Tag Archives: elon musk

Keeping Your Electric Car As Safe As Possible

Picture Source: https://www.ratedradardetector.org/

Owning an electric car is very different to owning a standard diesel vehicle. Obviously, you know this and that’s why you bought the car. You know that the impact it has on the environment is far lesser, for example. The differences between electric cars and traditional cars are many. Nonetheless, when it comes to the ways in which you should be looking after your electric-powered vehicle, there are some similarities and some differences when compared to a standard car. Here’s how to keep your electric car as safe as possible.

Maintenance.

As with any car, maintenance is the key to keeping your car safe and roadworthy. And, as with any car, you need to become acquainted with the machinery at work within your vehicle so as to take care of it yourself. Even though regular check-ups are important, going to a repair shop every time there’s a problem is costly and time-consuming. Not to mention, it’s much safer and responsible to maintain your vehicle by yourself.

You need to understand the sophisticated electronics that run your car. Learn about the battery control module and how it discharges and charges the battery bank. You also need to learn about the heating and cooling systems because it’s important that these are well-maintained in order to keep your vehicle safe. Take a look at the hoses, clamps, and pipes to check the cooling system is working as it should be. As a piece of advice to make sure your battery doesn’t run into any problems, you should avoid a full charge; pushing your battery to its maximum capacity and then draining it is damaging.

Responsible driving.

If you want to keep your electric car as safe as possible then you need to be a responsible driver and that all depends on road awareness. You already have a license, so you’re qualified to drive a vehicle, but you might not necessarily be the most observant driver possible. Passing your driving test is one thing but you need to maintain that focus and concentration every time you get behind the wheel of a car. You might want to look into a mirror reversing camera kit because it’s so important to have complete vision of the road as a driver. And, sometimes, your rear view mirrors won’t suffice; blind spots are bad enough but other vehicles and things in the road can obscure your vision too. It’s a good idea to have as many backup options in place as possible and a camera can certainly help.

Continuing on from the point above, you need to be aware of the road in order to be a responsible driver but you also need to react to the road appropriately. Defensive driving is the best way to avoid accidents on the road. If you see a reckless driver then reacting aggressively to the situation and losing concentration could make you a danger to the road too. Additionally, driving defensively and cautiously means that you shouldn’t speed or brake hard; put your electric car under too much strain and it’ll wear out more quickly. You need to look after your vehicle in the way you would with any car.

Elon Musk Surprises Everyone with the 2020 Tesla Roadster

Following the reveal of the Tesla Semi tonight, Elon Musk pulled out a huge surprise: the new Roadster. Yes, the Tesla Roadster is back, and we’ll apparently see it on the road sometime in 2020. The performance is said to be absolutely staggering. Whether or not it’s worth the hype, well, we’ll leave that up to you. But these preliminary details indicate something super cool is on the way.

Let’s cut right to the chase:

  • 7,376 pound-feet of torque. Yes, you read that correctly.
  • 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, making it the quickest production car in the world.
  • 0-100 mph in 4.2 seconds.
  • Quarter mile in 8.8 seconds, which beats every other production car.
  • 250+ mph top speed.
  • 620 miles of highway range.

As Elon points out, according to this data, you’ll be able to drive the new Roadster from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back on one charge, at highway speeds. And by the way, these numbers are only for the prototype car shown tonight. The production car could be even quicker, with more range, and a higher top end. We’ll believe it when we see it, of course, but man, that’s incredible.

The new Roadster will use three electric motors – one in the front and two in the back – giving it through-the-road all-wheel drive. The incredible power comes courtesy of a 250-kilowatt-hour battery. True to its name, you’ll be able to remove the roof. And for added practicality, it’ll seat four people… well, okay, two and some grocery bags.

Want one? You’ll need $50,000 to reserve one, and the base price will be $200,000. Or you can be one of 1,000 people to order a Founders Series car, which costs a full $250,000, right up front.

See it for yourself in the high-res gallery below, or head to Tesla’s site for more information.

Source: Tesla

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!

Why You Absolutely Need the Tesla Model S

Image via Wikimedia Commons

There are many benefits to getting an electric car, ranging from the simple cool-factor of driving in the vehicle of the future, to cutting down dramatically on fuel costs, and reducing your carbon footprint.

But for all those benefits which apply to electric cars across the board, there are certain key reasons why you might want to take the plunge and invest in a Tesla Model S.

Here are a few of those reasons.

Bragging rights

There’s no electric car quite as universally well known, and with quite the mythic aura surrounding it, as the Tesla. By owning a Tesla Model S you get the bragging rights that come with investing in Elon Musk’s vision for the future.

You also get to enjoy the instant recognition, interest, and curiosity of those you bring it up with in conversation. There’s a certain sense of being on the cutting edge with comes with the territory of driving a Tesla, and with that comes the bragging rights.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s a pretty car, available in a range of ceramic paint coatings.

Access to the world’s fastest charging stations

One of the key concerns among many new electric car buyers is the fear that they might find themselves running out of juice at a bad time, and either being stranded in the middle of nowhere, or having to wait for hours at a charging station before getting back on the road.

Fortunately for the Tesla Model S owner, they have the privilege of using the renowned Tesla Supercharger charging stations.

Not only are Tesla Superchargers the world’s fastest charging stations — boasting the ability to get your car ready for 170 miles of travel within as little as 30 minutes — but they are also positioned in convenient locations such as near shopping complexes or service stops.

Just be sure to check your map in advance to see where they are, as there are by no means an unlimited number of them around.

100% first year allowance

With a Tesla Model S, you’re able to claim a 100% year-one deduction on the car, assuming you use it as a company car.

For the self-employed, or entrepreneurs out there, this can be a great incentive for finally making the plunge and picking up one of these vaunted vehicles.

Feeding the need for speed

There are no two ways about it, the Tesla Model S is simply fast, with top speeds of 139.9-155.3mph. The internet abounds with videos of the Tesla Model S taking on cars such as the Ferrari 458 in head-to-head races, and coming out on top.

If you’ve been put off buying an electric car because you heard they were slow and clunky, you’re a few generations behind the curve. The Tesla Model S is more than able to put your reservations to bed.

Saving the environment

This is a predictable point to make about electric cars in general, but it’s still valid and worth making. In a time of ecological crisis, being a part of the solution rather than the problem is a good feeling.

What’s more, by purchasing a Tesla, you’re directly contributing to Elon Musk’s wider efforts to introduce sustainable, ecologically friendly transport, in all its various forms.

All Tesla Supercharger Stations to Be Solar Powered, Says Musk

Fed by the virtually unlimited supply of money emanating from the Koch Brothers to influence the media, plenty of people are convinced that electric cars are not as green as they pretend to be. That includes Teslas that recharge at Supercharger locations.

Tesla-supercharger-expansion-01-570x286

After all, they have to get their electricity from somewhere and in many places worldwide, that somewhere is a coal-fired generating plant. The critics ask, what good is it to have zero tailpipe emissions if the stuff that makes the car go is derived from burning coal? One such critic posed that question to Elon Musk yesterday and got an unexpected response.

Tesla has embarked on a campaign to double the number of its Supercharger locations in 2017. In a blog post earlier this year, it said,

“As Tesla prepares for our first mass-market vehicle and continues to increase our Model S and Model X fleet, we’re making charging an even greater priority. It is extremely important to us and our mission that charging is convenient, abundant, and reliable for all owners, current and future. In 2017, we’ll be doubling the Tesla charging network, expanding existing sites so drivers never wait to charge, and broadening our charging locations within city centers.”

The Union of Concerned Scientists has published data refuting the hackneyed claim that electric cars are not all that green. Its study finds that two thirds of all Americans live in an area where driving an electric car contributes fewer total emissions than driving the most fuel efficient hybrid.

The only parts of the country where that is not true are places like West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, where the majority of electricity comes from coal-fired plants.

In fact, driving a Tesla in Wheeling, West Virginia creates more carbon pollution than driving a 64 Chevelle with the 396 engine. That’s because West Virginians are proud of their ability to poison themselves and their families with coal pollutants.

How soon will it be before all Tesla Supercharger locations are solar powered? Musk left the answer to that question somewhat vague. Suffice to say, it will be sooner than the charging equipment offered by any other automaker.

This article was originally published on CleanTechnica.