Clean Technica Online News – Page 204 – I wish I had more to offer

Tesla Gigafactory 4, Tesla’s Growth Cost, & A German Forest

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Buildings

Published on November 18th, 2019 |

by Tim Dixon

Tesla Gigafactory 4, Tesla’s Growth Cost, & A German Forest

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 18th, 2019 by Tim Dixon

Tesla recently unveiled that the location of its 4th Gigafactory will be near Berlin, in Brandenburg in the Grünheide municipality next to the GVZ Berlin-Ost Freienbrink industrial park, and that it will require the removal of part of a forest.

Tesla Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, China. Photo courtesy Tesla.

While Germany and land use are both outside of my writing purview (which is Chinese electric vehicle news), it ignited an old interest.

The removal of a forest and replacing it with industrial/service/housing/energy has been a quintessential environmental issue for a long time, and I foresee that this event will trigger contentious debate and will be used by Tesla detractors in the environmental and investment community, but I think we need to deal with this issue.

I myself experienced the very negative local blowback towards the expansion of a wind farm on the moorland near my hometown and how media can manipulate narratives.

Yet I also see this as a possible opportunity for Tesla to double down on its environmental protection and mission.

To start off, Tesla’s Fremont factory was purchased second hand (very sustainable). Since then, Tesla has had to build its own factories, and these factories have always been “outwardly” not very innovative when it comes to sustainable design.

Tesla Fremont factory. Photo by Kyle Field, CleanTechnica.

Secondly, forests are not made equal. Cutting down a young forest compared to an old growth or tropical forest has different environmental impact.

So, thinking about this and the writing of Lloyd Alter at Treehugger, I thought I’d offer a solution and the reason I think it won’t happen.

Solution
I think the solution to the environmental impact is two fold:

Firstly, the design and manufacturing of the factory should account for the “upfront carbon cost,” material choice, and energy use.

Secondly, Tesla should pay for the creation of protected areas of “high ecological significance” and/or afforestation efforts in key areas.

The embodied carbon or “upfront carbon cost” should be part of the design process and efforts should be made to reduce its upfront and long-term carbon cost. This could be done by looking at the materials, design, and placement of the factory, including whether or not other unused facilities are available. Material choice could be interesting, as Tesla could build using more modern wood construction methods like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Imagine if Tesla Gigafactory 4 was a massive wooden, renewable energy–powered, electric vehicle and energy storage factory. Germany being the birthplace of the Passive house (Passivhaus) offers up the opportunity for Tesla to find and modify the best practices of building design to create a more sustainable factory.

Environmentally sensitive areas on land and at sea are in danger of destruction/collapse, and Tesla could create a fund to actively protect and grow protected areas — money to protect the Amazon, marine ecosystems, and reforestation efforts around the world. A upfront donation and/or ongoing revenue share could provide protection of the most valuable ecological assets of earth.

My reasoning why this won’t happen
When I worked at the European HQ of Tesla, we had a large all-hands-on-deck meeting. A new executive was making a speech about joining Tesla. In this speech, he reiterated a point I have heard many times about Tesla, that it’s a startup. Compared to established car manufacturers, we were tiny. We had to be lean and fast moving for a car company, and the future depended on us creating meaningful change. Tesla is still a startup in spirit, even if no longer in scale.

While sustainable factory design and development is key to our future industrial development, I don’t think it will be seen as a key part of Tesla Gigafactory 4’s design process since Tesla will still see it as something the company can’t risk — it’s outside the company’s core mission and too untested.

Tesla is a leader in electric vehicle production and the energy transition, but this means it has to invest its capital in ways it sees as the best for achieving its long-term goals. It is working at a rapid pace to help create a sustainable society, and has to survive against powerful entrenched industries which would prefer to not change. So, I hope Tesla looks at Gigafactory 4 design and construction as somewhere it could innovate, and I hope the company is talking to top experts about this. Nonetheless, I cannot fault the company if it focuses on getting the Tesla Gigafactory 4 built in a less risky and mature way.

But a wood car factory is still a cool-sounding idea.

For updates, follow me on Twitter or add me on LinkedIn.

Sources: WELT, Treehugger, Treehugger, Inhabitat
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Tim Dixon When not researching the Chinese electric car market, I am teaching in China. My interest in sustainable development started in University and it led me to work with Tesla Europe in the Supercharger team. I'm interested in science fiction, D&D, and travel. You can follow me on Twitter @TimDixon3.

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

More Glimpses Of Tesla Model Y Near Tesla Fremont Factory

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 18th, 2019 |

by Cynthia Shahan

More Glimpses Of Tesla Model Y Near Tesla Fremont Factory

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 18th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan

The Tesla Fremont factory is priming the nearby roads for another highly sought-after Tesla vehicle, the coming Model Y. Word is that the Tesla Fremont factory is busy putting together an assembly line for the Model Y. It has also been testing them on streets in the surrounding area — and sometimes further away.

Development isn’t just taking place at Tesla’s global HQ, though. We now know that the Model Y will also be produced in Germany, near Berlin.

Tesla, around the world, is prepping for the release of what is widely expected to become the Silicon Valley automaker’s most popular model.

It’s hard to believe the Tesla Model S only arrived on the scene in 2012. Since that time, we’ve seen Tesla’s Model S P100D take the Ludicrous Crown for performance, consistently darting to the finish line like a rocket and leaving the best ICE cars in the dust, and their drivers in awe. It seems like ages ago that Tesla lovers enjoyed those first spy shots of the Model 3, and Model X. They win their own share of races, or can simply move smoothly with the moonlight while you gaze through the Model 3’s glass roof and the X’s supersplendulous windshield.

Enjoying the glass roof inside the Model 3. Image thanks to the Fosse family, CleanTechnica.

Now the hot new Tesla everyone wants to see a bit more of is the Model Y (and the Cybertruck). For those who can’t get enough of the spy shots, here’s a 5 second video with a great view:

Iqtidar Ali points out that this Model Y Performance is sporting the “wind turbine” rim design, one of the three original wheel design patents registered for the Model 3. He notes that the wheels were originally seen on the Model 3 on the night it was unveiled — March 31, 2016. Now they reappear after a long absence. Perhaps Tesla will offer them on the Model Y.

Wind turbine wheel on a red Tesla Model 3 prototype at the car’s unveiling. Photo by Tesla.

Tesla Brings “S3XY” To Life With Model Y Launch
Tesla Model Y Will Be World’s Safest Crossover & Quickest Affordable Crossover Or SUV
Tesla Model Y, Amazingly, Beats The Lamborghini Urus (Which Costs Over 3 Times As Much!)
Why Tesla Model Y 3rd Row Is Key To It Becoming The Best Selling Vehicle In The World
Tesla Model Y Prototype Spotted On Road Near Tesla HQ (Videos)
Tesla Model Y & Model 3 Visual Comparison — Side by Side, Morphing, More
All-Season Tires For The Tesla Model 3 To Keep Things Simple — And Hopefully Safer & Cheaper In The Long Run
The Tesla Model 3 Is Tons Of Fun In The Snow … With The Right Tires

Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Cynthia Shahan Cynthia Shahan started writing by doing research as a social cultural and sometimes medical anthropology thinker. She studied and practiced both Waldorf education, and Montessori education. Eventually becoming an organic farmer, licensed AP, and mother of four unconditionally loving spirits, teachers, and environmentally conscious beings born with spiritual insights and ethics beyond this world. (She was able to advance more in this way led by her children.)

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Reviving The “Tesla Deathwatch” — With A Totally Different Spin

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Clean Transport

Published on November 18th, 2019 |

by Frugal Moogal

Reviving The “Tesla Deathwatch” — With A Totally Different Spin

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 18th, 2019 by Frugal Moogal

After the recent unveiling of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, I feel like it’s time to revive the Tesla Deathwatch.

No, not the Tesla Deathwatch that you may have read about on this site before, where certain websites made daily updates gleefully predicting that Tesla would soon run out of money and be forced to shutter operations (more than a decade ago).

Instead, as I mentioned in my previous article, the Mustang Mach-E may end up being a Ford killer. Simply put, Ford is carrying around $100 billion in debt. If the transition to electric mobility happens too quickly, Ford could be left with a ton of debt and factories full of internal combustion technology that end up being stranded assets. If this happens, then the attempt to transition from internal combustion technology to electric propulsion may end up leading to Ford’s demise.

Anyway, in this new sporadic series, I’m going to take a look at legacy automakers to see the risks that this transition has to them and how they are coping with it. I will also try to estimate the risk that Tesla has created through its disruption.

And that’s the thing — when new technology comes along, often the most vulnerable are those companies that dominated the previous technology, as they are too invested in that technology to make a sudden change. A sudden change renders a significant portion of their business obsolete immediately, while the new technology has no guarantee of profits.

There are lots of recent examples of this that I could use to highlight the change. It was anticipated that at any time Sears could destroy Amazon, but it’s pretty clear who is winning that battle. Blockbuster Video dominated the home movie industry, and then Netflix came along. Atari dominated the video game industry, so it stopped innovating and let Nintendo — who had even asked them to release the NES in the United States under the Atari brand — to take over.

Instead, I’m going to take a quick look at a company that I think is perhaps the best parallel to what is happening with automobiles right now, Kodak.

The Kodak Story
The Kodak story is an absolutely fascinating one, and I strongly suggest if this interests you at all taking some time to really research it, but here’s the basic overview:

In 1975, a Kodak engineer by the name of Steve Sasson invented the first digital camera. He was told not to tell anyone about it, with a former Kodak vice president directly admitting that they could not sell it because they feared the effect it would have on the film market, which was Kodak’s main source of revenue.

And film sales were great, peaking in 2001 as consumers had started to purchase digital cameras. Kodak faced a problem — the manufacturing process for its film, which was truly extremely complex to make, had nothing in common with making semiconductors to make great digital cameras. Add to that the fact that companies could buy the components to make a digital camera from various providers and create their own cameras quickly, without being encumbered with significant debt and assets from businesses that were suddenly losing market share.

And market share dropped quickly. The market peak of 2001 was followed by a few years of the market slowly contracting, following by that trend gaining speed like a snowball rolling downhill. By 2010, worldwide demand for photographic film had fallen to less than 10% of what it was in 2001. In 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy.

Perhaps even more interesting, even before the market peaked, Kodak realized that it would need to start selling digital cameras. In 1999, Kodak held a 27% market share on digital cameras. As a matter of fact, my first digital camera was a Kodak camera.

The problem was Kodak wasn’t making money on those cameras. Indeed, this incredible article from Reuters, written shortly before Kodak’s bankruptcy, noted that in 2001 Kodak was losing $60 for every digital camera it sold. It didn’t matter that Kodak was actually doing pretty well in digital camera market share — capturing over 20% of it in 2005. The combination of stranded assets in its core business and losing money to maintain market share was unsustainable.

Kodak emerged from bankruptcy in 2013, but is a shell of what it used to be. In Q1 2001, Kodak reported revenues of $2.975 billion and net earnings of $150 million. In Q1 2019, Kodak reported revenues of $291 million and losses of $16 million.

The Kodak Lesson
It’s difficult to turn a profit when your core, established business is in free fall and the only way for you to gain market share in the future of your market is to lose money on every sale you make. After the peak of film sales in 2001, and a few years of relatively small declines, the market for film nosedived at 20 to 30 percent per year.

Kodak was still making money on its film divisions when it went out of business — it is just that the business had shrunk to a point nearly unimaginable a few years before. In reading through Kodak’s annual reports, I found that Kodak made a profit of $1.43 billion on revenue of $10.231 billion for film production in 2000. By 2011, the company made a profit of only $34 million on revenue of $1.547 billion. I feel it’s also worth noting that Kodak lost $349 million on its digital camera division that year.

There are two lessons here that are important. The first is that markets for well established goods can collapse at nearly unimaginable rates as new technology disrupts the old. In 2000, absolutely no one expected that physical film sales would topple as fast at they did. In 10 years, Kodak lost 85% of its sales to the disruptive change that digital cameras brought about.

The second thing is that as markets shrink with well-established groups, so do the profits. In 2000, Kodak earned nearly a 14% profit on it film sales. By 2011, the company was earning 2%.

To me, the lesson is clear — technology transitions happen much faster than people and companies usually expect, and once they catch on, the companies leading the prior iteration of the industry are the first to go out of business.

Tesla is the force that has created incredible disruption within the auto industry. Whether you are a fan or a short seller, Tesla has proven that electric cars can be safer, easier to maintain, cheaper to operate, better for the environment, and more fun to drive than their internal combustion counterparts. They can also use established technology for connectivity to improve the car through time.

I’m not using this article today to look at any particular automaker, but I think the parallels with some are extremely strong. We’re entering a new era, and it’s just as likely that the next generation of automakers will be dominated by newcomers like Tesla, Rivian, and BYD as it is to be generated by the prior generation’s top manufacturers. In fact, if history is any indicator, it’s much more likely that the next generation will not be dominated by the prior generation’s manufacturers at all.

After all, Ford, GM, and Chrysler didn’t start by manufacturing horse buggies.
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Frugal Moogal A businessman first, the Frugal Moogal looks at EVs from the perspective of a business. Having worked in multiple industries and in roles that managed significant money, he believes that the way to convince people that the EV revolution is here is by looking at the vehicles like a business would.

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

“One Day I’m Buying One.” —Toyota Camry Driver After Channeling Tesla Model 3’s Torque (Video)

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 17th, 2019 |

by Cynthia Shahan

“One Day I’m Buying One.” —Toyota Camry Driver After Channeling Tesla Model 3’s Torque (Video)

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 17th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan

I love the smile on this man’s face. He is simply delighted due to his Model 3’s consummate acceleration/performance.

Nick Phan smiled as he noticed a Toyota Camry challenge his Model 3 while moving stoplight to stoplight. He smiled some more and then applied that easy touch that provides the utmost amount of torque — instantly. Phan whizzed ahead. The Toyota owner stopped by his side, eventually. They both laughed and exchanged their mutual validation of the Model 3’s easy performance.

Phan used his rear dashcam feed in the video to help capture how far the Camry was left behind as he encouraged his Tesla’s intense, smooth, forceful instant movement. The Toyota owner shared that he was delighted as well with the Tesla’s performance and said agreeably, “One day I’m buying one.”

His passenger laughed, as he emphasized and repeated, “One day I’m buying one!”

What a way to start or end the day. No conflict. Simply performance.

As Iqtidar Ali from X Auto pointed out: “The superb performance of the car, the superior acceleration of the Model 3 over the ICE Camry instantly diminishes all the false beliefs about electric cars. If anyone argues in favor of the deprecated ICE cars, show them the above video and share the reactions in the comments section below.”

Cleaner air is my issue. Yet who can not enjoy the smile of this man. Apparently, performance affects the heart positively. That is as valuable as environmental wellness sometimes. The more joy of performance, the wider the scope of the transition to these innovative, safe, and technically superb vehicles.

I venture to guess the Camry driver will come to enjoy his choice of Tesla at some point.

Related: Tesla Model 3 vs. Toyota Camry — 5 Year Cost of Ownership Comparisons
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Details About Tesla Gigafactory 4 Emerge In German Press

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Batteries

Published on November 18th, 2019 |

by Steve Hanley

Details About Tesla Gigafactory 4 Emerge In German Press

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 18th, 2019 by Steve Hanley

Over the weekend, details about the new Tesla Gigafactory 4 near Berlin began to emerge. According to Deutsche Welle, the new factory, which will also manufacture battery packs, will be located in the town of Grünheide in the German state of Brandenburg. It says the total investment in the factory will come to about $4.4 billion — about double what the new factory in China cost. The project will be eligible for up to $330 million in subsidies if they are approved by the European Union.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 — about a year after Gigafactory 3 in China began — and the first cars should be rolling off the assembly line in 2021, reports Bloomberg. The first cars built in China emerged just 10 months after construction of the factory began. In its most recent earnings letter, Tesla said it expected the first German-built cars to be on the road in 2021, but there’s a good chance Elon Musk has other plans.

The Brandenburg state government is delighted to have Tesla build its new factory there. It expects Gigafactory 4 to provide 3,000 new jobs initially, and as many as 8,000 in later years as it expands. Deutsche Welle says the first production line will be devoted to building the Model Y crossover/SUV, with an annual production goal of 150,000 vehicles. How many production lines will ultimately be in operation there or when production of the Model 3 sedan will begin is not known at this time. Brandenburg is a renewable energy leader in Germany, with many wind turbines dotting its landscape, something that was likely a factor in Tesla’s decision to build its newest factory there.

Carsten Brönstrup, a spokesperson for UVB, an association that represents the interests of a large number of companies in Berlin and Brandenburg, tells Deutsche Welle Tesla’s announcement was a big thing. “It’s magnificent; it’s like Christmas coming early for our region. The region is not particularly known for its strong industry, so getting a Gigafactory will push future-oriented technologies such as battery production and autonomous driving.”

We have been dizzy lately with the pace of Volkswagen’s push into electric cars, but the decision by Tesla to build its next factory in Germany has really set the fox among the chickens. The electric car revolution is about to reach critical mass and will overwhelm the deniers, doomsayers, and detractors soon, leaving them floundering in its wake.

The Brandenburg state government told news agency DPA that at least 3,000 people could be employed at the factory, and that the number of employees could rise up to 8,000 after an expansion.

Construction on the massive project is slated to begin in the first three months of 2020, with the plant expected to be up and running by the end of 2021.
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Steve Hanley Steve writes about the interface between technology and sustainability from his home in Rhode Island and anywhere else the Singularity may lead him. His motto is, “Life is not measured by how many breaths we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away!” You can follow him on Google + and on Twitter.

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Tesla Model S P100D vs. Mercedes AMG GT 63 — Lovecars Drag Race Is Fun, Funny, Worth Watching

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 17th, 2019 |

by Cynthia Shahan

Tesla Model S P100D vs. Mercedes AMG GT 63 — Lovecars Drag Race Is Fun, Funny, Worth Watching

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 17th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan

The other day I noticed my torque was at prime force due to the battery being fully charged — on my 2015 BMW i3. Imagine how this higher state of charge (SoC) increases the feeling of Ludicrous Mode as it jets a Tesla Model S P100D forward like a rocket.

In another case of such a Tesla showing off its power and thrilling its driver, below we have a race between a P100D and a Mercedes AMG GT 63 with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, two similarly priced 4 door cars.

The articulate racing-inspired YouTube channel Lovecars set up the race. According to Lovecars, the new AMG GT 63 from the oldest car manufacturer in the world challenges the current king of the racetrack, the Model S P100D. The unfolding race is about contrast as well as racing. It is about generational changes.

Tiff Needell amuses himself, and us, as he inspects the vitals on the Tesla screen. His friend in the Mercedes says, “Yeah, but can it do this?” The vroom vroom of the V8 engine follows. (Many would consider that a bug rather than a feature.)

1, 2, 3, and the Mercedes driver smiles in amazement as Tiff and Tesla take a certain lead. “It’s an absolute rocket!” The fun of this video is the back and forth. Tiff says, “I left you 100 yards behind in a flash. Were you not trying at all?”

Tiff switches cars and gets behind the wheel of the Mercedes, because as he says, it must be a driver error — how could Tesla be so far ahead. “Jumping from that Tesla to Mercedes is minimalistic to maximalistic,” he notes — “if that’s a word.”

The drivers eventually make 3 runs of races.

Sources: Tesla Inc. / Mercedes AMG via X Auto

Consider the force and performance of the Tesla, an all-electric car that only arrived on the scene in 2012 from the newest car manufacturer on the planet. Yes, the Tesla Model S P100D deserves the crown. How the times have changed.

I got hooked on Lovecars and Tiff Needell after the races and wanted a bit more. I found another one worth watching. Of course, this sticks with the all-electric Tesla. Enjoy.

Tip of the hat to X Auto.
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Tesla Model 3 V3 Supercharging Times: 2% To 100% State of Charge (Video)

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 18th, 2019 |

by Cynthia Shahan

Tesla Model 3 V3 Supercharging Times: 2% To 100% State of Charge (Video)

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 18th, 2019 by Cynthia Shahan

VegasModel3 posted a video that answers the most asked EV question I’ve encountered. Although, the answer to this question is particular to the Tesla Model 3. It won’t answer the question for all EVs. That question is typically the beginning question before someone delves further into the world of electric cars.

So, just how fast can a Model 3 charge?

The video captures the whole scope of charging from the lowest ebb of a battery on its last bit of charge until it is fully charged. In particular, it covers a Tesla Model 3 Long Range at a 250 kW max Supercharger. The driver notes that the Model 3 is super energy efficient, so driving fast to use up the battery was deliberate for the timed test.

The charge starts with the battery at 2% SoC (state of charge) and goes to 97% SoC, just about a perfectly full charge. In this case, 2% S0C is 6 miles of driving range.

This Tesla Supercharger V3 station, located at the LINQ hotel in Las Vegas, NV, has a nice setup to keep ICE-ers out. The Supercharger location is blocked until the driver enters the code that is shown on the Tesla vehicle’s center touchscreen. Teslas can charge for free for an hour. After that, a fee begins. Typically, there’s no need for the car to stay longer.

Iqtidar Ali relates that “Tesla’s V3 Superchargers (up to 250 kW) ideally add 1,000 miles (~1,600 km) of range per hour to Model 3 vehicles with the correct software update in place (now widely released).” VegasModel3 relays, “Today I ran a test to see how long it will take to go from 2% state of charge all the way to 100%. I almost made it before my 1-hour parking pass was about to expire. From 2% to 50% this Supercharger is fast!”

Average time spent charging with an on-route warm-up for V2 and V3 Supercharging (Source: Tesla)

VegasModel3 timestamps the flow for viewers:

Raiders Stadium — 1:04
Entrance to Supercharger — 1:46
Supercharger Cabinets — 3:50
Starting to Charge — 5:18
250 kW — 6:45
50% state of charge — 9:19
80% state of charge — 11:15
90% state of charge — 12:56

If you park and leave your EV charging, its charged by the time you’re back from shopping, walking, or eating. If you sit in the EV waiting patiently on your iPhone or iPad, it’s done charging before you know it. The lower the battery charge, the quicker it appears to replenish. That is, until the battery reaches 80%, or especially 90%. That last 10% of range can seem slower to recharge than the entire 50% or 80% before it.

Table of Model 3 Supercharging time, speed and state-of-charge on a V3 Supercharger (Source: X Auto)

It’s better not to go all the way to full 100% charge anyway.

Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Tesla Toy Drive (Toronto Area)

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 16th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Tesla Toy Drive (Toronto Area)

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 16th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

There’s a Tesla toy drive going on in Canada — mainly the Toronto area — and the community wants to help children who are less fortunate to have a special holiday season. The drive is organized by a group of Tesla owners, including popular Twitter and YouTube user Tesla MotherFrunker.

The holidays have always been about giving and helping those in need. I remember a time when I was homeless at Christmas — I lived in a shelter with my mom in Shreveport. I had just turned 10 and I remember sneaking downstairs on Christmas Eve to see if Santa would actually come to a homeless shelter. As a child, I was worried he wouldn’t have been able to find us since we no longer had a home. What I saw imprinted my memory pretty much for the rest of my life.

There were several “Santas,” and elves as well were delivering huge bags of toys. The next day, Christmas, all the children in the shelter were inundated with gifts. I know now that this was the result of kind strangers who wanted to help families that were less fortunate and couldn’t afford to have Christmas at home — especially if they didn’t have a home. My gifts included a lot of calligraphy and art pen sets along with Lisa Frank projects that got me started drawing and painting. Also: journals, puzzles, and a lot of stuffed animals along with much-needed clothing such as socks and shoes.

Tesla Toy Drive 2019

This is why toy drives mean so much to me. When communities gather to help one another, it truly is a beautiful thing. It reminds us that everyone is human and no one is lesser than another due to unfortunate circumstances that have happened to people. The Tesla Toy Drive 2019 will take place on November 30th. So far, over 250 toys and books have been donated.

The goal is to help families in need and the drive is going to be a bit different from most drives. Usually, at these events, people bring toys. In this case, Tesla owners will be doing the actual driving and picking up the toys. There are drop-off locations where they will go pick up the toys and bring them to their final stop: The Salvation Army.

If you are in the area and would like to participate, here are the drop-off locations:

Cross Ave Auto (460 S Service Rd West, Oakville)
La Casa Dolce (755 Queensway East, Mississauga)
Mississauga Electric (2550 Goldenridge Road, Mississauga)

The Tesla owners will meet at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 30, in Oakville. This will be around a three-hour trip and the group will go to the pick-up points to scoop up the toys and bring them to The Salvation Army. The photo below is of a toy donation from PetSmart.

PetSmart was all too happy to help after Tesla MotherFrunker reached out to the company about the Tesla Toy Drive.

While this story is about just one toy drive, it is hopefully also inspiration for other Tesla owners to organize similar toy drives in their areas. Up for it?
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Kazakhstan To Tesla: Welcome, Elon Musk & Tesla

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Cars

Published on November 16th, 2019 |

by Johnna Crider

Kazakhstan To Tesla: Welcome, Elon Musk & Tesla

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 16th, 2019 by Johnna Crider

Kazakhstan now has its first Tesla Supercharger. This is evidence of yet another promise by Elon Musk that has been kept. During the Tesla Model Y event, while Elon Musk was talking, someone mentioned Kazakhstan in the audience and Elon said, “Actually, we have some great supporters in Kazakhstan.” Elon followed that up — after several loud cheers — with a promise: “We will build Superchargers in Kazakhstan! You heard it right here.”

This happens at around 24 minutes into the Model Y unveil video.

The person you heard in the audience was Anuarbek Imanbaev, and Elon kept his promise to Anurabek and the people of Kazakhstan.

When asked about Kazakhstan in June, Elon also said that Tesla would build Superchargers and service centers in Kazakhstan.

The first Superchargers in Kazakhstan are now operational in the Talan Towers located in Nursultan. The station has 6 Superchargers with a charging rate up to 120 kW, and WiFi is provided by the Ritz-Carlton Astana, along with restaurants and lodging.

According to a forum member of Tesla Motors Club, as translated from a news article that was originally in Russian: “Six Tesla Superchargers will be officially presented at Talan Towers: four in the parking lot near The Ritz-Carlton, Astana, two more in the underground parking at P1 level, which will provide convenient and easy access both in winter and in summer.”

Some people may be scratching their heads as to why Tesla is launching in Kazakhstan, but I think it all has to do with Elon listening to his customers. This is one of the many reasons both Elon Musk and Tesla are well loved. They listen, act, and make sure the needs of their customers are met.

Elon is very open to the ideas of both Tesla owners and fans, often collecting them from Twitter and turning them into new features, product improvements, etc. He is always looking for ways to enhance the experiences of his customers. I admit, riding along with a friend and watching her prank someone with Fart Mode was fun. Seeing the looks on my neighbor’s faces when Wade showed off the Summon feature was priceless. When Teslatino came through, one of my neighbors was completely stunned when he saw the frunk. There was no engine — shock.

A Tesla isn’t just a car, it’s interactive, and that’s what makes it so unique. This is just one of many ways that Tesla and Elon listen to customers. Despite what the critics claim (that Elon is a liar and a fraud), Elon has kept his promises many, many times. Kazakhstan is just one more promise that Elon Musk has kept.

If you want someone to like you, listen to them. If you want them to respect you, keep your promises to them. It’s amazing to see that an American company is being embraced by many around the world, but it is being embraced so widely for at least a few reasons.
Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Johnna Crider Johnna Crider is a Baton Rouge artist, gem and mineral collector, and Tesla shareholder who believes in Elon Musk and Tesla. Elon Musk advised her in 2018 to “Believe in Good.”

Tesla is one of many good things to believe in. You can find Johnna on Twitter

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks

Byton’s Nanjing Manufacturing Bet Is On Quality, Control, Long-Term Execution

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

Autonomous Vehicles

Published on November 15th, 2019 |

by Nicolas Zart

Byton’s Nanjing Manufacturing Bet Is On Quality, Control, Long-Term Execution

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook

November 15th, 2019 by Nicolas Zart

Byton doesn’t do anything halfway. That much is obvious by now. The company never shied away from gigantic work and its gargantuan Nanjing production facility is a testament to its ambition. I met Mark Duchesne, who is the Vice President of Manufacturing Operations at Byton, at the Frankfurt Auto Show earlier this year. What he had to tell me was impressive.

Building Customized Manufacturing Plant For Total Control — The Right Manufacturing For Complete Quality Control
Duchesne told me about how his previous experience with Toyota and Tesla helped the task he faced 3 years ago. Taking on a project that size from minus ground zero – as Duchesne likes to say – to where it is now was no small feat. He told me Byton did the right thing compared to how others approached manufacturing plants in the past. In the end, Byton will make its vehicle more affordable from good planning to execution, including contract negotiations, Duchesne notes.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

I asked Duchesne if contracting manufacturers isn’t easier and cheaper. His answer was, yes, but there is much less quality control and more chance to lose the long-term goal. Byton made it clear it wanted to have complete control over the high level of quality it was aiming for. It could have chosen a prime location in the heart of Beijing or Shanghai but instead found Nanjing had more potential to build a full manufacturing plant from the ground up. This involved remediation, a ground leveling of up to 1.4 meters, which you can multiply by 800,000 square meters (861,112.83 sq-ft). The plant will have a capacity of 300,000 units annually. Although, for the first year, Byton expects between 100,000 and 150,000 units. This will grow until capacity is reached in another year or so. Overall, it is 8.6 million square feet.

It seems that Byton has truly laid the foundation for a financially sustainable future. The local Nanjing government worked closely with the startup. If it wasn’t the fastest way to do it, it was probably the best approach to controlling quality and costs. He says it was a way for Byton to get the maximum ROI for its investors — more so than if it had outsourced its production needs.

Duchesne made sure he had the right team that understands what to do, and that buys into the mission. This is something he learned at Tesla, that taking care of your employees, respecting and challenging them, is the most important part of the recipe.

Byton On Working With Chinese Workforce
Working in China has its advantages and challenges. Overall, Duchesne said it is different working with a Chinese workforce and that they rise to meet challenges in an impressive way. The Chinese workforce is very motivated to retire the negative “Chinese quality” stigma. He feels that having the best people from other industries and appointing them intelligently in the right places is what makes a successful recipe for a startup. He told me he has the most dedicated team he’s ever worked with. Byton is targeting European quality with an Asian workforce, and Duchesne feels confident his team will deliver that. And remember, your smartphone was built in China at a high quality!

Asked about the production delay of the M-Byte, Duchesne said it is millions of data points that need to come together coherently. Byton had nothing a few years ago and designed a car, with another concept on the way, the factory, hired a workforce it trained, build the factory, and is now putting everything together. The Nanjing manufacturing plant was designed with the final product in mind, something that doesn’t happen often lately. The manufacturing plant is highly flexible and, compared to other startups, Byton has 100% control over the product and the quality.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

The company didn’t feel comfortable rushing the M-Byte. That is not the Byton culture, according to Duchesne, who says: “Spending extra time making engineering, software, and assembly to meet the global quality without making rushing mistakes is the name of the game. Too many startups made that mistake of rushing to the market and are no longer around.”

I asked Duchesne how he handles the back and forth between design and manufacturing and how he manages expectations with the reality of production. He said that Benoit Jacob, who is the Vice President of Design, is one of the rare professionals who designs a car that is both stunning and manufacturable. That is one less step manufacturing needs to worry. David Twohig, Chief Technical Officer, whom we will interview next, knows how to balance it all and keep the company steady. What Duchesne brings from Toyota is the planning know-how. From Tesla, he learned that you need to do whatever it takes to make a startup survive. That means finding a way to build the car no matter what.

Byton Nanjing Facility, courtesy Byton.

Byton Builds Its Ideal Manufacturing Plant & Team
Byton culture has been established. Duchesne says he’s witnessed it from the beginning but wasn’t sure at first if it was real. I feel the same. I approached Byton cautiously at first. But its culture is very palpable. There is an indescribable enthusiasm that is tangible from design to manufacturing to the executive level. Waves might come and go, but the people make the culture, and that never changes. Culture comes from passion, and it seems that Byton has it in all the right places.

Byton at 2019 Frankfort Auto Show. Photo by Nicolas Zart, CleanTechnica.

Byton M-byte. Photo courtesy Byton.

Byton M-byte body in white factory photo. Photo courtesy Byton.

Follow CleanTechnica on Google News.
It will make you happy & help you live in peace for the rest of your life.

About the Author

Nicolas Zart Nicolas was born and raised around classic cars of the 1920s, but it wasn't until he drove an AC Propulsion eBox and a Tesla Roadster that the light went on. Ever since he has produced green mobility content on various CleanTech outlets since 2007 and found his home on CleanTechnica.

His communication passion led to cover electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, test drives, podcasts, shoot pictures, and film for various international outlets in print and online. Nicolas offers an in-depth look at the e-mobility world through interviews and the many contacts he has forged in those industries.

His favorite taglines are: “There are more solutions than obstacles.” and “Yesterday's Future Now”

Advertise with CleanTechnica to get your company in front of millions of monthly readers.

Top News On CleanTechnica

CleanTechnica Clothing & Cups

Join CleanTechnica Today!

Listen to CleanTech TalkAdvertisement

Follow CleanTechnica Follow @cleantechnica

Our Electric Car Driver Report

Read & share our new report on “electric car drivers, what they desire, and what they demand.”

The EV Safety Advantage

Read & share our free report on EV safety, “The EV Safety Advantage.”
EV Charging Guidelines for Cities

Share our free report on EV charging guidelines for cities, “Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Guidelines For Cities.”

30 Electric Car Benefits

Our Electric Vehicle Reviews

Tesla News

38 Anti-Cleantech Myths

Invest
Electric Cars
Electric Car Benefits
Electric Car Sales
Solar Energy Rocks
RSS
Advertise
Privacy Policy

This site uses cookies: Find out more.Okay, thanks