Connect with us

Published

on

I’ve heard of electric trucks. I’ve heard of electric RVs. But I’ve never seen anything quite as cool or as silly as this electric house on wheels. And you know what that means! This electric mobile home is a perfect entry for my Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week!

First of all, let’s get an idea of what we’re looking at here.

I’m not sure I can really call this a mobile home. It’s more of a mobile box shaped like a home.

But when it comes to being almost a house, there are some decent arguments to be made here. It’s got a pitched roof, back porch, picture windows, and even a front (side?) door. Scoring more points in the mobile home column is the fact that the doors have real doorknobs, not just car door handles.

It looks like you even get three keys, so don’t say they don’t spoil you!

When it comes to living space, we’re looking at a full 8.6 square meters (92 sq feet), meaning it’s about a quarter the size of my and my wife’s first apartment.

But just like us in our first apartment, don’t expect to live too glamorously in there. A cursory glance inside this oversized rolling dollhouse shows what appears to be an empty box. It’s an echo chamber of nothingness. Well, perhaps not nothing. There’s a steering wheel, a desk fan, and a water bottle. It’s unclear whether the water bottle is included as standard equipment or is an optional add-on. There’s also no bathroom, so don’t hit that water bottle too hard. Or if you do, you better finish it — if you catch my drift.

It’s also unclear how you actually drive the thing as there is no driver’s seat. You know how sometimes you drop something under the sink and have to fish it out with your foot? That appears to be how you work the pedals.

My advice is to bring a folding chair. You can use it as the driver’s seat, and then once you park, you can drag it out onto the back porch to relax. Two birds, one folding chair.

The decorative handrail might also be doing double duty as a safety rail if your partner decides to change addresses while you’re still enjoying the balcony view.

As far as car components, our storage unit on wheels seems essentially half-complete with headlights, taillights, and mirrors. There’s either a stud to install a wiper or the remnants of a wiper that fell off a few miles ago — I’m not quite sure on that one.

It looks like we’re rolling on four spare tires and that our little wheels get powered up by a 3,000W (4 hp) motor. A top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) isn’t going to get us anywhere in a hurry, but it’s a heck of a lot faster than my current apartment. That thing doesn’t even move at all, so now I’m not really sure why I’m paying so much each month.

To be honest, I don’t know how it even gets up to that top speed with the aerodynamic profile of a barn door, but I assume they’ve got it worked out by now. You could probably sit on a little red wagon and draft this thing at 25 mph — it’d be sucking that much air down the road.

Through the back door of our little home on the prairie pavement, I can just make out the battery bank on the floor. They outfit it with a 60V lead acid battery system, which is a bit old school for me.

I’d rather rock a lithium-ion battery pack. You could pop in a few 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries and be all set up, though five of those packs would add up to the same $2,500 purchase price of the entire house!

While you’re doing upgrades, that roof looks like it’d be the perfect place to throw a few cheap $80 solar panels, or maybe you could convince Tesla to put a solar roof up there.

Personally, I don’t think I’ll be standing in line to put down a deposit on one of these mobile houses. I’m sure it’s got some value in it – probably more so when used for its actual intended purpose, which appears to be as a food truck? And I can even see this making a really cool man-cave or she-shed on wheels. But I’m still waiting on my last Alibaba purchase (a $2,000 mini electric pickup truck that turned out to be a biiiiiit more expensive than that). So I’m going to sit this one out, if that’s alright with you guys.

Not that you should let that stop you from purchasing the electric mobile home of your dreams. I’ll be the first to show up with a housewarming gift. I’ve got a great set of fuzzy dice picked out.

electric mobile home

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Gwyneth Paltrow wins high-profile civil court case against man who claimed she crashed into him while skiing

Published

on

By

Gwyneth Paltrow wins high-profile civil court case against man who claimed she crashed into him while skiing

Gwyneth Paltrow has won a high-profile civil court case against a man who claimed she crashed into him while skiing.

She was awarded $1 in damages after the jury found retired optometrist Terry Sanderson was “100%” at fault for the skiing accident.

The jurors deliberated for two hours on Thursday after hearing eight days of evidence.

Paltrow, dressed in a navy blazer jacket and striped shirt, did not react when the verdict was announced.

In a statement released after the verdict, she said she was “pleased” with the outcome.

“I felt that acquiescing to a false claim comprised my integrity,” she said.

“I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”

Mr Sanderson, 76, sued the Hollywood actress for $300,000 (£242,000), saying the 2016 collision on the slopes of Utah left him with several broken ribs and severe brain injuries.

Paltrow, who is also a lifestyle influencer, denied the claims, alleging Mr Sanderson crashed into her at the Deer Valley resort, and caused her to lose “half a day of skiing”.

Terry Sanderson testifies in Park City, Utah
Image:
Terry Sanderson testifies in Park City, Utah

She counter-sued him for the awarded amount of $1 and her legal fees.

During the court case in Park City, jurors heard evidence from a variety of medical experts, ski instructors, and members of both Mr Sanderson and Paltrow’s family, including the actress’ children Apple and Moses Martin.

Mr Sanderson said he had become a “self-imposed recluse” after the incident and had been advised never to ski again in case of further injury.

But Paltrow’s lawyers showed photos of him enjoying multiple holidays after the accident.

Paltrow's legal team played an animation of how they say the crash happened. Paltrow is seen on top of Terry Sanderson
Image:
Paltrow’s legal team played an animation of how they say the crash happened. Paltrow is seen on top of Mr Sanderson

Oscar-winning actress Paltrow, 50, said she felt “very sorry” for Mr Sanderson but reiterated that she was not “at fault” for the crash.

Mr Sanderson said he had been told by medical experts that travelling would be “healing” for him and that he had struggled during his trips.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Stephen Lawrence’s mother Doreen was effectively ‘gaslit’ by Daily Mail, court told – as Harry makes appearance

Published

on

By

Stephen Lawrence's mother Doreen was effectively 'gaslit' by Daily Mail, court told - as Harry makes appearance

The mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was effectively “gaslit” by the Daily Mail, the High Court has been told – as Prince Harry made a brief appearance for the end of the privacy hearing.

Baroness Doreen Lawrence is one of a number of high-profile individuals, including the Duke of Sussex, accusing the newspaper’s publishers Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) of concealing “wrongdoing” over the alleged unlawful gathering of their private information.

ANL vehemently denies the claims and has argued for the case to be dismissed. A four-day preliminary hearing has now concluded, with the judge to deliver a decision on whether the case should go to trial in writing at a later date.

The Duke of Sussex leaving the Royal Courts Of Justice, central London, following a hearing over allegations of unlawful information gathering brought against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) by seven people - the Duke of Sussex, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes. Picture date: Thursday March 30, 2023.
Image:
Prince Harry made a brief appearance on Thursday

During Thursday’s session, barrister David Sherborne, representing the claimant group – which also includes Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost and former Liberal Democrat MP Sir Simon Hughes – said they had a “compelling case”.

It is alleged ANL commissioned 19 different private investigators to carry out a series of unlawful acts from 1993 to 2011 and beyond, which in some instances informed articles, Mr Sherborne said.

The group was “thrown off the scent by the way in which the articles were written”, the court heard.

Mr Sherborne later read out extracts from Baroness Lawrence’s witness statement, in which she said she felt “played for a fool” by the Daily Mail, believing the newspaper “really cared” about the injustice of the murder of her son Stephen.

“They were supposed to be our allies and friends, the good people, not the bad,” she said. Baroness Lawrence said she had believed information in articles about her had come from the police.

Mr Sherborne told the court: “That is nothing short of gaslighting Baroness Lawrence, that’s the form of concealment we are talking about.”

Read more:
Five things we learned from Harry’s court submission
Eyewitness: What was it like in court for Harry’s surprise appearance?

David Furnish leaves the Royal Courts Of Justice, central London, following a hearing claim over allegations of unlawful information gathering brought against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) by seven people - the Duke of Sussex, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes. Picture date: Thursday March 30, 2023.
Image:
Sir Elton John’s husband David Furnish was in court for the final day

The term gaslighting means to manipulate someone into questioning their own sanity or powers of reasoning.

Known as a campaigner and reformer, Baroness Lawrence has devoted herself to seeking justice for her 18-year-old son, an aspiring architect who was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack in southeast London in 1993.

The Daily Mail, under then editor Paul Dacre, campaigned to bring Mr Lawrence’s killers to justice, running a front page in 1997 that saw the newspaper brand five suspects “Murderers” – challenging them to sue if the headline was incorrect.

Baroness Lawrence was present in court for part of Thursday’s session, as were Harry and Sir Elton’s husband David Furnish, following appearances earlier in the week from Sir Elton and Frost.

Trial could be ‘substantial’ if it does go ahead

Adrian Beltrami KC, representing the publisher, previously told the court that all the claims “are rejected by the defendant in their entirety as are the unfounded allegations that are repeatedly made that the defendant either misled the Leveson Inquiry or concealed evidence from the Leveson Inquiry”.

The lawyer said the legal action against ANL has “no real prospects of succeeding” and is “barred” under a legal period of limitation.

After hearing the final arguments in the preliminary hearing, Mr Justice Nicklin told the court he would hand down his judgment on whether the case should go to trial as soon as he can.

He indicated earlier in the session that if the case does go to trial, it could be one that lasts for a “substantial period of time”.

Read more:
Prince Harry v Associated Newspapers: All you need to know
Harry’s children officially recognised as prince and princess

After hearing Baroness Lawrence’s claims during the first day of the preliminary hearing, an ANL spokesperson said: “While the Mail’s admiration for Baroness Lawrence remains undimmed, we are profoundly saddened that she has been persuaded to bring this case.

“The Mail remains hugely proud of its pivotal role in campaigning for justice for Stephen Lawrence. Its famous “Murderers” front page triggered the Macpherson report [an inquiry into Mr Lawrence’s death].

“Associated Newspapers, which owns the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, vigorously denies all the claims against it.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Paul O’Grady: Royal Vauxhall Tavern cabaret club where Lily Savage rose to fame pays raucous tribute to star

Published

on

By

Paul O'Grady: Royal Vauxhall Tavern cabaret club where Lily Savage rose to fame pays raucous tribute to star

Paul O’Grady has been remembered as “one of the greatest drag artists the UK has ever seen” at the LGBTQ+ cabaret club that helped him rise to fame as Lily Savage.

Instead of the typical minute’s silence, there was a minute of raucous applause from the audience at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) in south London on Wednesday evening – a moment to cheer in memory of the “trailblazer and legend”.

O’Grady died unexpectedly but peacefully” at the age of 67 on Tuesday evening.

Paul O'Grady alias Lily Savage at her 'Council flat' in south London.

His close friend Linda Thorson, an actress known for starring in The Avengers and Emmerdale, said in an interview with Good Morning Britain that he died in bed with his husband, Andre Portasio, beside him.

Stars and royalty including Sir Elton John and the Queen Consort led the thousands of tributes following his death.

The TV presenter and comedian rose to fame on the nightclub circuit in the 1980s as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage – a name believed to have been inspired by his late mother.

After touring the north of England, he settled into a solo residency at the RVT before the character went on to become a household name.

‘Silence is polite – but this is a moment to applaud’

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Producer reveals how O’Grady was day before death

On Wednesday evening, RVT host Michael Twaits described O’Grady as “an absolute legend of the community” to a full-house audience paying tribute.

“Today we lost one of the greatest drag artists the UK has ever seen, and it is this building, this building was where it happened,” he said.

“Eight years of doing solo shows… and also doing shows like tonight, introducing new talent to the LGBT+ scene. Paul O’Grady was an absolute legend of the community.”

Read more on Paul O’Grady:
Lily Savage to Battersea: A life in pictures
A rubber gloves raid and a plane crash

Twaits said O’Grady had always stayed true to his roots, despite his rise to TV fame.

“It was around raising up the community, and when you move from a stage like this into the mainstream, when you move into breakfast f****** television… and still stay true to yourself, stay true to your queer self, and stay true to your working class roots.”

Telling the audience that “a trailblazer and a legend has left us”, he then led the crowd in a round of applause.

“Obviously a moment of silence is polite… but I don’t think a moment of silence is right. I think this is a moment to applaud, a moment to love, a moment to cheer,” he said.

Deputy PM invited to cabaret club

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul O’Grady – and Lily Savage – remembered by MPs

MPs also highlighted O’Grady’s time at the RVT in the House of Commons earlier on Wednesday.

Addressing Dominic Raab, Sir Chris Bryant said: “I don’t know whether the deputy prime minister ever met Lily Savage or has ever spent a night out at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, but… I can take him some time if he wants to go?”

As laughter broke out, the Labour MP added: “Her alter ego, Paul O’Grady, campaigned acerbically and hilariously for elderly people, for care workers, against oppression of every kind.

“Isn’t it time we in this country celebrated our naughty, hilarious drag queens and comics of every kind who inspire us to be a better and more generous nation?”

Mr Raab, who was filling in for Rishi Sunak during Prime Minister’s Questions, accidently referred to O’Grady as “Paul Grayson”, before correcting himself and describing the star as an “incredible comic”.

‘A true animal lover in every bone in his body’

Flowers are left at Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in south London, where TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady worked as the charity's ambassador
Image:
Flowers have been left at Battersea Cats & Dogs Home in south London

Among the many paying tribute to O’Grady was the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the charity for which the star had been an ambassador since 2012.

He filmed 11 series of his beloved show For The Love Of Dogs at the centre, and during the first series he rehomed Eddie, a Chihuahua Jack Russell-cross puppy.

Eddie was followed by shih-tzu Boycie in 2014, Conchita, a Maltese, in 2015, Arfur, a mongrel puppy, in 2017, Nancy, another mongrel puppy, in 2020, and Sausage, a wire-haired dachshund, in 2021.

The Queen Consort and Paul O'Grady, pictured together at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Battersea chief executive Peter Laurie said O’Grady would have taken all of the charity’s dogs home “if he had his way”.

Mr Laurie said: “It’s hard to overstate Paul’s impact at Battersea over the last decade. He really helped put Battersea on the map.”

O’Grady’s “real legacy” is how he showed both the British public and an international audience how “lovable and incredible” rescue dogs are, Mr Laurie added.

“He could walk into a kennel with a dog he had never met before, sit on the floor and play with that dog and bond with that dog within minutes.

“He would fall in love with that dog and the dog would fall in love with him too and you can’t pretend, that was so authentic, that really was Paul – a true animal lover in every bone in his body.”

Continue Reading

Trending