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California lawmakers are expected to approve a proposal to reclassify Uber drivers and other contract workers in the state as employees, giving them more rights and benefits at employers’ expense.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Victor Cuevas )
via NPR Topics: News https://ift.tt/2m0CM10
September 5, 2019 at 02:31PM
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/09/05/volkswagen-eclassics-e-beetle-electric-conversion-official/
When Volkswagen revealed the ID. Buggy, it also noted that the company was looking into producing electric powertrains for specialty companies that could build unique EVs similar to the Buggy. Now we get to see one of the fruits of VW’s efforts with the eBeetle, or eKäfer in German. It has been developed in part with a Stuttgart-based EV conversion company called eClassics. Classic VWs converted to electricity aren’t new, but the fact that this uses a complete VW electric powertrain is.
Replacing the air-cooled flat-four-cylinder engine is the electric motor and single-speed transmission from the VW e-Up! That motor produces 81 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. That’s significantly more than any Beetle had new. The eBeetle is heavier than a gas-powered Beetle, though, with a curb weight of 2,822 pounds. A large portion of that is likely due to the 36.8-kWh battery pack, which is slightly less than twice as much capacity as the e-Up! that shares its powertrain. Interestingly, the new powertrain appears to have freed up some cargo space in the back, with the motor assembly hidden behind a metal panel.
Volkswagen says the eBeetle should be able to go from 0 to 50 mph in a bit over 8 seconds, which isn’t fast, but is pretty solid for a classic Bug. It has a top speed of 93 mph and an estimated range of 124 miles. It also features DC fast charging capability, so it can pick up a 75% charge in about an hour from a fast charger.
If you want one of these electric Beetles with VW hardware, you’ll have to get in touch with eClassics in Germany. But we expect availability of aftermarket VW electric powertrains will increase over time, as the company is committed to this sector. It’s apparently working on a package for the VW Bus, and it hasn’t ruled out developing a version for Porsche 356 sports cars. The company also said it would look into using MEB components in the future, which are the bits being used for the soon-to-be-revealed ID.3, Buzz, et al. There’s more potential performance in the MEB parts, too, as the base ID.3 is expected to have 168 horsepower, and variations are supposed to have even more grunt.
If going to Germany or waiting for more VW-supported conversion availability doesn’t work, there are other companies offering ways to convert air-cooled Volkswagens. Zelectric offers complete, turnkey conversions, though they’re a bit pricey. For DIY-ers, EV West has a selection of complete kits and EV components to create your own electric VW, as well as a number of other vehicles.
via Autoblog https://ift.tt/1afPJWx
September 5, 2019 at 10:27AM
https://www.wired.com/story/this-huge-electric-dump-truck-never-needs-to-plug-in
There’s an electric dump truck that’s all over the internet right now: It’s called the eDumper. What’s so great about an electric dump truck? Beyond being electric, there are two cool things about it. First, it’s huge—HUGE. It has a weight of 45 tons. Second, it doesn’t need an external power source to charge the batteries. It charges itself by moving a bunch of rocks down an incline. That is indeed awesome. But how does it work?
One feature of this electric dump truck is it uses is regenerative braking. Actually, many electric vehicles do this. It’s a way for the vehicle to recover some energy as it slows down. Here’s how it works.
Let’s start by considering an electric motor. If you have electric current running through a wire, it creates a magnetic field. Since the electric current makes a magnetic field, it will interact with other magnetic fields—like the one a permanent magnet creates. By forming this wire into a loop, you can get a torque on this current so that it spins. Boom. That’s an electric motor. Here, you can build one yourself—it’s not too difficult.
Rhett Allain
Rhett Allain
But wait! There’s more. If you reverse this process, you can turn this motor into a generator. (A changing magnetic field will create an electric current.) Take a look at this short demonstration. By moving this magnet into a coil of wire, the changing magnetic field makes a current that is measured by this sensitive current meter.
Rhett Allain
Rhett Allain
A rotating coil of wire is perfect in this case because you need a changing magnetic field to generate current. As the coil flips over, the magnetic field through the coil changes—that’s exactly what you need. But there you go, an electric motor and an electric generator are the same thing. It just depends on how you use it. If you run current through it, it will turn and you get a motor. If you turn the coil, you get current.
via Wired Top Stories https://ift.tt/2uc60ci
September 5, 2019 at 09:03AM
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/divinity-original-sin-2-has-cross-saves-between-sw/1100-6469650/
Nintendo and Larian Studios announced and surprise-released Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Nintendo Switch today, September 4, and it includes what could be the first instance of a particular feature.
The game supports cross-saves between Nintendo Switch and Steam on PC. That is a big deal because it appears to be the first, or among the first Switch games, to allow that.
With cross-saves, people can play at home on PC and then pick up where they left off on Switch when they’re out and about. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a very long game, so those who started on PC but didn’t finish, and now want to play on Switch, can do so as well keeping their saves.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is out now on Switch, so players can start taking advantage of the cross-save functionality right away. For now, Divinity: Original Sin 2 only supports cross-saves between Switch and PC; there is no cross-save support with PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
All Divinity: Original Sin 2 players are getting a special treat, as Larian Studios is handing out a "Gift Bag" of free DLC on every platform. The new gift bag, which follows a previous release earlier this year, comes with new recipes and items to craft, a new icon on the hotbar that lets you toggle sprint on and off, and an "Animal Empathy" feature that lets you talk to animals without spending talent points to do. Also new in the DLC is a Magic Mirror, located in the Arena of Fort Joy, that lets you respect before moving to a new act of the game. On top of this, Larian is giving everyone an increase to their base maximum action points to 8. Finally, there is now a herb garden in the game that players can use to grow plants.
For more on the September Nintendo Direct, check out all the big news in our recap.
Nintendo Direct September 2019 News
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September 4, 2019 at 07:16PM
