Seth Weintraub

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZxo_H8gRoI]

Entertaining and informative.

Tesla announced pricing for the Model S in China today on its Blog. Surprisingly, it is the exact same price as the US model plus Import duties/taxes, etc.

Instead, the price of a Model S in China is much lower than its competitors simply because we want to treat our Chinese customers just as well as we’d treat customers in any other country. That means the price of a Model S in China is the same as the price of a Model S in the US, adding only unavoidable taxes, customs duties and transportation costs. We’re not even factoring in the cost of the free-to-use Supercharger network that Tesla will build across China.

That’s $121,260, vs. $73,570 in the US. A 65% markup for taxes, duties, and shipping vs. a $7500 – $10,000 tax subsidy in the US.

Below is the exact math for 734k CNY:

That’s a bold move. Yet, another one.

Aside from tolls, you can now travel freely across a nice swath of Western Europe in your Model S.

TESLA EXPANDS SUPERCHARGER NETWORK IN EUROPE

NEWLY ENERGIZED ROUTES ENABLE FREE, CONVENIENT LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL ACROSS DACH REGION AND THE NETHERLANDS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands – This week, Tesla officially opens new Supercharger locations connecting the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. These newly-energized routes will enable Model S customers to enjoy free, convenient, 100 percent electric trips on the German Autobahn and to destinations in the Alps and elsewhere.

Tesla’s first six Superchargers were energized in California in September 2012, with the first network of European Supercharger stations opening in Norway less than a year later. As of today, 81 Supercharger locations are energized worldwide, with 14 locations in Europe. More than 11 million kilometers have been charged by Tesla Superchargers and nearly 1.13 million liters of gas have been offset.

The accelerated energizing of Superchargers in Germany (Wilnsdorf, Bad Rappenau, Aichstetten and Jettingen), Switzerland (Lully), Austria (St. Anton) and the Netherlands (Zevenaar and Oosterhout) represents a new milestone in the expansion of the European network. In Germany, Superchargers connect Cologne, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich. They also connect the German network to Amsterdam, Zurich, and Innsbruck. In the Netherlands, energized routes connect Amsterdam to Cologne and Brussels, and in Switzerland the stations connect Zurich and Geneva.

By the end of March 2014, 50 percent of the German population will live within 320km of a Supercharger, and 100 percent of the population will be covered by the end of the year.

The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, providing up to 120 kilowatts of DC (Direct Current) power directly to the Model S battery using special cables that bypass the onboard charging equipment. Superchargers replenish half a charge in about 20 minutes. Supercharger stations are strategically placed along well-travelled highways to allow Model S owners to drive from station to station with minimal stops. They are located near amenities like roadside restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers so drivers can stop for a quick meal and have their Model S charged by the time they’re done.

While this isn’t unexpected or even an outlier even after the most recent updates which have supposedly helped stave off the battery drain while idle, otherwise known as “Vampire”, Tesla still has some work to do in this area.

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZmdK2QkkBU]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlhGE7N0poM]

Tesla updated the Supercharger map again this morning and it now appears that all of the major gaps on the east coast (Savannah,Georgia) and the biggest cross country (Macedonia, OH, Wyoming) have been filled and it is now theoretically possible to drive a Tesla from Vancouver BC to San Diego California to Boston Massachusetts down to Miami Florida. Theoretically…if you are very easy on the accelerator.

Tesla hasn’t officially announced the milestone yet because that 302 mile Wyoming-Colorado jump is probably too big to drive without some range extending mode happening. The imminent Cheyenne, WY station should cut this to 164 miles. Also the altitude climb here is significant.

The Newark, Delaware to Somerset PA is 224 miles and  Somerset PA to Macedonia Ohio length is 171 miles so driving to Wyoming from Boston is now pretty doable with a 85kWh Model S.

Tesla’s Q4 financial results, where they are also expected to announce the battery giga-factory would be a good time to mention the transcontinental super(charger)highway. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is going to ride across the country with his 5 kids in March so there’s still lots of time to fill those gaps.

Maps of the 3 biggest cross country and two biggest East Coast gaps, below (or if you want to map out future stations which close these gaps, check out the TeslaWiki):
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6UssR2-NcI]

We don’t often talk about hybrids here but the BMW i8 does a solid job of being electric and has looks to die for. Unfortunately the $150K price tag may also cost a human life.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fcMJf0tDRY]

A nice option for a truly impressive little EV car. However 20 minutes for every 80 miles of drive time doesn’t really let you take long trips (vs 20 minutes for 170 miles on the Tesla Model S.

It would also have been nice if Chevy was compatible with Nissan/Toyota/Mitsubishi’s CHAdeMO Fast DC chargers so the companies could blanket more the the country with compatible chargers.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk yesterday said that the company was partnering with other companies in building its battery Giga-factory, a plant that he said that is far larger than any other battery factory on earth. Why? If Tesla is going to go mas market with its Model E, it is going to need to get far more battery power than is available on earth right now.

Musk said they were looking for a US state where the factory was going to be built and would announce plans at next month’s Q4 earnings call. He also said Tesla would be partnering with ‘other companies’ on the plant.  Here’s why I think Tesla will partner with Solar City and Panasonic on the plant:

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR1HEA_2erc&start=500]

You have to wait almost to the end of this video but Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirms earlier plans to build the world’s largest battery factory in the US  at 8:37 in the video above.

Musk discussed the needs to get to mass market electric vehicles in the November conference call where he stated that they would need to build the biggest battery factory ever built to meet demand.

Certainly people shouldn’t look at the X number of sales over four years and assume that that’s the number of cars that we will make. I think we will make towards the back end of that a lot more cars and so there needs to be other agreements with some combination of Panasonic, maybe with others. Panasonic is also our primary partner, but when it comes to the high volume third-generation vehicle it’s clear that there is going to need to be incremental production capacity created at this existing look today, so we are in the process of figuring that out and there is going to need to be some kind of giga factory built….

Well, like I said, this isn’t the right time to talk in detail about our plans for kind of a giga factory but except to say, obviously, we are acknowledging the fact that one needs to be built and we are looking at a variety of different locations. I don’t think permitting is going to be the driver here. This is going to be a very green factory. There going to be a lot of solar power. It’s going to have essentially zero emissions and there are no toxic elements that are going to come out of this factory and we will build in recycling capability right into the factory. So old packs would come in one side and get reprocessed as new packs. So a way to think of this is like a factory is the machine that works for machine and that itself has a version, just like you have a version of a product. It’s like a version of the factory. So we are trying to figure out what’s the right way to do version one at this giga factory and we want to be thoughtful about it and it is going to be a really giant facility, like say we are doing that something that’s comparable to all lithium-ion production in the world in one factory.

I’d also note that Musk referred to the Gen 3 car as the “Model E” for the first time even though both Tesla and Ford have registered trademarks for it.

Video from CNBC, below

Press release from Tesla (Also below fold)

Interesting in that 6900 deliveries in 13-week period puts them over 500/week or 75/day in units sold or in relative terms 27,600/year. That means production is closing in on the 100/day mark or 36,500/year even before Tesla builds effectively another assembly line to double its output next year.

Tesla expects to build and sell over 50,000 cars next year. It still hasn’t made a commercial.
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Oh lordy. The press has gotten ahold of a lunker with its latest TESLA RECALL! meme. Unfortunately for the sensational, Tesla has already announced (last week) that it would be replacing the NEMA 14-50 adapters on its built-in charging cables (pictured above, circled). It also issued a software update that would step down charging if it had detected thermal resistance. Here’s the official letter (PDF).

It is the equivalent of Apple replacing its iPhone USB cable AC adapters.

All of this was in reaction to a garage fire that was likely caused by bad internal wiring (the investigation is still pending).

Today’s formal announcement says “recall” so the dimmer of us is running with that even though the facts on the ground are this:

• No cars are being recalled or have to go anywhere.
• Tesla will mail the $10 (guesstimate) adapter to customers
• The press is not properly educated on electrical engineering concepts
• Stock traders are. The “news” along with better than predicted production numbers has sent the stock upwards

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/423145289310953473

Tesla is mailing new power adapters to less than 3% of Model S owners and updating software. "Recall of 29k cars" is overstating. $TSLA

— Jeremy C. Owens (@jowens510) January 14, 2014

(1/2) The term “recall” is outdated. No vehicles are being physically recalled by Tesla.

— Tesla (@Tesla) January 14, 2014

(2/2) We issued a software update in Dec. & as an additional measure will be sending upgraded adapter by mail to customers.

— Tesla (@Tesla) January 14, 2014

That cross country Supercharger roadtrip is almost a reality. In fact if you know some folks in Ohio, Minnesota and Wyoming, don’t have a lead foot and have 85kW Tesla, I’d say you are off to the races.

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Nice feature on Tesla’s ambitions with the Detroit Autoshow as a backdrop from Autonews. I wouldn’t say there is much new here but it goes into disturbing detail on the supposed perils that Tesla faces as it tries to ramp from 20,000 vehicles/year to 200,000.

Industry executives predict Tesla will need to join with an established dealership group that will allow the company to spread its retail and service wings in states that restrict Tesla factory stores.

But Musk says he will not consider such a proposition. Maintaining control of the retail process is key to him. And he says skeptics are overstating the need for a huge dealer network because word-of-mouth plays a larger role for Tesla than for other brands.

Musk says four Model S sedans are sold by word-of-mouth, rather than by conventional marketing, for every one sold as a result of someone walking into a store off the street.

“I don’t think we’re going to need an enormous amount of stores. We’ll have some flagships in major markets,” he said. “What will sell cars in the long term will be other customers — word-of-mouth.”

I kid you not. Bloomberg:

The charger connectors, which tether Tesla-issued cables to wall outlets, will be mailed out in the next two weeks, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in an interview today.

“These are very rare events, but occasionally the wiring isn’t done right,” Musk said. “We want people to have absolute comfort, so we’re going to be providing them with an upgraded adapter.”

Tesla fell 2.6 percent to $143.72 at 12:20 p.m.

Tesla also upgraded the Model S firmware last month to prevent cars from drawing too much power from inadequate wiring.

At first blush, you might be thinking (as I had) that this is silly. My house is wired properly so I shouldn’t ever have issues like the person in California whose garage caught on fire after a short in the wiring in November.

But what if you go to a vacation rental or visit the family/relatives for a weekend. Can you be sure that the electrician that did their wiring was competent?

Good on Tesla for covering this; ‘Short sighted’ on investors for seeing this as a sign of weakness and not strength.

Update: Press release follows:
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Fasten your seatbelts people, we are a few Supercharger stations away from seeing a transcontinental Supercharging network as Tesla unceremoniously opened up a few charging stations this week.  The Gallup, New Mexico station goes a long way in connecting Southern California and Arizona with Colorado. While the Chicago-land area now counts 6 stations which can take Windy City residents as far as Wyoming (or California if they are extremely miserly on charge), down to St. Louis Missouri and as far East as Ohio.

Meanwhile, the East Coast is a few more stations away from being covered as well. Throw in an Albany NY, Washington DC and a Savannah GA station and you’d be able to get from Montreal to Miami without too much trouble.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scheduled to make the cross country trek with his family in March. For more granular look at supercharging stations and opening dtes, construction and better mileage circles check out the Tesla Wiki.

InsideEVs scooped up an Instagram picture of the Tesla Model X on the streets of Culver City near Tesla’s Hawthorne design center. The Model X, believed to be out on a test drive, resembles the one shown at the Palo Alto Tesla Store opening late last year (though that one was wasn’t a working prototype).

The Model X was originally scheduled to begin production late last year but was postponed so Tesla could focus on churning out Model S’s and becoming profitable. Production is slated to begin in the second half of 2014.

Called a ‘game changer’ by AOL’s editorial Staff, Tesla ‘ran away’ with the Technology of the Year award when put up against:

• Chevrolet MyLink Valet Mode
• Infiniti Backup Collision Intervention
• Volvo Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection with Full Auto Brake
• Mopar In-Vehicle Wireless Charging for Portable Devices
• Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive

2013 was a pretty remarkable year for Tesla. Its stock is still up 4x, it won the Motor Trend Car of the Year, Consumer Reports best ever rating as well as many other Car Mag awards. It got the best safety rating the NHTSA has ever doled out, breaking one of the testing machines in the process. A few over-sensationalized fires couldn’t even dampen the rise to prominence.  Even its App won a best of 2013.

What will 2014 bring? Besides the Model X crossover launch, the announcement of the low-cost value machine in 1 year and a transcontinental Supercharger network, more than doubling its current output…

Press release follows:
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuQZo81LG6s]

Nissan says the petrol-engine NV200 will go on sale in December, serving as a key “stepping stone” for zero emission electric version, which could become the capital’s first all-electric taxi in 2015.

The Leaf Taxi?

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Ford just unleashed a pretty big news item ahead of CES. The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is a car that is charged by the sun. The idea is that you could put your daily driving power into the car via the rooftop solar panels and a concentrator.

Researchers developed an off-vehicle solar concentrator that uses a special Fresnel lens to direct sunlight to the solar cells while boosting the impact of the sunlight by a factor of eight. Fresnel is a compact lens originally developed for use in lighthouses. Similar in concept to a magnifying glass, the patent-pending system tracks the sun as it moves from east to west, drawing enough power from the sun through the concentrator each day to equal a four-hour battery charge (8 kilowatts).

With a full charge, Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is estimated to have the same total range as a conventional C-MAX Energi of up to 620 miles, including up to 21 electric-only miles. Additionally, the vehicle still has a charge port, and can be charged by connecting to a charging station via cord and plug so that drivers retain the option to power up via the grid, if desired.

21 miles/day isn’t going to help a typical driver (especially when you usually need to use your car during the day) but for outliers who need just a few miles/day this is a no cost charging option.

The reality however is that most folks will consider this a gimmick. In fact, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was asked about Solar roofs for the Model S. His reply was that the amount of charge you would get would be negligible (looking for the link to this) but if anyone could make this happen it would be Tesla in concert with Solar City.

Full Press release follows:

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfgP2a2PMNI]

Diarmuid O’Connell is Tesla’s head of Business development. He knows his business (see Tesla Bio below). There isnt’ a lot new in the Swiss video above but the German interview touches on a lot of current issues facing the company and it is clear that O’connell, Tesla employee #51, knows the ins and outs (note the Mercedes steering wheel body check).

Probably most notable for me is that Tesla’s biggest cost reduction in its Gen 3 “Model E” is getting the battery prices down significantly and Tesla has set very achievable goals for doing so.  It makes sense when you consider the current Model S batteries cost as much as $40,000 
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What you are looking at above is the state of the Tesla Supercharger network on The last day of 2013/first day of 2014.  Tesla counts 50 Superchargers in the US (1 per state!) and another 14 in Europe. While Elon Musk originally planned to take his family on a Christmas holiday across the country, there are still some rather big holes to fill.

We’re excited to announce our Murdo, SD #Supercharger is now open, making a total of 50 in North America! http://t.co/QzdX2pBX7X

— Tesla (@Tesla) December 31, 2013

Those holes all fall in the “coming soon” category and if you take a look at this helpful 3rd party map, you can see a lot of the country is still being built.

Press release from Tesla:

NHTSA REAFFIRMS MODEL S 5-STAR SAFETY RATING IN ALL CATEGORIES FOR MODEL YEAR 2014

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2013

PALO ALTO, Calif. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reaffirmed the 5-star safety rating of the Tesla Model S overall and in all subcategories for Model Year 2014, confirming the highest safety rating in America. While Tesla is awaiting feedback from NHTSA regarding their investigation of recent fire incidents, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority, Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), recently concluded its review of the incidents, finding no manufacturer-related defects or need for further action.

It is worth noting that a Tesla vehicle is over five times less likely to experience a fire than the average gasoline car and that there have been zero serious injuries or deaths for any reason ever, fire or otherwise, in a Model S. Over the course of more than 100 million miles driven in almost every possible terrain, weather and crash conditions, the Tesla Model S has consistently protected its driver and passengers, achieving the best safety track record of any car on the road.