Two most interesting tweets in the past hour or so:
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Tesla Twitter -- February 24, 2018
There is a most interesting phenomenon on Twitter right now -- someone is tweeting multiple times daily regarding Tesla.
Two most interesting tweets in the past hour or so:
Nissan Leaf, Smyrna facility, Tennessee:
Sent to me by a reader a few days ago:
Two most interesting tweets in the past hour or so:
Update On US Gasoline Production; Days Of Supply; Crude Oil Production; And, Days Of Supply -- February 24, 2018
Back on June, 25, 2016, I noted that "an eagle-eyed reader noted that the US set a new gasoline production record": 10,289,000 bbls of gasoline/day during June, 2016. At that post, I made the comment: look how few times US crude oil production exceeded 10 million b/d.
Now look how often the US exceeds 10 million b/d of gasoline production:
The other graph that continues to amaze me is the trend of gasoline production over time. I thought with all those EVs that Elon Musk is selling and the stricter CAFE standards, gasoline production should be trending down. There is not even a suggestion that gasoline production will be trending down any time soon.
I could be wrong, but I believe "produced gasoline" includes gasoline that will be exported. But for the moment, the amount of gasoline being exported is a relative "drop in the bucket" vs the amount of gasoline that is being produced.
Days of crude oil supply is trending in the correct direction for those looking for re-balancing, but I think it's too early to say a) if the trend will continue; and, b) if it continues, how quickly it will return to 24 days of supply (which is still greater than the 18 - 20 days one might like to see.
Now look how often the US exceeds 10 million b/d of gasoline production:
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US Crude Oil
Days of crude oil supply is trending in the correct direction for those looking for re-balancing, but I think it's too early to say a) if the trend will continue; and, b) if it continues, how quickly it will return to 24 days of supply (which is still greater than the 18 - 20 days one might like to see.
The Status Of EVs In The US -- Commentary -- February 24, 2018
Overnight I spent a lot of time -- at least fifteen minutes, LOL -- looking at various issues regarding EVs. Below the graphic I have a very small sample of the articles I read.
Based on that "research," this is my 30-second elevator speech, with regard to EVs in the US:
Further reading:
Playing devil's advocate, if I have a VIN and a receipt that shows I've bought the car, that should be enough for the credit. Most folks never pay cash for an automobile; they may make a downpayment but after that, the bank or credit union "owns" the car. Tesla could certainly argue they have sold a car, but while waiting for delivery, the buyer has an interest free loan which is not "triggered" until the buyer actually takes possession of the car.
Based on that "research," this is my 30-second elevator speech, with regard to EVs in the US:
- short term the Chevy Bolt (or alternatively, one of the Ford EVs) is going to be the #1 EV sold in the US (short-term -- five years)
- long term, Tesla, if it survives, will be a niche player at best (but I don't see it surviving)
- by 2019, it will be obvious that the phase-out of the federal credits will benefit foreign auto-makers, the phase-out will hurt domestic automakers (GM and Ford); both political parties will agree
- extending the EV federal credit is a budget killer -- but that won't stop Congress from extending the EV federal credit; there's a case for extending the credit indefinitely but Congress seldom does anything "indefinitely"
- publicly accessible charging stations are the "Achilles heel" for EVs; until this problem is solved; the US won't reach the kick-off point in the "S" curve of adoption
Further reading:
- US federal $7,500 electric vehicle credit expiry date by automaker, Inside EVs, January, 2017
- Tesla delays, tax credit concerns spur sales of Chevy Bolts, US News, February 16, 2018
- Elective vehicle tax credit survives, but GM and Tesla aren't cheering, NY Times Business Day, January 11, 2018
- Tesla expects to hit cap for federal tax credits in 2018; milestone to trigger phaseout of key consumer, Automotive News, updated February 23, 2018
- Chicago could see 80,000 electric cars by 2030; fast-charging stations cost upwards of $100,000; WTTW, February 22, 2018
Each independent automaker’s eligible plug-in vehicles receive a federal credit (up to $7,500) federal credit – until the 200,000th plug-in is registered inside the US, when a countdown for phaseout of the credit begins.
At the time of the 200,000th sales, and so as not to disrupt/confuse those buying the EVs, that full $7,500 credit continues through the end of the current quarter and to the completion of the next quarter. After this period ends the “phase-out” begins, meaning the credit is reduced to $3,750 for the next 6 months, then to $1,875 for the next 6 months before expiring completely.
During any part of the phase-out process (between sale #200,000 and the calendar expiry date), the OEM is free to BUILD AND SELL AS MANY EVS as they can/want, receiving the applicable incentive amount.Question: "at the time of the 200,000th sale...." Does a thousand-dollar deposit constitute a sale? If so, one could argue that a million orders/deposits during the six-month phaseout could count as sales (remember -- one can get batch VINs from the government even if cars have not yet been built). If one has a receipt for a "sale" would that be enough for the IRS/credit? Obviously the IRS is not going to go out to your house to check to see if you have a Tesla in your garage.
Playing devil's advocate, if I have a VIN and a receipt that shows I've bought the car, that should be enough for the credit. Most folks never pay cash for an automobile; they may make a downpayment but after that, the bank or credit union "owns" the car. Tesla could certainly argue they have sold a car, but while waiting for delivery, the buyer has an interest free loan which is not "triggered" until the buyer actually takes possession of the car.
Shadenfreude! Update On The Shaden -- February 24, 2018
For those tracking the Shaden, last reported position:
Destination, port of Rizhao, Shandong Province, China:
Something tells me our grandchildren and their children are going to know the geography of China as well as their grandparents knew the geography of western Europe.
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February 26, 2018
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February 23, 2018
Destination, port of Rizhao, Shandong Province, China:
Something tells me our grandchildren and their children are going to know the geography of China as well as their grandparents knew the geography of western Europe.
Global Warming Hits Great Britain, England -- February 24, 2018; Top Ten US Cities Ranked By Percent Millennials
Millennials: the ten US cities where millennials want to live -- in reverse order, #10 to number 1 --
I couldn't understand how San Antonio made the list, but when you look at how the list was derived it makes sense. From the article:
I find it interesting that two Colorado cities made the list, and not only that, they took the gold and bronze spots.
This may be a better analysis, although not limited to millennials. From Mark Perry over at Carpe Diem:
We noted this was going to happen earlier this week. From iceagenow:
I forget which year it was, but back in 2011 - 2013, England experienced an energy crisis; the country came within 24 (maybe 48 hours) of literally running out of heating fuel, natural gas, and coal. It was a "miracle" that the weather "turned" in the nick of time.
When I first heard that President Trump wanted a military parade I was aghast. That seemed to be the most stupid idea I had ever heard. But now that I know more of the details, I am absolutely, positively excited about the idea. This is going to be a big, big deal. Peggy Noonan, February 8, 2018, had an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. I saw the headline; did not read the article. If the headline reflected Noonan's thoughts, she's wrong again. We'll let the facts speak for themselves come November.
Don identified this hawk for me; greatly appreciated: a northern goshawk. I have never seen a mouse a rat, or a stray cat in this apartment complex.
10. SeattleMost surprising: not one California city listed -- no San Francisco, no Newport Beach, no Malibu, no San Diego. Other states that did not make the list that surprised me: Massachusetts (Boston); Connecticut; Idaho; Montana; North Carolina; Georgia (Atlanta); DC (Washington).
9. Florida, Sarasota
7. Texas, Houston (tie)
7. Florida, Cape Coral (tie)
6. Texas, Austin
5. Hawaii, Honolulu
4. Florida, Orlando
3. Colorado, Denver
2. Texas, San Antonio
1. Colorado, Colorado Springs
I couldn't understand how San Antonio made the list, but when you look at how the list was derived it makes sense. From the article:
New data from the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program reveals the 10 US metropolitan areas whose populations of millennials — defined as people born between 1981 and 1997 — have increased the most from 2010 to 2015. For the 10 cities on the list, we've calculated the approximate number of millennials living there using millennial population percentages provided by Brookings, as well as U.S. Census data on the population of each metro area from 2015.
There are clear winners, with Texas and Florida each being represented by three of the cities in the top 10.Colorado Springs and Austin make sense, I suppose. I don't know enough about Florida to comment. I wonder if "aging in place in gentrifying neighborhoods" might explain why New England did not make the list.
I find it interesting that two Colorado cities made the list, and not only that, they took the gold and bronze spots.
This may be a better analysis, although not limited to millennials. From Mark Perry over at Carpe Diem:
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Global Warming Hits Europe
We noted this was going to happen earlier this week. From iceagenow:
The Met Office has issued an amber cold weather alert and two yellow severe weather warnings for snow.
The snow warnings for Monday and Tuesday cover London and the south east, parts of the Midlands and most of eastern Britain.
Some areas could see five to 10 cm of snow, other areas may experience much lighter flurries.
Minimum temperatures next week are forecast between -5C to -8C. However, according to Met Office meteorologist Martin Bowles, “The feels-like temperature will be 5C lower than what we see on the thermometer because of a strong easterly wind chill.”This "cold snap" is forecast to extend unto the continent as far south as Italy.
“We haven’t had temperatures that low in late February since 2013. It’s not unheard of. There are records that are lower than that. “But it is quite unusual, particularly as it’s quite late in the season.”
I forget which year it was, but back in 2011 - 2013, England experienced an energy crisis; the country came within 24 (maybe 48 hours) of literally running out of heating fuel, natural gas, and coal. It was a "miracle" that the weather "turned" in the nick of time.
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Trump's Military Parade
When I first heard that President Trump wanted a military parade I was aghast. That seemed to be the most stupid idea I had ever heard. But now that I know more of the details, I am absolutely, positively excited about the idea. This is going to be a big, big deal. Peggy Noonan, February 8, 2018, had an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal. I saw the headline; did not read the article. If the headline reflected Noonan's thoughts, she's wrong again. We'll let the facts speak for themselves come November.
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At The Apartment Complex, Dallas, TX
Don identified this hawk for me; greatly appreciated: a northern goshawk. I have never seen a mouse a rat, or a stray cat in this apartment complex.
Saturday -- February 24, 2018
Wow, lots to talk about, much to catch up on.
List of things to do today for the blog.
From a reader overnight: Arizona (and Texas too) looking better by the minute: this pdf will load:
Sorry for the delay in posting. Also, I deleted that original post since it was no longer applicable (about me being off the net for family commitments).
Our two older granddaughters and their dad flew to Colorado last night to go skiing this weekend; they will love the weather report. Thank you.
Link the global warming story in Europe this week.
Link Warren Buffett's annual letter (it should load as a pdf). I've read the first 15 pages of 248 pages. It is amazing how much I find useful in that letter -- in just the first 15 pages.
Update on coal.
EVs, tax credits, and all that jazz.
Finish updating the NDIC hearing dockets for March and April, 2018.
Post the top Bakken stories for the week.
Link a short throwaway on the "basics of crude oil classification."
Take a look at US gasoline demand.
Take a look at this post again, now that more time has passed. US vehicle miles driven in 2017 have been posted; an increase of 0.7% year-over-year. Updated here.
Take a look at Mexico's gasoline imports.
Comment on that military parade. Again, Peggy Noonan was wrong. As are all the rest.
Past top ten cities where millennials want to live. #1 and #2 will really, really surprise you. At least I was surprised.
Correct a gazillion typos on the blog. Again, a huge thanks to readers for not sending e-mail every time you spot a typo. My in-box would be overflowing.
What we will be talking about next week.
Make coffee.
Stop by QT to get a $1.49 maple bar.
Watch Sophia at gymnastics and swimming class this morning.
Don identified this hawk for me; greatly appreciated: a northern goshawk. I have never seen a mouse a rat, or a stray cat in this apartment complex.
List of things to do today for the blog.
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Global Warming Hits The US
From a reader overnight: Arizona (and Texas too) looking better by the minute: this pdf will load:
Sorry for the delay in posting. Also, I deleted that original post since it was no longer applicable (about me being off the net for family commitments).
Our two older granddaughters and their dad flew to Colorado last night to go skiing this weekend; they will love the weather report. Thank you.
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To Do List -- Today
To Do List -- Today
Link the global warming story in Europe this week.
Link Warren Buffett's annual letter (it should load as a pdf). I've read the first 15 pages of 248 pages. It is amazing how much I find useful in that letter -- in just the first 15 pages.
Update on coal.
EVs, tax credits, and all that jazz.
Finish updating the NDIC hearing dockets for March and April, 2018.
Post the top Bakken stories for the week.
Link a short throwaway on the "basics of crude oil classification."
Take a look at US gasoline demand.
Take a look at this post again, now that more time has passed. US vehicle miles driven in 2017 have been posted; an increase of 0.7% year-over-year. Updated here.
Take a look at Mexico's gasoline imports.
Comment on that military parade. Again, Peggy Noonan was wrong. As are all the rest.
Past top ten cities where millennials want to live. #1 and #2 will really, really surprise you. At least I was surprised.
Correct a gazillion typos on the blog. Again, a huge thanks to readers for not sending e-mail every time you spot a typo. My in-box would be overflowing.
What we will be talking about next week.
Make coffee.
Stop by QT to get a $1.49 maple bar.
Watch Sophia at gymnastics and swimming class this morning.
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In Our Apartment Complex
Don identified this hawk for me; greatly appreciated: a northern goshawk. I have never seen a mouse a rat, or a stray cat in this apartment complex.