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Gavin Shoebridge@kiwiev.bsky.social |
208 followers 73 following 479 posts
Lover of potatoes, electric cars and freshly harvested memes.
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer should be an interesting electric station wagon when it arrives to NZ (supposedly this year). This one has a WLTP range of 685 km (486 miles) which is handy. Could it do AKL-WGN on one charge? I'd be keen to try! π
3 replies 0 reposts 13 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Well, that's unexpected. The AMG EQE 53 has a remarkable PSC of 77. I won't lie, I'm quite impressed.
0 replies 0 reposts 4 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I know it's a niche product, but man I had fun playing around in this thing on this big, empty river bed. The torque on this thing is nuts. It's like a battery-powered mountain goat. π
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud4V...
1 replies 4 reposts 5 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I got my hands on a big German luxury barge! This thing's as big as an office block, softer than a sponge cake, produces no emissions and yet is quicker than the new Toyota Supra. π― I'm not sold on the looks though...
1 replies 0 reposts 7 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Getting "Summon mode" working on the Kia EV9 is like mastering the Konami code on a Nintendo. Up, up, left, down, right, up, left, sing, chant, pray. π
2 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Man, I get to drive some remarkable machines. There's nothing quite like opening your front door and just staring in awe at whatever this week's electric car is. It's an ever changing landscape of clean cars and I'm very lucky. And the neighbours are no doubt confused. π
3 replies 1 reposts 8 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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A familiar sight for all Austin Allegro owners: remapping your accelerator pedal with a laptop. π
1 replies 0 reposts 11 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I took the Allegro for a drive (that's technically correct) and noticed how high the rear of the car sits with no weight in the back. This thing needs a battery pack to even out the load.
2 replies 1 reposts 8 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Doing a little playing around. This is going to be the car's "brain box". I'm going to put the Nissan Leaf control module and all the 12 volt stuff in here. Should keep it tidy.
1 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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You might've seen the fabricated 'study' that's doing the rounds this week, claiming that most EV drivers are all desperate to go back to slower, more expensive combustion cars, being tied to the pump. πLOL yeah right. Well, here's an actual study done on actual drivers.
0 replies 8 reposts 15 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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The most annoying thing about driving an electric car (that no one warns you about) is that it gives you unrealistic expectations of how briskly everyone should get up to speed from a green light. Waiting for a herd of combustion cars to lumber up to 50 km/h is GLACIAL.
2 replies 0 reposts 12 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This is the BYD Dolphin Mini (aka Seagull) & the Leapmotor T03. They're rumoured to be flooding into the NZ & AU markets soon and will likely be highly affordable little electric cars. I wonder if one particular combustion-only compact maker is getting uneasy right about now? π€
3 replies 4 reposts 16 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Somehow I got included in this list of the top 10 Aussie EV YouTubers! π² Some awesome people in this video, many of whom I've had the pleasure to meet.
...Just don't tell them I'm not Australian π
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QPT...
1 replies 0 reposts 4 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Behold! The measurements of the massive (hah) Austin Allegro boot. Gotta try and fit a battery in there somehow. It's a bit compact, but I'm not worried because many women have reassured me that size isn't important. π
2 replies 1 reposts 8 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Full video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISIU...
It's easy to watch and explains my goals and expected challenges (some of which are already solved!).
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Now that we're beginning the battery stage in the EV conversion, many peeps are asking about battery size & range. I touched on this in the 'Planning' video from last year, but these have always been the primary goals:
2 replies 1 reposts 4 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Ohhhh, yisssss. Electric commercial flight is just around the corner. The battery powered revolution is really taking off! π
electrek.co/2024/06/25/c...
0 replies 1 reposts 2 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Well, we took your advice and stopped at Fairlie for their famous pies and they're VERY good. Turns out the South Island CAN do pies as good as the North Island! π But...I'm not sure they're worth the loooooong drive, 15 minute wait and the price (almost ten dollars for a pie?!). π¬
1 replies 0 reposts 4 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This is the new Windrose electric heavy haulage truck. With a battery of 729 kWh and a range of 670 km per charge, this machine ends any remaining fuel cell trucking argument. It's over. 20 have been ordered by ETrucks NZ. First one arrives here in 3 months. Can't wait to see these everywhere.
5 replies 14 reposts 72 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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So, a rare *serious* question for once: what's going to happen to the US auto industry when America is flooded with big, fast, efficient Chinese electric vehicles? I mean, we know it's coming soon, so are the big legacy brands ready? Will they be able to compete okay?
4 replies 0 reposts 3 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This hotel's got an ancient phone on its Victorian-era stairs. It's like a time capsule here. Put the phone to my ear to take a joke photo but... it connected immediately to Toyota's EV research department. π³
3 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Hyundai dropped this today. I'm intrigued. Anyone else going to Fieldays?
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Heh
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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The embargo has ended! I can now share the Polestar 3 video from Spain!
Now I'd better figure out a battery pack for the Allegro. But first I gotta clean the house as a guest is coming for 3 weeks and I'm gonna show her around NZ! I've earned a holiday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amgv...
0 replies 1 reposts 10 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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It took 8 months to make it, but here's the latest chapter in my Austin Allegro electric car conversion!
Got the motor spinning, plus we actually drove the car on a household extension cord. Slowly. π
Enjoy!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hoks...
3 replies 3 reposts 11 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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YEEESSSSSSSSS! SUCCESS!!!!! The wheels spin! Better yet, the car can actually move on the ground, running off a household outlet! π² Video of this latest episode is will be uploaded ASAP but will take a while as it's a big video (but worth the wait). YEEEESSSSS!!!
2 replies 0 reposts 12 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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You may or may not be joking about the test run but... we might be able to move the car slowly off mains power! Not sure. We're gonna try it!
0 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I present thee with this humble offering: a freshly re-engineered driveshaft. May this blessed bounty fit perfectly. Today is fitting day! Cross your fingers, toes, knees - anything you have two of.
4 replies 1 reposts 16 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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The embargo on the Polestar 3 ends soon! Can't wait to share my driving impressions at the launch in Spain - even if the steering wheel's on the wrong side. Meanwhile, I was told the Allegro driveshaft should be ready this morning. Cross your fingers. This weekend could be it!
1 replies 1 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I HAVE REBOUND STRAPS!!! Huge thank you to Dave Giddens Sailmakers. Barely 24 hours passed from my initial email to picking up the finished product! These guys have single-handedly restored my faith in the kiwi can-do spirit. Freaking awesome!
1 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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We're getting somewhere with the rebound straps! Replacements are gonna be fabricated right here in New Zealand by an industrial sewing & rebound strapologist. Here's a clue as to their profession: CAN'T WAIT!
0 replies 0 reposts 5 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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It was all safe as the car was on stands and if anything were to break (which it did) I made sure nothing would move.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Time for a motivational picture, taken just after we'd got the Nissan Leaf motor installed into the Allegro. Now, I'm not getting my hopes up again, but I've been told that the missing driveshaft could be ready to be installed in 3 or 4 days... π€
2 replies 0 reposts 8 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This is my "I wonder if it'll hold?" expression, right before the rebound strap snapped. π
1 replies 0 reposts 7 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Coincidence? I think not.
2 replies 2 reposts 27 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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History fact: mobile phones were often used as status symbols in Victorian times, being displayed prominently in stately homes.
1 replies 1 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Rare image of a combustion car consoling itself after a drag race with an electric car:
0 replies 0 reposts 7 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Well, I had a go at replacing the other rebound strap on the Allegro... which promptly ripped apart once it had the weight of the wheel on it. Now I need to find more replacements. Preferably ones which can do what they designed to do.
3 replies 0 reposts 0 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Ohhhh THAT'S how it works.
0 replies 3 reposts 15 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N with its fake engine sounds & fake gear changes.
On a purely practical level, it's pointless. I mean, it solves no problem.
But... it felt really, really good. Like I was 18 again.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHE...
1 replies 3 reposts 8 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Good news and bad news. The driveshafts are likely to be ready in 3 days, but one of you wrote them a very nasty email which has NOT sped things up, and has instead worsened the situation. I've just had to write in & apologise and I'm really pissed off about it.
3 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Just about finished editing the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N video and it'll be live shortly. The level of fun in this car is higher than the divorce rate of my socks.
1 replies 0 reposts 5 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This has to be fake news. Angry old dudes on Facebook told me that only electric cars catch fire. Although... πππππππ πΉππΆππ·π would make a cool band name.
2 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Emailed the driveshaft place. Just told me the missing shaft is still not ready. Was hoping to get the wheels spinning this weekend and finish the latest video but now it's not gonna happen. Everything's still paused. I'm sorry about this delay, folks.
1 replies 0 reposts 7 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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What I've found particularly noteworthy with the Ioniq 5 N is how Hyundai's engineers have managed to increase the Potato Storage Capacity (PSC) by an impressive 26.4% over the regular Ioniq 5. More details to follow.
3 replies 4 reposts 28 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I don't know the age of the parts unfortunately but they're unused. New Allegro parts are rare, so finding replacements will be very difficult.
1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Are you asking me? Use Google.
1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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I just spent two hours adding 600 songs I can't remember now. My brain is mush. :D
Here's the link if you wanna try it: open.spotify.com/playlist/1Zc...
1 replies 1 reposts 3 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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Sick of '80s playlists full of "Take on Me" and other overplayed songs so I made a playlist myself. It's called πππππ¬: π ππ¨ π and it's the chart toppers that made it to number 9,8,7,6 and 5 - but no further! Some forgotten gems in there! Anyone want it?
1 replies 0 reposts 7 likes
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Gavin Shoebridge
@kiwiev.bsky.social
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This electric car ain't got no engine but it revs and pops and even kicks you if you paddle-shift the 'gears' hard. Plus it's got more grunt than a V10 Dodge Viper.
But... it's all fake.
It's not real.
I should probably hate it.
But... π€
#ioniq5n
0 replies 0 reposts 3 likes