Electric cars were a cool topic this week. First, Tesla unveiled an all-wheel drive model. The car, like Tesla’s Model S cars, will have an autopilot feature that uses radar to enable the car to self-park, and avoid hitting pedestrians and other obstacles that get in the way of driving. It can also turn on the air conditioning (presumably with help from the driver) ahead of a trip, so the car is cool when the driver arrives.
BMW is also set to put a new electric car on the road, a sporty i8. But despite the new models, sales of electric cars are down in B.C. since the provincial government cut out the $5,000 rebate it used to give. At least that’s the anecdotal evidence.
But the lack of a rebate is unlikely to affect purchases of the new Tesla, which will retail for about $120,000 US or the i8 with its $145,000 price tag.
And it looks like more people are driving their electric cars with the number of sessions at charging stations in the province more than double from a year ago, which is giving retailers a surprising boost, as it does take a bit of time to charge your car. And people have to do something while they wait. And that something seems to be shopping.
But you don’t have to buy the latest Tesla to get your car to turn on your stereo. That can be done with a beacon created by a local company. When you approach your car the beacon can send a message to your phone asking if you want the music on. It can also send a note to your spouse letting them know you are on your way home.
Technology – what would we do without it? Use a camel. That’s what Google Street View apparently did to get pictures of the area around Liwa Oasis (thanks to qz.com for that story lead).
One great thing about technology? A lot of tech companies are run by women.
In Fortune’s list of the 50 most powerful women of 2014, Ginni Rometty, Chairman, CEO and president of IBM tops the list. And there’s lots more like her.
