Clean Technica Online News – Page 249 – I wish I had more to offer

Tesla Carshare Coming To Masdar City — CleanTechnica Exclusive

I toured Masdar City for the first time this week. It is difficult to not be overwhelmed with the vision and execution taking place there. If you are new to cleantech news, make sure you go to the Masdar City website and check out its amazing architecture, admire its focus on residents instead of cars, and share with others its ambitious energy efficiency targets (which, by the way, Masdar* often exceeds)

BMW Exec Bemoans Company’s Failure To Keep Pace With Tesla’s Battery Cell Production

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Batteries Published on January 25th, 2019 | by Carolyn Fortuna
BMW Exec Bemoans Company’s Failure To Keep Pace With Tesla’s Battery Cell ProductionTwitterLinkedInFacebookJanuary 25th, 2019 by Carolyn Fortuna
A BMW chief has called out its board of directors for failing to step up with battery cell production, which he describes as the heart of the car of the future. Manfred Schoch, deputy chairman of the supervisory board at BMW, has publicly critiqued BMW’s rejection of battery cell R&D, basing his assessment on the model of innovation and vision that Tesla CEO Elon Musk has established for his automotive company.
Schoch advises a quick corporate rethinking of BMW long-range planning if the company is to remain truly competitive. “I need people here who go with us into the future,” he said. He added that his comments were directed “also — and especially — for the board.”

Schoch suggested to the German business journal Manager Magazin that BMW and the auto industry in general should pay closer attention to the Tesla model rather than indulging in petty nitpicking about the all-electric car company.
Tesla, the company that has caused an electric car revolution, has been the subject of constant criticism since its first cars hit the market. Who will buy this premium car? The market for this all-electric high-end catalog is too narrow. Tesla doesn’t have the experience to produce enough cars to be profitable. The Gigafactory isn’t a viable manufacturing entity. Tesla is a fading fad. The company can’t provide a pathway to a sustainable future unless it appeals to a mass market. Claims of Tesla profitability aren’t backed up by commonly accepted accounting practices. CEO Elon Musk is a live cannon who will bring down the company.
And, yet, the numbers are positive for Tesla sales and likely ongoing profitability. “Tesla made in the third quarter, at a good $6 billion in sales, $312 million profit. BMW came in the automotive segment at 21 billion euros to 784 million surplus,” said Schoch, who has been head of the BMW works council for 31 years and is considered one of the most important leaders of the group. “Who deserves better?”
Indeed, Tesla’s success has upended the auto industry, and battery cell technology is one of the driving factors for the Tesla master stroke. In contrast, BMW just ended a supply contract with the Chinese cell manufacturer CATL, which had wanted to build a plant in Thuringia, Germany — about 4 hours away from Munich and BMW’s headquarters.

Value Chain as Key to ElectromobilitySchoch pointed to Tesla’s close relationship with its battery supplier, Panasonic, as key to company dominance. That collaboration has been essential as the demand for the lithium-ion batteries that power its vehicles grows commensurate with Tesla’s increased sales. As the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive lithium-ion battery cells and Tesla’s exclusive battery cell supplier for the Model 3, Model S, and Model X, the Tesla/ Panasonic partnership is leading others in the EV field in R&D.
For example, when it comes to minimizing cobalt usage, Tesla has long been a proponent of nickel-cobalt-aluminium (NCA) technology developed by Panasonic, which goes against the trend of a nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM)-focused EV industry. Furthermore, Elon Musk has acknowledged that the company will continue material development toward higher-energy, lower-to-no-cobalt chemistries.
“Tesla controls the entire value chain; they understood electromobility,” Schoch commented. Tesla inbound logistics involves the receipt and storage of raw materials to build electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and solar panels, according to the Tesla, Inc. Report at business portal Research Methodology. Tesla conducts vehicle manufacturing and assembly operations at its facilities in Fremont, California; Lathrop, California; and Tilburg, Netherlands. Tesla automotive operations comprise design, development, manufacturing, and sales of electric vehicles. High level of integration of robots into various manufacturing processes is the major source of value creation for Tesla.

Battery Cell Technology is at the Heart of Future Auto CompetitionBatteries are the keys to completing a worldwide transition to a clean energy economy. Tesla’s enormous battery factory — about 5.5 million square feet — in Nevada, is called the Gigafactory or Gigafactory 1. Tesla reportedly expects the Gigafactory to introduce production cost cuts for lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries and energy storage products by some 30%, compared to pre-Gigafactory batteries. Such production savings will occur using what the company has referred to as economies of scale, innovative manufacturing, reduction of waste, and the simple optimization of locating most manufacturing process under one roof.
Schoch stated explicitly that battery cell production is the determining factor to future automotive viability. “Anyone who does not master and build this core will not be able to compete,” he analyzed.

Independence and Optimism through Battery Cell ProductionSchoch praised Tesla for its optimistic approach to the future of automotive transportation. “Too much is complained and too much is declared impossible [in the auto industry],” he declared.
Referring to entrenched automotive manufacturing practices that reward maintaining a status quo approach, Schoch mused, “We are dependent.” He suggested that collaboration should be an option for BMW and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “Our board members should, finally, deal more intensively with this gentleman.”

Tesla has shown over and over again that healthy ideation and income growth are a result of a culture of innovation. Of course, with each remarkable Tesla transformation comes a shifting risk landscape. Musk manages innovation-related risks and the outcomes required in an era of digital transformation with delicate balance. His business model for converting ideas and technologies into economic value anticipates dramatic shifts in the cleantech markets, often in response to a perceived need which only Musk can envision. He’s also able to devise a pragmatic road map to implementation.
That’s a disruptive model that many automotive manufacturers like BMW have not yet been able to adopt.
As BMW moves into the electric car marketplace, it will add several electric vehicles to its catalog. BMW-owned Mini will reportedly begin production of its first EV later this year, and BMW will expand its lineup of “i” models with the iX3 in 2020 and the i4 along with the X5-sized iNext in 2021.
BiographyManfred Schoch serves as a Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW US Capital, LLC. He is Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Member of the Supervisory Board of BMW Finance N.V. He functions as the Chairman of the Central Works Council and Member of the Presiding Board at BMW US Capital, LLC. He is the Chairman of the General Works Council of BMW Group.
Unless otherwise attributed, images copyright free via Pixabay and YouTube

About the AuthorCarolyn Fortuna Carolyn Fortuna, Ph.D. is a writer, researcher, and educator with a lifelong dedication to ecojustice. She's won awards from the Anti-Defamation League, The International Literacy Association, and The Leavy Foundation. She’s molds scholarship into digital media literacy and learning to spread the word about sustainability issues. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook and Google+

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Tesla’s Battery Leadership Protected In Secrecy

By now, regular readers of this column are well aware that we (along with most other writers who focus on electric vehicles) consider the threat of the “Tesla killer” to be no threat at all. Yes, Big Auto is producing excellent EVs, some of which are in Tesla’s league, but they’ll never build more than they have to, and they’ll continue steering customers to their gas-guzzling, high-margin models. It’s what they do

New Tesla Home Charging Station Offers Faster Charging, Plus You Can Take It With You

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Cars Published on January 16th, 2019 | by Steve Hanley
New Tesla Home Charging Station Offers Faster Charging, Plus You Can Take It With YouTwitterLinkedInFacebookJanuary 16th, 2019 by Steve Hanley
Until now, Tesla offered its customers two home charging options — the Gen 2 Mobile Connector that comes standard with all new Teslas or a hard-wired wall-mounted charger. Now it is offering Tesla owners a third option — a new Wall Connector that can be plugged into a standard NEMA 14–50 receptacle commonly used for electric stoves. Why is that news?

The Gen 2 Mobile Connector also plugs into a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, but it has a maximum power of 32 amps. The Wall Connector has a maximum power of 40 amps, which means it can charge a car 25% faster — about 25 miles of range for every hour of charging. It comes with a 24 foot long cord, and when you leave home, you can unplug it and take it with you. Both units are available from Tesla at a cost of $500. The hard-wired wall charger is capable of higher power charging, but can’t be disconnected and taken along when you leave your garage for distant destinations.
If you have a NEMA 14-50 receptacle in your garage already, all you need to do is plug in the new Wall Connector and start charging. If not, you will need to hire an electrician to install one for you. (High-amperage electrical wiring is not something for amateurs to experiment with.)
Faster charging than the Gen 2 Mobile Connector but less money than a hard-wired connection, the Wall Connector will be the right charging solution for many Tesla owners. Portability is just icing on the cake. It is available from Tesla now in any color, as long as that color is silver and black.

Like all Tesla products, the new Wall Connector is the beneficiary of sleek, contemporary styling. It looks at first glance like a miniature version of the original Powerwall residential storage battery. Not all charging equipment is as stylish. Once again, Tesla is out ahead and leading the way in the electric car revolution.

About the AuthorSteve 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.

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Breaking News: General Motors May Build Electric Trucks One Day In The Far Distant Future

News flash! GM might consider making an electric pickup truck some day in the far distant future if people are willing to pay enough to make it worth the company's while. OK. We can all go back to sleep now.

Elon Musk & Tesla Slice Through China–US Trade Challenges With Focus On Helping Humanity

Editor's note: Aside from the useful article below, we have breaking news out of China that Shanghai Gigafactory construction is speeding up. We'll start with that news

Tesla Model 3 Wins (Another) Resale Value Competition — But Kelley Blue Book Awards Sort Of F***ed Up

Less than 3 weeks ago, Michael Barnard conducted an analysis for CleanTechnica examining the resale value of the Tesla Model 3 compared to competitors. The conclusion was that the Model 3 was dramatically better at holding its value than other cars in its class

Afraid Of Driverless Technology? PAVE Hopes To Persuade You Of AV Safety

A new coalition of diverse organizations wants to educate the US public and policymakers about autonomous vehicles

Does Hype Around Big Auto’s EVs Help Or Hurt Tesla?

While it's been slow to cut the umbilical cord from gas (and diesel) powered cars, Big Auto is starting to open up to vehicle electrification. This has sparked speculation, especially from financial pundits, that Tesla's days are numbered. Would Big Auto's newfound interest in clean cars squash the Silicon Valley upstart? Or, would their impact draw more attention to the electric car innovator

Solar Roofing Is The Focus Of Standard Industries’ New GAF Energy Unit

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Clean Power Published on January 19th, 2019 | by Charles W. Thurston
Solar Roofing Is The Focus Of Standard Industries’ New GAF Energy UnitTwitterLinkedInFacebookJanuary 19th, 2019 by Charles W. Thurston
Boosting solar roofing growth with the DecoTech is the mandate of GAF Energy, a new company formed under the Standard Industries wing. The new entity will assist customers with planning, financing, permitting with utilities, and installation in a streamlined approach, the company says.

“As the largest global player in roofing and waterproofing, we will reshape the way clean solar energy becomes a reality for everyone,” said David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries. The new unit will help focus on the DecoTech product, which GAF began developing in 2008 and first installed in 2017.
The DecoTech is a product midway between a very low-profile Tesla solar shingle and a mounting-bracket supported add-on system. The DecoTech is installed at the same time as a home is partially re-roofed, so that the new roofing helps hide the solar panel. The patented installation process renders the roof watertight.
Unlike Tesla or RGS shingles that are integrated components, the DecoTech system relies on off-the-shelf 60-cell solar panels, to avoid the cost of proprietary manufacturing, the company says. The DecoTech carries a 25-year warranty. An additional lifetime guarantee also is available, which offers extended coverage for labor.
“Our unique design does allow for module level power electronics and we have installs already with MIs and DC optimizers. We will standardize on a power electronics solution but all options are available to us based on our superior engineering,” says Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. .
The cost of the DecoTech roof is expected to be on par with standalone solar. “Our unique technology that allows solar to be sold and installed by roofers enables cost savings in sales and install that offsets the increased costs of a solar roof,” says DeBono. That cost is expected to decline with volume to parity, the company suggests.
The cost may also be defrayed with additional offerings from the company, such as monitoring, EV connections, and energy management. “Distributed generation of the future will require seamless integration across storage and EVs and we will have an offering to satisfy that requirement,” says DeBono.
The system will be sold through networks of certified roofers. “We are best positioned to accelerate the growth of residential solar with over a century of waterproofing experience and the largest network of roofing distributors and contractors in the world,” said David Winter, co-CEO of Standard Industries in a January 10 statement.
Using roofers to offer solar will tap the large annual US market for new roofs, a potential pool of 5 million roofs, according to one industry estimate. Of this number only about 300,000 customers opt for solar as well, according to Energy Sage. The US demand for roofing was projected to amount to 268 million squares (a 10 foot by 10 foot area) in 2017, valued at $27.2 billion,” said the Freedonia Group in a 2017 study.
Sageworks, a financial information company, was cited by Forbes recently as saying sales among privately held roofing contractors have increased, on average, 14% in the 12 months ended May 1, 2018.
“The scale of the roofing industry is an order of magnitude greater than the solar industry,” says DeBono. “GAF Energy can now give those customers a simple option: a roof or a solar roof.” While the dollar amount of the roofing market is greater than solar, it also is growing faster; the growth of solar was flat during 2018, although recovery is widely anticipated.
“GAF Energy capitalizes on the historic challenges facing the rooftop solar industry – acquisition and installation costs – and turns them into demonstrable strengths – making it easy for customers to say ‘yes’ to solar rooftops,” said DeBono, in the statement.
The DecoTech system should help retrofit part of the US historic stock of homes roofed with sub-standard roofing material. “The US experienced a number of severe weather events in 2016 that caused extensive roof damage in many parts of the country, necessitating the repair and replacement of thousands of roofs. This surge in re-roofing jobs was in large part due to the fact that many structures are outfitted with roofing materials that do not meet modern building codes for storm resistance,” says a July market analysis of US residential roofing by Research and Markets.
“Going forward, home and business owners will undertake roof renovation projects to replace these older products with more durable materials – such as laminated asphalt shingles, metal roofing, and polymer-modified bituminous membranes – that can better withstand high winds and heavy precipitation,” the study says.
GAF began operations in 1886 and has a network of 5,000 certified contractors. The company manufactures well over 1 million roofs annually in North America. GAF Energy works in partnership with North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, GAF, offering affordable, integrated and aesthetic rooftop solar options to residential and commercial customers.

About the AuthorCharles W. Thurston Charles specializes in renewable energy, from finance to technological processes. Among key areas of focus are bifacial panels and solar tracking. He has been active in the industry for over 25 years, living and working in locations ranging from Brazil to Papua New Guinea.

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