Interesting and background stories. All these less-important stories are in two semi-weekly e-mails, so each of you is not bothered by a lot of e-mails, and you can select which you want to read, and which you choose to ignore. This "MagLev Monitor" is issued Wednesday morning as this Midweek Morning MagLev Messenger (4M), and also late Saturday as the Saturday Evening Repost (SER).
This newsletter usually covers Superconducting MagLev, and more. It also covers competing technologies, such as EVs, hydrogen, and aviation. We won't forget the past, covering classic railways, and what lessons they can give us. Today's edition covers that, and EVs. And, of course, the Jigsaw Puzzles, for fun.
My website: http://www.LeviCar.com/
Maglev2000 website: https://www.maglev2000.net/
Rail History:
How the US Fumbled Railroad Electrification [Part 1: Pre-WW2]
This is part one of [Alan Fisher's] short mini-series about North American Railroad electrification and why we generally do not have electric traction like many other places in the world.
(12:35)
Like other things, the USA used to be the leader in Electric Rail. Note that P/D MagLev is electric, but does not need any physical way to convey electricity to the vehicles – it's all done via induction.
Part 2 hasn't come out yet. You can subscribe to Fisher's Channel if you wish.
Life of M. H. Sherman (A real-estate developer who was a founder of what became the "Red Car" in Los Angeles)
https://thesherman.org/visit/life-of-m-h-sherman/
The “Pacific Electric 'Red Car' system” in Los Angeles, as mentioned in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", was a mass-transit system that was bought out and dismantled by General Motors, and replaced with GMC buses.
Electric Vehicles and Batteries:
Several Fisker Ocean SUVs Left Rotting on the Side of a Road Will Be Auctioned Off
Tesla Motors is actually doing better than some other EV manufacturers. This story is from Britain –– Fisker owners here in the USA don't have it as bad.
US electric vehicle sales start off strong in first quarter of 2025
Nearly 300,000 EVs were sold in the US in Q1, with sales continuing to grow despite obstacles.
https://www.evdesignandmanufacturing.com/news/us-electric-vehicle-sales-start-off-strong-q1/
China Bans 'Self-Driving' Ads, Software Updates
The country will prohibit certain buzzwords.
https://www.ien.com/video/video/22939270/china-bans-selfdriving-ads-software-updates
China Bans 'Self-Driving' Ads, Software Updates (www.ien.com)
IMHO –– Seeing that China and Britain are banning certain buzzwords, maybe the USA should also.
I Gave Up My Toyota Tundra for a Tesla Model 3 and Now I Finally Understand the Hype Behind Tesla
Leaving behind a Tundra for a Tesla doesn’t happen every day, but after this owner made the jump, it became clear why many like him are rethinking what they drive.
Caption: “Tesla has poor build quality. Poor service times. Poor distance claims. Rented one because of the delivery wait. Glad I did. On a one to ten scale, Tesla is a four.” (www.torquenews.com)
Some owners like their Teslas. Maybe the main problems are with the Cybertrucks.
After driving a Cybertruck all day to test its range the data was (sic) very unexpected for a Tesla
https://supercarblondie.com/driving-a-cybertruck-all-day-tesla-ev-range-test/ (Embedded video 5:50)
Also compares Rivian and Ford Electric trucks.
My Electric Vehicle Is Burning Through Tires At a Rate of One Set Per Year In Under 20,000 Miles
. . . the Last Ones I Bought Had a 75,000-mile Warranty, and the Shop Is Refusing to Honor the Warranty Because It’s a Tesla Model Y
Caption: “Many electric vehicle owners, including Tesla owners, are struggling with rapid tire wear, while others seem to have tires last over 40,000 miles.” (www.torquenews.com)
There are a lot of Teslas in my neighborhood, and I do a lot of walking. Whenever a Tesla drives by without a lot of other vehicles nearby, I can really hear the tire noise. Sometimes ICE vehicles are quieter than the Teslas.
Electric motor prototype addresses issues related to environmental impact of EV materials
Alumotor is a synchronous reluctance motor developed without rare earth metals or critical raw materials.
Electric motor prototype addresses issues related to environmental impact of EV materials
Caption: “Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has designed, developed, and tested a prototype electric propulsion module, Alumotor, an innovative rare earth metal free synchronous reluctance motor. Alumotor was delivered within the Innovate UK’s funded consortium led by Ricardo to support sustainable mobility.” (www.evdesignandmanufacturing.com)
IMHO –– This will address some of the objections to EVs, and also reduce our dependence on foreign sources of materials.
MARBEL project develops modular, eco-friendly electric vehicle battery
The European project focused efforts on improving EV battery life, recyclability, and charging speed.
Includes YouTube video (5:31)
EU-funded. Designed for modularity and for circular economy. Includes AI failure-detection system. Goal is 300,00 km (186,000 mile) lifespan.
Battery with built-in fire extinguishing technology moves electric vehicle safety forward
Hyundai Mobis prevents thermal runaway by stopping heat transfer between battery cells.
Includes chemical fire extinguisher and a system to specifically target it to hotspots. There is also a refrigeration system to keep hotspots from forming.
Scientists make startling discovery after dissecting Tesla and other EV batteries side-by-side: 'We were surprised'
"The findings provide both research and industry with a benchmark for large-format cell designs."
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/tesla-byd-batteries-study-comparison/
Homes offer key renewable energy storage capacity
Clever household electricity systems may be needed to stabilize uneven energy supply and demand from rooftop solar and electric vehicles.
The complicated relationship between the grid, homes, and EVs.
Hydrogen:
EV expert reveals how much it really costs to fully refill a hydrogen-powered car
https://supercarblondie.com/expert-reveals-cost-of-refilling-hydrogen-powered-car/
Expert reveals how much it costs to refill a hydrogen car
Caption: “An EV expert has revealed the true cost of refilling a hydrogen car and how it compares to gas-powered and EV cars. Even those who love hydrogen cars will rarely tell you the true cost of refueling their car, and there’s a reason for that.” (supercarblondie.com)
IMHO –– Hydrogen is the Fuel of the Future, and always will be.
Swiss Railways "Crocodile" built 1919-1927. 3,649hp
https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=22f65ecb4a21
Wikipedia article about this articulated electric locomotive for steep grades and sharp curves.
(For the jigsaw puzzle, you can adjust the number of pieces using the "Play as" option at the top right. There is a pause button to the right of the time indicator at the bottom center.)
I hope you like my tributes to conventional rail, especially since my overall aim is to relegate conventional rail to museums.
–– Joshua Zev, Levin, Ph.D.