Model S
A Tragic Loss (Tesla Motors blog post)
Following our standard practice, Tesla informed NHTSA about the incident immediately after it occurred. What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.
Levy County info on fatal crash
The FHP said the tractor-trailer was traveling west on US 27A in the left turn lane toward 140th Court. Brown’s car was headed east in the outside lane of U.S. 27A. When the truck made a left turn onto NE 140th Court in front of the car, the car’s roof struck the underside of the trailer as it passed under the trailer. The car continued to travel east on U.S. 27A until it left the roadway on the south shoulder and struck a fence. The car smashed through two fences and struck a power pole. The car rotated counter-clockwise while sliding to its final resting place about 100 feet south of the highway. Brown died at the scene. Charges are pending.
Based on this info and google maps, I created a rough drawing of the actually location to explain what happened. The link is here.
Tesla Autopilot partner Mobileye comments on fatal crash, says tech isn’t meant to avoid this type of accident
Dan Galves, Mobileye’s Chief Communications Officer, issued the following statement: “We have read the account of what happened in this case. Today’s collision avoidance technology, or Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is defined as rear-end collision avoidance, and is designed specifically for that. This incident involved a laterally crossing vehicle, which current-generation AEB systems are not designed to actuate upon. Mobileye systems will include Lateral Turn Across Path (LTAP) detection capabilities beginning in 2018, and the Euro NCAP safety ratings will include this beginning in 2020.”
Tesla opens 100th Supercharger in China, launches ‘Tesla Public Charging Partner Program'
With this new Beijing Supercharger, Tesla has now 100 Supercharger stations and over 400 Superchargers across mainland China. The automaker also installed over 1,300 Tesla Destination chargers at Minsheng Bank, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Wal-Mart’s Sam’s Club, Hang Lung Properties and various others high-end hotels and vacation resorts.
Tesla's rollout of superchargers in China has been very impressive. Already 100 supercharger stations.
Model X
One more referral needed for Gigafactory Invite
I'd like to go to the Gigafactory grand opening (July 29th) and I've already booked my flight and hotel. Currently I have 3 referrals in the current referral program but need one more in order to get a Gigafactory invite. If you are planning to order or know someone who is, please share my referral link, http://ts.la/david7556. The referral program ends on July 15th. If you've already placed your order, there's a chance you can still get the discount (please email me for a referral guide w/more info).
Tesla Model 3: The Model S/X Test Drive That Sold Me On The Hype
The question I have is probably the same one you do, whether you ordered a Tesla Model 3 or not: did I make the right call? Can the Model 3 possibly live up to all the buzz? And what kind of car will it be when it actually rolls out of the factory? To find out, I needed to learn what driving a Tesla is like today. So I flew to Florida with Derek Kessler and Serenity Caldwell from Tesla Central, and we spent a few days doing our own Tesla Test Drive with the Model S P85D and a brand-new Model X P90D. What I discovered was that Tesla has the power to turn even the most apathetic driver into an auto aficionado.
Model 3
China May Lift Cap on Foreign Carmaker Stakes in Joint Ventures
China’s government is considering the removal of caps on stakes foreign carmakers can own in joint ventures with local partners, potentially loosening a policy criticized for shielding state-owned companies from competition and building their own brands.
Tesla is talking with gas station chains about installing Superchargers
“Tesla is talking to some gas station chains about installing charging at some stations that are conveniently located for long-distance, emission-free travel and could provide the necessary amenities for our customers.”
Tesla Model 3 exclusive leaked specs: 300kW+ inverter architecture putting its power capacity near Model S
According to the source, the strategy paid off and the inverter architecture for the Model 3 will have a capacity of “over 300kW”, comparable to the Model S’ RWD system even though the S is a much higher-end and bigger vehicle. The system is also geared toward manufacturing with ~25% fewer unique parts and they managed to significantly increase both the volumetric and gravimetric current density. The Model 3 inverter is also expected to be much cheaper on a dollar per power capacity basis than even Tesla’s most recent dual motor inverter system.
Tesla Energy
‘Tesla Solar’ Wants to Be the Apple Store for Electricity
Is SolarCity a major distraction for Tesla? Probably. Does it add existential risk to both of these long, cash-torching bets? Most likely. Are the conflicts of interest messy? Definitely. But could the deal also result in the world’s first clean-energy juggernaut, a company that does for solar power, batteries, and electric cars what Apple did for computers, phones, and software apps? It’s worth considering.
Tesla is flying 12 lucky Model 3 reservation holders to the Gigafactory Grand Opening all-expenses paid
Tesla quietly created a ‘Golden Ticket’ drawing for all the Model 3 reservation holders who placed a pre-order during the first day and randomly selected 12 winners to receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Gigafactory Grand Opening.
TSLA
Tesla applies for 6 new trademarks to sell solar energy under the ‘Tesla’ brand
According to trademark filings obtained by Electrek, Tesla’s trademark and copyright attorney at Cooley LLP, Ariana Hiscott, filled 6 new trademark applications for the company on June 22nd – the day Tesla announced the offer. The trademarks applications range from solar cells and solar modules... to the installation and repair of solar panels:
Tesla Debuts As Best Perceived Brand By LGBT Consumers | YouGov - BrandIndex
Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla debuted as this year’s best perceived brand by consumers who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender by a wide margin, moving Amazon down to the number two spot.
Other News
VW Settlement Spurs Business for Rivals Like Tesla, Toyota
The $2 billion portion of VW’s settlement will help competitors the most. In California, for example, it will be used to promote zero-emission vehicles, to support development of hydrogen filling stations and electric-car charging stations, and to encourage ride-sharing services that use non-polluting vehicles.
Are Solar Panels Just for Rich People?
Lower solar prices have helped make residential solar more accessible, as evidenced by this data. The average homeowner with solar still tends to be wealthy. But the incomes of individuals going solar—and their home values—have decreased markedly since 2012. What's more, installing solar panels appears to be evolving from an environmental decision to a financial one as solar energy gets cheaper.