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News

(Really) distant charging: Electric Skoda vs the Sahara

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I believe its mechanics have by no means encountered an EV, so I’m cautious after I flip onto the desert observe that results in the camp. Still, the Enyaq has four-wheel drive and it could be a disgrace to not use it. And whereas it’s completely not a devoted off-roader, it copes with the free gravel and shifting sand with ease.

With the solar low within the sky and the temperature dropping sooner than the cost within the Enyaq Coupé, I attain camp. It’s not as primary because it sounds: my tent has a correct mattress, rest room and electrical energy. Although, provided that the facility cuts out sufficient to make charging a laptop computer difficult, you realise the infrastructure is a way from with the ability to address EVs.

Our berber hosts serve up a tajine, supplemented by bread baked within the embers of the campfire. It’s an historical custom, though they use their telephone flashlights to test if the bread is cooked. Modern tech benefiting an historical way of life? There’s an EV metaphor in there someplace. But it has been an extended day and I need to stand up early for the desert dawn.

No EV charging past this level

The early begin is value it, each for the spectacular dawn and the looks of a prepare of camels introduced by the berbers. Camels are famously environment friendly: they’ll eat tons of of litres of water in minutes, then go greater than every week with out ingesting. Fast charging and unimaginable effectivity? There’s one other aspirational EV metaphor in there someplace.

I reached the Sahara with slightly below 50% cost left, however this isn’t a spot to push it. And why do this after I can go to the Sbai Palace n M’Hamid? It has a pool, glorious Moroccan tea, free wi-fi – and a pair of 22kW EV chargers.

Full disclosure: the chargers are right here due to Skoda UK, which put in them on the desert lodge to make this journey simpler. But credit score to the lodge’s proprietor for agreeing, anticipating that they may increase his Tripadvisor rating in future.

News, Technology

Elon Musk Announces Controversial Change to Twitter

Elon Musk has recently made a decision that has sparked strong opposition from Twitter users who find the block feature to be essential. The block feature is widely recognized as an important tool for combating abuse on social media platforms, including Twitter. Contrary to Musk’s viewpoint, blocking a user on Twitter provides comprehensive protection by making the entire profile invisible to the blocked user, which includes tweets, likes, and retweets. In contrast, the “Mute” option only prevents users from seeing tweets.

Interestingly, before taking over Twitter, Musk was a strong advocate for the block feature and frequently used it to block accounts that criticized him. It seems that he never considered using the mute option instead. However, Musk’s stance changed in February 2023 when he unblocked everyone on the platform and encouraged others to do the same.

While the consequences of Musk’s decision to remove the block feature are still uncertain, many users believe it could contribute to the downfall of Twitter. It has also been brought to attention that Musk’s choice may conflict with Apple’s App Store policies, potentially leading to the removal of the Twitter app (now X) from Apple’s platform. Given these circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Musk will proceed with his decision and risk being de-platformed by Apple.

Cars

Ranking of Major Car Battery Brands, from Worst to Best

Walmart’s store brand, Everstart, is known for its affordability in the lead-acid battery varieties. However, some buyers have reported issues with reliability and short lifespan. Nevertheless, Everstart has received positive reviews on Walmart’s website and offers a wide range of battery sizes.

Everstart’s Value line is designed to be a very low-cost battery that can get the job done in an emergency. The cold cranking amps may be lower compared to other batteries, for example, the Everstart Value Group 65 is rated at 650 CCA compared to the Maxx’s 850. Additionally, the warranty for the Value line is only for one year. However, most stores and online retailers offer a variety of group sizes for this line. If cost is the main concern, Everstart Value batteries are priced below a hundred dollars for most group sizes.

The Everstart Maxx battery is considered a good compromise between performance and price. It offers good value for the money spent. One notable advantage of the Everstart Maxx is its three-year warranty, which adds to its overall value. This warranty can be especially beneficial for those who live near a Walmart store, as exchanging a failed battery is as simple as visiting the store with the battery core and a receipt. However, this option only works if there is an Auto Center on-site to test the battery.

While Everstart does offer an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) option, it is worth noting that most other brands on this list offer better alternatives at a similar price point.