July 15, 2024 • 42 mins
Drop me a text and let me know what you think of this episode!
What if you could enjoy the great outdoors without leaving a carbon footprint? Join us on the TechMobility Show as we kick off with an insightful review of the 2024 Cadillac Lyric EV. We break down its advanced features and share firsthand experiences from the Midwest Automotive Media Association Annual Spring Rally. This episode gives you an in-depth look at how Cadillac is making a powerful entrance into the EV market, and how its innovative technologies fit into General Motors' larger strategy for electric vehicles.
In the next segment, we tackle some of the most common myths surrounding electric vehicles. From concerns about battery longevity to misconceptions about charging times and extreme weather performance, we set the record straight with the latest advancements and facts. We'll also highlight preconditioning technology, which ensures your EV performs optimally regardless of the climate. Whether you're worried about getting stranded in a blizzard or the availability of fast chargers, we've got the answers you need to feel confident about switching to an electric vehicle.
Finally, we shift gears to address the critical issue of wrong-way crashes in Texas. Learn about the innovative measures adopted by the State Department of Transportation to prevent these dangerous incidents, from reflective pavement arrows to AI-equipped thermal sensors. We'll discuss the effectiveness of these safety measures, drawing parallels with similar initiatives in states like Utah, Nevada, and Connecticut. This chapter underscores the importance of improved infrastructure, driver education, and vehicle safety technologies to save lives on our roads. Don't miss this comprehensive episode packed with insights into the future of mobility and sustainable transportation.
Be sure to tell your friends to tune in to The TechMobility Podcast!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
It's time for the Tech Mobility Show with Ken
Chester.
Ken is a veteran journalist whodoesn't always color between
the lines, so here he is, thehost with the electrified
personality Ken Chester.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Real facts, real opinions, real talk.
It's time again for the TechMobility Show, your program for
news, information andperspective at the intersection
of mobility and technology.
I'm Ken Chester and, as usual,a full docket awaits.
So let's get started.
As usual, a full docket awaits.
So let's get started On thedocket a review of the all-new
(00:52):
2024 Cadillac Lyriq EV,Debunking common EV myths, and
state DOT counters impairedwrong-way driving.
To add your voice to theconversation, be it to ask a
question, share an opinion oreven suggest a topic for future
discussion, call or text theTech Mobility hotline, that
number, 872-222-9793, or you canemail the show Talk@.
(01:13):
Talk techmobility.
show, and that is talk@techmobility.
show.
As always, be sure to check usout on social media or wherever
you listen to podcasts and, as Ilike to say, we are pretty much
anywhere that you will listento podcasts.
We're on at least 20 differentpodcast platforms.
(01:33):
Trust me, type in Tech Mobility, that's one word no spaces
podcast.
The Tech Mobility podcast youwill find us.
Thank you.
From the Tech Mobility NewsDesk.
We have talked and lamented atlength about the quality of
public EV charging in America.
(01:55):
Now I'll be the first to tellyou that I believe that with the
rate of construction and theattention that public charging
companies are paying toimproving the experience, it
will only get better and that mybeef right now with the EV
charging industry, will behistory in within five years.
(02:16):
But let me give you a spin on adifferent way and a different
place you may find an EV charger.
How about in the middle of thewoods?
Yeah, in the middle of thewoods.
If you have a cabin in theUpper Peninsula, michigan, if
you love the outdoors in the UP,chances are and you maybe just
(02:41):
bought a Polaris electricoff-road vehicle, chances are
you will be able to charge thisEV in the middle of nowhere,
literally in the middle ofnowhere.
Polaris unveils off-road EVcharging network and Polaris in
conjunction with the MichiganEconomic Development Corporation
(03:03):
, they've officially launched anelectric off-road vehicle
charging network in Michigan'sUpper Peninsula.
This innovative networksupports 100 miles of scenic
trails and marks a significantmilestone in the transition to
electric mobility for outdoorrecreation.
Recreation.
Imagine being miles fromnowhere in your EV, in your
(03:25):
off-road EV, in your ATV, andbeing able to charge it,
literally miles from any road,town, any sort of
commercialization.
Yet there it is, your chargerand you can charge up and keep
on trucking.
(03:47):
This charging network wasdeveloped through a Mobility
public-private partnership andprogramming grant and is
regarded as the first of itskind in the nation.
The outfitter involved, PolarisInc, was Hamilton's North Coast
Adventures, and they're thefirst to offer rentals with the
all-electric Ranger XP Kineticand you can charge that out in
the middle of nowhere.
They also partnered with YottaEnergy.
(04:09):
That's where the charginghardware is provided, featuring
a scalable EV charging stationwith solar production capability
.
And that's the magic.
Imagine a green rechargingstation out in the middle of
nowhere that doesn't requirenatural gas, an electrical feed
of any kind or any sort ofengine, motor or generator.
(04:33):
It offers solar power.
Imagine that.
Talk about a light touch forthe environment.
They're going to have fourcharging stations.
They're going to have fourcharging stations Ontonagon,
White Pine, Bergland, andGreenland is where you can
(04:54):
charge your EV, your Ranger XPKinetic.
Polaris and the MEDC celebratedthis groundbreaking project,
which enhances Michigan'soutdoor recreation industry by
providing essential centralinfrastructure for electric
off-road vehicles.
Think about this I was a BoyScout and we were taught to
(05:15):
respect nature and that meanstread lightly and you know, cart
out the trash you cart in, takeit with you and try to leave
the environment that youencountered in a better shape
than you found it.
This does just that nopollution, because you're an EV
Recharging stations that usesolar power and not any kind of
carbon-based source to generatethe energy.
(05:37):
It's pretty cool, pretty cool.
The development of the off-roadEV charging network aligns with
Michigan's broader efforts tomodernize its mobility offerings
and support the outdoorrecreation sector's transition
to electric andtechnology-enabled vehicles.
Charging stations are free touse yeah, I'm down with that and
(05:59):
support various electricoff-road vehicles on public
trails.
So it's not just the Ranger XP,if you happen to have an
electric off-road vehicle.
What they're saying is thatthese stations should charge,
that Yotta Energy is providingthat solar production capacity
and 120 kilowatt hours ofonboard energy storage, suitable
(06:24):
for both remote and urban areas, meaning that any given time
there'll be 120 kilowatt hoursof energy available.
Now the reason why this worksfor these smaller units is that
their battery packs are a lotsmaller.
Your average small to mediumvehicle will be anywhere from 77
to 100 kilowatt hour batterypacks.
(06:44):
Chances are these are probablybetween 25 and 30 kilowatt hours
.
So theoretically, three or fourcould charge from literally
empty to 100%.
Way cool, way cool.
Polaris is at the forefront ofintegrating electric powertrain
technology into the power sportsindustry.
The Ranger XP kinetic utilityside-by-side was launched last
(07:07):
year.
It showcases the benefits ofelectric technology, including
acceleration control, quietoperations and zero emissions.
Polaris is committed to testingelectric prototypes across its
product platforms and willcommercialize them to purposely
improve the customer experience.
I have to tell you there thatwhile Polaris is doing this
(07:29):
across their model line, theyare not alone.
About a year or so, maybe 18months ago, rivian announced
that they would be building a EVcharging network at basically
near or at sites federal landsites, federal parks that would
(07:50):
allow folks that are gettingready to go off-road a point to
recharge their Rivian vehiclesand they'd be levied three
chargers.
They were also providing anetwork of level two chargers
nearby that anybody could use.
So, while it is not as dramaticor as far reaching as Polaris,
other companies are heeding thecall.
(08:11):
Can you imagine the embracing ofpure electrics in the deep
woods with the ability to charge?
I'm not worried that if I go 15, 20, 30, 40 miles off road in
the deep woods with my EV and Imay have a range of 120 miles
that I would be able to chargeit while I'm out there and not
(08:33):
have to come all the way out.
The only question I have,though, for these EVs and
Polaris the piece did notmention, because EVs are quiet
what kind of noise do they make?
On-road vehicles that are EVsare required by federal law to
emit a noise, so you knowthey're there.
I don't think there's any suchrequirement for an off-road EV,
(08:55):
and I have to wonder, when itcomes to animals, other people
and being around, what kind ofnoise, if any, should it emit?
Again, with staying with theability to tread lightly and
have respect for the outdoors,what kind of noise would that
sound like?
Would it sound like a creature?
(09:15):
Would it sound like rushingwater?
Would it sound like somethingcompletely foreign and different
?
I just wonder.
But this is really the tip ofthe spear for the next great
frontier for EVs, notnecessarily on-road anymore, but
what can we do?
Off-road Mining andconstruction have their own
(09:35):
paths in which EV equipment ismaking inroads.
Now we're looking at what theycall the outdoor recreational
realm, which would also includeboats.
We've talked about electricboats now ATVs and other
equipment that is totallyelectric and, ironically, not
(09:56):
necessarily on the grid, butthey're looking for ways to be
able to recharge it.
How cool can that be to knowthat when you're out there in
the wild, how cool can that beTo know that when you're out
there in the wild, you are outthere in the wild and not
contributing to carbonization orclimate change and you can
enjoy nature the way nature wasintended?
That is pretty cool.
(10:17):
Cadillac is moving into EVs ina big way.
My review of the Lyriq is next.
You are listening to theTechMobility Show.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and
platforms for meetings, webinarsand staying connected?
Look no further thanAONmeetings.
com, the all-in-onebrowser-based platform that does
it all.
With AON Meetings, you caneffortlessly communicate with
clients, host virtual meetingsand webinars and stay in touch
with family and friends all inone place and for one price.
Here's the best part you canendure a 30-day free trial.
(10:49):
It's time to simplify your lifeand boost your productivity.
Aonmeetings.
com, where innovation meetsconnection.
Get started today andrevolutionize the way you
communicate.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Social media is the main place to be these days, and
we are no exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Facebook videos, from my latestvehicle reviews to timely
commentary of a variety ofmobility and technology related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight.
You Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Facebook.
(11:20):
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
Be sure to subscribe to ourFacebook page.
Social media is the place to bethese days, and we're no
exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Instagram videos, from thelatest vehicle reviews to timely
(11:41):
commentary on a variety ofmobility and technology-related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight.
You Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Instagram.
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
For those of you that listen topodcasts, we have just the one
for you.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester.
(12:28):
Tech Mobility Topics is apodcast where I upload
topic-specific videos each week,shorter than a full show these
bite-sized Thank you topics inthe search bar wherever you
listen to podcasts.
The Standard an automobile seatthat may transfer bumps from
the road and aggravate your back.
The Higher Standard in theall-new Cadillac DeVille is new
suspension seating which actslike a shock absorber for the
driver's back, isolating youfrom bumps to help reduce back
pressure and increasecirculation, which should leave
you more refreshed mile aftermile.
(12:49):
Suspension seating in the newV8, powered DeVille by Cadillac,
creating a higher standard.
Okay, so quick.
Can you tell me how big's thetrunk?
How many horsepower is that V8?
What kind of transmission is it?
What kind of fuel economy doesit get?
Talk to me about safetyfeatures what.
(13:09):
You didn't hear any of that inthat commercial.
No, they talked about seating,just the seats, not how safe the
vehicle is, not how luxuriousthe vehicle is.
But they were implying luxuryby talking about one aspect of
the vehicle.
That was in 1994, and that iswhat Cadillac was talking about
(13:31):
then, in an effort to sell theircars.
In its day, Cadillac was knownas the standard of the world for
its advanced engineering andluxury styling.
For most of the history ofGeneral Motors, cadillac was the
aspirational brand for millionsof Americans, a sign of
affluence and accomplishment ofstation.
With the arrival of theEuropean makes in the 1960s and
(13:53):
70s, as well as the launch ofthe upscale Japanese makes like
Lexus and Infiniti in the late1980s and 1990s, Cadillac has
had a lot of competition to dealwith for its position at the
top of the heap.
In today's superchargedautomotive marketplace, Cadillac
is once again encouragingmotorists to reach for the brass
(14:15):
ring, while a number of otherautomakers have made commitments
and I say commitments to goelectric and or have introduced
half measures like hybrids.
The folks at Cadillac have goneall in with the introduction of
world-class EVs for a number ofmarket segments, starting with
the bespoke Celestiq.
In rapid order, this has beenfollowed by the all-new
(14:35):
EscaladeIQ, and Lyric and, notto rest on its laurels, Cadillac
will keep the pedal to themetal with regard to an all-new
EV introductions, with theunveiling of the 2025 Optiq.
Earlier this year, I had theopportunity to evaluate the
all-new Lyriq EV for myself atthe Midwest Automotive Media
(14:56):
Association Annual Spring Rallyheld each year at the Road
America track in Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin.
But as first and as always, alittle background.
Cadillac Lyriq is a batteryelectric midsize luxury
crossover SUV.
Battery electric midsize luxurycrossover SUV.
The Lyriq is regarded as thenameplate's first fully electric
vehicle and the first GeneralMotors production vehicle to use
(15:17):
the automaker's BEV3 platform,which also underpins the Chevy
Blazer EV, the second-generationAcura ZDX and get this, the
Honda Prologue.
And I bet you didn't know that.
Manufactured at GM's sprawlingmanufacturing complex at Spring
Hill, Tennessee, the former homeof the long-departed Saturn
(15:38):
brand, the Lyric was originallyintroduced to the American
motorist at the 2019 NorthAmerican International Auto Show
in Detroit, delayed by theimpact of the pandemic, Cadillac
dealerships began to receiveshipments of the new EV in July
of 2022.
Available on three trim levels,base power for the rear-drive
Lyriq models is provided by apermanent magnet bar-wound
(16:01):
electric motor mounted on therear axle that delivers 340
horsepower and 325 foot-poundsof torque.
All-wheel-drive models featurean electric motor on both axles,
front and rear, that generatesa combined 500 horsepower and
450 foot-pounds of torque.
Both configurations are poweredby a 102-kilowatt-hour
(16:23):
lithium-ion battery pack.
Range for the rear-wheel driveconfiguration is 314 miles, or
3.07 miles per kilowatt hour.
All-wheel drive models have arange of 307 miles, or 3 miles
per kilowatt hour.
Now, in case you're wonderingand I've said this before, so
let me say it again I refuse touse EPA fuel economy electric
(16:46):
equivalent numbers because Ifind them misleading and that
they miss the point completelywith regards to assessing EV
performance.
Using a level 3 DC fast charger, both Lyriq configurations can
charge up to 77 miles of rangein just 10 minutes of charge
time.
Cargo capacity is 60.8 cubicfeet with the rear seat backs
(17:07):
folded.
Here's what I like about thevehicle.
What struck me first about theinterior of this new Cadillac
Lyriq was just how cavernous itwas.
You can't tell that by theoutside dimensions.
The passenger compartmentfeatures a flat floor with
plenty of space for four adultsand a large complement of cargo.
The panoramic roof adds to thefeeling of spaciousness and, as
(17:29):
you might expect, the interioris luxurious with user-friendly
displays, controls andswitchgear.
You're not even put off by the33 inches of screen that are
displayed across the dashboard.
I didn't even notice it.
The driver enjoys a goodoutward view of the road
Underway.
The Lyriq is fast, furious,smooth and oh so quiet.
(17:50):
And, just in case you missed it, the cargo area is impressively
large and well shaped.
Rear seat passengers enjoy dualUSB ports, a regular electrical
plug, heated outboard seatingand separate climate controls.
A center armrest with dual cupholders round out the
accommodations.
The lyric comes equipped withself-sealing all-season tires,
(18:12):
which is good since there's nospare, and kudos to Cadillac, at
least you know where you stand.
Here's what I didn't like aboutthe vehicle and, believe it or
not, this is one of the shortestdislike lists ever.
But full disclosure.
I didn't get a chance to spendthe normal amount of time with
the Lyriq that I do with myregular vehicle reviews and,
(18:33):
having said that, my onlycomplaints are that where the
Lyric had a slightly higherstep-in than you might expect,
which could be a problem forsome people and coupled with I
thought that the rear dooropenings were a bit narrow,
again impacting entry and exitto the rear seating area.
So what's the bottom line onthis newest Cadillac, this first
(18:55):
Cadillac EV?
Sharp styling, loads of safetyfeatures, which includes the
nameplate Super Cruise,semi-autonomous driving system
which unfortunately I didn't geta chance to try and plenty of
room for all means.
Cadillac's got a winner here.
Pricing is at the middle of thepack for what you get, and
that's not a bad thing.
(19:16):
In other words, they use somecommon sense at approaching the
pricing module, the way thatthis should be priced.
Unlike some other vehicles,which are completely ridiculous,
this one, I thought, wascompetitive with pretty much
everything that's out there atthat level of luxury, be it
gasoline-powered or EV.
The manufacturer suggests aretail price for the 2024
(19:42):
Cadillac Lyriq EV starts from$57,195 for tech model, $61,295
for luxury and $69,695 for thesport all-wheel drive.
Destination charges add $1,395.
And here's a heads up you maybe glad to know that this EV
also qualifies for the $7,500 EVrebate, and the prices that I
quoted do not include theapplication of the rebate, so
(20:06):
they're actually be lower.
The MSRP as testedI drove a 2024 Cadillac Lyric
Sport 3 with the following extracost options Nappa leather
package, electric all-wheeldrive, powered dual-panel
sunroof charging module.
Extra cost interior radiant redtin coat paint, black painted
(20:28):
roof front, license plate,bracket and the total cost of
the options.
The options came to twelvethousand four hundred and ten
dollars, MSRP includingincluding options.
The destination charges came toeighty three thousand five
hundred dollars.
And in case you think that'srich, there are pickup trucks
that I have test driven that gofor more, believe it or not, and
(20:50):
honestly, with them starting inthe mid to high 50s.
This is about where it shouldbe and I think they did a real
good job at pricing this thing Ireally did.
Next, I debunk some common EVmyths.
This is the Tech Mobility Show.
Do you listen to podcasts?
(21:16):
Seems that most people do.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
If you've missed any of ourweekly episodes on the radio,
our podcast is a great way tolisten.
You can find the Tech MobilityPodcast just about anywhere.
You can enjoy podcasts.
Be sure to follow us from ApplePodcasts, iHeart Radio and many
platforms in between.
We are there.
Just enter the Tech MobilityPodcast in the search bar.
(21:39):
Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place
to be.
We're no exception.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
Several times a week, I post toTikTok several of the topics
that I cover on my weekly radioshow.
It's another way to keep up onmobility, technology news and
(21:59):
information.
I've built quite a library ofshort videos for your viewing
pleasure, so be sure to watch,like and subscribe.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon TikTok.
Check it out.
It's been 13 years since thedebut of the Nissan Leaf,
(22:20):
generally regarded as the firstvolume EV for sale, that was
sold.
For those of y'all that arekeeping score, let me say this
right here, because you're goingto yell at the radio like I
tend to do Say no, it isn't.
The EV1 was Okay.
The EV1, which was developed byGeneral Motors in the mid-90s,
(22:40):
was not sold, it was leased.
It was the only way you couldget it and you could not buy the
car.
At the end of the lease, gmtook them back and, to the
chagrin of many people who lovedthat first generation EV, gm
destroyed them.
So it is rare or, if darn right, impossible.
You couldn't buy one, youcouldn't buy one.
(23:01):
The Nissan leaf as a retailunit was the first EV you could
actually buy, pure EV, and backthen it had a range, a whopping
range, a killer range of 98miles.
Yeah, a lot has happened sincethen.
EVs have come a long way,pretty much every way you can
(23:21):
think of.
However, despite me talkingabout EVs almost every week,
there are myths that stillpersist out there about EVs and
I'm hoping y'all haters that areout there I hope you're
listening because we're going todeal with some of these, and
this is Topic B.
Let's start with the one thatpeople like to talk about, and
(23:45):
then I'm going to tell you whatthe truth is.
Here's a myth you will lose 50%of your range in cold weather.
Um, 50%, no, will you lose 25%to 30%?
Yes, you will.
But let me preface it with thisI told you, and I will continue
to tell you, this technology isnot stagnant.
(24:08):
That's what's happening today,trust me.
What it's called and howthey're dealing with this.
It's called preconditioning,and what that means is
developing technologies to havethe battery at a certain range
of operating temperature so thatyou could optimize battery
power, and that means warmingthe battery up in the winter,
(24:31):
cooling the battery down in thesummer so that it is within its
operating range.
As they figure out how to dothat and I fully expect that
they may develop somethingthat's run off of the
traditional 12 volt lead acidbattery we talked about the
evolution of the regular batterylast week regular battery last
(24:55):
week and I feel thatpreconditioning may, in fact, or
some sort of chemicalmanipulation of hot and cold
will be the case for batteriesin the future, and when that
happens, I expect that day and Iexpect it before the end of the
decade that power loss due totemperature extremes either
extreme heat or extreme coldwill be moot, and that will be
regardless of EV that you chooseto buy.
(25:16):
But right now, yes, you canlose between a fourth to a third
, that is true.
Here's one If you get stuck ina blizzard, you'll freeze to
death.
Yeah, I want to deal with thatmeme.
Everybody saw of all those carsstuck in Chicago that went
brick.
Yeah, I want to deal with thatmeme.
Everybody saw of all those carsstuck in Chicago that went
brick.
Yeah, that one.
(25:38):
Now let's use a little commonsense.
Number one every single one ofthese vehicles, just like your
gasoline vehicle, is going towarn you when power gets low.
In sophisticated vehicles, evengasoline ones, if they're
connected to the internet,they'll even show you nearest
gas stations.
The app that these EVs run onwill also tell them hey, you're
(26:00):
down to 50 miles of range.
Here are the three nearestcharging stations to you.
So come on.
They knew.
Evs are very efficient whenyou're stopped and the cabin can
be heated for more hours than agas car with a full tank.
Let me read that again EVs arevery efficient when you are
stopped and the cabin can beheated for more hours than a gas
(26:22):
car with a full tank, andunless you left your cell phone
at home, no, you're not going tofreeze to death.
So let me put that out there.
You will have to wait.
Here's another myth.
You will have to wait for hourson a road trip to charge your
ev.
Uh, let's regular listeners mayremember back january, february
, I took a road trip.
(26:42):
I ended up adding three hoursto my trip because of charging.
It wasn't that cold.
And while no hours, no, willyou wait longer than you'd like?
Yes, and this is assuming thatthe high speed fast chargers are
working, which in my case, allthree were, and I didn't have to
(27:03):
wait, which was true, but Istill had to spend time.
Again, I will tell you with theevolution of public charging,
this will be moot in the nextfive years.
Hours, a few more hours, yes,hours, hours, no.
Here's another myth.
There are not enough fastchargers.
That is a transitionary thing.
(27:26):
Again, two things are happeningAny EV 2025 or newer will have
the ability to plug into thetesla supercharger network.
So, not enough fast chargers,even as there's money in recent
legislation to build new fastpublic chargers.
Again, it takes time to scalethis stuff up.
(27:46):
I tell you, five to six years,end of the decade, it will be mo
moot between a Teslasupercharger availability and
new high-speed chargers comingonline.
It's a little bit of a wait now, but it's not impossible.
It's not terrible.
Here's one I love this onebecause I've got an email on
this.
High voltage packs only lastfive years or a hundred thousand
(28:08):
miles.
Okay, all right.
Okay, let's start with theobvious.
Did you know?
Every single one of those packshas a minimum guarantee or
warranty of eight years or ahundred thousand miles.
That's the warranty that comeswith the vehicle when it's new.
Just for starters.
Now the truth right now, theaverage battery pack in a brand
(28:30):
new EV off the line today you'llget 200,000 miles or up to 15
years, and that's normal, whichis pretty interesting because
you can get 15 years, 150,000miles on the average internal
combustion engine, although ifyou take care of that, there's
no reason why you can't get250,000 out of that.
(28:51):
But let me say this again EVbatteries, 200,000 miles, 15
years that's normal.
Normal, it's not an aberration.
New EVs lose their value quickly.
Well, any new vehicle I don'tcare how it's powered loses
(29:12):
value the minute it goes off thelot.
Evs are no different and ofcourse, you're going to have
some softness in EV prices asmore EVs come to the market and
competition hits the market, andbecause the new EVs have more
features and are moresophisticated, may even have
better battery chemistries thanEVs that were sold two or three
(29:34):
years ago.
Yeah, but they did a study andwhat they found is, across the
board, the best deal on a usedvehicle, believe it or not, is a
used EV.
I'm going to let you thinkabout that.
One EVs will catch fire andexplode.
That one EVs will catch fireand explode.
(29:57):
No, the Insurance Institute forHighway Safety has done all
sorts of crash tests with EVcars pertaining their batteries
Side impact, off-frontal impact,all of that, no, no, no.
They're some of the safest.
That's not going to happen.
Unsafe in an accident?
Again, no, the IIHS has testedthese and have concluded that
the EV poses no greater riskthan any other type of vehicle
(30:19):
in either side impact offset,frontal impact, accident, any
kind of accident.
EVs are too expensive to buynew.
What did I tell you that wasgoing to change as the
automakers got better at it?
Runway crashes are the mostsevere accidents when states
effort to resolve the problem.
We are the Tech Mobility Show.
To learn more about the TechMobility Show, start by visiting
(30:43):
our website.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
The website is a treasure troveof information about me and the
show, as well as where to findit on the radio across the
country.
Keep up with the happenings atthe Tech Mobility Show by
visiting techmobility.
show.
That's techmobility.
show.
You can also drop us a line attalk@echmobility.
(31:04):
show.
Did you know that Tech Mobilityhas a YouTube channel?
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe TechMobility Show.
Each week, I upload a few shortvideos of some of the hot
topics that I cover during myweekly radio program.
I've designed these videos tobe informative and entertaining.
(31:24):
It's another way to keep up oncurrent mobility and technology
news and information.
Be sure to watch, like andsubscribe to my channel.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon YouTube.
Check it out, we'll see younext time.
(32:10):
Social media is the place to bethese days, and we're no
exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Instagram videos From the latestvehicle reviews to timely
commentary on a variety ofmobility and technology-related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight
you.
Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Instagram.
(32:31):
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
Wrong way crashes are the mostsevere accidents In Texas.
The State Department ofTransportation has been battling
against wrong way drivers inthe state.
This is Topic C Wrong waydrivers.
(32:53):
What does that mean?
Driving the wrong way down aone-way street, taking the wrong
ramp onto a highway, going thewrong direction on a freeway or
an interstate?
Can you even imagine theconsequences and the deadliness
of something that happens likethat and the deadliness of
something that happens like thatNow in Texas they say that
(33:17):
while wrong-way crashes make upless than 1% of all crashes in
the state, they are also themost severe.
If you're driving down ahighway, the last thing you're
expecting is somebody coming atyou at highway speed on the
wrong side of the road.
Where do you go?
How do you maneuver If there'straffic in lanes on either side
of you and traffic behind youand you're all doing 65, 70
(33:40):
miles an hour?
What do you do?
So yeah, it can be very seriousand very messy and very nasty.
Talking about fatalities, theTexas DOT started a pilot
program about 10 years ago whichinstalled wrong way
countermeasures on quarters insome of the largest cities
across the state.
(34:00):
I didn't even know there wassuch a thing as wrong way
countermeasures.
Yeah, I've seen the wrong waysigns, but what they tell you,
what the state DOTs tell you, isthat typically those folks
driving the wrong way areimpaired.
So let's take a look at whatthey talk about.
When they talk about wrong waycountermeasures, what are they
(34:23):
talking about?
Here's an example they includereflective pavement arrows,
light emitting diodes or LED.
Wrong way flashing signs, newsigns with reflective tape that
are lowered to the ground, radardetection modules, high
resolution traffic cameras,thermal sensors equipped with
(34:44):
artificial intelligence or AI toreduce false alarms.
One thing I learned that theypoint out is that typically
people who are driving the wrongway number one are impaired.
Now, they did not say without arule that they were drunk.
That's just one type ofimpairment.
You can be disoriented orconfused or having a mental
(35:08):
emergency, like us older folks.
You might have mixed up somemedications and not be totally
with the program, but it'sinteresting to note that most of
the folks driving the wrong wayare impaired.
That is what they start withand, as a result, the state says
that they typically look at thepavement immediately in front
of the car.
This they already know, sothey're addressing that.
(35:31):
Rather than the typical driverwho's looking down the road,
these folks are literallylooking at that space in front
of the car.
So this is some of the waysthey try to reach them.
As of today, all the major metroareas of Texas, for example,
have at least some wrong waydriver countermeasures on
highways.
So let me back up a minute.
(35:51):
Reasonable question to ask Ifwrong way driving represents 1%
of all the crashes in the state,why is there such attention
paid to it?
Because of the level offatality?
If you're going the wrong waydown the center lane of an
interstate highway and you'remeeting oncoming traffic, what
(36:13):
do you think is going to happen?
Wrong way traffic may notalways be able to scatter, and
if they can't, that's a head-onwreck at speed.
And if you're doing speed limit65 miles an hour and the
individual coming at you isdoing 65 miles an hour, your
closure rate is 130 miles anhour.
Your closure rate is 130 milesan hour and that impact will be
(36:33):
at 130 miles an hour, with allthe deadliness associated with
it, meaning that most wrong-wayaccidents end in fatalities.
That is what they're trying toprevent.
That is why they're addressingit, because it's not.
If they can prevent it in thefirst place or get the wrong way
impaired driver to self-correct, in other words, oh, I
(36:56):
shouldn't go this way and turnaround and go back.
Part of it is trying to getthem to alter the behavior.
Some of it is also to alert thestate DOT that this is
happening so they can jump, youknow, and handle it.
In some cases they may deploycounty sheriffs or state police
to try to intercept the driveror, at the very least, prevent
(37:19):
traffic from interacting withthe wrong way driver and causing
a wreck.
Imagine if the wrong way driver, the impaired driver, meets a
fully loaded 18 wheeler athighway speeds.
I'm just going to leave thatvision with you for a minute.
That's what they're trying toprevent, but I'm proud to say
(37:42):
that Texas isn't alone.
Um, let me give you some other.
Let me give an example of howthis is working in Texas.
In some areas in the state ofTexas they've had great results.
Fort Worth area saw a 90% ofwrong-way drivers course correct
before causing a crash, meaningthat 9 out of every 10
(38:03):
wrong-way drivers were alertedthrough their countermeasures
and corrected before a wreckcould happen, turned around,
pulled over, did whatever, butdid not continue in their error.
Now Texas isn't alone doingthis.
In Utah, they installed 15wrong-way driving detection
(38:24):
systems last year, are in theprocess of installing eight more
such systems on highwaysstatewide.
In Nevada, they substantiallycompleted the installation of
wrong-way driver detectionsystems on Interstate 580, known
as the Carson City Freeway, inSeptember of last year, and
they've been installing suchtechnology on selected highways
(38:45):
statewide since 2019.
In Connecticut, they areinstalling wrong-way driving
alert systems on at least 120additional highway exit ramps
statewide Ramps identified bythe agency as high risk for
wrong-way driving incidents.
The Connecticut DOT noted,however, that it's been
(39:06):
installing wrong-way drivingdetection technology on state
highway exit ramps over the lastthree years and continues to
expand its use statewide.
Wrong way drivers, impaireddrivers For a multitude of
reasons Part of being safebehind the wheel, safer cars,
(39:27):
safer behavior, saferinfrastructure it's all required
.
They're not taking just oneapproach.
They're not putting it all inthe driver, although that is a
major forward thought bettereducation, better knowledge,
being careful, being smart.
They put it on themanufacturers safer cars that do
some things.
And right now they've got speedlimiters built into the cars,
(39:49):
built into your cruise controland new vehicles.
Now that will automatically, ifyou're speeding and it passes a
speed limit sign, will reduceyour speed to the speed limit.
Actually, we'll do it.
I'm driving.
I've driven two vehicles in thelast two weeks with that new
technology.
I'm not sure I like it, becauseI didn't.
I will.
We're few and far between and,yeah, we tend to drive a little
bit above the speed limit.
(40:10):
So the fact that it wants toreduce it, I'm not thrilled
without my input, saying oh, 55,okay.
And sometimes it misreadsthat's my problem or it assumes,
if there's no speed limitlisted, oh well, we've come to
the end of our visit together.
Be sure to join me again nexttime, right here.
This has been a Tech MobilityShow.
Speaker 1 (40:35):
The Tech Mobility Show is a copywritten production
of Tech Mobility ProductionsIncorporated.
Any rebroadcast, retransmissionor any other use is prohibited
without the written consent ofTech Mobility Productions
Incorporated.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have
just the one for you.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester.
Tech Mobility Topics is apodcast where I upload
topic-specific videos each week.
Shorter than a full show.
These bite-sized programs arejust the thing, particularly if
you're interested in aparticular topic covered on the
(41:14):
weekly radio show.
From Apple Podcasts toiHeartRadio and many podcast
platforms in between, we got youcovered.
Just enter TechMobility topicsin the search bar.
Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place
to be.
We're no exception.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe TechMobility show.
Several times a week, I post toTikTok several of the topics
(41:34):
that I cover on my weekly radioshow.
It's another way to keep up onmobility technology news and
information.
I've built quite a library ofshort videos for your viewing
pleasure, so be sure to watch,like and subscribe.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon TikTok.
Check it out.
To learn more about the TechMobility Show, start by visiting
(41:55):
our website.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
The website is a treasure troveof information about me and the
show, as well as where to findit on the radio across the
country.
Keep up with the happenings ofthe Tech Mobility Show by
visiting techmobility.
show.
That's techmobility.
show.
You can also drop us a linetalk@ techmobilityshow.
(42:21):
Do you listen to podcasts?
Seems that most people do.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
If you've missed any of ourweekly episodes on the radio,
our podcast is a great way tolisten.
You can find the Tech MobilityPodcast just about anywhere.
You can enjoy podcasts.
Be sure to follow us From ApplePodcasts, iheartradio and many
platforms in between.
(42:42):
We are there.
Just enter the Tech MobilityPodcast in the search bar
wherever you listen to podcasts.
It's time for the Tech Mobility Show with Ken
Chester.
Ken is a veteran journalist whodoesn't always color between
the lines, so here he is, thehost with the electrified
personality Ken Chester.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Real facts, real opinions, real talk.
It's time again for the TechMobility Show, your program for
news, information andperspective at the intersection
of mobility and technology.
I'm Ken Chester and, as usual,a full docket awaits.
So let's get started.
As usual, a full docket awaits.
So let's get started On thedocket a review of the all-new
(00:52):
2024 Cadillac Lyriq EV,Debunking common EV myths, and
state DOT counters impairedwrong-way driving.
To add your voice to theconversation, be it to ask a
question, share an opinion oreven suggest a topic for future
discussion, call or text theTech Mobility hotline, that
number, 872-222-9793, or you canemail the show Talk@.
(01:13):
Talk techmobility.
show, and that is talk@techmobility.
show.
As always, be sure to check usout on social media or wherever
you listen to podcasts and, as Ilike to say, we are pretty much
anywhere that you will listento podcasts.
We're on at least 20 differentpodcast platforms.
(01:33):
Trust me, type in Tech Mobility, that's one word no spaces
podcast.
The Tech Mobility podcast youwill find us.
Thank you.
From the Tech Mobility NewsDesk.
We have talked and lamented atlength about the quality of
public EV charging in America.
(01:55):
Now I'll be the first to tellyou that I believe that with the
rate of construction and theattention that public charging
companies are paying toimproving the experience, it
will only get better and that mybeef right now with the EV
charging industry, will behistory in within five years.
(02:16):
But let me give you a spin on adifferent way and a different
place you may find an EV charger.
How about in the middle of thewoods?
Yeah, in the middle of thewoods.
If you have a cabin in theUpper Peninsula, michigan, if
you love the outdoors in the UP,chances are and you maybe just
(02:41):
bought a Polaris electricoff-road vehicle, chances are
you will be able to charge thisEV in the middle of nowhere,
literally in the middle ofnowhere.
Polaris unveils off-road EVcharging network and Polaris in
conjunction with the MichiganEconomic Development Corporation
(03:03):
, they've officially launched anelectric off-road vehicle
charging network in Michigan'sUpper Peninsula.
This innovative networksupports 100 miles of scenic
trails and marks a significantmilestone in the transition to
electric mobility for outdoorrecreation.
Recreation.
Imagine being miles fromnowhere in your EV, in your
(03:25):
off-road EV, in your ATV, andbeing able to charge it,
literally miles from any road,town, any sort of
commercialization.
Yet there it is, your chargerand you can charge up and keep
on trucking.
(03:47):
This charging network wasdeveloped through a Mobility
public-private partnership andprogramming grant and is
regarded as the first of itskind in the nation.
The outfitter involved, PolarisInc, was Hamilton's North Coast
Adventures, and they're thefirst to offer rentals with the
all-electric Ranger XP Kineticand you can charge that out in
the middle of nowhere.
They also partnered with YottaEnergy.
(04:09):
That's where the charginghardware is provided, featuring
a scalable EV charging stationwith solar production capability
.
And that's the magic.
Imagine a green rechargingstation out in the middle of
nowhere that doesn't requirenatural gas, an electrical feed
of any kind or any sort ofengine, motor or generator.
(04:33):
It offers solar power.
Imagine that.
Talk about a light touch forthe environment.
They're going to have fourcharging stations.
They're going to have fourcharging stations Ontonagon,
White Pine, Bergland, andGreenland is where you can
(04:54):
charge your EV, your Ranger XPKinetic.
Polaris and the MEDC celebratedthis groundbreaking project,
which enhances Michigan'soutdoor recreation industry by
providing essential centralinfrastructure for electric
off-road vehicles.
Think about this I was a BoyScout and we were taught to
(05:15):
respect nature and that meanstread lightly and you know, cart
out the trash you cart in, takeit with you and try to leave
the environment that youencountered in a better shape
than you found it.
This does just that nopollution, because you're an EV
Recharging stations that usesolar power and not any kind of
carbon-based source to generatethe energy.
(05:37):
It's pretty cool, pretty cool.
The development of the off-roadEV charging network aligns with
Michigan's broader efforts tomodernize its mobility offerings
and support the outdoorrecreation sector's transition
to electric andtechnology-enabled vehicles.
Charging stations are free touse yeah, I'm down with that and
(05:59):
support various electricoff-road vehicles on public
trails.
So it's not just the Ranger XP,if you happen to have an
electric off-road vehicle.
What they're saying is thatthese stations should charge,
that Yotta Energy is providingthat solar production capacity
and 120 kilowatt hours ofonboard energy storage, suitable
(06:24):
for both remote and urban areas, meaning that any given time
there'll be 120 kilowatt hoursof energy available.
Now the reason why this worksfor these smaller units is that
their battery packs are a lotsmaller.
Your average small to mediumvehicle will be anywhere from 77
to 100 kilowatt hour batterypacks.
(06:44):
Chances are these are probablybetween 25 and 30 kilowatt hours
.
So theoretically, three or fourcould charge from literally
empty to 100%.
Way cool, way cool.
Polaris is at the forefront ofintegrating electric powertrain
technology into the power sportsindustry.
The Ranger XP kinetic utilityside-by-side was launched last
(07:07):
year.
It showcases the benefits ofelectric technology, including
acceleration control, quietoperations and zero emissions.
Polaris is committed to testingelectric prototypes across its
product platforms and willcommercialize them to purposely
improve the customer experience.
I have to tell you there thatwhile Polaris is doing this
(07:29):
across their model line, theyare not alone.
About a year or so, maybe 18months ago, rivian announced
that they would be building a EVcharging network at basically
near or at sites federal landsites, federal parks that would
(07:50):
allow folks that are gettingready to go off-road a point to
recharge their Rivian vehiclesand they'd be levied three
chargers.
They were also providing anetwork of level two chargers
nearby that anybody could use.
So, while it is not as dramaticor as far reaching as Polaris,
other companies are heeding thecall.
(08:11):
Can you imagine the embracing ofpure electrics in the deep
woods with the ability to charge?
I'm not worried that if I go 15, 20, 30, 40 miles off road in
the deep woods with my EV and Imay have a range of 120 miles
that I would be able to chargeit while I'm out there and not
(08:33):
have to come all the way out.
The only question I have,though, for these EVs and
Polaris the piece did notmention, because EVs are quiet
what kind of noise do they make?
On-road vehicles that are EVsare required by federal law to
emit a noise, so you knowthey're there.
I don't think there's any suchrequirement for an off-road EV,
(08:55):
and I have to wonder, when itcomes to animals, other people
and being around, what kind ofnoise, if any, should it emit?
Again, with staying with theability to tread lightly and
have respect for the outdoors,what kind of noise would that
sound like?
Would it sound like a creature?
(09:15):
Would it sound like rushingwater?
Would it sound like somethingcompletely foreign and different
?
I just wonder.
But this is really the tip ofthe spear for the next great
frontier for EVs, notnecessarily on-road anymore, but
what can we do?
Off-road Mining andconstruction have their own
(09:35):
paths in which EV equipment ismaking inroads.
Now we're looking at what theycall the outdoor recreational
realm, which would also includeboats.
We've talked about electricboats now ATVs and other
equipment that is totallyelectric and, ironically, not
(09:56):
necessarily on the grid, butthey're looking for ways to be
able to recharge it.
How cool can that be to knowthat when you're out there in
the wild, how cool can that beTo know that when you're out
there in the wild, you are outthere in the wild and not
contributing to carbonization orclimate change and you can
enjoy nature the way nature wasintended?
That is pretty cool.
(10:17):
Cadillac is moving into EVs ina big way.
My review of the Lyriq is next.
You are listening to theTechMobility Show.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Are you tired of juggling multiple apps and
platforms for meetings, webinarsand staying connected?
Look no further thanAONmeetings.
com, the all-in-onebrowser-based platform that does
it all.
With AON Meetings, you caneffortlessly communicate with
clients, host virtual meetingsand webinars and stay in touch
with family and friends all inone place and for one price.
Here's the best part you canendure a 30-day free trial.
(10:49):
It's time to simplify your lifeand boost your productivity.
Aonmeetings.
com, where innovation meetsconnection.
Get started today andrevolutionize the way you
communicate.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Social media is the main place to be these days, and
we are no exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Facebook videos, from my latestvehicle reviews to timely
commentary of a variety ofmobility and technology related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight.
You Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Facebook.
(11:20):
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
Be sure to subscribe to ourFacebook page.
Social media is the place to bethese days, and we're no
exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Instagram videos, from thelatest vehicle reviews to timely
(11:41):
commentary on a variety ofmobility and technology-related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight.
You Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Instagram.
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
For those of you that listen topodcasts, we have just the one
for you.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester.
(12:28):
Tech Mobility Topics is apodcast where I upload
topic-specific videos each week,shorter than a full show these
bite-sized Thank you topics inthe search bar wherever you
listen to podcasts.
The Standard an automobile seatthat may transfer bumps from
the road and aggravate your back.
The Higher Standard in theall-new Cadillac DeVille is new
suspension seating which actslike a shock absorber for the
driver's back, isolating youfrom bumps to help reduce back
pressure and increasecirculation, which should leave
you more refreshed mile aftermile.
(12:49):
Suspension seating in the newV8, powered DeVille by Cadillac,
creating a higher standard.
Okay, so quick.
Can you tell me how big's thetrunk?
How many horsepower is that V8?
What kind of transmission is it?
What kind of fuel economy doesit get?
Talk to me about safetyfeatures what.
(13:09):
You didn't hear any of that inthat commercial.
No, they talked about seating,just the seats, not how safe the
vehicle is, not how luxuriousthe vehicle is.
But they were implying luxuryby talking about one aspect of
the vehicle.
That was in 1994, and that iswhat Cadillac was talking about
(13:31):
then, in an effort to sell theircars.
In its day, Cadillac was knownas the standard of the world for
its advanced engineering andluxury styling.
For most of the history ofGeneral Motors, cadillac was the
aspirational brand for millionsof Americans, a sign of
affluence and accomplishment ofstation.
With the arrival of theEuropean makes in the 1960s and
(13:53):
70s, as well as the launch ofthe upscale Japanese makes like
Lexus and Infiniti in the late1980s and 1990s, Cadillac has
had a lot of competition to dealwith for its position at the
top of the heap.
In today's superchargedautomotive marketplace, Cadillac
is once again encouragingmotorists to reach for the brass
(14:15):
ring, while a number of otherautomakers have made commitments
and I say commitments to goelectric and or have introduced
half measures like hybrids.
The folks at Cadillac have goneall in with the introduction of
world-class EVs for a number ofmarket segments, starting with
the bespoke Celestiq.
In rapid order, this has beenfollowed by the all-new
(14:35):
EscaladeIQ, and Lyric and, notto rest on its laurels, Cadillac
will keep the pedal to themetal with regard to an all-new
EV introductions, with theunveiling of the 2025 Optiq.
Earlier this year, I had theopportunity to evaluate the
all-new Lyriq EV for myself atthe Midwest Automotive Media
(14:56):
Association Annual Spring Rallyheld each year at the Road
America track in Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin.
But as first and as always, alittle background.
Cadillac Lyriq is a batteryelectric midsize luxury
crossover SUV.
Battery electric midsize luxurycrossover SUV.
The Lyriq is regarded as thenameplate's first fully electric
vehicle and the first GeneralMotors production vehicle to use
(15:17):
the automaker's BEV3 platform,which also underpins the Chevy
Blazer EV, the second-generationAcura ZDX and get this, the
Honda Prologue.
And I bet you didn't know that.
Manufactured at GM's sprawlingmanufacturing complex at Spring
Hill, Tennessee, the former homeof the long-departed Saturn
(15:38):
brand, the Lyric was originallyintroduced to the American
motorist at the 2019 NorthAmerican International Auto Show
in Detroit, delayed by theimpact of the pandemic, Cadillac
dealerships began to receiveshipments of the new EV in July
of 2022.
Available on three trim levels,base power for the rear-drive
Lyriq models is provided by apermanent magnet bar-wound
(16:01):
electric motor mounted on therear axle that delivers 340
horsepower and 325 foot-poundsof torque.
All-wheel-drive models featurean electric motor on both axles,
front and rear, that generatesa combined 500 horsepower and
450 foot-pounds of torque.
Both configurations are poweredby a 102-kilowatt-hour
(16:23):
lithium-ion battery pack.
Range for the rear-wheel driveconfiguration is 314 miles, or
3.07 miles per kilowatt hour.
All-wheel drive models have arange of 307 miles, or 3 miles
per kilowatt hour.
Now, in case you're wonderingand I've said this before, so
let me say it again I refuse touse EPA fuel economy electric
(16:46):
equivalent numbers because Ifind them misleading and that
they miss the point completelywith regards to assessing EV
performance.
Using a level 3 DC fast charger, both Lyriq configurations can
charge up to 77 miles of rangein just 10 minutes of charge
time.
Cargo capacity is 60.8 cubicfeet with the rear seat backs
(17:07):
folded.
Here's what I like about thevehicle.
What struck me first about theinterior of this new Cadillac
Lyriq was just how cavernous itwas.
You can't tell that by theoutside dimensions.
The passenger compartmentfeatures a flat floor with
plenty of space for four adultsand a large complement of cargo.
The panoramic roof adds to thefeeling of spaciousness and, as
(17:29):
you might expect, the interioris luxurious with user-friendly
displays, controls andswitchgear.
You're not even put off by the33 inches of screen that are
displayed across the dashboard.
I didn't even notice it.
The driver enjoys a goodoutward view of the road
Underway.
The Lyriq is fast, furious,smooth and oh so quiet.
(17:50):
And, just in case you missed it, the cargo area is impressively
large and well shaped.
Rear seat passengers enjoy dualUSB ports, a regular electrical
plug, heated outboard seatingand separate climate controls.
A center armrest with dual cupholders round out the
accommodations.
The lyric comes equipped withself-sealing all-season tires,
(18:12):
which is good since there's nospare, and kudos to Cadillac, at
least you know where you stand.
Here's what I didn't like aboutthe vehicle and, believe it or
not, this is one of the shortestdislike lists ever.
But full disclosure.
I didn't get a chance to spendthe normal amount of time with
the Lyriq that I do with myregular vehicle reviews and,
(18:33):
having said that, my onlycomplaints are that where the
Lyric had a slightly higherstep-in than you might expect,
which could be a problem forsome people and coupled with I
thought that the rear dooropenings were a bit narrow,
again impacting entry and exitto the rear seating area.
So what's the bottom line onthis newest Cadillac, this first
(18:55):
Cadillac EV?
Sharp styling, loads of safetyfeatures, which includes the
nameplate Super Cruise,semi-autonomous driving system
which unfortunately I didn't geta chance to try and plenty of
room for all means.
Cadillac's got a winner here.
Pricing is at the middle of thepack for what you get, and
that's not a bad thing.
(19:16):
In other words, they use somecommon sense at approaching the
pricing module, the way thatthis should be priced.
Unlike some other vehicles,which are completely ridiculous,
this one, I thought, wascompetitive with pretty much
everything that's out there atthat level of luxury, be it
gasoline-powered or EV.
The manufacturer suggests aretail price for the 2024
(19:42):
Cadillac Lyriq EV starts from$57,195 for tech model, $61,295
for luxury and $69,695 for thesport all-wheel drive.
Destination charges add $1,395.
And here's a heads up you maybe glad to know that this EV
also qualifies for the $7,500 EVrebate, and the prices that I
quoted do not include theapplication of the rebate, so
(20:06):
they're actually be lower.
The MSRP as testedI drove a 2024 Cadillac Lyric
Sport 3 with the following extracost options Nappa leather
package, electric all-wheeldrive, powered dual-panel
sunroof charging module.
Extra cost interior radiant redtin coat paint, black painted
(20:28):
roof front, license plate,bracket and the total cost of
the options.
The options came to twelvethousand four hundred and ten
dollars, MSRP includingincluding options.
The destination charges came toeighty three thousand five
hundred dollars.
And in case you think that'srich, there are pickup trucks
that I have test driven that gofor more, believe it or not, and
(20:50):
honestly, with them starting inthe mid to high 50s.
This is about where it shouldbe and I think they did a real
good job at pricing this thing Ireally did.
Next, I debunk some common EVmyths.
This is the Tech Mobility Show.
Do you listen to podcasts?
(21:16):
Seems that most people do.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
If you've missed any of ourweekly episodes on the radio,
our podcast is a great way tolisten.
You can find the Tech MobilityPodcast just about anywhere.
You can enjoy podcasts.
Be sure to follow us from ApplePodcasts, iHeart Radio and many
platforms in between.
We are there.
Just enter the Tech MobilityPodcast in the search bar.
(21:39):
Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place
to be.
We're no exception.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
Several times a week, I post toTikTok several of the topics
that I cover on my weekly radioshow.
It's another way to keep up onmobility, technology news and
(21:59):
information.
I've built quite a library ofshort videos for your viewing
pleasure, so be sure to watch,like and subscribe.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon TikTok.
Check it out.
It's been 13 years since thedebut of the Nissan Leaf,
(22:20):
generally regarded as the firstvolume EV for sale, that was
sold.
For those of y'all that arekeeping score, let me say this
right here, because you're goingto yell at the radio like I
tend to do Say no, it isn't.
The EV1 was Okay.
The EV1, which was developed byGeneral Motors in the mid-90s,
(22:40):
was not sold, it was leased.
It was the only way you couldget it and you could not buy the
car.
At the end of the lease, gmtook them back and, to the
chagrin of many people who lovedthat first generation EV, gm
destroyed them.
So it is rare or, if darn right, impossible.
You couldn't buy one, youcouldn't buy one.
(23:01):
The Nissan leaf as a retailunit was the first EV you could
actually buy, pure EV, and backthen it had a range, a whopping
range, a killer range of 98miles.
Yeah, a lot has happened sincethen.
EVs have come a long way,pretty much every way you can
(23:21):
think of.
However, despite me talkingabout EVs almost every week,
there are myths that stillpersist out there about EVs and
I'm hoping y'all haters that areout there I hope you're
listening because we're going todeal with some of these, and
this is Topic B.
Let's start with the one thatpeople like to talk about, and
(23:45):
then I'm going to tell you whatthe truth is.
Here's a myth you will lose 50%of your range in cold weather.
Um, 50%, no, will you lose 25%to 30%?
Yes, you will.
But let me preface it with thisI told you, and I will continue
to tell you, this technology isnot stagnant.
(24:08):
That's what's happening today,trust me.
What it's called and howthey're dealing with this.
It's called preconditioning,and what that means is
developing technologies to havethe battery at a certain range
of operating temperature so thatyou could optimize battery
power, and that means warmingthe battery up in the winter,
(24:31):
cooling the battery down in thesummer so that it is within its
operating range.
As they figure out how to dothat and I fully expect that
they may develop somethingthat's run off of the
traditional 12 volt lead acidbattery we talked about the
evolution of the regular batterylast week regular battery last
(24:55):
week and I feel thatpreconditioning may, in fact, or
some sort of chemicalmanipulation of hot and cold
will be the case for batteriesin the future, and when that
happens, I expect that day and Iexpect it before the end of the
decade that power loss due totemperature extremes either
extreme heat or extreme coldwill be moot, and that will be
regardless of EV that you chooseto buy.
(25:16):
But right now, yes, you canlose between a fourth to a third
, that is true.
Here's one If you get stuck ina blizzard, you'll freeze to
death.
Yeah, I want to deal with thatmeme.
Everybody saw of all those carsstuck in Chicago that went
brick.
Yeah, I want to deal with thatmeme.
Everybody saw of all those carsstuck in Chicago that went
brick.
Yeah, that one.
(25:38):
Now let's use a little commonsense.
Number one every single one ofthese vehicles, just like your
gasoline vehicle, is going towarn you when power gets low.
In sophisticated vehicles, evengasoline ones, if they're
connected to the internet,they'll even show you nearest
gas stations.
The app that these EVs run onwill also tell them hey, you're
(26:00):
down to 50 miles of range.
Here are the three nearestcharging stations to you.
So come on.
They knew.
Evs are very efficient whenyou're stopped and the cabin can
be heated for more hours than agas car with a full tank.
Let me read that again EVs arevery efficient when you are
stopped and the cabin can beheated for more hours than a gas
(26:22):
car with a full tank, andunless you left your cell phone
at home, no, you're not going tofreeze to death.
So let me put that out there.
You will have to wait.
Here's another myth.
You will have to wait for hourson a road trip to charge your
ev.
Uh, let's regular listeners mayremember back january, february
, I took a road trip.
(26:42):
I ended up adding three hoursto my trip because of charging.
It wasn't that cold.
And while no hours, no, willyou wait longer than you'd like?
Yes, and this is assuming thatthe high speed fast chargers are
working, which in my case, allthree were, and I didn't have to
(27:03):
wait, which was true, but Istill had to spend time.
Again, I will tell you with theevolution of public charging,
this will be moot in the nextfive years.
Hours, a few more hours, yes,hours, hours, no.
Here's another myth.
There are not enough fastchargers.
That is a transitionary thing.
(27:26):
Again, two things are happeningAny EV 2025 or newer will have
the ability to plug into thetesla supercharger network.
So, not enough fast chargers,even as there's money in recent
legislation to build new fastpublic chargers.
Again, it takes time to scalethis stuff up.
(27:46):
I tell you, five to six years,end of the decade, it will be mo
moot between a Teslasupercharger availability and
new high-speed chargers comingonline.
It's a little bit of a wait now, but it's not impossible.
It's not terrible.
Here's one I love this onebecause I've got an email on
this.
High voltage packs only lastfive years or a hundred thousand
(28:08):
miles.
Okay, all right.
Okay, let's start with theobvious.
Did you know?
Every single one of those packshas a minimum guarantee or
warranty of eight years or ahundred thousand miles.
That's the warranty that comeswith the vehicle when it's new.
Just for starters.
Now the truth right now, theaverage battery pack in a brand
(28:30):
new EV off the line today you'llget 200,000 miles or up to 15
years, and that's normal, whichis pretty interesting because
you can get 15 years, 150,000miles on the average internal
combustion engine, although ifyou take care of that, there's
no reason why you can't get250,000 out of that.
(28:51):
But let me say this again EVbatteries, 200,000 miles, 15
years that's normal.
Normal, it's not an aberration.
New EVs lose their value quickly.
Well, any new vehicle I don'tcare how it's powered loses
(29:12):
value the minute it goes off thelot.
Evs are no different and ofcourse, you're going to have
some softness in EV prices asmore EVs come to the market and
competition hits the market, andbecause the new EVs have more
features and are moresophisticated, may even have
better battery chemistries thanEVs that were sold two or three
(29:34):
years ago.
Yeah, but they did a study andwhat they found is, across the
board, the best deal on a usedvehicle, believe it or not, is a
used EV.
I'm going to let you thinkabout that.
One EVs will catch fire andexplode.
That one EVs will catch fireand explode.
(29:57):
No, the Insurance Institute forHighway Safety has done all
sorts of crash tests with EVcars pertaining their batteries
Side impact, off-frontal impact,all of that, no, no, no.
They're some of the safest.
That's not going to happen.
Unsafe in an accident?
Again, no, the IIHS has testedthese and have concluded that
the EV poses no greater riskthan any other type of vehicle
(30:19):
in either side impact offset,frontal impact, accident, any
kind of accident.
EVs are too expensive to buynew.
What did I tell you that wasgoing to change as the
automakers got better at it?
Runway crashes are the mostsevere accidents when states
effort to resolve the problem.
We are the Tech Mobility Show.
To learn more about the TechMobility Show, start by visiting
(30:43):
our website.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
The website is a treasure troveof information about me and the
show, as well as where to findit on the radio across the
country.
Keep up with the happenings atthe Tech Mobility Show by
visiting techmobility.
show.
That's techmobility.
show.
You can also drop us a line attalk@echmobility.
(31:04):
show.
Did you know that Tech Mobilityhas a YouTube channel?
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe TechMobility Show.
Each week, I upload a few shortvideos of some of the hot
topics that I cover during myweekly radio program.
I've designed these videos tobe informative and entertaining.
(31:24):
It's another way to keep up oncurrent mobility and technology
news and information.
Be sure to watch, like andsubscribe to my channel.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon YouTube.
Check it out, we'll see younext time.
(32:10):
Social media is the place to bethese days, and we're no
exception.
I'm Ken Chester of the TechMobility Show.
If you enjoy my program, thenyou will also enjoy my weekly
Instagram videos From the latestvehicle reviews to timely
commentary on a variety ofmobility and technology-related
topics.
These short features aredesigned to inform and delight
you.
Be sure to watch, like andfollow us on Instagram.
(32:31):
You can find us by typing theTech Mobility Show in the search
bar.
Wrong way crashes are the mostsevere accidents In Texas.
The State Department ofTransportation has been battling
against wrong way drivers inthe state.
This is Topic C Wrong waydrivers.
(32:53):
What does that mean?
Driving the wrong way down aone-way street, taking the wrong
ramp onto a highway, going thewrong direction on a freeway or
an interstate?
Can you even imagine theconsequences and the deadliness
of something that happens likethat and the deadliness of
something that happens like thatNow in Texas they say that
(33:17):
while wrong-way crashes make upless than 1% of all crashes in
the state, they are also themost severe.
If you're driving down ahighway, the last thing you're
expecting is somebody coming atyou at highway speed on the
wrong side of the road.
Where do you go?
How do you maneuver If there'straffic in lanes on either side
of you and traffic behind youand you're all doing 65, 70
(33:40):
miles an hour?
What do you do?
So yeah, it can be very seriousand very messy and very nasty.
Talking about fatalities, theTexas DOT started a pilot
program about 10 years ago whichinstalled wrong way
countermeasures on quarters insome of the largest cities
across the state.
(34:00):
I didn't even know there wassuch a thing as wrong way
countermeasures.
Yeah, I've seen the wrong waysigns, but what they tell you,
what the state DOTs tell you, isthat typically those folks
driving the wrong way areimpaired.
So let's take a look at whatthey talk about.
When they talk about wrong waycountermeasures, what are they
(34:23):
talking about?
Here's an example they includereflective pavement arrows,
light emitting diodes or LED.
Wrong way flashing signs, newsigns with reflective tape that
are lowered to the ground, radardetection modules, high
resolution traffic cameras,thermal sensors equipped with
(34:44):
artificial intelligence or AI toreduce false alarms.
One thing I learned that theypoint out is that typically
people who are driving the wrongway number one are impaired.
Now, they did not say without arule that they were drunk.
That's just one type ofimpairment.
You can be disoriented orconfused or having a mental
(35:08):
emergency, like us older folks.
You might have mixed up somemedications and not be totally
with the program, but it'sinteresting to note that most of
the folks driving the wrong wayare impaired.
That is what they start withand, as a result, the state says
that they typically look at thepavement immediately in front
of the car.
This they already know, sothey're addressing that.
(35:31):
Rather than the typical driverwho's looking down the road,
these folks are literallylooking at that space in front
of the car.
So this is some of the waysthey try to reach them.
As of today, all the major metroareas of Texas, for example,
have at least some wrong waydriver countermeasures on
highways.
So let me back up a minute.
(35:51):
Reasonable question to ask Ifwrong way driving represents 1%
of all the crashes in the state,why is there such attention
paid to it?
Because of the level offatality?
If you're going the wrong waydown the center lane of an
interstate highway and you'remeeting oncoming traffic, what
(36:13):
do you think is going to happen?
Wrong way traffic may notalways be able to scatter, and
if they can't, that's a head-onwreck at speed.
And if you're doing speed limit65 miles an hour and the
individual coming at you isdoing 65 miles an hour, your
closure rate is 130 miles anhour.
Your closure rate is 130 milesan hour and that impact will be
(36:33):
at 130 miles an hour, with allthe deadliness associated with
it, meaning that most wrong-wayaccidents end in fatalities.
That is what they're trying toprevent.
That is why they're addressingit, because it's not.
If they can prevent it in thefirst place or get the wrong way
impaired driver to self-correct, in other words, oh, I
(36:56):
shouldn't go this way and turnaround and go back.
Part of it is trying to getthem to alter the behavior.
Some of it is also to alert thestate DOT that this is
happening so they can jump, youknow, and handle it.
In some cases they may deploycounty sheriffs or state police
to try to intercept the driveror, at the very least, prevent
(37:19):
traffic from interacting withthe wrong way driver and causing
a wreck.
Imagine if the wrong way driver, the impaired driver, meets a
fully loaded 18 wheeler athighway speeds.
I'm just going to leave thatvision with you for a minute.
That's what they're trying toprevent, but I'm proud to say
(37:42):
that Texas isn't alone.
Um, let me give you some other.
Let me give an example of howthis is working in Texas.
In some areas in the state ofTexas they've had great results.
Fort Worth area saw a 90% ofwrong-way drivers course correct
before causing a crash, meaningthat 9 out of every 10
(38:03):
wrong-way drivers were alertedthrough their countermeasures
and corrected before a wreckcould happen, turned around,
pulled over, did whatever, butdid not continue in their error.
Now Texas isn't alone doingthis.
In Utah, they installed 15wrong-way driving detection
(38:24):
systems last year, are in theprocess of installing eight more
such systems on highwaysstatewide.
In Nevada, they substantiallycompleted the installation of
wrong-way driver detectionsystems on Interstate 580, known
as the Carson City Freeway, inSeptember of last year, and
they've been installing suchtechnology on selected highways
(38:45):
statewide since 2019.
In Connecticut, they areinstalling wrong-way driving
alert systems on at least 120additional highway exit ramps
statewide Ramps identified bythe agency as high risk for
wrong-way driving incidents.
The Connecticut DOT noted,however, that it's been
(39:06):
installing wrong-way drivingdetection technology on state
highway exit ramps over the lastthree years and continues to
expand its use statewide.
Wrong way drivers, impaireddrivers For a multitude of
reasons Part of being safebehind the wheel, safer cars,
(39:27):
safer behavior, saferinfrastructure it's all required
.
They're not taking just oneapproach.
They're not putting it all inthe driver, although that is a
major forward thought bettereducation, better knowledge,
being careful, being smart.
They put it on themanufacturers safer cars that do
some things.
And right now they've got speedlimiters built into the cars,
(39:49):
built into your cruise controland new vehicles.
Now that will automatically, ifyou're speeding and it passes a
speed limit sign, will reduceyour speed to the speed limit.
Actually, we'll do it.
I'm driving.
I've driven two vehicles in thelast two weeks with that new
technology.
I'm not sure I like it, becauseI didn't.
I will.
We're few and far between and,yeah, we tend to drive a little
bit above the speed limit.
(40:10):
So the fact that it wants toreduce it, I'm not thrilled
without my input, saying oh, 55,okay.
And sometimes it misreadsthat's my problem or it assumes,
if there's no speed limitlisted, oh well, we've come to
the end of our visit together.
Be sure to join me again nexttime, right here.
This has been a Tech MobilityShow.
Speaker 1 (40:35):
The Tech Mobility Show is a copywritten production
of Tech Mobility ProductionsIncorporated.
Any rebroadcast, retransmissionor any other use is prohibited
without the written consent ofTech Mobility Productions
Incorporated.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have
just the one for you.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester.
Tech Mobility Topics is apodcast where I upload
topic-specific videos each week.
Shorter than a full show.
These bite-sized programs arejust the thing, particularly if
you're interested in aparticular topic covered on the
(41:14):
weekly radio show.
From Apple Podcasts toiHeartRadio and many podcast
platforms in between, we got youcovered.
Just enter TechMobility topicsin the search bar.
Wherever you listen to podcasts, social media, it's the place
to be.
We're no exception.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe TechMobility show.
Several times a week, I post toTikTok several of the topics
(41:34):
that I cover on my weekly radioshow.
It's another way to keep up onmobility technology news and
information.
I've built quite a library ofshort videos for your viewing
pleasure, so be sure to watch,like and subscribe.
That's the Tech Mobility Showon TikTok.
Check it out.
To learn more about the TechMobility Show, start by visiting
(41:55):
our website.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
The website is a treasure troveof information about me and the
show, as well as where to findit on the radio across the
country.
Keep up with the happenings ofthe Tech Mobility Show by
visiting techmobility.
show.
That's techmobility.
show.
You can also drop us a linetalk@ techmobilityshow.
(42:21):
Do you listen to podcasts?
Seems that most people do.
Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host ofthe Tech Mobility Show.
If you've missed any of ourweekly episodes on the radio,
our podcast is a great way tolisten.
You can find the Tech MobilityPodcast just about anywhere.
You can enjoy podcasts.
Be sure to follow us From ApplePodcasts, iheartradio and many
platforms in between.
(42:42):
We are there.
Just enter the Tech MobilityPodcast in the search bar
wherever you listen to podcasts.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.