Free Republic

Electric vehicles stand at the center of every “green energy” initiative. Multiple jurisdictions mandate and subsidize the inevitable transition to “clean” transportation. Some policymakers have gone further, setting deadlines for outright bans on the internal-combustion engine (ICE), and Green pundits regularly issue forecasts promising the imminent dominance of electric vehicles (EVs). The EV is central to the notion that we’re on the cusp of a grand shift to a “new-energy economy.” In addition to its putative environmental benefits, the EV, we’re told, is a better machine than an ICE. It’s easier to manufacture, uses less labor, and will—eventually—cost less. Since...

I have an 03 Honda Accord EX with about 155K miles on it which I've purchased recently which has had no problems until this morning: it will miss and then seems to go into a protect mode of some sort and will not run over 2500 rpm until I turn the key off and on again, then it's good for another mile or so until it does it again. Has anybody else ever seen or heard of this problem? It may actually be a problem with the on-board computer, you'd think if it was a plug or bad gas it...

The topic here is this little guy: Somewhere around the early 90s Honda and Toyota started making cars to last longer than their owners last. I have a 96 Honda Accord with around 210K miles on it, synthetic oil all the way, bulletproof 5-speed manual transmission and all the main parts of the car seem set to live for another 30 years, assuming I replace spark plugs, timing belts, radiators, windshield wipers and that sort of thing once in a while. But I've seen cars killed by over-engineering things and that fuel relay is just that. When one of the...

Following yesterday’s round-up from all you Top Gear fans at the studio filming, today here’s a couple more glimpses of Top Gear US. And we now know the official launch date. For all you across the pond, switch over to the History Channel on 21 November at 10/9c (we’re assured that’s an actual time format) or fiddle with your Tivos in the relevant way (we’re not quite sure what a Tivo is).

Imagine a secret junkyard frozen in time somewhere around the 70's with every bit of vintage hardware stretching for hundreds of acres. Classic Mustangs, Camaros, Cadillacs, Hemis; you name it, it's here. But not for long: The law man's saying to crush 'em. Massive mega-gallery below along with the location and what you can do to save them.

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Crude oil has topped $110/barrel. Although our largest single supplier is (surprise?!) Canada, others aren't so favorably inclined or located. Gasoline prices soar to new highs, even when adjusted for inflation (1960's 31¢/gal. should equate to $2.21/gal. today — a real bargain). Why don't we grow our own fuel? Biofuel. Full article here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=36&article_id=6791&print_page=y

TORONTO, Ontario — "Do you think we could borrow a tank and have the students refurbish it?" This question is the reason that a Second World War Sherman tank now sits on the automobile shop floor at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute. The vehicle has created quite a stir, not only in the class but throughout the school, the city, and Canada. People from as far away as the United States and even Europe have taken note. History buffs, military antique clubs and people who just want to help have heard the story about the tank coming to the school and have...

Now that the Paris show is over, here's the rundown of what showed up and what didn't. As expected, the Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept kicked things off with its take on what a European muscle car would look like. It was followed by the Opel Antara, which is almost identical to the 2008 Saturn Vue out next year. Volvo finally showed off its long-awaited C30 hatchback; not surprisingly, it looked just like the concept. On the more exotic side, Porsche rolled out the 911 Targa alongside the track-ready 911 GT3 RS. Both wore odd shades of orange, yet they both...

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Has anyone else seen this? Ok, background. This kid named Charlie Wenzel tries to sell some gears over the internet for $100. A guy buys the gears, but then Wenzel tries to change the price. This all unfolds on the Pirate 4x4 forums, and the whole board gets involved. They post the guys Social Security number, place of employment, high school pictures, pictures of his parents, personal phone numbers, and satellite photos of his house. It's like watching AYBABTU unfold all over again. The thread was about 68 pages last time I checked it. 400,000 views. The site is almost...

When listeners tune their radio dial to WIBC-AM 1070 in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 4, many will do a double-take on the race broadcast they’re hearing: Ray Harroun just passed Al Unser Jr. for the lead? Tom Sneva just let Mauri Rose by and is coming into the pits? What’s going on here? It is the inaugural “Fantasy 500,” sponsored by Bill Estes Chevrolet in Indianapolis and presented by the American Dairy Association. The brainchild of WIBC on-air personality Dave Wilson, the Bill Estes Fantasy 500 pits the greatest drivers from multiple eras of Indianapolis 500 history against one another...

Technology: Nintendo develops games geared for adults By ALEX PHAM, Tribune Media Service(March 17, 2002 10:02 a.m. EST) - Nintendo Co. has always danced to its own tune, spinning out home-grown characters and spurning the ultra-violent games that have proliferated in the industry. That insistence on making family-based games has fostered the perception that Nintendo is a kid-oriented company. This year, Nintendo is out to change that with a more mature lineup of games and an aggressive advertising campaign aimed at older gamers, the demographic that rivals Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are aiming to carve up. Sony touts its...