No, it’s not an April Fools Day prank – yes, it was an April Fools Day prank, as the global motoring industry suspected all along. Volkswagen had issued a news release and tweet publicly announcing it had a new name for its electric vehicle (EV) division in the United States: Voltswagen of America. The company reversed course later that day, saying that the rebranding … [Read more...] about Swapping K for T: ‘Voltswagen’ an April 1 prank all along
How Subaru’s AWD system saved woman from ruthless thugs
It’s not something that will get people butting heads, but there is a difference between grip and traction. A friend who was ambushed by thugs will tell you so. So will those who study the physics of grip/traction. I mention this only because Subaru has an advertisement on an Auckland dealer’s wall saying its all-wheel-drive (AWD) system provides ‘more grip’. Grip is all … [Read more...] about How Subaru’s AWD system saved woman from ruthless thugs
Portable wind turbine gives campers a free-living boost
Danish company KiteX is using a Kickstarter campaign to sell its Wind Catcher, an adventure-friendly portable wind turbine that can be set up in 15 minutes and used pretty much anywhere. It offers freedom campers, for instance, a whole new independence. Paired with a compatible 3.5kW portable generator (Jackery, Goal Zero, Bluetti and so on), Wind Catcher can produce 600W to … [Read more...] about Portable wind turbine gives campers a free-living boost
Gone in 60 seconds … thieves cash in on precious exhaust metals
It’s a practice that has been going on in New Zealand for decades – sawing off the catalytic converters in the exhaust system of cars to boost the power of the engine, if only marginally. But now the process has brought in the cops, including America’s FBI and global agency Interpol. Why? Because international criminals are cashing in on precious metals in catalytic … [Read more...] about Gone in 60 seconds … thieves cash in on precious exhaust metals
Aussie company develops world’s first domestic hydrogen battery
It’s being called the world’s first commercially available energy system that uses new or existing rooftop solar panels to create and store hydrogen power in a battery about the size of a large refrigerator. Weighing 324kg, it sits outside the house or business and connects to a solar inverter and the mains water through a purification unit. Inside it, electrolysers use the … [Read more...] about Aussie company develops world’s first domestic hydrogen battery