Listen "TWC Podcast #129: Vague Definitions"
Episode Synopsis
When is a motor an engine? It depends on where you get your definitions — and like Pokemon, we attempt to catch them all on this week’s podcast before moving on to actual news. The news convo begins with the spotting of a BrightDrop FedEx delivery van in the wild, which turns into a deep dive into EV battery sourcing, recycling, and (ultimately) labor unions. Indeed, it’s a roller coaster. We then talk about the rebirth of the Chevy Bolt, the Mazda Miata getting electrified, a seven-company alliance building out a new charging network (the definition of which is equally as vague as motor vs. engine), and more! Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify, Stitcher, PocketCasts, iHeartRadio, and more – or use your favorite podcast application.SHOW NOTESMotor vs. engine: https://www.kia.com/dm/discover-kia/ask/is-an-engine-a-motor.html GM’s CAMI plant where Brightdrop is made should be back up and running on July 31: https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/cami-plants-surging-electric-vehicle-production-hits-snag-a-battery-shortageLocal battery recycling is the future: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/dead-ev-batteries-turn-to-gold-with-us-incentives.htm EV battery plants emerge as point of contention in UAW labor negotiations: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/uaw-contract-talks-ev-battery-plants-make-for-wildcard-issue.html Stellantis shows IBIS BEV concept: https://www.thedrive.com/news/new-stellantis-battery-system-could-be-the-key-to-smaller-cheaper-evs BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis announce nationwide charging network partnership: https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/26/23808270/bmw-honda-gm-joint-venture-north-american-ev-charging-network GM announces next-generation Bolt EV: https://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2023/jul/0725-chevrolet.htmlMazda says next-generation MX-5 Miata will be “electrified”: https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-mazda-mx-5-miata-electrified-future-cars/ Tesla out-sells Toyota in California in Q2 2023: https://electrek.co/2023/07/25/tesla-now-outsells-toyota-in-california/ Foxconn takes 50% stake in ZF Chassis Module Unit: https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/07/20230725-zffoxconn.html This week’s hosts: Phil Royle and Edward A. SanchezEpisode cover by Pisit HengMusic courtesy Twisterium at PixabayEmail comments and questions to [email protected]: https://www.thewattcar.comBuy merch: https://www.thewattcar.com/store
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