AutoExpert

A viewer asked me recently an innocent, and seemingly simple, question: Why are EV fires in the news all the time, and yet power tool batteries (which use the same fundamental tech) are so ubiquitous and seemingly safe? The answer opens a wormhole into the non-linearity of complex systems and failure mechanisms.
Prepare to bleed from the ears.

Volvo is recalling almost 35,000 EX-30 battery EVs globally (almost 3000 here in Australia) because the batteries mught just catch fire without warning.
All you have to do to enter this lottery is charge to 100%, and see what happens.
They don't actually have a fix. The 'fix' (if you can call it that) is to refrain from charging beyond 70%, indefinitely.
But that's OK because ... net zero. Obviously.

We all paid $600 million in 2025 for EV sales to remain, essentially, stagnant. (Up 1.1 per cent over two years.)
Unincentivised hybrids are selling their ta-tas off, however, and likewise unincentivised PHEVs are 'boom town'...

Kia's sales apocalypse with the Tasman continues - which is awesome news for you if you want a massive discount.

Brass hammers are A) more dense than steel, B) don't damage steel parts you're working on, C) don't spark (in combustible environments) and D) have excellent impact kinematics.
They're a superpower in the home workshop, basically.
Proving a point here: I made one in under a day, for under $100, without using special tools, and you can, too. So just get started.