Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Driving it Today

WINDSHIELDS IN NASCAR

AS WE’VE seen recently, NASCAR collisions result in debris flying everywhere. Wheel tethers and other safety hardware can do only so much. Even minor on-track debris can cause windshield damage. … Continue reading

March 29, 2013 · 1 Comment

A BEV NICHE?

THIS MAY seem like beating a weary horse, but evidence continues to build indicating the inanity of battery electric vehicles being anything but a niche market. Even the federal government … Continue reading

March 15, 2013 · Leave a comment

GM HOTSPOT (AND V2V?)

DO YOU feel out of touch when you drive off on an errand and realize you’ve left your mobile phone at home? Today’s new cars are often Bluetooth-ready, but thus … Continue reading

March 5, 2013 · Leave a comment

SAE EV ENERGY UPDATE

THE SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium, held February 19-21 in Anaheim, devoted several sessions to batteries and other onboard energy storage. Discussed were the contrasting needs of … Continue reading

March 2, 2013 · Leave a comment

FUEL-CELL NEWS FROM SAE

FUEL CELLS have often been called “the best technology that’s always 10 years away.” But updates from the SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium, held February 19-21 in … Continue reading

February 28, 2013 · Leave a comment

STATE OF THE (HYBRID/EV) UNION

THE SAE 2013 Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium, held February 19-21 in Anaheim, offered a wealth of information on the timely topics of hybrids and EVs. The following mini-essay explores … Continue reading

February 26, 2013 · Leave a comment

HYPER HYBRIDS

THE 2013 SAE Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium was held this past week in Anaheim, and I profited from three days of interaction with experts in the field. I’m in the … Continue reading

February 24, 2013 · 1 Comment

ESTONIAN GAMBIT

ESTONIA HAS launched a nationwide system of electric-vehicle fast chargers, with 507 EVs to use them and a financing program for people to buy these EVs—all in exchange for some … Continue reading

February 23, 2013 · 1 Comment

NL EV?

AN OVAL plate with letters “NL” identifies a vehicle from the Netherlands. And, of course, EV suggests that a vehicle is electrified in some way, an HEV as in Hybrid … Continue reading

February 14, 2013 · Leave a comment

HANDS ON THE WHEEL

A FREQUENT query: “I have $xxxx to spend and want to improve my car’s handling. What should I do? Tires? Shocks? Springs? Anti-roll bars? ” An honest reply: Attend a … Continue reading

January 24, 2013 · 2 Comments