Posted on 07/24/2021 9:01:09 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
He developed gasoline engines for family sedans as well as thunderous Nascar racing machines.
By last year, though, the excitement was gone. His projects were no longer about advancing the engine, just nursing along existing technology. All the buzz had shifted to electric vehicles. In December, Mr. Penkevich took early retirement at age 59.
“It’s been a fun ride,” said engineer Dave Lancaster, who spent 40 years working in engine development at General Motors Co. “But I think we’re coming into the homestretch for the conventional engine.”
Over the past several decades, auto makers in most years rolled out between 20 and 70 new engines globally, according to research firm IHS Markit. That number will fall below 10 this year, and then essentially go to zero, the research firm said.
“We don’t want to be left making the best buggy whips,”
For the UAW to prevail, workers would have to vote yes, and wages likely would be far lower than at a car factory. Other battery plants typically pay $15 to $18 an hour, compared with a top hourly wage of around $30 for a UAW-represented worker at an assembly plant.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Engines that use some external source of heat, and heat water to steam, to drive either a turbine or a closed-cycle piston arrangement to provide rotary output, were also tried early in the development of self-propelled vehicles.
If there is no reclamation of the exhaust steam, through a condensing system that recycles the spent steam as hot water, then the system is just too wasteful of the water, and is subject to having an adequate resupply of water, which for steam purposes, has to be free of virtually all minerals and most other contaminants. But back in the 1920’s a fellow Abner Doble, made just such a steam-powered automobile. It was vastly superior in almost every way to the leading steam powered car of that time, the Stanley Steamer, but the Stanley brothers thought they knew everything there was to know about steam automobiles. Doble could not get adequate financing for his projects, and he fell into the mistake of building virtually every example as a custom design, never settling on one design that could be mass produced. But as innovative engineering goes, they were marvels. Jay Leno rebuilt one using some more modern materials and technological advances, and it performed most magnificently. It is QUIET, with astonishing acceleration for such a heavy vehicle, and able to cruise with modern day traffic.
What is needed to provide an adequate heat source, may come from propane, or compressed natural gas, or even have a very small version of a thorium-fueled molten salt nuclear reactor, which can be scaled down to fit aboard an automotive platform. Minimal to no emissions, relative rapid start-up, and economical of fuel resources.
But of course the star-gazing engineers will continue to putz around with batteries and battery charging systems, and smaller, lighter “more efficient” battery arrays, of which, most designs are either impractical, or have some really sensitive issues concerning reliability.
If current trends are any indication, the has to run those big blocks will be a luxury.
Another reality impacting transportation is the ability to have satisfying travel experiences without even leaving home, like, LSD, man. LOL. Seriously though, the reasons for travel may be lessening as many experiences and goods can be delivered (yes, vehicularly - although micro maglev infrastructure could impact that, too).
Subsurface micro-maglev delivery systems would be interesting.
“I’ve been seriously considering an electric powered generator for when we lose electricity here.”
I’ve been looking at gas generators. How convenient would be to be able make your own gas? I think Home Depot has them.
Gonna make it just like playiing a video game.
I can see detached garages becoming the norm again.
My new RAM 1500 Pickup has an eTorque Hemi, so it’s “sort of” a Hybrid. At least that’s what I tell people when they ask. I just need to get a Hybrid Graphic to put on it.
I have nothing against Electric Vehicles. The problem is poor people won’t be finding any used and abused $500 Electric junkers when they need a Car for basic transportation.
No problem though, I’m sure the DEMONCRATS will pony up the money for their Voters. Maybe they should design a People’s Electric Car.
—”only the wealthy will be able to drive which is what I think they want.”
“a chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage”
So much for that plan...
But it would be nice if ALL drivers had a valid license and insurance. That alone would remove about 20% of Chicago drivers.
My beloved P1800s was creamed by a jamoke that had neither.
The biggest problem with EVs is the electricity source. They don’t want to build coal or natural gas because of CO2 emissions, like the gas they want to replace. As enamored as they are with wind and solar, those are not reliable for the wider grid. Hydrodynamic requires the right terrain and they don’t like the dams blocking the rivers. Geothermal works in some places but not most. That leaves nuclear power as the last best option.
On the subject of solar, I have been looking into getting it for my home and no one will call me back. Not a single installer within 100 miles has responded for weeks. WTF is going on with that?
put a ethanol carb on it and brew your own.
The majority of production steam cars ran on gasoline or kerosene.
Pure insanity.There is no grid strong enough for these fantasies.
The Democrats will have public transportation that comes to your door by then. Just be sure you have a sign that reads: No Cash. No Valuables. Along with I am wearing a Chasity Belt. To ward off rapists. This applies to both sexes. Genders are on their own.
I don’t know about having a car assembled by minimum wage workers. No experience necessary?
Yes, pollution in China stays in China.
The moronic SOBs have NO IDEA what the Law of Conservation/the 1st Law of Thermodynamics consists of. Plus, it was discovered/promoted by a bunch of “white guys” so it must be completely evil and untrue.
But, hey, if it makes em “feel good” and that they’ve “done something”, give the dumb bassturds another pudding pop and capitalize on their stupidity..
Ask yourself how practical your gasoline-powered vehicle would be if you could only refuel it between 7:00 PM and 7:00 AM. It doesn't make it a useless vehicle, but losing that flexibility adds a complication to the refueling process that makes the vehicle a lot less attractive to you as a motorist.
I have said all along that EVs will not be accepted for widespread use unless motorists have confidence that they'll be able to recharge their batteries not only at home, but at these types of places in particular: (1) where they work, (2) where they shop, and (3) where they travel for entertainment. This isn't just a grid capacity problem. It's a charging infrastructure problem.
The Vapordyne steam car:
The Lear steam-powered Indy car...
https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/02/03/let-there-be-steam
All one would need is a still.
I’m not sure a modern “emissionized” engine would hold up to running moonshine though.
I do have a vietnamese lawnmower that I picked up recently, pretty sure that will run on just about anything.
It’s actually quite surprising that they were allowed to import it.
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