Hydrogen Fuel Cell is the New Thing

Hydrogen Fuel Cells are the newest source of power for all-electric cars.

Already used in factories and space, the fuel source’s attributes read like a dream list.

I speak with Hyundai about it, because their hydrogen-powered Tucson SUV was the first-to-market.

Read it online at Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Think I did a good job explaining something complicated:

In science-speak, electricity is released during the chemical reaction caused by combining two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule. That electricity is fed into a battery, which then powers the electric motor. When two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen are mixed, H20 (water) is created, which is what is emitted from the tailpipe, and why it’s considered a zero-emissions engine.

The problem is a lack of fuel-delivery infrastructure.  Because when did you last see a hydrogen refuelling station?  Exactly.

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See also: I don’t like Hybrids

 

 

Dispelling Fears about Car Hacking

Real brief: the problem is cars operate on the CAN bus network, which was designed in the 1980s, when the internet didn’t exist. Learn about CAN here.

Speaking with Chris Valasek, physical access is still required to hack the car. For now. (I’d try coming in via Bluetooth.)

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

That’s how car hacking works: the system doesn’t ask where the message came from or who sent it, it just accepts and executes it.

Plus the ending, because it’s true.

To attack, it’d be more efficient to roll that newspaper into a baton, than go after the target’s car.

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Blog tag = auto security

 

 

Ranking Canada’s Cities as “Pedestrian-Friendly”

A company ranks Canadian cities by their “walkability” scores:

  1. Vancouver (78)
  2. Toronto (71)
  3. Montreal (70)
  4. Hamilton (51)
  5. Brampton (48)
  6. Calgary (48)

For sure not my most interesting column.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

For a barometer, the highest-ranked city in the world is New York City, scoring an 88/100.

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It’s Far Tougher to Get Licensed in Germany

Over there they’re taught to drive,
here we’re taught to pass a test.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

There has to be something to Germany’s methods if its drivers are travelling at twice the speed, but with a lower accident rate.

I also like how it’s more expensive, because people tend to take things more seriously when they have to pony up big bucks.

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Screaming through Newfoundland’s Suburbs

That time I was a factory driver for Nissan in the week-long
2014 Targa Newfoundland Rally.

I blogged everyday while competing, here’s the blog tag – Targa

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Imagine a historic town is shut down and roped off into a complex driving course. You drive through it as fast as you can, the police don’t care, and you do this 10 times a day. That’s Targa Newfoundland.

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Total video-game courses.

Thank you sincerely, to the people of Newfoundland, for opening your province and allowing me to almost smash into your homes.

I had the best co-driver, Michel Crepault; we were an excellent match.

See, math camp:

The Micra was stock; I kicked the crap out of it and it was fine.

Enter the lowest class.. there’s no competition, you just get to take advantage of the closed roads in your own car.

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