THE MORNING RANT: Periodic Roundup of the EV Follies

THE MORNING RANT: Periodic Roundup of the EV Follies – 01/30/2026

Electric School Bus Fire - Los Angeles - Dec 2025.png

The Climate Punishments Are Visited Upon the Children

Among the most ludicrous sacraments of climate cultists is the abolition of gas and diesel powered school buses in favor of electric buses. It’s children who pay the price, because EV school buses have limited range, an inability to function properly in dangerously cold weather, and a proclivity to burst into flames at any moment.

Along the shores of Lake Erie in upstate New York, school kids have been denied heat on their school bus rides. The buses’ electric batteries don’t have enough of a charge to cover their routes while also providing heat in sub-freezing weather.

“Parents raise concerns over heat issues in electric school buses in Lake Shore Central School District” [WIVB – 12/18/2025]

On the heels of a statewide mandate requiring all school bus purchases in New York State be electric by 2027, parents in the Lake Shore Central School District are speaking out, claiming some bus drivers are turning the heat down, or off completely, in an attempt to conserve battery life on their electric school buses.
The kids are coming home saying their bus is freezing cold and the parents are giving them hand warmers. “The heaters on the bus run off the same electricity as the bus itself,” said Scott Ziobro, a former school board candidate and parent who has children who go to school in the district. “They were told that it drains the battery capacity of the bus itself.”

Meanwhile across the country in Los Angeles: “Electric school bus catches fire in Los Angeles, driver hospitalized” [KTLA – 12/10/2025]

The header picture is the electric Blue Bird school bus that spontaneously combusted into a runaway thermal fire. Fortunately, no children were on the bus. Unfortunately, the driver of the bus had to be hospitalized. A short video of the fire is below. The high priests of the Climate Church are more than willing to sacrifice your children in such a conflagration to appease their angry climate God.

Blue Bird’s electric buses were subsequently recalled for loose electrical cables: “Manufacturer behind LAUSD's electric school buses issues voluntary recall” [NBC Los Angeles – 01/23/2026]

I have previously written about how Blue Bird has abandoned traditional market capitalism for a form of corporate communism, in which the government taxes citizens and redistributes the confiscated wealth to favored enterprises. Specifically, Blue Bird received an $80 million grant from the federal government during the Biden administration to manufacture electric buses. This was not for the purchase of buses - it was just an $80 million handout. On top of that, the government also granted billions of dollars to school districts to buy electric school buses. At $375k per bus, that was about three times the price of normal school buses. Blue Bird received hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, which was all redistributed from taxpayers and passed through school districts to Blue Bird by the federal government. And like any communist command-and-control manufacturer, Blue Bird’s school buses are about as functional as Soviet-era Trabants and Ladas.

*****

Park Your Electric Volvo ~~Car Bomb~~ EX30 Safely Away from Structures

Do electric car buyers find it prestigious to receive a notification that their EV is such an unstable bomb that it must be parked outside and far away from structures? I hope they do, because that seems to be part of the ownership experience for EVs manufactured by legacy auto companies.

Volvo is the latest legacy auto manufacturer to warn its EV customers that their product is so dangerous that it cannot be parked in a garage. Even worse, the range of a fully charged EX30 is stated at about 250 miles, but Volvo is now warning that it is dangerous to charge the battery more than 70%, reducing the range to about 175 miles, at best, in ideal weather conditions.

“Faulty Chinese Batteries Could Set Your Electric Volvo on Fire” [Auto Blog – 01/13/2026]

If you own a 2025 Volvo EX30, the Swedish automaker wants you to park your subcompact crossover outside due to a fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a recall for the EV after it was determined that some examples of the EX30 have high-voltage batteries potentially susceptible to short-circuiting and overheating. Thus, owners are advised to “park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 70% until the recall repair is complete.”

*****

Volkswagen’s Cascading EV Woes

As I wrote about recently, the Tennessee-built Volkswagen ID.4 is the slowest selling car in the United States, and production has been suspended. Though unwanted and unnecessary, the electric ID.4 was at least capable of fulfilling its basic role as a commuter car.

But VW has also been marketing another EV in the U.S. that is another massive flop – an electric camper van called the ID.Buzz that is an homage to the VW Microbus of decades past. But unlike the inexpensive Microbus, the modern electric camper van has such limited range between charges that wilderness camping is off limits. If you want to go camping in an ID.Buzz, the best place to do so is in your own driveway, since even in perfect weather conditions, the range is barely 200 miles.

“VW Cancels ID. Buzz For 2026 As Dealers Warn It Might Be Over” [CarScoops – 12/19/2025]

A Volkswagen spokesperson confirmed the situation to Carscoops, stating, “Following a careful assessment of current EV market conditions, we have made the strategic decision not to move forward with [model year 2026] ID. Buzz production for the U.S. market.”

Volkswagen produced a $60k EV camper van that does not have the range to go into the wilderness for camping. Who’d have guessed it would fail?

This is definitely going in my next “Roundup of the EV Follies” at Ace’s place. https://t.co/jtG3npxGdX
— Buck Throckmorton (@BuckThrockmort) December 19, 2025

*****

Stellantis Pulls the Plug on Jeep’s Electric Plug-In Hybrids

Of correspondence I’ve received from readers who know of someone with an EV that spontaneously burst into flames, Jeep plug-in hybrids have been the most common subject. While there is no EV I would allow in my garage, the Jeep plug-in has been so notorious for its runaway thermal fires that I wouldn’t even allow one of them in my driveway.

Stellantis (the owner of Dodge / Chrysler / Jeep) is finally “pulling the plug” on this troubled product line.

“The Plug-In Hybrid Jeep Wrangler And Grand Cherokee Are Dead” [Inside EVs – 01/08/2025]

They were some of the best-selling PHEVs in the U.S., but the Jeeps in particular had quality issues and faced numerous recalls. In November, Jeep recalled its PHEVs over a battery issue and warned owners not to park inside or charge their vehicles until a fix became available.

Jeep has a great reputation that it has harmed with its failed EV efforts. It is an embarrassment that it is telling its customers who paid a premium for plug-in capability that they cannot now use that plug-in feature because it might burn their houses down. Refocusing on building great gasoline-powered SUVs would go a long way toward rehabilitating the damage done to the iconic brand.

*****

Chinese EVs

There is a lot of hype about Chinese EVs, but I doubt they’d get traction in this country, even if they could somehow conform to US vehicle homologation requirements. As I wrote recently at The American Spectator, the Chinese market grab in Mexico has been with government-subsidized gas powered vehicles, not EVs.

Europe, on the other hand, has coerced its citizens to buy EVs, and China has gobbled up much of the mandated market share. Buyer’s remorse is growing:

@BuckThrockmort
More fun with Chinese EVs.
I'm sure their batteries are built to the same standards as their door locks. https://t.co/lraQighLh6
— Arthur Kimes (@ComradeArthur) January 13, 2026

Even if your Chinese EV doesn’t lock you in against your will, there’s a high probability that it is a spy-mobile in service to the Chinese communist government.

It’s almost treasonous that European governments are buying electric vehicles from China:

“Hundreds of British buses have Chinese ‘kill switch’” [The Standard – 01/04/2026]

Hundreds of state-of-the-art electric buses operating across Britain could be remotely switched off by China due to a "kill switch" in their batteries, security services have discovered.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:15 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Energy for me, but not for Thee.

Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:17 AM (uEmCf)

2 Unstompified.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:18 AM (dK+Kv)

3 On the heels of a statewide mandate requiring all school bus purchases in New York State be electric by 2027, parents in the Lake Shore Central School District are speaking out, claiming some bus drivers are turning the heat down, or off completely, in an attempt to conserve battery life on their electric school buses.
++++
Buses are a very stupid use case for EVs

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:19 AM (MABZ1)

4 In order to charge Mangione with the federal charge of murder through use of a firearm, prosecutors need an underlying crime of violence. They have alleged that crime to be stalking. However, according to legal analysts, if stalking can be done without violence, even if it wasn't in the case alleged, the charge could fall apart.

I am confused. Isn't murder itself a crime of violence? Why do they need "stalking"?

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 30, 2026 11:18 AM

Posted by: toby928(c) repeats himself at January 30, 2026 11:20 AM (jc0TO)

5 Ah, Batgirl, already memory holed.

Posted by: tubal at January 30, 2026 11:21 AM (pDt9x)

6 You know EV's are the wave of the future because I got tax credits for buying one and you know anything the federal government is behind has got to be great! Doing my patriotic part I am to keep America beautiful, clean and energy independent!

Chief Iron Ass Cody doesn't have to cry anymore!

Posted by: American Idiot With Too Much Money at January 30, 2026 11:21 AM (R/m4+)

7 It’s children who pay the price, because EV school buses have limited range, an inability to function properly in dangerously cold weather, and a proclivity to burst into flames at any moment.

So it's a potential rolling Planned Parenthood. That's why the love the idea so much.

Posted by: NR Pax at January 30, 2026 11:21 AM (svLOV)

8
Real AWFLs don't go camping but furries do, so it's OK.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at January 30, 2026 11:22 AM (NFX2v)

9 The kids are coming home saying their bus is freezing cold and the parents are giving them hand warmers. “The heaters on the bus run off the same electricity as the bus itself,” said Scott Ziobro, a former school board candidate and parent who has children who go to school in the district. “They were told that it drains the battery capacity of the bus itself.”
++++
No shit. How did these people think this works? The normal vehicle is heated with waste heat from the engine. It's "free" in that sense. EVs need to *make* heat from their electricity. It taps the "fuel." Only a world-class ignoramus or a child could be surprised by this.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:22 AM (MABZ1)

10 The concept of an off-road electric vehicle is so bagshit insane that it could of only come from the minds of a WEF stooge who has never stepped foot one out of a15 minute city.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 30, 2026 11:22 AM (dGgqh)

11 Chief Iron Ass Cody doesn't have to cry anymore!
Posted by: American Idiot With Too Much Money

What about Greta? Will she feel better?

Posted by: NR Pax at January 30, 2026 11:22 AM (svLOV)

12
I think it's interesting that Tesla is discontinuing the S and X models IIRC,

in favor of more attention to robots and robo-taxis.

Even with Tesla the EV market must be waning.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2026 11:23 AM (iJfKG)

13 The kids are coming home saying their bus is freezing cold and the parents are giving them hand warmers. “The heaters on the bus run off the same electricity as the bus itself,” said Scott Ziobro, a former school board candidate and parent who has children who go to school in the district. “They were told that it drains the battery capacity of the bus itself.”

One wonders how many of the people singing the praises of EVs understood that the power doesn't magically appear - that it has to come from the same source as the power that makes the wheels go around and around. Scratch that. They didn't understand. They never do.

Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:23 AM (Riz8t)

14 I think you missed the biggest news in the EV arena: Tesla is shitcanning the Model S and Model X.

Sure, the company claims it's refocusing manufacturing capacity on making humanoid robots (lol), and sure the company will continue to sell other EV sleds.

But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (iFTx/)

15 BREAKING: Don Lemon has escaped federal custody and is making his way south driving a white Prius. Brian Stetler is reportedly driving the vehicle and is on the phone. Developing...

Posted by: Major Healey at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (abIsI)

16 Over-under on how many comments we get before Ace stomps this thread with News?

Posted by: gp at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (N8ZBc)

17 Warlord Xi and the kill switch. His board of directors discovered that.
And the others in an effort to beat Musk cut corners, shame, shame.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (hG1+u)

18 And in other news, stallsntis is going to put a 5.7 hemi in the gladiator starting in Q4 of 26.

Its totally unnecessary and will probably add 10-15k to the price of the already expensive Rubicon and Mojave trims, but it seems like auto manufacturers are starting to get the memo.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 30, 2026 11:25 AM (dGgqh)

19 The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round
Round and round
The wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town.

Oh wait, no they don't.
The wheels on the bus are fixed to the ground...

Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)

20 15 Ha!

Posted by: gp at January 30, 2026 11:25 AM (N8ZBc)

21 Maybe they could install wood-burning stoves in those new York school buses, and allow some trusted students to tend the fire.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:26 AM (8zz6B)

22 One wonders how many of the people singing the praises of EVs understood that the power doesn't magically appear - that it has to come from the same source as the power that makes the wheels go around and around. Scratch that. They didn't understand. They never do.
Posted by: Archimedes

Does too! I plug something into the wall and out comes electricity!
Posted by: Clueless

Posted by: rickb223 at January 30, 2026 11:26 AM (qw6Uy)

23 I hope that the complete timwalz of a Democrat who was proposing electric school buses for Idaho sees these stories and says, "Boy I'm glad that we listened to that random Republican we surveyed who told us that this is exactly what would happen with electric buses, and didn't follow through on using them as a platform plank."

But I bet they wouldn't.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (a+4eV)

24 It was 19-mumbledy, in sub-zero, blustery, blizzard conditions, wearing pathetically thin and inadequate uniform of the day (dungarees and pea coat), we waited for our warm modern cushy bus to take us on the hour and change ride into the nuke plant for some quality learing.

What pulled up late was some thin-walled aluminum monstrosity strait out of some 1960s creature feature, because our modern bus had broken down in the extreme cold.

By the time we hit the long road out to the plant, the windows were covered in condensed breath ice as we shivered together on the long ride in.

A hot steamy engine room never felt so inviting.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (dK+Kv)

25 If you own a 2025 Volvo EX30, the Swedish automaker wants you to park your subcompact crossover outside due to a fire risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced a recall for the EV after it was determined that some examples of the EX30 have high-voltage batteries potentially susceptible to short-circuiting and overheating. Thus, owners are advised to “park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 70% until the recall repair is complete.”
++++
Two things:
1. Volvo is not a "Swedish Automaker." The company is headquartered in Sweden, but it's a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd. It's Chinese.
2. This the common failure mode. You'd think they'd control for this now.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (MABZ1)

26 The S and X were the only teslas I'd buy if I were rich and not one of the dumb tax slaves. Incredible performance.

Posted by: banana Dream at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (3uBP9)

27 >>>Sure, the company claims it's refocusing manufacturing capacity on making humanoid robots (lol), and sure the company will continue to sell other EV sleds.

But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade
---

Time to buy Tesla, it may never be cheaper.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (hG1+u)

28 I assume most people haven't seen this.

Elon Musk announced on January 28, 2026, that Tesla will cease production of the Model S and Model X vehicles next quarter to pivot toward an AI-driven, autonomous future focused on manufacturing Optimus humanoid robots. The Fremont factory will be converted to produce these robots, though Model 3 and Y, and the Cybertruck remain in production

Sounds to me like Elon is moving resources away from EV cars. If he's doing it, the entire market is fixing to implode.

Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (Riz8t)

29 Buses are a very stupid use case for EVs
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:19 AM (MABZ1)

Well, specifically Battery Electric vehicles. Electric trolley buses work great, and can out-accelerate the Diesel jobs.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:28 AM (8zz6B)

30 Only a world-class ignoramus or a child could be surprised by this."

See "genius bar, Apple"

Posted by: man at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (XuXeR)

31 I like EV follies

Posted by: DanMan at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (8uzBS)

32 One wonders how many of the people singing the praises of EVs understood that the power doesn't magically appear - that it has to come from the same source as the power that makes the wheels go around and around. Scratch that. They didn't understand. They never do.
Posted by: Archimedes
======
Science education in this country is abysmal and getting worse. Parents' priorities, teacher unions preventing incentive pay for STEM teachers, and an overemphasis on matters not related to education of core subjects is to blame.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (2swu2)

33 You'd have to be nuts to one; buy a 60K EV RV and, two; even think about taking it, you know, camping somewhere without a way to charge it.

Or maybe spend a month in one spot with a solar charger and see if you can get it up to 30%.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (jtM2q)

34 But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade

They probably decided that the market is saturated at this point.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (a+4eV)

35 Even with Tesla the EV market must be waning."

You misspelled "government tap is off"

Posted by: man at January 30, 2026 11:29 AM (XuXeR)

36 Time to buy Tesla, it may never be cheaper.

Posted by: Braenyard
======
Only if a constant stream of repair parts are available.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:30 AM (2swu2)

37 1 Energy for me, but not for Thee.
Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:17 AM (uEmCf)

You have any idea what it takes to heat and cool four 24,000 square foot mansions? You plebs need to make some sacrifices and pony up for carbon credits to keep me in the manner to which I have become accustomed.

Posted by: Al Gore, releasing his second chakra at January 30, 2026 11:30 AM (TbWk/)

38 Maybe they could install wood-burning stoves in those new York school buses, and allow some trusted students to tend the fire.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:26 AM (8zz6B)

From the looks of it, they *are* wood burning stoves. lol

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 11:30 AM (snZF9)

39 ... But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (iFTx/)
++++
The "S" *kind* of might make sense. It was where Musk had to work out it's "production hell" and as the first high-volume product, it surely resulted in lots of lessons learned - and things they'd like to change in a new car that is easier to produce.

The "X" is surprising. That one's a mover.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:30 AM (MABZ1)

40 If you want to go camping in an ID.Buzz, the best place to do so is in your own driveway ...

-----------

* snort *

"It'll be an adventure kids -- you'll love it!"

[Wifey chimes in: "You can not only have a cookout ... you can be the cookout!"]

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:31 AM (0Eh0f)

41 "allow some trusted students to tend the fire."

Counter-example: Aggie Bonfire.

Posted by: gp at January 30, 2026 11:31 AM (N8ZBc)

42 Sounds to me like Elon is moving resources away from EV cars. If he's doing it, the entire market is fixing to implode.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (Riz8t)
++++
Could be. He dominates that market, but if it's shrinking....

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:31 AM (MABZ1)

43 Maybe they could install wood-burning stoves in those new York school buses, and allow some trusted students to tend the fire.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:26 AM (8zz6B)

Oh boy! This is gonna be fun!

-----Grade-School Boys with Fire

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 30, 2026 11:31 AM (g8Ew8)

44 "It’s almost treasonous that European governments are buying electric vehicles from China."

Absolute loyalty to power and their $, and too clever by half. Someday, without Trump or someone like him trying to turn events for the better, China will rule all that they have and the Muslims will be the enforcers. imho, of course.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (NFX2v)

45 The "X" is surprising. That one's a mover.

Even more surprising is that they're going to keep making the Cybertruck. It was my understanding that it was a complete flop. I can't imagine why.

Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

46 You have to be a total idiot to buy an EV. If you really want one lease one. They do lease well because manufacturers are subsiding leases with ridiculously high residuals. But buying? The depreciation is off a cliff. Like 60% in 3 years.

Posted by: Really?? at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (PHOGh)

47 So I guess its all robot cat waifus now. Although, I bet if they made a souped-up high performance v12 internal combustion robot cat waifu that would be even better.

Posted by: banana Dream - vroom vroom nyan at January 30, 2026 11:33 AM (3uBP9)

48 ...
Sounds to me like Elon is moving resources away from EV cars. If he's doing it, the entire market is fixing to implode.
Posted by: Archimedes
---

He's only been talking about this for a year or two.
Tesla has always been more than the car.
He's cutting back to the profitable cars and self driving the rest of Tesla will be involved with other things.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:33 AM (hG1+u)

49 At least Teslas have a home solar charging option, an alternative to plugging into the electricity grid.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 30, 2026 11:33 AM (0yjaw)

50 13 One wonders how many of the people singing the praises of EVs understood that the power doesn't magically appear - that it has to come from the same source as the power that makes the wheels go around and around. Scratch that. They didn't understand. They never do.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:23 AM (Riz8t)

And most of the people singing EVs' praises want there to be LESS electricity so that there can be a bigger gap between the Neo-Nobility and the Peasantry in the Neo-Feudalist system they want.

Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:33 AM (uEmCf)

51 If we magically solved all of the power problems tomorrow - infinite green energy for all of our needs - the left would be against it.

Primitivism is the goal, not clean energy.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (XvL8K)

52 But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:24 AM (iFTx/)
----------

Yep.

Posted by: WisRich at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (G0vdT)

53 The thing that kills me, is that the tesla EVs are pretty fast, yet every time I'm behind one its being driven by granny gooch. Slow to leave the traffic light,, or after a turn, or cruising down the road, etc. Then it occurred to me one day that the drivers are probably low on charge and praying they get home.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (snZF9)

54 I have a neighbor who has a plug-in hybrid car, and never parks it in his carport when charging? Hmmmm, wonder why. Then this same "Mensa" candidate neighbor (he likes to brag about his smarts to me), purchased a new '25 Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid and never charges it in his carport. Interesting. Just waiting for whatever happens next? I'm still driving my 12 year old gas Grand Cherokee, love it, and don't have to worry about it catching fire while sitting in my driveway with the engine off.

Posted by: Ganowicz Commie Exterminators, Ltd at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (S8cdb)

55 Sounds to me like Elon is moving resources away from EV cars. If he's doing it, the entire market is fixing to implode.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:27 AM (Riz8t)
++++
Could be. He dominates that market, but if it's shrinking....
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:31 AM (MABZ1)
_____

The EV market is shrinking, and the Chinese are making major inroads into it. Not in USA, but in Europe and (duh) China. The best-selling EV in the world is not a Tesla. It's a BYD. That's a Chinese brand that launched from nothing to market domination in a few years. How did they do that? You know how they did that.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (iFTx/)

56 >>Maybe they could install wood-burning stoves in those new York school buses, and allow some trusted students to tend the fire.

"Or. . . something."
-- Surprise twist in "Snowpiercer"

Posted by: Lizzy at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (0yjaw)

57 @45

>>Even more surprising is that they're going to keep making the Cybertruck. It was my understanding that it was a complete flop. I can't imagine why.

It’s more than likely so they have a rounded lineup featuring a sedan, suv and pickup.

I really can’t see the EV segment surviving without massive government subsidies, EVs do not make sense on the US market.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (dGgqh)

58 Nobody could have ever predicted these things a decade ago. Who would have thought that batteries would be dangerous?

No heat during the winter to preserve charge? Nah.

The mindset at DOT should be that all EV owners are required to get a hazardous waste permit for transporting these timebomb batteries across state lines.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 11:36 AM (oT7pT)

59 If production of the Cybertruck ceased, no one would notice.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 30, 2026 11:37 AM (XeU6L)

60 My county posted a notice on Thursday on Facebook before the ice storm reminding people to cut back on electricity usage. To do their laundry and dishes before the storm hit to lessen the impact on the grid and to not charge their EVs.

I am a turd tosser into the punchbowl type of person.

I posted a comment, "No F*cking Way".
"You people pushed electric vehicles on us when we TOLD YOU the grid couldn't handle it when the weather was fine. You don't get to tell people that they can't charge and drive their EV because it might disrupt the grid."

Didn't go over well with the county people.

Posted by: rickb223 at January 30, 2026 11:37 AM (qw6Uy)

61 >>Then it occurred to me one day that the drivers are probably low on charge and praying they get home.

Per a friend who lives near Cambridge, MA, EV drivers there compete to see who can drive the longest distance on a full charge, so they drive s-l-o-w-l-y to conserve battery power.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (0yjaw)

62 Posted by: toby928(c)

It gets complicated but Scotus has been going through federal sentencing laws (lot of enhancements like stalking plus murder or using a firearm silencer to commit murder which create a death penalty case). The district judge ruled as a matter of law, using a silencer to commit a murder or the stalking to commit a murder are not predicate crimes of violence).

So the death penalty goes out the window leaving only the remaining serious charges related to the assassination which are punishable with life without parole (parole no longer exists in federal system).

This is a fine point of law and turns on Congressional statutes creating these charges and this is likely to be appealed to the 2nd Circuit which may very well reverse the district court decisions.

Scotus lately has been going through sentencing statutes regarding what is and what is not a crime of violence for sentencing purposes and that is what that district judge is relying upon in a novel opinion. That is you can stalk someone without violence (so the predicate crime is non violent), or having a suppressor itself is non violent. So these cannot be used as predicates to death penalty.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (2swu2)

63 The "X" is surprising. That one's a mover.

Even more surprising is that they're going to keep making the Cybertruck. It was my understanding that it was a complete flop. I can't imagine why.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)
______

I think he kept the truck to have a truck/SUV in the lineup. I don't know about the rest of the country, but the Cybertrucks are all over the NYC and SF areas.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (iFTx/)

64 The "X" is surprising. That one's a mover.

Even more surprising is that they're going to keep making the Cybertruck. It was my understanding that it was a complete flop. I can't imagine why.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (iJfKG)

65 I saw Homologation open for The Village People at The Midnight Special in '79.

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:40 AM (0Eh0f)

66 60 Didn't go over well with the county people.
Posted by: rickb223

They would force you to recite six Hail Gretas in front of an Al Gore candle if they could.

Posted by: NR Pax at January 30, 2026 11:40 AM (svLOV)

67 that there can be a bigger gap between the Neo-Nobility and the Peasantry in the Neo-Feudalist system they want."

Bbbbut I'm the nobility!

/heh

Posted by: man at January 30, 2026 11:41 AM (XuXeR)

68 >>>the ID.Buzz that is an homage to the VW Microbus of decades past.

It is nothing of the sort. It is an homage to the butt-ugly Ford Aerostars and Chevy Astrovans of the '90s.

Unless they can somehow engineer a DOT/NHTSA-approved rendition of the iconic pre-68 nose treatment, the product is DOA, electric or otherwise. And they really missed the boat on a diesel or hybrid treatment here, when Toyota continues selling them as fast as they crank them out.

Dumbasses.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:41 AM (dK+Kv)

69 But make no mistake that this is a bombshell. Tesla ending production of its flagship models is like BMW ending production of its 3 series or Porsche ending production of its 911. The S and X are what put Tesla on the map.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade

They probably decided that the market is saturated at this point.

Posted by: FeatherBlade

The "focus on automation" is key. I remember reading somewhere that the principles for navigating a busy factory and driving in busy traffic aren't appreciably different; from that viewpoint, Tesla's products were basically gathering the data and kick-starting the learning. The fact that the participants paid for the privilege of being studied in that way was just kind of a bonus...

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at January 30, 2026 11:41 AM (OUMaO)

70 45 The "X" is surprising. That one's a mover.

Even more surprising is that they're going to keep making the Cybertruck. It was my understanding that it was a complete flop. I can't imagine why.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 30, 2026 11:32 AM (Riz8t)

Halo brand. It adds luster to the line and is one of the most recognizable vehicles on the planet.

Hell, I hate the whole electric vehicle idea (I am more of a hybrid for the solution- if a solution is even needed- kind of guy) and I think it looks cool.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2026 11:41 AM (bss/y)

71 66 60 Didn't go over well with the county people.
Posted by: rickb223

They would force you to recite six Hail Gretas in front of an Al Gore candle if they could.
Posted by: NR Pax at January 30, 2026 11:40 AM (svLOV)

Don't forget injecting yourself with the MRNA Fauci Flu.

Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (uEmCf)

72 Mr. Scott, make revolutions for a deep charge!

Ahead, warp factor 11!!

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (oT7pT)

73 I am a turd tosser into the punchbowl type of person.

I posted a comment, "No F*cking Way".
"You people pushed electric vehicles on us when we TOLD YOU the grid couldn't handle it when the weather was fine. You don't get to tell people that they can't charge and drive their EV because it might disrupt the grid."
Posted by: rickb223
======
You simply understand cause and effect which far too many assholes with power over others ignore or fail to understand.

That is one of the biggest problems with a bureaucratic world (including ngos, corporations, etc.). Responsibility for idiocy is not punished because the blob absolves any one individual from punishment for making a stupid decision. Therefore no accountability. If their job was on the line, then you would see different behavior or swift unemployment would occur.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (2swu2)

74 I think it's interesting that Tesla is discontinuing the S and X models IIRC, in favor of more attention to robots and robo-taxis.

Even with Tesla the EV market must be waning.

Elon couldn't give a sh*t about cars stuck on Earth. His whole goal with Tesla is to develop technology for Mars. That he can get rich suckers to subsidize it is just icing.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (Fs0KI)

75 There is one of the VW campers in our town. It’s cute, I guess, if you want to camp in parking lots.

Posted by: Piper at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (OoFl2)

76 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (iJfKG)

-----------

Same here, surprisingly -- and we live in a predominantly conservative retirement rural area.

/BTW, I was stunned when hearing an interview with the President of Hillsdale College, Larry Arn, say that he bought himself a Cybertruck and described it as a computer on wheels.

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:42 AM (0Eh0f)

77 I can't imagine why."

Tesla's business is to sell carbon credits.

Posted by: man at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (XuXeR)

78 Regional planning commissions will continue to play into the EV Infrastructure unless funding is somehow throttled. For example:

>DVRPC Board Boosts Funding for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, November 14, 2025

It's seems like an offset for the huge Port expansions that employ a huge number of diesel vehicles to move products and personnel.

Posted by: L - No nic, another fine day at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (NFX2v)

79 In order to charge Mangione with the federal charge of murder through use of a firearm, prosecutors need an underlying crime of violence. They have alleged that crime to be stalking. However, according to legal analysts, if stalking can be done without violence, even if it wasn't in the case alleged, the charge could fall apart.

I am confused. Isn't murder itself a crime of violence? Why do they need "stalking"?

Posted by: toby928(c) at January 30, 2026 11:18 AM
Posted by: toby928(c) repeats himself at January 30, 2026 11:20 AM (jc0TO)
_____

The federal "murder" crime is fucked up. It's more of an "enhanced" crime to get to the death penalty.

Technically, I think the judge was probably right that "stalking" isn't a valid prerequisite. I'm not sure if the prosecutors can recharge him or not. He still faces serious charges regardless, enough to put him in prison for life.

But this was not a good development. I continue to believe this cocksucker is gonna walk.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

80 >>>I really can’t see the EV segment surviving without massive government subsidies, EVs do not make sense on the US market.
Posted by: Thomas Bender
---

Batteries will continue to get better.
Production costs will continue to go down.
For one who works and lives in the city it is a good choice. It's batshit fast, excellent braking, and good handling. Just, you know, *charge it away from the house.

*haven't read any on Tesla spontaneity.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (hG1+u)

81 There is a new process for Li batteries that uses a fair amount of silver to increase battery life and safety, that is probably one of the things that has been kicking the price of Ag up.

I am not fond of the new batteries, but I do like the car power bank jumpers since I am back to driving a beater part time.

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (rbvCR)

82 The thing that kills me, is that the tesla EVs are pretty fast, yet every time I'm behind one its being driven by granny gooch. Slow to leave the traffic light,, or after a turn, or cruising down the road, etc. Then it occurred to me one day that the drivers are probably low on charge and praying they get home.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (snZF9)

There are a great many of them here in the Metro PHX area, and mostly they are driven fast. I will be doing 75 on the 202, and Teslas, and many other cars blow by me. It's a 65 speed limit, LOL.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (8zz6B)

83 Sugar Land, Tx has to have one of the highest concentration of EVs in the nation. The city is now dominated by Asian and Indian immigrants that love the Teslas.

I think the first story of an EV burning down a house came from Sugar Land. About 10 years ago.

Posted by: DanMan at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (8uzBS)

84 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.
Posted by: naturalfake
======
Bullet resistant trucks have a certain appeal in the US nowadays.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (2swu2)

85 One thing has been bothering me for some time with the EV market and the numerous battery fires....why don't hybrid vehicles randomly burst into flames like EV's do?

They use the same batteries and some of the same charging stuff but I have not read or heard of a single one of them turning itself into a torch.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at January 30, 2026 11:44 AM (0N4FZ)

86 Thx Buck. Read somewhere that the Canadians have made a deal to import Chinese EVs . The Canadians are suicidal.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (IDEQi)

87 ShainS, I left a response at the end of the last thread, and I am trying to be much more respectful on the subject

Posted by: Kindltot at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (rbvCR)

88 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.

They seem very popular with small businesses that can slap on a logo wrap and call it a business expense.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (Fs0KI)

89 79 But this was not a good development. I continue to believe this cocksucker is gonna walk.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

Jury Nullification is absolutely going to happen.

And the prosecution will keep stepping on its own dick because they don't want to win.

Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (uEmCf)

90 88 They seem very popular with small businesses that can slap on a logo wrap and call it a business expense.
Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (Fs0KI)

That's how it is with most of the ones I see around here.

Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:46 AM (uEmCf)

91 fortunately, the driver of the bus had to be hospitalized. A short video of the fire is below. The high priests of the Climate Church are more than willing to sacrifice your children in such a conflagration to appease their angry climate God.

I don't see the problem

Posted by: not Joe Xiden at January 30, 2026 11:46 AM (D0HYP)

92 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.
Posted by: naturalfake
======
Bullet resistant trucks have a certain appeal in the US nowadays.

Posted by: whig

I've a lingering suspicion they're actually aimed as being domestic security units, human- or self-driven. It's the only use case I can think of that makes any real sense.

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (OUMaO)

93 Read somewhere that the Canadians have made a deal to import Chinese EVs . The Canadians are suicidal.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (IDEQi

Ah now THAT explains the big western EV push.

Posted by: ... at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (6ZSsV)

94 >>> Tesla's products were basically gathering the data and kick-starting the learning. The fact that the participants paid for the privilege of being studied in that way was just kind of a bonus...
Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59),
---

Maps, everywhere there are Tesla's there are maps, the best maps. Who would buy a map of everything?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (hG1+u)

95 Then it occurred to me one day that the drivers are probably low on charge and praying they get home.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 11:35 AM (snZF9)

I wouldn't want to get in a momentarily incapacitating accident in one and become a barbecued iguana. Even the smug would not protect you.

So prudence is probably warranted.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (dK+Kv)

96 If you want to go camping in an ID.Buzz, the best place to do so is in your own driveway, since even in perfect weather conditions, the range is barely 200 miles.

You could get the range-extender package to get up to 1000 miles away from home. Also called a tow-hitch.

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (1fRPh)

97 Scotus lately has been going through sentencing statutes regarding what is and what is not a crime of violence for sentencing purposes and that is what that district judge is relying upon in a novel opinion. That is you can stalk someone without violence (so the predicate crime is non violent), or having a suppressor itself is non violent. So these cannot be used as predicates to death penalty.
Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (2swu2)

And although I don't know who the Judge deciding that is, that is actually a fairly conservative opinion - it interprets the plain language of the law quite clearly. If there's a problem, the problem is the way Congress worded the law (which I think is what you said)

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (giMmT)

98 Even if your Chinese EV doesn’t lock you in against your will, there’s a high probability that it is a spy-mobile in service to the Chinese communist government.

------------

BREAKING: TikTok Announces New EV Lineup "Jiàndié-Shǒujī"

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:49 AM (0Eh0f)

99 But this was not a good development. I continue to believe this cocksucker is gonna walk.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

I don't think he will and the lack of death penalty on the table probably helps make sure that he doesn't. I reserve the right to see parts of the case play out but judge seems normal and this is something I'm generally excessively good at capping.

Posted by: ... at January 30, 2026 11:50 AM (6ZSsV)

100 Hundreds of state-of-the-art electric buses operating across Britain could be remotely switched off by China due to a "kill switch" in their batteries, security services have discovered.'

-----------

Next you'll be telling me that your EV can be hacked, the doors locked, and accelerated without braking over a cliff.

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:50 AM (0Eh0f)

101 But this was not a good development. I continue to believe this cocksucker is gonna walk.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

Jury Nullification is absolutely going to happen.

And the prosecution will keep stepping on its own dick because they don't want to win.
Posted by: XTC at January 30, 2026 11:45 AM (uEmCf)
____

There are parallel state and federal charges, which I didn't think was a good idea from the beginning. But it seemed everyone wanted to get in on the action.

This creep is still facing second-degree murder charges in state court.

The problem is that the evidence is mostly (if not all) circumstantial, and the botched initial IDs and chain of custody issues will give any jury who is even remotely sympathetic an easy excuse to find reasonable doubt. I don't think they'd even need to reach nullification.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

102 A priority for the application of EVs should be space travel.

No atmosphere, no fire. But it's might cold in space, and they still might explode.

Didn't somebody touch off a cybertruck in front of Trump Tower?

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (oT7pT)

103 60
‘ I posted a comment, "No F*cking Way"….

Didn't go over well with the county people.’

We no longer consider you a team player.

Posted by: County officials at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (jbnUc)

104 Some police departments have allocated CyberTrucks for certain duties. Whether they re-up at replacement time will be a tell.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (hG1+u)

105 BREAKING: TikTok Announces New EV Lineup "Jiàndié-Shǒujī"
Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:49 AM (0Eh0f)

Someone should start an on-line urology consultancy. They could call it "DikDok".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (8zz6B)

106 Maps, everywhere there are Tesla's there are maps, the best maps. Who would buy a map of everything?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _

Because not only is the map not the territory, it isn't the traffic control patterns, nor the driving conditions, nor the how-to guide for dealing with traffic events. Gathering all that information and training the AIs that use it, that's the goal.

Posted by: Brother Tim (102mm/W59), Keeper of the Tim Continuum at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (OUMaO)

107 I've a lingering suspicion they're actually aimed as being domestic security units, human- or self-driven.

From the very first, they’ve reminded me of the vehicle from Damnation Alley.

Which is not a strike against it.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (EXyHK)

108 No atmosphere, no fire. But it's might cold in space, and they still might explode.

Didn't somebody touch off a cybertruck in front of Trump Tower?
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (oT7pT)

That was the Las Vegas one, right? Or LA?

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 30, 2026 11:53 AM (bss/y)

109 The thing that kills me, is that the tesla EVs are pretty fast, yet every time I'm behind one its being driven by granny gooch. Slow to leave the traffic light,, or after a turn, or cruising down the road, etc. Then it occurred to me one day that the drivers are probably low on charge and praying they get home.

Old farts are lonely and love going to car dealerships who will schmooze them into buying whatever and the old farts like to repeat this about every 2 years, especially when the car dealers call them and schmooze them to come in and chitchat.

Posted by: Zombie Earl Scheib at January 30, 2026 11:53 AM (R/m4+)

110 I'm 66-33 right now he does not walk and receives a long sentence. Which isn't great admittedly but that's where I have it.

Posted by: ... at January 30, 2026 11:54 AM (6ZSsV)

111 The problem is that the evidence is mostly (if not all) circumstantial, and the botched initial IDs and chain of custody issues will give any jury who is even remotely sympathetic an easy excuse to find reasonable doubt. I don't think they'd even need to reach nullification.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

Surveillance video of him shooting the victim is circumstantial?

Posted by: Tom Servo at January 30, 2026 11:54 AM (giMmT)

112 Didn't somebody touch off a cybertruck in front of Trump Tower?

Yeah but not by plugging it in and waiting. I'm pretty sure gasoline or something similar was involved.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 11:54 AM (Fs0KI)

113 Don't stand next to Luigi if he skates.

Posted by: mr tmz at January 30, 2026 11:54 AM (rJ48h)

114 [Per professor whig:] "... parole no longer exists in federal system ..."

-------------

Huh? How was I unaware of this (I must be watching too many old television crime and court dramas)?

"The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 eliminated federal parole for individuals convicted of federal crimes on or after November 1, 1987."

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 11:55 AM (0Eh0f)

115 You could get the range-extender package to get up to 1000 miles away from home. Also called a tow-hitch.

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2026 11:48 AM (1fRPh)

Get one of those hitch-mounted racks, strap down a generator and a couple of 5 gallon gas cans, and viola!

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:55 AM (dK+Kv)

116 Don't stand next to Luigi if he skates.

Same advice was given about me the last time I went ice skating. I'm a danger to anyone within arm's reach.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 11:56 AM (Fs0KI)

117 I bet some senior engineer pointed out the problem and got shit-canned.

Twentieth Century Motor Cars.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at January 30, 2026 11:56 AM (qFwJc)

118 Old farts are lonely and love going to car dealerships who will schmooze them into buying whatever and the old farts like to repeat this about every 2 years, especially when the car dealers call them and schmooze them to come in and chitchat.

Posted by: Zombie Earl Scheib at January 30, 2026 11:53 AM (R/m4+)

You've met my dad.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 11:56 AM (dK+Kv)

119 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (iJfKG)

My guess is that you don't live in a farming community.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (g8Ew8)

120 The problem is that the evidence is mostly (if not all) circumstantial, and the botched initial IDs and chain of custody issues will give any jury who is even remotely sympathetic an easy excuse to find reasonable doubt. I don't think they'd even need to reach nullification.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)
++++
How did they foul up chain of custody?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (MABZ1)

121 I'm thinking of buying a Honda XR150L. It's carborated!

Posted by: Oglebay at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (2ap+5)

122 The problem is that the evidence is mostly (if not all) circumstantial, and the botched initial IDs and chain of custody issues will give any jury who is even remotely sympathetic an easy excuse to find reasonable doubt. I don't think they'd even need to reach nullification.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

Surveillance video of him shooting the victim is circumstantial?
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 30, 2026 11:54 AM (giMmT)
______

The video of him in a hoodie from the rear where you can't see his face?

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:58 AM (iFTx/)

123
Jennifer Granholm made millions off this scam while simultaneously scolding everybody, so, lose-lose.

Posted by: Auspex at January 30, 2026 11:58 AM (Y8DZL)

124 Someone should start an on-line urology consultancy. They could call it "DikDok".
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (8zz6B)

Heh. Online GYN services could be "Twatter"

Posted by: Proctology - MSNBC streaming at January 30, 2026 11:59 AM (TbWk/)

125 "A priority for the application of EVs should be space travel.

No atmosphere, no fire. "

If there is no "action" how can there be a "reaction?"

Posted by: no one of any consequence at January 30, 2026 11:59 AM (qFwJc)

126 "The high priests of the Climate Church are more than willing to sacrifice your children in such a conflagration to appease their angry climate God."

What really sucks is that other than some climate modelers with blinders on who can't see beyond their flawed model outputs, the climate church knows damn well that they are running a scam to get rich. They aren't risking or sacrificing kids to save the planet for a few generations later; its just for the money.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 30, 2026 11:59 AM (hhkIi)

127 I'm thinking of buying a Honda XR150L. It's carborated!

Posted by: Oglebay at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (2ap+5)

Nice.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at January 30, 2026 12:00 PM (dK+Kv)

128 Didn't the goomba confess to his furry friend or something? I get all these mf'ers confused. That was a different furry f'er wasn't it?

Posted by: banana Dream at January 30, 2026 12:00 PM (3uBP9)

129 I'm thinking of buying a Honda XR150L. It's carborated!

Just be sure to avoid Kamala voters.

Posted by: Oddbob at January 30, 2026 12:00 PM (Fs0KI)

130 Jennifer Granholm made millions off this scam while simultaneously scolding everybody, so, lose-lose.
Posted by: Auspex at January 30, 2026 11:58 AM (Y8DZL)
++++
Granholm was an all-around nightmare of a Energy Secretary. I don't now that she got rich on corruption, but it wouldn't be shocking if she did.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 12:01 PM (MABZ1)

131 This brutal cold spell is probably killing off EVs and ticks.

Posted by: t-bird at January 30, 2026 12:01 PM (1fRPh)

132 I don't know. In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Not a huge number, but it's obvious there are more.

Posted by: naturalfake at January 30, 2026 11:38 AM (iJfKG)

I see one at least every other day, and sometimes a few in one day depending on how far out I venture. I remember the first time I saw one. I'm thinking holy shit, whatever that was it must have traveled back from a future apocalypse. I saw a video where a dude dropped a hemi in one. You knew that was going to happen.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 12:01 PM (snZF9)

133 The problem is that the evidence is mostly (if not all) circumstantial, and the botched initial IDs and chain of custody issues will give any jury who is even remotely sympathetic an easy excuse to find reasonable doubt. I don't think they'd even need to reach nullification.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)
++++
How did they foul up chain of custody?
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (MABZ1)
______

The backpack, mainly. To begin with, they had no warrant to search it, and that's where they found the most incriminating evidence (manifesto, gun, etc). Then there were issues with how they secured the backpack.

The prosecution has admitted there were issues here, but is arguing it's not material because this evidence would have been found anyway. Not a good look.

It's possible the judge could rule all of this stuff inadmissible.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 12:02 PM (iFTx/)

134 >>>If there is no "action" how can there be a "reaction?"

Posted by: no one of any consequence

>Yeah, I should have clarified. Travel on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Human transport.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (oT7pT)

135 The backpack, mainly. To begin with, they had no warrant to search it, and that's where they found the most incriminating evidence (manifesto, gun, etc). Then there were issues with how they secured the backpack.

The prosecution has admitted there were issues here, but is arguing it's not material because this evidence would have been found anyway. Not a good look.

It's possible the judge could rule all of this stuff inadmissible.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 12:02 PM (iFTx/)
++++
Ah, okay. I never followed the details of it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (MABZ1)

136 yo

Posted by: garrett at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (ZcsJV)

137 I dont know if range has anything to do with id4 and camping. People buy those things for status and virtue signaling not to go camping. It’s like the $90k pickups. They’re a status symbol not a work truck despite that the f150 ads would have you believe.

Posted by: Really?? at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (PHOGh)

138 I say it every time these threads pop up.

GM just needed to keep developing Voltec. Car was great and a real achievement. Expand it to small SUV's and whatever else made sense wrt the Voltec powerplant.

That's all I got.

Posted by: GigantorX at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (x8k2o)

139 Somewhat similar topic, but I remember someone saying a relation had food catch on fire in a microwave. Well yesterday my wife combusted a corndog. 60 seconds in. Maybe something they're putting into food that becomes electromagnetically freakydeaky under certain circumstances.

Posted by: banana Dream at January 30, 2026 12:04 PM (3uBP9)

140 If there's a problem, the problem is the way Congress worded the law (which I think is what you said)
Posted by: Tom Servo
=====
It gets complicated because federal criminal statutes are like a layer cake. But Scotus has been wrestling with statutory sentence enhancements due to criminal history and often that means literally going back to sources like Blackstone on charges like burglary to determine whether or not it should be considered a violent crime. That in turn comes from whether violence might be involved. So you get decisions where burglary without a person present is considered a non violent crime while burglary while the house is occupied gets treated as violent for sentencing enhancements.

And because this includes state crimes for criminal history calculations, this means that Scotus has been poring over which state crimes are crimes of violence and which are not in the states.

Far too much to go into in gray boxes but the whole state of criminal sentencing is in a flux now at Scotus for at least a decade or so.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 12:04 PM (2swu2)

141
In my little corner of paradise, I see increasing numbers of the Cybertruck on the road.

Posted by: naturalfake

=============

They're everywhere in the comfortable, smooth enclaves of Cali. Funny concept, all that brutality for dry, sunny easy, well paved roads. Previously the land of the eternally open convertible.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at January 30, 2026 12:05 PM (hxCZf)

142 What would really be cool, just to make a statement, is put a small IC engine in an EV and run it off a charcoal burner like the French put on cars during occupation.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (gm9Sb)

143 Somewhat similar topic, but I remember someone saying a relation had food catch on fire in a microwave. Well yesterday my wife combusted a corndog. 60 seconds in. Maybe something they're putting into food that becomes electromagnetically freakydeaky under certain circumstances.

Posted by: banana Dream at January 30, 2026 12:04 PM (3uBP9)

My microwave can detonate most things in 60 seconds. Ask me how I know. lol

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (snZF9)

144 I've a lingering suspicion they're actually aimed as being domestic security units, human- or self-driven.

From the very first, they’ve reminded me of the vehicle from Damnation Alley.

Which is not a strike against it.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at January 30, 2026 11:51 AM (EXyHK)
______

The Landmaster. Although I always thought it should have been called the Gaymaster.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (iFTx/)

145
And like any communist command-and-control manufacturer, Blue Bird’s school buses are about as functional as Soviet-era Trabants and Ladas.

C'mon now. The Trabants and Ladas were perfectly sound, if spartan vehicles. As long as you carried a sledge hammer in your tool kit.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (y9nCu)

146 It's possible the judge could rule all of this stuff inadmissible.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade
======
Story about the ruling has the backpack admissible.

"Mangione still faces two stalking counts, each carrying a maximum of life in prison without parole, with jury selection set for September 8. The ruling allows prosecutors to use evidence from his arrest backpack, including a silenced 9mm handgun and a notebook criticizing the health insurance industry. "

And via Palko v. CT, he is still liable for NY state charges as well. The decision leaves it wide open for NY to seek charges for murder.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 12:07 PM (2swu2)

147 I'm thinking of buying a Honda XR150L. It's carborated!

Posted by: Oglebay at January 30, 2026 11:57 AM (2ap+5)

------------

When they start taxing people for miles driven (vs. gasoline taxes, where government revenue is being lost when using EVs and Hybrids) supposedly for "Highways and Roads," will that include miles driven off-road?

/rhetorical

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 12:07 PM (0Eh0f)

148 I'm in Colorado and commute to Boulder for work a few times a week. I see quite a few cybertrucks. State tax credits for EVs, mildish climate in Denver and Boulder, and a shit ton of smug dumb left coasters cuz the state coaxed computer companies to come in so we have a very high per capita # of EVs, the cybertrucks are obvious, I probably see plenty of other EVs but don't always take notice of the lack of a tailpipe.

Posted by: PaleRider at January 30, 2026 12:08 PM (hhkIi)

149 Interesting rumor at Twitchy. If Klobuchar wins she'll appoint Walz to finish the senate term. That ahole would throw away the filibuster in a second. Act accordingly Senate Republicans

Posted by: Smell the Glove at January 30, 2026 12:08 PM (IDEQi)

150 My microwave can detonate most things in 60 seconds. Ask me how I know. lol
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM

P.J. O'Rourke once gave a recipe for "Soup Nagasaki".

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Place unopened can of soup in oven.
3. Run like hell.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 30, 2026 12:09 PM (Wnv9h)

151 >> fortunately, the driver of the bus had to be hospitalized. A short video of the fire is below. The high priests of the Climate Church are more than willing to sacrifice your children in such a conflagration to appease their angry climate God.

Stopping that thing under a bridge is probably going to lead to a lot of incidental cost/damage. I can't imagine a runaway thermal event like that wouldn't cause damage to that bridge.

Posted by: garrett at January 30, 2026 12:09 PM (ZcsJV)

152 I dont know if range has anything to do with id4 and camping. People buy those things for status and virtue signaling not to go camping. It’s like the $90k pickups. They’re a status symbol not a work truck despite that the f150 ads would have you believe.
Posted by: Really?? at January 30, 2026 12:03 PM (PHOGh)
_______

The VW bus is the stupidly-named "ID.Buzz," not the id4. But otherwise I agree. The Buzz was designed to pick up kids at fancy private schools. Nobody will every go camping with it.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 12:09 PM (iFTx/)

153 When they start taxing people for miles driven (vs. gasoline taxes, where government revenue is being lost when using EVs and Hybrids) supposedly for "Highways and Roads," will that include miles driven off-road?

/rhetorical
Posted by: ShainS
========
That will be amusing. Off road diesel or gas (no road fuel tax) which farmers or construction use, has to have special colorant added to the fuel so if it pops up in the gas tank of a vehicle on the public roads, they get hammered.

How would you color electrons?

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 12:10 PM (2swu2)

154 This is what happens when education standards are lowered the level of "I like yellow".

If the EV proposal was really looked at honestly, instead of "yayyyyyyy, were doing something for the environment.."
Then it would have been clear very quickly that the EV fad was Borne of unicorn fart permeated dreams of idiocy.

These fuckin people should never EVER be allowed to have any say in anything ever again.

Retards

Posted by: melodicmetal at January 30, 2026 12:10 PM (XLfSN)

155 114 [Per professor whig:] "... parole no longer exists in federal system ..."

-------------

Huh? How was I unaware of this (I must be watching too many old television crime and court dramas)?

"The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 eliminated federal parole for individuals convicted of federal crimes on or after November 1, 1987."

While used interchangeably in common use, there are two distinct things: parole and probation. Parole was abolished. There is still probation. Under parole ,if you were sentenced to 120 to 180 months, after the 120 you would argue your case in front of the parole board.

Probation is set at sentencing (120 months in prison plus 60 months probation); The only thing adjustable is about 10% of the prison time can be excused for "good time, not being a problem inmate)

Posted by: Chuck C at January 30, 2026 12:10 PM (D0HYP)

156 Those whom the Deep State wants to protect get incompetent, intentionally corrupt investigators.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at January 30, 2026 12:10 PM (qFwJc)

157 I bet chinana uses defective batteries in their fully electric battleship E11.

Posted by: thug dolphin at January 30, 2026 12:11 PM (EyfuW)

158 139 Somewhat similar topic, but I remember someone saying a relation had food catch on fire in a microwave. Well yesterday my wife combusted a corndog. 60 seconds in. Maybe something they're putting into food that becomes electromagnetically freakydeaky under certain circumstances.

During my college days a buddy of mine stopped by my aprt after the bars had closed....wasted of course, he asked for a corn dog. I said, sure, eat up. He placed one in the microwave and accidentally shocked it for 60min instead of 60 sec.

The yellow smoke was thick, filled the entire apartment and made its way out in the hallways. This was not a small complex either. We were first floor, fire alarms go off and the FD came and had to put these giant fans in the door ways to clear the smoke. Aprt had to go outside while they did this, it was winter time in central IL....and 2am. Corn Dog bandit came out with the fried dog in his hand waving it around like some trophy. It was about an inch long and black as a dolls eyes.

All that from cheap microwavable corn dog.

Posted by: GigantorX at January 30, 2026 12:11 PM (x8k2o)

159 And like any communist command-and-control manufacturer, Blue Bird’s school buses are about as functional as Soviet-era Trabants and Ladas.

C'mon now. The Trabants and Ladas were perfectly sound, if spartan vehicles. As long as you carried a sledge hammer in your tool kit.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (y9nCu)

--------------

Has any Russian Oligarch proposed an EV Aeroflot Airliner?

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 12:11 PM (0Eh0f)

160 Nood.

Posted by: Nazdar at January 30, 2026 12:12 PM (NcvvS)

161 149 Interesting rumor at Twitchy. If Klobuchar wins she'll appoint Walz to finish the senate term. That ahole would throw away the filibuster in a second. Act accordingly Senate Republicans
Posted by: Smell the Glove
========
Can't serve as senator in prison. I think charges are incoming on that for Walz and Ellison.

And if the weirdo assassin guy is correct, Walz and Klobachar have little love between them as that guy claims Walz wanted him to off Klobachar.

Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 12:12 PM (2swu2)

162 It's possible the judge could rule all of this stuff inadmissible.
Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade
======
Story about the ruling has the backpack admissible.

"Mangione still faces two stalking counts, each carrying a maximum of life in prison without parole, with jury selection set for September 8. The ruling allows prosecutors to use evidence from his arrest backpack, including a silenced 9mm handgun and a notebook criticizing the health insurance industry. "

And via Palko v. CT, he is still liable for NY state charges as well. The decision leaves it wide open for NY to seek charges for murder.
Posted by: whig at January 30, 2026 12:07 PM (2swu2)
_____

Yea, for now. He is currently facing NY charges for second-degree murder. See my comment about parallel prosecutions above.

Posted by: Judge Elric The Blade at January 30, 2026 12:12 PM (iFTx/)

163 When they start taxing people for miles driven (vs. gasoline taxes, where government revenue is being lost when using EVs and Hybrids) supposedly for "Highways and Roads," will that include miles driven off-road?

/rhetorical
Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 12:07 PM (0Eh0f)
++++
LOL. Of course. And the real point will be to impose a mileage tax on everyone. With continuous GPS trackers to determine the mileage. For "efficiency" of course.

There is another way. Tennessee did it. They estimated average equivalent ICE fuel economy, estimated average miles driven by most people, the equivalent of gasoline consumed, and the revenue associated with the tax that wasn't paid. Came to about $100 bucks and change. That is now the EV registration fee.

Perfect? No. Fair? Reasonably. Invasive? No.

Decent compsomise.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at January 30, 2026 12:13 PM (MABZ1)

164 During my college days a buddy of mine stopped by my aprt after the bars had closed....wasted of course, he asked for a corn dog. I said, sure, eat up. He placed one in the microwave and accidentally shocked it for 60min instead of 60 sec.

The yellow smoke was thick, filled the entire apartment and made its way out in the hallways. This was not a small complex either. We were first floor, fire alarms go off and the FD came and had to put these giant fans in the door ways to clear the smoke. Aprt had to go outside while they did this, it was winter time in central IL....and 2am. Corn Dog bandit came out with the fried dog in his hand waving it around like some trophy. It was about an inch long and black as a dolls eyes.

All that from cheap microwavable corn dog.

Posted by: GigantorX at January 30, 2026 12:11 PM (x8k2o)

----------

lmao

I would pay good money to see an AI video recreation of this event!

Posted by: ShainS -- Who's Gonna Be Today's FAFO Darwin Award Winner? at January 30, 2026 12:14 PM (0Eh0f)

165 When they start taxing people for miles driven (vs. gasoline taxes, where government revenue is being lost when using EVs and Hybrids) supposedly for "Highways and Roads," will that include miles driven off-road?
--
That will be amusing.

"Amusing" isn't the word I'd use. I'm sure it will be "All miles driven are considered 'on-road'. If you want to argue some are off road, you will need a GPS tracker installed and submit its entire year of data."

Posted by: Chuck C at January 30, 2026 12:14 PM (D0HYP)

166 >>>I bet chinana uses defective batteries in their fully electric battleship E11.

Posted by: thug dolphin

>I'll bet you China sends all of the batteries that don't pass a QC inspection here to America.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at January 30, 2026 12:14 PM (oT7pT)

167
And we still can't kill the chicken tariff that prevents Toyota from importing the Hilux.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 30, 2026 12:14 PM (y9nCu)

168 Same can be said for these "cloud computing" dullards.

How's that "energy savings" thing going with megawatts the data centers require so you can fart around with "AI" phot editing?

Is it really worth the energy required?

Again, Retards

Posted by: melodicmetal at January 30, 2026 12:14 PM (XLfSN)

169 Late to the party, but a Buck EV conflagration thread is my favorite!

Posted by: Oh, The Huge Manatee! at January 30, 2026 12:15 PM (oftw2)

170 This is without a doubt my most favorite series on AoSHQ.

Thank you Buck!

Posted by: Defenestratus at January 30, 2026 12:15 PM (WYStd)

171 C'mon now. The Trabants and Ladas were perfectly sound, if spartan vehicles. As long as you carried a sledge hammer in your tool kit.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 30, 2026 12:06 PM (y9nCu)

I have enjoyed watching Garage54 videos on Youtube. Bunch of crazy Russian in Novosibirsk doing unspeakable things to Ladas. The Ladas seem to be very tough little buggers indeed.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at January 30, 2026 12:16 PM (8zz6B)

172 I'll bet you China sends all of the batteries that don't pass a QC inspection here to America.

You ARE our QC!

Posted by: China at January 30, 2026 12:23 PM (1fRPh)

173 Thank you, Manatee & Defenastratus.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at January 30, 2026 12:28 PM (9eixl)

174 LOL!!! Jeep has a well earned reputation that was DAMAGED by... ?

What ? No they don't. They make overpriced garbage. Jeep is like the Apple of cars. I wouldn't own a Jeep if you paid me.

Posted by: deadrody at January 30, 2026 12:57 PM (qf6NU)

175 Yay Buck, best thing on here, anyday everyday.

Posted by: alpine_beer at January 30, 2026 01:17 PM (van9r)

176 We need to invade Greenland to get rare earth metals to build EVs and windmills

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at January 30, 2026 02:44 PM (bUHj0)

177 EVs are now 20% of total global production up 25% in 2 years.
In Israel 25% of all new car sales are EVs up 1/3 in 2 years

Buck is an idiot

Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at January 30, 2026 02:50 PM (bUHj0)

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