Weekly-ish News - Episode 18 (June 6, 2021)

What's the Alternative?

Episode Notes

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Headlines from this episode:

Electric Vehicles:

BMW announced two new EVs for sale in Q1 2022:

• BMW i4 Sedan:
• BMW iX SUV:
• Both shooting for 200kW charging

A comparison of the BMW i4 to the Tesla Model 3.

Around 6k Tesla Model 3 and Y vehicles were recalled due to a potential brake issue.

• "The loose bolts could allow the brake caliper to separate and contact the inner surface of the wheel rim. This could prevent the wheel from freely rotating, causing a loss of tire pressure, Tesla told the NHTSA."

Hyundai is reportedly stopping development of gasoline engines.

EVgo is introducing charger reservations in California and Washington state for a $3 fee.

• Reservations can be cancelled 24hr before the time with no cost, so maybe there will be a fee for late cancellation.

7-Eleven plans to install 500 DC Fast Chargers at 250 locations across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2022.

Misc.

Michelin is developing an inflatable sail system for cargo ships to increase fuel efficiency by 20%.

• The project is called "Wing Sail Mobility", or WISAMO (because of course there's an acronym).
• It's a collaboration with two Swiss inventors.
• They are telescoping to allow for crossing under bridges and such.
• They intend to deploy the first test ship in 2022.

Energy:

The first TerraPower nuclear reactor is slated to be built in Wyoming to replace an aging coal plant.

• This will be a pilot project producing 345MW.
• Location to be announced at the end of 2021.
• There is also an energy storage system that can add an additional 155MW of power when needed.
• This project is using their "Natrium" system.