RV_

Could be. We'll see. It will be interesting to watch as the US Lithium mining and refining takes off. US has huge lithium reserves, but concerns mount over mining "Geologically abundant Lithium is often incorrectly labeled as "scarce." Indeed, the metal is abundant geologically across the planet, but its production is concentrated in just a few countries. Global lithium production is led by Australia, Chile, China and Argentina, which collectively produce over 95% of the mineral. However, the US is home to what are believed to be the world's largest lithium deposits after those in the so-called Lithium Triangle region in South America. The states of Nevada, North Carolina, and California together host an estimated 4% of the world's lithium reserves. "The US used to be the top lithium producer, but it lost that status right around when lithium began to be more important, first with personal electronics," Thea Riofrancos, an associate professor of political science at Providence College whose research focuses on resource extraction and renewable energy, told DW. Lithium production moved overseas beginning in the 1970s, and now there is only one active mine left in the country, in Clayton Valley near Silver Peak, Nevada. The site is operated by mining giant Albemarle, which also runs a mine in Chile's Salar de Atacama and is a large stakeholder in the world's largest hard-rock lithium mine in Australia." https://www.dw.com/en/us-has-huge-lithium-reserves-but-concerns-mount-over-mining/a-64103024#:~:text=However%2C the US is home to what are,an estimated 4% of the world's lithium reserves. Tesla will probably process the lithium hydroxide refined in the USA into battery cells itself in its US battery factories. In addition to the 4680 pilot line in Fremont, California, Tesla has battery production with Panasonic in Nevada and its own 4680 cell production in Texas. The Giga Mexico, announced in March, is also to be expanded later to include its own cell production.

GM's new Silverado EV work truck will have industry-best 450-mile range, company says Excerpt: "General Motors (GM) is throwing down the gauntlet in the burgeoning EV pickup wars, with a range-topping figure for its upcoming Silverado EV Work Truck (WT). The company's Silverado EV WT for fleet customers now has an EPA-estimated range of 450 miles on a full charge, uprated from a prior estimate of 400 miles. The work truck series is meant for GM's commercial fleet customers and will not be sold to regular consumers initially. The Silverado EV WT will arrive this spring with the 450-mile version costing $79,800, including shipping. Another Silverado WT model with an estimated 350-mile range will follow at a price of $74,800, with a base version WT starting as low as $41,595 with delivery. The first consumer version of the Silverado EV, the high-trim RST First Edition, arrives in the fall with a starting price of $106,695 including delivery." Much more in the article here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gms-new-silverado-ev-work-truck-will-have-industry-best-450-mile-range-company-says-151328048.html?utm_source=pocket_saves

Tesla Stops Short of Committing to India Plant in Renewed Talks "A delegation of Tesla Inc. executives to India discussed the possible local sourcing of components and incentives but stopped short of proposing to build vehicles in the country, people familiar with the matter said, after the electric carmaker reopened dialog with the government after a year-long impasse. While the automaker will eventually look to establish a domestic factory to tap India’s vast consumer market, it hasn’t yet presented a formal plan, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. The executives reiterated their concern about India’s high tariffs on imported cars during this week’s meeting, but the government doesn’t plan to change its tax regime to accommodate one automaker, one of the people said. Tesla didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment outside of normal US hours. A representative for the ministry of road transport and highways also didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Rising geopolitical tensions between China and the US mean global companies are increasingly seeking an alternative base for manufacturing and supply chains. India is emerging as an attractive bet for international companies amid growing demand for products ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles in the world’s most-populous nation. Discussions between Tesla and India reached a stalemate last year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration insisted it sell locally-made cars, while the automaker wanted to first import them at lower taxes to gauge demand. India didn’t want Tesla to bring cars into the country from its Shanghai factory." Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-stops-short-committing-india-083646410.html?utm_source=pocket_saves

Mercedes Plans One Electric Van Platform To Rule Them All Excerpt: "Mercedes-Benz Vans has developed an electric platform for its van customers that will go into production in 2026. The Mercedes VAN.EA Platform This week, Mercedes announced that, starting in 2026, all its newly developed vans will be based on just one single innovative, modular, and scalable architecture called VAN.EA, which is short for Van Electric Architecture, an all-new purpose-built platform developed from scratch for its future electric vans. All future midsize and large vans will be built on it, both commercial and private, the company says. Those vans will focus on added value for the customers and their individual needs, whether for a commercial application as a versatile premium all-rounder or as a private luxury van. Notice the emphasis on high-end products. Mercedes-Benz will not get down and grovel with the likes of Nissan and Peugeot, which are lucky if they break even on their electric vans. That is not the market Mercedes is aiming for. The VAN.EA architecture strategy will reduce the complexity of the company’s purpose-built electric van portfolio, which is expected to result in significant economies of scale. The number of variants will be reduced by more than 50% compared to the company’s current van lineup. “Starting 2026, we will introduce our purpose-built EV architecture VAN.EA. This enables us to consolidate our midsize and large vans down to only one architecture and significantly reduce the complexity of our product portfolio. Maximum added value for customers with sustainable profitability at the same time — VAN.EA clearly underscores our aspiration to ‘Lead in Electric’,” said Mathias Geisen, the head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. The VAN.EA products will focus on efficiency and performance in every aspect of the vehicle — including aerodynamics, drivetrain, tires, and chassis. The goal is to achieve a high range with an optimal battery capacity, which is directly related to vehicle weight and costs. An Electric Van Platform With Three Parts Image courtesy of Mercedes Benz Vans The VAN.EA platform will have three distinct components. The front portion contains the front axle and electric powertrain, which will be identical in all variants built on the platform, which is part of the plan to focus on using the same parts as the basis for multiple models. The central section can scale to accommodate the length of various models and provide a place to mount batteries of varying sizes. The rear module provides space for the rear axle and will also be standardized, with one exception. It can be fitted with a second electric motor for customers who want all-wheel drive capability. Variations On VAN.EA The platform for private luxury will be known as VAN.EA-P and will be oriented toward customers with the highest standards. It will be suitable for a VIP shuttle, an emissions-free mobile office, or for active families who want the ultimate in leisure travel. It will have a range of more than 500 km, which is ideal for travelers. SAE Level 2 automated driving is planned for market launch, while SAE Level 3 is planned to be available by the end of the decade. VAN.EA-C denotes the electric van platform intended for premium commercial vans in the midsize and large segments. Mercedes claims it will be the ideal base for customers who value functionality, range, payload, and cargo space. With its modular and scalable design, the architecture is tailored for different configurations, from last mile delivery vehicles to ambulances to recreational vehicles, almost everything is conceivable. Mercedes plans to offer Level 4 autonomy for commercial customers who are able to operate in geofenced areas by the end of this decade. Mercedes is the sales leader in vans in the European market and sees the potential for substantial growth in the United States for premium commercial large vans that are based on the VAN.EA architecture. The company expects its new vans to cater to the expectations of its sophisticated customers more strongly by offering a privately positioned midsize luxury van in the United States. It foresees annual sales growth of 6% to 8% annually. It also will expand its portfolio of RV vans ”built from factory” with a new line of fully electric midsize and large camper vans based on VAN.EA chassis. The division aims to define the new industry standard with its international RV business partners around the world. Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/05/19/mercedes-plans-one-electric-van-platform-to-rule-them-all/

This is for their Lithium refinery. He did say "As you can see, we’ve got the Earth-moving equipment already here, so we’re going to begin construction immediately. We’re aiming to finish construction next year and then reach hopefully full production a year later,” Musk said." However I think he was referring to surface bulldozers etc. I don't think the boring company has had anything to do with the Gigafactories or space Launch site and spacecraft manufacturing plants construction on the Gulf coast. When/if he does his own Lithium mine/s the boring company may have a part there, or not.

Don't know. If you find out post back.

👍

I bought the one from Camper's world and they tap danced and claimed since it was used all issues were per-existing. Never again. I did get a good deal on one for a car a decade or two ago. If you were to do one insist they put in writing that they would not claim new problems for YOU will not be blown off as preexisting.

Good for you! Your inspection saved thousands! Good luck on your search. I hear ya. I went for my annual look-see at new and used RVs here and the New Class C Rvs were $120k/130k and up! A little teardrop was $30k, and I did not even look at Class A or Fivers because we are likely not getting another Diesel truck. You did not repeat his mistake.👍

Related - "Time to check your Air Conditioning/heating systems before the rush for replacement systems/parts? Excerpt: "Global Temperatures To Reach New Records In Next 5 Years Excerpt: "Geneva, 17 May 2023 (WMO) — Global temperatures are likely to surge to record levels in the next five years, fueled by heat-trapping greenhouse gases and a naturally occurring El Niño event, according to a new update issued by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). There is a 66% likelihood that the annual average near-surface global temperature between 2023 and 2027 will be more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one year. There is a 98% likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record. “This report does not mean that we will permanently exceed the 1.5°C level specified in the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming over many years. However, WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1.5°C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas. “A warming El Niño is expected to develop in the coming months and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory,” he said. “This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared,” said Prof. Taalas. There is only a 32% chance that the five-year mean will exceed the 1.5°C threshold, according to the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update produced by the United Kingdom’s Met Office, the WMO lead centre for such predictions. The chance of temporarily exceeding 1.5°C has risen steadily since 2015, when it was close to zero. For the years between 2017 and 2021, there was a 10% chance of exceedance. “Global mean temperatures are predicted to continue increasing, moving us away further and further away from the climate we are used to,” said Dr Leon Hermanson, a Met Office expert scientist who led the report. Key points The average global temperature in 2022 was about 1.15°C above the 1850–1900 average. The cooling influence of La Niña conditions over much of the past three years temporarily reined in the longer-term warming trend. But La Niña ended in March 2023 and an El Niño is forecast to develop in the coming months. Typically, El Niño increases global temperatures in the year after it develops — in this case this would be 2024. The annual mean global near-surface temperature for each year between 2023 and 2027 is predicted to be between 1.1°C and 1.8°C higher than the 1850–1900 average. This is used as a baseline because it was before the emission of greenhouse gases from human and industrial activities. There is a 98% chance of at least one in the next five years beating the temperature record set in 2016, when there was an exceptionally strong El Niño. The chance of the five-year mean for 2023–2027 being higher than the last five years is also 98%. Arctic warming is disproportionately high. Compared to the 1991–2020 average, the temperature anomaly is predicted to be more than three times as large as the global mean anomaly when averaged over the next five northern hemisphere extended winters. Predicted precipitation patterns for the May to September 2023–2027 average, compared to the 1991–2020 average, suggest increased rainfall in the Sahel, northern Europe, Alaska and northern Siberia, and reduced rainfall for this season over the Amazon and parts of Australia. Source: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/05/19/global-temperatures-to-reach-records-highs-in-next-5-years/

This is a current Texas project/Texas report and the reports below are written by Texans from 2023. It will be interesting to follow even though I have no skin in this game. Excerpt: "Texas officials have vowed to oppose federal regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions from oil and gas operations. But a new report says plugging leaks and upgrading wells is poised to be a big business in the Lone Star State. May 17, 2023 A pump jack works in Texas' Permian Basin as the EPA proposes a new rule to reduce methane leaks in oil and gas operations. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images. A new report finds that methane regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency could spur job growth in Texas as oil and gas operators measure, monitor and mitigate the harmful greenhouse gas. While Texas officials argue the methane regulations would kill jobs, the report, published today by the Texas Climate Jobs Project and the Ray Marshall Center at the University of Texas, Austin, found that new federal methane regulations could create between 19,000 and 35,000 jobs in the state. Oil and gas producing regions, including the Permian Basin, would need a significant workforce to detect methane leaks, replace components known to leak the gas and plug abandoned wells. Previous research shows the methane mitigation industry is already growing. In the absence of state methane rules, the EPA’s draft methane rule, first issued in November 2021 and strengthened in a supplemental filing last November, along with a new methane fee under the Inflation Reduction Act, will have a major impact on oil and gas operations in the Lone Star state. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/17052023/texas-methane-epa-regulations-jobs/ That report link is above but I will excerpt some of the PDF: Texas Climate Jobs Project 2023 MITIGATING METHANE IN TEXAS: REDUCING EMISSIONS, CREATING JOBS, AND RAISING STANDARDS Estimating the number of direct jobs needed in Texas to address methane emissions and new EPA regulations. Greg Cumpton, PhD Director of the Ray Marshall Center Christopher Agbo Texas Climate Jobs Project "This report is dedicated to Texas oil and gas workers, whose hard work has powered our lives, and whose experience in the oil fields and refineries are essential for our clean energy transition. A special thank you to High Tide Foundation and Sobrato Foundation who made this research possible, as well as the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters for their guidance on what it means to have a good job. This report was produced using funds provided by Texas Climate Jobs Project: https://www.txclimatejobs.org/ . Viewpoints expressed in this report reflect those of the author and do not express those of the funding organization. "FOREWORD Texans have to navigate the reality of economic inequality and climate change every day. The data is clear: addressing climate change presents a win-win opportunity for workers and communities in this state. This report, which is the result of efforts from researchers at the Texas Climate Jobs Project and the University of Texas’s Ray Marshall Center, shows clearly that mitigating methane emissions will create high quality union jobs here in Texas, raise labor standards in our communities and at the same time, decrease pollution right here in our state. Texas is the largest producer of oil and gas in the United States. At the same time, it is also the largest emitter of methane in the country. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the pollution and warming of our planet’s atmosphere. To ensure a better future, it is crucial that we decrease our methane emissions, especially those that result from leaks and other unintentional sources. Federal action, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and pro-posed updates to the EPA methane rule, is encouraging substantial growth. Overall, this report concludes that mitigating methane in Texas could create approximately 35,000 new jobs in the state. But Texas is a perilous environment for workers. In 2021, the Texas construction industry had 127 fatalities, which is more than mining, transportation, and manufacturing. One in five construction workers have reported suffering a workplace injury that required medical attention and sixty percent lack essential health and safety training. Moreover, Texas does not require employers to provide workers’ compensation. These exploitative practices in the Texas construction industry can not carry over into the methane mitigation industry. Methane mitigation is an industry that could create many jobs for Texans that can im-prove job standards in our state. This report calls on local leaders and policymakers to ensure that the jobs created from the methane mitigation industry are family-sustaining jobs filled with highly trained workers. Achieving this will require enforcing Davis-Bacon, implementing Project Labor Agreements, Labor Peace Agreements, Department of Labor registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs, and collaborating with Workforce Development Boards. Methane mitigation has the potential to address a myriad of economic and environmental challenges and Texas has the opportunity to be a leader in creating high-quality union jobs in the industry. Rick Levy President, Texas AFL-CIO" EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report examines the number of jobs needed in Texas to both meet the needs of new EPA regulations related to methane emissions and to more broadly address meth- ane emissions from investigated sources. This report estimates that there is a need for a minimum of 19,478 workers to implement the proposed standards in the EPA’s new proposed methane rule and a maximum of 35,006 workers to address methane emis- sions more thoroughly in Texas. Reducing methane emissions from oil and gas drilling and processing would provide significant numbers of jobs to Texas, adding between 6% and 9% to the number employed in this industry in 2022. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the warming of the earth’s atmo- sphere and it is emitted in several industries such as agriculture, coal mining and oil and gas. Due to Texas’ position as the country’s largest oil and gas producer, it emits the highest amount of methane among all 50 states. Recognizing the importance of curbing methane emissions, the Biden administration has proposed policies to miti- gate methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. Such efforts include the proposed EPA methane rule, which lays out new standards for equipment and facilities in the oil and gas supply chain, and federal funding for states to plug orphan wells. These efforts will help mitigate methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. The jobs created to mitigate methane will be located in areas where oil and gas pro- duction in the state is concentrated, including areas such as the Permian Basin, East Texas Climate Jobs Project Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Congress passed the Regrow Act as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes funding for plugging orphan wells across the country. This includes $1.15 billion from the Department of Interior for states to clean up abandoned wells.26 There are more than 81,000 abandoned wells in the country, emitting at least 7-20 million tons of CO2 equivalent of methane per year.27 Texas has 6,489 of these wells and could receive over $82 million in federal grants to plug these wells.28 Furthermore, the Department of Interior announced an additional $33 million invest- ment to plug and reclaim orphaned oil and gas wells in national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands.29 Texas is one of the states that is supposed to receive this funding, with the state slated for 20 projects.30 Some of these projects include the Angelina National Forest in East Texas, which has nine wells, and the Big Thicket Nation- al Reserve in Southeast Texas, which includes seven wells." That interesting PDF is here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60e76bd34e5317302f87f357/t/645d1db64453b27b47622494/1683824055315/TCJP+Methane+Report+2023.pdf

I can see that too PP, I am posting in "Other Topics" about Methane mitigation in Texas. The powers that be want no part and might try holding it up. Check it out. Because Texas is a one of the largest fossil fuel producing states, the article is very interesting.

I wasn't taking it as me, nor Payroll. I was just wondering who he was referring to as whining in these forums. And why the pejorative terms "amazed" at whining? But to be sure I was reading it right , I asked him, respectfully, without calling his post anything, just asked for him to identify, and he chose not to answer who he was referring to. Don thanks for stepping in but I think Kirk is responsible for his choice of terminology in his posts. Why use contemptuous or patronizing terminology. Nor using that now. It takes no wordsmithing nor restraint on my part because I started this out supporting it as a good idea in the OP's first sentences above. What if I post that I am always amazed at the ICE owners who whine about the cost of EVs when they cost the same as the average new vehicle cost today? Or that I am always amazed at the ICE owners who whine about the grid because they do not understand many of us we only charge a few times a month at most and then at night at home. I don't use that tone or patronize I answer them as questions and provide the facts and links without contempt, demeaning terms or patronizing. I answered that with a question which he did not answer. I did claim being "Amazed" as he was, or seeing the folks who want EVs to pay equivalent road tax as "whining" nor put a roll eyes at the end of my asking Kirk who he meant. I think most will see it as derisive terminology on his part. And that he chose not to answer my neutral actual question.

Texas leads in EV and space and now lithium? Excerpt: Tesla Lithium Refinery In Texas During the event, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Department of Energy Undersecretary Kathleen Hogan celebrated Tesla’s latest investment in Texas. The factory is expected to bring more engineering and technical jobs to the state, the city of Corpus Christi, and Nueces County. “This is a great day for Nueces County. You may remember I was here a month or two ago and I was talkin’ about the way that you’re gonna see a wave of jobs coming to Corpus Christi and Nueces County,” Governor Abbott said. “This is just one of many projects that will be providing those jobs that will elevate Corpus Christi and Nueces Country, Robstown, the entire area far much more. Congratulations on this big success,” the Texas governor added. According to Elon Musk, Tesla’s lithium refinery in Texas will be able to produce lithium for about a million vehicles. This factory alone will have the capacity to produce more battery-grade lithium than the production of the entire North American refineries combined. “As you can see, we’ve got the Earth-moving equipment already here, so we’re going to begin construction immediately. We’re aiming to finish construction next year and then reach hopefully full production a year later,” Musk said. Musk clarified that Tesla intends to continue using its lithium suppliers, adding that this lithium refinery is preparing to meet the company’s future demands. He also noted that lithium is a very common Earth ore, but that making it battery-grade is industrially intensive. Crucially, Musk added, battery-grade lithium needs to be completely free of any impurities. Otherwise, the battery will degrade more quickly than expected. “We’ve got a number of innovations we think will be quite effective in the refining of lithium that haven’t been done before,” Elon Musk said. Turner Caldwell, Sr Manager of Battery Minerals & Metals at Tesla, explained how the process of producing lithium at this Tesla refinery will differ from conventional methods. According to Caldwell, lithium refining is a chemical process that requires heavy use of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. The traditional techniques produce byproducts that are of little use later, such as sodium sulfate. Considering sustainability, Tesla has invented its own methods of refining lithium. Turner Caldwell explained the process in a bit of detail as follows: “What we are going to be using are much more inert reagents, we’ll be consuming soda ash sodium carbonate very common industrial chemical. “We’ll be consuming lime, again a very common industrial chemical and it’s a much more direct route that consumes 20% less energy all in. “It consumes reagents that are 60% less costly and all in the production cost is 30% lower on a unit cost basis. “But the real key thing here is the byproduct that’s produced is much more inert. It’s basically a mix of sand and limestone. “And the team here has been working really hard on finding beneficial use opportunities for that sand and limestone to try to feed that into construction materials. “So that we end up with as a net environmentally very neutral site.” Source with more: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/05/18/tesla-cybertruck-tool-rack-spotted-at-lithium-groundbreaking/

I guess we don't write off hydrogen if they have green hydrogen like this: Excerpt: "Who’s Gonna Pay For All This Green Hydrogen? As for the cost of the microgrid makeover, that’s easy. There is no up-front cost. MCDOT is getting the whole soup-to-nuts project done through an energy-as-a-service contract with the Boston firm AlphaStruxure, which is a joint venture of Schneider Electric and the global investment firm Carlyle Group. “The microgrid is delivered without capital expenditures to the County through an EaaS contract, a long-term agreement ensuring predictable operating expenses and guaranteed performance without upfront capital expenditures,” AlphaStuxure emphasized. If AlphaStruxure rings a bell, you may be thinking of Montgomery County’s other claim to EV fame. Back in 2021, CleanTechnica took note of the County’s Energy-as-a-Service deal with AlphaStruxure to construct the nation’s biggest solar-plus-storage bus fleet charging station, the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot. The facility is expected to reach its capacity of charging 70 electric buses by 2026. Energy-as-a-Service contracts are similar to the familiar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contracts that have helped fuel renewable energy investment in the US. PPAs enable energy consumers to get their hands on clean power, without having to shoulder the capital costs up front. The developer gets paid back over time while the consumer can reap the bottom line benefits of a more stable and predictable energy supply, freedom from commodity price spikes, and an overall reduction in costs compared to conventional fossil fuels." Much more with pics of the Hydrogen and charging station using solar to produce the hydrogen from water not fossil gas here: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/05/18/maryland-cooks-up-green-hydrogen-scheme-to-kill-diesel-buses/

Wow! I loved my 1963 MG Spridget and Triumph Spitfire. Now MG has a new EV line that gets the same mileage in their MG4 long range ~330 miles, but at a cost of US $37,124 or about $13k less than the Tesla Model Y in Australia. Too bad we can't buy them here yet! For investors this article points out that manufacturers overseas are getting closer to Tesla technology, range, and beating them on price. Good for consumers and investors worldwide. The transition to EVs is picking up speed worldwide, while prices continue to drop even or less than ICE cars and trucks. Excerpt: Cars The MG4 Is Now The Most Affordable Electric Vehicle In Australia "There are now more affordable options for consumers looking to get EVs in quite a few markets around the world. It took a long time, but it’s finally happening in more markets around the world. In Thailand, the BYD Dolphin and the Ora Good Cat are already available at prices that are quite competitive with ICE equivalents. In the United Kingdom, the MG4 is also available at prices that are at parity with some ICE equivalents, such as the VW Golf. This is probably one of the reasons why the MG4 has had some outstanding sales figures so far in the UK. MG had a record first quarter of sales in 2023 in the UK. In the first three months of the year, the company was the second bestselling manufacturer of electric cars in the UK. Only Tesla sold more EVs in the UK. Overall, MG registered 20,679 new cars (including ICE) in the first quarter of 2023, which was a huge 49.4% increase on the same period in 2022. More importantly, its market share of the electric car market now stands at 9.4%. This places MG amongst the UK’s fastest growing electric car brands. The MG4 Excite The MG4 Excite has a range of up to 450 km (WLTP) and starts from $44,990 Australian dollars (US$29,886). Max Torque: 250 NM Rear-Wheel Drive 64 kWH battery 7-Year unlimited km Warranty 10.25-inch infotainment system MG iSmart app connectivity Automatic LED headlights and rear lights MG Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) MG Pilot Driver Safety Technology Reverse Camera Rear/Roof Spoiler 17″ alloy wheels with two-tone aero covers 10.5W Wired USB C/A Fabric Seats Rear Wiper 4 Speaker Audio Driver’s 6-way Manual Adjustable Seat 3 Regenerative Braking Modes (1,2,3) 3 Driving Modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) Auto Hold & Electric Parking Brake Adaptive Cruise Control 7″ Instrument Cluster Apple CarPlay + Android Auto The MG4 Essence The MG4 Essence has a range of up to 435 km (WLTP) and starts from $47,990 Australian dollars (US$31,866). The Essence has the following additional features on top of the ones offered in the MG MG4 EXCITE: 360-degree camera Twin-aero rear spoiler Two-tone roof 18″ alloy wheels with two-tone aero covers Automatic climate control Wireless phone charging PU & Fabric Seat 6 Speaker Audio Satellite Navigation Driver’s 6-way Electrically Adjustable Seat The MG4 Long Range The MG4 Long Range has a range of up to 530 km (added -329 miles range) (WLTP) and starts from $55,900 Australian dollars (US$37,124). The Long Range model has the following features in addition to those on the MG4 Essence: Max Torque: 350 NM 77 kWh battery It also has a 7-year unlimited km warranty. More and interior shots in the article here: https://cleantechnica.com/2023/05/18/the-mg4-is-now-the-most-affordable-electric-vehicle-in-australia/

Welcome to the forums kojicraps. Glad you found my post about Ad Fontes useful. I look forward to your posts.

Kirk, I have written many times about the fact that electricity is much cheaper per mile. My Tesla uses not a drop of gas. That is not a boast that is fact. I'll add to that the fact that I never paid attention to my cost/kWh. My Tesla app shows 14 cents /kWh. It turns out it has averaged the cost because I usually plugged in at around 3 or 4pm a couple of times a month so I was paying mostly peak pricing from 3pm - 7pm of 18 cents. But off peak here, from 7 pm to 3PM is 5 cents/kWh! So from now on my charging will cost 5 cents/kWh about 2/3rds less than what not paying attention to peak hours cost me. I programmed what peak and off peak hours are in my app and checked the box to only charge during off-peak hours here for the first time yesterday so I can plug in any time but my car will not start charging until 7:10 pm. It takes about 4 hours to charge so it will never spill over to peak hours. Remember this chart is for charging on the grid. Regardless of my cost for solar, once installed I will pay nothing for my EV charging at all, no or house hopefully. So the blue price per eGallon goes away, for me, and drops to zero. The engineer called and they will be coming down in a week or three to finalize the survey for whole house and two EV charging. We save enough in a month sometimes that pays 400 a year to pay road taxes. From my post: "All the folks who claimed EV owners were not paying their fair share of road taxes will like this. But surprise, surprise, so do I. It is good for everybody in Texas." From Mark's post: " Okay I agree that EVs should contribute to highway maintenance. I am in favor of the per mile taxation with the removal of the gas tax. The problem with the Texas law is in the math. The fee for an EV is $200 a year after the registration, while the report stated that the average ICE vehicle pays $130 a year is gas taxes. A new definition of fairness. I have a Mustang Mach-e EV and I live in Texas and the proposed fees are more like I was driving a dually and not a compact car." Kirk, I think we are the only EV owners in the thread. Who are the "many whining about paying a fair share" here. We agree since we EV owners agree because we don't want the roads to be unusable. I also saw Texas had/is considering doing away with the gas tax? If they do the same fees at registration by weight that would be great! I'll post what it costs next month after I charge it at least a couple of times as my App will show cost per kWh and total cost fr the charge or month or year accurately now. I believe I was paying three times what I needed to by not limiting my charging to off-peak only. Rich excellent solution! The vehicle or the driver? (Totally kidding about the weight of the driver.) The heavier they are the more wear on the roads. I think they should do all vehicles by weight with a fee at registration. Texas is heading in the right direction in my opinion. Good discussion. Safe Travels! (On well maintained roads)

Ray I doubt they can regulate what bad actors do in their own homes.

Folivier and Jaydrvr get one and let us know! 😉

Grats John T I enjoyed the troubleshooting posts and even better that you licked it.

PP, Great info! Thanks! Tesla pays location owners part of the revenues to let them install Superchargers. And the Shanghai plant built a dedicated small factory next door to build 10k Superchargers/year. https://electrek.co/2022/04/15/tesla-cost-deploy-superchargers-revealed-one-fifth-competition/#:~:text=Companies couldn’t apply for more than 70% of,they support non-Tesla cars got applications by Tesla. When we were full time we had computers and printers but the RV offices back then in 1997-2003 did not believe the 800 dial-up Earthlink access was not going to cost them anything. I was shocked when in 1999 in Canada and Alaska we started to see some RV Park offices or TV rooms have dedicated phone connections with time limits and usually a small fee. I will make sure to have the front end on the new Y get checked for alignment too.

All the folks who claimed EV owners were not paying their fair share of road taxes will like this. But surprise, surprise, so do I. It is good for everybody in Texas. I pay my way. I would like it to be linked to the miles traveled if I lived there, but I do not. EZ-PZ without extra cost. Just have the folks doing the Texas vehicle inspections input the odometer miles and have the computer automatically calculate the correct fees at registration from miles traveled based on average mpg which today would be close to 25mpg, like our Forester. $400 fee for road taxes for EVs to pay may be fair. Oops! Forgot the link: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/politics/texas-electric-vehicle-tax-law/269-3eb34c1d-dbdf-48d4-b31c-76e0a913b3f2

BTW could you add just a first name to your sig it would help. RV is easy or Derek, but I don't want to call you PP.

Congrats! Yes with 50 amp outlets at parks and campgrounds it would be little to no hassle to charge on the road as an RVr. The performance and handling is indescribable and can only be experienced to know. Here in the mountains AWD is a necessity to us but on the road we never had it. We followed 75°F. I will look at that warranty company later as we have storms rolling in and I need to run some errands. We prefer not to risk the often experienced hail in rain here. We keep both in the Garage. If we have to we take the older car. Now the Forester for a few months. My 2020 Y alignment is fine so must be a Model/year specific item.