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From Caterpillar Corporation
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The 994K Wheel Loader
The Cat 994K Wheel Loader meets
the demand for greater productivity by delivering more:
More payload.
More power.
More performance.
More profitability.
The 994K builds on the 25-year history of the 994 model and
combines it with your input to deliver a bigger, better machine.
We made the 994K larger — increasing payload up to 30%.
We improved the engine to make it more powerful and efficient.
We made it more comfortable and quiet, improved visibility
and made it safer for equipment operators.
New serviceability features and a modular design make it more
serviceable,
with high-strength structures and axles make it more reliable,
durable and longer-lasting.
The 994K is built to load more material for a more productive
operation and a better bottom line.
This machine is required to move 500 tons of earth/ore which will
be refined into one lithium car battery.
It burns 900-1000 gallons of fuel in a 12 hour shift.
Lithium is refined from ore using sulfuric acid.
The proposed lithium mine at Thacker Pass Nevada is estimated to
require up to 75 semi loads of sulfuric acid a day.
This mining operation is of the oft-criticized open pit mining
process.
This 500,000+ Pound vehicle is a modern marvel.
It should be noted the sulfuric acid does not turn into unicorn
food like some proponents believe.
A battery in an electric car, lets say an average Tesla, is made
of 25 pounds of lithium, 60 pounds of nickel,
44 pounds of manganese, 30 pounds of cobalt, 200 pounds of copper,
and 400 pounds of aluminum, steel,
and plastic, etc., averaging 750-1,000 pounds of minerals
needed to be mined and
processed into a battery that merely stores electricity.
Interstingly, electricity to charge
the batteries is generated by oil, gas, coal, or water (and a
tiny fraction of wind and solar).
The above are forthright statements about the so-called 'green'
energy.
There does not seem to be much green about the green new deal--other
than
the kind that winds up in bank accounts of those who 'know'.
It is hoped people learn how to vote or this nonsense will
continue
to flow down onto us from the throne of government we put these
people on."
As per Dept. of Energy(https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/ev-charging-home_,
it should also be mentioned that normal house wiring can only
provide a charge of about 5 miles per hour charging whereas the
installation of high capacity wiring will cost as much as $1800
and result in an approximate range of 250 miles.
All mass-produced electric vehicles today include a 110-volt-compatible
|(Level 1) charging unit which is able to be plugged into any
standard 110v household outlet. The downside of EV charging with
a 110v outlet is that it takes a while.
Level 1 charging provides approximately four to five miles of
range per hour charged. For an eight-hour overnight charge, this
will enable traveling around 36 to 40 miles which is great for
people who drive less than 50 miles (80 km) a day. Most
electric vehicle owners find that this meets their needs
perfectly and allows them to conveniently charge their EV at home
without any changes or upgrades.
However, others with long commutes or who drive for work
need more range
may prefer to invest in a 240v, Level 2 wall-mounted charger.
240 volt outlets are the type you typically see for electric
clothes dryers at home and are the type most commonly installed
for public charging stations. Compared with Level 1 charging, a
Level 2 charge takes about half the time - providing about 180
miles of range over an eight-hour overnight charging period.
Level 2 charging is the best option for drivers in a hurry as
well as those who drive more miles in a day.
Level 2 fast charging is especially attractive for those who don’t
have reliable access to public or workplace chargers. A Level 2
Charger needs to be installed with the help of an
electrician and it can be
placed in a location that makes at-home charging even easier.
Additionally:
Albany Times Union
Letter to Editor
Bethlehem Does Not Need Any More Gas Stations
I support the Bethlehem Town Board’s efforts to prohibit the expansion or construction of new gasoline stations through the town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan developed by a committee, and approved by the Town Board, provides a roadmap for commercial and residential development in Bethlehem.
Electric cars will be far more common in the future because of the need to control climate change. The need for gasoline stations will decrease substantially over the next decade. Already on a 2-mile stretch of Route 9W, there are dozens of gasoline or diesel pumps with more being planned.
As gasoline sales decline, these stations will be increasingly unprofitable and many will close, leaving behind gasoline storage tanks. If another type of business locates on the property, the underground tanks will need to be removed, discouraging new businesses. Many of the tanks will leak, making remediation or cleanup of the site necessary. The gasoline company may be out of business and the costs of the clean up will fall to the government (taxpayers) in many cases.
New gasoline pumps are not needed and will prevent the expansion of businesses in the town and ultimately increase costs to the taxpayers.
Delmar, NY
The above letter(7/31/22) to the
Times-Union Editor shows how some things may be very
short sighted and misleading as the products and support for EVs
are just not ready.
Realistic planning needs realistic situations and the reality is
the extremely large majority
of cars need gasoline and will for a long time. This rush to EVs
and alternative energy has not worked really well in many other
countries along
with states like CA and TX where they now have rolling blackouts,
etc...
This very basic explanation of renewable energy speaks to the
idea:
"Renewable energy comes from self-renewing natural sources
and processes, such as sunlight or wind. Unlike
fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are constantly being
replenished
and can, therefore, in theory never be depleted.
Green energy — a subgroup of renewable energy that
doesn’t harm the environment — is the most
environmentally friendly kind."--
from: https://dutchreview.com/expat/renewable-energy-netherlands/
FYI: Some things are not as advertised-like environmentally
friendly delivery of electricity and storage.......so the real
effect of 'renewable energy' may not be as renewable as it
appears on the surface. We have a long way to go and government
of all things should not be pushing things on us until the entire
picture is in focus and the product is ready for prime time...
...Again, I reference the
description of what is required and used to produce a typical EV
Battery above.