Tag Archives: electric car

Tesla Reveals a Super Semi, 0-60 in Under 5 Seconds!

At an event in Los Angeles on November 16th, 2017, Tesla unveiled its new Semi electric truck, which is capable of traveling 800 kilometers (500 miles) on a single charge with a loaded trailer.

Powered by four independent Model 3 motors, the vehicle can go from 0-60 mph in just five seconds; it’ll take 20 seconds while paired with an 80,000 pound load. The idea with the Semi is to create a shipping solution that’s not only more environmentally friendly than a diesel truck, but also more economical to own and operate.

The interior features a central cockpit for greater visibility and two large displays for navigation and other controls on either side of the cabin. The shatter-proof windshield uses Tesla Armor Glass that the company says is far more durable than standard glass; that’s a big deal because a cracked windshield takes time to replace, and it’s illegal to drive with a damaged one in the US, which means downtime and money down the drain for trucking companies.

In addition, the Semi beams data to a mobile app that presents vital information about the vehicle, along with remote diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and fleet management information.

With the Semi, the big draw for logistics companies will likely be the lower cost of ownership. Tesla says that a diesel truck is 20 percent more expensive to run per mile, and that running an Autopilot-powered convoy of Semis is even more economical than transporting cargo by rail, while also being 10 times safer than having the vehicles manned by human drivers.

It’ll be interesting to see if that’s enough to convince shipping companies to make the switch to Tesla’s electric offering. The Semi will begin production in 2019, and you can reserve them now by wiring across $5,000 apiece.

SOURCE: TheNextWeb

Chevy Bolt Or Tesla Model S, Which Is The Best EV For A Road Trip?

Everyone loves a road trip: Driving through a region, discovering its magic, one mile at a time, while being as free as a bird to stop and sleep wherever you want to. It’s no wonder that road trips are an American symbol: They’re linked to a natural sense of freedom and exploration of vast landscapes that are so iconic of the US. But when it comes to road trips, it’s always the old Mustang or the long Cadillac that get in the picture of the perfect trip. Have you ever considered an electric car instead? We’re comparing the Tesla Model S and the Chevy Bolt to find out the best car for the exercise!

Chevy Bolt EV

The essentials on the road

Even though an electric car has a different fuelling system, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pack like for a standard road trip, namely a box of tools to be able to change a flat tyre and cables to revive the battery. Admittedly, there’s no need to worry in case you’ve forgotten a tool or you find yourself unable to move the car. The tow truck service is equally available to fuel-powered and electric vehicles! But, you’ll enjoy the road trip more if you don’t need it!

Planning ahead

If it’s your first long drive with an EV, make sure to check a map of charging stations in the area before you leave. These are more difficult to find than fuel stations!

Tesla Model S: Supercharged in 30min

The Tesla Model S has some serious bragging rights, as with any electric car that allows you to invest in the future. But what is really exciting about this model is that you can in only 30 minutes get the car charged to complete a 170-mile-long journey, assuming you are using a Tesla Supercharger charging station. Remember the EV charging map? That’s why you need it! Additionally, the Tesla S is a fast car that can even beat the Ferrari 458 in a race.

Chevy Bolt: 313 miles on a charge

In comparison, the Chevy Bolt offers an impressive driving range on one charge: Up to 238 miles, although drivers claim to have managed 313 miles on a single charge. Unfortunately the Chevy Bolt can’t use the Tesla Supercharger, but you can use DC fast-charging stations to deliver 90 miles in the first 30 min. If you’re stopping in a hotel, it will take a 240-volt Level 2 charging station 9 hours to fill a discharged battery pack.

The verdict

According to EPA estimates, the 259 miles range of the Tesla Model S beats the Chevy Bolt, especially if you take into account the time of charge. However, recent tests by Consumer Reports show otherwise: The Chevy Bolt surpasses expectations with a 235 miles range, vs the Tesla that only hits 250 miles. But charging time and comfort are in favor of the Tesla’s vehicle.

In conclusion, a long-distance road trip is better planned with a Tesla Model S, as you’ll be making the most of its supercharging abilities and comfy seats. However, if you’re driving only a few hundred miles, the Chevy Bolt is a great alternative that exceeds range expectations, as long as you remember to use DC fast-charging stations!

Promises, Promises: Electric Pledges From Car Producers

Are you thinking about making the change and getting an electric car? We’re not talking about a hybrid here. No, we’re referring to something quite different, a fully electric car that has no need or use for a petrol engine. Don’t let anyone fool you, these type of cars are still quite rare on the market. However, there is a lot of hope for the future. Many of the biggest car manufacturers are taking huge strides in their commitment to electric cars, and we’re not just talking about hybrids.

It’s interesting to explore the pledges and promises made by car producers. That way, we can analyse how realistic they are and whether we think the company will live up to them. As well as this, it gives us a brilliant look at the future of the auto world and, as we’re about to discover, the future is electric.

Let’s start by thinking about Volvo. The company is taking great strides towards a future based on the electric car.

Volvo Make History

Pic Source

It’s true, Volvo is the first ever company to commit completely to the idea of electric vehicles. In 2019, every vehicle that Volvo produces will have an electric motor. What does this mean? Well, if you want a traditional type of powered car, you’re going to need to get one second hand, and you can read online here the type of Volvos that you might be buying. However, this also suggests that the car producer realizes how important electric powered cars are going to be. It’s also worth pointing out that the point of making this reality isn’t too far away. It’s amazing to think that in just two years, Volvo will be the first car producer to commit completely to electric. And they will be the first as currently, they are the only company to make this type of commitment.

It is, for many, a new chapter in the history of vehicles and the car industry. Volvo has suggested that this move is to benefit the current demand for electric cars and they are certainly right about that. There are many people who are eager to get their hands on an electric car. However, it’s important to understand that the car in question must fit into their budget and be something that they can rely on. Right now, it’s an either or. Either you have an expensive electric car that performs well. Or, you have a car with a low range that is cheap enough anyone can afford it. The answer? Well, Volvo might provide it with their aim to bring five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021. The key detail here is that each of these cars is going to fit into different categories and as such, there will be high-performance electric cars that everyone can afford.

We’ll find out in a couple of years whether or not Volvos plans come to fruition. It’s worth pointing out that this isn’t the only major plan from the business in the pipeline. The company is also keen to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in a Volvo car down to zero by 2025.

Volkswagen’s Electrifying Goal

Pic Source

Another producer has their own plans for electric cars and would you believe, it’s connected to self-driving vehicles. The company has announced a Together-Strategy 2025. This is simply a plan to commit to both self-driving vehicles and electric vehicles at the same time.

Audi, one of the companies that form the Volkswagen group are seriously aggressive with their stance on self-driving cars (in a good way). In fact, Audi has claimed that by 2020, 30 percent of the cars they produce will be electric. It’s not quite the commitment to the idea Volvo are trying to make, but it’s not a bad start. And, unlike Volvo, they seem to have some concrete plans.

For instance, Audi aims to release something called the I.D in 2020. We don’t know much about this car aside from the fact that it’s fully electric and a nifty little speedster. It won’t be the first electric sports car to grace the market, but if Audi is involved, it could just be one of the best. If you’re interested in autonomous tech, this speedster will supposedly work using lasers on the roof. It all sounds very sci-fi, and we can’t find a way to see how it comes together.

It’s worth pointing out that unlike Volvo this company is in dire need of repairing it’s damaged reputation. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that their supposed ‘clean diesel’ tech wasn’t quite as clean as everyone had hoped.

Ford Thinking SUV

Credit Link

It’s no surprise that Ford’s pledge for electric is all about the SUV. Ford are well known as the producer of family-friendly vehicles, and there’s nothing more family-friendly than a good old SUV. That’s probably why they have aimed to produce an EV SUV by 2020. But that’s not the big news. The big news is that this beauty will have a range of three hundred miles. That’s pretty good and certainly rivals some of the offerings from Tesla. Though, if we’re fair, we would say Tesla will probably have leapt over that type of range by 2020. The pioneers of auto technology are unlikely to be taken over by Ford, but one can’t help but admire their efforts here.

Daimler

Pic Link

People who aren’t up to speed on the car industry may not recognize that name. That’s why it’s worth noting that this is the producer working behind the scenes of the Mercedes brand. Mercedes, of course, are known for selling high class, luxurious vehicles and those who can afford them will be pleased to hear that by 2022 the company expects to have 10 EVs on the market. This means they might have more than a company that plans to go all in for electric in the next couple of years.

As we can see then, car producers are taking bold steps to commit to electric cars, and it will be fascinating to see what type of progress they make on keeping these pledges over the next few years.

 

Why An EV Makes The Perfect First Car For Your Teen

https://www.pexels.com/photo/action-adult-blur-car-620335/

When you teen first starts learning to drive, it can really freak you out. Not only does it feel really strange to see your baby behind the wheel and have to realize that they’re growing up and no longer your baby, you worry about them too. Because road traffic accidents are always an issue, and you never want your baby to be in harm’s way. So, one thing that you can do as a parent, is make sure that you choose the best car possible for your teen. Now, we all know that there are tons of reasons to go electric with your car choice, but it’s also a great choice to consider for your teen too. Still need convincing? Then let’s consider the benefits.

Safety

Up first, we have the safety factors – which are often the most important. We’ve all seen the road traffic accident and distracted driving statistics, and although you can tell your teen until they’re blue in the face that they have to be responsible, you need to have backup too. And that often comes in the form of incredible safety features. With EVs, you know that they come with incredible tech, like the Chevrolet Spark EV with its stability and traction control and ten airbags too. When you know you’re buying safe, you know you’re making a good move.

Speed

Then there’s also the issue of speed. Because as much as you will tell your teen (especially boys) not to drive fast, they still might be tempted. But with an EV, we know that they’re known for being slower than fuel-based cars. They tend to take awhile longer to get up to speed, some models at least. So when you’re buying electric, you know that you’re not putting them in something that could potentially be a death-wish.

Technology

At the same time as offering incredible safety tech, EVs can also come with some great in-car tech too. This means you can really sell some models to your kid, and they’ll prefer them over non-EVs. From state of the are navigation to great entertainment options, you’ll be happy that they have everything they need, and they’ll be in love with their new gadgets.

Running Costs

Then you’ve also got the running costs to think about. Because keeping a car on the road can be expensive for a teen. But when it comes to running an EV vs. running a fuel car, you can save money. So whether you’re going to be paying the running and maintenance costs for them, or they’re paying for themselves, you will find that many EVs are great cheap choices.

Purchase Cost

And then, of course, you also have the purchase cost to consider too. Whether you’re leasing or buying, you will find that EVs are affordable options to purchase outright, with many around the $25,000 mark and even costing under $200 a month to lease, you will find that it’s an affordable first car choice for your teen.

Tesla Model 3 First Impressions

Marques Brownlee, YouTube tech reviewer extraordinaire, had the chance to do a short test drive of the Tesla Model 3. He already owns a Tesla Model S, so he provides a pretty reserved review of Tesla’s new affordable option.

Marques praises Tesla for retaining the spirit of their brand in the minimalist Model 3, but expresses concerns about how everything is controlled on the 15 inch touchscreen, even the glove box. Judging by the top voted YouTube comments, this is a shared worry among the general population:

“Everything is simple” (Needs software to open the glove compartment)
That monitor goes out for any reason, I mean, it’s a single point of failure. Doesn’t seem safe at all. I could be wrong. Please tell me I’m wrong.
Putting everything on the touchscreen with no physical buttons and a speedometer in front of the driver is a big mistake IMHO.What happens when the screen fails for some reason,you are totally screwed!! You don’t know what the hell is going on ! Epic fail !
Even though Tesla has likely made plenty of safety measures to prevent any sort of problem with touchscreen malfunctions, popular perceptions can influence whether or not the Tesla Model 3 will be adopted by the masses.  So I hope Tesla shows more ride alongs and tutorials on navigating the touchscreen, as well as reassuring electric car novices that a car can be safely operated without physical buttons and a traditional dashboard.
Marques also talks about options like colors, wheels, and automation packages.  $5000 will get you semi automation with self parking, lane holding, and speed changing autopilot.  For $5000 more you can basically just tell your car where to go from point A to point B, which is full-automation.  The safety sensors will be on the base model with no extra charge.  This brings up an interesting issue as to why the software is so expensive when the hardware is standard, as it isn’t physical, but digital script that could be copied and distributed, or even pirated.  However, I’m not sure if anyone is daring or stupid enough to trust their lives to bootleg PirateBay Uber.
As a successful YouTuber who already owns a Model S, Marques Brownlee represents the middle class Tesla owner, whereas most of his viewers seem to be younger people, highschoolers and young adults.  To him, it seems the Model 3 is kind of meh, to his audience, the Model 3 is hardly “affordable”.  In fact it’s about the same price as a C class Mercedes, so many could consider Elon Musk’s idea of an affordable people’s car rather condescending.  So Tesla has to find a way to manage these views as the hype train slows down in the next couple years, though they have time to think about before their supply can match the unprecedented initial demand.

Tesla Model 3 Launch Event in 5 Minutes

On July 28th, 2017 Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered the first 30 Tesla Model 3s at an emotional handover event. The $35,000 electric car delivers on the promise Elon Musk made 14 years ago, to deliver an affordable, mass production electric vehicle to the world.

The Tesla Model 3 has an interior like no car you’ve seen before. Tesla went for a simplified dashboard that focuses on the central display unit. This is better suited for autonomous drive mode, when people will be able to watch movies and other media.

Tesla’s Model 3 design takes aspects the company learned from the Model X to give more headroom to rear seat passengers. The high hatchback and large rear window give the space more room and visibility.

Tesla intends to make the Tesla Model 3 the safest in the world, as well as expand the Tesla charging network 3 fold by next year.

The major hangup with the Model 3 right now is production. If you order the compact electric vehicle today, you will have to wait until late 2018 at the earliest to receive your car. Elon Musk assures customers that his company is grateful for its early adopters and Tesla will continue to support Model S, X, and 3 buyers who took the risk to embrace their innovative company.