How Washington is turning emissions taxes into cheaper electric bicycles - Related to cheaper, exhaust, a, hybrid, airbag

How Washington is turning emissions taxes into cheaper electric bicycles

Electric bicycle incentive programs have grown considerably over the last few years, and Washington State is one of the most recent to lay the groundwork for yet another program designed to reduce the cost of this alternative transportation for lower-income commuters. But the state is also going about it in a unique way, by using funding raised from its emissions taxes.

That’s right, a new $5 million budget earmarked for electric bicycle rebates in the state is being funded by the state’s emissions taxes as part of the Climate Commitment Act, which received a groundswell of support among voters in the state.

The rebates will range from $300 for those making more than 80% of the area median income to up to $1,200 for lower-income residents.

Applications will take place via a still-in-development online portal system, and the rebates will be honored at the register, meaning riders won’t have to fork over the entire amount and then wait for a reimbursement check or tax rebate.

Unlike other e-bike incentive programs we’ve seen, such as the infamous California state program that was beset with issues from the start, the Washington State e-bike incentives won’t be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, lucky state residents will be randomly selected from the pool of entrants in a lottery-style drawing. However, many of the other details of the program are still being hashed out ahead of final implementation.

E-bike incentive programs like this one have been gaining traction nationwide as policymakers recognize the role electric bicycles can play in expanding transportation access. These programs often specifically target lower-income individuals who may not have the upfront cash to invest in an e-bike, despite the long-term savings they offer.

For many people, car ownership is an expensive burden, with costs for gas, insurance, and maintenance quickly adding up. E-bikes provide a cost-effective alternative, allowing people to commute to work, run errands, and access essential services without the financial strain of owning a car.

Beyond affordability, these programs also help address transportation equity and environmental concerns. Many lower-income neighborhoods have limited public transit options, making daily travel difficult for those without a car.

E-bikes can bridge that gap, providing a reliable and efficient mode of transportation that extends the reach of bus and train networks. Shifting more trips from cars to e-bikes reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions, contributing to cleaner air and more livable cities.

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Stellantis EV exhaust system could cool the chances of a fire

Parent corporation of Dodge, Ram, Jeep envisions an exhaust system for EVs.

Would identify battery thermal runaway, could help prevent resulting fire by treating gases.

Dodge Charger Daytona EV already makes the sound of an ICE exhaust system.

Exhaust systems remove the byproducts of internal combustion, so they might seem superfluous in electric vehicles. But Stellantis might disagree with that.

On Jan. 16, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (originally filed in 2023) for an electric vehicle exhaust system that, Stellantis states, could help prevent EV battery fires—or control the extent of their damage.

When batteries overheat—or experience thermal runaway, in engineering parlance—they can release flammable gases that then ignite in the presence of the high temperatures generated by the overheating batteries, Stellantis explains in the document. Those gases can include hydrogen, as well as hydrocarbons like methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, cyclopropane, and butane, .

Stellantis EV exhaust system patent image.

Removing those gases could prevent thermal runaway from escalating into fires, the automaker reasons, as well as vent pressure from the battery pack. With Stellantis' four new modular STLA platforms designed to accommodate combustion engines and their exhaust systems, as well as all-electric powertrains, there's certainly room for the necessary plumbing.

Stellantis even designed an exhaust system of sorts for the Dodge Charger Daytona EV, to reproduce the V-8 rumble of past Chargers—although that system is entirely intended for sound and vibration.

In the battery exhaust system, gases and they would pass through "a plurality of treatment zones for chemically treating the flow of gases to eliminate or at least reduce the number of various chemical species from the flow," Stellantis says in the filing—bringing to mind some similarities to the catalytic converters used in combustion vehicles.

Stellantis EV exhaust system patent image.

Modern batteries in most EVs are rigidly controlled via battery management system parameters. They're also tightly sealed, with liquid cooling systems, and monitored at the module or cell level in a way that can isolate a defective portion of the pack. So while it's surprising to see an automaker focusing on an outcome that its engineers have likely gone to great lengths to avoid, this isn't the only unusual solution proposed for lessening the risk of EV battery fires. In 2019 the automotive supplier Bosch proposed using pyrotechnics to quickly sever electrical connections between battery pack and the rest of the vehicle if thermal runaway occurs. Either solution would be more about containing damage, and potentially making vehicles safer for first responders to approach, than prevent runaways in the first place.

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Kia Niro EV, PHEV, and Hybrid recalled due to airbag issues

Kia is recalling 80,255 Niro models because of a wiring issue that could interfere with the deployment of airbags.

The recall encompasses hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions of the Niro from model years 2023-2025 equipped with manually-adjusted front passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged by repeated sliding of the seat for fore and aft adjustment, .

Damaged wires could result in non-deployment of airbags and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners during a crash, inadvertent deployment of the passenger side airbag, and the inability to deactivate the front passenger airbag for a child or underweight seat occupant—increasing the risk of injury. If this condition occurs, drivers may see an illuminated airbag warning light on the dashboard.

Kia told the NHTSA that it is unaware of any crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires related to this condition, which the automaker determined is due to incorrect routing of the wires under the front passenger seat.

The remedy is inspection and rerouting or, as necessary, replacement of the affected wires, which dealers will do free of charge. Kia expects to mail owner notification letters Mar. 14. Owners can also call Kia's customer service department at 1-800-333-4542 or visit Kia's recall site with any questions. Kia's reference number for this recall is SC332.

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