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

tesla.com

361–370 of 521 posts

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

#361

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pay to emergency brake would seem to have the potential for higher margins?

We have detected an emergency situation and can avoid this upcoming collision by automatically applying full force breaking. Do you accept the payment of $14,99 ?

Think bigger.

You forget Teslas are FSD capable. They can detect the urgency of the situation and price accordingly. A low speed shunt may be only $15. Avoiding a head on collision with a HGV? Only $10,000.

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

#362
post #351

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but if I have more batteries I'll already factor that into my planning so I'll make fewer stops. If I have to always maintain X% battery when I'm driving in cold temps (to be able to survive N hours in case of a cold weather traffic jam) then it effectively just shortens the range. Adding X% battery to compensate this has to be very expensive compared to having a burner space heater and a gas/kerosene bottle for…

There are other ways to survive in the case of an emergency. Blankets, food, candles and whatnot should be in your emergency kit regardless of what you're driving. Besides, how is this different than a gasoline-powered vehicle? In your situation, you'd still be reducing your range by X% in order to survive N hours in case something happens- your gas tank is not infinite, after all. I suppose you could make the case t…

> Besides, how is this different than a gasoline-powered vehicle?

My gas car has a 700mi range so its simply not an issue as I tend to not drive that long on a day trip. I have the X% fuel spare for N hours of emergency heating so long as I do say The same would be true for battery cars once the range is enough. And the problem of course would exist for an ICE car with a shorter range.

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

#363
post #357

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but if I have more batteries I'll already factor that into my planning so I'll make fewer stops. If I have to always maintain X% battery when I'm driving in cold temps (to be able to survive N hours in case of a cold weather traffic jam) then it effectively just shortens the range. Adding X% battery to compensate this has to be very expensive compared to having a burner space heater and a gas/kerosene bottle for…

Range is range, your space heater idea is just a less useful plug in hybrid. Spending less money on batteries to add another system that you use a few times a year results in a generally less useful car.

It depends on the relative cost of "N hours of heating in the form of more batteries" vs "cost of a burner heater capable of N hours of heating". If the costs are even nearly comparable (if they aren't 10x apart) then I agree with you there is no point.

The heater also can't be as complex as a plug-in-hybrid, requiring expensive serveice etc. It needs to be cheap, dumb, optional (so you only waste the cargo space on extreme long journeys and in cold weather) etc.

What I'm picturing isn't a complex system. It's a camping burner with a hose to the car's ventilation system. Think < 1cubic feet and sub $1k.

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

#364

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I dont know if you know this, but the default for a Tesla is 90% battery capacity (You can manually override this very easily to 100% if going on a trip, or otherwise needing the full capacity)

Do they still do that? I thought they turned that off a few years ago. Still, completely different to Audi who are completely hiding 12% from the customer.

They still do that and it affects the behavior of the car: Regenerative braking is turned off as you approach 100%.

As an owner, I use this feature occasionally. Once in a while I'm setting off on a trip where initial charge range really matters for some reason.

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

#365
post #359

I'm wondering what types of range extension methods could be easily added to an EV. Scenario: I'm going to drive 900km/560mi and it's -10 outside (I do this multiple times per year). I want a cosy room temperature inside the cabin. - How can I ensure I waste as little range as possible on heating, so that I don't risk having to make e.g. 2 stops instead of one? - More critically, if I get stuck in traffic for several…

How is this problem specific to EV's?

Only because they have shorter range. I explained in another comment why the specific problem (Given the distance to be driven and the range) doesn't occur for my current ICE car.

Edit: and yes as was pointed out in another comment - heat is "free" while driving because of losses in the engine.

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

#366

Question for Tesla owners: Is the recharge time ever a problem? Have you ever felt regret from not being able to just pull up to a gas station, refuel, and be on your way? Part of me drools with child-like giddiness at the prospect of owning one, but part of me hesitates at the thought of taking roadtrips in one.

Yes. If you go visit an area where you cannot conveniently charge, many cities in the US you will not be within 30 mi of a supercharger, so only slow and expensive chargers are available.

It is kind of a pain in those places.

Charging at home is nice though.

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

#367

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least you use LED as a noun. In Poland, I constantly hear people saying "LED diode". I keep correcting this and "PIN number" indiscriminately.

See also, “-gate” for scandals.

Mitchell & Webb on "Watergategate"

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB9JgxhXW5w

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

#368
post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also: "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, now available for an even greater value with the new drivetrain and suspension updates." They just can't leave their pricing structure alone. How does Tesla management not appreciate how unnecessarily confusing this is for consumers?

You go on the website, click a couple boxes, and it tells you a price. You pay what you see on the website. How is that more confusing than a regular dealership?

The model I saw last week when I was thinking about buying is different than the model I saw this week. The price I saw last week for the set of features I remember selecting is different than the price I see this week.

They need to calm the rate of change here. It's been all over the map in Q1.

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

#369
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interestingly, it seems SpaceX got to play a role developing the alloy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inconel#History

Inconel is just a group of nickel alloys, been around for years. No indication the specific alloys spaceX has developed are being used in the fuse, although they could be, however, wikipedia indicates they are used in rockets.

Fair point, but it seems that SpaceX business is spreading genes to the car industry.

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

#370
post #194

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's according to the NEDC test cycle which is the most optimistic (and therefore the least useful) range estimate. The three test cycles that are typically used are: NEDC (too optimistic): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_European_Driving_Cycle WLTP (better than NEDC, still a little optimistic): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldwide_harmonized_light_veh... EPA (the most conservative): https://en.wikipedia.org/w…

My S 75D has 384km range (not really near the EPA 417km) and it is approximately 21 % optimistic which I would not call "little". Route planners (ABRP, previously Tesla) will not let you drive 300km without charging, because you would arrive with less than 10 % SoC.

That's why I only care about range at highway speeds. It's the only situation where range actually matters to me, since I can usually charge before/after short (non-highway) tours. Here the Teslas still have a big lead and the new versions, if the 10-12% improvement is available for all speeds, will now very likely reach 500 Km (at 130 Km/h) range. Which is awesome and possibly a worthwhile upgrade (+30%) from my S90D.
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