Month: May 2024

May 15

Vancouver Residents Evacuated After SUV Collides with Apartment, Causing Gas Line Rupture

Evacuation Details

Residents in Vancouver faced an urgent evacuation after an SUV collided with an apartment building, rupturing a natural gas line. The crash took place at the intersection of Southeast Ellsworth Road and Southeast 10th Street. Prompt action from the Vancouver Fire Department ensured the situation was managed effectively and resident safety was prioritized.

Scene Description and Initial Response

Images from the site show a white Ford SUV partially embedded in the building, highlighting the crash’s impact. It is yet to be confirmed whether the driver sustained any injuries. Emergency services concentrated on evacuating residents and securing the area to prevent further risks from the gas leak.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are investigating the circumstances that caused the SUV to crash into the apartment. Displaced residents are receiving assistance from local services to secure temporary housing. This incident underscores the critical need for quick emergency responses to mitigate hazards associated with gas line ruptures following vehicle accidents.

May 15

Hyundai’s Global EV Sales Decline for the Sixth Consecutive Month in April 2024

Decline in Global Sales

Hyundai Motor Company, encompassing both Hyundai and Genesis brands, reported a year-over-year decrease in global vehicle sales for April 2024, totaling 345,840 units, which marks a 3.3% drop. For the first four months of the year, the company saw a slight decrease of 0.3%, with 1,352,607 vehicles sold. This decline reflects a broader trend, as the company’s electric vehicle (EV) sales have also been falling for the sixth consecutive month.

Impact on EV Segment

In 2023, Hyundai’s global plug-in car sales surpassed 300,000 units, showcasing a 29% increase compared to the previous year. However, the trend reversed in 2024, with a notable decline of nearly one-third in plug-in sales volume. In April alone, Hyundai and Genesis sold 21,605 plug-in cars, a 24% decrease year-over-year, with all-electric car sales down by 27% to 17,398 units.

Market Analysis and Future Outlook

Despite the overall downturn, Hyundai’s EV sales in the U.S. have shown resilience, with models like the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric continuing to perform well. Globally, the company’s plug-in hybrid car sales also experienced a 7% decline. Looking ahead, Hyundai remains committed to expanding its EV lineup and addressing the challenges in the market, aiming to recover and grow its share in the competitive EV sector. The start of the year has been challenging, but the company is focusing on strategic initiatives to bolster its position.

May 15

Tesla EV Maker Sued For…Polluting?

I know, EVs are supposed to be emissions free and good for the environment. But the truth is that building any vehicle–whether internal combustion or electric–is an energy-intensive process and can emit harmful chemicals. And as car companies go, Tesla may be one of the worst polluters around.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District regulators said, “Tesla violations are frequent, recurring, and can negatively affect public health and the environment.” Tesla landed on the 2023 Toxic 100 Air Polluters list, landing at number 89. In 2022, the government fined it $275,000 for two pollution issues. The first was not measuring, tracking, or recording its factories emissions. The second was not minimizing air pollutants caused by painting its cars.

Tesla has been sued by 25 of California’s counties for mishandling hazardous substances. Regulators actually checked factories’ dumpsters and found hazardous substances that shouldn’t be tossed in a landfill. In Germany, protestors are camped out in a forest Tesla wants to clearcut to expand its factory, complaining about water quality and other environment issues. And it looks like the startup is under fire for pollution again.

A nonprofit called the Environmental Democracy Project is targeting Tesla’s Fremont, California project. It is even suing the automaker. It’s claim? The company is “exposing nearby resident and workers to excessive nitrogen oxides, arsenic, cadmium and other harmful chemicals.”

So what if Tesla loses this lawsuit? Under the Clean Air Act, the company could face a civil fine as high as $121,275. But with the Model S MSRP at $74,630, that’s basically couch cushion change for Tesla.

So does making EVs pollute? The truth is that manufacturing and painting any car pollutes. And just because a car claims “zero emissions” while driving doesn’t mean zero lifetime emissions. So for car buyers concerned about the environment, it’s never a bad idea to investigate an automaker a bit.

May 15

‘You’re Pulling Us All Over’ State Trooper Surprised by Entire Car Club Sticking Together

Enthusiasts shows support for a buddy flagged by authorities.

A few days ago, a clip of a local car club driving together on the freeway broke loose. In the vid, a state trooper is seen turning their lights on toward the front of the pack. The officer picks out a Chevrolet Camaro.

Clearly, the filmer is stunned and upset by the trooper’s actions. What happens next, though, likely stunned the officer.

The entire group, mainly Dodge enthusiasts, heads to the shoulder with their buddy. From the looks of it, more than a dozen members of the car club were present. Initially, the filmer is completely disappointed and worried for the friend. Then, after realizing the team is sticking together, he offers excited words of support for the “fallen” driver.

A black Dodge Charger sedan driving on a paved road next to a concrete wall facing left in profile view
Andrii Baidak via iStock

The group moves to pull off to the side of an exit ramp. The team is so large that they have trouble preventing a log jam.

Humorously, a black Honda Accord is filed into the pack. It’s a bit of an outlier, no?

As expected, social commentary is mixed. Many are emotional over the supportive act. Others criticize the move as a possible threat to the officer. Some point out how the decision stopped the flow of traffic.

Undeniably, though, this is proof that the car club wasn’t going to continue their drive without the whole roster. As one commenter posted, “You leave here together, you come back together.”

May 15

The Best Engines Ever Put In A Mopar Muscle Car

For most of the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the 360-based 5.9-liter Magnum V8 was the only Chrysler engine that truly kept the spirit of classic Mopar muscle car engines alive. However, that all changed in 2003, when Chrysler resurrected the Hemi name for an all-new 5.7-liter V8 to power that year’s Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks.

Hemi wasn’t just a marketing gimmick for the new engine, either. The new 5.7-liter engine sported hemispherical combustion chambers similar to those of its predecessors, living up to the Hemi name. Other notable features included aluminum cylinder heads and dual spark plugs, akin to some classic Mopar drag-racing engines. This first-generation 5.7-liter Hemi was good for 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque in the 2003 Ram truck and would later be the standard engine for the revived Dodge Charger in 2006.

Chrysler upgraded the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 in 2009 to coincide with the resurrection of another classic Mopar name, the Dodge Challenger. Among the upgrades was the introduction of variable valve timing, which significantly improved fuel economy and power. The 2009 version also had tweaked cylinder heads with better airflow, increased compression, and a new engine block. The final result of the changes was a cool 375 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque.

While the 5.7-liter Hemi isn’t the most powerful modern Mopar Hemi engine, it’s ground zero for every other modern Hemi V8 since — including monsters like the 6.2-liter Hellcat V8. For that, it deserves a place in the history books.

May 15

Fatal SUV and Amtrak Train Collision Leads to Closure of Frontage Roads in Round Rock Near McNeil Road

Incident Overview

A tragic incident in Round Rock on Wednesday morning involved a collision between an SUV and an Amtrak train, resulting in the death of the SUV driver. The victim’s name has not been released yet. Authorities have shut down the frontage roads at Interstate 35 and McNeil Road to carry out a comprehensive investigation, as stated by police spokesperson Melanie Forcier.

Investigation Details

The crash took place around 11 a.m., but it is still unknown whether there were any injuries among the passengers on the Amtrak train or if there were passengers on board. Police are conducting a detailed investigation to understand the circumstances of the crash. The closure of the frontage roads is expected to disrupt traffic as officials work on the investigation.

Community Impact

This incident underscores the critical need for safety at railway crossings and the serious hazards posed by vehicle-train collisions. Residents in the area are encouraged to find alternative routes while the investigation is underway. The community is mourning the loss of the driver and awaits further information from the authorities regarding any additional injuries or conclusions from the investigation.

May 15

Bergen girl 15, seriously injured when struck by SUV in North Bergen driveway

A 15-year-old Bergen County girl was seriously injured Tuesday when she was struck and pinned under an SUV in a North Bergen driveway, authorities said.

The girl, of Cliffside Park, was sitting in a driveway in the area of Woodcliff Avenue and Palisade Plaza, near North Hudson Park, at 4:30 p.m. when she was struck by the vehicle as it was turning into the driveway, North Bergen police Capt. Nicholas Galliano said. Police Officer John Nunez was nearby and rushed to aid the victim.

Galliano said Nunez and some neighbors used a jack to lift the SUV off the girl, who was then taken to the trauma unit at Hackensack University Medical Center. The girl is currently in stable condition.

May 15

Good news! Cars with Android Auto and Google Built-in are about to get many more apps

Google is bringing new streaming and entertainment apps to cars with Google Built-in.

The company is also starting a new program that should soon bring many more apps to vehicles with Android Auto and Google Built-in.

Google is working on greatly expanding the app library on Android Automotive. At the ongoing I/O 2024 conference, Google announced that new streaming apps like Max and Peacock, and gaming apps like Angry Birds are headed to select cars with Google Built-in.

These are different from Android Auto-enabled cars, of which there are now over 200 million vehicles, according to Google. Instead, vehicles with Android Automotive with Google Built-in come preloaded with Google apps. Android Auto requires an Android phone, while Google Built-in doesn’t.

Besides adding the aforementioned apps to Google Built-in cars, the company is also collaborating with car manufacturers on its car-ready mobile apps program. The program aims to bring mobile apps to cars with no additional work for developers.

As part of the program, Google will automatically distribute mobile apps compatible with larger screens on cars with Android Automotive dashboards. This way, developers won’t have to create a whole new app for cars.

The app expansion program will start in the next few months with parked app categories like video, gaming, and browsers and expand to other app categories in the future. So, as a consumer, it could be a while before you start seeing the fruits of the program and more apps come to Android Automotive.

May 15

Hyundai Kona Electric With Small Battery Gets 3.5 Miles/kWh EPA Energy Consumption

The result is good, but only slightly better than in the case of the regular version.

The new, entry-level Hyundai Kona Electric version, equipped with a 48.6-kilowatt-hour battery, recently was listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, revealing its official range and energy consumption ratings.

The EPA Combined range is 200 miles, compared to 261 miles in the case of the regular version with a 64.8-kWh battery. The switch to a 33% higher battery capacity translates into a 30.5% higher range, indicating that the smaller version should be more efficient.

Hyundai Kona Electric lineup

In 2024, the Hyundai Kona Electric, for the very first time, is available in the U.S. with two battery sizes—48.6- and 64.8-kWh. Both models are among the most affordable ones with an effective price (MSRP + DST) of respectively $34,010 and $38,010.

It will be interesting to see whether the 200-mile Hyundai Kona Electric will attract customers looking for a basic EV. The difference between the two is $4,000 or over $65 per mile of additional range.

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE EPA rating IMG

The 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE (48.6 kWh) with 17-inch wheels’ energy consumption, including charging losses, is estimated at 118 MPGe or about 286 watt-hours per mile (3.5 miles/kWh), one of the best results among EVs on the market.

Energy consumption is close to 2% lower than in the case of the Kona Electric with a 64.8-kWh battery. In other words, it seems that a smaller and lighter battery improves efficiency only slightly, although there are some other factors involved, too (lower-power electric motor).

Let’s note that the highway MPGe ratings are noticeably lower than the combined values. We estimate the EPA Highway range is about 20-30 miles (or over 10%) lower. However, this is only a rough estimate because the MPGe number includes charging losses.

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE (48.6 kWh) 17-in :: EPA Range rating by InsideEVs
[Electric Vehicle 2-cycle label]
Combined
City
Highway		 200 miles (322 km)
N/A
N/A
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined
City
Highway		 118 MPGe: 286 Wh/mi or 3.5 miles/kWh
131 MPGe: 257 Wh/mi or 3.9 miles/kWh
105 MPGe: 321 Wh/mi or 3.1 miles/kWh
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL & Limited 17-in :: EPA Range rating by InsideEVs
[Electric Vehicle 2-cycle label]
Combined
City
Highway		 261 miles (420 km)
N/A
N/A
EPA Energy consumption (including charging losses):
Combined
City
Highway		 116 MPGe: 291 Wh/mi or 3.4 miles/kWh
129 MPGe: 261 Wh/mi or 3.8 miles/kWh
103 MPGe: 327 Wh/mi or 3.1 miles/kWh

In the past, the main competitor of the Hyundai Kona Electric was the Chevrolet Bolt EV/Bolt EUV duo (now retired).

Model Drive Battery
(kWh)		 EPA
Range
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE (48.6 kWh) 17-in FWD 48.6 200 mi
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL 17-in FWD 64.8 261 mi
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited 17-in FWD 64.8 261 mi

Because the Hyundai Kona Electric is imported and not qualified for the $7,500 federal tax credit (the incentive might be available through leasing), its competitive position is weaker. The starting price for the entry-level version is $32,675 (plus a $1,335 destination charge). Some other considerably larger models can be purchased at a similar price.

Model Base Price Dest. Charge Tax Credit Effective Price
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SE (48.6 kWh) 17-in $32,675 +$1,335 N/A $34,010
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL 17-in $36,675 +$1,335 N/A $38,010
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric Limited 17-in $41,045 +$1,335 N/A $42,380
May 15

Rivian R1S and R1T to Feature YouTube App and Google Cast for Enhanced In-Car Entertainment

Introduction of New Features

Rivian is set to enhance the in-car experience for its flagship electric vehicles, the R1S and R1T, by integrating a YouTube app and Google Cast functionality. This move transforms these adventure-ready EVs into mobile entertainment hubs, allowing users to enjoy a range of video content while parked. The update marks a significant upgrade from the previous music-only streaming options available in these vehicles.

Bringing Streaming to Adventure EVs

Initially launched as premium adventure EVs, the Rivian R1S and R1T have been popular for their performance and off-road capabilities. However, unlike competitors like Tesla, Rivian’s models lacked integrated video entertainment features. Rivian owners were limited to music streaming from services like Spotify and Amazon Music, without any built-in video options. This is set to change with the new update, which will introduce native YouTube access and the ability to cast videos from smartphones directly to the vehicle’s 15-inch infotainment screen.

How the New Features Work

The upcoming software update will enable R1S and R1T owners to use the YouTube app independently or cast content from their smartphones. To use the casting feature, the device must be connected to the car’s Wi-Fi hotspot. Once connected, users can stream videos from Google Cast-compatible apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and HBO Max. It’s important to note that video playback will only function while the vehicle is parked, ensuring safety when the car is in motion.

rivian-youtube-app-embargoed-until-may-15

The native YouTube app on the Rivian R1S and R1T

Enhanced User Experience

This integration of YouTube and Google Cast in Rivian’s vehicles not only meets the entertainment needs of users but also brings Rivian’s in-car tech in line with other leading EV manufacturers. The convenience of streaming various content directly in the car enhances the overall user experience, particularly during long waits or charging sessions. Rivian’s commitment to continuous improvement and user satisfaction is evident in this latest update, promising more engaging and enjoyable journeys for its customers.

By offering these new features, Rivian ensures that its flagship models, the R1S and R1T, provide a more complete and versatile driving experience, blending adventure with modern conveniences.