particles toxicity chemical differences chemical composition pollutants toxicity mortality rates researchers enhanced toxicity carbon-containing carbonaceous fine particulate matter five times more toxic inorganic particles chemistry health impacts fine particulate matter particle pollutants strokes cerebrovascular disease heart attacks ischemic heart disease analysis ozone related mortality revealed people dying prematurely deaths per year indoor air pollution solid fuels coal scientists areas of high air pollution globally air pollution hotspots large cities India China air pollution top causes of death more deaths India premature deaths air pollution Southeast Asia premature mortality rate global mortality air pollution energy small sources heating cooking waste disposal diesel generators premature deaths globally Asia toxicity heart disease aerosols toxicity level global air pollution mortality heart disease agriculture global premature deaths agriculture leading pollution source contributing mortality Europe Russia Turkey Korea Japan USA pollution-driven premature deaths European nations agricultural pollution ammonia fertilizers domesticated animals atmosphere chemical reactions air quality dust dirt northern Africa Middle East Central China air pollution mortality premature deaths power generation by fossil fuel fired plants toxic chemicals SO2 NOx power plant emissions USA Russia Korea Turkey mortality industry iron steel chemical pulp and paper food solvent manufacturing sectors oil refineries fuel production cars automobiles air pollution /

KEYKLIP — key holder with carabiner

Slim in your pocket, jingle free, attaches to a belt loop if you prefer.



Built in bottle opener too.

KEYKLIP is a kickstarter project. As of this writing there are still a few left at $25:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2129772055/keyklip-carabiner-keyholder-clip / key organizer clutter free elegant practical solution carrying keys smart key holder carabiner clip KEYKLIP little tool keep keys organized neat fits in all pockets clip on to your belt loop carabiner clip solid anodized aluminum key holder functional everyday every day carry EDC sleek minimal gets the job done bottle opener adding keys KEYCLIP easy fast screw them on tight coin thumb extender key fob slot slim profile improved steel hardware will not fail most rugged uses built in bottle opener clip pockets standard rubber spacers set of extenders rubber spacers washers rotate smoothly without loosing the screws assembly easy car key remote design first production run raising funding manufacturing packaging logistics leading professional manufacturer construct assemble keyholder not our first rodeo production KEYKLIP end of the funding period 50 days finish manufacturing to packaging fulfillment packaging shipping pledge rewards campaign /

BYD 200 mile electric car

Thriev (pronounced “thrive”) is “UK's First All-Electric Chauffeured Service”. They are importing BYD e6 crossover electric vehicles into Britain, for their Thriev consumer “Chauffeured Service” & for supply to other similar services.

BYD’s e6 190 mile range has just been upgraded to 240 miles. Battery capacity is "around 70 kWh" .

Robert Llewellyn test drives for Fully Charged:


Thriev Web site:
http://www.thriev.com/ / electric vehicle EV battery charge recharge LiIon lithium ion BYD build your dreams electric bus second life battery storage manufacturer vehicle to grid vehicle-to-grid charge at work charge at night off peak cents per mile time of use sustainable mini cab taxi hire car public hire vehicle PHV /

Online privacy & downloads

Lifehacker has recently posted a number of items about online privacy & downloads. Together, they provide a good starting place for what you need to know.

What evidence does using BitTorrent leave behind?
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/04/what-evidence-does-using-bittorrent-leave-behind/

How to choose the right VPN in Australia
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/06/lifehacker-101-how-to-set-up-a-vpn-correctly/

How to completely anonymise your BitTorrent traffic with a proxy
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/08/how-to-completely-anonymize-your-bittorrent-traffic-with-a-proxy/

What evidence do my illegal downloads leave behind?
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/09/ask-lh-what-evidence-gets-left-behind-when-i-illegally-download-movies/ / pirate digital seizing movies TV shows unfair pricing unavailable content like free stuff evidence BitTorrents sites leave behind received letter safe walk the plank advocates online piracy litany of excuses justify questionable behavior pirate honest movies Dallas Buyers Club decision proved rights holders Australia update copyright laws go after individuals case-by-case basis companies online piracy theft punish deterrent to others Australian ISPs industry-wide copyright notice scheme introduce tougher measures suspected copyright infringers piracy user perspective sites The Pirate Bay download seed torrent connecting other users swarm see each other’s IP addresses connect evidence online recently published in-depth article topic Robert Merkel software engineer lecturer Monash University identifying IP addresses members BitTorrent swarm simple new client connects swarm IP addresses members swarm transferred client existing clients updated new clients enter leave identify trading infringing file write modified BitTorrent client connects swarm records list participants mask your tracks make prosecution trickier Virtual Private Network VPN encrypted tunnel Australian computer proxy country legal framework copyright infringements signing up VPN provider problems cheap foreign one never assume foreign VPN provider committed privacy subject laws operate locally VPNs log your data turn it over our guide picking best VPN Australia favourite VPN providers. guide anonymising your BitTorrent traffic advocating your actions ISP download VPN virtual private network copyright download /

Meeting small diesel emissions standards — a mystery story — update

2012 Audi A3 TDI
Credit: Green Car Reports

To meet small diesel emissions standards in the USA, most manufacturers use urea injection.

Except Volkswagen.

Mazda had a small diesel under development which would also meet emissions standards without urea injection. They have missed a number of deadlines & have gone quiet on the matter.

So how is Volkswagen able to do what no-one else can?

USA's Environmental Protection Agency has discovered that software in Volkswagen’s TDI four-cylinder diesel is able to detect emissions testing cycles & reduce emissions in response. In short, Volkswagen has been cheating.

Mystery solved.

Over 480,000 VW & Audi vehicles recalled. Cost may reach $18 billion.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100101_vw-audi-tdi-diesel-cars-had-defeat-device-that-violated-epa-rules-500k-cars-recalled-breaking

Update — Volkswagen has authorized an external investigation:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/20/vw-external-probe-diesel-emission-scandal/ / announcement U.S. Environmental Protection Agency major automaker German carmakers Volkswagen Audi ordered recall half million popular TDI four-cylinder diesel vehicles sold U.S. 2009 to 2015 EPA TDI detect emission-testing cycles significantly reduce emissions cars software turns off emissions controls driving normally turns on emissions test Cynthia Giles EPA enforcement officer teleconference reporters defeat device software cars emit 40 times maximum level nitrous oxides permitted EPA regulations regulations Tier 2 Bin 5 carmakers sell diesels regulations urea injection more complex emission-control systems control nitrous-oxide emissions Volkswagen system separate tank holding urea injected aftertreatment system small four-cylinder TDI diesel VW's vehicles EPA limits urea injection Mazda high-efficiency diesel engine U.S.A. USA market urea injection several missed deadlines Mazda engine cost recall Volkswagen $18 billion Volkswagen America EPA investigation defeat device TDI diesel engines owners affected vehicles investigation European studies passenger-car diesel engines emitting far more Volkswagen Beetle Golf Jetta Jetta SportWagen Audi A3 TDI /

Solar energy — everywhere

Solar panels on roofs in a car park
Credit: Abbey Solar

Where can you place solar collectors? Everywhere — roofs, obviously — all roofs — houses, sheds, car parks.


Transparent solar cell
Credit: Ubiquitous Energy/Extreme Tech

Lots of other places too, windows, roads, parkas, backpacks, abandoned golf courses, waste water treatment ponds & other water bodies (yes, really — read the article) …

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/energy/2015/09/150918-solar-pops-up-in-unexpected-places/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20150918news-solar&utm_campaign=Content&sf13222872=1

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/188667-a-fully-transparent-solar-cell-that-could-make-every-window-and-screen-a-power-source / solar installations Sakasamaike Pond Kasai Hyogo Prefecture Japan good real estate for sun power desert expanses panels mirrors solar energy's growth renewables' next wave researchers new ways to make solar smaller see-through adhesive sticky any surface under the sun clean power solar photovoltaic capacity wind solar parkas wearables phone charging power wearing solar-powered watches panels parka solar pocket Dutch designer Pauline van Dongen charge smartphone prototype designs parkas solar backpack golf course in Japan Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster solar array golf courses close solar developers open real estate densely populated places Japan solar plants abandoned golf courses solar productive environmentally friendly defunct golf courses Kyoto solar system maker Kyocera high sun exposure low concentration of shade trees Solar Roadways Idaho replace asphalt solar panels development solar pavers Amsterdam SolaRoad photovoltaic cells topped with tempered glass generated kilowatt hours electricity future applications generate power pavement energy generated footsteps piezoelectricity footpath sidewalks Toulouse France shopping center Sydney dance clubs generate electricity feet footstep water panels float installations wastewater treatment plant reservoir Tokyo Japan latter array generate electricity power households panels withstand corrosion panels tests simulating high wind conditions extreme weather strikes waterborne solar Japanese plant renewable energy powerhouses Bridgeport Connecticut solar panels old landfill 2.2 megaWatts electric capacity environmentalists New Jersey brownfield gas plant solar farm power windows phones solar energy new materials capture sun's power transparent windows phones small electronics transparent solar startup Ubiquitous Energy /