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Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

tesla.com

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Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#211

Post by TeMPOraL »

alephx wrote: post #94
olivermarks wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sort of complexity is why I like pre smog era cars

Tell me about it, I had a 2007 1 series BMW and its transmission computer became dead. Now, I was quoted 4000USD at the dealership (the car was worth about 5000 at that point). I went to a third party specializing in automatic transmission and they almost could do it by swapping the computer from a crashed car. Turns out it needs an encryption key (who only the dealership has) to get the car to recognize the computer…

Reminds me of a guy I met once. He ran a small auto repair shop focusing on a single brand (Audi, AFAIR). He had a special device to talk with cars' computers and a laptop for it with software and appropriate keys. He explained to me that getting this from the auto manufacturer would cost a small fortune; instead, what he did is contract with some Chinese people, who from time to time would RDP to the laptop and update whatever in that software that needed updating; with the interface that I think was probably second-hand also, it apparently costed only a fraction of what manufacturer would want.

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#212

Post by TeMPOraL »

jdavis703 wrote: post #115
olivermarks wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sort of complexity is why I like pre smog era cars

In other words, let’s kill off people [0] from air pollution so car maintenance can be simpler. 0: http://www.prevenzione.ulss20.verona.it/docs/Sisp/Inquinamen...

The problem isn't electronics itself. The problem is a frankly evil combination of artificial technical and legal barriers that prevent you (or your local car repair shop) from being able to do fixes and checkups yourself. In a nicer world, you'd have standardized interfaces and tools released to facilitate repairs of the complicated systems in cars.

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#213

Post by _ph_ »

olliej wrote: post #124
mrybczyn wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

basically none. I've read that many electric motors are most efficient at 80%+ load...

The problem is more that you hurt efficiency when accelerating fast . I'd rather a moderately reliable increase in range than improved periodic acceleration. Essentially this is: How much does (say) 25-55mph in 2s vs. 4s cost for overall distance in normal traffic. That said I have better things to spend 60k on than a car. (my last car was $18k, and 42k can be used for a lot of good things that aren't a fancy car. Th…

The rate of acceleration is mostly irrelevant for the fuel consumption, unless your engine gets in a less efficient operating mode, which is not the case with electric motors. Often enough, this is not even the case with combustion engines, especially natually aspirated ones. Only if the higher acceleration also leads to overall higher speeds or additional breaking, energy is wasted. Otherwise, the energy used for accelaration is the difference of the kinetic energy at the high minus the one at the low speed.

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#214

Post by oblio »

Animats wrote: post #71

This is good. It's Tesla focusing on making better cars. More range is good. Faster charging is good. Those are real things. Yesterday's claims about Tesla operating a million self-driving taxis by 2020 were, well, not taken too seriously. The new stuff is all at the high end, though. The $35,000 Model 3 is still absent from the product line.

2020 is in 8 months. They currently produce about 400k cars per year...

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#215

Post by TeMPOraL »

teej wrote: post #123
jdavis703 wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In other words, let’s kill off people [0] from air pollution so car maintenance can be simpler. 0: http://www.prevenzione.ulss20.verona.it/docs/Sisp/Inquinamen...

I mean sure. But my gas vehicle is purely recreational, it gets a few hundred miles a year at most. I really enjoy teaching myself car maintenance and repair with it. Being an 80s car, it’s super roomy in the engine area and easy to work on. No one is dying because I own and drive this car today. Someone might’ve died mining the lithium for my Tesla however. This is all to say that your comment is reductive.

In defense of GP, their comment is properly reductive as this is how things generalize when deployed large-scale. Your smog may not kill anyone and my smog may not kill anyone, but it's also true that X% greater in emissions leads to Y% more premature deaths, so some extra Y% people are going to keep dying if these emissions are not reduced.

I don't think GP meant it to be personal. But Kant's categorical imperative does work in some cases, so it's worth remembering.

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#216

Post by mbertschler »

hunter2_ wrote: post #172
gonzo wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Vehicle Identification Number numbers"?

Just like PIN number, ATM machine, CAC card, and "is that a work PC or personal?" It's a very typical construction, for whatever reason.

Is that an LCD display?

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#217

Post by dforrestwilson »

sidcool wrote: post #79

What is super cool about Tesla is their laser sharp focus on creating a good electric vehicle. From the autonomy announcement and then this one, they are creating tools purpose built for cars, like new chips for self driving, battery tech etc. They have done so much in so little time, we have come to expect more from them. There is only so much a car company can innovate, Tesla has gone beyond it. Edit: I am a Tesla…

If you believe that they are doing false advertising around FSD, could they also be doing false advertising about this?

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#218

Post by ulfw »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #34
Someone1234 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slight tangent but what are you getting for $20K? Is it a software feature, or is there physical difference between the normal performance and "Ludicrous" model?

There is a smart fuse composed of an inconel alloy that is pyro-actuated to protect from overcurrent conditions when performing a Ludicrous launch (~1500 amp peak current drawn). It's not software only. Very fancy circuit breaker.

It's that the same as a Flux Capacitor?

Re: Changes to Models S and X allow them to travel longer without larger batteries

#220

Post by rorykoehler »

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #129
jonknee wrote: post #28

They're re-introducing the lower cost model, interesting move right before quarterly earnings get announced. I have to assume this means sales have been poor. > In addition to our Long Range and Performance variants, we’re also re-introducing a lower entry price for Model S and Model X by bringing back our Standard Range option

In the autonomy presentation yesterday they said they could create more robotaxis if they ship smaller batteries. So I wouldn’t assume it means sales are poor. They’re focused now on building out a self driving fleet of customer cars, which they plan to activate as taxis in the future.

Every move they make there are inevitably a bunch of comments that Tesla sales are poor. Only offer high spec... Bad sales. Reintroduce lower spec... Bad sales.
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