Vehicle of the Future

EV enthusiast and activist

Archive for March 2017

PG&E Rates

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So the regular E-1 rate is now at $0.19/kWh.

Pretty much parity with residential solar.

Written by devinserpa

March 18, 2017 at 2:32 am

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Traditional Automakers are Terrified

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Perhaps it is hyperbolic to suggest a corporation is terrified since corporations don’t have emotions, they aren’t alive. Though the C-suite of humans on the other hand are very concerned. Concerned with making money for their stockholders, it borders on pathologic behavior.

Most auto C-suites don’t get bonuses if they don’t meet certain targets. They all watch every aspect that may affect their bottom line for which the specialize. From raw materials, to supply chain distribution, to labor staffing, to market fluctuations of exchange rate of their respective currency, to brand image, to recalls, to regulations, to fuel costs of their products, to warranty claims, to potential maintenance co-profit with dealerships, to OEM after market profit, to competitors…

Lots of aspects of EVs represent a threat to traditional auto makers. Especially auto makers that only makes EVs such as Tesla, Lucid, Faraday Future, Atieva and more.

Raw materials of batteries have fallen at an incredible rate, potential maintenance profit is negligible, fuel costs are falling (solar and wind), customers have recorded high ownership satisfaction.

Now imagine you are in charge of mitigating this threat as a C-suite. Remember, stockholders are counting on you to make increasing profit, not the same profit as last quarter. Oh and Generation Z say they will be driving less or has no interest in owning cars, more so than previous generations (read public transportation, urban living and Uber), and Generation Y (millennials) want greener and more technically connected cars, Generation X is getting older and want self driving cars. The baby boomers? Some have informed you they’ve bought their last vehicle recently…

How might you handle this threat?

Pretty terrifying isn’t it?

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Written by devinserpa

March 17, 2017 at 3:49 am

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Via Motors – Full EV Truck?

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After inquiring about the VTRUX I received an email back stating:

Hello Devin,

Thank you for the support and your interest in VIA Motors. Currently we are out of production of our extended range electric vehicles. We will notify everyone once we are back in production.


Let me know if you have any questions.


My reply:


Sorry to hear. Hope you ramp up again soon.


Via Motors:


We’re working extremely hard. Stay tuned we’ll have some exciting announcements soon.


Me:


Fully electric perhaps?


Via Motors:


We’ll see what happens…



Exciting! But not exactly confirmation. Only time will tell.

Written by devinserpa

March 2, 2017 at 5:17 pm

Posted in Uncategorized