Electric cars began to fill the streets of New York en masse 100 years ago. But why are they still not popular all over the world? The answer is simple - at that time there were not enough powerful batteries. With the development of technology, high-capacity batteries have appeared, and for a long time. Decades ago, at various exhibitions and in news stories, prototypes of electric cars began to catch the eye, which were quite efficient and practical. Each of these new products had something unique and innovative, some manufacturers even put them into mass production and set a price that was affordable for buyers. But why are cars with gasoline engines still the main means of transportation?
That's because at that time there was no electric car that could make a revolution. All electric cars were praised in narrow circles of geeks, but did not find recognition among ordinary people. There were family models that could save money, but there was no supercar, the notebook on the cover that would have been swept off the shelves by schoolchildren and that boys dreamed of from an early age. In the world of electric cars, there was no iPhone and no Steve Jobs to develop it. There was no electric car with “wow!” effect.
Start
Now such a revolutionary car exists. Meet the Tesla Model S. Changing the world for the better, this full-size five-door luxury liftback began in 2012. The ideological father of the project is the American engineer and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who in 2009 presented the Model S prototype to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Today, few people remember how many problems preceded this presentation, Tesla Motors was even on the verge of bankruptcy. However, Musk believed in the idea of a mass-produced electric car to the end, invested all his savings and was able to find investors. And later his efforts paid off: the first limited edition of 1,000 copies worth about $100,000 each sold like hot cakes!
Such a fantastic success is not surprising, since Tesla still remains the electric vehicle with the largest mileage without recharging, accelerating to 100 km / h in, for a minute, 2.8 seconds !!! (meaning the top version of the Modes S P85D with Ludicrous mode), and also has the title of the safest vehicle on the roads in the USA. Reality surpassed all expectations. For the first time in 10 years of existence, Tesla Motors has made a profit, paid off all debts and increased the production of Model S. By this time, about 50,000 of these electric cars drive around the world.
In fact, the best electric car in the world, Tesla Model S is today a leader not only in the category of electric cars. So, for example, at the end of 2013 in the USA, the model became the best-selling luxury sedan, ahead of, in particular, the BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class, and in Norway, thanks to state support for electric vehicles, the Model S generally became the best-selling cars at the end of September 2013, while ahead of such a weak competitor as Volkswagen Golf.
What electric motor does Tesla Model S have
Under the hood, the Tesla does not have an engine, but a small trunk. According to the laws of automotive logic, if the trunk is designed in front, then the engine is in the back. But everything is not so simple here, because in the back of the car there is also a luggage compartment, but already much larger, there is enough space even for installing two additional child seats or placing a bicycle.
Rear wheel drive models
The designers placed the electric motor above the rear axle, and visually "do not touch it." A three-phase asynchronous electric machine with four poles is connected directly to the rear drive without a gearbox and transmission as such. In the top configuration, its power is 310 kW or 416 horsepower, and the maximum torque that it can develop reaches 600 N m. At the same time, the engine is capable of delivering up to 16,000 rpm, which allows the car to move at speeds up to 210 km / h. Also, during energy recovery, it can work as a generator, when the driver releases the accelerator pedal and the car begins to slow down.In general, the rear-wheel drive Model S was originally produced in three trim levels: 60, 85 and P85.Depending on this, the engine power was respectively 225 kW, 280 kW, and in the Performance version as much as 310 kW. Since April 2015, the company has discontinued the Model S 60 and replaced the base model with the Model S 70D.
All-wheel drive models
In October 2014, Tesla announced all-wheel drive versions of the S-ki, which contain two electric motors each. One, as before, remained on the rear axle, while the other drives the front wheels separately. Thus, in the P85 model, another motor appeared on the front axle, the power of which was 221 hp. with., which in total with the rear, more powerful engine is almost 700 liters. With. Now acceleration to 100 km/h is possible in 3.2 seconds, which is faster than in the Porsche Panamera Turbo S! Also increased the maximum speed, which now stands at 249.5 km / h. Other versions were installed on the front wheels of 188 "horses". All four-wheel drive modifications received the suffix "D" and became known as 70D, 85D and P85D. Interestingly, the distribution of the load on the axles was almost even in the early models, but in the new P85D it has become close to ideal - 50:50.
Tesla engineers did not stop there and in July 2015 the company introduced new versions of the Model S - 70, 90, 90D and P90D, along with an optional "ludicrous mode" ("ridiculous" mode), which allows you to accelerate to "hundreds" in 2.8 seconds. The P90D now combines 259 horsepower (193 kW) front axle and 503 horsepower (375 kW) rear axle, giving a total output of 762 hp. (568 kW). You can upgrade the car and install the "ludicrous" mode for $10,000.
What battery does a Tesla electric car have
All Model S are far from the lightest, the weight of each car is about 2 tons. Although the body elements are made of lightweight aluminum, the battery significantly increases the overall weight of the car. It is located under the floor and includes more than 7,000 modern lithium-ion cells manufactured by the Japanese Panasonic. Depending on the configuration, its power can reach 70 kWh or 85 kWh. Actually, this is where the names of a number of Tesla modifications came from. The less powerful is designed to cover a distance of 335 km on one full charge, on the other you can travel 426 km.
Placing such a heavy battery down between the wheelbase significantly shifts the center of gravity, which makes the car more stable when cornering. Separate lithium-ion modules are not evenly placed in the battery, but are compacted closer to the middle, which has a positive effect on the inertia of the S-ki about the vertical axis. The battery also has another useful function: it strengthens the body structure and stiffens its frame. The developers took into account the sad experience of several cars from the first batch, when the “gas tank” was pierced due to a collision with the bottom of hard objects, and installed a special titanium plate to protect the battery from damage.
In July 2015, Tesla Motors introduced a range upgrade that increases battery capacity to 90 kWh, which can be equipped (at an additional cost) with the top versions of the 85D and P85D. The developers explained the possibility of such an improvement in efficiency by "optimizing the chemical processes in the cell." The new batteries increased the range on a single charge by 6%.
Tesla Supercharger Charging Stations
Fast charging stations allow you to recharge Tesla electric vehicles at up to 120 kW, bypassing the basic 10-kilowatt (or additional - 20 kW) inverter. According to Tesla developers, Superchargers charge electric vehicle batteries many times faster than other types of charging stations. The result of this express charging is quite impressive - 50% of the Model S battery is replenished in just 20 minutes, and 80% in 40 minutes. A 75-minute full “fill-up” might seem like a bit of a stretch, but Tesla says it’s common to stop on long journeys, with people often warming up, eating, or showering.
The network of Superchargers, which are powered by solar panels, is constantly growing: at the end of 2015 there were already 220 of them in North America, and 180 in Europe. The company's management says that refueling for Tesla car owners will always be completely free. This stimulates the use of electric vehicles around the world. And, of course, Superchargers are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How to drive a Tesla car
The driver will first be unusual behind the wheel and will have to get used to the features of the electric car. But these features differ for the better, so you can get used to it with pleasure. For example, Model S does not start, but is turned on by pressing the brake pedal. But that's not the first thing that draws attention, because the first thing that catches the eye is the large 17-inch display located to the right of the steering wheel.
Tesla Motors decided to minimize the number of buttons and mechanical controls, instead putting it all on one touch screen. Only a few mechanical buttons, turn and wiper switches, as well as a forward and reverse handle were left on the steering wheel and steering column. There is another screen behind the wheel, which displays information about the charge and temperature of the battery, the remaining mileage, speed, etc. There are only two pedals at the bottom, in most cases you have to use only one of them - the accelerator. Brakes are needed only in emergency cases, since when the gas pedal is released, the car "brakes the engine" and there is no clutch at all.
Unlike other electric vehicles, Tesla Model S is suitable for people who are going to move not only around the city, but also on longer journeys. Fans of gadgets will also like it, since you can control the state of the car from your smartphone. Due to its luxurious design and expensive cost, the car is in demand among businessmen and people with high incomes, at the same time, due to the high level of safety and the possibility of installing two additional seats for children, family trips will also be as comfortable as possible. And finally, the Tesla Model S is the choice of progressive people who care about the environment and who are ready for an early transition to the transport of the future.
Video: Tesla Model S P85 test drive
Tesla Model S Specifications Table
| Short description | Technology | BEV (Battery Electric vehicle) | |
| Direct deliveries to Ukraine | No | ||
| Price in salons | $75 000 - $105 000 * | ||
| Power | /362/416/762 HP* | ||
| Fuel type | Electricity | ||
| Charging time | Charging from household AC power: 110V for 1 hour replenishes 8 km of the path 220V for 1 hour replenishes 50 km of the way Charging at Supercharger fast charging stations in 1 hour 500 km. |
||
| Power reserve | 225/320/426/426 km * (depending on battery capacity) | ||
| Body | Type | Sedan | |
| Design | Carrier | ||
| Class | sport sedan | ||
| Number of seats | 5 | ||
| Number of doors | 4 | ||
| Dimensions, weights and volumes | Length | mm | 4976 |
| Width | mm | 1963 | |
| Height | mm | 1435 | |
| Wheelbase | mm | 2959 | |
| Wheel track | front/rear mm | 1661 /1699 | |
| Clearance | mm | 154.9 | |
| Curb weight | kg | 2108 * | |
| Trunk volume | liter | 900 | |
| Performance characteristics | Max speed | km/h | 225/249* |
| Acceleration 0 -100 km/h | With | 5,2/4,4/3,2/2,8* | |
| Power reserve | km | up to 426* | |
| Engine | Type | Asynchronous (induction type) three-phase AC motor | |
| Fuel type | electricity | ||
| Model | The electric motor of own production is used | ||
| Max. power | 259/315/362/503 HP* | ||
| Max. torque | 420/430/440/600 Nm* | ||
| Traction battery | Type | lithium ion | |
| Capacity | kWh | 70/85/90* | |
| Transmission | type of drive | Rear/All wheel drive | |
| Transmission | Single stage gearbox | ||
| Constant gear ratio | 9.73 | ||
| Chassis | Steering | rack and pinion with electric booster | |
| Suspension | front / rear | dependent / independent | |
| Brake system | ventilated brake discs are used in combination with an electronic parking brake and regenerative braking system | ||
| Tires | -Goodyear Eagle RS-A2 245/45R19 (standard 19-inch) -Continental Extreme Contact DW 245/35R21 (optional 21-inch) |
||
| Safety | Number of airbags | 8 | |
| Airbags | Side airbags for the driver and front passenger, side curtain airbags for the first and second row of seats, frontal airbags for the head and knees of the driver and front passenger | ||
| Auxiliary braking systems | Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) | ||
| Other | Crash cut off battery sensor, immobilizer, seat belts, autopilot, etc. | ||
What do you think about this? Let us know - write in the comments!
The Tesla Model S electric car is a revolution in the automotive world. This model is designed to destroy the internal combustion engine and teach people to use only environmentally friendly vehicles. Using the Model S as an example, Tesla proved that the electric motor has a lot of advantages over gasoline and diesel units.In terms of dynamic characteristics, this car is on a par with famous supercars, and even surpasses them in many other parameters. With a 100 kWh battery, the car accelerates to 100 km / h in 2.6 seconds, which is slightly slower than exotic hypercars produced in single copies.
Another hallmark of the Model S is safety. The body of the car is made of rigid and lightweight aluminium. To improve the safety of the driver and passengers in the location areas, high-strength steel was used. The battery of the electric car is reliably protected and is located under the bottom, being a power element of the structure. Due to this, in the event of an impact, the front of the car, in the design of which there are straight double bars to absorb the impact, will collapse, and the engine will not go into the passenger compartment, as is the case with vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines. The car has 8 airbags for the driver and front passenger: 2 for the head, 2 for the pelvis, 2 for the knees and 2 side. The car is also equipped with side curtain airbags. Thanks to this, the Model S has become one of the safest cars according to the NTHSA and EuroNCAP methods, earning the highest scores in all tests.
The Tesla Model S electric car is focused primarily on the convenience of the driver. There is nothing superfluous in the interior of the Model S: an informative dashboard and a 17-inch touch screen. Both displays provide the necessary information about the state of the car, and the central monitor provides access to calls, the Internet, maps, multimedia system and other settings. The car is equipped with heating of all seats and steering wheel for comfortable operation in any conditions. The upholstery of the chairs is high-quality soft eco-leather. Also appreciate the setting of the driver profile: the most comfortable position of the mirrors and seats is programmed for each key.
Where to buy a Tesla Model S electric car?
If you have asked this question, please contact our club. We will offer you to choose a car from those available in Moscow and Russia. Also, with our help, you can buy a car in Europe, and we will deliver it within 2-3 weeks.The cost of a used Model S varies between 4.8-7.5 million rubles. The price depends on the configuration of the car and its mileage in Russia and Europe.
If you want to buy a Tesla Model S electric car, call us at + 7 (495 ) 777-71-26 . We will answer your questions and help you become a member of our club. You can also request a call back. Our managers will contact you and you will be able to discuss the date and time of inspection of the cars available.
Everyone now knows about Tesla Motors, which produces high-tech electric cars. Someone treats it negatively, someone is neutral, and someone bought and is very happy with his purchase. Here we will talk about the first all-electric crossover from this manufacturer - Model X 2018-2019. The model was released because now the popularity of crossovers is very high, people buy them, so the manufacturer also decided to take its place in this niche with its innovative product.
For the first time in 2012, the public saw the prototype of the model, and only after 3 years the car went into production and sales immediately began. Pre-order before the start of sales issued 25 thousand people, this is a stunning result. In our country, the car is not officially sold, however, there are buyers, since it has already been met on the streets more than once.
Stunning appearance
The design of the car immediately attracts attention, it is built on the base and is the same, only larger and with minor changes. The muzzle of the Tesla Model X is aggressive, this is created due to the narrow narrowed LED headlights. We don’t have a radiator solution that we are used to, instead of it there is a plastic plug made in the form of this very grill, behind it lies a huge pile of sensors. Optics in basic versions can be halogen.
The manufacturer has seriously worked out aerodynamics, which is why at first glance the car can hardly be called a crossover, it looks like a big sports car. In the basic version, the Big Sky branded windshield is installed, which does not end in the usual place, but goes to the roof.
Looking from the side, you pay attention to the shape of the body - swift and dynamic. The inflated wheel arches are complemented by a small plastic body kit. The door handles are hidden inside and are pushed out when a person with a key approaches the car. The doors themselves open up, the manufacturer calls them Falcon Wing. Previously, a similar solution was used in the Mercedes 300SL and was called the "gull wing". On a new car, this solution allows you to park in tight spaces, because to open it you need only 30 centimeters to the left or right. The front doors are the same as other cars.
The well-known Elon Musk said that they were faced with the task of making a car that would be comfortable like a minivan, stylish like a crossover and fast like a sports car. Studying the car, you fully understand that they completed this task 100%.
At the back, things are a little easier. Large optics from Model S were installed (60% of Tesla Model X parts are completely different), connected to the chrome handle of the trunk lid and having a transition to the wings. The lid is of course electrically operated and has an integrated spoiler for aerodynamics. The drag coefficient is 0.24.
Body dimensions:
- Length - 5004 mm;
- Width - 2083 mm;
- Height - 1626 mm;
- Wheelbase - 3061 mm;
- Ground clearance - 175 mm.
It should be noted right away that the model has an air suspension that increases the ground clearance to 230 mm. Such a spaciousness for the city is ideal, it is unlikely that you will hook a curb or the like.
Interior decoration
The interior of the car is made using only chic materials. Initially, 3 color finishes are offered, but anything can be made to order. There is a lot of free space in the Tesla Model X 2018, this made it possible to put three rows of seats, there is little space in the third row, but enough for the rest. All 7 seats are upholstered in leather and electrically adjustable.
The steering column has practically received nothing new, a 3-spoke steering wheel with a proud chrome logo and a small number of keys is also used. There are configurations where most of the steering wheel will be made of carbon, hinting at sports habits. The dashboard complies with modern canons - a large display that already displays everything the driver needs or wants.
About the Big Sky windshield, which provides a great view, but it is also covered with a layer that does not transmit ultraviolet and infrared radiation. The tunnel on the front row is empty - boxes, cup holders and armrest.
The center console of the Tesla Model X 2019, as soon as the first cars from this manufacturer appeared, was a breakthrough. It is a large 17-inch touch screen, which is configured for absolutely everything. Here the control of the air suspension, music, navigation, the study of the battery charge - absolutely everything takes place.
Climbing into the rear seats is convenient because of the uniqueness of the rear doors. Elon was able to make a crossover with the convenience of a minivan. The engine is small and the batteries are located in the floor, so there are two trunks, front and rear.
The result of the cabin: it is gorgeous, the design is unique, you have not seen anyone else like this. There is a lot of free space, the quality of materials is excellent. Yes, you will have to get used to the center console, as managing everything through one large touch screen is hard. Cool!
Specifications
| Type | Volume | Power | Torque | Overclocking | Max speed | Number of cylinders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electro | 0.0 l | 333 HP | 525 H*m | 6.2 sec. | 210 km/h | 0 |
| Electro | 0.0 l | 518 HP | - | 5 sec. | 250 km/h | 0 |
| Electro | 0.0 l | 714 HP | - | 4.8 sec. | 250 km/h | 0 |
| Electro | 0.0 l | 762 HP | - | 3.9 sec. | 250 km/h | 0 |
| Electro | 0.0 l | 762 HP | 967 H*m | 3.1 sec. | 250 km/h | 0 |
Here we got to the most interesting. The main difference between a crossover and all the others is its engine. All versions are equipped with 2 electric motors with 3 phases and four lanes. Power is transmitted to all wheels through a single-stage gearbox. The units are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which we will talk about later.
- The cheapest variant of the 70D will get two engines with a total output of 333 horsepower and 525 H*m of torque. The battery capacity in this version will be 70 kWh. In terms of dynamics, it is already showing itself well - 6.2 seconds to the first hundred and 210 km / h of maximum speed.
- The more expensive version called P90D will get more powerful units for 518 horses in total. The battery capacity will be increased by 20 kWh. In terms of dynamics, a significant increase, now the Tesla Model X 2018 crossover accelerates to 100 km / h in 5 seconds, and the maximum speed will reach 250 km / h.
- The penultimate installation of the 100D with two electric motors removes 762 horsepower and 967 H * m of torque. A 100 kWh battery will be installed. Again, acceleration is reduced by more than a second, namely 3.9 to a hundred and an electronic limitation of 250 km / h maximum.
- The most interesting version for the public is the P100D. There are practically no technical differences from the previous one. The power and capacity of the batteries remains the same, but acceleration is significantly reduced and starts to be 3.1 seconds.
Battery and suspension
Lithium-ion batteries are installed in the floor, as you can use a large area and significantly lower the center of gravity, affecting the handling for the better. Maximum distance on a full battery charge Model X:
- 70D - 417 km;
- P90D - 489 km;
- 100D - 467 km;
- P100D - 542 km.
Batteries are located in a compartment, completely aluminum. The brake system is supplemented with a recuperation function - with active braking, a small charge goes to the batteries. The brakes themselves are fully disc with ventilation in a circle, the calipers have 4 pistons and they do their job perfectly.
The running electric car is completely pneumatic, an independent element with 4 transverse levers is installed in front. Rear multi-link. The suspension is supplemented by electronic systems that control the behavior of the car. Of these systems, stability control, automatic braking in the event of danger should be distinguished.
There is an active rack and pinion electric power steering, the steering wheel is light, but when you pick up speed, it is poured for more precise control during dynamic driving.
Security Tesla Model X 2019
The manufacturer decided to make the car good in all aspects, so he paid great attention to safety. In this regard, the car is one of the best in its class. The body is made of high-strength steel and deformable elements are thought out and improved in the right places. That is, in the event of an accident, the rigidity of the body and 8 airbags will leave passengers without injury without any problems.
There is an autopilot option, popularly referred to as active cruise control. The car can drive itself in any traffic situation, it can even take you to the point indicated on the map. The system is partially self-learning, the data is sent to the servers, they are analyzed and changes are made to the software, thereby improving security.
Also, the crossover constantly monitors the situation on the road. With the help of vibrations on the steering wheel or sound signals, it will notify the driver of an impending collision. In a critical situation, the car itself will begin to stop abruptly, regardless of speed.
Price Tesla Model X
It is impossible to officially buy this car on the Russian market, but you can always bring it from abroad. Some have already done so. The base value of the car is 91,000 euros, which is more than 6 million rubles. In this version you will receive:
- Xenon optics;
- 17-inch multimedia display;
- Climate control;
- Access without a key to the salon;
- Cruise control;
- Blind spot monitoring;
- stabilization system;
- Pneumatic suspension.
This is the most basic, there is a lot more, but it does not make sense to list everything. The top version is priced much higher - 130,000 euros. In addition to all of the above:
- New engine;
- Autopilot system;
- Cabin air filter;
- Doors that open automatically;
- Expensive interior finishing materials;
- Additional 4 airbags;
- Automatic parking system;
- Heated and ventilated seats.
There are also options for installing a towbar, a good audio system and a winter package with improved interior heating.
Tesla Model X 2018-2019 review conclusion: the company makes good high-tech cars that are gradually conquering the market. No matter how we are accustomed to conventional fuel internal combustion engines - electric motors or the like are the future. The manufacturer understands this very well, and he also understands that it is difficult for people to make a decision to switch to electricity. Therefore, Elon Musk is trying to attract their attention even more with unusual solutions, an extremely high-quality interior and other features.
Video
In mid-January 2020, in response to a petition filed with the NHTSA complaining about the "sudden unexpected acceleration" of various Tesla electric vehicle models, the manufacturing company issued a statement that all of the allegations presented were "absolutely false". Tesla called the person who filed the petition a speculator - it turned out that the petition was submitted by Brian Sparks, an independent investor who buys Tesla shares.
A petition asking for an investigation, filed by independent investor Brian Sparks, contained 127 complaints from owners of Tesla electric cars of different models and years of manufacture.
Tesla's relationship with government regulators, including the NHTSA and NTSB, is hardly calm. However, Tesla says in a statement that the company "has passed all NHTSA audits and routinely [reviews] customer complaints of unintended acceleration with regulators." The company claims that most of the complaints from the petition have already been addressed by regulators, and "the data confirmed that the cars functioned normally."
2019
Half of Tesla electric vehicles are sold with defects
Thousands of Tesla Owners Can't Unlock Cars Due to App Crash
In early September 2019, Tesla electric car owners faced a massive problem: they couldn't open the car due to an app crash.
To unlock the central locking of a Tesla electric car, you can use a key card with a radio tag, a key fob, or a mobile application. The latter method became so popular among some car owners that they stopped carrying physical keys with them. It was these users who were caught off guard on September 2, 2019, when the smartphone software crashed and they couldn't get into the car.
There have been numerous complaints from electric vehicle owners on social media. Here, for example, writes a Twitter user under the nickname @ethlie.
The automaker confirmed the problem, but did not name the cause of its occurrence. According to the Extreme Tech portal, the failure was observed within 3.5 hours. During this period, motorists called Tesla complaining about the problem.
In this case, the car could be opened using a physical key or key fob, which are included in the delivery.
The technical issue with the Tesla app was also identified by Downdetector, which monitors website issues and user complaints on social media. In total, over a thousand complaints were noted, mainly related to the inability to log in to the Tesla application.
Tesla car burned down in Moscow after an accident in electronic assistant mode
On August 10, 2019, an accident occurred at 37 km of the Moscow Ring Road in Moscow involving a Tesla electric car, which was moving in electronic assistant mode.
The Tesla driver turned out to be the general director of Arikapital Management Company, 41-year-old Alexei Tretyakov, who was traveling with two children.
The man added that he was not driving on a full-fledged autopilot, but behind the wheel with the “driver assistant” function turned on. According to Tretyakov, he escaped with a broken leg, and the children sitting in the back seat with minor bruises.
A video appeared on the Internet, the author of which filmed the moment of the explosion of the Tesla electric car. Flashes are clearly visible on the frames, after which the car was almost completely engulfed in fire and thick smoke. The car was completely destroyed.
The managing partner of the Moscow Tesla Club, Igor Antarov, in a conversation with the Moscow 24 TV channel, said that the driving time on the autopilot of the Tesla electric car is being trained.
This is not the first time that a Tesla electric car has crashed into parked vehicles in autopilot mode. Tesla says drivers should keep their hands on the steering wheel, even when the autopilot is on, to take control of the car if necessary.
Battery capacity in Tesla electric vehicles drops after software update. Driving without recharging is reduced by 64 km
In early August 2019, the owner of a Tesla electric car filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, alleging that the company limited the battery capacity of older cars with a software update. This scheme, according to the plaintiff, was supposed to help the company avoid a costly recall of defective batteries under the pretext of "customer protection".
Thousands of Model S and X owners around the world have already noticed that the range of their older generation batteries has suddenly been reduced, some by as much as 40 miles (64 km). This topic has been hotly debated on dedicated forums such as TeslaMotorsClub.com, where many owners have spoken in detail about the problem that arose after the next software update. Some users claim that the restriction was introduced on purpose - by doing so, the company is trying to depreciate the car, forcing owners to purchase a new model.
Plaintiff David Rasmussen, owner of a 2014 Model S 85, notes a decrease in battery capacity of approximately 8 kWh, but Tesla claims that this decrease was inevitable. The company spokesman added that the decision was related to the safety of the car - after the incident of spontaneous combustion of an electric vehicle in Hong Kong, the manufacturer carefully reviewed the charge and temperature control settings on the S and X models. The purpose of the software update was to "protect the battery and extend the life her service." However, the company has taken into account the claims of users and is working on a problem.
According to messages on the Teslamotorsclub.com forum, some owners have dealt with the problem on their own: some have sold the cars, others have gone to court for compensation, and still others have simply turned off the Wi-Fi in the electric car to avoid software updates.
Cracks in Tesla electric vehicles are sealed with electrical tape. PHOTO
On July 15, 2019, it became known that workers at Tesla factories are using duct tape to seal cracks in electric vehicle parts. An article about working conditions and violations of production regulations at the company's California plant in Fremont (USA) was published by CNBC.
Four people working on the conveyor told the TV channel that managers recommend using insulating cable tape to repair damage to plastic pipes and housings. In support of this, photographs of Model 3 elements made of plastic were provided, the cracks in which were hastily sealed with electrical tape.
Several interlocutors also said that the plant has to work in the heat during the day and in the cold at night. In addition, during the wildfires in California in 2018, factory floors were filled with smoke that ventilation could not cope with. Workers also said they neglected water leak detection tests.
To understand what conditions we are talking about, it is worth noting that the plant is called "tent" because of the presence of an assembly line under the tent canopy. Such a solution was supposed to be temporary - while equipment and robots were set up inside the factory premises. But the tent has been around for four years, the publication says.
The Tesla press service called the photos a common anecdote among employees, which is misleading and does not reflect the conditions for assembling an electric car model.
However, the press repeatedly reported on the difficult working conditions at Tesla, and the founder and head of the company, Elon Musk, called them "industrial hell."
Fatal crash involving Tesla Model 3
On May 17, 2019, an accident involving a Tesla Model 3 became known. The Autopilot adaptive cruise control system was turned on at the time of the fatal accident in March 2019, when a passenger car drove under a semi-trailer, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board USA .
In 2015, Tesla updated customer vehicles to include Autopilot, an adaptive cruise control system. Since then, the company has updated the system many times and as of May 2019, Tesla vehicles are able to drive partially autonomously on highways, controlling acceleration, turning the steering wheel and changing lanes. At the same time, Tesla formally obliges the driver to monitor the traffic situation, keep his hands on the wheel and be always ready to intervene in the system. The car in autopilot mode monitors the presence of hands on the steering wheel and warns the driver with audible signals if the hands are removed. However, the company has been criticized by many industry experts for overstating the capabilities of the adaptive cruise control system. For example, the company sells the most feature-rich version of the cruise control system called Full Self-Driving Capability, which leads some customers to take the name literally and mistake the car for a fully unmanned vehicle, while the system does not even reach the third level of autonomy from five (according to SAE classification).
On March 1, 2019, a Tesla Model 3 car was involved in a traffic accident in the US state of Florida, as a result of which the driver died. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an investigation into the accident and released a preliminary report. Shortly before the incident, the car was driving on Highway 441 in Florida. A few seconds before the collision, a truck tractor with a semi-trailer left the adjacent road across Tesla from the right, after which the passenger car crashed into the semi-trailer with its upper body. Due to the collision, the semi-trailer actually cut off the roof of the car, which at the same time continued to move, stopping almost 500 meters from the collision site. The report notes that after entering the motorway, the truck braked, thereby blocking the path of the car.
The NTSB determined that the vehicle was under the control of the Autopilot system at the time of the collision, but neither it nor the driver attempted to avoid the collision. The system was activated 10 seconds before the collision and two seconds after activation, the driver removed his hands from the steering wheel, according to the sensors. In addition, the vehicle was traveling at 109 kilometers per hour at the time of the collision, even though the maximum speed limit on that stretch of road is 89 kilometers per hour (55 mph). Tesla confirmed that the Autopilot system was on at the time of the accident, but reminded drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and keep an eye on the situation.
This accident is almost identical to the first fatal accident involving Autopilot, which happened in 2016. Then the car also did not notice the truck that drove onto the highway and drove under its semi-trailer. It turned out that the Autopilot system did not notice the white trailer against the bright sky in the camera data, and the radar data did not help in this situation, because the system was configured to ignore high obstacles. Tesla has been repeatedly criticized by the self-driving car industry for its approach to automating driving. In particular, Tesla is known for its principled rejection of lidars, which provide direct data on volumetric objects around the car, in contrast to cameras, which can be interpreted ambiguously, as in the case of a white trailer against a bright sky.
This case was the third reliably confirmed fatal accident with the Autopilot system turned on. In addition to the mentioned case in 2016, another traffic accident occurred in 2018. In addition, relatives of the owner of a Tesla Model S who died in China in 2016 have been suing Tesla for several years, alleging that the autopilot was turned on during the accident, but the company says it cannot confirm this due to damage to the computer in the car.
Tesla electric car exploded in a parking lot for no reason. Video
As you can see in the video, at some point white smoke begins to come out from under the car, and after a few seconds it explodes, causing damage to a nearby car. According to the Shine publication, citing firefighters, Audi and Lexus cars standing nearby were damaged.
According to the owner of the exploded Tesla electric car, the car was bought about three and a half years ago and there were no serious problems with it. He also added that the electric car at the time of ignition was not on recharging.
The automaker also said no one was hurt in the incident. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
From 2013 to April 2019, there were at least 14 Tesla car fires, most of which occurred after an accident. Tesla has previously said that its electric vehicles are about 10 times less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles.
In Shanghai, where another Tesla electric car caught fire, the American company is building its first off-site car manufacturing plant. The total investment is estimated at about 50 billion yuan (about $7.4 billion). By 2020, the plant plans to start assembling the Tesla Model 3 and gradually reach an annual production volume of up to 500,000 vehicles. Commissioning of some assembly lines is expected by the end of 2019.
A famous jeweler was locked in a Tesla electric car for a long time
In early April 2019, celebrity jeweler Ben Baller shared on social media the story of being locked in a Tesla electric car, after which the company canceled his meeting with CEO Elon Musk.
Baller is the co-founder and head of Los Angeles-based diamond jewelry manufacturer If & Co. Baller is a longtime Tesla fan, but he still posted on Instagram about how he got locked in a Model X P100D SUV. The electric car went into low power mode, blocking all windows and doors, so that Baller could only get out of it after 47 minutes through the trunk.
Shortly after the publication, the jeweler was contacted by Musk's assistant, who said that his meeting with the company's CEO was cancelled. She also asked that from now on, Baller, if there are problems related to Tesla, contact the technical support department, and not publish information on social networks.
It is worth noting that the meeting was scheduled after Baller gave Musk a $37,000 ring with Tesla's name and logo as a gift. The jeweler said that he would sell the ring at auction and donate the money earned to charity. Baller also said he understands why their meeting was cancelled, but noted that the electric car incident had raised serious concerns about the safety of Tesla's products. He bluntly expressed that he would never let his children near such a car - Baller's child suffers from bronchial asthma, and he is not going to risk his son's health, waiting for a response from the technical support service.
Baller said that Tesla allowed him to terminate the Model X lease early without additional payment. Representatives of the company have so far refused to comment on the incident at the request of the media.
Tesla Model can be hacked and sent to the oncoming lane
In early April 2019, the Chinese company Tencent Keen Security, specializing in information security, talked about a Tesla autopilot hacking method, as a result of which an electric car can independently drive into the oncoming lane, creating a serious danger.
According to the researchers, the Tesla Autopilot adaptive cruise control system may incorrectly recognize points on the pavement, take them for road markings and turn off so as not to cross a non-existent marking line, including when driving into the oncoming lane.
The experiment was carried out in two stages. On the first of them, the existing marking line was unevenly sealed with white patches. In this scenario, the car may not "see" part or all of the lane.
At the second stage, the existing markup was not distorted - a new one was added. Specialists put three white squares on the asphalt, which partly blocked the lane and led to the oncoming one. The car recognized them as an extension of the right lane and, ignoring the left, drove into another lane.
The researchers were also able to access the steering system through the autopilot and control the car with a wireless gamepad. Moreover, it was possible to intercept control even when the autopilot was turned off.
In addition, information security specialists have found a way to trick the system responsible for the operation of the windshield wipers in the Tesla Model S. The wipers do not just react to water on the windshield, but are activated if the machine vision recognizes bad weather. The Chinese put a screen with an image created according to a special algorithm in front of the electric car, and the windshield wipers turned on.
Tesla responded to the experiment. The company said that hackers deliberately placed false signs on the road and changed the markings, which is hardly possible in real life. The manufacturer also emphasized that in the event of an autopilot error, the driver must immediately take control or brake.
14,123 electric vehicles recalled due to defective airbags
The service campaign covered 14,123 Tesla Model S units sold in China from February 4, 2014 to December 9, 2016, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said in a statement. The recall and replacement will take effect from April 10, 2019.
All recalled electric vehicles were produced in . In early 2019, Tesla launched construction on its Shanghai plant to offer electric vehicles to Chinese customers at discounted prices. The start of production of the Tesla Model 3 sedan at the Shanghai factory is scheduled for the end of 2019.
In addition to Tesla electric cars, tens of millions of other brands of vehicles have been recalled around the world, equipped with faulty Takata airbags, which may not deploy in a crash or work spontaneously in cases where it is not necessary, “shooting” metal fragments at the same time. Because of this defect, about 20 people died, more than 100 were injured of varying severity.
As SAMR explained, the parts in the airbags were created using ammonium nitrate without a desiccant, which is why there is a high risk that they will burst into pieces and cause injury to passengers and the driver of the car. Takata went bankrupt after it became aware of a number of deaths due to defects in their airbags.
Tesla said the recall of Model S electric vehicles released in 2012 with defective airbags began in 2017, and in 2018, cars of the 2013 model year were recalled. In 2019, the manufacturer reached the cars sold in 2014-2016.
2018
Former Tesla employee showed defective batteries that were put in electric cars
In August 2018, former Tesla Motors employee Martin Tripp posted photos online that he said showed defective batteries in Model 3 electric vehicles.
At the end of June 2018, it became known about a lawsuit between Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk and Martin Tripp, whom the engineer himself calls a "saboteur" due to the use of defective components.
According to Musk, Tripp hacked into the company's internal systems and stole trade secrets. Tripp himself believes that the former employer was angry with him because of the criticism - he pointed out defects in the assembly of the Model 3 sedan, which the businessman did not like very much.
To prove his case, Tripp posted several photos on the social network Twitter, which allegedly show damaged batteries. Pictures of vehicle identification numbers have also been released, which an ex-Tesla worker claims were shipped from the factory with faulty punctured battery packs.
Tripp later deleted his @trippedover account, apparently in fear of lawsuits. Photos disappeared with him, but they remained in the cache of the Google search engine.
Tripp's lawyer told CNBC that the client's account was not hacked. At the same time, the lawyer could not explain the reasons for removing the content.
Tesla itself denies ever using punctured batteries in electric vehicles. The company assured that cars with the same VIN codes that Tripp published are equipped with fully functional and safe batteries.
Tesla tricked out subsidies for electric vehicles. Motorists must pay 4 thousand euros
In July 2018, it became known that Tesla Motors had fraudulently obtained subsidies for electric vehicles. Now Model S owners must pay 4,000 euros to the state.
According to the Bloomberg news agency, citing a statement by the German Federal Service for Economics and Export Control (BAFA), the agency demanded that Tesla Model S buyers return a subsidy for electric cars to local authorities. The fact is that these cars are too expensive for their buyers to qualify for financial assistance from the state.
The payout program was designed specifically to boost sales of electric and hybrid vehicles powered by internal combustion engines and large battery electric motors.
As a result of the accident, the driver of the electric car received minor injuries. The police officers were not injured because they were not in the car at the time of the collision. The vehicles themselves were badly damaged. The police car was thrown onto the pavement, on which he climbed with two wheels.
The impact hit the left side of the police car. It is reported that the Tesla electric car was moving in automatic control mode.
The autopilot system in Tesla cars in 2018 is increasingly being criticized. Cars equipped with it more than once got into accidents, including fatal ones. Tesla says they emphasize that this technology is not designed to work without human intervention. It is an electronic assistant and can correct the course of the car or apply the brakes, but the driver should still keep his hands on the wheel and be ready to take control if necessary.
On May 11, 2018, an accident occurred in Salt Lake City when a Tesla Model electric car controlled by autopilot, when approaching a parked fire truck, accelerated instead of braking and crashed into it. As a result of the accident, the woman driving the Tesla suffered a broken ankle.
In May 2018, a Tesla Model 3 car, moving in autopilot mode, had an accident in Greece. It is noted that this is the first such accident involving a budget sedan from Tesla in Europe.
The driver of the Tesla electric car crashed into a bump and burned in the car
On May 10, 2018, a new Tesla electric vehicle crash occurred, in which a person died. The driver of the car crashed into a barrier on the A2 motorway along the Monte Ceneri pass near the Swiss city of Bellinzona. A fire broke out and the man burned to death in the car.
The local prosecutor's office is investigating the fatal incident. Firefighters are investigating the version that the batteries of an electric car may have caused the fire, Reuters reported on May 16.
According to local police, a 48-year-old German citizen died in the crash. Crashing into a median barrier on the highway, his car rolled over and caught fire. The circumstances of the accident are still being clarified.
After the incident, the fire brigade from Bellinzona wrote on their Facebook page that the fire could have been caused by uncontrolled heating of the lithium-ion batteries of the electric vehicle before the collision. The comment was subsequently removed.
When asked by reporters over the phone, firefighters said they were investigating and declined to give further explanations, reports The Associated Press.
A spokesman for the prosecutor's office in the southern canton of Ticino told Reuters that it was premature to talk about the causes of the accident, as the authorities are still studying what could have led to the incident.
“The only thing that can be said with certainty is that a Tesla electric car was involved in the accident,” he added. When the results of the investigation should be expected, the representative of the procurators did not say.
Tesla driver was driving in the passenger seat and lost his license
At the end of April 2018, a British court sentenced 39-year-old driver Bhavesh Patel, who, while driving a Tesla Model S electric car, activated autopilot mode and moved to the passenger seat. Police became interested in the violation after a passing motorist posted a video on the Internet.
The incident happened in May 2017. The car in which Patel was traveling on the M1 highway in the city of Nottingham at a speed of about 60 km/h. At the same time, no one was driving the car, and the owner of the car was in the passenger seat with his hands folded behind his head.
Patel was found guilty of dangerous driving and sentenced to 100 hours of community service. He was also banned from driving for 18 months and fined £1,800, which the violator will have to pay to the Crown Prosecution Service as compensation for expenses. In addition, Patel will have to undergo a 10-day correctional course.
Bhavesh Patel pleaded guilty and called his act stupid, but noted that he was simply unlucky while testing the "delightful" feature, reports The Guardian.
Tesla engineers, who were brought in to investigate the incident, recalled that the autopilot system, including cruise control and steering function, is only intended to assist the driver, who is fully focused on the road.
Autopilot killed driver of Tesla electric crossover
At the end of March 2018, it became known about a fatal accident in which the Tesla Model X electric car got into. At the time of the accident, the car was driving in automatic control mode.
The accident occurred on March 23 on Highway 101 in Mountain View (California). The car, which was moving with the autopilot activated, crashed into a bump stop. The driver who died was Apple engineer Walter Huang. They managed to pull him out of the car before the fire, but he, unfortunately, died in the hospital from injuries sustained at the time of the collision.
Tesla disclosed the details of the investigation, despite the stamp "secret", for which it received criticism from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
According to Tesla, the Model X's autopilot was activated prior to the fatal crash and the driver's hands were off the wheel for six seconds prior to hitting the median barrier. The company claims that the driver did not respond to visual and audible warnings from the vehicle electronics to return to manual control of the vehicle, and was able to see the barrier for five seconds and approximately 150m, but took no action.
The NTSB said it would investigate all aspects of the crash, including speculation that the driver had previously expressed concerns about the autopilot system. Tesla says it has no information about driver complaints.
Walter Huang crashed into a section of the fender that did not have a special buffer designed to soften the blow. They did not have time to replace him after some other accident that happened in the same place a little earlier. Tesla says that the consequences of the accident could not be so deplorable in the presence of a buffer.
Tesla Model S electric car
The company noted that reagents with calcium or magnesium salts used to prevent icing on roads have a negative effect on the bolts. When road services use table salt, such problems do not arise. The bolts are made by the German company Bosch.
The company noted that there were no incidents and victims associated with a defect in electric cars. Even with a breakdown, the driver would retain control of the car, but would experience some inconvenience, according to Tesla.
The manufacturer began sending out a notice to owners of electric vehicles with a possible malfunction to come to the nearest Tesla dealership to fix the problem. It takes no more than an hour to eliminate the problem in the service, the company said.
This is not the first recall of Tesla electric vehicles. In October 2017, the company announced a voluntary recall of 11,000 Model X. During testing of the cars, they found cable debugging flaws that create a risk that the back of the left rear row seat could fold forward during an accident.
Problems with Tesla Model 3 production
At the end of January 2018, it became known that the problems that arose during the production of the Tesla electric car battery at the Gigafactory in Nevada turned out to be more serious than expected, and could lead to additional delays and quality problems with the Tesla Model 3. Several Tesla employees reported that some batteries are handcrafted, requiring additional labor.
The company has already delayed the start of Model 3 production, citing problems at the Gigafactory. On November 1, 2017, Tesla CEO Elon Musk assured investors that the company is taking steps to fix production issues and bring the Model 3 to market.
Despite the company's desire to automate production, just a month later, in December 2017, it became known that the company still produces batteries for the Model 3 partly by hand and enlisted Panasonic specialists to help with assembly. Panasonic is a Tesla partner and supplies electrochemical cells for batteries.
According to CNBC sources, Tesla has not come close to mass-producing batteries in the base model of the electric sedan.
Problems at the Gigafactory could prevent Tesla from reaching its goals, according to CNBC. Delays will reduce employee motivation, dissatisfy customers, and play into the hands of competitors.
But, despite the opinions of skeptics, some Tesla investors are optimistic about the current situation. Ben Kallo of RW Baird said:
Tesla Model S is the first car of the American company Tesla, entirely created in-house. The development of an electric car took place over 5 years. According to company founder Elon Musk, the sketches of the future model were made back in 2007, and the final version of the prototype was approved in 2009 before the Frankfurt Motor Show. Despite the full readiness for launch back in 2010, the brand's management decided to postpone the start of mass production until the company's industrial facilities and infrastructure can easily meet the demand for the production and maintenance of cars. Tesla Model S is a unique car. This is not the first electric car in the world, but the only one that has been so eagerly awaited. They waited because they knew Tesla knows how to surprise! She did it with the Tesla Roadster, and what can I say, she did it with the Tesla Model S! The announcement of the imminent release of the car caused real euphoria, car dealerships were "bursting" with pre-orders. Of course, with the official release of the series and after the first test drives, there were also skeptics who claimed that the car was full of flaws, but in fact the electric car turned out to be grandiose. What is the revolutionary nature of the Tesla Model S?
Engineering solutions and specifications
Initially, the Tesla Model S was designed as an all-electric car, different from the Tesla Roadster predecessor, which was created on a modified ICE platform. From now on, instead of the layout of the battery in the luggage compartment, the batteries were now placed under the chassis of the car, which increased the internal volume and made it possible to save space for a full-fledged trunk. We note that the Tesla Model S is a rather large car, it is longer and wider than some SUVs, for example, the BMW X5, but because of the expressive design, this is not striking. The indicators of speed, power and range for all versions of the Tesla Model S are individual, we only note the fact that each new modification of the electric car, especially in the second generation, was produced with improved performance.Body design and materials
The body of the Tesla Model S is made in the intermediate category between a sedan and a hatchback. For an electric car, the definition of a liftback is more likely. Designed in a sleek yet aggressive sporty style more associated with European cars such as Jaguar. The body is streamlined as much as possible, the coefficient of resistance to oncoming air flows is extremely low. A large amount of aluminum is used in the production of the Tesla Model S. Cast, extruded and stamped body components are all made from aluminum alloy to reduce vehicle weight. The chassis frame is reinforced and made of steel, it bears the main load from the batteries located under the bottom. The ground clearance is small, which is why the lower part of the car body is just above the sidewalk. When accelerating quickly and at high speeds, the vehicle is further pressed against the road surface.Salon and trim Tesla Model S
The first skeptical reviews about the Tesla Model S concerned the interior. For many, it looked too ascetic and did not evoke feelings of comfort and coziness. The interior of the Tesla Model S is designed in a progressive, minimalistic manner that does not include unnecessary details. So, the entire center console of the car is occupied by a huge, capacitive, touch LCD display, which performs the functions of all the usual controls. The place of the speedometer and tachometer is also occupied by an LCD display, but smaller, adapted to the size of the dashboard, the animation of which displays all the information of interest to the driver. The interior trim uses mainly leather, aluminum and carbon fiber.Tesla Model S
Tesla Model S car of the maximum configuration. It has almost everything that in standard cars can be achieved only with the help of expensive options. Let's start with the fact that the electric car does not have an ignition key as such. Instead, a special key fob is offered, individual for each model, from which the car reads information that the driver is already in the cabin and ready to drive. After that, the car is loaded and ready to drive. At the same time, the Tesla Model S memory can be configured in such a way that by the time you start driving, the required temperature will be set in the cabin and even your favorite radio station will be selected. Other car options include dual-zone climate control, heated seats, anti-icing systems, navigation, automatic parking, a stereo system and a large number of cameras. The car is equipped with an autopilot, which is able to independently control the electric car using the navigator, recording and reading information about road markings and obstacles on the road.Charging Tesla Model S
Tesla Model S is powered by lithium-ion batteries. They are charged from a standard 110V / 220V household network or from their own Tesla Supercharger charging stations, where you can replenish the full battery charge in 30 minutes. The Tesla Model S battery has an increased capacity, the performance of which varies depending on the generation of the electric vehicle.Tesla Model S safety
The Tesla Model S electric car is one of the few that managed to win 5 stars in all Euro NCAP safety test ratings. In almost all key tests, the average performance of the car is more than 72%.Advantages and disadvantages
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History of the Tesla Model S
- 2008 - announcement of the release of the Tesla Model S in a special company press release.
- 2009 - demonstration of the Tesla Model S prototype at a press conference.
- 2009 - demonstration of the preliminary production version at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 2009 - exclusive premiere at the company's branded showroom in Menlo Park.
- 2012 - launch of mass production of the first generation Tesla Model S.
- 2016 - restyling and launch of the second generation Tesla Model S.
