Idaho News (Boise, Idaho Falls, Ketchum: buses, automobile, natural gas)

[Syringaloid]

https://www.kivitv.com/news/state-of...at-white-house
Infrastructure deal brings investments to Idaho, Mayor McLean to attend signing at White House

Here is what the plan will do for Idaho:

More than $2.2 billion of the deal is going directly to rebuilding roads and bridges across Idaho, with a focus on climate change mitigation

$350 million is dedicated to keeping water clean and safe throughout the state.

$24 million will go to battling the effects of climate change, like the wildfires that have been plaguing the west.

Idaho will also see more than $300 million over the next five years. $30 million is for electric vehicles, $192 million is for Public transportation and $86 million will go to state airports.

https://www.facebook.com/

I was honored to join President Joe Biden and leaders from around the country-like Secretary Pete Buttigieg! -as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law. This deal will bring billions to Idaho to rebuild roads and bridges, combat the effects of climate change and expand access to high speed broadband.

This plan ensures Boise has the tools we need to respond to the biggest challenges we face. This is a great day for Boise.


— Lauren McLean (@laurenmclean) November 15, 2021

[dcisive]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

https://www.kivitv.com/news/state-of...at-white-house
[b]Infrastructure deal brings investments to Idaho, Mayor McLean to attend signing at White House[https://www.facebook.com/

Yippie I hope they add more charging locations across the State. . I have an EV. They need one in Twin Falls, Ketchum and McCall

[nowhereman427]

:d

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by dcisive

Yippie I hope they add more charging locations across the State. . I have an EV. They need one in Twin Falls, Ketchum and McCall

I'm sure more charging stations are on the way. I hope a lot of small towns that are right at the end of average charging length will get one. Dubois is just off of I-15, and it's a last stop for gas before crossing the Monida Pass. Arco could use one, as the nearest gas is 60 miles away in all directions. Island Park needs one, and I'm sure there are many small towns in NID need them.

Range is the biggest problem with the EVs out here. I learned a long time ago to top off my tank on the Interstates because gas stations in Montana are as few and far between as they are in Idaho. Running low on gas in the middle of a ground blizzard is no fun on any of our highways that have long remote stretches.

I have some colorful stories about that, for sure. Fun to recall, but not so much when it happened.

Back in the day, a sugarfoot buddy or mine used to hitchhike all over and he always carried a 2-gallon gas can. He said the cars stopped more often when the driver saw it. Back then, a buck would fill the can.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Could you please start a new thread with this discussion? This thread was intended for quick news items and short comments.

[mod note] Correct! Not the thread to discuss partisan politics nor second amendment issues. [/mod note]

[dcisive]

When I took delivery of my ID.4 VW Pro S EV at the end of this last June they took a picture of me and the salesmen in front of the car because I was the 1st one to take delivery of one. There is a dealer in Boise and Idaho Falls but I don't know how well they've sold there yet. The good thing is there are DCFC stations from Burley right on up I-15 to Missoula and beyond. So travel up that direction is a piece of cake. Just as easy heading from Twin Falls to Seattle, they are all the way up there. Pretty much all of the Interstates have a plethora of them at nice intervals. The charging from 20% to 80% (rendering over 200mi range) only takes about 25 minutes. Most people I'm following on Youtube that do travel with these have noted that stopping every hour and a half or so to charge up makes more sense then you might think. To hit the bathroom, grab a coffee nearby and stretch your legs. In time the ways of travel will change from the days when I was a roadwarrior and would drive for 11hrs straight. It took it's toll on me as it would anyone. I'm sure enjoying my divorce from gas pumps and paying for them. My charges at home on my Level 2 charger I had installed runs me about $4-$6. A far cry from the $70 I used to pump into my SUV weekly. I know it will take a lot of movement forward in the tech to convince others to give up their gas burners. It may well be when I'm gone. But eventually it will be a good thing. I'm just enjoying tomorrow today.

[banjomike]

I once thought it would take a long time before folks would give up their gas burners too.

I saw the first Tesla in town I ever saw before only a couple of months ago. Since then, I've seen 3 more, all on the same street I travel a lot.

The advantages you mentioned are what are going to be mind-changers. Once Ford introduces the Lightning, it's new electric pickup, I think they'll sell like hotcakes here.

[Heron31]

Originally Posted by banjomike

...Once Ford introduces the Lightning, it's new electric pickup, I think they'll sell like hotcakes here.

No doubt!

I wondered about the tow capacity, though, so I looked it up:

"a maximum 10,000 pounds of available towing capacity on XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package."

That's certainly adequate.

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by Heron31

No doubt!

I wondered about the tow capacity, though, so I looked it up:

"a maximum 10,000 pounds of available towing capacity on XLT and Lariat trucks with the extended-range battery and Max Trailer Tow Package."

That's certainly adequate.

Wow!
I knew about the model but never knew the specs. That's impressive!
I heard the truck has been a big deal at auto shows. With that much towing capacity, it's right on the border between light and medium duty.

Trucks that are medium duty usually don't get more than 11-17 MPG. $50.00 fill-ups typically, as they have big gas tanks. A lot of farm trucks get filled weekly or more often.

One very cool feature of the Lightning is it's an emergency power generator parked in the garage when the electricity goes out when on option is ordered. It can also power tools on the job like saws and drills. That would also be a great feature for camping trailers; the truck and trailer could charge each other on the road.

[dcisive]

Originally Posted by banjomike

I once thought it would take a long time before folks would give up their gas burners too.

The advantages you mentioned are what are going to be mind-changers. Once Ford introduces the Lightning, it's new electric pickup, I think they'll sell like hotcakes here.

I saw a very detailed premiere of the F150 Lightning due out next summer. The price alone is enticing but the interior and features in the cabin are mind boggling. Surely attractive to a wanna be pickup owner. And 0-60mph in 4 seconds should satisfy the older guys with the "boy racer" blood still intact. Yeah and near 300mi on a charge is a real $$$ saver. I already spoke to a farmer I run into at our local grill who said he's got a pre order in on one and has already installed a charge unit on the wall in his garage.