In addition to its Superchargers, Tesla has been installing Level 2 Destination Chargers at locations such as hotels and restaurants – over 5,000 so far. Tesla installs the chargers for free, and the host covers the electric bill. In the US, Tesla chargers use a proprietary connector, so theoretically only Tesla vehicles can use them…. Read more »
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Tesla talking to other automakers about sharing Supercharger network
Tesla has brought up the idea of opening up its Supercharger network to other automakers several times over the years, but a recent comment by CTO JB Straubel has fueled conjecture that talk may soon evolve into action. Speaking at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s recent Energy Fair in Wisconsin, Straubel said, “For things like… Read more »
The technical reasons Tesla would limit supercharging speed, and other practical charging considerations
Recently, a bit of a kerfuffle kicked up when a Tesla Model S owner noticed that the maximum charge rate for his car on the Supercharger network had suddenly been cut from 120 kW down to 90 kW, apparently the result of too many fast charge cycles. Tesla’s explanation was, essentially, that many things can… Read more »
Details of Tesla Model 3 continue to trickle out
As the long-awaited delivery date for Model 3 draws closer, more details of the world’s most anticipated vehicle are slowly coming to light. Production is to start in July, and Elon Musk has said that deliveries will begin in July as well – probably with a ceremonious handing-over over of keys to a handful of… Read more »
A look inside Tesla’s Nvidia supercomputer
All Tesla vehicles produced since October 2016 are equipped with a powerful computer that will eventually enable fully self-driving capability. Nvidia describes its Drive PX 2 as “the world’s first AI supercomputer for self-driving cars.” It has the computing power of about 150 MacBook Pros, and the company estimates that one can support Level 4… Read more »
Do you understand Tesla’s new Supercharging policy?
When Tesla introduced Model S, all EVs were new and unproven products, and many prospective buyers were worried about running out of juice. Free Supercharging for life was a sort of teaser offer that probably closed many a sale, but common sense will tell you that it couldn’t have lasted forever. Tesla replaced the “free… Read more »
Will Tesla’s semi truck need the Mother Of All Batteries?
We all know Elon Musk and company are used to thinking big. Even so, the recent announcement that a Tesla Semi truck would be unveiled in September caused jaws to drop and heads to shake. In the trucking industry, there was plenty of skepticism, but also a healthy concern for the future. “Commercial vehicle makers… Read more »
Why is Tesla limiting the charging rate at Superchargers?
What’s this? Tesla is limiting my Supercharging rate, saying I’ve been fast-charging too often? It’s an outrage! I signed up for unlimited Supercharging forever! Splutter…argh..ack! ack! [falls backward, clutching at chest] Not so fast. Calm down and let Tesla explain. Yes, the vehicle software will limit the Supercharging rate for vehicles that have racked up… Read more »
Tesla founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning talk EVs
Here’s a treat for any EV fan: a long and meaty talk with Tesla founders Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, delivered at Stanford last October. While there are several substantial talks with Tarpenning available on YouTube (he also graciously granted me a lengthy interview for my book about Tesla), Martin Eberhard has seldom sat down… Read more »
BMW putting the fear of Tesla into its employees
One of the most interesting questions in the automotive world right now: How seriously are the incumbents taking the threat from our favorite California startup? One answer might be found at a recent event near Munich, where an image of Elon Musk appeared on a screen as a narrator ominously intoned, “We’re in the midst… Read more »