18 minute read
ARE WE READY FOR EVS?
Eduardo Hilera, M.P.S. Eduardo Hilera, M.P.S.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Expert Emergency Management and Homeland Security Expert
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Can We Rely on Electric? The Storms of September
First things first—this is not an argument in favor or against electric vehicles. This article poses a few questions regarding electric vehicles. Ultimately, the consumer decides what they buy and what they consider reliable. Electric vehicles are certainly more efficient, and more environmentally friendly. However, do we have all the information we need to take an educated position on the electric vehicle conversation? Car and Driver puts the cost of an average entry level vehicle at around $20,000 in 2022.
Business Insider’s latest publications state that electric vehicles at the entry level come in at around $30,000. A rough calculation could mean that an entry level vehicle comes with a $300-$350 monthly payment, and an electric vehicle has a payment of about $500 a month. According to the federal government, the median weekly earnings in the U.S. is $1,070. In
Puerto Rico, that number is around $680 in San
Juan and can range from $320 a week and $893 a week in other areas. The average gas tank has a range broadly from 200-400 miles. Comparatively, an electric vehicle gets about 250 miles per charge. According to the EIA, the kilowatt per hour rate in Puerto Rico is 29.99 cents. The average electric vehicle takes around one kWh for every 3-4 miles of range. In Puerto Rico this means that a full charge could cost about $22 dollars, compared to $50 for a full tank of gasoline. Assuming that a car is driven 12,000 miles a year, the electric vehicle costs around $870 a year to charge, whereas a gasoline vehicle requires about $2500 a year in gasoline. Thus, it would take about four years for the cost of an electric vehicle to break even with a gasoline vehicle. That analysis however is up to the individual consumer. More broadly, there are several questions that come to mind when policies such as those in California resonate throughout the country and assume that we may be ready to switch to electric by 2035. Let’s take storms for example. In September,
Puerto Rico was hit by hurricane Fiona. The category 2 storm wreaked havoc, obliterated parts of the power grid, and would have left many electric vehicles without charging capabilities. On the mainland, as the Christmas holiday started, a once in a generation winter storm slammed the U.S. from coast to coast, hitting the power grid, causing death and creating a national emergency. Electric vehicles wouldn’t only be a challenge due to the snow, but also due to their power source. See, gasoline or diesel can be transported in smaller containers, electric generation however, requires a second vehicle— likely one that runs on gas or diesel. With that in mind, and to continue the conversation, I’ll end with some questions. 1) Some expert estimates suggest that lithium supplies may last as little as 70 years. At that point, we may have to turn to the oceans to mine lithium. How sustainable is mining for the materials needed to produce lithium batteries? 2) Electric vehicles use sophisticated home connection kits that require considerable electric power. Is a switch to electric vehicles going to place an unsustainable load on the electric grid? 3) Currently, electric vehicles are eligible for many tax breaks throughout the country. Will this be the case in the long run? What impact can this have on tax collection and the government services funded by those taxes?
The Atlantic hurricane season— the one that impacts Puerto Rico—runs from June 1 to November 30. The peak, however, occurs from midSeptember to mid-October, which has already started, folks.
The hurricanes permanently recorded in our memories all made landfall in September. Hugo on September 19, 1988; Hortensia on September 10, 1996; Georges on September 21, 1998; and Maria on September 20, 2017. There is a clear trend here.
Abraham Lincoln said: “If I only had one hour to chop down a tree, I would spend 45 minutes sharpening my axe.”
Applying Honest Abe’s wise logic to hurricane season, we should do everything possible to get ready before a disaster.
All it takes to get ready is a little creativity, logic 4) What potential impact can the reduction in and a few bucks. Being prepared makes our fossil fuels have on the production of jet fuel and communities more resilient. other products that are essential to the operation
The most basic emergency management of other vehicles? concept is planning. Emergency managers agree that the first 72 hours after a disaster are crucial— it takes that long for help from first responders to reach those in need. In the spirit of planning, below is a checklist of the steps we can all take to be prepared for those first 72 hours. It doesn’t involve sophisticated equipment, just a few things we can do by ourselves. Inspect Your Home—Look around your home at doors, windows, potentially hazardous objects, and anything easily repairable. Address whatever you find and can fix immediately. Look for loose doors, exposed windows, and non-tempered glass windows or panels. Fix or secure everything you can. Prepare Your Car—If you own a car, keep the tank full. Set a reminder on your phone. In an emergency, a full tank of gas will get you wherever you need to go. In addition, identify a safe spot where you can park your car. Medication—If you or your family take medications, make sure you have a full week’s supply. First Aid Kit—Most of us have first aid products but may not keep them all in the same place. Look through your home and store them all together. The Red Cross and others provide recommendations of specific items to have, such as bandages, topical antibiotics and ice packs. Emergency Phone Numbers— Modern times have made us drift away from it, but use pen and paper and write down your most important contacts. If your phone dies, this could come in very handy. This list will also serve as a reminder of the folks you should keep in touch with during the emergency. Cash at Hand—Electronic payment platforms, ATMS and banks can go out of service. Keep enough money on hand to pay for basics following the disaster.
Damage from Hurricane Maria in Sept. 2017 >Carlos Rivera Giusti, Archive Water—Keep enough drinking water to keep your family hydrated for 72 hours. In addition, keep containers full of tap water for basic household needs.
In fact, Food—Cook what you can and use perishables first. Make sure to keep non-perishable food as well. The hurricanes permanently recorded in our memories all made landfall in September. Hugo on September 19, Electronics Charging Routine—Make a list of all your electronics and keep them charged. Keep back-up and disposable batteries handy as well. However, the single most important electronic device is the flashlight. Keep it handy. 1988; Hortensia on Tool Kit—Just like your first aid kit, make sure your September 10, 1996; tools are organized and accessible. An all-in-one Georges on September tool kit, like many retailers carry, is a good idea to 21, 1998; and Maria on keep handy. September 20, 2017. There is a clear trend here. Stay Tuned—Identify and follow your preferred news sources. Make sure they’re reliable and frequently updated. In addition, pick up a basic battery-powered radio. Stay Calm—You have done the important work of getting ready. Now, the most important part is to remain calm, during and after the storm.
What potential impact can the reduction in fossil fuels have on the production of jet fuel and other products that are essential to the operation of other vehicles? Eduardo Hilera, PR3 Consulting, LLC.
4,000 miles away, ‘el sabor criollo’ lives on
Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal
In a state where the sun is hidden behind thick, gray clouds for nine months a year, Borikén Restaurant brings much needed Caribbean warmth to its guests.
Samuel Vázquez and Awilda MedinaVázquez own and run the Borikén Restaurant in Portland, Oregon. Vazquez, born in New York to parents from Mayagüez and Guayama, moved back to the island with his parents, like many other Puerto Rican families, when he was still a child. Vázquez later returned to the states after graduating from the university and for the past 12 years he’s lived in Portland with his wife Awilda, who is from Utuado.
Before the restaurant, Vázquez had owned a Puerto Rican grocery store with a cafeteria in Florida, but after leaving that behind he wasn’t considering doing anything similar. That is until he met Awilda. When he first moved to Portland, the idea of opening a restaurant didn’t interest him much, but Awilda continued pushing the concept. “She started taking me to see different locations, and when I saw this location, which was a little rough at the time, I walked in and the vision popped into my mind,” recounted Vázquez. That’s when he finally agreed. It took just a few months to get everything working, and they’ve been in business ever since for the last eight years. The area has mostly Mexican restaurants, with a variety of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and a few Colombian places as well. But Borikén is the only Puerto Rican restaurant in the city, and maybe the state. “A lot of people come in here and they are just looking for something different,” said Vázquez of guests. Portland doesn’t have much of a Puerto Rican community. Most Spanish speakers come from Mexico and Central America, not the Caribbean region. However, Vázquez said that it wasn’t difficult to get people onboard with Puerto Rican cuisine. “I might have advertised for
In fact, the first month we opened. And then I haven’t really advertised since then. It’s pretty much word of mouth, maybe Facebook, The restaurant serves traditional appetizers and “frituras” as well, including “bacalaitos,” “alcapurrias,” “sorrullos de maíz,” and “empanadillas.” Instagram, Twitter. I put things there every once in a while. But as time goes on, it’s grown. Every year it grows a percentage. And sometimes it looks like it’s super bad, but at the end of month, it always averages out. Every year is always a little bit better,” said Vázquez of doing business. Their most popular dish is “mofongo,” which you can get with churrasco, shrimp, pernil, crab, chicken, octopus, or veggies. Guests’ second favorite is the “bistec encebollado.” The restaurant serves traditional appetizers and “frituras” as well, including “bacalaitos,” “alcapurrias,” “sorullos de maíz,” and “empanadillas.” For the longest time, Vázquez’s father in law would ship typical ingredients like “sazón” and “adobo” from the island to Oregon, but shortages
Samuel Vázquez, owner of Borikén Restaurant
caused by the COVID pandemic, made it difficult to continue importing ingredients. “We haven’t been able to get things from Puerto Rico for a couple of years, but we always find a way to find it here or there. We keep it as typical and traditional as we can,” promised Vázquez, who planned to spend the Christmas holiday back on the island with family.
In Mexico, posadas bring early Christmas spirit, community
María Teresa Hernández – The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — For Miguel Zadquiel, the secret to staying in step as he dances at the front of the annual Christmastime procession through his neighborhood is in the bass drum.
“For every sound it makes, I move one foot, then another one, then I jump around, then I move my shoulders,” he said.
The 14-year-old was one of the dozens of dancers and musicians at the front of this last week’s joyful parade of people winding through the streets of the Mexico City borough of Xochimilco. This festive procession and its related events are known as a posada and happen across the country. The yearly, Catholic tradition carries on for nine nights, starting Dec. 16 and ending on the 24th.
The style of each posada varies from town to town, but traditionally it is a re-enactment of part of the Christmas story. Night after night, two volunteers dress as Mary and Joseph and walk through their community, knocking on a different door each day of the Posada season. Their journey symbolizes the biblical couples’ walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem and the eventual refuge they find in a stable where Jesus is born.
Some neighbors join in the procession carrying candles. Others wait for it to arrive at the home where the pair playing the holy couple is finally received and the celebration continues. There’s singing, sharing of traditional food and the breaking open of a piñata when the colorful papier-mâché container gives way, spilling candy into the hands of the children waiting in anticipation.
Posada season in Xochimilco is unique in that the neighborhood honors the Niñopa – the most venerated image of baby Jesus in the borough and considered its patron – and the story of Mary and Joseph simultaneously.
The origin of the Niñopa is unclear, but the lifesize wooden figure of a baby in white is believed to be about 450 years old and found after the Spanish conquest. Catholic families in Xochimilco typically keep images of him in their homes.
“He’s very miraculous,” said Fernanda Mimila, a Xochimilco resident watching the procession. “We’ve read many stories about him and every time my family and I are near him, we can feel his vibes and we feel like crying.”
Devotees were once allowed to touch and carry the Niñopa, but it’s now considered too old for frequent handling and requires more care to maintain its condition, said Abraham Cruz. The Xochimilco resident and his relatives had the honor of hosting the Niñopa in their home for this year’s 6th posada and held a celebration for it, a common occurrence during Posadas season. Families request to host the Niñopa years in advance.
“Today’s posada was assigned 10 years ago,” Cruz said. “The family that organized the second posada of this season had to wait for 28 years!”
The Xochimilco posadas last several hours longer than most, and start at 8 a.m. when the host family picks up the Niñopa from its stewards. It ends about a dozen hours later when the figure is returned. Throughout the day, a priest celebrates a Mass, a meal is served and devotees can approach the homemade altar where the Niñopa is kept until nightfall.
Everyone can join the night celebration when volunteers hand out sparklers, balloons and confetti. The neighborhood comes to life with couples holding hands, young men pushing their grandmothers in wheelchairs and parents hugging their children to keep them warm.
This week hundreds of neighbors wearing shiny hats moved alongside the musicians and the dancers, like 14-year-old Miguel Zadquiel, who were leading the procession and propelling the festive spirit. The group of dancers at the head -- known as a “comparsa” – are devoted to a specific image of the infant Jesus. Each member wears a long velvet robe, a big drum-like hat and a mask depicting an old man -- a costume meant to mock the Spanish conquerors. The pair – a girl and boy for the 6th posada of the season -- playing Mary and Joseph follows the dancers. At the end, the Niñopa, traveling by van, slowly makes its way through the crowds. Magda Reyes, dressed in pink, walked next to her 7- and 11-year-old daughters. She has attended these posadas since she was a kid. “We are very devoted to the Niñopa,” she said. “My mom used to bring me here to celebrate him, so now I’m bringing my girls.” On the final night of Posada season, the procession will reach its destination where the crowd will sing a lullaby for the infant Jesus, once again welcoming the Christ child’s arrival on Christmas Day.
Residents participate in the procession of “Niñopan” during a Christmas “posada,” which means lodging or shelter. >AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo
He’s very miraculous [the Niñopa]. We’ve read many stories about him and every time my family and I are near him, we can feel his vibes and we feel like crying. Fernanda Mimila,
a Xochimilco resident.
In fact,
Garage Isla Verde’s showroom.
Garage Isla Verde: a family business committed to excellence
Founder started out as an auto mechanic servicing VWs and MBs
Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal
Nobody in 1962 could have imagined that Carlos Manuel Quiñones Aulí’s modest auto mechanics workshop operating from a small lot adjacent to his parents’ home in Carolina, would become Puerto Rico’s premiere luxury car dealership. Sixty years later, and thousands of cars sold and fixed later, his son Carlos Manuel Quiñones González is at the helm of the family business as Puerto Rico’s exclusive representative for iconic German automaker Mercedes Benz.
Quiñones Aulí studied auto mechanics at the Miguel Such Vocational School in Río Piedras and, after graduation in the early 1950s, he went to work for the Puerto Rico’s Volkswagen dealership for a short period of time, before landing a job at the Mercedes Benz dealer in Puerta de Tierra.
“Back then there were but a few Mercedes on the island, and that business eventually closed. He then went to Martorani Motors, which were Puerto Rico’s Fiat distributors. He went there as a mechanic for Mercedes Benz’ parts and service operation, which had been passed to Martorani. The Fiat dealership also folded some time later, so Quiñones Aulí went back to his parents’ home and started servicing and fixing mainly VWs and the six or seven MBs that were in circulation on the island back then. Quiñones Aulí’s father had a small company of dump trucks on a lot adjacent to their home and that’s where he started his auto mechanics workshop. “It was about that time that he meets my mother, who used to work for “El Imparcial” newspaper, and help him out after-hours with billing and collections after they got married,” said Quiñones González.
The eldest of the Quiñones children recalled that around that time –the late 1950s– his father had a German customer that sporadically went to the workshop seeking service for his VW.
“It just so happens, the man turned out to be the vice-president for Mercedes Benz North
In fact,
Quiñones Aulí studied auto mechanics at the Miguel Such Vocational School in Río Piedras and, in the early 1950s went to work for the Puerto Rico’s Volkswagen dealership. …the man turned out to be the vice-president for Mercedes Benz North America and he had been coming to Puerto Rico looking for someone to become Mercedes Benz representative in Puerto Rico.
Carlos Manuel Quiñones González, president of Garage Isla Verde
Carlos Manuel Quiñones Aulí, founder of Garage Isla Verde.
America and he had been coming to Puerto Rico looking for someone to become Mercedes Benz representative in Puerto Rico. Now, Garage Isla Verde was founded in 1962, but it wasn’t until two or three years later that this gentleman identifies himself as vice-president of Mercedes Benz and what his business was. Needless to say, my father’s first answer was no… ‘There is no money here, crabs is what we have here,’ my dad told the man.”
But the man –Hans Jordan was his name– insisted. Recalling from his father’s numerous accounts, Quiñones González said Mr. Jordan admitted to Quiñones Aulí and his wife that he had been considering other candidates to represent the German automaker, but they only had to sign a document he had produced to assume exclusive representation in Puerto Rico. And they did.
By 1968 the Garage Isla Verde was MB’s representative for parts and service. “From then on, cars had a warranty service, repair parts… and if someone wanted to buy a new car, my dad called the dealer in Miami, and the car was shipped in. Some 10 cars were sold that way,” Quiñones González recalled.
Again, the German auto executive insisted Quiñones Aulí move to develop a full dealership, and by 1972 Garage Isla Verde had its own showroom and sold its first Mercedes Benz.
Sixty years after its foundation GIV, the only authorized Mercedes Benz dealer in Puerto Rico, has successfully develop a business that effectively contributes to a $600 million industry and provides 180 jobs. GIV’s operates a parts and service center in Mayagüez and is planning to inaugurate another in Ponce by 2023. “Mercedes Benz official dealership has been an
exciting challenge that we continue to renovate year after year. Since its foundation GIV has focused on meeting its customers’ needs, and there lays our success,” said Quiñones González. GIV’s president is also confident on the brand’s legacy of innovation and improvement now that technology has significantly changed the automotive industry. Aware of the role sustainability plays in just about every industry, GIV’s operations are eco-friendly, from power generation, via solar panels, to an orchard where eggplants, tomatoes, “recao,” lettuce, and “yerbabuena,” among others are grown. This commitment Garage Isla Verde’s 1984 newsletter for customers and employees. to sustainability is representative of Mercedes Benz’s commitment in the development of electric vehicles (EVs) to expand its auto line-up. “For us, being eco-friendly or ‘green’ is not just a passing fad… it is the right thing to do and it is responsibility we all assume very seriously as a corporate citizen, The world is changing, and we are changing with it,” said Quiñones González.
In fact,
Garage Isla Verde showcases one of its Mercedes Benz SL convertible model.
