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Taiwan investors are preparing for hypothetical invasion for China. And they don’t know where to hide

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Donald Trump’s return to the White House has marked a turning point in the relationship held by the US and China. The commercial and technological war between these two powers It comes from afarbut The aggressive policy of tariffs that has deployed, although even in a little consistent way, the US administration has fueled the loop. The tension between countries led by Xi Jinping and Donald Trump is maximum, and Some experts believe That at the current situation the probability that China decides to invade Taiwan is higher than ever. In the 50s of the last century China was a very different country from the current one. He Chinese Communist Party Led by Mao Zedong he had defeated the nationalists who made up the Kuomintang after almost three decades of armed conflict. Imperial power He had disappeared and the country had embarked on very deep structural changes that culminated in the birth of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The members of the Kuomintang retired to Taiwan that same year, and since then the shadow of the invasion looms over this island. Foreign investors in Taiwan recognize that they do not have a plan B “If an aggression against Taiwan occurs the investment decision becomes binary: either we stay exposed and absorb extreme volatility, or we quickly leave to preserve capital.” These words Steve Lawrence has pronounced themInvestment Director of the Swiss company Balfour Capital Group. From his statement it follows with absolute clarity that foreign investors who have opted for Taiwanese companies do not know how to proceed if there is finally an armed conflict between China and Taiwan. “TSMC is so great that investors’ expectations argue that the US will defend Taiwan. And he will do it strongly” The panorama paints badly. According to Reuters Foreign investors have retired almost 11,000 million dollars from the Taiwan sharing park during this year due to the fear of impact that tariffs on the global economy will have and in the relationship that USA and China support. The government of Joe Biden formalized that if China intervened militarily in Taiwan, the US would respond. However, the administration led by Donald Trump has not yet confirmed whether to defend the island militarily in the hypothetical scenario that China chose to invade it. Anyway, this situation in which instability prevails mainly condition a Taiwanese company: TSMC. This company is The largest semiconductor manufacturer on the planetand, therefore, it is Taiwan’s authentic jewel. In fact, he greatly supports his economy. This company quotes both in the Taipéi stock market and in the New York and the stock market brought the stock market alone at the beginning of this year. “TSMC is so great that the expectations of investors argue that the US will defend Taiwan. And it will do it strongly,” has declared Mikesh DaveInvestment Director of Araval Asset Management, a global arbitration background based in Singapore. Elbridge Colby’s position, one of Donald Trump’s trusted advisors, is aligned with this strategy. This tweet Posted by him In May 2023, it clearly reflects what the policy that defends with the purpose of deterring the Xi Jinping government: “We would be crazy if we allowed us TSMC falls intact to China” According to Gina Raimondothe former Secretary of Commerce, “USA buys 92% of her avant -garde chips from TSMC in Taiwan.” Colby’s tweet that I have mentioned in the previous paragraph suggests that the US should do everything in his hand to prevent China from appropriating the plants that TSMC has in Taiwan. However, during the last two years Colby has not been satisfied with insinuating this idea; He has publicly declared That if China invades Taiwan what the US should do is destroy the TSMC factories and not allow this initiative to fall on the Taiwanese government. Image | TSMC More information | Reuters In Xataka | The US confesses its worst nightmare: if China invades taiwan and controls TSMC the US economy will go to pique

In any escape away from home, the VPN always comes with me. I don’t connect to any wifi that I don’t know without it

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Take a few days off and take advantage of them to make a trip or an escape is fantastic. If we go to a hotel or an accommodation, most likely we have available a Wi -Fi network to connect and continue sailing, either to look for things on the Internet or to kill dead time watching some movies. The problem is that These unknown networks can become dangerous. These or the public wifi networks that we are in shopping centers can have behind scammers or criminals willing to intercept traffic. With this, it is not difficult to steal passwords or personal data. The best way to protect ourselves goes through Get us with a good VPN And, among all the payment options, one of the cheapest has surfshark: it goes out for 2.19 euros a month. Surfshark Starter Subscription – Monthly * Some price may have changed from the last review Use a VPN to protect yourself when you leave home If we search on the Internet, it is not difficult find free VPN. These are fine to get out of trouble, although they offer a limited service and, in most cases, slow. An investment in a payment VPN is very worth it if we usually connect in unknown or out of home, especially when it comes to an investment as surfshark. This VPN is also very useful, if we usually use several devices connected to the Internet. Surfshark admits all the devices we want with a single accountwhich is ideal to carry it installed everywhere. Thus, we can protect ourselves in an unknown network, whether we are going to make a purchase with the laptop and if we are going to use our bank’s app on the mobile. Surfshark includes its VPN in its most economical subscription, called Starter. This also includes another tool called ALTERNATIVE ID. Thanks to this, we can create a series of fictitious data to be able to use them on web pages in which we do not want to enter personal information. The Starter Plan comes out of 2.19 euros A month, so two full years of the service would come out for only 55.56 euros. If we take into account that the normal price of this subscription for two years is 439 euros, the truth is that it is a real discount. Eye, because we will also receive 3 months as a giftwhich will have a total of 27 months of the service. Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Image | Surfshark In Xataka | Why it is dangerous to connect to public wifis and what you should do to protect yourself In Xataka | The best solutions to protect your data and your company’s computer equipment

Manufacturers have drunk attendee cars for our safety. We do not use them and (worse) we don’t understand them either

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“We know that many people deactivate the lane maintenance assistant. Why should we sell it?” With these words, Denis Le Vot, CEO of Dacia, attacked the European Union and his commitment to adas systems for driving in 2022. What defended the head of the company is that most users They deactivate these aid Security and that, therefore, I did not understand why manufacturers were forced to include them in their cars. Years later, it seems that time is giving the reason to vote. They are neither appreciated nor used Since 2022, All cars approved in Europe They are obliged to set up a series of ADAS aids to driving, including emergency braking, lane output alert or controversial speeding warning that works hand in hand with signal recognition. These aid are, since 2024, mandatory series in every new car sold in Europe. That is, regardless of when any new car that has been bought or is about to be bought has been approved for a year. This, without a doubt, is one of the reasons that cars have increased. Therefore, we must understand that the CEO of Dacia had reasons to attack the European Union. For a brand that has always fought for price, including more starting equipment makes it difficult to. It is, of course, part interested in the debate. However, the data seems to give the vote right. At least that is what those who take the temperature of the conductors say. In JD Power they assured A few months ago that one in four buyers From a car in the United States he had reported a problem with ADAS systems in the first 90 days after buying the car. These problems do not refer exclusively to faults or system failures, they also refer to the inconveniences that users have found because they do not understand the systems or are not very clear how they can deactivate or configure them. Frictions have also increased, according to the study. In the last five years, the technology of the manufacturers in this area has been fired (much guilt has the security regulations), which has made more and more people who choose to deactivate these alerts. “They are too annoying and intrusive,” They point out from JDPOWER. The solution, they say, should go through more detailed explanations by the dealers to explain how these systems work and how they can take advantage of. In part, what happens in Europe is moving to other regions of the world. In the United Kingdom, the ADAS systems that are in the European Union are not mandatory but companies include them by cost savings. However, the data says that Most of them deactivate aid and that the ISA speeding system is the most affected. In a 2020 survey conducted by Erie Insuranceit was stressed that the second help system that was most deactivated after the alert for speed was the maintenance of lane. However, The European Commission points that between the lane output notice can reduce accidents between 10 and 21% and that lane maintenance can reduce the severity of the wounds suffered in an accident by up to 30% of the cases. There is, therefore, a disconnection between regulators and users. Keep in mind that not only the European Union demands these security measures. Euro NCAP, in their studies, punishes the companies that do not offer passive security systems that expand mandatory serial coverage. Euro NCAP is an independent study and cars that are homologated and sold in Europe They are not obliged to undergo their evidence. However, they have achieved quality status for the public that is rare who does not appear to them. This costs Dacia to receive a score of only three stars even though they are regular. It is not the shock tests that they have their safety levels in case of accidentthey penalize very basic adas systems equipment that is barely Leave Dacia Duster in an approved justito. And what happens in Spain? That we feel the same as Americans and British, according to A study of Fesvial entitled “Knowledge of the ADAS systems by the Spanish population” that was published in 2022. It indicated that “70% are not clear that the ADAS are intelligent enough to guarantee the safety of the person who conducts” and “30% are not convinced that the ADAS contribute to reduce collisions or their severity.” Data that exemplify the aforementioned gap between regulators and users. Photo | In Xataka | We are forgetting to drive. It has no importance and DGT exams know

What we know (and, above all, what we don’t know) so far

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Espionage accusations have turned on the alarms in the West. Less than two months ago, Germany He accused China to install unauthorized communication devices in wind turbines, a case that unleashed a strong controversy. Now, it seems to be repeated in the United States. Short. The United States has denounced that it has found communication components not documented in some investors and batteries manufactured in China. According to ReutersAmerican energy officials are reassessing the risk of these devices. More in depth. As Reuters has collectedsome of these solar investors and batteries manufactured in China contained inexplicable communication devices, including cellular radios. These components were not listed in the official documents of the product, which has generated concern among American cybersecurity experts. The concern. In theory, according to cybersecurity experts and US officials asked by Reutersthese components could be used to avoid Firewalls and remotely access critical equipment, with potential catastrophic consequences for the electricity grid. In addition, the situation is complicated if these devices allow remote firmware updates, since they would allow unauthorized changes that go unnoticed in certification reviews, opening the door to potential vulnerabilities. Precautionary measures. The US Department of Energy has pointed to Reuters that certification and documentation protocols are being reviewed to ensure that all components are correctly registered. In addition, work is being done on the implementation of the “Software Materials” list (Bill of Materials or SBOM software) to identify each component integrated into critical devices. This measure seeks not only to prevent the installation of unauthorized components, but also control firmware updates. A blunt answer. Given these accusations, China has not taken to respond. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington has told the Communication Agency: “We oppose the generalization of the concept of national security, distorting and defamed China’s infrastructure achievements.” A relevant history. In 2019, United States He accused Huawei of espionage through its telecommunications equipment without presenting conclusive evidence, based only on the proximity of the company with the Chinese government. However, it was later shown that NSA itself had massively spied through telecommunications teams worldwide. With tweezers. The details are scarce and there are no solid evidence in the report. According to experts consulted by PV Magazinethe lack of concrete details in the Reuters report, such as the number of affected devices or the names of the manufacturers involved, raises doubts about the veracity of the findings. More background. So, are we really facing a tangible threat or is it a new episode of the commercial war between the US and China? In a context where China Dominate the renewable sectorany accusation against its devices could have much broader implications. Is this an attempt to stop Chinese advance in a strategic sector or a legitimate warning about cybersecurity risks in critical infrastructure? Image | Pexels Xataka | China is improving both its wind turbines that Germany only finds an explanation: spies

Toyota is very clear about how sports have to be and why they don’t believe in an electric one

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Is it possible to jump into the electric car when your CEO does not finish believing in it? This is what they should ask in Toyota’s bosom, with the company looking for the right strategy to be competitive in the electric car while their mandamás does not stop launching slogans that point to immobility. For a long time, the company has been launching contradictory messages on the future of the electric car. In 2021the Japanese company assured that would launch 30 electric models In the coming years. However, the arrival of TOYOTA BZ4X It has been marked by problems. First because it was a car too expensive for the autonomy offered. Then because The wheels could fall In an emergency braking. From then on, the statements of the company’s managers and ads seem to go in opposite directions. Aky Time will prove them and that the demand for electric will never exceed a third of sales Total worldwide. It is true that the company has redefined its plans and that will produce a third less of expected electric cars. But it has also presented a new generation of batteries and has confirmed that it will continue to pushing to jump into the electric car where regulations push them to it. That is: Europe. Among the last releaseswe will have a totally electric Toyota C-HR, a new lexus and a small Yaris Cross with the same technology. Be that as it is, the truth is that Hybrid has continued to give excellent results To the company. Their sales fired in the United States last year, remain very fortunate in Europe and in Japan it seems that they do not even consider the change to this technology. Toyota last year recorded the best numbers in its history. And in the middle of this strategy to continue increasing the offer of electric cars, a product that seems to divide the company: a sports car. “Noise and smell of gasoline” A few months ago, at the end of 2024, we knew that Toyota was developing a sports car completely electric. There was even talk that he could recover a mythical name for the company: MR2 or Celica. It would not be the first time that Toyota looked up at the past to look to her future. That they tell the Toyota supra. Since then, the Rumors They have been unleashed and as on so many other occasions the true sportsmanship of such a model has been questioned. Move the sensations of combustion engines to electric models is being a real headache and brands such as Mazda have also presented their doubts Given this possibility. The problem for Toyota is double. The company has spent many years being bored branded. Akio Toyoda, at the head of the company, wanted to completely turn this speech. To the point that we have seen almost unique cars in the market like the Toyota gr yaristhe Toyota Gr86 or the supra. And now, with an electric sports car on the way, we also know that the company looks for solutions to Continue offering combustion engines. To the point of trying Inject hydrogen. Toyoda seems to live its own crusade for saving this type of vehicles. “There will always be people in Toyota passionate about the development of electrical sports. But for me, as an expert pilot, my sports definition is something with the smell of gasoline and a noisy engine.” The words are from Akio Toyoda in a recent interview of Automotive News. It has made clear one thing: they will not offer an electric sports car as long as it is not economically viable. And it won’t be until they get “affordable batteries”. The reason, for Toyoda, is that a competition electric car “is not exciting. Because you cannot turn the circuit around for more than an hour. The races in which I participate are mainly resistance, so with current electric vehicles, it will not be a car race. It is a cargo time race, battery change or something like that,” he stressed. When will we see a Toyota electric sports car? The group’s CEO seems to have cooled expectations. In the last Brussels Motor Show, our companions of Motorpasion They had the opportunity to talk to Hideaki Iida, prototype designer Toyota ft-sebut he already warned that the car was in a very early phase of development. However, in 2023 Toyota did talk about offering solid state batteries on the market that would yield 1,000 kilometers and went from 10 to 80% of autonomy in 10 minutes. This is what they called batteries High Performance and? They dated between 2027 and 2028 although they warned that they would put themselves in the street only in cars of very high benefits because they were very expensive to produce. Photo | Toyota In Xataka | Toyota is convinced that the electric car will not be the preferred option. Ensures that investing more money is “wasting it”

The problem with Tesla Cybertruck is not its price, you don’t know if it comes direct from a field

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The story of Reza Sostani is the best summary of the Tesla disaster with his Cybertruck. A Texan client that took only one day to return it after buying it. The reason? He acquired the Tesla Cybertruck on April 25 and, just a few hours later, the vehicle was ready for collection. This immediacy in the delivery, despite what it might seem, is bad news. The Lostani case. Relatani says He is one of the buyers of the Cybertruck in Tesla. On April 25 he made the order of the car, surprising after the immediate allocation of Vin number (number of identification chassis of each vehicle) and notification on the same day that his car was prepared for the collection. Different, he decided to ask Tesla from where the vehicle came from and how it was possible that he was ready. The Tesla representative he consulted soon in giving him the news: his cybertruck had left the factory on January 8. The Cybertruck and their dates. Buying a vehicle that has been manufactured for a few months has an immediate translation: stock accumulation. In the case of Tesla this is especially relevant, since its models usually have high demand (Model 3) and it is common for stock units to have a few weeks old. If we take into account that it is an open secret that Tesla is accumulated outdoors thousands of cybertruck that He can’t sell for monthsthe rejection of the buyer to one with four months is more than understandable. Manufacture and park. That a vehicle spends four months stored in a campaign is not the best for your health. In the case of an electric vehicle, it is especially relevant, since the battery storage temperature, its load level, air ventilation to avoid moisture, possible oxides … Everything influences. One of the photographers of Tesla’s gigafactories published in X, without giving much more data about itthe image that shows dozens of cybertrucks freshly production. Some of them were ready to be delivered, others would remain waiting for owner. Tesla Model 3 highland that had not yet been sold, stranded in fields Hundreds of tesla not sold, stacked in another field. The problem with the fields. The problem is that, on more than one occasion, He has hunted Tesla accumulating in Campas Hundreds of without selling vehicles. And, yes, there will be some lucky owner who ends up sending one of the Tesla who has been outdoor months. It is not a car to play it. The maturity that Tesla has achieved by refining the manufacture of Model 3 or the Model and It is quite far from the Cybertruck historic. This electric truck has a terrible depreciation For their very high repair costs, their numerous call calls and the various problems associated with its manufacture. It is predictable that the potential customer of a Cybertruck is new, something that clashes frontally with the gigantic vehicle park without selling that Tesla has now in its factories. More manufacture than sales. This excess stock responds to a basic: Tesla has manufactured many more cybertrucks than its public demands. So much, that the company is starting to lower the price drastically and open to new markets, such as Saudi Arabia, to stabilize sales. Last April we had news about an inevitable response to this situation: Tesla is beginning to reduce the production of the Cybertruck and reducing up to half some of its production equipment, According to Business Insider sources. Image | Joe Tegtmeyer In Xataka | The owners of a Tesla Cybertruck “packed” it with solar panels for $ 10,000. They won 7 kilometers of autonomy

I don’t have an aspiring robot at home, but I want one. These are the ones I have on the radar

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Keeping the house clean is a complicated task, especially if we live with young children or pets. Any help we can have for it is key, especially if we don’t have too much time to clean. There are undoubtedly the aspiring robotsdevices capable of Keep the soil clean autonomously without having to worry too much about it. Choosing a model among all those that are not easy, either by budget or because we simply cannot decide among many there are. To me, with three pets at home, it is the best investment that occurs to me right now so as not to have to be with the vacuum all day, something that I am obliged to do right now. Among all, These are the ones I have in the radar right now: DREame X40 Ultra Completewith 12,000 PA of suction power, by 899 euros. Irobot Roomba Combo 10 Max with Autowashwith highway and great navigation, by 699 euros. Philips Homerun 2000 Seriesa more economical option, by 360.99 euros. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Maxwith great autonomy and very good performance when it comes to scrub, for 649.99 euros. Roborock S7 Max Ultrawith good guided system and a base with three pillars, by 626 euros. DREame X40 Ultra Complete The first option of this selection is the X40 Ultra Complete de Dreame, an aspiring robot that stands out for offering A great suction power: 12,000 Pa. Its side brushes extend 10 mm to reach areas that normally remain out of reach of this type of robots, which facilitates that there are no areas that are left without aspirating. It is a great option that we have reduced to the 899 euros. DREAME X40 ULTRA COMPLETE ROBOT ASPIRATOR AND FREGESUELOS, 12000PA SUCTION, ROBOT ASPIRATOR WITH REMOBLE AND ELEVABLE MOPA, 70 ℃ SELF -DEVIABLE MOP, SIDE AND EXTENSIBLE BRUSH, DIRTATION DUCK * Some price may have changed from the last review Irobot Roomba Combo 10 Max with Autowash We now go to an Irobot option: your Roomba Combo 10 Max with Autowash. As is usually the case with Irobot devices, this Roomba stands out for offering a large navigation system, Able to overcome obstacles of all kinds. It has a four -phase cleaning system that is also perfect to eliminate dirt from the most complicated areas, in addition to having technology to leave clean carpets without damaging them. It comes out by 699 euros. IROBOT ROOM COMBO 10 MAX + AUTOWASH BASE, ASPIRATOR ROBOT AND FRIEASUELOS, SELF -COUPLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL, FILL THE WATER, WATER WATER, MOBS, HAZENCY, RETRACT MOPE, AVOID OBSTACLES, APP * Some price may have changed from the last review Philips Homerun 2000 Series If we are looking for a cheaper option, but that offers a great result, we may be interested in this homerun 2000 Philips series. ANDThis would be the model that I would choose for a small flooralthough their autonomy and their suction power are going well for any type of housing. Its price also makes it perfect for the most tight budgets: right now it costs 360.99 euros. Philips Homerun Series 2000: Robot vacuum cleaner and friegasuelos 2 in 1 with 2700 pa for suction & 130 min of autonomy, laser navigation, automatic emptying station, app controlled by app, blue (xu2100/10) * Some price may have changed from the last review Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max We continue with an Xiaomi option, the Robot Vacuum X20 Max. Unlike the previous one, this model would be a great option if we have a large home, thanks especially to its great autonomy that gives for Up to 100 minutes running. It has a very complete mobile application, good suction power and right now we can buy it for 649.99 euros. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max – Robot vacuum cleaner and pierces with smart laser navigation system (LDS), 8000 PA suction, cleaning routes in Zigzag, black (ES version) * Some price may have changed from the last review Roborock S7 Max Ultra We close this selection of vacuum robots with the S7 Max Ultra. It is a model that has a filling and automatic washing system for the mopa (as well as autosecado). It has 5,500 PA of suction power and highlights its base with three very different pillars. Its mop, which automatically lifts to avoid surfaces such as carpets, stands out for having a great performance. Costs 626 euros. Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Aspirator with Avitation Active Obstacles 5500 Pa Robot vacuum and automatic emptying/Automatic automatic washing/drying/automatic filling * Some price may have changed from the last review Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Images | DREame, Irobot, Xiaomi, Philips, Roborock In Xataka | Best vacuum robots in quality price. Which to buy depending on the use and five recommended models In Xataka | These are the seven best cleaning devices to keep dirt at bay, on video

Having solar panels at home sounds very good in case of national blackout. The problem is that they don’t work

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The national blackout that Spain has suffered It has been historicalbut has also sown the doubt. While the vast majority of citizens ran out of light, in the street there was “life” in some supermarkets or marques that made the use of other renewable alternatives. Surely also, today more than ever many will ask about the need to have a solar installation in their home, which leads us to another question: how does a network of domestic panels work before a national blackout? Installation in normal conditions. Before talking about the case of a blackout as the one that occurred in Spain, it is convenient to explain the most basic of A “standard” installation In a typical home. In most cases, solar panels capture the radiation of the sun and generate what we call DC (DC). This current passes through an investor that converts it in turn in alternating current (CA), and that is precisely what we use in homes. In Spain and in almost all countries, most solar facilities are connected to the electricity network (known systems as on-Grid). This allows, on the one hand, to consume solar energy directly in the house. On the other, pour the surplus to the network (which entitles economic compensation, such as the net balance or Simplified compensation). Finally, of course, it allows you to receive electricity from the network when there is not enough solar generation (for example, at night or on cloudy days). The problem occurs when there is a situation like that occurred yesterday. Installation in blackouts. When you have a photovoltaic installation in the house of only panels and there is a blackout, something contradictory but very important happens: even if you have solar panels working, the sky is sunny and the beginning of the day, your house is also It is left without electricity. As? Yes, this occurs by security regulations (for example, in Europe under the standard VDE 0126-1-1 and similar), all solar investors connected to the network must detect the loss of tension and turn off immediately, is what is called Anti-Isla protection. The reason? The reason for this “cut” is to protect network maintenance technicians: if there were thousands of houses by sending electricity to a supposedly “dead” network, it could be lethal for workers They are at that time repairing the failure. Therefore, if you have only solar panels connected to the network, you cannot use electricity during a blackout. Your solar panels are automatically disconnected. There is no more. The solution: batteries. If you also have batteries, the thing changes, although here the situation varies depending on the type of investor and configuration you have. If you have hybrid investors (solar + battery), there are modern investors that already allow to continue operating in what is called Island or back-up mode. This means that when they detect a blackout, they are physically disconnected from the network and come to feed only your house using solar energy and energy stored in your batteries. In addition, there are also systems for backup investors (The so-called back-up inverters), where a separate system is used that can feed a specific part of the house (for example, fridge, essential lights or internet). One More Thing. But even so, for this to work you need lithium or lead batteries properly sizeda hybrid investor compatible with operation in island mode or an inverter with backup function (Back-UP), a automatic cutting system that separates your home from the public network in case of blackout guaranteeing safety, and finally an electrical panel prepared to isolate non-essential loads (for example, it makes no sense to keep the electric oven or air conditioning on if the energy is limited). In any case and to place all this in perspective in the Spanish landscape, only 33% of facilities Current domestic lots in Spain include batteries. This means that most households with solar panels would continue to suffer electric cuts during a blackout like the one that occurred yesterday. The reasons are very varied, but the extra cost of investment of them after the solar installation (already large) is key. The promise of self -supply. All this leads to a final question: Is it possible to be self -sufficient (energetically) in Spain? The short response is no. The promise of solar self -supply on the peninsula is based on taking advantage of the high solar radiation (Spain receives on average between 1,600 and 2,000 kWh/m²/year) to generate clean energy and reduce dependence on the electricity grid, especially in single -family homes. Thanks to photovoltaic self -consumption and the Price drop Of the solar panels (more than 80% have fallen in the last decade), today it is technically possible to cover between 60% and 80% of the annual consumption of an average house in Spain only with solar energy, and in some cases, almost 100% If appropriate storage batteries are installed (although with the network hitch). The problem. However, self -supply has important limits: solar production is intermittent (there is no generation of night and lowers a lot in winter or cloudy days), the batteries remain expensive (between 4,000 and 9,000 euros a complete domestic installation) and its capacity only allows a few hours or days of autonomy without network. Plus: We already said it, the current legislation requires that the systems connected to the network be disconnected in blackouts if they are not equipped to function in Isla mode, which implies that, without a specific design (and of large disbursement), even with solar panels, you could run out of electricity in general cuts. Image | Pxhere In Xataka | What is the “energy zero” and why the supply can go suddenly but it takes hours to recover In Xataka | Spain is dark: a general blackout has left us all without light

Renault asks Japan to copy and make “small cars that people can buy.” The truth is that we don’t want them

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The automobile market has forgotten small and simple cars. It is a reality for which it should be a perfect mobility solution for the middle European citizen. Now, Luca De Meo is committed to prioritizing the “small cars that people can buy.” But do these words make sense? “We don’t do it”. Because they are “unproductive,” according to Luca de Meo. Of those who speak are of small cars, of those of smaller size that, for the CEO of Renault, have completely killed European regulations. “We have to make small cars that people can buy again,” he said in an interview with Auto.it. “It is difficult for a regulator to know more than an engineer which is the best solution. Let’s leave engineers the best solution to reduce the impact of CO2,” said Meo to the questions of the Italian medium. The problem? For the CEO of Renault it is clear: “European regulation in the last 20 years has failed.” And this has been because “it was driven by the Germans, who wanted to make the most complex cars, because it suited them. That has had a devastating effect in other producing countries such as France, Italy and a little in Spain where people buy small cars because they do not have money or do not enter the cities.” The solution? Have your own regulation that It resembles that of Kei Car Japanese. These cars are extremely small, they cannot exceed 3.4 meters long or 1.48 meters wide. Nor equip yourself with an engine greater than 660 cc or 64 hp. In return, cars are not considered as such and, therefore, They do not have restriction problems that traditional vehicles in large cities have. In return, MEO slides not only the idea of ​​promoting small vehicles with new legislation, it also chooses to reduce the mandatory safety elements in cars of this size. “We were forced to add a security equipment valued at 400 euros. That on a Renault Twingo is a lot of money, in a sedan it is much less.” Too expensive. It is a usual criticism of the price of cars. They are too expensive for the client to allow them. Actually, although in recent years the price increase has been very pronounced, a car is cheaper now than 50 or 60 years ago. However, the ability to access the low range has been reduced. Pressing for other expenses of enormous cost, such as housing, the Spanish average citizen is opting for low -end vehicles when acquiring a new car. In what we have been, The best -selling car is Dacia Sanderofollowed by the MG ZS, the two cheapest cars in its segment. He is accompanied by Nissan Qashqai who has recently dropped price and the Renault Captur and Seat Arona, cars that barely exceed 20,000 euros starting. It does not come profitable. In his words, Luca de Meo is part of reason. Match the cheapest cars in safety equipment with the highest cost Price irremediably increases of this type of vehicles. By European regulationsthe cheapest car that is sold in our continent must have, among other systems, emergency braking, lane output alert or rear camera. However, it is also unquestionable that this equipment is an extra security for drivers who put themselves at the controls of a car. Although from Dacia (from the Renault Group) They have removed value for these measuresthese types of obligations guarantee a minimum of possible accidents to all drivers. Do we buy them? Luca de Meo’s words sound very good but … are we interested? If we attend to the number of Enrollments in our countryurban vehicles (such as the aforementioned Twingo) barely register 1.4% of registrations. They are the compact and the C-SUV (comparable by size) the most purchased vehicles in Spain, accumulating 48.5% of registrations. A segment followed by the utilities and B-SUV, which total 39.6% of the enrollment. Expanding the views to the rest of Europe, Discriminate Acea to vehicles in traditional sizes. A+B for utilities and urban (those of smaller size), followed by compact (c), medium size (d) and luxury (e and f). However, take the SUVs out of these categories. According to these data, in 2023 segment A and B that De MEO considers among the best selling remained at 21%, while the SUVs accumulated 51% of the registrations (between three and four times more than a decade ago). The little ones (taking into account that they add two segments) are not so far from 15% that compact accumulate. Do we want them? It is the other big question. According to the registration, we prefer larger vehicles. But, in addition, there is another constant: commercial failures among smaller vehicles. Although most European citizens make their daily journeys in urban environments, cars dedicated exclusively to the city remain little dear. WE HAVE SMART EXAMPLEconsidered a car too expensive despite being extremely useful in the European cities of intricate streets in historical and difficult parking helmets. Photo | In Xataka | If you have 155,000 euros in your pocket, now you have another doubt: buy the new Renault 5 Electric Turbo or a Porsche 911

In the middle of the commercial war, China has found a way to punish US exports. And you don’t need tariffs

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In full electoral campaign, when there was still talk of A fierce duel With Kamala Harris at the polls, Donald Trump recognized during An interview In Chicago that the term you like most about Shakespeare’s language is Tariff (Tariff). “For me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary”, proclaimed. View The forcefulness With which China has responded to its commercial war, it could well think that “tariff” is also Xi Jinping’s favorite word, but the truth is that Beijing has its own way of hitting the US trade. A much more discreet than rates. Tax pulse. Trump did not exaggerate to proclaim his love for tariffs. And good proof is that in the almost three months it has been in the White House, it has launched more or less clear ads (and also the occasional Auto amendment) of rates aimed at steel and aluminum or The cars and its components. Also of course the bad calls “Reciprocal tariffs”embodied in the famous rate table that presented A few weeks ago in the Rosaleda of the White House, and those that already appear on the horizon for Chips and drugsamong others. With the passing of the days and after Trump Pausara much Of its tariffs for 90 days, the commercial war has basically enchanted between the US and China. Washington has decided to apply to Chinese imports rates that rise at 145%while Beijing has returned the blow to Trump raising his own 125%. That answer does not mean that the tariffs are the only tool to which the Chinese executive has resorted to face the US. After all … aren’t there other ways to stop imports? Who needs tariffs? The news He has advanced it The American magazine POLITICAL: Throughout the last four months, Beijing has activated a series of bureaucratic obstacles and agreements that have had a clear effect on the flow of US imports, reducing them from or even stopping them. The method is more stealthy than the tariff war (and perhaps does not inject the thousands of millions to the public coffers that Trump is looking for with the tariffs), but allows Beijing to hit the US at a sensitive point, its commercial exports. THE KEY: Non -tariff barriers. “A tariff pays and things are more expensive, this is a total restriction to the ability to send products to that country,” Ben Lilliston commentsof the Institute of Agricultural and Commercial Policy. It is not a minor note if the intense commercial flow between China and the US is taken into account, which in 2024 resulted in the export of goods to China by value of 143.5 billion and imports that amounted to almost 439,000 million. But … How do you do it? POLITICAL Quote some specific cases. For example, Beijing has decided Do not renew At the moment the export permits of hundreds of meat packaging plants and has claimed that some products derived from American chickens do not meet their standards. You don’t have to look much in the newspaper library news in that line. Does A few days The General Administration of Customs warned of the appearance of Furacilina, a substance prohibited in the country, in three lots of meat of US companies. Result: suspended its import. The Chinese organism took A similar measure With the sorghum products of an American company after detecting “excessive levels of zaralenone”, a type of mycotoxin. The decision was announced one day after Trump imposed a 34% tariff on Chinese goods, although Beijing insists in which the restrictions for technical reasons and objectives apply: “To prevent risks and guarantee the safety of livestock production and consumer health.” Are there more cases? Yes. ABC News recently He informed that some 300 US slaughterhouses have not yet renewed their export permits to move beef to China, which seems to have found a substitute in Australian livestock. Beijing’s reluctance to renew the licenses have in fact stopped a good part US rescor export. And that are major words. In 2024 the US exported to China worth 1.6 billion dollars. Another sector that has also been emphasized of turbulence is that of natural gas. At the beginning of the month, with the commercial war about to climb, Bloomberg revealed that China had no matter of US LNG 60 days. The scenario remembers the one who lived years ago, during Trump’s first mandate, when the Asian giant stopped receiving US shipments during Around 400 days. Citing Kpler data, POLITICAL assures that so far this year of China imported only a cargo of gas compared to 14 of the same period of 2024. Hitting where it hurts the most. Chinese restrictions not only affect US exports, with their corresponding impact on a flow that moves millions of dollars. By applying Beijing can point to concrete sectors, such as Lift POLITICALindustries rooted in states (Iowa or Nebraska, for example) that usually act as republican vote heshes and therefore can exert greater pressure on Trump. Something similar did A few weeks ago The Brussels when he planned his own response to the first USA tariffs. Bureaucratic obstacles and restrictions also force companies to move in slippery terrain, even more than that of tariffs. “We do not want health and security to become a political issue,” Darci Vetter argueswith experience in the US commercial representative office. “Convert carers carefully considered and based on science into a political issue.” Marc Busch, who has also exercised as an advisor to the US Department of Commerce, is even more categorical: “This is what China does: commercial actions disguised as legitimate public policies with a scientific basis.” Is it a new measure? No, not exactly. The Chinese government seems to have intensified restrictions that are not new and can even go back to Your entrance In the World Trade Organization (WTO), more than 20 years ago. The US is not the first country that is found with brakes to its exports that coincide with moments of tension with Beijing. It happened to him … Read more

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