The TechMobility Podcast
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The TechMobility Podcast
West Virginia's Pedestrian Safety Renaissance, NASCAR's Bold Electric Journey, and Ransomware Groups Unmasked
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Unlock the future of mobility as we journey through the latest breakthroughs in alternative transportation on this episode of the TechMobility Podcast! Ever wondered how a $13.9 million grant could transform pedestrian safety and infrastructure in West Virginia? We’ll explore the impact of enhanced sidewalks, lighting, and walking paths in towns like Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and Lewisburg, all designed to protect pedestrians from high-speed traffic and heavy vehicles. Plus, find out why the Ford Bronco Sport deserves newfound respect for its outdoor capabilities, now more aligned with its larger sibling.
Shift gears as we tackle the electrifying evolution of NASCAR and dispel myths about EV batteries. Witness NASCAR’s bold steps into electrification with a 1300-horsepower EV prototype, developed in partnership with ABB, as they aim to captivate their gasoline-loving fanbase. We'll also dismantle misconceptions surrounding EV batteries, sharing insights on how advancements in chemistry and architecture are making them safer and more efficient. Join us to discover why the future of EVs is not just promising but inevitable, heralding a new era of cleaner, more dynamic transportation.
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Welcome to the Tech Mobility Podcast.
Speaker 2:I'm Ken Chester. I've been highlighting lately monies being spent by state and local governments relative to alternative forms of transportation, and I do not mean, in this case, anything to do forms of transportation. And I do not mean, in this case, anything to do with EVs Not EVs, not wind, not solar, nothing. What I'm talking about is a growing amount of expenditures for something that you might consider mundane and unimportant, but for those people who are limited in their transportation choices, it's extremely important, and I'm talking about sidewalks, sidewalks, sidewalks. America is considered one of the most car-centric countries in the world. We drive every place. We'd drive across the street if we needed to, as opposed to walk. So it does my heart good as I see an increasing number of states and municipalities allocating or otherwise spending money on sidewalks. This one I want to share with you because it is so unique and I believe I got this out of Roads and Bridges magazine, actually and it's in one of the last places in the United States you would expect them to spend this kind of money for this purpose. And I'm talking about West Virginia, full disclosure. My wife's from West Virginia, but West Virginia. But West Virginia is mountainous, it doesn't have a lot of opportunities for walking. But this is the headline. West Virginia governor announces grant awards for alternative transportation. The immediate line underneath that is the funding will develop sidewalks and walking paths.
Speaker 2:I want to take this a little further. Very often when you hear about allocation for sidewalk or allocation for walking, it's usually about walking paths or biking paths or something like that. It's not for sidewalks. The reason why I am so excited about sidewalks is because, if you do not have access to a vehicle, the sidewalk is a safe way to get from point A to point B without being in the road and getting risked of run over or worse. Sidewalks actually give pedestrians a safe place to travel Because if you're mobile, if you have a certain amount of health, then you can walk. If you can walk, you can get there. But very often in our country sidewalk networks are chaotic, sporadic, inconsistent. How many of you have actually walked the sidewalk only for it to end, just suddenly end. It just suddenly ended and you couldn't cross the street or anything. There was just no more sidewalk, forcing you into the road. That's unsafe and it's dangerous and it's a whole history. You pick your municipality and they will show you roads where highways and pedestrians do not mix and when they do, it does not end well. In the case of West Virginia, the governor announced 36 grant awards totaling $13.9 million and the funding will help and enhance sidewalks, lighting, walking paths, rail trails and more for projects across the mountain state.
Speaker 2:While I can talk about the recreational trails program and it's certainly good I want to key in on a couple of local projects where sidewalks sidewalks were added. Fayetteville, West Virginia, they're building a pedestrian bridge over a county road Anything that reduces pedestrians being at risk for high-speed traffic, because we've also reported here on this program how the level and number of pedestrian deaths have increased, part of that due in part because of the heavier vehicles we now drive. We drive a lot more pickup trucks than cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, even electric vehicles are heavier and when they interact with a pedestrian because these heavy vehicles are that and higher if it's a truck or an SUV pedestrian usually always loses fatally. So this is good. In Oak Hill they've got a street project that will spend $897,000. And they're literal. It goes to construction approximately 2,738 linear feet of sidewalk along Route 61 in the city of Oak Hill, west Virginia, and then finally in Lewisburg, west Virginia, $75,000 will go to the design of sidewalk improvements at a specific corner which I have to assume was a high-risk corner for pedestrians. All of these are projects dedicated to sidewalks not building a new road, not building a highway, not building an interstate, but sidewalks giving people another option to get from point A to point B. Which number one is healthier, number two is safer and number three, we used to walk everywhere. We used to walk everywhere we used to. And I think in this world where we're going to see this kind of opportunity, where part of the country taxpayers usually pay for that Out here in the Midwest, they expect the landowner to pay for it, which is why there aren't that many sidewalks, because the landowner, if they don't require to do it, they won't. And it's a very different philosophy that where I grew up back east, typically cities and towns paid for the sidewalks. That's how they got built and you have a network of sidewalks which makes it safer really for everybody.
Speaker 2:Second story I want to talk about, before we go to the break, the Ford Bronco Sport. I got to start with an admission. Everybody knows the new Bronco the larger is awesome and I've reported about that. It's a can-do vehicle that can do just about anything. I recently came around to have the same level of respect for the Bronco Sport. Now, the reason why I didn't? Originally because the Bronco Sport is based on the Ford Escape and I'm like, okay, escape's a nice little SUV crossover, but it really didn't have any bona fides for off-road or any kind of serious performance. Then Ford developed the Bronco Sport and I laughed at first. I thought that's cute, a nice little wannabe after the Bronco. Why would you dare put the Bronco name on this thing? Then they gave me one to drive and I put it through its paces and I walked away with a whole bunch of respect they are taking for 2025.
Speaker 2:Ford designers said they wanted to close the capability gap between the Bronco Sport and larger Bronco for customers who often hunt or camp. Okay, I mean in fairness, larger Broncos are a good size and for a lot of of people, the Bronco Sport might be a better size. And I considered it very respectable already. But the Ford Motor Company is beefing up Bronco Sport with more off-road muscle for 2025, adding steel bumpers, a new grille design and a Sasquatch package that includes larger tires and suspension upgrades.
Speaker 2:And since its introduction in 2020, the Bronco Sports carved a niche in the crowded compact crossover segment, with US sales rising 28% last year, and they expect it to take on a more important role in Ford's lineup as the company prepares to discontinue the similarly sized Escape while further leaning in the Bronco Sports' rugged reputation. And it seems like that's what automakers are doing right now. They're getting rid of the kind of vanilla crossover SUVs and they're going more rugged. Chevy's doing that at the lower end of the spectrum. They just did that with Equinox, they've done it with Trailblazer, they're doing it with Trax. Ford is stepping up Bronco Sport and, like I said earlier, bronco Sport is pretty respectable already.
Speaker 2:The freshened model, which is coming actually this month, comes with a larger center screen and a larger digital cluster inspired by the Bronco Raptor, and they're borrowing some other features from the bigger Bronco that are performance features. So I'm seriously I'm stoked because I'd love to drive this thing with Saskatchewan package just to see how it does, because the last one I had was very impressive, because I did take it off road and I did get a little dirty just to see what it could do, and I was pleasantly surprised, and I think you will be too. So it's impressive. It really, really is the only thing I wish it had was a manual transmission. Oh well, NASCAR welcomes an EV prototype to the track.
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Speaker 2:Social media is the main place to be these days, and we are no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Facebook videos show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Facebook videos, from my latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary of a variety of mobility and technology related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you. Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Facebook. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar. Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page search bar. Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook page.
Speaker 2:Social media is the place to be these days, and we're no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Instagram videos, from the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Instagram. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar.
Speaker 2:For those of you that listen to podcasts, we have just the one for you. Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week, shorter than a full show. These bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if you're interested in a particular topic covered on the weekly radio show. From Apple Podcasts to iHeartRadio and many podcast platforms in between, we got you covered. Just enter Tech Mobility Topics in the search bar wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker 4:This is an invitation, mister, not to you but to the inner you, the gypsy, the wanderer, the perhaps forgotten you. But be forewarned this is freedom. Impala Super Sport by Chevrolet. Shortcut to everywhere here, car and earth kiss softly. A steel coil spring at each wheel. Oh, this is the jet. Smooth ride of Chevrolet, the peaceful security of body by Fisher. This is the Impala Supersport Lounge. Soft, vinyl-covered bucket seats in front, deep twist carpeting afoot. Isn't it about time you took charge? Get with the Impala Supersport, a great highway performer, at your Chevrolet dealers.
Speaker 2:That was 1964. And if you saw the video, it was appealing to a man. A two-door had it alluded performance, but really didn't say anything about performance. It kind of suggested it's a real highway performer, but it didn't talk about the V8 or whether it was an automatic or manual, didn't talk about any of that stuff. What did it talk about the interior? It talked about comfortable seats and comfortable carpet. Didn't talk about the standard AM radio, because it was a little bit before FM. Didn't talk about if there was air conditioning or not. It was notably quiet about that. But oh yeah for the inner you, the inner you that needed a Impala Supersport 1964.
Speaker 2:I don't know, it's just interesting to share the mindset of advertising agencies, automobile manufacturers or who they thought their target audience was back in the day. Very interesting. I guess that women didn't buy cars back then apparently and didn't like performance, which I find hard to believe. But okay, gm, whatever. In a recent Saturday morning during the recent NASCAR championship weekend at the Phoenix Motor Speedway in Phoenix, arizona, a number 35 car swerved around the four turns and two straightaways of the mile oval at speeds of up to 155 miles an hour, while the vehicle looked like any one of the NASCAR sanctioned competitors that would vie for domination on the track later that weekend. On the outside, it was completely a different beast under the hood.
Speaker 2:This is topic A NASCAR, and, in case you didn't know what that stood for, it's formerly known as the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing and it's an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that's best known for stock car racing. Of course, you already knew that it is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in the world and one of the largest spectator sport leagues in America. And guess what? It's privately owned and it was founded by Bill France Sr in 1948 and his son, jim France, who's been the CEO since August 2018. The company is headquartered in Daytona Beach, florida, and each year, nascar sanctions over 1,500 races in over 100 tracks in 48 US states, as well as Canada, mexico, brazil and Europe, and I bet you didn't know that. So what am I talking about? Nascar is going electric. And now, before you panic, hold on. Before you panic, let me read you this, because I just heard you say no way, no, how, not ever. I'm going to read this and I'm talking about a article actually in Energy Tech, of all places, and I'm going to read this and I'm talking about a article actually in Energy Tech, of all places, and I'm going to quote this sentence so you can take a breath, calm down. No, the racing series is not going electric car-wise anytime soon, but NASCAR owns about 15 speedways outright and many class A transport trucks and they're actually working with an electrical engineering firm called ABB. They're global and they're based in Sweden and this new partnership that they've got they want to bring evolution of the high performance US electric vehicle technology.
Speaker 2:Basically, nascar is the place where manufacturers raced back in the day. The old saying if you're a certain age you may remember race on Sunday, sell on Monday. That was NASCAR. That came out of NASCAR, every major automaker had a team. Every major automaker was out there, and back in the days, when they say stock car, they meant stock car. They were lightly to heavily modified cars that were off the line, unlike today where at best it's just a hint, they are very highly sophisticated vehicles that bear little resemblance to what you might buy in a showroom today, but still there's still some companies that still race. So what they're looking at this time is through.
Speaker 2:Its new partnership is an example. Let me give you an example. That car, that number 35 car that went around the track. It was driven by Dave Reagan and it was in a three electric motor, 1300 horsepower EV prototype, did 30 laps around the Phoenix Speedway At that speed 155. And it was all alone Saturday in between qualifying laps, racing into the fray to learn more and to create new interest within the most internal combustion engine loving audience in all America. And here's their logic If you can win at NASCAR, if you can win the hearts and minds of those folks at NASCAR that participate, go to NASCAR races, then you can sell it anywhere. The biggest thing is getting all the test sessions in are really the first of firsts. And this EV, this number 35 that was developed, was actually engineered with Ford, gm and Toyota, with the help of ABB. And while, no, it's not going to suddenly change all of a sudden that you're going to see electric cars competing in the NASCAR event You're years away from that.
Speaker 2:But what they want to do is they want to present and present the concept of an EV to these folks who are diehard. They got gas in their veins and oil in their blood. These folk, they want to introduce them. In fact, they had displays there of the new Chevy Equinox EV that folks could go. They talked about the jobs that the new EV industry would bring, basically introducing the public, the NASCAR-loving, gasoline-fueled public, to EVs where they're at, rather than expecting them to walk through a showroom where they probably never will.
Speaker 2:What's happening is NASCAR is electrifying their processes and procedures because NASCAR goes from event to event. They've got logistics going on, so they figure if they can take their operating systems, their vehicles, everything that makes NASCAR NASCAR to make it happen and convert those, they can get some benefit Because they'll tell you in a minute they want to explore cleaner energy outcomes, such as LED lighting, energy efficiency, electrification of transport and equipment and even microgrids in the future. They tell you that NASCAR is actually also a logistical business. We're focusing on decarbonization, starting with our facilities, and they're in the third year. In the first year, working with ABB, they cut emissions 15% in some operations Year one and they expect it to get better. They expect it to get more aggressive and they want to introduce the public to what they're doing and start to educate the public about the possibilities of EVs, even while pushing the boundaries of EV performance through NASCAR tracks. So it's a win-win-win all the way around. So NASCAR is not going EV tomorrow They just want to introduce you to it.
Speaker 2:Next we take a look how ransomware groups operate.
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Speaker 2:Do you listen to podcasts? Seems that most people do. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. If you've missed any of our weekly episodes on the radio, our podcast is a great way to listen. You can find the Tech Mobility Podcast just about anywhere you can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us From Apple Podcasts, iHeartradio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter the Tech Mobility Podcast in 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 of the Tech Mobility Show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility, technology news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out.
Speaker 2:The Oxford Dictionary defines ransomware as a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. While some simple ransomware may lock the system without damaging any files, more advanced malware uses a technique called cryptoviral extortion. It encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and then demands a ransom payment to decrypt them. In a properly implemented crypto-viral extortion attack, recovering the files without the description key is an intractable problem and difficult to trace. Digital currencies such as PaySafeCard or Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are used for ransoms making tracing and prosecuting the perpetrators difficult. Ransoms making tracing and prosecuting the perpetrators difficult.
Speaker 2:Ransomware remains an ever-present operational, financial and reputational risk to business and organizations. This his topic B. It is not enough these days that ransomware locks up your computer. Locks up your computer, they actually, in what they call double extortion, download your information, encrypt it and then block you, meaning that even no matter what you do, you're still stuck. You can't decrypt it, even if you choose not to pay them, and they get to double dip you twice. That's not okay.
Speaker 2:Typically, ransomware attacks are carried out using a Trojan horse disguised as a legitimate file that the user is tricked into downloading or operating when it arrives as an email attachment. That's the way it's been always done. However, one high-profile example called the WannaCry worm traveled automatically between computers get this now without user interaction. If that's not enough, the criminals are getting smart and today the folks that developed this stuff usually not the ones that actually enact it Welcome to ransomware as a service. They've actually outsourced the attacks. You got the developers that develop this stuff and they make it available in some outfits they called affiliates. The affiliates carry out the attacks and split the money they get with the developers. Ransomware as a service and if you don't think they're using AI, you got another thought coming. They are getting as sophisticated as the companies developing this new stuff.
Speaker 2:Let me give you some numbers. This one company, securityinfowatchcom, reported get this 913 ransomware breach events. Wait for it. In the second quarter of this year I did not stutter 913. That sounds like a lot and it is. It's actually a 16% drop over the same period last year and the drop in that breach and those breach events is likely due in part to something called Operation Kronos, a law enforcement action led by the UK National Crime Agency which targeted one of the major ransomware groups called LockBit Ransomware as a service.
Speaker 2:Operators such as LockBit reply on networks networks of other malicious hackers known as affiliates to carry out attacks. These operators provide the malware and infrastructure to the affiliates and, like I said earlier, the two sides share the ransom paid. Law enforcement activity tends to disrupt these relationships, and affiliates often change groups following a bust. So, while law enforcement's disruption of LockBit caused disturbances in its affiliate network, they went elsewhere, and this is the chilling part. At one time, it numbered more than 190 affiliates, that's 190 groups using LockBit software to cause mischief and mayhem for money across the planet, and they're just one. They happened to be, until they got shut down, the most prolific and largest ransomware-as-a-service group in the last two years, operation Kronos secretly infiltrated the group's infrastructure and recovered the decryption keys. This is just one of them. Even though they kind of messed them up, they still continued as a ransomware entity, with 122 attacks attributed to the group in the second quarter of the year the highest number of all groups. They keep going and going.
Speaker 2:Let me talk about another group, another ransomware group, because this particular organization, securityinfowatchcom keyed in on three top ransomware as a service groups. What scares me, though, is they know all the software that they use in order to carry these attacks out. That chills me somewhat. This group's called Play. They started in June of 2022, and they stand out as a different group because they don't run an affiliate program. They claim that their ransom payments are tailored to each victim, aligned with their access ability to pay.
Speaker 2:Play's data leak site, where post-stolen data, warns that if a victim doesn't get in contact within three days, their name will be listed on the portal. The group also warns that it will contact the victim's customers and partners, sending them a link to stolen data, and they definitely want to use the double extortion tactic, which means they exfiltrate the data before encrypting it, which means they got your goods, they got your data. They didn't just block you from it, they got it and whatever they decide to do with it, they can extort for even more. From a target perspective, play doesn't prefer industries or locations when choosing victims. They've exploded remote services, including firewall products, virtual private networks and remote desktop protocol connections to gain initial access. Other Play tactics, techniques and procedures include and they talk about SystemBC malware for persistent access, the Cobalt Strike threat emulation software and the PowerShell scripting language for post-compromised lateral movement. This scares me. They know exactly what Play is using. It also uses Mimikatz to extract credentials from memory, adfind and Bloodhound tools for network enumeration and discovery. Stop right there. These folks are researching. This is one ransomware group and they know this much about them to know what they're using. So the big question is why can't you stop them? Why are they even still in business?
Speaker 2:The most recent major group ransomware group is called RansomHub. They came out this year, february and has been one of the most active groups ever since. Our organization well, the organization that we're talking about, that's the securityinfowatchcom recorded 54 attacks by RansomHub across April, may and June alone. Again, they are a ransomware as a service outfit and they claimed victims across a multitude of industries. They demonstrated a clear preference for entities in Europe and the United States. But here's the difference Most of their victims were low-profile entities with low or undisclosed revenues. Why they don't have the money and they don't have the talent to put up robust defenses, meaning they're low-hanging fruit. And this suggests that the group prioritizes or prefers targets that are easier to attack but would likely pay some ransom, targets that are easier to attack but would likely pay some ransom. This they've also claimed to compromise seven organizations with more than a billion dollars in revenues. So they can do it. They're doing. They're hitting harder, fewer targets for more money. It's liable to continue happening.
Speaker 2:These are the top three when it comes to ransomware groups.
Speaker 2:There is a lot of myths out there. I will debunk several n ext, we are the Tech Mobility Show.
Speaker 2:To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings of the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobility. show. That's techmobility. show. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobility. show. Did you know that Tech Mobility has a YouTube channel? Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. Each week, I upload a few short videos of some of the hot topics that I cover during my weekly radio program. I've designed these videos to be informative and entertaining. It's another way to keep up on current mobility and technology news and information. Be sure to watch, like and subscribe to my channel. That's the Tech Mobility Show on YouTube. Check it out.
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Speaker 2:Social media is the place to be these days, and we're no exception. I'm Ken Chester of the Tech Mobility Show. If you enjoy my program, then you will also enjoy my weekly Instagram videos, from the latest vehicle reviews to timely commentary on a variety of mobility and technology-related topics. These short features are designed to inform and delight you Be sure to watch, like and follow us on Instagram. You can find us by typing the Tech Mobility Show in the search bar.
Speaker 2:When it comes to EV batteries, there's plenty of confusion in the marketplace, from simple information, misinformation to that which is just plain 100 wrong. And no matter how you feel about evs whether you're for them, against them, hate them, love them, meh wherever you fall in the spectrum, and EV batteries in particular I want you to have the facts so that you can make up your own mind. I want you to deal that. If you don't like them, you're dealing with facts. If you like them, you're dealing with facts. And if you don't care, you're dealing with facts. I'm going to debunk several of these myths During this segment. This is topic C. There's a lot of myths and dated information Myths during the segment. This is topic C. There's a lot of myths and dated information about EV batteries out there and before I even get into some of the myths, let me just give you the landscape of where we're at right now. If you've been listening to me over the last few years, I told you that battery chemistries will change, the cost of battery storage would fall, the cost of EV batteries would fall, and once the domestic automakers got in and started scaling this stuff up, that they would find cheaper materials to use and drive the cost down. All of that is happening in real time right now and, if you remember, I even told you about some Toyota initiatives where Toyota expects to have a 600 mile range battery in the next two years and by the end of this decade. They're looking at a battery that will go between 900 to 1000 miles000 miles between charges in this decade, and Toyota, unlike some other automakers and I'm talking about Tesla don't usually make wild and unsubstantiated claims. If Toyota says that they're going to do it, put your foot on it. That's happening.
Speaker 2:With that backdrop, let me talk about some of the myths. Let me start with myth number one. Ev batteries are highly complex. They were when they were developed, but EV batteries become less complex over time and many of these components that were new to the automotive industry are now commonplace with proven reliability. Not to mention, remember I told you that the automakers are looking to change out stuff like cobalt and lithium and they're putting in general stuff like iron and, you know, manganese, and they EV battery coal. Yeah, this stuff is happening, and while batteries still represent a high level of engineering complexity, continuous technological progress is making them easier to design, use and understand. Also, like I told you, innovations in battery chemistry, manufacturing processes and even fundamental changes in battery architecture are helping to move complexity.
Speaker 2:Number two, and I'm going to have to walk you through the weeds a little bit: Battery modules are a fundamental part of EV design. In early days, the answer would be yes. Today, automakers are developing platforms that, although would support EV batteries, they're not exclusive to EV batteries, and they're taking a look at these with the advent of their next generation architectures, particularly since the industry's done a hard turn and consumers want hybrids. Since the industry has done a hard turn and consumers want hybrids, nowadays you're most likely to see an automaker that has multiple power trains in a vehicle architecture, which would include, but is not limited to, an EV battery, and the one that comes to mind immediately for me is the Genesis GV70. It is both gasoline and hybrid and EV, but yet looks the same. They've got an architecture, because Hyundai Group has spent billions with AB across Genesis, Hyundai and Kia, to develop that kind of flexibility that they can build anything on anything, whether it's a hybrid, a pure EV or a traditional internal combustion engine. So this is not true anymore. Plus, with new Zelda pack and Zelda chassis designs, they're integrated into the vehicle structure itself, leading to a boost in energy density, available space and a notable reduction in weight and material consumption. So, with this flexibility gives them design flexibility, meaning again, platforms that are not particularly EV dedicated and could be power agnostic between hybrids, EVs and gasoline.
Speaker 2:Here's number three: EV batteries are inherently unsafe. I won't give you the statistics of how many gasoline-powered vehicles catch fire every year, but yes, yes, they are not inherently unsafe. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has actually, on purpose, crashed EVs in an attempt to compromise the EV batteries. Here's what they found. They didn't fail. You've got others, like the UL testing laboratories that we talked about, that actually drill holes into them trying to get them to malfunction, actually drill holes into them, trying to get them to malfunction.
Speaker 2:The EV battery chemistries, ev battery construction and the EV what they call battery management systems, particularly those systems. Everything's getting better and, as a result, these systems are designed to meticulously monitor the battery's charge, temperature and overall health, state of health, soh and intervening to prevent conditions that could lead to safety issues, ie thermal runaway, which is what you typically see. That's very rare, makes for great news. It makes a wonderful clickbait, but rare. And yes, they are crash testing these vehicles right now. They're not catching fire folks, it's not happening, just so you know. The safety of EV batteries have been further improved through the lessons learned from vehicle impacts and battery failures. In other words, they've learned from stuff gone wrong, leading to advances such as smart fuses and fault-isolating internal structures, as well as durable casing materials. In other words, nipping the problem in the bud before it becomes a problem.
Speaker 2:Number four: EV batteries have short lifespans. I got three words for you Reuse, repurpose, recycle. On average, they are now good for at least 10 years, and a lot of EV owners a couple I know have gotten way more than that, and again by the end of the decade and I'm using Toyota as an example because we did a story about it. They're talking about a million miles, 10 to 15 year life. Unlike your internal combustion engine, when it gets to end of life, you scrap it. It's over. You can't repurpose it unless you grind it up. In the case of an EV battery, when it's no longer suitable for a car, it still has 80% of its usable life, meaning that you can repurpose it. Maybe not for a car, but you can repurpose it for stationary issues. You can repurpose it for grid energy storage. Still good, that kind of leads me into number five.
Speaker 2:Ev batteries are hard to recycle. That's not true. They're actually very easy to recycle and folks are finding more and more ways to actually do just that. More and more. If anything, ev batteries may have two or three additional lives after it comes out of the car, which is pretty cool. So yeah, so you know we've come to the end of the visit. Be sure to join me again next time, right here. This has has been the Tech Mobility Show.
Speaker 1:The Tech Mobility Show is a copywritten production of Tech Mobility Productions Inc. Any rebroadcast, retransmission or any other use is prohibited without the written consent of Tech Mobility Productions Inc.
Speaker 1:If Listen to podcasts we have just the one for you.
Speaker 2:Hi, I'm Ken Chester. Tech Mobility Topics is a podcast where I upload topic-specific videos each week. Shorter than a full show, t hese bite-sized programs are just the thing, particularly if you're interested in a particular topic covered on the weekly radio show. From Apple Podcasts to iHeartRadio and many podcast platforms in between, we got you covered. Just enter TechMobility Topics in 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 of the Tech Mobility Show. Several times a week, I post to TikTok several of the topics that I cover on my weekly radio show. It's another way to keep up on mobility technology news and information. I've built quite a library of short videos for your viewing pleasure, so be sure to watch, like and subscribe. That's the Tech Mobility Show on TikTok. Check it out. To learn more about the Tech Mobility Show, start by visiting our website. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. The website is a treasure trove of information about me and the show, as well as where to find it on the radio across the country. Keep up with the happenings at the Tech Mobility Show by visiting techmobility. show. That's techmobility. show. You can also drop us a line at talk at techmobility. show.
Speaker 2:Do you listen to podcasts? Seems that most people do. Hi, I'm Ken Chester, host of the Tech Mobility Show. If you've missed any of our weekly episodes on the radio, our podcast is a great way to listen. You can find the Tech Mobility Podcast just about anywhere you can enjoy podcasts. Be sure to follow us from Apple Podcasts, iheart Radio and many platforms in between. We are there. Just enter the Tech Mobility Podcast in the search bar, wherever you listen to podcasts.
