Battery Electric Vehicle News / Enjoying the Transportation Revolution

JKenH

Tesla Autopilot 'a distant second' to GM's Super Cruise in hands-free test - Consumer Reports

Please note this comparison is for Autopilot, not the Beta FSD on the Tesla. The big difference, as with the other European tests reported, is the absence of a driver monitoring system on the Tesla which should be easily fixed. (Not sure why it hasn’t been already unless Tesla are looking to skip that on the basis FSD, when rolled out, won’t need it anyway).

Still it does show other manufacturers are currently still in the game. 

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-autopilot-distant-second-gms-100731455.html

JKenH

Mercedes targets evolution rather than revolution in self-driving car push

[Mercedes] is emphasizing its decades-old experience of automated driver assistance systems as it seeks to gain global regulatory approval for its Drive Pilot system, which boasts level 3 automation.

Level 3 means the driver can legally take their eyes off the wheel and the company, Daimler in this case, would have to assume insurance liability, depending on the jurisdiction.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6072181/battery-electric-vehicle-news-thread/p156

JKenH

GM’s Cruise gets nod to test its autonomous vehicle Robotaxi in United States

https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/gm-s-cruise-gets-nod-to-test-its-autonomous-vehicle-robotaxi-in-united-states-41602814400591.html

JKenH

Tesla drops regenerative braking options for new EVs

Bit of a puzzler why they would do this unless it was part of getting the increased EPA range rating. In town I quite like having a more aggressive regen setting but on the open road I prefer less.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-regenerative-braking-options-new-evs/

JKenH

2021 Audi e-tron Receives HUGE Price Cut

American news but it seems Audi has joined Tesla in cutting its prices over there. Now is that because they can make it cheaper than previously or are sales demand constrained? 😀

https://carbuzz.com/news/2021-audi-e-tron-receives-huge-price-cut

JKenH

Tesla says Berlin-made Model Y deliveries to start in early 2021

https://thedriven.io/2020/10/28/tesla-says-berlin-made-model-y-deliveries-to-start-in-early-2021/

JKenH

BYD: Step Aside, Tesla

Interesting comparison of BYD and Tesla in numerous areas. Tesla make all the headlines but there is a lot going on elsewhere.

As an example from the article.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4382121-byd-step-aside-tesla

michaels

JKenH said:

BYD: Step Aside, Tesla

Interesting comparison of BYD and Tesla in numerous areas. Tesla make all the headlines but there is a lot going on elsewhere.

As an example from the article.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4382121-byd-step-aside-tesla

So in their presentation Tesla said those lines were all flattening in the next year or two except for its 4680 line - interesting that this chart says otherwise.

Is 100usd at the pack level enough for price parity at the pack level, seems to leave about 6k plus the motor, invertor etc being the cost of an ice engine/exhaust/fuel tank - is it really that much in an ice?

JKenH

JKenH said:

Tesla drops regenerative braking options for new EVs

Bit of a puzzler why they would do this unless it was part of getting the increased EPA range rating. In town I quite like having a more aggressive regen setting but on the open road I prefer less.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-regenerative-braking-options-new-evs/

Actually, I should qualify that comment. If I am pushing on on a twisty road I do like the extra regen/braking the e-pedal the Leaf provides. Counterintuitively, on an economy drive I like less regen as feel I can slow down by lifting off earlier without the round trip losses that come with more regen.

EricMears

JKenH said:

Counterintuitively, on an economy drive I like less regen as feel I can slow down by lifting off earlier without the round trip losses that come with more regen.

It's not counterintuitive !  With any knowledge of thermodynamics, car software writers would have realised that imposing regenerative braking is going to lead to the "round trip losses" that JKenH describes.  Tried & tested 'hypermiling' techniques eschew use of braking unless absolutely necessary.  Particularly galling when a so-called 'eco' button deliberately disables long held eco techniques !