Recent content by Alan Burns

I did not know the hydrogen power would be a chemical reaction rather than an ICE. I had high hopes for hydrogen powered some years ago but somehow things have stalled out. I am not sure adding EVs is going to revitalize hydrogen power to extend the range of batteries. The space and weight used...

Now you get to hunt down two non standard fuel sources. There is also the internal combustion hardware for the hydrogen fuel and fuel storage. Can we spell Hindenberg? The same. carriage packs the source of a large electrical fire and a destructive chemical explosion. I think I will purchase...

The Nokian tires studless snow tires I see at my local dealer are sourced from Russia. I just bought some Toyo all season tires made in Tennessee. Alan Missoula

It will be AS tires for me. You will not find me doing donuts in grass lands nor driving through stream beds which are fragile aquatic ecosystems. Alan Missoula

A second option might be to drive north into Canada then drive west on the transcan to Calgary and swing south into Montana.

I am buying a road vehicle. My first trip will be from Normal, Il to Missoula, MT via Duluth. That means driving the length of the Dakotas and 2/3 the length of Montana were there is a dearth of charging stations. I expect in 18-24 months it will be a different situation. Some of the chain gas...

A gasoline generator back up sort of defeats the whole idea of an electric vehicle and it would not be small and compact. High speed charging systems are now 400 volt systems but EVs are built to handle 800 volt charging which will drop charging times notably. Why do you think every charge...

I wonder about that super hard rolled stainless steel. Musk says the truck is angular account the steel cannot be stamped in any normal press without breaking the press. Are there any body shops who can repair a fender bender? Is there anyway to repair the unfinished stainless steel after a...

At the Seattle open house I was told Cox would be at Normal to take care of all the title transfer paperwork and arrange a temporary paper license plate to drive across state to get to my home state. Cox can also handle trade ins and financing if needed. My guess is once we get notice of the...

My thought is to board AMTK #8 the Empire Builder and relax in a sleeper between Whitefish, MT to the Chicago, Il. There I can check in with Rivian to see what they have set up for lodging, meals and transportation. There will be sales papers and registration policies to finalize. Next is to...

Kia is advertising an across the line 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles have far fewer parts than any Kia so why can't Rivian shoot to match that warranty? Alan Missoula

I asked at Seattle and was told Cox would handle leasing, financing, trade ins and registration at purchase. Alan

After more thought, it seems we have a mix of right siders and left siders so choosing one side or the other is going to make charging uncomfortable for the other users. A second charging location also provides a back up charger if one charger has an electrical or mechanical failure. The backup...

Why not build the vehicles with 2 charging ports, one on each side of the front so the driver is set no matter where they park the vehicle? Alan Missoula

Tire options? The Pirelli tires featured with the traveling R1T and R1S vehicles are far more aggressive than anything I will ever need. Will it be possible to order Pirelli Zero tires installed from the factory to better meet my driving needs and perhaps increase the vehicle range? Thanks...