Amidst the desert east of Reno, Nevada, where cowboys and wild horses are still common, a huge plant is growing thanks to the backing of investors and the hard work of Elon Musk, CEO Tesla. The plant was named Gigafactory. The first battery cells have already started rolling off its conveyors. The new batteries are designed for use in batteries manufactured by Tesla, in particular in electric car Model 3.
Start of mass production of batteries - milestone on Tesla's path to global transport electrification. In addition, this event brings back to America the battery industry, which for a long time dominated by China, Japan and South Korea. On this moment 2,900 people work at the plant with an area of about half a million square meters, which will be joined by about 4,000 more workers (including construction workers) this year, which will be possible thanks to the cooperation between Tesla and Panasonic.
By 2018, Gigafactory, which is now less than a third complete, will double the global production capacity to build lithium-ion batteries and will have 6,500 full-time employees, which is especially important for nearby Reno .
Once fully operational, the Gigafactory will play a vital important role for the company, which explains the haste with which Tesla is working to create this enterprise. The company, famous for its plans and difficult deadlines, has almost never been able to launch its products on time over the past decade. This time, the deadline for the launch of the first production line has been met, and the company intends to prove to investors its ability to fulfill its obligations on time.
Encouragingly, this is the third successful milestone: the company previously kept its promise to quickly complete a massive battery project in California, promptly delivered a promised software update for self-driving cars, and now launched production of battery cells at the Gigafactory. . At the same time, the company failed to meet its other goal of producing 80,000 vehicles in 2016; according to official figures, only 76,230 were produced by the end of the year.
The Gigafactory is booming, with Tesla and Panasonic two years ahead of the recruitment plan they agreed on with the state of Nevada. Initially, the company promised to create 4,000 permanent jobs for local residents by 2019 and 6,500 jobs by 2020. In May 2016, Tesla announced that production would reach full power two years earlier - by 2018. This bold statement was met with skepticism on Wall Street at the time. Tesla shares are currently at their highest level since the end of August 2016 and are trading around $227.
Why Tesla Gigafactory
The success of the battery business is vital to Tesla, as nowhere else in the world are lithium-ion batteries produced in sufficient quantities to reach the company's goal of selling 500,000 Model 3 vehicles by 2018. Another equally important problem is that current battery prices are too high to make a profit on the $35,000 Model 3. Tesla undertook an unprecedented trek into the Nevada desert in the hope that mass production in a $5 billion facility will keep costs down, and the demand that will emerge by then will keep the business afloat.
Batteries are a deterrent to the development of electric vehicles. However, few automakers have gone the route of making them on their own, while most are shifting the risk to manufacturers such as LG Chem and Samsung.
In 2015, 88% of world production lithium-ion batteries hosted in China, Japan and South Korea. America's emergence as a central player in this industry is not just important for the automotive industry. Tesla releases battery packs, designed for residential premises and redundant power networks. In September, the company announced a deal to supply Southern California Edison (NYSEMKT:SCE-E) with a record number of 20- and 80-MWh batteries to replace fossil fuel-powered backup equipment.
In record time, the production of Powerpacks battery packs was launched, which are assembled at the Gigafactory from imported ones (not yet launched own production) 2170 type cells developed jointly by Panasonic and Tesla. This project, which would have previously taken several years to complete, was completed in less than four months. The cells produced today at the Gigafactory will be used in a variety of battery products until production of cells for the Model 3 begins in the second quarter of this year.
Tesla also plans to begin shipping Powerwall 2 residential batteries by the end of January, which are expected to be 30% cheaper than nearby competitor models.
Battery manufacturing fits into Elon Musk's long-term plans to transform Tesla from an electric car company into an environmentally friendly company. clean energy. The same motivations are behind his recent acquisition of SolarCity Corp. - the largest company in the United States specializing in the installation solar panels on the roofs of buildings. Last week, Tesla and Panasonic agreed to expand their partnership with a solar cell manufacturing facility in Buffalo, New York, which will provide the region with 1,400 jobs.
While President-elect Donald Trump has been lambasting manufacturers on Twitter for creating jobs in Mexico and China, Tesla stands out as an all-American manufacturer of cars, batteries and solar panels. Approximately 95% of Model 3 components will be made in the USA; 25,000 out of 30,000 employees of the company will work here. At Trump's recent meeting with tech companies, Musk was included in a group of strategic advisers to the President.
Battery manufacturing is a risky business. World prices for these products fell by 22% in 2016 and, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecasts, will fall by another 15-20% in 2017. For electric car manufacturers, this is a good thing. But it will be difficult for battery cell manufacturers to maintain their leading position in the industry.
This decline in prices may soon slow down as the cost of batteries reaches the cost level. Some battery manufacturers are already struggling to turn a profit in an increasingly competitive environment. It is not yet clear how correct and timely Tesla's bet on battery production is. But it can be argued that the launch of the Gigafactory brings us closer to answering this question.
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Cars powered by electricity existed as early as the middle of the 19th century, and if not for the difficulty of recharging, they could compete with their gasoline counterparts. At the beginning of the 21st century, many companies began to promote their electric vehicles, and almost no model could compete with ordinary cars By driving performance. But the appearance in the arena Tesla Motors to some extent corrected the situation, and many believe that the future belongs to electric vehicles produced by Tesla. Is it so? - Time will tell! But let's see what Tesla cars can boast of today.
A little about Tesla Motors
It all started in 2003, when two enthusiasts Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning founded a company that symbolically was named after Nikola Tesla. This scientist designed the electric motor 100 years ago.
From the very beginning, the goal of the company's activity was the commercialization of electric vehicles. The first priority was to create a premium sports car to show that electric vehicles can compete even on high level. Over time, it was planned to mass-produce such cars in various bodies, which should become available to the average consumer. True, while Tesla-mobiles in the normal configuration cost approximately $ 100,000 ...
The guys needed good investments, and they soon turned to Elon Musk. He became very interested in the project, because electric vehicles can make the world a better place, at least partially removing it from the oil needle. "Okay, I'm in!" Musk said, becoming the main shareholder of the company's president. His enthusiasm and, of course, financial means gave the future of Tesla motors.
Today, Elon Musk is the face of the company. He not only made huge investments in the whole enterprise, but also initiated the implementation of some technological and design solutions for Tesla cars.
In a word, Tesla Motors received proper support and funding, especially after the presentation of the first electric sports car.
They continue to move on a given course and are preparing for the release of the fourth electric car. Although it is worth noting the unpleasant fact that the company in last years works at a definite loss.
What makes Tesla mobile special
In each model of an electric car from Tesla, new chips appeared, which we will talk about later, but the main technological solutions can be traced throughout the entire model range.
Design
Everyone knows that liquid-fuel cars have hundreds of moving parts, but in the case of our electric friends, everything is a little simpler - they are provided only four major systems:
- Energy storage system (ESS);
- Power Electronics Module (PEM);
- Electric motor;
- Sequential gearbox.
Thus, electric vehicles have less weight, more usable space inside (two trunks), and less chance of breakage due to relatively few parts.
Autopilot
Tesla's advanced autopilot also deserves attention. So far, the presence of a driver behind the wheel is still not excluded, but Elon Musk promises that the car will soon will be able to drive from one American coast to another without the participation of the driver, who does not even have to deal with recharging - everything will be done by artificial intelligence.
Autopilot Tesla The autopilot can move along the road, sticking to its lane, steer and slow down so as not to collide with other cars, control speed based on traffic, and perform many other useful things.
Current models can independently (without a driver) overcome up to 12 meters, for example, in order to park or drive into a garage.
Autopilot action:
Minimalism in the cabin
The center console is represented by a huge touch screen (the size depends on the model), with the help of which the main control takes place. You will not find any toggle switches and buttons. In place of the usual dashboard, there is also a display with all the necessary information.
The interior itself corresponds to the price of the car, but we will not paint it much, because there are no comrades for the taste and color.
Batteries
The power source is something without which the electric car will not go. Prior to this, large galvanic cells were used, but Tesla Motors went the other way. Their cars are battery powered from several thousand lithium-ion batteries manufactured by Panasonic, similar to those used in household appliances. 
In the Tesla Roadster, the battery was located behind the seats, and in the Model S it was placed in the floor of the car. This solution allowed us to save usable space and improve handling.
"Supercharge" network
Tesla car owners should count on long trips, so Supercharger was developed - charging stations for electric vehicles. In the future, they should be as accessible and widespread as conventional gas stations.
To date, the Supercharge network is well developed in the United States: you can drive from one coast to another without fear that your battery will run out on the road and there will be nowhere to charge. Slowly, the Supercharger appears in Europe, Asia, and even in Russia, such a miracle can be seen in some places.
The battery can be charged in less than an hour.
Initially, recharging was free for Tesla car owners, but the manufacturer recently announced that, under the new rules, fees will still be charged. More precisely, each owner of such a car will be given an annual coupon for 400 kWh of free charging, and when the limit is exhausted, you will have to pay out of your own pocket. Rates are not yet known.
Tesla lineup
Since 2006, only 4 Tesla vehicles have been presented and put into production:
- Tesla Roadster sports car;
- Tesla Model S sedan;
- Crossover Tesla Model X;
- Tesla Model 3 sedan.
It's interesting that to buy a Tesla car, you must leave an application on the official website of the company. This is not typical for the automotive market, because sales usually take place through dealers.
Debut Tesla job Motors - Roadster electric sports car was produced from 2008 to 2012. During this period, about 2,600 cars rolled off the assembly line.
The body and chassis were borrowed from the Lotus Elise. It was a kind of breaking the stereotype that all electric cars do not have an elegant appearance. Tesla Roadster looks like a real sports car.
Electric induction motor weighs only 32 kg, while the Tesla Roadster can accelerate up to 100 km/h in just 4 seconds, and the maximum speed is 201.1 km / h. On a single charge, you can drive up to 400 km. IN basic configuration it cost $109,000.
Due to the peculiarities of the motor reaction, there was no need for complex gears. There are only three of them in the Roadster: two forward and one rear.
In addition to such goodies as heated seats, a stereo system, ABS, the following innovations appeared in this car, which are also in subsequent models:
- A unique code that allows you to start the car.
- A special transceiver with which you can control, for example, the opening of the garage door.
- Docking station for iPad.
- Electric door handles.
Interestingly, the first Tesla Roadster at the presentation in 2006 could drive no more than 5 minutes due to overheating of the batteries.
In a word, by releasing the Roadster, manufacturers were able to really express themselves and demonstrate new technological solutions in terms of production. electric transport.
Tesla Model S
This sedan was presented in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and already in 2012 it began mass production.
Model S can pass on one charge 458 km– it became a record among other electric cars. True, for this you need to order a car with a modernized battery.
The price varies from 75 thousand to 105 thousand dollars.
It was on this car that it was first demonstrated automatic replacement batteries as an alternative to recharging. Such a service has become available at Supercharger gas stations and costs about $80.
Some journalists have already dubbed the Model S best car. Of course, the statement is controversial, but, for example, in terms of safety, it really surpasses many other cars on the market. All this thanks to design features electric car:
- Lack of combustible fuel - there is nothing to catch fire!
- Under the hood, the empty storage space is a sort of crumple zone, and it will absorb most of the impact in a frontal collision.
- The center of gravity is much lower than on other cars, therefore, the likelihood of a rollover is reduced.
A distinctive feature of the Model S is the fact that it the first electric car built from scratch. For other similar cars, ready-made bases of gasoline models were used.
Just like that, charging the car from the outlet will not learn. To do this, you will have to additionally buy a charging station or constantly visit Supercharger.
The Model S even went on a "Big Test Drive":
This electric car has become very popular and has overtaken in sales even such cars as Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7 Series. In the same Norway, Tesla Model S in September 2013 became the best-selling. This was greatly facilitated governmental support electric vehicles in the form of tax breaks; and high gasoline prices.
Sales of this electric crossover began in 2015. The Model X is built on the Model S platform and is available in three trim levels: 75D, 90D, P90D, which mainly differ in battery power. Already in basic version the car is equipped with two electric motors at once.
The power reserve, depending on the battery, is up to 411 km, and the limitation top speed- 250 km / h.
The main feature of the Model X is gullwing automatic doors. This decision not only facilitated access to the car interior, but also reduced the required parking space.
The Model X 70D costs $81,000, while the top-of-the-line P90D costs $142,000.
Tesla's electric crossover was conceived as best car for family and travel. In general, the car has come in, given that the demand for the class has increased greatly in recent years. However, it was not without negativity - many owners complained about low quality Model X, both hardware problems and mechanical failures were mentioned.
Tesla Model 3 sedan
And this electric car at the time of writing the article has not yet been released, but has already been presented.
For Model 3 again developed new platform, and this time the Tesla mobile should be aimed at the mass market. Basic version will only cost $35,000.
In terms of driving performance, Model 3, of course, will be inferior to its older brothers: acceleration to 100 km / h in 6 seconds, power reserve - 346 km.
Tesla Semi Truck
In November 2017, Elon Musk presented an electric truck.
Problems
Tesla vehicles are no doubt superior to the competition in the field of electric transport, but some typical disadvantages they still have. In particular, this applies severe loss charge during even a little downtime car and fast discharge at low temperatures.
Conclusion
It is likely that liquid-fuel cars will be slowly replaced by electric cars in a few decades. Tesla was able to show that such competition is real, and successfully continue to please us innovative solutions in the automotive industry.
New manufacturers appear regularly. They claim their market share, but Tesla Motors successfully creates competition for them. The company is well known for its high quality and advanced power of their vehicles. The history of Tesla Motors has deep roots, from its formation to the market leader.
Origin
The company is named after the great inventor and electronics engineer Nikola Tesla. Cars of this production use alternating current technology, as the scientist himself had previously done in 1882. Tesla Motors is a company founded by Marco Tarpenning and his colleague Martin Eberhard. In the early stages, they financed the project before the arrival of Elon Musk. He created PayPal. This man attracted large investments in the work of the firm and became its chairman.
The main goal of Tesla Motors was to produce electric cars to transfer them to mass production. Musk took up the development of the flagship Roadster, having worked. Thanks to this, he bothered to win the Global Green 2006 Product Design Award, and presented it to Mikhail Gorbachev, for the thoughtful design of the car. This was followed by the Index Design Award in 2007.
Timeline of development
The history of the creation of Tesla Motors was not without active capital investments. It consisted of the head’s own funds and the help of investors (eBay head Jeff Skoll, Capricorn Management, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and others), the volume of which amounted to more than 105 million. his mask. In 2009 by Tesla 187 million was raised to create 147 units of electric cars for sale. May 19 well-known firm Mercedes-Benz bought a 10% stake in Tesla, and in July Aabar Investments also received 40% of its assets.
Everyone knows that the United States supports ecological production, so in June 2009 the company was granted a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy. Thanks to this capital, it was possible to start production of the S sedan range and improve transmission technology. This economic stimulus, which was an initiative of George W. Bush, allowed Tesla to become the first among companies that do not have debt to the state.
Pinnacle of Profitability
At the beginning of 2009, the company announced that it had managed to achieve the maximum profitability in production for that year. This is made possible by the 2010 Roadster, an award-winning performance sports car. September 2009 was the beginning of a new round, for which 82.5 million were allocated. It had to expand its retail network to increase its market share.
The history of the creation of the Tesla Motors car is impossible without gliders (transport without the use of power transmission) - this is the main activity of the company. The contract dated July 11, 2005 lasted until 2011, and in 2014 the company gave up its shares.
Strategy
Under Musk's leadership, the main principle of the company's work was the production of electric cars focused on mass sales. Dynamics with a decrease in value by ecological cars has become a significant challenge for Tesla. The roadsters were originally priced at $109,000, but the company plans to build models in the $30,000 range. Such a line will be called BlueStar. The launch of such production is planned for 2017. It should become widespread and affordable in order to increase the environmental friendliness of vehicles.
Introduction of batteries
Like all electrical devices, Tesla cars use a battery for their work. The main difference between the production of this company is the galvanic type of batteries. Thousands of lithium-ion batteries are combined into a single device. Similar technology is used in laptops and home appliances. Tesla uses cheaper manufacturing principles and also reduces the weight of products.
Contrary to popular belief about the dangers of batteries in the operation of vehicles, the history of Tesla Motors cars shows that the company provides them with anti-bloat protection and thermal management. For this, a special substance is used that prevents the ignition of batteries, so cars are absolutely safe. Tesla has taken care of convenience, so the battery pack is located in the floor of the car, unlike models from other manufacturers.
Engine use
The engine used in Tesla vehicles is a recycling classic motor developed by Nikola Tesla. It is liquid cooled and runs on AC in three phases and four lanes. The company's strategy was to create small engine, which would be in many ways more practical than a classic internal combustion engine. This power plant made it possible to completely abandon the transmission, in favor of direct drive. Tesla cars have received great success and have received a driving speed of up to 208 km / h.
Safe movement
For all the time the company has been operating, it has set itself the goal of making not only environmentally clean car but completely safe. For this, it was decided to use steel in production, which would absorb shocks. Additionally, eight airbags were installed, which are the entire passenger cabin.
Best Representatives
Tesla Roadster is a sports class product that became the brand's first car in 2006. The history of models began in Santa Monica, California. Lotus then helped Tesla create the look of the future car. One hundred units were completed in just one month, and the mass production of vehicles started in March 2008. This electric car had a cost of $100,000. Including until 2012, the flagship took high places in the sales ratings, until the Lotus contract regarding the right to sell expired.
Tesla Model S
This car is a continuation of the previous model. In 2009, it was introduced at Hawthorne under the name WhiteStar. The development of transport was taken up by a branch in the city of Detroit. average cost flagship was $57,400, and the battery came in one of three power options. A year later, the car won the Motor Trend 2013 Car of the Year award.
On February 9, 2012, the company announced a flagship in the form of a fundamentally new crossover called the Tesla Model X. According to Elon Musk, its release will start in 2014. At the initial stages, only small batches of the electric car were in the plan, but later in 2015 it was decided to organize mass production of the model.
Unlike the Model S model, this flagship had additional seats, as well as rear doors with automatic opening. It was decided to replace some of the mirrors with cameras that had economical energy consumption.
Project BlueStar
Initially, the model was called Model E. The release of this electric car is planned for 2016-2017. Its declared cost will be $40,000. It will provide a trip of 230 km on a single charge.
Supercharges
Control Tesla car impossible without a recharging station. They allow you to make a full charge in less than one hour. This innovation is actively gaining momentum, spreading throughout the country, and in plans, and in the world.
Tesla Motors is a company that has big plans for the future. , development and prospects would not have been possible without Elon Musk, who set a plan to create environmentally friendly transport. He recently announced his readiness to introduce new technologies in the production of cars.
Future models plan to be equipped with artificial intelligence that can take over driving vehicle. Also among the ideas of the company there is an expansion of the model range, crossovers and SUVs with an electric drive are being developed.
Tesla Motors has become the best company in the field safe transport. Today, the cost of such a car is gradually becoming more affordable, so you should think about buying it. It is worth thinking not even about the conservation of nature, but about the real benefits and reliability of such cars, because their refueling does not depend on the unstable cost of gasoline.
A few years ago, the American company Tesla Motors, which decided to produce electric cars, was not taken seriously by anyone, however, today it is the world leader in the production of electric cars, and the Model S sedan has become a kind of standard for all automakers. Recently the lineup replenished . Both machines are assembled at a factory in Fremont, California, USA, which this post will give us a short tour of.
The Tesla factory is located on 150 hectares of land in Fremont, California, USA.
For the first 20 years of its existence, this plant was an assembly unit General Motors until it was closed in 1982. In 1984, the plant reopened as NUMMI or New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.
nummi was joint venture General Motors and Toyota, which assembled vehicles from both automakers. This allowed GM to learn Toyota's legendary "Lean Manufacturing" methods.
The NUMMI joint venture ceased to exist in 2009, allowing Tesla to buy the plant in 2010.
Believe it or not, this is the last remaining major car factory in California, USA.
Near the Tesla factory, a number of Model S electric sedans charge their batteries at the SuperCharger station.
Nearby you can see new branded cars Model S, next to the sales center.
In the end, we find ourselves inside a huge enterprise. The area of production premises of the plant is about half a million square meters.
How do workers move around the long factory floors? With bikes!
Near the entrance to the workshop, a number of Tesla prototypes are on display.
They range from this Tesla Roadster wood composite mock-up built for wind tunnel testing…
... to the first Model S mockups.
This is Red Alpha, the first moving prototype of the Model S. Tesla says they spent about $2.2 million on it.
Have you ever wondered what a Tesla looks like without a body? Exactly.
This is a front engine.
At the entrance to the production workshops of the plant, all visitors get the impression of extraordinary cleanliness and accuracy.
This Schuler press is used to stamp aluminum body panels for Tesla vehicles.
According to Tesla, this press is the largest in North America.
On these racks are panels waiting to be assembled.
The Tesla factory consists of two main production lines. Currently, one line is dedicated to the Model S, while the other is dedicated to the Model X.
This Model S is starting to take shape.
While this one just went through control check weld quality.
These cars are fresh from the paint shop.
Battery Packs!
These robots assemble Tesla's electric powertrain.
A sea of electric motors.
This is the smaller of the two engines that Tesla offers.
One of them headed towards the Model X.
Mysterious Model S in a case.
Robot Mystique assembles the Model S. The factory's large robots are named after characters from the X-Men.
The two coolest robots in the factory work in tandem with each other. They are called Wolverine and Iceman.
Here's how they work. This Model S is getting closer to the robots...
Wolverine is activated.
She lifts the car up and turns 180 degrees.
At this point, Iceman activates and receives the car from Wolverine.
After that, Iceman turns the car another 180 degrees, after which he allows him to continue his journey further along the production line.
In total, the Tesla production line is equipped with more than 150 robots.
However, robots do not do everything here. The plant employs several thousand people.
Many parts of the car, such as the interior trim, can only be installed by hand so far.
These Model S's are waiting for their interior.
There is nowhere to sit here.
And voila! Assembled Model S.
However, the work is not yet completed. Assembled cars sent for power measurement and only then they are ready for shipment.
Overall, Tesla produces about 1,000 Model S sedans a week and will ramp up Model X production in the near future.
The Tesla Motors electric car factory is one of the most successful startups of our time. Why is it considered a startup? Because the model of investing in a plant is similar to projects corresponding to this fashionable term. But seriously, Tesla cars are the answer to the question - “Is it possible to create an electric car that will be fast like a sports car, modern and comfortable like an executive class, inexpensive like mid-budget cars and not look like an electric kettle?” Perhaps several questions came up at once, but the better the answer is still the same - Tesla.
If you look at all the models of electric vehicles created by different manufacturers over the past few decades, they all look like vacuum cleaners on wheels. But appearance this is half the trouble, they drive slowly, the power reserve is small, they are afraid of traffic jams, the overall dimensions correspond to a dog kennel, in general, darkness. These cars were bought by ardent fans of environmentally friendly transport. Moreover, these are quite hypocritical people, because the electric car was not the only one in their family, and in the case of a long trip, they took their 5-liter SUV.
How did the Tesla Motors factory come about?
The history is quite interesting. Two talented engineers M. Ebehard and M. Tapping decided to create an electric vehicle with an AC motor, similar to that invented by the Serbian physicist Nikola Tesla (hence the name of the project). A little later, they were joined by a young but no less talented scientist I. Mask (co-owner of Space X, former owner paypal). He just defined the strategy Tesla development Motors for years to come and indicated the direction of development. Elon Musk decided to fight the 150-year history of the development and dominance of internal combustion engines and break stereotypes about sports and comfort cars.At one of the first stages of investment, his personal funds were used, and then injections from large companies, which operated in the field of high technologies (Panasonic, Google, eBay, etc.), as well as from the US Department of Energy.
The first model was the Tesla Roadstar, built on the basis of sports car Lotus Elise S2. The model had average performance, but certainly they were the best in the class of electric cars. The power of the asynchronous 3-phase 4-pole motor was 248 hp, the torque was 270 Nm. The car accelerated to 100 km / h in 3.9 seconds. Rear-wheel drive, single-stage transmission (reducer).
Tesla's second model was the Model S. In terms of popularity, it went far ahead of its predecessor, not because it was better and more powerful, but because the model met the needs of the bulk of the population in the United States and Western countries. It was a family sedan powerful engine and a power reserve of more than 300 km. This is what the public wanted. At the time of release, base model cost a little less than $ 60,000, had a 362 hp power plant. and a battery with a capacity of 85 kW / h (enough for 426 km).
Tesla Motors used lithium-ion batteries, just like household batteries, but more advanced. They had a smaller specific weight, were deprived of some safety features, which made them cheaper to manufacture. Safety was compensated by the introduction of a thermoregulation system and the addition of a protective intumescent substance to the battery, which prevented fire. The battery is located over the entire floor area and has a protective aluminum armored screen. The weight of the battery is 700 kg, which is almost half the weight of the entire machine.
There is no checkpoint and cannot be. The power plant (engine) is essentially a rotor with a stator, which is attached directly to the bridge and will accelerate the car in one gear to 100 km / h in 4.2 seconds. The first model was rear wheel drive, but at the moment you can order a complete set with all-wheel drive or, as the “Teslovites” themselves say, with two motors. And so it is, if there is an all-wheel drive version, then it has two power plants(on the front and rear axle).
After the Model S conquered the market and took its rightful place in the hierarchy of the automotive market, Tesla made an attempt to create the next model that combines all the positive features of the first two models, will be equipped with new features and will cost less than 30 thousand dollars. The working title was BlueStar, then it was announced as Model E, and in the end it came out as Model X. This is the first electric crossover. A distinctive feature of the device is that it has 3 rows of seats, the doors for passengers open up, there are no side mirrors rear view. Instead, cameras are used that display the image on the screen. This novelty, even with the use of electricity to operate the cameras, was more economical than traditional mirrors (aerodynamic resistance decreased).
All these progressive cars could not have been born if it were not for a well-coordinated team of developers, designers, investors and marketers of the plant and of course the plant itself. It is located in California on the outskirts of Silicon Valley, far from San Francisco. It was built on the ruins of the GM manufacturing facilities, where Toyota was previously assembled for American market. The message was that to get an advanced product, the premises where the best engineers and designers will work must be advanced. And the equipment that produces best electric cars should be the best.
Robots that assemble cars, like new employees, go through a full course of training (something like KMB). No, you heard right, robots are learning. It happens in the following way. A group of designers, technicians and engineers assemble the necessary assembly with their own hands, using robot drives. The algorithm of the necessary actions is written in the memory of the control unit and then testing is performed. After several successful tests, the robot is put on the assembly line. Everything is just like in school.
As Elon Musk said, the situation in the production workshops should be such that the worker is happy to go to his place of work. Apparently, therefore, all assembly rooms are white, maximum illumination, including natural sunlight, equipment is bright red and bicycles for moving around the plant. Thus, the products are fully consistent with the plant that produces them, in terms of design, technical equipment and progressiveness of ideas.
But the factory and electric cars are not all that surprised Tesla Motors. Filling stations, where you can recharge for free, have become one of the defining arguments in favor of buying this electric car. The construction and operation of such stations is financed from the company's budget and owners of cars purchased before 2017 can use them for free. And those who purchased later will already be paying, but a nominal fee, so long as the station can support itself. This is what it means to work for the future.
