Tesla

[Soup DeVille]

I meant the plug itself....

So did I.

The plug itself could be standardized, but without the relevant data from the battery, it would have to go to a "dumb mode," which would by necessity be much slower.

[shp4man]

The solution is of course a standardised plug and an interface module in the vehicle that makes charging decisions.
The closest I've ever gotten to an EV is one time around the block in a Focus electric. Never worked on one at all.

[2o6]

Anyways, I'm right, and the European (and basically any Tesla that isn't sold in North America) uses the standard Type 2 port. Whereas the US market cars use basically "lightning port" but for cars.


So even if someone wanted to, regular EV cars can't use super chargers because the port isn't the same. Even before all the computer handshakes and coding mumbo jumbo.

[BimmerM3]

Pretty sure all the Germans and Electrify America are doing 350 kW

I think "the Germans and Electrify America" are really just VWAG, and while they've installed some of the chargers, none of the 350kW vehicles are available yet.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1120372_electrify-america-turn-on-first-350-kw-fast-charger-in-california

[Galaxy]

There is a ton of work that goes into battery charging, esp. whereby the pack is being charged remotely (i.e., pumping DC power directly into the battery pack). The port/plug/whatever is like 1% of it:

Voltage range
Current range
Managing heat
Assessing battery health
Equipment safety
People safety
Charge status

That does not constitute a problem however since Tesla also uses ISO 15118 for data communications (except for some of the early ones). The problem is that US Market Teslas use a non standard plug. However Tesla does provide an adapter so that Tesla owners can use CCS Stations such as from electrify America. Currently no adapter exists to allow cars from other makers to use the US superchargers. For europe you can physically plug in an eGolf or anything else with CSS at a Supercharger, and they would be able to negotiate the parameters and charge, but Tesla would block them.

[AutobahnSHO]

Yup, it's not impossible.

1- low charge is better than none. EV owners are tethered to few stations and even if Tesla only charges them at half the charger capacity that's still better than nothing.
2- Tesla could make bank licensing the plug design and charging customers.

[2o6]

2- Tesla could make bank licensing the plug design and charging customers.

Other than being proprietary, I don't think Tesla's plug design has any advantages. If I recall correctly, it's basically a type 2 port but rejiggered.


I feel like it's the difference between Apple's lighting port, versus USB-C.

[MrH]

I think "the Germans and Electrify America" are really just VWAG, and while they've installed some of the chargers, none of the 350kW vehicles are available yet.

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1120372_electrify-america-turn-on-first-350-kw-fast-charger-in-california

Correct.  Taycan is going to be 350 kW and charging at all Porsche dealerships it sounds like?  I'm pretty excited for the Taycan.

[MX793]

Other than being proprietary, I don't think Tesla's plug design has any advantages. If I recall correctly, it's basically a type 2 port but rejiggered.


I feel like it's the difference between Apple's lighting port, versus USB-C.

I believe Tesla fitted their plug with longer contacts/deeper sockets for more surface area to handle the added current.

[Laconian]

Teammate ordered a Tesla Model 3 early last week, got it by Friday. RWD, midrange 260mi battery, Autopilot.

[AutobahnSHO]

Other than being proprietary, I don't think Tesla's plug design has any advantages. If I recall correctly, it's basically a type 2 port but rejiggered.

I feel like it's the difference between Apple's lighting port, versus USB-C.

Absolutely- they could totally make it work with other cars. If they wanted to.

And unlike Apple, who only gains brand lock-in, by opening their chargers to others it would open the market more and actually push people to their chargers as a service.

[CaminoRacer]

I'm curious if Apple switches to usb c next year. Their laptops use it now. The convenience of having the same charger for everything is amazing.

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm curious if Apple switches to usb c next year. Their laptops use it now. The convenience of having the same charger for everything is amazing.

YES, everything should be standard!

Imagine having to use different outlets for different things in the house.
(It is a PAIN moving and the dryer hookup is different. I own 2 different types of cords and know how to swap it.....    )

[CaminoRacer]

SWERVE

Tesla will raise prices on its cars, reverses plan to close stores.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/11/18259580/tesla-price-hike-stores-reversal

[giant_mtb]

What the actual fuck is going on over there. 

[12,000 RPM]

Supposedly they reversed on the move because they wouldn't be able to back out of retail location leases

Whoever holds their cash accounts must be making a killing on overdraft fees

[93JC]

Fucking amateur hour over there...

[MrH]

I've finally put my money where my mouth is.  I've got some long dated puts against Tesla now.

[93JC]

I was tempted to check out the Model 3 in the sheetmetal, but the only Tesla store here was among the ones that was shuttered. I know they had a "service centre" nearby, but it's not in the store locator on their website, so it might not be open anymore either. If not, the nearest is in Vancouver...

[Eye of the Tiger]

[CaminoRacer]

I was tempted to check out the Model 3 in the sheetmetal, but the only Tesla store here was among the ones that was shuttered. I know they had a "service centre" nearby, but it's not in the store locator on their website, so it might not be open anymore either. If not, the nearest is in Vancouver...

Just order one online and return it next week bruh

[93JC]

I don't understand how anyone could bring themselves to buy brand a new car sight unseen. If I don't get a test drive I ain't buying it.

[AutobahnSHO]

I don't understand how anyone could bring themselves to buy brand a new car sight unseen. If I don't get a test drive I ain't buying it.

Totally with you! Not just sight unseen, I could see buying a car similar to one I've driven long distance or off the web. But not even having ever sat in that brand??????    Totally unreal.

[Laconian]

*cough* I bought my RF sight unseen *cough*

[r0tor]

I ordered my RX8 before any were in the country

[12,000 RPM]

∴ Mazda buyers don't need test drives.

[Laconian]

Apparently so!

[BimmerM3]

If the return process is as easy as they say it is, I might prefer Tesla's delivery model. A week of driving around doing normal daily stuff is going to be a lot more valuable than a dealership test drive.

[2o6]

Don't you have to get approved to buy the car, though?

[BimmerM3]

Don't you have to get approved to buy the car, though?

Well, you are buying the car, so I would assume so.