Barrie Dickinson

Is Tesla cutting its own throat by firing the entire Supercharger team? "Astoundingly, the rest of the auto industry that was getting ready to partner with Tesla on charging seems blindsided as well today, leaving them with countless questions about what's next. "We were surprised as anyone, and have no additional information than what’s been reported," one automaker official told me. There's no two ways about it: this move is utterly baffling." In the last 10 years, after some excellent strategic moves, it appeared that Musk and Tesla were playing chess, while all other OEMs were playing checkers. One of those was the widespread roll out of the Supercharger network. It was, and remains, a massive competitive advantage. So much so that every other OEM signed up for Tesla's NACS charging standard in North America. This huge network allowed Tesla to capitalize on future EV rollout, and secure huge amounts of federal funding Yet, now Musk has fired the ENTIRE team!! Why would you kill your own competitive advantage? Perhaps Musk is so focused on robotaxi he doesn't see a need for Superchargers. Apart from cost savings, I see no upside for this, and MAJOR downside. It's a shocking end to one of the best infrastructure rollouts in decades. What do you think the reason for laying off the entire Supercharger team is? Will Tesla invest in truck Megacharging? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below #automotive #batteries #climatechange #electricvehicles #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewableenergy More here: https://lnkd.in/gi7cEibF

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Some great shots & discussion of not often seen BIW structures and the impact on complexity, crash, etc. Need help with your big castings? Our client Grainger & Worrall is up for the challenge. https://lnkd.in/e926ugup #Gigacastings #innovation #structures #BodyinWhite

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Toyota is the WORST Automaker for the environment. "Another year, another report showing how bad Toyota Motor Corporation is for the environment. Given the intensity of Toyota’s negative climate lobbying, it gets the crown for worst automaker on climate once again, continuing the several years it has worn it." It's now almost 9 years since I left Toyota, and there's been a lot of change since then. None more so than it's environmental reputation. Back then, Toyota was the gold standard for OEMs, with its excellent hybrid technology making a huge competitive advantage, despite the fact that in North America, hybrid share was only about 10% of sales. Yet now, with the lack of moves towards EVs AND it's anti-climate lobbying it's environmental reputation has tanked. Which is exactly what InfluenceMap is finding in their latest study. While not the very worst in moves towards EVs, the vast breath and intensity of the anti-climate lobbying is breathtaking. Personally, I find anti-climate lobbying particularly distasteful. Seriously, who would do this?? It's the equivalent of lobbying to sh!t in your bed and that of others, then inviting everyone else to to do the same. It's just gross. (Excuse the crude analogy, but this is an extremely important point.) So, next time you're out shopping for a car, bear this in mind. Some OEMS care more the environment and your health than others. Toyota is absolutely NOT one of those. Do you find anti-climate lobbying distasteful? Why do you think Toyota has become such a strong proponent of this? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below #automotive #batteries #climatechange #electricvehicles #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewableenergy More here: https://lnkd.in/eq2f9eK4?

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Lots of diverse topics covered this week, as its a quiet one on the news front. Main takeaway for me, is the unintended consequences I can see from the new autonomous vehicle legislation in the UK. As companies will be held 100% responsible for any incidents whilst in autonomous mode, they won't deploy their tech - this is a good thing. Unfortunately it will cause an explosion in Level 2+ or Level 2++ named systems, which means us drivers will be held responsible for the poorly made system and its failures (some are in the actual concept of system, let alone the actual competence of it). Some are already abdicating responsibility by deploying such technology on our roads and the naming is pure marketing as there is no such thing as Level 2+ or ++.

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Once you go EV, you DON'T go back. That guarantees EVs will WIPE OUT IC in the long term "Over 91% of EV owners surveyed say their next car will be an EV." When OEMs measure brand success, one of the key measures is retention. ie will that customer buy again? It's a direct reflection of the experience of their car so far. If any brand has a retention rate of over 50%, they're doing well. So, when I see that EVs have 91% of owners say they'll buy again, that is unbelievably good! (My guess is that it's probably 10% for hydrogen FCEV) What it means is that EVs don't lose customers (except for a small percentage), they only gain. Which means that sales can only continue to expand, which is exactly what's been happening. Eventually that means all new vehicle sales will be EV, even if not government mandated. One of the reasons for this is a significant improvement in the charging network. While most people charge primarily at home, a good experience includes relatively little range anxiety and reliable public charging. While there's a lot of work still to do, it IS improving quickly. The other point worth mentioning is that EVs are simply much nicer to drive than a hybrid or IC vehicle. Smooth, silent, strong linear torque from rest to WAY above the highway speed limit. They're also WAY cheaper to run. If you're still driving an IC vehicle, make sure your next one is EV. You won't go back, I can almost completely guarantee that. Have you noticed that once people go EV, few go back to IC? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below #automotive #batteries #climatechange #electricvehicles #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewableenergy More here: https://lnkd.in/g4gWh7HV? Pic credit - Financial Times

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As a driver of an EV .... it has its pros and cons .. but .. what are your thoughts,

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Battery Pack Testing: https://lnkd.in/ev7cgBUY At the moment a list of tests that needs expanding - please do DM me your own list of tests if you can, then I will create a list containing everything. Maybe that way we can get to something more complete. #testing #batterytesting #batteries

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This looks like a last ditch thinly-veiled attempt at keeping out technology that is far superior & commercially successful than anything from the American supply base. And no doubt with an aim of winning votes, rather than a true concern for the future state of the US automotive industry. Come on Team USA - didn't get this far by being a sore loser & shying away from competition! It's becoming an embarrassment for the country. https://lnkd.in/eFXFmbrc #EV #battery #evindustry

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This is actually 4D chess. If all of the OEMs signed on to the standard, then the rest of the industry can start contributing to building it out. Every single member of the Supercharger team will be snapped up instantaneously throughout the industry. It’s shocking at first blush, but actually brilliant. It’s not just fair, but the most beneficial move for the industry. Everyone should be building.

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Subaru, Toyota & Mazda Commit to Engines for Electrification & Carbon Neutrality https://lnkd.in/gtVAQWV6 auto connected car newsSubaru Corporation (Subaru), Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), and Mazda Motor Corporation (Mazda) have each committed to developing new engines tailored to electrification and the pursuit of carbon neutrality. With these engines, each of the three companies will aim to optimize integration with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units. While transforming vehicle packaging with more compact engines, these efforts will also decarbonize ICEs by making them compatible with various carbon-neutral (CN) fuels1. Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda have always been driven by a deep understanding of their customers’ diverse lifestyles. This understanding has led the three companies to develop signature engines2 that

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The Toyota Motor Corporation's electric bZ4X has received a good amount of flack since it went on sale. Critics have slammed its range, fast charging abilities and software. But I just drove one, and guess what? I actually liked it quite a bit. And so do tons of EV newcomers these days, from families moving to it from their trusted RAV4s to cab and rideshare drivers in New York City. The thing is, it could be a lot better, so here's my prescription on how it could be a game-changer. Will Toyota listen? New at InsideEVs: https://lnkd.in/ejVCp-PC

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A $1 trillion investment is NEEDED for electric truck charging?? That is a CRAZY good deal!! This trick is as old as dirty oil and engine money: pay a research house gob loads of money to provide evidence for your position - even if it is outrageous. That's exactly what the (not so) Clean Freight Coalition is doing. They say that it will cost $1 trillion for the US to electrify all trucks on the road, or $145,000 for each truck. That consists of $620 billion for charging infrastructure and $370 billion for grid upgrades. (How remarkable is it that it magically adds up to a trillion?) While that might sound horrifying, understand that they're trying to take an alarmist position to scare people. Yet, a quick bit of back of the napkin math shows that the not so Clean fellas have made a large tactical error. How so? Diesel trucks are ridiculously expensive to fuel. Lets add it up: The US uses 3.77 million barrels of diesel per DAY, which multipled out at $4/gallon gives you $231 billion a year. So, $1 trillion is just over 4 years of diesel used in the US. While trucks aren't the only consumer of diesel, they make up a very large proportion. So, spending $1 trillion to invest in electric truck infrastructure appears to be a VERY smart decision. Another way to look at it is this: a diesel truck doing a lot of miles can easily use $600,000 to $700,000 of fuel over 10 years / 1 million miles. A $145,000 investment in charging and grid infrastructure per truck is a bargain!!! However, consider the lobbying source and you realize the $1 trillion number could be VERY Inflated. The US and world's #1 selling truck OEM, Daimler Truck AG has said that charging infrastructure to electrify every truck in the US will cost $66 billion (plus grid upgrades) - one tenth of the Dirty Freight Coalition's estimate. So, if it's very worthwhile to install truck charging and upgrade the grid for every truck at $1 trillion, it's an absolute "no brainer" at one tenth the cost. Here at Vision Mobility we work with one of the leaders in electric truck charging, WattEV, Inc. By the end of this month they will have 6 truck charging stops open, and another 7 in the works. Public truck charging is happening and it's happening quickly. Do you agree that truck charging infrastructure and grid upgrades is an outstanding investment? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below #automotive #batteries #climatechange #electricvehicles #innovation #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #Freight #logistics More here: https://lnkd.in/g3ceNdNU And here https://lnkd.in/gM9DDJQJ

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Really interesting video here of the Nissan Motor Corporation #ProPilot Assist 2.0 operating in hands-free mode on U.S. highways. There is a #DMS on the steering column, but what is informative is how much of the time the IR illuminators can be seen turned off. The assumption is that while there is a DMS installed, it isn't working for much of the time. The teachable moment here is the importance of a DMS constantly measuring #cognitive #distraction when a vehicle is operating #handsfree, because the driver can have both their head pose and eye-gaze directed at the road ahead, but their thoughts can be elsewhere. #Humanfactors scientists call this "mind wandering" and it can be detected and mitigated using DMS with real-time glance pattern analysis, but this requires a system which actually understands human behavior. Cognitive distraction will almost certainly be a factor in the investigations into Ford Motor Company's #BlueCruise by #NHTSA and #NTSB and highlights the importance of #automakers taking the role of a DMS seriously when designing safe hands-free supervised automation systems. NHTSA may also want to think about understanding how this issue can be overcome in eyes-off driving systems. Specifically, how can the human adequately perform the supervisory role, when they have been told it is safe to take their eyes off the road? https://lnkd.in/eTZWjAq6

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One of the most successful auto manufacturers, Toyota is betting more on Hybrids. The "Toyota 1:6:90 Rule" Explains Why Hybrids are Better For the Environment Than Full Electric Cars. This rule highlights that for the same amount of raw materials needed to manufacture one EV, Toyota can alternatively produce six plug-in hybrids or a whopping 90 hybrid vehicles. This particular rule was leaked online, which was part of the company’s internal document. What is this 1:6:90 rule? With this 1:6:90 Rule that Toyota’s leaked internal document revealed, it can be understood that this has been introduced to challenge the prevailing narrative that EVs are the ultimate solution for reducing carbon emissions. Here are the pros about this view: By prioritizing hybrids over EVs, Toyota has argued that the cumulative carbon reduction achieved by 90 hybrids throughout their lifespan surpasses that of a single EV by a staggering 37 times. Hybrid vehicles such as Toyota’s iconic Prius offer a compelling alternative to EVs. By combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, hybrids achieve improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Additionally, unlike EVs, hybrids do not rely solely on electric power, which eliminates concerns about limited driving range and lengthy refueling times. On top of this, the affordability and accessibility of hybrids make them a more attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers. Of course there are cons about this view: Many critics do not support this view. Some hard core experts and automotive industry critics have argued that Toyota’s reluctance to fully embrace EVs can hinder innovation in the EV industry. However, they also realize that the 1:6:90 Rule emphasizes the efficiency and environmental benefits of prioritizing hybrids. The consumer is always king. Interestingly in some auto markets such as India, car buyers over the last few months have leaned towards hybrid vehicles. This is because hybrids have outsold electric vehicles in India. The unique socio-economic landscape of India, coupled with infrastructure challenges and consumer preferences, has contributed to this trend. A few other reasons for Indian car buyers to prefer hybrids over electric vehicles include factors such as affordability, infrastructure, and familiarity. On the other hand, the lower initial cost and established technology of hybrids make them a better option for budget-conscious buyers. Hopefully the same consumer trend will help the sales of hybrids globally. https://lnkd.in/g9-N3Nqs #ev #hybrid #hybrids #toyota #auto #electric #vehicles #consumertrends #evs #cars

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Can you guess which automaker has the most sophisticated over-the-air software update capability in the United States market as of 2024?   The answer is Ford Motor Company, whose #OTA capability as demonstrated on the Mustang Mach-E exceeds every other automaker selling vehicles with the capability in the United States today.   While #Tesla and #Rivian update their vehicles more frequently and with more content overall, Ford’s ability to update the car while the vehicle is in use represents a novel capability that we’ve seen no other automaker employ on the road in the United States – and they’re quickly catching up in cadence, too, thanks to broad availability of their capability across all brands and powertrains.   Ford made an active design choice to equip vehicle electronics with “A/B” partitioning, allowing software updates to be installed silently, then “switched over” to the newly updated partition without an interruption to the vehicle’s functionality.   Laying the technology foundation that Ford has is a crucial step in enabling the long-term vision of the software-defined vehicle, and we’re now seeing the fruits of sizeable investments in development tools, organizational changes, and architecture overhauls give the company the opportunity to meet or even leapfrog the agility of their #EV competition.   For more information on this ranking and methodology, refer to our quarterly OTA and Software-Delivered Features Guide, which also tracks every known software update pushed by every automaker in the United States, Europe, and China: https://lnkd.in/gq5ce2TK

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Very interesting approach when it comes to thinking about the current EV market situation!

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