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Tesla pushes full international Model 3 launch to 2019
Just because Tesla is delivering some Model 3 units outside the US doesn't mean it's ready for a full-scale international rollout. Elon Musk has revealed that launches for left-hand drive Model 3 variants in Asia and Europe are now expected in the first half of 2019, or months later than the the second half of 2018 target it mentioned when production began last July. And if you live in the UK or other countries where right-hand drive is the norm, you may have to wait longer -- your Model 3 is "probably" arriving in the middle of 2019, Musk said.
Tesla hires executives from Amazon, Apple and Snap
With Tesla losing its Autopilot lead, a key safety rep and other executives in recent months, it's easy to imagine the company having a hard time holding on to executives. Tesla, however, is determined to prove otherwise. It announced a series of executive additions from the past few weeks, some of whom come from big names in tech.
Tesla rolls out Model 3 braking update to tackle reviewer complaints
Tesla is making good on its promise to improve the Model 3's braking through a firmware upgrade. Elon Musk has confirmed that a fix for the EV's inconsistent brake performance started reaching cars on May 25th. The update should reduce the braking distance by about 20 feet for "repeated heavy braking events," according to the exec. That's no doubt meant to help reviewers like those at Consumer Reports (whose less-than-flattering review prompted the update), but something tells us that drivers won't complain about anything that could help them avoid a collision.
BMW's speedy, stylish EV chargers will spread across Europe
Who said EV chargers had to be plain and utilitarian? Not BMW. Its Designworks team has been tapped to create ultra-fast 350kW chargers for Ionity's Europe-wide network, and you might actually enjoy using them. They're designed to be "inviting" with a bright, simple look that revolves around a giant, easy-to-use touchscreen and a signature halo of light. We wouldn't quite call them fashionable, but they won't be off-putting boxes, either.
Tesla and Consumer Reports continue feud following Model 3 review
Tesla and Consumer Reports have a sordid history of squabbling over car reviews, and that's not about to stop just because the Model 3 is on the road. CR has stopped short of recommending the Model 3 following a handful of complaints, most notably braking. The publication found that the EV only came close to Tesla's estimated 60-to-0MPH braking distance (about 133 feet) once -- it more typically stopped in 152 feet, which was "far worse" than other modern cars and 7 feet further than a giant Ford F-150. This happened with a privately owned second tester, so it couldn't be chalked up to a fluke.
Tesla releases source code for some of its in-car tech
Tesla doesn't have many fans in the open source crowd. It based its car platforms on open platforms like Linux and BusyBox, but it has gone years without sharing the source code their license (the GPL) requires. The company is finally setting things right, though -- more or less, that is. It has posted the source code for both the material that builds the Autopilot system image as well as the kernels for the Autopilot boards and the NVIDIA Tegra-based infotainment system used in the Model S and Model X. While they don't represent the absolute latest code, Tesla is promising to keep pace with newer releases.
Roborace's self-driving car isn't faster than a human (yet)
Ever since Roborace unveiled plans for driverless track cars, there's been a lingering question: can its technology outpace a human? The answer is a solid "no..." for now. The company used the recent Formula E race in Rome to pit its DevBot prototype car against pro drifter Ryan Tuerck, and the fleshy driver was clearly the frontrunner with a roughly 26-second lead -- you can see him claiming victory in the video below. That's still in the ballpark of what you'd expect from humans, but they wouldn't be lining up sponsorships after that kind of performance.
Tesla starts delivering Model 3 cars outside the US
Tesla is still struggling to produce the Model 3, but there are signs that it's improving. The EV brand has delivered its first Model 3 outside of the US, handing the keys (or rather, keycard) to a driver from Kingston, Ontario, Canada. There had been hints this was coming in March, when Tesla sent purchase invitations to pre-order customers, but it wasn't exactly clear when the Model 3 would arrive in the country.
Tesla's key safety representative leaves for Waymo
Tesla's executive team isn't done with turmoil following the loss of its Autopilot chief and its engineering lead's sabbatical. The electric car maker's "primary technical contact" with American safety regulators, Matthew Schwall, has left the company to join Waymo. The Alphabet-owned firm didn't specify his role, but a Wall Street Journal source said he would tackle a "variety" of self-driving safety issues.
Tesla engineering lead takes break amid Model 3 production issues
Tesla is facing a tough time: it's racing to improve production of the Model 3 not just to catch up on its backlog, but to avoid serious damage to its bottom line. It's slightly unusual, then, that one of the EV maker's key executives is taking a break from it all. The company has confirmed that Senior VP Doug Field, the head of engineering, is "taking some time off to recharge" (yes, Tesla said that) and "spend time with his family." It stressed that Field "has not left" the team. There's no official word on how long Field will be away, but Wall Street Journal sources described the leave as a "six-week sabbatical."
Mercedes shows off its EQC electric SUV prototype
Mercedes really, really wants you to know that its EQ electric cars will soon become a practical reality. The automaker has shown off heavily camouflaged prototypes of its EQC SUV with word that the production model is on track to launch in 2019. Test mules already endured "tough" winter conditions in northern Sweden between January and March, while upcoming trials will check its powertrain and suspension. It won't be a gentle summer for the EQC, as Mercedes is subjecting it to a heat stress test in Spain.
Kia unveils production Niro EV crossover with 280-mile range
When Kia unveiled the Niro EV at CES, it prompted one main question: how much would the electric crossover change between its flashy concept and the on-the-road car? We now have a better idea. Kia has unveiled the first details of the production Niro EV, and it's toned down in most respects... aside from the one that counts the most. The finished car will look much more like the everyday hybrid model, ditching the grille-mounted message display, flashy wheels and exotic lights. However, Kia now estimates that the version with a 64kWh battery will net roughly 280 miles a charge on the WLTP test cycle. That's likely to be lower on the more pessimistic US cycle, but it suggests the original 238-mile range estimate may have been conservative.
Tesla says Model 3 panel quality is now on par with German rivals
When the first everyday Tesla Model 3 buyers received their electric cars, the reports on build quality were... mixed, to put it mildly. A Munro & Associates analysis revealed panel gaps and other imperfections you would have expected from a budget car two decades ago. Tesla, however, wants to let you know that it turned a corner. In a response to a later Munro analysis at Motor Trend, the automaker said it had refined the deviation of panel gaps and offsets had improved by "nearly" 40 percent, to the point where they're on par with "Audi, BMW and Mercedes." The aim is to make them "even tighter," Tesla said.
Maybach Ultimate Luxury EV brings its own tea service
If an automaker wants to succeed in China, they need to electrify their cars. The country has strict EV plans and for anyone looking to buy a car in a city like Beijing, going electric means not having to apply for the license lottery to own a car. So it's no wonder that Maybach (the ultra-luxury arm of Mercedes) unveiled a concept crossover built specifically for the country's ultra-rich that's all electric.
VW's electric Pikes Peak racer accelerates faster than an F1 car
After months of promises and teases, VW has formally unveiled its electric Pikes Peak race car... and its performance might be surprising even in light of earlier hype. The I.D. R Pikes Peak is built to smash Pikes Peak's EV record of 8 minutes and 57 seconds not through brute force, but by achieving a finely tuned power-to-weight ratio. While the 680HP two-motor powerplant may not sound like much when the existing record holder (Drive eO's PP100) packed a whopping 1,596HP, VW's vehicle will weigh under 2,500lbs versus 2,646lbs for its archrival.
Audi's e-tron SUV drives a modest 248 miles per charge
When Audi first trotted out its e-tron SUV concept, it was promising: there was talk of the electric crossover managing 311 miles on a charge, which would put Tesla's Model X to shame. You... might need to dial down your expectations a bit. Audi has revealed that the production version of the e-tron prototype has an estimated range of 248.5 miles on the WLTP driving cycle thanks to its 95kWh battery. That's still very usable for around-the-city driving, but it's only slightly more than the 238 miles of a Chevy Bolt (although that was tested on an EPA cycle). Audi may have an ace up its sleeve, however: fast charging.
VW's fast EV charging network is headed to Walmart parking lots
Walmart probably isn't the first place you'd go to charge an electric car, but you may have to rethink that belief before long. VW's Electrify America is installing (PDF) EV chargers at more than 100 Walmart stores across 34 states, with the rollout finishing by June 2019. And these won't be frugal installations, either -- they're some of the first 150-350kW DC fast chargers built to handle next-generation EVs. They should be three to seven times faster than the 50kW chargers you typically see today, so you may come back to a completely recharged car if your shopping trip is long enough.
Tesla will run its Model 3 production '24/7' to meet targets
Tesla is scrambling to increase Model 3 production however it can, and that now appear to include some drastic measures. Elon Musk has informed staff that Model 3 assembly at the company's Fremont factory will step up to "24/7 operations," with a new shift added to keep the plant humming. Combined with upgrades (including both an ongoing improvement and one due in late May), Tesla intends to "unlock" production levels of 6,000 per week by the end of June. The company's publicly stated goal is 5,000 per week, but Musk doesn't want a production volume with "no margin for error" across a vast supply chain.
China's relaxed rules on foreign car makers are good news for EVs
China is taking steps that could not only help ease trade tensions with the US, but help electric car manufacturers around the world. The country is phasing out rules that required foreign automakers to share factories and profits with local brands if they wanted to avoid a 25 percent tariff. EV companies will no longer have to find partnerships as of this year, while all other car manufacturers will be free of the requirement by 2022. There had been threats of instituting a similar sharing requirement in the US, so this may be a preemptive measure.
Porsche is building a speedy EV charging network across the US
Porsche knows that it can't just compete against Tesla by producing fast electric cars -- part of Tesla's advantage stems from a Supercharger network that gives you the confidence to drive long distances. To that end, Porsche's North American chief Klaus Zellmer has revealed to Automotive News that his company is planning to complete a network of 500 fast charging stations in the US by the end of 2019. About 189 of those stations will reside at dealerships, while the rest will sit along highways. You might need only brief pit stops (Porsche's system charges the Mission E to 80 percent capacity in less than 20 minutes) to continue on a cross-country journey.
