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Tesla Acquired Maxwell Technologies Inc.

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Electrify the world. For the past ten years, this has been the trend. Renewable energy and electric cars have seen copious amounts of advancements and expansion. That continues to ring true now that Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies Inc.

Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies
Maxwell Technologies Inc

Why Did Tesla Want Maxwell?

Notably, energy and transportation are the two most significant contributors to our carbon footprint and therefore, climate change. Tesla is determined to tackle both of these and seems to be doing so in a rather effective, yet attractive way.

Climate change and cleaner air aside, these cars are just plain fun. Plus, electric cars and renewables will actually save us money in the long run.

Tesla knows the truth about human nature. They recognize that even if something helps the planet if it doesn’t add value to our lives, we probably won’t buy it.

With features like full autonomy readiness, 5-star safety ratings, dog mode, long range and dynamic performance, there is plenty of value to go around.

One thing has undoubtedly slowed progress for both electric cars and renewables, energy storage. The truth is batteries have sucked for a while. Tesla, a manufacturer of solar energy, battery storage, and electric cars, has been making them suck a lot less.

tesla family lineup
Tesla

Details on Why Telsa Acquired Maxwell Technologies

Maxwell Technologies Inc. is a California based company that specializes in batteries and ultracapacitors. Most of us know what a battery is. Think of an ultracapacitor as something that traditionally compliments batteries.

Ultracapacitors create a more reliable and safer experience. They also deliver a lot more instant power while improving its efficiency. It is also said that ultracapacitors have the potential to replace batteries at some point in the future.   

So what does this mean if Maxwell tech is implemented? Just how much more of a gap will this put between Tesla and competitors?

Maxwell tech has proven an energy density of 300 Wh/Kg, and it has a planned path to 500 Wh/Kg.

No idea what that means? Just know that Tesla currently has an energy density of 207 Wh/Kg in their Model 3’s according to ExtremeTech. If implemented, it has the potential to put Tesla several more years ahead than they already are.

Even before Tesla acquired Maxwell Technologies, they have been far ahead of everyone when it comes to battery storage and power. The long-range version of the Model 3 gets 325 miles on one charge while the runner up (Jaguar iPace) gets 250.

The big kicker is that a Model 3 costs right around $44,500 where the Jaguar is closer to $70,000.

Strictly based on range and price point, the Model 3 creates a pretty big gap. This is without even discussing full autonomy readiness. Maybe the new batteries will be ready for the 2020 Tesla Lineup.

What’s Coming Next?

We have the unique opportunity to watch a massive energy and industry shift right before our eyes.

As many scientists, engineers, and CEO’s have put it, these shifts aren’t just happening naturally. They are happening with continuous hard work and the drive to create something better.

For a price tag of $235 million for Maxwell Technologies Inc., Tesla is not giving up its first place seat anytime soon, if ever.

Tesla Insurance: Will the Company Offer It & How Expensive Will It Be?

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Tesla just released its first-quarter earnings a couple of weeks ago. Of course, it didn’t take long for the media to gasp at the drop in deliveries and net loss. Still, Elon Musk couldn’t help but offer up some hope during the news. He suggested that deliveries will rebound and they will hit their goal of 360k to 400k vehicles during 2019. Another shocking revelation was how the company plans to create its own insurance by the end of this month. Here’s what you need to know about Tesla insurance.

Tesla insurance
Tesla

Is Tesla Insurance Coming Soon?

Musk feels that Tesla could capitalize on the market, armed with all the customer data the company collects from the vehicles. Of course, skeptics aren’t so sure it’s a good idea. In fact, as with most things, Elon Musk’s abilities to deliver this continue come under question.

Tesla wouldn’t be the first automaker to attempt this endeavor. GM once ran Motors Insurance Company, and several others have tried it. Still, it would be hard to compete with giants such as Progressive and Geico. It doesn’t matter how much data you have on clients, no matter how relevant it is.

Still, we aren’t sure Tesla is looking to make an immediate profit off the insurance offered. Instead, they continue to aim for a streamlined ownership experience. Furthermore, adding some cost savings to drivers makes the brand even more desirable.

The next question is – who is backing Tesla Insurance? As of right now, Markel State National CEO Richard Whitt confirmed that his company plans to provide fronting for the insurance.

Yay or Nay?

So what are your feelings on insurance offered by Tesla? It’s hard to tell, without more information what success the insurance product should face. Without the details, we can’t put our two cents in any further. Stay tuned to Car Blog Writers for more information as it emerges regarding the insurance or the 2020 Tesla lineup.

Tesla Fired Employees at Calgary Service Center

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Tesla has one service center in Calgary and now they have fired a majority of employees. This sent local car owners into panic and search more in-depth into what happened. The reason Tesla fired employees at this location because the staff was “inappropriate.”

Tesla fired employees
Tesla Owners Club Alberta

Tesla Termination

The initial concern came from an email sent from a terminated employee at the Calgary service center. The writer felt a responsibility to alert owners that the staff was terminated. He went as far to say, “We had no warning of this, and felt that we owed it to you all to let you know.”

In his email, he claimed the notice was on behalf of the entire “former Tesla Calgary Service team.” This context led customers to believe that all Tesla employees were terminated. Obviously, this action caused panic. The next closest service center is located in Vancouver, which is hundreds of miles away. Tesla never announced the closing of this location, so it required further investigation to figure out what was going on.

That’s when Electrek reached out for some clarification. The company’s spokesperson claimed that they did, in fact, fire several members of the team following an investigation. “Repeated inappropriate exchanges between colleagues,” is the reasoning for the termination in official correspondence. This violates the automaker’s policies.

Of course, they haven’t confirmed what these inappropriate actions were, but we’ve heard rumors of texts and photos shared among the staff. We do have confirmation that the Calgary location remains open. Tesla plans to fill the open positions that were once maintained by these employees.

Tesla Trouble

There’s no question that this electric vehicle company spends a lot of time in the news. We’ve recently reported on retail stores closing, Autopilot flaws and a major Tesla crash. Surely, there will be more news coming soon as the company can’t seem to keep things in order.

Hackers Trick Tesla Autopilot to Prove Flaws

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Chinese hackers tricked a Tesla Model S to go into the wrong lane by merely placing some stickers on the road. Keen Labs is one of the most respected cybersecurity research teams around the globe. They worked to trick Tesla Autopilot in several ways to prove there are flaws in the system.

trick Tesla AutoPilot
Bloomberg

Tests Performed

The first step was to make changes to road lane markings. They did this by adding patches to the line which made it appear blurred. While it worked, Keen labs didn’t feel that it would be a real-world scenario. Instead, they decided to make a fake lane.

With three small squares placed strategically on the road, Tesla autopilot thought it was a lane. In fact, the car took them into the real left lane on the test track where the stickers were placed. These experiments just prove that Tesla architecture still has some serious safety risks. Reverse-lane recognition is essential for autonomous driving and the software doesn’t ignore fake lanes. With this flaw revealed, it’s simple to see how a traffic accident could occur.

The team went on to try out some other attacks as well. This included ways to remote control steering and start the wipers. The only way they were able to hack the steering was from within the vehicle while in cruise control. As far as the wipers go, there was no easy way to take over operation of them. Still, Tesla hasn’t had much to say about any of their findings.

Other Tesla Hacking History

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Keen Labs attempt to find vulnerabilities in the Tesla system. Back in 2016, the hackers found a way to remotely control the brakes. So, what are your thoughts? Does the ability to trick Tesla systems into believing there is a road that doesn’t exist scare you? Would you still drive one of the 2020 Tesla vehicles knowing this?

Tesla Dynamic Brake Lights Rolling Out Now

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Tesla began rolling out the new brake lights on their Model 3 cars in Europe. The goal behind this new safety feature is to avoid rear-end accidents. It’s part of the 2019.8.3 software update which also brought some other elements to the table. While we won’t get Tesla Dynamic Brake Lights in the United States right now, it’s still vital that we learn what’s coming soon.

tesla model 3 dynamic brake light
Auto Week

How Do Tesla Dynamic Brake Lights Work?

Anytime you drive over 31 mph and brake with force, your lights will flash rapidly. Since they flash quickly, it warns the other motorists that you are slowing down. While this in itself is enough to prevent a collision, the feature also turns on the car’s hazard warning lights as well.

As soon as you let off the brake and press the accelerator again, the lights turn off automatically. If your Tesla stops completely, then the hazard warning lights remain flashing until you push the button or let off the accelerator.

As of right now, the European owners of a Model 3 are the only people reporting the new light feature. They received it during the latest update. We expect that Tesla will roll out this feature to other markets and vehicles after some preliminary testing.

Trouble in the US

The company does face some difficulty introducing this feature in the States. Our country has strict regulations about what’s acceptable for the brake lights to do. Despite the fact that companies such as BMW have been doing this for decades in Europe, America still hasn’t adopted the technology yet.

Tesla might just be the pioneer that opens America’s eyes to technology that prevents accidents. Sure, it seems a little strange having Tesla offering revolutionary safety technology following the latest crash. While we don’t think we will see this provided in the 2020 Tesla lineup, it’s still possible it could be a part of our future vehicle technology. What do you think?

What is Coming in the 2020 Tesla Lineup?

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Tesla continues to be one of the top electric car manufacturers in America, despite negative publicity. This electric car company only sold 23 cars back in 2010. This number increased to more than 245,000 in 2018. With this crazy growth, it’s fair to expect that the 2020 Tesla lineup will continue to impress. Let’s check out a few of the upcoming Tesla models and see what we have to anticipate.

2020 Tesla Model 3
Two Wheel Drive

2020 Model 3

The entry-level Model 3 starts at $36,200 and allows almost anyone to enjoy the benefits of having an electric car. There are six models with varying ranges. The Standard offers 220 miles, Standard Range Plus provides 240 miles and the Mid Range goes 264 miles on a single charge. Then, there’s the Long Range with 325 miles while the Dual Motor Long Range and Dual Motor Performance both offer 310 miles. Of course, these higher end models nearly double the price.

All versions of the Model 3 feature a rear-mounted electric motor while the dual-motor versions also add one to the front axle. Rear-wheel drive models produce 258 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive models feature 346 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. With a Performance model, you can expect up to 450 horsepower plus 471 pound-feet of torque.

There are also three battery options: 50-kWh, 62-kWh and 75-kWh. With the battery packs mounted below the deck, all these cars offer a low center of gravity which provides the same nimble feel as a sports car.

2020 Tesla Model Y
newautocarblog.com

2020 Model Y

Just a couple of week’s ago, Tesla released the plans for the Model Y. It shares the Model 3 platform but is set to be the more affordable version of the Model X. The smaller Y won’t have the gullwing doors, but it will have up to seven seats. The base model will start around $39k, while higher-end trims will hike that price up to $47k.

We don’t expect to see them until the second part of 2020, with some models not arriving until 2021. The total range on the base model is 220 miles, but the Long Range will go up to 300 miles. Both the Performance and Dual Motor AWD will offer an extra electric motor on the front axle.

On a side note, with the addition of this model, Tesla now has an S, 3, X and Y. What does that spell to you? Did you know that they wanted to name the Model 3 the Model E but weren’t allowed by Ford? Just a tidbit of knowledge for you today.

white 2020 Tesla Roadster
MotorTrend

2020 Roadster

Other than going to space, the Roadster has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the $200k EV is expected to arrive later than initially expected. If you can wait, it’s supposed to be the world’s quickest-accelerating production car ever produced. Estimates plan a 0-60 mph time of just 1.9 seconds with a top speed of 250 mph.

We expect it to have a 200-kWh battery pack plus three electric motors. One will be mounted in the front with the other two in the back. These produce 7,400-pound-feet of combined torque. Yep – that’s right!

Of course, all of these numbers sound a little stretched so we will have to wait and see what happens.

white Tesla Model X with falcon wing doors
Tesla

2020 Model X

The Model X is the crossover counterpart to the Model S. With entry-level pricing starting at just shy of $100k, we aren’t that impressed. Most Americans just can’t afford this and we aren’t sure it’s worth it. Of course, it does come with a 17-inch touch screen and some high-tech features like Tesla AutoPilot.

The new model has a 100-kWh battery pack. Plus, it has both the Performance and Long Range models to choose from. The Performance Model X pumps out 503 horsepower with a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. If you pay another $15k, you can get the Ludicrous Mode and change that time to only 2.8 seconds.

red Tesla Model S right side view
Tesla

2020 Model S

The Model S comes packed with tons of tech features and some advanced driver aids. It even offers the Level 5 autonomous driving option. The trouble is the price. Even the entry-level cars will cost almost $100k. It does come with the larger 100-kWh battery unit, which is a plus. We especially like the Long Range model that has a permanent electric all-wheel-drive system with two electric motors. Each one is situated on an axle and pumps out 259 horsepower with a total range of 335 miles.

The Performance model, known as the P100D previously, has a shorter range of just 315 miles, but a combined output of 762 horsepower. With the Ludicrous Mode, you are looking at a 0-60 mph time of fewer than three seconds.

sexy 2020 Tesla Lineup
Inside EV’s

Interested in the 2020 Tesla Lineup?

What are your thoughts about the new Tesla vehicles? Is there a particular model in the 2020 lineup you are excited about most? Let us know in the comments.

Tesla Retail Stores Closing as Online Sales Increase

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Tesla sure has made a lot of news lately. From the Tesla crash this past week to the updated Version 9, we’ve had a lot to report. Now, we received word that the company plans to abandon Tesla retail stores to grow their online business instead. The primary goal is to lower the price and compete with other EVs in the market. Surprisingly, it comes at the same time that Tesla announced plans to release the Model 3 sedan this month at $35,000.

Tesla retail stores
Teslarati

Future of Tesla Retail Stores

During the next few months, the retail locations for Tesla will be winding down. Some of the high-traffic stores plan to remain as galleries, information centers and showcases.

All sales will shift online to lower vehicle prices and reduce costs. On average, this move is expected to drop the price of Tesla vehicles by 6%.

Of course, this comes after long battles with franchised dealers and states who claim the factory-owned stores were prohibited by law. Up until now, they have operated about 120 stores in the United States. Many of these are in shopping centers and malls. Even though customers could get information, look at the vehicles and test drive them, the ordering has always been done online.

We had told you about the Tesla 5-Minute Buying & Delivery Program and that’s what the company is moving toward. In fact, they plan to roll out this program worldwide. If anyone can be successful without a physical presence, it is Tesla. Just look at how familiar the Amazon name is even though there was very little in the way of physical locations until recently.

Buying a Car Unseen

To alleviate some concerns, Tesla is offering a new 1,000-mile, seven-day return policy on their vehicles. This gives you time to try it out during a weekend road trip and make sure it’s for you. Is that enough to make you want to buy one or are you concerned at the lack of Tesla retail stores? Let us know in the comments.

Tesla Crash Under Investigation By Safety Agencies

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On Friday morning, there was a fatal collision that involved a semi-truck and Tesla Model 3. This Tesla crash in Delray Beach, Florida is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plus the National Transportation Safety Board. As a result, everyone is watching closely to see what happens next.

Tesla crash
WPTV

Agency Involvement

Both of these agencies have investigated multiple crashes involving Tesla vehicles. Their main focus is the driver assistance Autopilot program. The NHTSA is our country’s auto regulator and they have the power to force a safety recall if they feel the risk is too high. The NTSB won’t issue a recall but does provide their input from the investigation.

As of right now, the NHTSA has a Special Crash Investigation team working on this incident. In addition, they have sent a specialized three-man team to further carry out the safety investigation.

Details of Tesla Crash

On Friday, March 1st, a crash occurred involving a Tesla Model 3 in Delray Beach, Florida. In this incident, a 50-year-old man lost his life.  A semi-trailer turned left onto SR7 and the Tesla Model 3 hit it in the side. Then, the car didn’t come to a stop immediately. In fact, it passed right beneath the trailer and took off the roof.

It is unclear whether the autopilot feature was turned on at the time. Because of these situations, Tesla has warnings about using the autopilot program. In fact, the company warns drivers that their hands should remain on the steering wheel and they should always pay attention. However, Tesla owners often talk about how they can drive for long periods without touching the wheel.

If there is a system malfunction, it’s unlikely that an update will fix it. With Tesla planning to have fully autonomous technology by the end of this year, the company faces some problems. If this investigation leads to liability in any way, the program could get pushed back. As of now, the plan is to have technology that allows a car to find you, pick you up and take you to your next destination without any guidance from the driver.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first Tesla crash to occur like this. Back in 2016, 45-year old Joshua Brown was killed in a similar incident with his Tesla car.

Tesla Version 9 Adds Blind Spot Warning and More

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Tesla has begun releasing a new update that adds additional features for drivers. Tesla Version 9 includes auto-folding mirrors and blind spot warning. As of now, select owners have access to the upgraded version.

Tesla Version 9
Tesla

Tesla Version 9

There haven’t been may Tesla updates recently so we were happy to hear about the Version 9 2019.4. What’s especially exciting is the Blind Spot Warning Chime and Auto-Folding Mirrors.

The Blind Spot Warning Chime activates during a lane change. It alerts the driver with an audible chime if there’s the chance of a collision with an obstacle or vehicle in the target lane. If you want to activate this system, simply go to Controls > Autopilot > Blind Spot Warning Chime. We always knew that the vehicles could detect objects in the blind spot, but it never offered a warning system such as this.

In addition, they released the Auto-Folding Mirrors which will enable drivers to fit in tighter spaces. The mirrors on your Tesla will automatically fold and unfold when needed. If you spend a lot of time in narrow parking garages or tight spaces, you won’t have to continue manually positioning your mirrors.

To set this up, head to Controls > Quick Controls > Fold and then select “Always Fold Mirrors at this Location.” Then, anytime you approach that location, the mirrors will automatically fold. As you pull away from this spot, the mirrors will unfold.

In addition, if you have HomeLink setup, the integrated auto-folding mirrors will also adjust when you approach your garage. Just go to HomeLink > Auto-Fold Mirrors when Nearby.

Don’t Have the Update?

The electric car company releases their updates in batches. If you don’t have it yet, it will reach you soon. Keep in mind that Tesla Version 9 doesn’t currently have Dog Mode or Sentry Mode.

Tesla’s Dog Mode Keeps Your Best Friend Cool

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Tesla has thought of everything. Now, your dog won’t have to be uncomfortable on a hot, summer day anymore. With Tesla’s new Dog Mode, your pooch gets the love it finally deserves, and it isn’t through a cracked window.

Dog Mode
Teslarati

Introducing Dog Mode

The name pretty much tells you what is going on. Dog Mode operates to keep the interior of your car at optimal temperatures to accommodate your dog. It leaves him or her feeling comfortable when you step out.

Furthermore, the temperature of the cabin prominently displays itself on the touchscreen. This thwarts concerned citizens from judging you as they walk by. Instead, they’ll realize that you are the best pet-owner in the world.

  • If you want to enable Dog Mode in your Tesla, simply follow these instructions:
  • Tap the fan icon after parking the car.
  • Set Keep Climate On to “DOG”
  • Make the adjustments within the temperature limits
  • Walk away from your pet with complete confidence that they are comfortable.
  • Dog Mode continues to run even while you are gone.

Many people are concerned about battery usage, but that’s already been dealt with. If your battery hits 20% or less of a charge, you receive a mobile app notification.

The best part is that Tesla owners don’t need to buy something special to get access to this pet-loving system. A new wireless software update gives you access to this feature right now. Keep in mind that there are some states with laws concerning leaving your pooch in the car on a hot day, so that’s something you want to think about. Using your Tesla system may or may not get you off the hook with law enforcement.

Future of Tesla

This is just one of the many things we expect to see from the company in the upcoming months. There has already been word about the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla pickup truck coming soon.

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