Electric cars?

[sptrawler]

Trouble with Tesla self drive as chief engineer takes leave.

Tesla Full Self-Driving tech on pause as chief engineer takes leave

The delay-plagued autonomous driving program is faced with a new obstacle.

www.drive.com.au

Sometimes the issue may not be about not wanting to get things happening, sometimes it is about the outside world not being in the same technological space, but if something really bad happens to someone due to autonomous driving.
Someone goes under the bus, so to speak.

 

[rederob]

BYD presently has a 400k order book backlog that keeps growing.
Unfortunately I'm on a mobile phone for a few days and haven't mastered how to copy across to links.
The article went on to say that BYD will knock out 1.5M NEVs this year, and up to 2M if global supply chain issues are sorted out soon.
BYD will also have around 8 models in Australia by 2024, possibly including a ute, so all consumer choices will be covered.

 

[JohnDe]

BYD presently has a 400k order book backlog that keeps growing.
Unfortunately I'm on a mobile phone for a few days and haven't mastered how to copy across to links.
The article went on to say that BYD will knock out 1.5M NEVs this year, and up to 2M if global supply chain issues are sorted out soon.
BYD will also have around 8 models in Australia by 2024, possibly including a ute, so all consumer choices will be covered.

This article?

“[We are] thrilled about the volume of deposits we’ve taken [on Atto 3]. We are comfortably on a pathway to being the second largest EV company with deliveries for this year,” he added, referring to Australia specifically.

This latter claim indirectly refers to the market’s dominant player Tesla, which last year sold a tick over 12,000 Model 3s here. By contrast every single other EV maker combined sold 5149, which gives some indication of the gap which BYD hopes to squeeze into.

BYD 'overwhelmed' by demand, plans huge EV expansion

Not lacking ambition, BYD's Australian importer seeks top five placing and eight EV models inside three years, including a ute.

www.carexpert.com.au

 

[sptrawler]

It sounds like an April fool report to me. ?

Fast-charge food? McDonalds to offer EV charging at drive-thru restaurants – UPDATE

Do you want fries with that? Charge your car and your appetite in one convenient location.

www.drive.com.au

Fast-food giant McDonalds has today revealed a plan to install electric vehicle charging stations at the majority of the 970 restaurant outlets around Australia.
The network, known simply as McCharge, will enable drivers to charge their electric and plug-in hybrid cars while queuing for the drive-through lane.
Available in three sizes, the Mc Happy Charge, Quarter Charge and Big McCharge, will each deploy 10kW, 20kW and 40kW respectively at small (7kWh), medium (22kWh) and large (50kWh) rates.

Drivers can upsize as required and also add a serving of french fries or sundae to their order.
A spokesperson for McDonalds, Hamilton Urglar, stated that "customers could mix and match menu items, and even try seasonal specials like the Double Quarter Charge and McRib."
While items on the charging menu would take longer to serve than a standard drive-through meal, each purchase includes a licenced Minions puzzle to keep drivers entertained.

 

[rederob]

It sounds like an April fool report to me. ?

Fast-charge food? McDonalds to offer EV charging at drive-thru restaurants – UPDATE

Do you want fries with that? Charge your car and your appetite in one convenient location.

www.drive.com.au

Fast-food giant McDonalds has today revealed a plan to install electric vehicle charging stations at the majority of the 970 restaurant outlets around Australia.
The network, known simply as McCharge, will enable drivers to charge their electric and plug-in hybrid cars while queuing for the drive-through lane.
Available in three sizes, the Mc Happy Charge, Quarter Charge and Big McCharge, will each deploy 10kW, 20kW and 40kW respectively at small (7kWh), medium (22kWh) and large (50kWh) rates.

Drivers can upsize as required and also add a serving of french fries or sundae to their order.
A spokesperson for McDonalds, Hamilton Urglar, stated that "customers could mix and match menu items, and even try seasonal specials like the Double Quarter Charge and McRib."
While items on the charging menu would take longer to serve than a standard drive-through meal, each purchase includes a licenced Minions puzzle to keep drivers entertained.

Our Maccas is next door to the cop shop. So that's where drivers go for a salt and battery.

 

[JohnDe]

 

[qldfrog]

More BYDs on the wayhttps://www.carsguide.com.au/car-ne...ectric-cars-more-affordable-chinese-rivals-to

 

[rederob]

I watched a YouTube video over the weekend where a Tesla buyer went into the Melbourne collection centre to pick up his new car. He said he paid about $60k for it, and could drive it home and resell it for about $65k as the the waiting period for one like it is up to 10 months, and he heard that some buyers are so desperate to get one now that they even pay a premium for the privilege - maybe that's an urban myth, but it's not the first time I have heard the same thing! In China there are EV "buyers" who tap into "in-demand" pre-orders with their paid up deposits, and then on-sell their "deposit" for up to 3 times what they paid.
These are credible stories based on what's going on when you try to buy a Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5.

On a different subject, battery technologies continue to push new boundaries. Gotion recently announced that it expects to bring production of a semi-solid-state battery with an energy density of 360 Wh/kg in the near future. That's about twice the energy density of a good LFP battery, so we can see that high end cars in future will not have any problems with "range".

It looks like NEVs are going to lead the charge in every aspect of vehicle enhancement that leads to lower comparable production and operating costs, greater safety, autonomous driving, and extended trip range. In that regard we earlier adopters will miss out on step change improvements. However, we will have the satisfaction of continuing to drive BEVs while waiting 6-12 months for upgraded versions to be available for collection.

 

[JohnDe]

It looks like NEVs are going to lead the charge in every aspect of vehicle enhancement that leads to lower comparable production and operating costs, greater safety, autonomous driving, and extended trip range. In that regard we earlier adopters will miss out on step change improvements. However, we will have the satisfaction of continuing to drive BEVs while waiting 6-12 months for upgraded versions to be available for collection.

That's what Elon and co have been saying for several years.

Early adopters of technology will always miss out on hardware improvements, but if the EV manufacturers follow Tesla's lead of over the air software updates, early EV's can get a lot of the advantages that newer models have. My M3 has had about 6 free over the air updates since July 2021. Updates have included improvements for the climate control system, safety features, energy consumption improvements, regenerative braking improvements, audio system improvements, nd so on.

Tesla have offered hardware updates at reasonable costs for the first generation models, which have included the latest screen technology, chipsets for the FSD system.

Tesla Software Update History and Latest Tesla Features

A look at Tesla software update history and the features Tesla has released.

www.notateslaapp.com

 

[rederob]

Early adopters of technology will always miss out on hardware improvements, but if the EV manufacturers follow Tesla's lead of over the air software updates, early EV's can get a lot of the advantages that newer models have. My M3 has had about 6 free over the air updates since July 2021. Updates have included improvements for the climate control system, safety features, energy consumption improvements, regenerative braking improvements, audio system improvements, nd so on.

Tesla have offered hardware updates at reasonable costs for the first generation models, which have included the latest screen technology, chipsets for the FSD system.

Tesla Software Update History and Latest Tesla Features

A look at Tesla software update history and the features Tesla has released.

www.notateslaapp.com

The step changes I was referring to were more along the line of new and additional, rather than existing and enhanced, such as batteries, Lidar and FLIR, and better chip sets. In the case of production its the use of gigapresses that lower costs and increase safety of the vehicle structure.

 

[JohnDe]

The step changes I was referring to were more along the line of new and additional, rather than existing and enhanced, such as batteries, Lidar and FLIR, and better chip sets. In the case of production its the use of gigapresses that lower costs and increase safety of the vehicle structure.

Yes I know. I was referring to is that new coding instructions can improve existing hardware, which can increase the efficiency and reliability of older models. Tesla has proven this.

Tesla’s over-the-air software updates make other vehicles ‘highly vulnerable to obsolescence’, says analyst

“The Model S is old – what’s everyone else’s excuse? We can understand that traditional car companies have held back on EV commercialization up to this point given low consumer demand and high losses. But we have a harder time understanding how almost no car companies have brought to market a car that is capable of over the air (OTA) updates of firmware. They continue to sell vehicles that are incapable of learning and improving and are highly vulnerable to obsolescence. Car companies have had ample opportunity to tear apart Model S’s in the lab. We suspect Tesla’s vertically integrated in-house software capabilities and its willingness to assume the risk of hacking make the difference.”

VW details major over-the-air update for ID.4 EV, promises more American software development

The Software 3.0 update will be made available to existing vehicles free of charge via an over-the-air (OTA) update

www.greencarreports.com

 

[rederob]

Yes I know, what I was referring to is that new coding instructions can improve existing hardware, which can increase the efficiency and reliability of older models. Tesla has proven this.

I am told my BYD will have OTA, but to what extent I don't know.
I found this link a very handy guide to OTA, SOTA and FOTA.
As per usual, Tesla remains streets ahead.

 

[mullokintyre]

My years of working in the IT industry would make me very wary of over the air automatic software updates.
I would want a few hundred thousand other suckers to experience them and find the bugs before I would be interested.
You only have to look at the problems with operating system updates for Microsoft or Apple over the years to see what can go wrong.
Mick

 

[JohnDe]

My years of working in the IT industry would make me very wary of over the air automatic software updates.
I would want a few hundred thousand other suckers to experience them and find the bugs before I would be interested.
You only have to look at the problems with operating system updates for Microsoft or Apple over the years to see what can go wrong.
Mick

Tesla introduced OTA updating in 2012, there has been no major issues.

Computers have had internet updates since the early 2000’s.

I’ve wondered why car manufacturers did not have an easy software update since 2006 when my 2004 Ford Territory was superseded by the upgraded Territory which had better economy & power from rewriting the engine & transmission software.

Any vehicle manufacturer that does not have OTA & FOTA updates is ensuring their models obsolescence.

Having experienced OTA updates 6 or 8 times in 9 months, I will not purchase a new car that doesn’t have the capability.

Tesla has sold over 2 million models with OTA update capabilities.

 

[Value Collector]

My years of working in the IT industry would make me very wary of over the air automatic software updates.
I would want a few hundred thousand other suckers to experience them and find the bugs before I would be interested.
You only have to look at the problems with operating system updates for Microsoft or Apple over the years to see what can go wrong.
Mick

I get over the air updates regularly to my Tesla, probably on average once every one or two months or so.

The software running the car has completely changed since I first got the car in 2019.

Updates change things from minor improvements through to big changes.

Here is a photo of some of the recent changes.

 

[rederob]

I get over the air updates regularly to my Tesla, probably on average once every one or two months or so.

The software running the car has completely changed since I first got the car in 2019.

Updates change things from minor improvements through to big changes.

Here is a photo of some of the recent changes.


View attachment 139973

All these examples explain why legacy automakers are doomed unless they quickly convert to fully electric.
BYD is the most recent example going fully electric. Aside from this point in the linked article, China has 600 (not a typo) NEV start ups and many are offering their cars below ICE equivalents:

“Nezha and Leapmotor perform well in the low-end market perhaps partly because their prices are low and thus avoid competition with Nio, XPeng, and Li Auto. They have launched models priced at below RMB 100,000, less costly than fuel-powered vehicles. "​

​

Speaking of doomed, legacy automaker sales in America are in a sea of red:

 

[mullokintyre]

Tesla already has form over faulty software issues.
From 12,000 teslas recalled over software glitch

Nearly 12,000 Tesla vehicles sold in the US since 2017 are the subject of a safety recall because a communication error may cause a false forward-collision warning or unexpected activation of the emergency brakes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Tuesday.

There was a recall on its self driving software from BBC

Tesla has withdrawn its latest "full self-driving" car software update after drivers complained of problems.
Some drivers reported intermittent issues such as safety alerts sounding, despite no danger being present.
The latest version was rolled back on Sunday afternoon, less than a day after it was released.
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said there were "some issues" with this version, but it was "to be expected with beta software".
A few hours earlier, Mr Musk said the launch would be delayed because the company's quality assurance team had found "regression in some left turns at traffic lights".

and even the most recent update has caused some angst among user from Autoevolution

Tesla's V11 software update also referred to as the 2021 Holiday Update, came with some features but also changed the user interface. The new UI is not as easy to use, owners say, and Tesla is reportedly already considering changing a few things.

Ford have had an issue with Faulty software,
From CNET

Ford is recalling nearly 400,000 trucks over concerns that the integrated trailer braking system could malfunction due to a software error, causing it to not apply a trailer's brakes.

This recall affects 2021 and 2022 models, including the Ford Maverick, F-150, Super Duty models, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. Because the issue is software-related, the fix is relatively simple -- your Ford dealer will apply a software update.

Ford will start notifying owners of affected models by mail on or around April 18, 2022. If you believe your vehicle is covered by this recall or you have questions, contact Ford's customer service department at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall number 22S17.

So faulty or less user fiendly software is not an unusual occurrence, and one that needs to be factored in.
mick

 

[JohnDe]

Tesla already has form over faulty software issues.
From 12,000 teslas recalled over software glitch

There was a recall on its self driving software from BBC

and even the most recent update has caused some angst among user from Autoevolution



Ford have had an issue with Faulty software,
From CNET

So faulty or less user fiendly software is not an unusual occurrence, and one that needs to be factored in.
mick

That took you all day to dig up ?

There isn’t a thing in the world that can’t be found without a fault. Though some have less than others.

Tesla have over 2 million cars in the road, there isn’t too many issues with them. OTA updates is one of the Tesla’s gold standard advantages that other manufacturers are only just coming to grips with.

Until you drive one you will never know what it is that has buyers across the world putting deposits down to own one.

I’ve never had an issue with a OTA update.

 

[mullokintyre]

That took you all day to dig up ?

Unfortunately, it took me all day to get back to the computer after working in the shed.

There isn’t a thing in the world that can’t be found without a fault. Though some have less than others.

Tesla have over 2 million cars in the road, there isn’t too many issues with them. OTA updates is one of the Tesla’s gold standard advantages that other manufacturers are only just coming to grips with.

Until you drive one you will never know what it is that has buyers across the world putting deposits down to own one.

I’ve never had an issue with a OTA update.

I have driven a Tesla when I was in the US about three years ago before the dreaded Covid hit.
Excellent car, and surprised me greatly.
Unfortunately, it does not match our needs sufficiently.
As to you not having an issue, with OTA, that may or may not change in the future.
I merely highlighted some instances where the software updates have had issues for others, and in my experience, will continue to have the odd software glitch, as long as humans are writing the software.
Mick

 

[JohnDe]

As far as I know (for Tesla models) over the air updates are not automatic, the owner decides if they want it installed and then approves the download.

the greatest advantage of OTA updates is the ability to future-proof the car by improving it after it has been built. OTA updates now give manufacturers the potential to improve the car’s safety, usability, functionality and performance over time.

You want the good news or the bad news about over-the-air updates? The reality is, it's exactly the same news, but viewed from contrasting old-school petrolhead or digital-first Silicon Valley perspectives. As pioneered by Tesla, and increasingly being adopted by other car manufacturers, new software is beamed to your car while it's parked, ready to offer an enhanced experience the next morning. It's often small tweaks to sat-nav mapping, or the infotainment, or the virtual owner's manual, but might also be something more significant like a revision to an electric car's energy management, giving more power, more range or quicker charging.

Just like how IT software and operating systems receive regular updates from their vendors, vehicles receive software updates from their manufacturers. Software updates are an integral part of the overall user experience as they contain important feature enhancements and crucial security patches. Traditionally, software updates are performed in person at service centers. But as cars become increasingly connected today, OEMs are trying a new approach by sending and installing software updates over the air (the Internet) to the cars directly—the same way that smartphones and computers receive updates. Such software updates are called Over-the-Air (OTA) Car Updates.

The Growing Importance of OTA Car Updates
Even without major flaws or errors, both hardware and software components need to be maintained and updated regularly during a car’s lifespan. Normally, car owners visit the service center at least once a year to get their scheduled hardware maintenance and software updates. However, as software features become increasingly sophisticated, more frequent updates are required. Having to install software updates at service centers is not only inconvenient for the owners, but also highly costly for the OEMs due to the tremendous labour needed. Additionally, many car owners neglect software updates altogether and put themselves in the danger of outdated software that is not just slow and inefficient, but also prone to cyberattacks.