"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION" TONIGHT'S PROGRAM A HIGH OCTANE LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC CARS, SELF-DRIVING CARS AND WHAT THE NEW UAW CONTRACT WILL MEAN FOR BUYERS OF ALL VEHICLES.

JOINING US TONIGHT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IS JOHN DAVIS, CREATOR AND HOST OF MOTORWEEK AND NEWLY HONORED GOLD CIRCLE MEMBER OF THE REGIONAL CHAPTER.

JOHN, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Jeff: WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE PRACTICAL ADVICE ABOUT BUYING CARS.

LET'S START WITH THIS UAW STRIKE.

IT SEEMS LIKE A TURNING POINT.

THE UNIONS SEEM PRETTY HAPPY OR DO THEY JUST SAY THAT?

>> NO, THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY.

THEY GOT ROUGHLY A 25% PLUS SALARY INCREASE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, A LOT OF THE LOWER RANKING PEOPLE THAT WERE BROUGHT IN AS TEMPORARY WORKERS FOR STEM CELL LANTIS WHAT WE USED TO CALL CHRYSLER CORPORATION OWNS JEEP AND RAM AND FORD AND GENERAL MOTORS THOSE TEMPORARILY WORKERS WERE POORLY PAID THEY WILL GET SIGNIFICANTLY MORE IN THEIR PAY.

THE FLIP SIDE AND I THINK IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN FROM THE AUTOMAKERS WHILE IT'S TRUE THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOT OF MONEY LATELY, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THEY NEED MORE IF THEY ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND CHRYSLER'S ALREADY SAID OR STILL LANTIS IT'S GOING TO RAISE THE PRICE OF A DAR 800 TO 900.

AND IT WILL TAKE A BILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT POCKETS.

THE PICTURE IS WORSE AT FORD AND GENERAL MOTORS.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT SAY AS WELL THAT SAY IT'S GOING TO GIVE THE OTHER BRANDS THAT AREN'T STATIONED HERE LIKE TOYOTA AND HONDA AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALSO RAISED THEIR SALARIES OF THEIR FACTORY WORKERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THE UAW TO COME IN AND ORGANIZE.

THE END RESULT FOR MOST OF US IS A YEAR OR SO FROM NOW THE NEXT CAR YOU BUY WILL COST UPWARDS OF A THOUSAND MORE THAN IT WOULD TODAY.

PROBABLY.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE A FINANCIAL ANALYST IN YOUR YOUTH.

AND INFLATION IN VEHICLES.

THAT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE, EVERYTHING YOU BUY HAS GONE AND.

I BOUGHT ORANGE JUICE, THE CARTON OF ORANGE JUICE GOT SMALLER.

I THOUGHT I WAS IMAGINE TO GO BUT IT'S NOT TWO QUARTS IT'S 1.5 SOMETHING.

>> THAT IS AN OLD GROCERY GAME PLAYED FOR A LONGTIME.

>> Jeff: CAN THEY DO THAT WITH CARS?

>> THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

IS THAT BUYERS WANT BIGGER VEHICLES.

IF YOU WANT A SMALL VEHICLE, SOMETHING VERY AFFORDABLE THERE'S ONLY ONE OR TWO VEHICLES ACTUALLY THERE'S ONLY ONE THAT YOU CAN STILL BUY THE NISSAN VERSA THAT IS UNDER $20,000.

AND IT'S 17 AND CHANGE TO GET INTO IT.

IT'S SMALL CAR AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT SMALL CARS THEY WANT THE BIG STUFF.

AND THE AVERAGE TRANSACTION PRICE TODAY BEFORE YOU START TALKING ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS ALMOST $50,000.

>> Jeff: WE'LL COME BACK TO STICKER SHOCK AND HOW PEOPLE CAN GET A GOOD DEAL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME HOT WHEELS.

COUPLE OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE CAUGHT YOUR EYE START WITH THE PRIUS PRIME.

>> TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME.

THEY REDID IT A YEAR AGO AND IT WENT FROM BEING A FUNNY FUNKY LOOKING HIGH MILEAGE MACHINE THAT YOU WEREN'T SURE YOU WANTED TO BE CAUGHT DEAD IN TO A STYLISH GOOD LOOKING AUTOMOBILE THAT GETS UPWARDS OF 57, 58 MILES PER GALLON.

PLENTY OF ROOM ON THE INSIDE WE AWARDED IT OUR FAMILY CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR OUR DRIVER'S CHOICE AWARDS.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT PURE FUEL EFFICIENCY BUT YOU WANT TO DRIVE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS NICE AND IS COMFORTABLE, AND IS REASONABLY PRICED YOU CAN GET INTO ONE IN THE 20s.

THE PRIUS TOYOTA PRIUS.

THE PRIME IS THEIR PLUG IN HYBRID VERSION OF THAT.

IT'S GOT A SMALL EV STYLE BATTERY.

AND YOU LIKE HAVING YOUR EV AND YOUR GASOLINE ENGINE, TOO.

BECAUSE YOU CAN DRIVE IT JUST AS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE FOR 44 MILES EVERY TIME YOU HOP INTO IT BEFORE YOU PLUG IT IN AND YOU HAVE THE GAS ENGINE THE NORMAL HYBRID SYSTEM THE REST OF THE TIME.

>> Jeff: I REMEMBER LOOK AT IT LAST TIME I PWA*UT A CAR IT WAS A WHILE AGO AND THEY HAD THAT FEATURE.

>> THE PLUG IN HYBRIDS HAVE BEEN PHAF MARCHING UP THE MILEAGE RANGE.

10, 14 MILES OF EV RANGE WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH NOW THEY ARE GETTING INTO THE 30s AND 40s WHERE IT MAKES SENSE.

>> Jeff: HOW IS THE QUALITY?

YOU'VE HEARD THE LINE ABOUT A HOUSEBOAT THAT IT'S NOT A GOOD HOUSE AND IT'S NOT A GOOD BOAT.

WHEN YOU COMBINE IT GASOLINE ENGINE AND ELECTRIC MOTOR, DO YOU GET THAT EFFECT?

>> TOYOTA'S BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONGTIME AND THEY HAVE IT DOWN PAT AND OTHER AUTOMAKERS PARTICULARLY THE HYUNDAI KIA PEOPLE AND SOME AT FORD, HYBRID TECHNOLOGY IS NOT NEW.

AND THE FACT THAT YOU GOT A BATTERY LARGER BATTERY THAT WILL GET YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE EV RANGE.

YOU CAN GO TO WORK AND COME HOME.

PLUG IT INTO A NORMAL OUTLET IN YOUR HOUSE.

IT WILL CHARGE UP OVERNIGHT.

YOU DON'T NEED ANYTHING SPECIAL.

THAT'S WELL TESTED TECHNOLOGY.

AND IF I RULED THE WORLD EVERY CAR COMING OFF THE LINE WOULD HAVE A HYBRID SYSTEM IN IT.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR Mr. MOTORWEEK GIVE US A CALL AT THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN OR SEND AN E-MAIL TO LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

THE SECOND VEHICLE WE WANT TO LOOK AT IS A KIA AND THIS IS A BIG KIA.

>> MOST PEOPLE KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN IN THE MAKE FOR AN S.U.V.

THE KIA TELL USE RIDE, THE S.U.V.

IT IS A HOT PROPERTY AND HAS BEEN FOR A FEW YEARS.

KIA DONE A PURE ELECTRIC BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT IS THE ELECTRIC TELL USE RIDE.

THEY CALL IT THE EV9 IT'S FRESH OUT.

WHAT MAKES IT SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER THREE-ROW S.U.V.S THAT ARE EV'S OUT THERE BUT THIS ONE STARTS UNDER $60,000.

AND WHICH IS FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE FOR AN EV OF THAT SIZE.

MOST OF THE COMPETITORS COSTS SUBSTANTIALLY MORE.

AND IT'S LIKE A TURNING POINT.

EVERYONE'S BEEN SAYING I WANT A BIG EV FOR MY FAMILY AND I WANT AT LEAST DECENT RANGE UP TO 300 MILES AND THAT IS NORM FOR EV'S.

250-300.

BUT IT'S AT A PRICE THAT IS AROUND WHERE THE AVERAGE VEHICLE TRANSACTION PRICE IS.

SO IT IS A START.

>> Jeff: WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE CHARGING NETWORKS IF YOU BUY UP WITH OF THESE, AND YOU LIVE WITH RANGE ANXIETY AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME OR TO THE DESTINATION AND IF YOU ARE DRIVING ON 95 AT THE REST AREAS THEY GOT LINES OF CHARGERS.

>> IF YOU STAY ON THE EAST COAST OR STAY WITHIN A CERTAIN PROXIMITY TO MOST OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, AND YOU DO YOUR PLANNING AND MOST OF THE CARS HAVE COMPUTERS AND NAVIGATION AIDS ONBOARD THAT WILL TELL YOU WHERE THE CHARGERS ARE, ARE THEY BEING USED, ET CETERA.

YOU CAN DO IT.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT.

BUT WHEN YOU GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND YOU WANT TO SPEND THE WEEKEND IN WESTERN MARYLAND YOU HAVE TO PLAN CAREFULLY.

YOU ARE NOT JUST LOOKING FOR AN EV CHARGER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FAST EV CHARGER.

SOMETHING THAT CAN CHARGE YOU UP IN 30-45 MINUTES.

CALL THEM LEVEL THREE CHARGERS.

AND THERE'S NOT THAT MANY OF THEM ONCE YOU GET AWAY FROM THE POPULATED AREA AND THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE SOLVED FOR THIS EV REVOLUTION TO PICK UP THE PACE.

>> Jeff: NOBODY HAS ONE OF THOSE LEVEL THREE THINGS AT HOME.

>> IT'S LEVEL TWO OR LEVEL ONE.

LEVEL ONE IS PLUG TO GO INTO AN OUTLET AND LEVEL TWO IS A DRYER CIRCUIT.

AND THAT WILL CHARGE MOST OF THESE VEHICLES UP SUBSTANCE SHALLLY ADD BETWEEN 16 AND 20 MILES PER HOUR OVERNIGHT.

THE LEVEL TWO'S.

>> Jeff: GRAB A PHONE CALL FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THIS IS CAROLE.

THANK YOU FOR THE CALL.

GO AHEAD.

>> YES, I WAS WONDERING IF FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS WERE STILL OFFERING REBATES ON NEW AND USED EV'S AND HYBRIDS?

>> GREAT QUESTION, THANK YOU.

>> YES, THEY ARE.

THE FEDERAL PROGRAM IS A LITTLE COMPLICATED BUT IT'S UP TO $7500.

IF THE VEHICLE MEETS CERTAIN SOURCING SITUATIONS, BUILT HERE, BATTERY COMES FROM HERE.

NOW, THE WAY THAT A THE 0 OF THE MANUFACTURERS ARE GETTING AROUND THAT, IF THERE IS A LOOPHOLE.

IF YOU LEASE THE VEHICLE, YOU CAN MORE EASILY QUALIFY FOR THAT 7500.

SO WHEN YOU GO INTO A DEALER YOU TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH IS THE FEDERAL INSENSITIVE IF I BUY IT, HOW MUCH IF I LEASE IT HOW DO WE WORK THAT INTO THE PLAN.

THE MARYLAND DID HAVE MONEY THAT IT WAS AMONG OTHER STATES CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON STATE ARE THE OTHER TWO THAT STAND OUT.

BUT MARYLAND DID HAVE MONEY THAT ALSO WAS APPLIED.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY FUNDED.

I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT MARYLAND HAS MORE EV'S BEING PURCHASED PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE GET TO MORE CALLS AND E-MAIL QUESTIONS LET'S LOOK AT THE THIRD VEHICLE WE'RE GOING OLD SCHOOL THIS IS -- >> ONE LAST TIME.

>> Jeff: THIS RUNS ON GASOLINE.

>> SEVEN GENERATION FORD MUSTANG THE LAST OF THE ORIGINAL PONY CARS.

JUST GOT REDONE.

IT'S MORE FUEL EFFICIENT THAN IT WAS BEFORE BUT YOU CAN STILL GET ONE FOR CLOSE TO 500 HORSEPOWER.

AND IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET, YOU WANT THE LAST GAS WITH AMERICAN GASOLINE PERFORMANCE, RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE THE MOST.

BUT WE'VE SAID THAT IN THE PAST BEFORE AND BEEN WRONG EVERY TIME.

>> Jeff: BACK TO THE PHONES TO ST.MARY'S COUNTY.

BILLY THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

GO AHEAD.

>> I SAW IT ON TV A WEEK AGO THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND WANTED TO CHARGE THE TAX ON THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

I'M WONDERING WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

>> WELL, THEY BASICALLY HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKEUP FOR THE DROP IN GASOLINE TAXES AS LESS GASOLINE IS BEING USED.

THERE'S PROGRAMS OUT THERE OR PLANS I SHOULD SAYING ABOUT FLOATED OF CHARGING AN EV OWNER A FIXED FEE OR SOMEHOW KEEPING TRACK HOW MANY MILES YOU DRIVE AND CHARGING YOU BASED ON THAT.

>> Jeff: WE'RE GIVING YOU AN INCENTIVE TO BUY IT OR WE'LL TAX YOU ON IT.

MIXED MESSAGE.

>> ONE HAPPENS FIRST AND THE OTHER HAPPENS SECOND.

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKEUP THE TRANSPORTATION TAXES THAT THEY EXPECT TO LOSE AS GASOLINE AND DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLES WIND DOWN.

AND RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO PARTICULAR WAY TO CHARGE EV'S.

DO YOU PUT IT ON PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC METERS?

HAVE A WAY TO DISTINGUISH WHEN THEY ARE CHARGING UP THE EV VERSUS RUNNING THE REST OF THE HOUSE.

THERE IS A NEW SPAT HOW WE MAKEUP FOR THESE FEES THAT NO ONE HAS THE SOLUTION YET.

>> Jeff: THE STATE ALSO I DON'T KNOW TO WHAT DEGREE THIS IS A LAW TO, WHAT DEGREE IT IS A GOAL, THEY WANT TO PHASE OUT THE SALE OF GASOLINE-POWERED FOSSIL-FUEL-POWERED ENGINES.

>> BY 2035.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF THOSE WILL BE SOLD IN 34, YOU WOULD FIGURE.

HOW REALISTIC IS IT?

>> FROM MY STANDPOINT I DON'T THINK IT'S VERY REALISTIC BECAUSE THE EV MARKET TODAY AND YOU ARE TALKING NOW SURE IT IS ANOTHER WHAT, 11 TO 12 YEARS FROM NOW.

WE'RE 7%.

DIDN'T QUITE GET TO 8% AND IT'S BEEN DROPPING THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

LET'S SAY WE FINISH OUT THE YEAR WITH EV'S PLUS PLUG IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE PLUG IN HYBRIDS MAYBE THAT WILL BE ABOUT 10% OF THE MARKET.

THAT IS A LODGE WAY FROM BEING THE 80, 90% OF THE MARKET.

SOME PARTS OF THE CALIFORNIA AND THE FEDERAL STATUTE ARE AIMING AT THINGS BY 2030 AND 2030 ABOUT 60% OF THE VEHICLES BEING EITHER EV'S OR PLUG IN HYBRIDS.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS PRACTICAL.

THE MARKET IS STARTING TO SPEAK.

EV'S ARE STARTING TO STACK UP IN INVENTORY.

MANUFACTURERS ARE CUTTING BACK ON THEIR INVESTMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE LOSING TONS OF MONEY.

BUT SO FAR THE POLITICIANS HAVE NOT TAKEN NOTE.

AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE THEY FIGURE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS NO MATTER WHAT.

IF WE DON'T GET THERE, WELL, WE'VE STILL MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.

>> Jeff: THEY WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE BY THEN INTEREST AND IT WILL BE SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM.

RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ON SCHEDULE TO DO THAT.

>> Jeff: TO WESTERN MARYLAND.

LISA IN ALLEGANY COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.

WE SPOKE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND NOW I'M INTERESTED IN HOW THE BATTERIES ARE GOING TO BE RECYCLED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

>> Jeff: THESE THINGS DEGRADE OVER TIME.

>> THEY DO DEGRADE BUT ONE OF THE STIPULATIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA RULES THAT MARYLAND IS FOLLOWING, IS THAT BY CERTAIN DATE AND IT'S COMING UP SOON, EV BATTERIES HAVE TO HAVE 70% OF THEIR LIFE AFTER 10 YEARS.

WHICH IS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT SAY REMARKABLE WARRANTY.

SO I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO BE TERRIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT BATTERY LIFE.

IF YOU ARE THE TYPICAL CONSUMER AND YOU ARE GOING TO TURN YOUR CAR OVER ONCE EVERY SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, 10 YEARS.

AS FAR AS RECYCLING A LOT OF COMPANIES ARE DOING ACTIVE RECYCLING.

AND RECYCLED INTO BATTERY PANGS THAT CAN REPLACE BATTERIES IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT.

MOST ARE SMALL CELLS THAT ALMOST LOOK LIKE A C OR D SIZED BATTERY THEY CAN TAKE OUT THE BAD ONES AND USE THE GOOD ONES IN SOMETHING ELSE.

STORAGE FOR ENERGY AT ROAR INDICATIONS.

I BELIEVE FOLKS LIKE AMAZON AND OTHERS HAVE ALREADY DONE QUITE A BIT OF WORK ON STORING SOLAR ENERGETICALLY IN RECYCLED BATTERIES.

THERE IS A LOT OF WORK IN IT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE TOTAL.

BUT IT'S NOT BEING IGNORED.

THERE'S REAL INTERESTING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PROBABLY THERE.

>> Jeff: LET'S CHECK OUT E-MAIL QUESTIONS.

ELIZABETH WANTS TO KNOW ME IS LOOKING FOR A COMPACT CAR BECAUSE SHE IS A PETITE PERSON YOUR OPINION ON WHO HAS GOOD COMPACT CARS?

>> THERE'S NOT VERY MANY OF THEM LEFT.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

WHEN YOU SAY COMPACT TO ME THAT MEANS SOMETHING SMALLER THAN SAY A HONDA ACCORD OR TOYOTA CAMRY.

AND I'D COME BACK TO THOSE TWO BRANDS.

THE TOYOTA COROLLA IS AN EXCELLENT COMPACT CAR.

THE HONDA CIVIC IS AN EXCELLENT COMPACT CAR.

HYUNDAI AND KIA MAKE COMPARABLE VEHICLES.

WILL YOU NOT FIND SO MANY U.S. MODELS IN THAT SIZE CLASS BECAUSE NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WANT THEM AND THEY CAN'T MAKE MONEY ON THEM BUT THEY EXIST.

>> Jeff: E-MAIL FROM KENT, WANTS TO KNEE THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A FULL-SIZED PLUG IN HYBRID TRUCK CALLED THE RAM CHARGER.

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

>> OKAY.

RAM HAS ALREADY SHOWN AT GNAWS YUM THEIR NEW EV ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCK.

THEY HAVE SHOWN THE PRESS THE EV PICKUP TRUCK BUT WITH A V6 GAS ENGINE.

THE GAS ENGINE OPERATES ONLY AS A GENERATOR.

THIS WAS TRIED ONCE BEFORE WITH THE CHEVROLET VOLT TO A CERTAIN DEGREE AND BMW TRY TO DO WITH A VEHICLE CALLED THE I3 WHERE THE GAS ENGINE PRIMARILY IS JUST GENERATOR.

AND THEIR CASE, THE GAS ENGINE, THE V6 WILL HAVE HAD NO CONNECTION TO THE WHEEL IT IS WILL ONLY GENERATE POWER AND IT WILL GENERATE POWER ENOUGH FOR 185 MILES OF EV RANGE WHEN THE BATTERY IS CHARGED.

AND THEN RUN TO CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLY THE BATTERY AFTER THAT.

RIGHT AT THE MOMENT I BELIEVE IT'S THE LONGEST RANGE OF ANY PLUG IN HYBRID BUT THEY REFUSE TO CALL IT A PLUG IN HYBRID THEY CALL IT AN EXTENDED RANGE EV.

>> Jeff: SHOULDN'T THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> IT'S COMPLICATED.

IT MAKES SENSE BUT IT'S COMPLICATED.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE TELLING THE GAS ENGINE TO DO ONE THING.

>> AND IT RUNS AT CONSTANT SPEED, LOW EMISSIONS.

>> Jeff: YOU WILL GET OPTIMAL EFFICIENCY DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE PROBLEM WHEN BMW TRY TO DO THEY MADE A MOTORCYCLE ENGINE OPTIONAL.

IT IS A VERY SMALL VEHICLE.

CHEVY VOLT WAS A PIONEERING VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT HAD SOME MINOR CONNECTION BETWEEN THE GAS ENGINE AND THE WHEELS.

AND IT DIDN'T FIT INTO GM'S EV PLANS SO THEY DID AWAY WITH IT.

NOW, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE RAM COME BACK AROUND AND I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THESE.

BUT YOU CANNOT IMAGINE THE INCREDIBLE COMPLEXITY UNDER THE HOOD.

ONE OF OUR PRODUCERS WAS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON-LINE, AND SAID IT WAS THE MOST COMPLICATED THING THEY HAVE EVER SEEN.

VEHICLES ARE GETTING MORE COMPLEX.

THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP GETTING MORE COMPLEX BUT THIS IS THE HEIGHTH OF COMPLEXITY.

>> BARRY THANK YOU FOR CALLING GO AHEAD.

>> YES.

I THINK THE CONCERN OVER DISTANCE OVER RANGE BETWEEN CHARGES IS ONE OF THE LEAST PROBLEMS.

WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS NOW WHAT I'VE SEEN DISPLAYS OF HOW THE BATTERIES WORK, THEY FAIL BY THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY'VE CHARGED.

NOW, WHAT HAPPENS AS YOU GET DEPOSITS THEY LOOK LIKE [INAUDIBLE].

THEY START GROWING EACH CHARGE IS WHAT CAUSES IT AND WHEN THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH ALL OF THE ENERGY IN THE BATTERY DISCHARGES.

SOME CATCH FIRE.

SOME EXPLODE.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING.

LET ME ASK JOHN.

HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE?

>> IT CAN TAKE A LONGTIME.

IT CAN TAKE PROBABLY 10, 15 YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT APPEARS TO HAPPEN, IS WHEN YOU I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THESE FAST CHARGERS LEVEL THREE THEY CALL THEM DC FAST CHARGERS.

THEY TEND TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE DAMAGE TO THE BATTERIES EVERY TIME YOU USE THEM.

BUT IT'S LIKE 100TH OF ONE% YOU ARE DEGRADING THE BATTERY.

IT'S SOMETHING VERY, VERY SMALL.

NOBODY REALLY KNOWS.

AND OVER THE NORMAL LIFE OF A VEHICLE IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE A FACTOR AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE AUTO MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE CAR RULES FROM CALIFORNIA IS TO DECREASE THAT DEGRADING.

IT MAY BE A PROBLEM TODAY.

IT HAS NOT REARED ITS HEAD IN A BIG WAY.

IT'S MORE THEORY.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DO BELIEVE THAT AND THERE'S SOME SCIENTIFIC PROOF BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT MANIFEST ITSELF YET.

>> Jeff: AN E-MAIL FROM HAGERSTOWN.

MY 83-YEAR-OLD MOTHER DOESN'T APPRECIATE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY NEEDS TO START SHOPPING FOR A USED CAR WITHOUT DISPLAY SCREENS AND MENUS OR SCREENS TURNED OFF AND THE BASIC FUNCTIONS CONTROLLED BY HOLD STYLE BUTTONS AND DIALS.

SHE CURRENTLY DRIVES A SATURN AND LOVED HER BUICK.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> YEAH, I WOULD LIKE AT A FOUR OR FIVE-YEAR-OLD JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT SHE IS INTERESTED IN.

THEY MAY HAVE A SMALL SCREEN BUT IT WON'T BE MUCH MORE THAN A GLORIFIED RADIO FACE.

AND MAYBE GIVE YOU A FEW PIECES OF INFORMATION.

FINDING SOMETHING THAT HAS NO SCREEN AT ALL, WOULD TAKE YOU TO PROBABLY BACK 8 TO 10 YEARS AT A MINIMUM AND YOU ARE DEALING WITH A VEHICLE HIGH MILEAGE AND NOT A SMART BUY.

TOYOTA CAMRY, FORD FOCUS, HONDA ACCORD, THEY ARE SMALLER VERSIONS.

AND THE CIVIC A VARIETY OF HYUNDAI AND OTHER PRODUCTS EVEN SOME OF THE GM AND FORD PRODUCTS FROM FIVE, SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THEY ARE ALL CAPABLE VEHICLES.

THEY'VE GOT GOOD RELIABILITY.

GOOD DEALER NETWORKS AND MOST OF THEM HAVE KNOBS.

>> Jeff: PHONE ALL FROM ARLINGTON.

GO AHEAD THIS IS RITA.

>> GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALL.

MY QUESTION IS CAN YOU HAVE A CAR CONVERTED FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO AN ELECTRIC ONE?

DO YOU KNOW ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE THAT DO THAT.

>> Jeff: THAT IS AN INTERESTING.

>> AND HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST.

>> Jeff: COULD YOU PUT A TAILPIPE ON A TESLA.

>> NOT REALLY BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE INTERNALLY IS NOT BUILT FOR THAT.

THERE ARE SPECIALTY COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS LIKE TAKING CORE VETS AND MAKING THEM ELECTRIFIED.

THERE WAS ONE AROUND WASHINGTON FOR A WHILE.

I'M NOT SURE IF THEY ARE STILL THERE OR NOT.

YES, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THERE IS A COMPANY IN ENGLAND THAT IS TAKING OLD JAGUARS AND MAKING THEM INTO ALL ELECTRIC.

BUT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT LET'S PUT A PRICE TAG $100,000 ON TOP OF THE CAR MAYBE?

BECAUSE YOU NOT ONLY HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING OUT TO TO REINFORCE EVERYTHING.

BATTERIES ADD 1500 POUNDS TO WEIGHT OF MOST VEHICLES.

>> Jeff: IF YOUR 43rd SEASON OF DOING MOTORWEEK WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE.

YOU'VE GOT REALITY TV WHAT IS THE STORY?

>> WELL, WE ALWAYS TRY AND GIVE THE AUDIENCE SOMETHING NEW.

AND MOST PEOPLE LOOK AT MOTORWEEK AND SAY WELL, AREN'T YOU ALREADY REALITY, YOU STAND OUT THERE WITH CARS.

BUT EVERYTHING WE DO IS SCRIPTED.

I READ OFF OF SCRIPTS.

EVERYTHING IS SCRIPTED.

SO REALITY TV IS FAMOUS BECAUSE IT CATCHES PEOPLE AS THEY ARE PEOPLE.

AND MAKES A STORY OUT OF IT.

SO STARTING WITH A SHOW THAT WE JUST FINISHED, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A NEW SEGMENT CALLED OVERDRIVE.

AND IT WILL BE SHOWN ON OUR REGULAR BROADCAST AND IT'S ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AT MOTORWEEK.ORG.

AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVEAWAY THE ENDING, BUT IT IS WE TAKE ONE OF OUR FANS A BIG FAN, WHO LOVES DRIVING, AND GIVE HIM THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE.

AND THEN WE DO IT A SECOND TIME AND REALLY BLOW HIM AWAY.

SO WE HAD A GOOD TIME WITH IT.

WE HAD A GREAT FELLOW THAT WE WORKED WITH US.

WE TOOK HIM TO A RACETRACK, DOMINION RACEWAY SOUTH OF FREDERICKSBURG.

AND WE HAVE TO DO MORE OF THEM.

WE GOT A TASTE OF IT NOW.

I TELL YOU ONE THING PEOPLE THINK REALITY TV IS EASY TO DO AND IT IS NOT.

IT IS A VERY LABOR INTENSIVE IT'S WHAT WE DO.

>> Jeff: LIKE BASEBALL FANTASY CAMP.

>> IN A WAY.

BUT THESE FOLKS WE'RE EXPOSING THEM TO -- WE ARE LETTING THEM DO WHAT WE DO.

WE TEST CARS.

AND WE'RE LETTING THEM GET IN ON THAT AT THE GROUND FLOOR.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING TO ME HOW MUCH TRAFFIC YOU GET ON YouTube.

YOU HAVE ALL THESE OLD VIDEOS.

YOUR ORIGINAL WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOU REVIEWED THE EDSEL OR THE MODEL T, RIGHT?

>> NO.

FORD ESCORT IS AS FAR BACK AS WE GO.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE THE CLASSIC REVIEWS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME THEY ARE FUN TO WATCH.

>> FUNNY YOU MENTION THAT.

WE'RE WORKING ON A STREAMING SITUATION WHERE WE WILL BE STREAMING A LOT OF OUR OLD EPISODES.

IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS BUT WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR, YOU WILL HEAR MUCH MORE ABOUT ALL THE MOTORWEEK OLD EPISODES AND YOU CAN ALREADY WATCH MOST ON YouTube.

BUT THE SHOWS THEMSELVES, THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.

>> Jeff: AND WE GOT A FEW SECONDS.

WHEN IS THE AWARDS SEASON?

>> WE'LL ANNOUNCE IT IN THE FIRST ACTUALLY THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND WEEK OF FEBRUARY OF 24.

2024 DRIVER'S CHOICE AWARDS THE THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW WHERE WE HAVE DONE IT FOR A WHILE NOW.

>> Jeff: JOHN DAVIS MOTORWEEK WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30, SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.

ALWAYS FUN CATCHING UP.

>> THANKS, JEFF.

>> Jeff: THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN SEE OUR ARCHIVED PROGRAMS ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.