Automobile Industry

The Half-Truth on Infrastructure at the Heart of the American Jobs Plan

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The Half-Truth on Infrastructure at the Heart of the American Jobs Plan

Here’s a quiz to test your understanding: The American Jobs Plan states that “public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s.” Does this mean:

Here’s a quiz to test your understanding: The American Jobs Plan states that “public domestic investment as a share of the economy has fallen by more than 40 percent since the 1960s.” Does this mean:

a. The U.S. spends less money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s.

b. When adjusted for inflation, the U.S. spends less money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s.

c. The U.S. spends more money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s, even when adjusted for inflation, but that amount has not kept up with the size of the economy.

d. The U.S. spends more money on infrastructure today than it did in the 1960s, even when adjusted for inflation, even as a portion of the size of the economy, but all that old infrastructure is depreciating more quickly than we are increasing new infrastructure spending.

 

Planet Money : NPR

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About Your Extended Warranty : Planet Money : NPR

Calls about auto warranties or similar guarantees are a constant pain for phone users. But what are these warranties? And why are they not only still around, but seemingly bigger than ever? Today on the show, we dive into the history of this industry and these calls. How they started, got big, and why they persist to this day.

Radar makes the GREEN LIGHT longer?

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Every stop light on the planet has "A BAD PLACE" which makes you feel awkward and more likely to crash. Technology acts is a life guard who throws you a pretty cool life preserver: A longer green light!

CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock – Speed Society

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CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock – Speed Society

Industry reports say that the average catalytic converter thief needs nothing more than thirty seconds and a battery-powered saw blade to strip your vehicle of its converter. Usually containing palladium, platinum, and/or rhodium, a stolen catalytic converter can fetch thieves a pretty penny, not to mention cost you up to $1,000 in total repair costs to get it replaced. Protect yourself by neutralizing that saw and prolonging those precious seconds with the CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock.

It is absolutely nuts that it's come down to this, especially in some cities.

Reliability impacts cities’ budgets for EV charging | Smart Cities Dive

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Reliability impacts cities’ budgets for EV charging | Smart Cities Dive

For cities, this means that if they haven't been doing so already, they need to prepare for the inevitable: EVs will become the predominant vehicle type on their roads, from public transit to personal vehicles. Residents will need ample opportunities to charge and, with that, a reliable charging experience that reinforces EVs as convenient and accessible. Cities are ground zero for successful charging deployments

Cities are key to ensuring the continued adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure. There are a lot of factors for key decision-makers to consider when choosing the right technology and policies for a successful charging deployment: what types of EVs are prevalent, what are the best locations to deploy stations, whether the stations will be used for quick charges or overnight sessions, and the travel patterns of residents, to name a few.

Beyond this, when cities also prioritize policies that ensure a high-quality charging experience for drivers and fleet operators, along with proper stewardship of public dollars, everyone benefits. So, what is the best way to do this? Instituting high-reliability requirements, for one, as it will immensely reduce maintenance and operation costs over a station's lifetime and ensure a city's public dollars are well spent.