TSLA - Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ)

[Value Collector]

I haven't kept up with it but one of the big issues around this stuff is speed of the cameras and processing then the action I assume this has reached a level faster or equal to humans.

It’s also that humans can only really see and react to things in one direction at a time.

Eg to check the blind spot before changing lanes you have to take your eyes off what is happening in front and turn your head to look at your mirror and then over your shoulder.

However the cameras can see a 360 degree view at all times, so not only may the car react faster, but it is going to see things happening before a human could.

 

[JohnDe]

First electric truck to do lap around Australia completes journey after heatwaves and headwinds​

Jon Edwards and his Hyundai Mighty 7.3 tonne electric truck arrived back in Perth late last Wednesday to complete the first lap of Australia in an electric truck. Jon and his wonderful support team were welcomed at the Midland premises of CD Dodd, scrap metal recyclers and a major sponsor of the trip.

Rather than being a race, the 13,600 km 26 day journey was planned to show the capability of electric trucks, and included detours to Canberra and Whyalla.

Unseasonal conditions on the journey included a heatwave across the north and strong headwinds on some of the longer legs between chargers. Each leg was carefully planned based on the known available charge in both the truck battery and the extra battery carried on the tray, which together totalled 180 kWh.
Air temperature and wind speed and direction came from Google, and were the factors that influenced consumption the most, after speed. Jon found that elevation had less effect than expected, even with a 2.5 tonne load.

The truck was driven to match the required consumption for each leg, with a small buffer. Average consumption for the journey was 45 kWh/100 km but varied between 38 kWh and 58 kWh/100 km. In energy terms, that average is the equivalent of 4.5 litres/100km of diesel, pretty amazing for a heavy vehicle.

Average speed for the journey was 80 kph, partly because of the very poor condition of many roads, particularly across the Northern Territory and Queensland where sections made even 60kph uncomfortable.

Jon estimated that, based on Ampcharge prices, the trip would have cost $3200 in electricity, compared with $7400 for diesel.
The truck handled the trip well despite extreme temperatures, maintaining an unchanged 98% state of battery health despite having no battery thermal control. The main issue was that neither battery nor motor temperatures are permanently displayed and are difficult to access in the menu when driving.

This could have avoided some battery thermal overload while charging in extreme heat, and a motor overheat in mild conditions on a long hill coming into Sydney, causing an unexpected and immediate loss of speed on a motorway.

Unfortunately, Hyundai showed little interest in the trip, even when Jon offered to data log the journey for them to use and to visit Hyundai centres in all capital cities. Technical questions to Hyundai went unanswered, so many problems had to be worked out on the road.
Jon found the journey easier than he expected, partly because of the help from co-drivers and supporters, and partly because the charging network is “not bad”, with some exceptions.

Planning is still required, and checking Plugshare (sometimes hourly) was absolutely essential to confirm availability and functioning of chargers. Jon encountered only two on-grid DC chargers which unexpectedly could not be started even with network support, both in Victoria on the Evie network.

The Mighty’s 800V architecture meant that it could not charge from the older Tritium RT 50 charger network across north Queensland, nor from any Tesla Superchargers (450V), but was fine with newer Kempower chargers. This had been anticipated, but is an issue that will need attention as more EVs move to 800V allowing faster charging speeds.

Off- grid DC charging is challenging, but Jon joined the list of disappointed drivers let down by the prolonged intermittent malfunctioning of the NRMA charger at Nullarbor roadhouse, part of a Federally funded, national charger scheme. NRMA are aware of the problem, but a more reliable system is required for any further off- grid sites around the country.

The WA TOCEVA crowd-funded 22kW Delta charger remains the only reliable charger at this site.

Jon took time to service the Biofil 50 kW DC charger he installed at Caiguna, where the problems are more positive. The 60 litres per week of used cooking oil is no longer enough to charge the number of EVs on the route, so the planned WA EV network chargers cannot come soon enough.

Jon worried that a slow moving truck would cause irritation to road train drivers, but CB radio conversations were uniformly positive, with lots of curiosity. Jon took trouble to allow easy passing and to keep out of the way.

However, right near the finishing line it nearly came unstuck. The last DC charger before Perth at Merredin was out with a major town power outage. The tray battery hadn’t been needed since the Nullarbor but had been fully charged the night before – the ABC (Always Be Charging) rule, just in case. Enough electrons could be transferred to complete the journey.
Jon and the team of planners, co-drivers and supporters have pulled off a considerable feat which could have failed at multiple points.

Unfortunately Jon drove into his welcome at CD Dodd’s and immediately spotted their magnificent new beetle green Volvo fully electric FM prime mover, capable of carrying up to 50 tonnes. He was heard to mutter “no more Tonka toy truck adventures” so watch this space.