AD #3155 – Natural Gas Trucks Worse Than Diesel; Microlino is a Modern Day Isetta; Mercedes Reveals a Slew of EQ Electrics
September 7th, 2021 at 11:58am
Listen to “AD #3155 – Natural Gas Trucks Worse Than Diesel; Microlino is a Modern Day Isetta; Mercedes Reveals a Slew of EQ Electrics” on Spreaker.
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Runtime: 11:08
0:07 Toyota Spending Billions on Batteries
0:39 Natural Gas Trucks Worse Than Diesel
1:31 EPA Reveals Range for Rivian Truck & SUV
3:07 Microlino is a Modern Day Isetta
3:58 Mercedes Ready to Go Electric Off-Roading
4:20 Mercedes EQB is a 7-Seat Electric
4:39 Mercedes EQE Has EQS DNA
5:17 Mercedes-Maybach EQS Crossover
5:49 VW Shows First FWD MEB-Based EV
6:33 BMW Has Its Eye on Sustainability
8:27 Hyundai Reveals Its Hydrogen Vision
9:27 Baojun Unveils KiWi Electric Vehicle
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TOYOTA TO SPEND BILLIONS TO PLAY EV CATCH UP
Toyota is behind other automakers when it comes to electric vehicles and in order to catch up to the competition, the company will spend $13.5 billion by 2030 to develop batteries for EVs. It’s aiming to cut battery costs by 30% through the materials it uses and improving the way the cells are structured. Toyota is also developing solid-state batteries and says it’s on target to start manufacturing them in the middle of the decade.
NATURAL GAS TRUCKS WORSE THAN DIESEL
Commercial trucks that run on natural gas are seen as a solution to help improve emissions but not so according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. It just released a study that found that natural gas big trucks are actually worse for the environment than diesel powered trucks. It looked at the entire natural gas supply chain from extraction and pipes, to infrastructure and fueling and says, on average, it’s more harmful than diesels. The study also says ultrafine particulate and ammonia emissions are an issue with natural gas trucks as well. The ICCT says it’s a waste of time and money to build out the infrastructure for gas trucks and that it’s better to just convert the truck fleet to electric.
EPA REVEALS RANGE FOR RIVIAN TRUCK & SUV
Rivian hopes to start deliveries sometime this month and now we have some official range figures from the EPA. The Launch Edition of its R1T pickup with a 135 kWh battery pack and 21-inch wheels can go 314 miles on a single charge, while the R1S SUV with the same setup is rated at 316 miles. Next year Rivian plans to launch additional versions; one with a smaller battery that’s expected to return 230 miles and another version with over 400 miles of range. There will be other wheel sizes available, which will also impact range.
The IAA show in Munich kicked off over the weekend and we’ve got a bunch of unveils to look at.
MICROLINO IS A MODERN DAY ISETTA
And Here’s one of the coolest concepts from the show. It’s called the Microlino–an all-electric, modern day version of the Isetta. And just like the original, the front end opens. Sliding side windows are as simple as they get. And note how the headlamps and rearview mirrors are integrated into one module. It’s from a company called Micro that’s based in Switzerland. The design was done by Icona and the engineering was done by Cecomp. There will be 3 trim lines: Urban, Dolce and Competizione. Target price: €12,500. Micro claims it has 24,000 reservations.
MERCEDES READY TO GO ELECTRIC OFF-ROADING
Mercedes revealed a number of new electric vehicles. First up, is the electric version of the G-Class called the Concept EQG. While this is a concept, the company says it’s a near-production ready version. Mercedes didn’t provide a whole lot of details but says it will be as off-road capable as the non-electric version.
MERCEDES EQB IS A 7-SEATER EV
Next up is the EQB crossover. Its available in both front and all-wheel drive and has the option for five or seven seats. The model will be built in both China and Europe, it launches in both of those markets this year and it arrives in the U.S. in 2022.
MERCEDES EQE HAS EQS DNA
The next electric Mercedes unveiled is the EQE, which shares the same architecture as the EQS sedan. It’s slightly smaller than the EQS and it’s about the same size as the CLS. The battery has 90 kWh of usable energy and it has a range of 660 kilometers or 410 miles based on the WLTP cycle. And it can be upgraded with over-the-air updates. The EQE will be built in Germany for global markets and in China for the Chinese market. It goes on sale in the middle of next year.
MERCEDES-MAYBACH EQS CROSSOVER
And finally, Mercedes-Maybach revealed the EQS crossover. The concept is a preview of the production model. With this being a Maybach, the interior has been designed around chauffeuring riders with plenty of rear seat amenities. The company didn’t reveal when the production version will be available but the non-Maybach version goes into production next year. It will have a range of 600 kilometers or 370 miles based on the WLTP cycle.
VW UNVEILS FIRST FWD MEB-BASED EV
VW unveiled the next model in its ID family of electric vehicles, the ID. LIFE concept. It features a 172-kW electric motor, which accelerates the vehicle from 0 to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. And it comes with a 57-kWh battery pack that provides 400 kilometers of range or about 250 miles, based on the WLTP cycle. The concept is the first MEB based model that has front wheel drive. And it’s a preview of a production compact crossover it will launch in 2025. VW says that model will cost 20,000 euros.
BMW HAS ITS EYE ON SUSTAINABILITY
BMW is really starting to push its environmental image as a way of separating itself from its competitors; from going electric to using clean energy in manufacturing and sourcing sustainable materials. It says it wants to be the world’s most sustainable manufacturer in the individual premium mobility space. And all aspects of that shine through in its new i Vision Circular concept. It’s a small 4-seater electric that looks ahead to the year 2040. Almost all of the car is made from recycled or recyclable materials, including steel and aluminum. It even says its solid-state battery can be completely recycled. Another way BMW plans to cut down on waste is with 3D printing, where excess material can be put back in the loop. In the i Vision not only is the crystal-like center of the dashboard 3D printed, but so is the outer ring of the steering wheel. And one last interesting note on this concept is that it’s going away from the massive twin-kidney grille, but it’s still a prominent part of the design, extending out and incorporating itself into the headlamp assemblies.
HYUNDAI SHOWS OFF ITS HYDROGEN VISION
Hyundai on the other hand has a much different outlook for the year 2040. That’s when it hopes to popularize hydrogen technologies. It all starts in 2023 with its next-gen fuel cell system that will come in 100 and 200 kW variations, which is equivalent to 134 and 268 horsepower. It says those systems will cut costs by 50% and reduce package volume by 30%. By 2028 Hyundai wants to be the first automaker to apply fuel cells to its entire commercial vehicle lineup. And by 2030 it says the price point of a fuel cell EV will be comparable with a battery electric vehicle. It showed how these systems could be used in autonomous trailers and rescue vehicles and sports cars as well as homes, buildings and powerplants.
BAOJUN REVEALS KIWI ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Chinese automaker Baojun, which falls under the GM-SAIC joint venture umbrella, is launching a new small electric car, called the KiWi. It’s a 4 passenger vehicle with a bit of a funky design and is only slightly larger than the uber popular Hong Guang MINI EV, which is made by Wuling, which is also part of the GM-SAIC JV. Like its sibling, the KiWi is meant to attract young customers, but will likely appeal to a slightly more upscale buyer. With a 40 kW electric motor and 150 Nm of torque it has nearly twice the power of the MINI EV. It also has about twice the range; 305 kilometers or about 190 miles. Top speed of 100 km/h or about 62 MPH is the same, but the KiWi comes with Baojun’s latest infotainment system that includes navigation. So, as you would expect the KiWi carries a higher price tag. It ranges between roughly $10,800 and $12,200.
But that’s all for today’s show, thanks for watching.
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Comments (26)
September 7th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
Toyota: can’t beat them with hydrogen or hybrids, join them!
September 7th, 2021 at 12:38 pm
How does the driver and passengers get out of the “Microlino” when involved in a front end collision, assuming they survive and are mobile? That is the most popular type of collision all over the world. How does this pass European safety standards? Maybe it is classified as a motorcycle and thusly zero safety standards apparently apply? Just looks very dangerous to me…just as the original Isetta was dangerous for the exact same reason. Cool concept though for someone else to drive.
September 7th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
I read this different take on Over-The- Air- Updates. It made me wonder who has access to perform them and are more laws needed to protect the consumer in these areas?
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/08/opinion-over-the-air-updates-bad-owning-the-car-good/
September 7th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
FCV makers will never get it, its not the Fuel Cell that’s the problem, it is the “Fuel”, until someone comes up with a process to make it cheaply and out of renewables and at scale and cheaper than Gas or Diesel it is DOA, like in dead.It will be forever the ” fuel of the future”, nothing simpler than making Electrons out of Wind or Sunshine or Geothermal or Hydro and putting it directly in a battery.
Toyota? Maybe they will finally wake up, in another ten years?
September 7th, 2021 at 12:57 pm
A question to pose to the International Council of Clean Transportation. In their study, did they do an analysis on RNG (for example, the NG that is routinely flared at landfills)? Our local waste disposal company generates their own RNG for use in their garbage trucks. Sourcing isn’t an issue and it seems like a great solution for their application. Emissions also appear less than regular NG.
September 7th, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Let’s hope BMW rids itself of that grille abomination! I’ve owned 4 and won’t have that look foul my garage!
September 7th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
1,4 Toyota’s hybrids are a great near-term solution, but yeah, they will need EVs at some point.
September 7th, 2021 at 1:27 pm
I believe that in order to get the general public more acceptant with EVs they need to be provided range in terms that people are familiar with. For so many years people were given the efficiency of a car or (miles per gallon) So you basically knew how it compared to everything else. 40mpg is pretty good 30mpg seems about average and anything less well it better be a truck or SUV. Rarely is the tank size promoted giving you your range.
However with range anxiety of EVs everything is given in range or kWh battery size.
For many people who may be considering an EV they probably want to know how to compare apples to apples and if their old gas car got 30 mpg and they lived that far from work they knew it took two gallons for a round trip and at the current rate of gas thats about $6.00 So what is it going to cost to make that same trip with a Tesla model 3 vs the Rivian truck?
I just think most consumers will want the ability to get an idea of how much their EV will cost to drive and that efficiency is just as important as MPG. I’m sure people will get a lot more familiar with what they pay for electricity too. Most have no idea.
September 7th, 2021 at 2:25 pm
For the EV propaganda crowd…the natural gas “study” loaded the data with well head generalizations, drilling extrapolations, and rounded up numbers.Ten just consider the latest torm damage data in the northeast…where do you plug that EV in now! And lastly in California the electrical supply cutbacks and broen outs now lead to request to “not charge your EV during “peak demand times”!
September 7th, 2021 at 2:27 pm
The Microlino is interesting in looks and concept. But not suited for use on public roads. Since there is just a few inches between the front of the vehicle and the occupants, anyone involved in a front end collision would likely lose their legs.
September 7th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
8) Really there is no range anxiety if 2 things were true. First: charger availability. Second: if you could get going in 5 minutes from dead flat. Those 2 things are the root of range anxiety. Otherwise nobody would care. Think about the Pontiac Fiero. This was supposed to be a sporty commuter car. Nobody had range anxiety with a Fiero even though it only had a 200 mile range. Why, because refueling could be done in 2 minutes(10 gallon tank if completely empty), and gas stations are plentiful.
September 7th, 2021 at 3:01 pm
For those who use an EV as an only car, and take highway trips with it, range and charge time matters. For those who use an EV as a commuter vehicle, being able to charge at home matters. With a 50 mile/day commute with, say, a Tesla Model 3, you plug it in overnight every 5 or 6 days. Doing the same commute with a Camry hybrid, you go to a gas station every 10 days. I don’t see a big difference in the “convenience” aspect. Yeah, if you have an extended power outage, the EV would be a problem.
September 7th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
9 Yeah, the likelihood that most people would charge EVs at other than during peak demand times, is why generating capacity would not be a big factor if we added a lot of EVs to the fleet. Rates set by time of day would strongly encourage people to charge at off-peak hours.
September 7th, 2021 at 3:24 pm
11 live on the west coast of Canada,yesterday I saw a tesla with Ohio plates. Not sure how much planning that took to get here? I was hoping to talk to the owner,but that never happened.
September 7th, 2021 at 3:34 pm
13 In July, a friend drove a Model S from the Seattle area to central Indiana. He mostly used the route shown by the Tesla trip planner. It didn’t take any special planning, but would have added about 10-15% to the drive time.
September 7th, 2021 at 3:53 pm
9-13 Yea its not just charging stations and refill times exactly. I believe for most people home charging is key to owning an EV. that takes away the concern of long recharging times.
So not only do you need a home charger but likely a 240V outlet to provide fast charging.
When you take the entire population of car buyers and remove ones that cannot charge at home. Then remove the ones that do not adequate power to add a charger. Then you start to see the true market for these EVs. Charging stations will help but if it takes 2-5 hours to charge my car I’m not willing to hang out somewhere for that long every couple days to recharge my car. It has to be done at home for anything more than a few minutes. So adding charging stations will do little to help sell cars. It will just make using them more convenient. So even if a charging station was on every corner. Are you going to leave your car down the street and walk home. Then walk back 3 hours later to move it back home? I’m guessing no.
September 7th, 2021 at 4:30 pm
A Maybach? Seriously that thing is a Maybach?
If so, the Maybach brand stands for nothing.
September 7th, 2021 at 4:44 pm
16 For some people, home charging with a 120v outlet would work. With a Model 3, you get about 4 miles per hour of charge, so a lot of people would be able to get 50 miles/day with a 120v. You’d need to plug it in every day, though.
September 7th, 2021 at 6:55 pm
There are so many safety devices added to vehicles on a regular basis. Does anyone know only those mandated by law? Are there any vehicles on the market with only the bare minimum?
My perfect EV is one with only cruise and a backup camera. I want knobs to tune the radio and levers to regulate the temp. A range of 200 miles is a must and an ideal recharge time of around 4 hours. I may have missed a couple other small luxuries, yet I could live without them.
September 7th, 2021 at 9:30 pm
@12.) A power outage would hit a BEV in a bad way, especially with charging at home. Yet, how much different is that then the oil crisis of the late ’70s and early ’80s? Yes, power outages are more frequent in some areas, but gas prices seem to go up and down almost from week to week. With storms and other natural disasters, the price driver’s pay at the pump can come with sticker shock! My point is, the experience that customers have had with gasoline has not always been as pretty as we remember. There is going to be growing pains with EVs, but there was a time when vehicles with ICEs were not the efficient, easily fueled, marvel’s of design that they are today.
IMHO, this Maybach concwpt is very beautiful and what the model should have looked like from the start! Just like the Bentayga and the Cullinan, it’s look will attract some and repel others. Yet, it doesn’t look like the GLS with lots and lots of gaudy chrome. Finally, Maybach has something to at very least compete with Bentley.
The EQE, while not as good looking as the EQS concept, seems to have better proportions and is more appealing to my eye. One way or another, they will sell everyone they build, for the Mercedes faithful now has a true Tesla fighter with a three pointed star!
September 8th, 2021 at 8:11 am
18 According to this, the only mandatory safety items in the US are seat belts, LATCH for child seats, stability control, and front air bags.
https://thenewswheel.com/which-safety-features-are-legally-required-on-us-cars/
That doesn’t sound right, but maybe it is. I thought backup camera or sensors, tire pressure monitor, and maybe other things I’ve forpotten were required.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:16 am
The Maybach just reaffirms that this move to SUVs really takes away much of the styling freedom of the designs. It puts much more emphasis on the interior because much like everything out there it looks very similar on the outside. They can add fancy wheels and grills but the overall shape is nothing unique. It also proves that the traditional sedan isn’t just going away it has evolved into these higher seated SUVs. History repeats itself. as we are back to the sedans of the 1930s.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:17 am
20 ABS is also required but maybe they include that with stability control. That one I didn’t know.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:22 am
22 Yeah, ABS is definitely part of stability control, being controlled by sensors in addition to wheel speed sensing.
September 8th, 2021 at 8:31 am
18 I’m with you I would be perfectly content with an EV that was even three wheeled and very basic for my go to work vehicle. I’d keep my truck for trips and towing the boat or trailer. But my everyday driver Id be fine with a radio that has an aux port. Power windows and A/C is about the only options I’d want, but are almost standard on everything now. I don’t care about a touch screen and driving assist features. I do like remote start but with an EV I’m not sure that’s even necessary.
Funny thing is I have a 2012 Cadillac and my 2020 Ram has more features cameras and sensors. And its a bighorn addition so not a fully loaded edition. Most of the added features on the truck I like but some have been shut off and I don’t care if I ever have them on my next vehicle.
September 8th, 2021 at 11:10 am
24 About any 2020 vehicle would have more features than even “premium” 2012 vehicles. Then, some vehicles are “tech showcases,” like a 2004 Prius having “keyless go” standard, while it would have been an expensive option on a Benz or Cadillac at the time.
I miss crank windows, which work regardless of the position of the key, start/stop button, etc.