Tesla

Tesla - here are the posts related to Tesla.

Tesla Cybertruck visiting Norway

Posted 05/11/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Tesla Cybertruck is made for America, not Norway. It is said that America's best-selling car is a pickup truck – a type of car with deep roots in American car culture. Will conservative pickup customers be lured by the ultra-modern Tesla Cybertruck?

First we take America

It is well known that Cybertruck does not satisfy EU requirements - including requirements for soft areas in the body to protect soft road users. The bodywork is made up of an ultra-hard outer shell in stainless steel that helps reduce dents, damage and long-term corrosion. The thickness and strength of the steel is considered part of the car's skeleton. Elon Musk has stated that the Cybertruck is built to satisfy US regulations.

So far this year - as in previous years - tops Ford F series og Chevrolet Silverado sales charts in the United States. The two models alone have sold more than 922.000 as of 10 October and contribute to black figures at Ford and GM. It is probably this market that Tesla wants a piece of.

Then we take Europe

The market for American pickups in Norway and Europe is vanishingly small compared to the USA. In Norway, smaller and lighter models such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and Volkswagen Amarok dominate. If the Tesla Cybertruck had been approved in Norway, it would have faced several challenges. One challenge will be weight. The total weight is 4100 – 4200 kg, depending on the variant. De-registering the cars as passenger cars would have resulted in far too low a payload. If the cars are converted to van class 2 (N1) they can be registered under an extended weight limit of 4250 kg given that the weight increase is linked to the batteries. Then the cars can still be driven without an extended driving licence. A third challenge will be the car's enormous dimensions. A length of 568 cm and a width of 220 cm with recessed mirrors will present problems in Norwegian car parks.

The top model of the Tesla Cybertruck – called Cyberbeast - is now on tour in Norway where it will be shown to the public. The interest has been great. Elon Musk has stated that they also plan to sell the Cybertruck adapted to European requirements. I'm guessing that the timing of that depends on how demand in the US develops.

Challenges established norms

While Ford's gasoline-powered F series reigns as number 1 on the sales charts in the United States, Ford has recently decided to stop production of its electric F-150 Lightning from 15 November to 6 January next year. It is about a production break. Ford's electric pickup has faced competition from several new electric pickups, including the Tesla Cybertruck. Tesla does not announce sales figures per modeling, but several sources have published estimates based on registration data. They show that 28.250 Cybertrucks may have been sold so far this year. That is about the same number as the other electric pickups have sold together. Tesla is today a strong challenger to Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Rivian og Lobster EV. But none of the electric models are close to reaching the sales figures of those petrol powered the models. In comparison, the petrol version of the Ford F-150 has sold a total of 528.000 cars in the same period.

Ford F-150 Lightning (Photo: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com)

Tesla Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck 5 seats

Pickups are not only practical and versatile vehicles – they are also image-creating. Modern cowboys no longer ride off into the sunset on horseback. They drive pickup trucks. In stereotypical American movies and music, pickup truck owners are associated with traditional American – and partly reactionary – values. That may explain why pickup manufacturers have taken a conservative line in the development of new models. Tesla breaks with this, because in reality it's not just Western heroes who drive pickup trucks. There are also bank clerks, auditors and computer programmers who do not feel bound by old norms. They don't say no to an unconventional pickup with armored glass, electronic adaptive air suspension, high ground clearance, superpowers and much more.

See

Tesla.com
Robbreport.com – Tesla Cybertruck 3rd best selling EV Q3

Tesla Model 3 as a used car

Posted 20/07/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Here's what makes the Tesla Model 3 a good choice as a used car - a few things you should know about the model and what you should look out for when you've bought one.

First, a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Tesla Model 3:

Benefits

Good range in all conditions.
Good grip with favorable weight distribution and four-wheel drive system.
Good driving characteristics with a fairly firm chassis.
Only car brand with its own global charging network.
All the cars are connected.
Continuous software updates with improvements in range, performance and functionality.

Considerations

Limited space, especially for larger parcels.
A lot of noise for an electric car to be.
Sitting comfort on the level.
Poor rear visibility.
Makes unexpected braking.

Model 3 is available in 3 versions

The first version was produced in Fremont, California. These have chrome strips around the side windows, under the mirror housings and around the cameras. In 2020, Tesla started production of cars at a completely new factory in Shanghai and the first cars arrived in Norway in September 2020. Model 3 had then received several upgrades. On the outside, the chrome strips were replaced with black decor. In addition, the cars were equipped with a heat pump, sound-insulating windows, a new center console and electric closing of the boot lid. The cars also had their range extended. Under the shell, a number of small improvements were made, among other things to simplify maintenance.

From September 2023, the Model 3 was further reworked. The cars got new front and rear lights, as well as other changes to reduce air resistance. Improvements were also made to the noise insulation. Tesla's solution to replace the levers for turn signals and gear selection with push buttons on the steering wheel has received a lot of negative attention.

The quality deficiencies

When Tesla started car production in California, several minor quality defects were discovered on the cars - such as human hair in the paintwork, components that were poorly adapted and so on. When Tesla opened its new factory in Shanghai, the quality deficiencies reappeared. Several experienced problems with paint and finish, as well as problems related to the new heat exchanger.

There are few car brands that are discussed as much on social media as Tesla. Many share experiences, advice and tips. My tips about the Tesla Model 3 as a used car are based on my own and acquaintances' experiences.

Own experiences

We have a 2020 Tesla Model 3 in the house which will soon turn 60.000 km. So far, it has been reasonably operational. The car has been followed up by Tesla to fix two known manufacturing defects. I myself have changed the fresh air filters and windscreen wipers. Recently, the window regulator on the front right side was replaced by Tesla. After 4 years, it is recommended to change the brake fluid. The new car warranty expires in one year. I am currently keeping an eye on the following issues:

water in the right rear light
abnormal amount of rust in the front upper wishbones.

Well-built and up-to-date

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y share the same technology. Together, they top the sales statistics for electric cars. Many cars mean proven technology. Fredrik Grufman, who drives Grufman Car just outside Stockholm, states on his YouTube channel that "Tesla Model 3 is an ENORMOUSLY well-built car". You can therefore count on these cars to be up-to-date for many years to come.

But they are not flawless. Errors and damage can easily become very expensive to repair. That is why the insurance premium is high. Fortunately, there are now several workshops outside of Tesla that are authorized to repair Teslas. It is rarely beneficial to be tied to the brand's workshops when you own a car that is starting to age.

Life expectancy

When the first Teslas appeared, many predicted that they would have a short lifespan. Expired batteries and rust were mentioned as examples. As the first cars were produced in 2018, no one can give an exact answer as to how long they will last. The batteries wear out both according to the number of charges and over time. For now, there doesn't seem to be any reason to worry. There is also no reason to believe that the cars will rust more than other cars, although that remains to be seen.

Funderud Antirust offers a solution for rust protection of Teslas, including a do-it-yourself package. It can extend the life of the car, but it can also lead to a breach of Tesla's warranty provisions. However, if you opt for full rust protection carried out by a workshop, you can get an extended rust warranty.

Buy

Checkpoints specific to the Tesla Model 3 as a used car:

Check varnish. Many cars have lost paint along the sides by the canals.
On early cars, the boot lid could come into contact with the bodywork. Check for damage and rust around the boot lid.
A little moisture in the rear lights is unfortunately common (not to be avoided), but check whether there is water in the reflectors or whether the glasses are covered in steam.
Check the doors for rust and creaks.
Check messages on the screen, or "Service Alerts" history. Here you can find both innocent warnings and more serious errors.

Windscreen and glass roof may be exposed to stone chips. Check for signs of water ingress.
Be extra critical if you are considering buying early 2019 cars and the first cars from Shanghai that arrived in late fall 2020. The 2019 model has a serious problem with the brake pipes. To replace it, the main battery must be dismantled - about 30000 kroner. Many owners of the 2021 models from Shanghai have had problems with the air conditioning/heat exchanger.
With a curb weight of 2000 kg and engine power of +/- 500 HP (Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Performance), tires and undercarriage can be exposed to extreme stresses. Pay attention to signs that indicate an aggressive driving style - for example, abnormal wear on the steering wheel, pedals and tires.

To own

Splash pads
Early models had no mud flaps or splash protection from the front wheels, and it didn't take long before the first warranty claims came from owners where splashes had washed away paint on the ducts and front part of the rear fenders. The cars were eventually fitted with hard plastic splash guards. In addition, new car buyers are given rubber mud flaps which they can fit themselves to protect against splashes from the front wheels. My own experience is that the hard plastic splash guards provide satisfactory protection under normal conditions, and they are not unsightly. On the contrary. But if the car lacks these, you should buy them through the Tesla App or other suppliers. The rubber mud flaps from Tesla certainly provide great protection, but they are too long and you have to cut a good chunk off so that they don't slide down the speed bumps. The fact that Tesla supplies extra mud flaps probably exempts them from later compensation claims. Fit the mud flaps uncut if you drive a lot on dirt roads.

Learn how to reset the screen
Many people find that the screen or functions of the infotainment system do not work properly. It may happen that the screen goes black. I myself experienced that one day the radio did not work with a message about a DAB error. The solution was to reset the screen. This is done by putting the car in Park, keeping your foot on the brake and holding down both buttons on the steering wheel until the screen goes black and then holding them down for at least 30 seconds - or as long as it takes for the screen to return.

Check Service alerts
Service alerts are warnings and messages about errors. They don't have to be serious, but they can be. The messages remain visible on the screen only as long as the error condition is present. But they never completely disappear. You can read the message log by clicking on "Control" and then the message icon (bell) at the top of the screen.

Learn service mode
Service mode is a setting that gives access to read and change vital data on the car. It is harmless to enter service mode as long as you do not change anything. One of the functions provides access to read the state of the low-voltage battery. There are many YouTube videos showing how to enter service mode and what functions are available.

Get to know YouTube videos
There are an impressive number of YouTube videos showing how to fix things on a Tesla Model 3 or Y. The only thing you need to be careful of is finding a video that mentions from model year. Before you start fixing anything on the car, you need to get a pry bar to pry out plastic studs. There is a lot of plastic that is held in place with rivets and clips.

Tire fix and pad for jack
It does not come with any spare wheel, jack or tire fixing kit with Tesla. In the event of a puncture, you must contact emergency services via the Tesla app. It may be a good idea to get a tire fix kit with a compressor and foam. Please note that original Tesla tires cannot be filled with foam. They are already filled with an insulating material. If the air leak is small, a compressor can help you move on. If you get local help to fix a tyre, it can be nice to have a pad with you for the jack mounts.

Tesla 3 Long Range

Inspection of the rear seats while we test drive.

Tesla purchase limped at the finish line

Tesla against "smoke"

Tesla charging at Electra

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New batteries in a used car? Forget it!

Posted 21/05/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

Imagine that the high-voltage battery is damaged or stops working. You are happy with the car and want to keep it for many years. But when you ask for a new battery, you may be met with a "no".

New batteries in a used car?

To get to the point, that's not what this article is about whose who pays – whether it is the guarantee, the insurance or yourself. The problem is of a far more serious nature. It will probably not be possible to buy a new battery. You can buy one used battery from a damaged car, or an overhauled battery - or you can have your old battery overhauled. You can probably just forget about a new battery.

Tesla, Norway's best-selling electric car, guarantees the high-voltage batteries for 8 years or 160, 000 or 192 km, depending on the model. But the warranty says nothing about replacing it with one news battery. On Tesla's own pages, it is stated that you can get an overhauled battery. In practice, that is exactly what happens. There are several cases discussed in the media, where Tesla has replaced the battery under warranty, with a used – and perhaps overhauled – battery. When it fails again after an all-too-short lifetime, the warranty period has expired and the car may have acquired a new owner.

The situation is the same for all car manufacturers.

Many car buyers are concerned about battery life and how long warranties last. Few question whether they can really get one news battery should the need arise. It is taken for granted that all spare parts can be purchased throughout the normal life of the car.

Batteries age during storage

Whether high-voltage batteries can be obtained as spare parts is not much talked about. Nobody knows how big the demand will be, and very few car manufacturers have taken into account being able to supply batteries for 10-year-old cars. Mechanical and electrical spare parts can be stored for 15 years without problems. Batteries, on the other hand, is a chemical product that deteriorates on storage. In 15 years they will no longer be new. Then it may be that they are in a worse condition than the battery you want to replace it with.

Change to a newer battery?

If you have a current electric car that is 4-5 years old, your battery pack is probably already out of production. You cannot easily install batteries of a newer version in it from car, although the external dimensions are the same. You have to count on upgrades in the BMS (Battery Management System) and the possible replacement of several components. For example, if you are going to upgrade the Tesla 3 or Tesla Y from 75 kWh to 82 kWh, the chassis must also be upgraded. On a 4-5 year old car, the cost of all this will easily exceed the car's value.

Reproduce outdated battery packs?

There are no manufacturers that reproduce new battery packs for older cars. Setting up the production equipment is very expensive, and today a significant proportion of the batteries' cost. Keeping production lines to produce older batteries in small quantities for spare parts weakens both production capacity and profitability.

A future requirement?

Will the future bring a storm of car owners wanting to change batteries? Will usable cars be sent for recycling due to lack of access to battery packs? If that happens, the environmental benefit of electric cars will be weakened, which could force demands from the authorities. However, the most important demand should come from the customers. It must be possible to obtain new spare parts during the cars' expected lifetime! And there are actually good ways to solve this – solutions that the car industry can be forced to follow.

Standards for batteries

Today, fortunately, there are standards with regard to charging contacts. One can imagine the same for batteries, similar to what we have today for batteries for household appliances - also rechargeable. A standard for battery packs may include physical dimensions, protocols and interfaces to cooling systems and control systems. The aim is for it to be possible to replace one battery with another – perhaps with different properties. Another important advantage of standardization is that it can open the way for independent suppliers to supply batteries in the aftermarket. You may not need the largest and most expensive batteries in an old electric car.

Replaceable batteries

Today, only NIO and Dongfeng have developed the technology and infrastructure to replace batteries outside the workshops. If the batteries can be replaced easily and inexpensively, car owners will be able to upgrade or downgrade batteries according to need and finances. NIO has introduced a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) concept that makes it possible to replace an empty battery with a full one in just 5 minutes – and thus not have to wait for charging. NIO owners with this scheme can also choose batteries with other characteristics – 75, 100 or 150 kWh – depending on needs and finances. Exchangeable battery schemes require the car manufacturer – or (in the future) independent battery suppliers – to have a selection of batteries available for replacement at all times.

Stick to current car brands!

Standardization and replaceable batteries can help new car manufacturers enter new markets. If you buy one of the best-selling electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf, Tesla 3 or Tesla Y, you will always be able to have access to used batteries. If you hit the chassis hard on a sharp rock and damage the battery, it can be reassuring to know that the car can be repaired on the insurance. If you buy an unknown car brand that disappears or goes bankrupt after selling a few hundred cars, the accident could mean the end of the car.

See

A post about batteries from NIO House on Instagram

Hertz is getting rid of electric cars

Posted 14/01/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

In recent years, Hertz has made large purchases of electric cars, especially from Tesla. Now they have decided to replace 20 of their electric cars with petrol cars. The rationale is thought provoking for all electric car owners.

According to the news agency Reuters Hertz has decided to cut the proportion of electric cars in the US by around a third and replace them with petrol cars. They are thus not going to reach their own goal that 25% of the car fleet should be electric by the end of 2024. Furthermore, they are also not completing plans from 2022 for the purchase of 100 Tesla cars, nor carrying out a planned purchase from Polestar .

– Hidden costs of owning electric cars

There are purely financial reasons behind Hertz's decision to cut the proportion of electric cars. In 2020, the car rental company was close to bankruptcy.

There is nothing wrong with the electric cars, but they have nevertheless cost the company dearly. According to Hertz, their electric cars are more often prone to damage than petrol cars, and the repairs are more expensive and time-consuming. Tesla is not explicitly mentioned in this context, but Tesla accounts for 80% of their electric cars in the US. It is also a known problem that Tesla is struggling to get spare parts delivered.

Another and more weighty reason is the high loss in value of electric cars in the past year. As is well known, Tesla chose to make a sharp price cut in January 2023, which meant that other electric car manufacturers had to do the same. Hertz therefore expects a significant additional loss on its electric cars purchased in 2021 and 2022 - estimated at USD 12 per car.

This is a food for thought for anyone who bought a Tesla or other electric cars before 2023. The fact that electric cars require less maintenance and have cheaper fuel than cars with thermal engines is like a pittance compared to the loss in value over the past year. This has become a hidden cost of owning an electric car.

The sale is underway

Hertz in the US sells cars at auctions and through its own website Hertz Rent2Buy. Here you can find 2-3 year old Tesla 3 for sale from USD 21, equivalent to NOK 000. The news that Hertz is selling off Teslas on the cheap may attract buyers from Norway. Perhaps a batch of these cars will appear here at home and also push Norwegian used car prices down further?

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Tesla at a workshop abroad

Posted 15/09/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

Tesla's unique network

We have tested Tesla workshops abroad. The Tesla network works and is perhaps the brand's most important and decisive factor.

With Tesla abroad

I sometimes live in France. In recent months, I have discovered that there have been more Teslas on the road, more charging stations and a brand new service centre. In August, Tesla was the 8th best-selling car brand in France with the Model Y as the best-selling electric car. I guess Tesla has gained the most popularity in the rich parts of France, but even here where I live, I occasionally meet Tesla Model 3 and Model Y - and since I drive a Tesla myself, we sometimes say hello over the steering wheel when we meet. When Tesla establishes new charging stations and service centers, it is not only to serve the local market, but also to provide security for everyone who travels with Tesla in the area - in our case, this applies to the stretch between Italy and Spain along the coast of the Mediterranean.

Tesla's network worked!

While other car manufacturers build cars, Tesla has invested in building a network. Already when Tesla came out with the Model S, they had built a total infrastructure for electric cars with charging stations, service points and extended roadside assistance to ensure a simple car service where everything can be operated via the mobile phone.

When we arrived at our house in the south of France, it was in the middle of a heat wave. The windscreen was well cooled, and because of a tiny piece of stone it cracked almost its entire width in the middle of the field of vision. I opened the Tesla app, sent photos and booked an appointment. The job of changing the windscreen was conveyed to Tesla's brand new service center in Perpignan. Had the car not been drivable, I could have had it picked up. Delivery and collection of the car takes place via the app - payment too. Everything goes via Tesla.

As a Norwegian in France, it is much easier to relate to one app instead of a local workshop. This avoids misunderstandings and errors due to language skills or the workshop's lack of expertise in your car. In addition, you avoid unscrupulous workshops. The Tesla workshop in Perpignan did a super job with the car where they also carried out two repairs free of charge under warranty.

Thumbs up!

Tesla Supercharger at Rivesaltes. Photo: Google Maps

Dedicated charging stations

Tesla's network also includes charging stations. Locally in our city, I charge from other charging stations, but it often takes several attempts to connect. If I had been dependent on these chargers along the road while traveling through, I would have experienced it as a stressful moment. Tesla's chargers are, by comparison, "plug-and-go".

Can Tesla's network explain Tesla's sales success?

In the sales statistics for the 2nd quarter in the USA, we find the Tesla Model Y in 4th place and the Model 3 in 12th place. After Tesla, we have to go far down the list to find more electric cars. The Chevrolet Bolt is in 112th place and the Ford Mustang Mach-E in 115th place. There are still areas in the US without public chargers. Tesla's network is probably not as important for car buyers in electric car countries as Norway, but can play an important role for car buyers in other countries.

A digital society

It is obvious to think about how you book flights today. A few decades ago we contacted a travel agency (independent retailer) who helped us set up an itinerary of hotels that they sold to us. Today, we fix everything ourselves online directly with the airline. It's a win-win for all parties concerned - except for the part you no longer need. Tesla's network can be described as follows:

100% online
Primary communication takes place directly with the car manufacturer – not via local dealers.
100% online car purchase from order to delivery.
100% online service from ordering to collection.
100% online delivery of rescue services.
Dedicated “plug-and-go” charging points along the road.

No other car manufacturer can offer the same type of network. If established car brands were to base sales, service and customer care on a similar network, they would have to make major cuts in their dealer networks in the same way that the travel companies have done. After Volvo fired Bilia, they are now free to build up network-based sales, service and customer care. If Volkswagen and Stellantis are to restructure, they must fire - or reduce - the collaboration with MøllerBil and Bertel O Steen. Tesla has proven that the car industry does not need to pay salespeople who fill out forms, give quotes, value cars, sell financing packages and mediate payments. Nor middlemen at the workshop who create forms and invoices, accept payments and get pats on the back when they manage to sell repairs the customers don't need. Seen from a sober, modern, economic perspective, such functions are redundant and expensive.

Photo: Colour/Depositphotos

I have tried to map how other car brands are equipped to establish all business through an app-based network. Ownership structure and dealers tell how quickly they can adapt. A car brand with several independent dealers is in a bad position to make the business 100% online. Ideally, a network should also include charging. Finally, I have seen if the brand is represented in France.

Car manufacturers with an app-based sales model similar to Tesla

NIO
NIO Norway is owned by NIO Nextev Europe Holding. They have a sales model similar to Tesla and build their own charging stations with the option of changing batteries in a few minutes. The charging network is under development. The brand is being established in France, but needs a larger volume to expand its network.

Polestar
Polestar Automotive Norway is owned by Polestar Performance AB. They have a sales model similar to Tesla. Polestar owners are offered a discount on Ionity's charging network, but do not manage their own charging stations in Europe. Polestar is represented in several European countries, but not yet in France, partly because the rights to the brand name are not in place. The brand needs better support for charging services.

Chevrolet
GM Europe is re-establishing itself in Europe with new electric car models. It is not entirely clear which sales model will be chosen, but as they are establishing themselves with a showroom in Oslo, it may indicate that they will sell cars online. GM has planned its own dedicated charging network together with Stellantis. It will be interesting to see what GM comes up with.

Car models sold via independent dealers

MG
MG is not registered as a separate company in Norway, but manages its European operations through the European company MG Motor Europe (SAIC). Sales and service take place through independent Norwegian dealers such as Kverneland Bil and others. There are no charging networks earmarked for MG's customers. In France, MG has independent dealers as in Norway. The brand is not in a position to build an app-based platform in line with Tesla.

Xpeng
Xpeng Motors Norway is owned by Xpeng European Holding. Sales and service take place through independent dealers such as Motor Forum and Bilia. There are no charging networks earmarked for Xpeng's customers. The brand is being established in France and is not in a position to develop an app-based platform in line with Tesla.

BYD, Maxus and JAC
The car brands are introduced and sold through the independent Norwegian dealer chain RSA. There are no charging networks earmarked for customers. BYD has only recently been established in France. Maxus' commercial vehicles are transported in France with service equipment through the workshop chain NorAuto. JAC's commercial vehicles are serviced in France through the workshop chain TekAuto. BYD is a brand that has models that can challenge Tesla. They are established in Europe with a wide range of vehicles, but with different, independent dealers to handle the passenger car market. They are not in a position to develop an app-based platform in line with Tesla. BYD and Shell have, however, entered into a partnership with regard to charging.

Voyah
Voyah is a brand new car brand and these days is being introduced through the independent dealer chain Sulland. No charging network is earmarked for customers. The brand is being established in France.

Car brands with charging networks

Free2move Charge Go is planned for customers of GM and Stellantis.

IONITY offers an integrated charging solution for German car brands and Hyundai. The charging network is under development.

I am convinced that the car industry is forced to adapt to new technology in the same way as in the travel industry, the insurance industry and banks and more. No airline would survive today without the possibility to book a seat via app. By cutting out the middlemen, the services are made less costly while simplifying the process for the customers. Ultimately, it comes down to cost. Car manufacturers without intermediaries will be able to operate with lower prices than the others, although Tesla must have spent a lot of money on building charging stations and service centers. The investment can make them better equipped to adapt to bad times.

It wouldn't surprise me if they drop their prices again.

See

tesla's network — To Europe with an electric car in 2023

Tesla receives 160 million USD in EU support to expand its Supercharger network...

To Europe with an electric car in 2023

Posted 25/08/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

I have great respect for the electric car pioneers who went down to Europe ten years ago. It must have been exciting to arrive at the town's only charging station and find that it was out of order. That makes good stories. Many of the stories are still out there online and can scare people away. A lot has happened in the last year alone. Everyone can travel with an electric car in Europe, although not entirely without challenges. It may be a good idea to prepare in advance.

Convenient with large charging stations

We are a husband and wife with a dog who recently went by electric car to our little house not far from Perpignan in France. Although we drive a Tesla, the post is not only about Tesla. Large parts of Tesla's charging network can now also serve other car brands. If you have the opportunity, you should register your car in the Tesla app. Not because it is necessary, but because it is convenient to know that you can arrive at charging stations with over 20 terminals. You rarely have to wait - and if so, hardly more than 5-10 minutes. Other players, such as IONITY, have a good spread, but there are fewer terminals at each location.

Preparations

Apps are an important part of the preparations. It is not as easy to arrange such things when you are standing in front of a charging terminal in a foreign country. If you have the "right" charging chip, you can get through the whole of Europe with one chip or one app. The Electric Vehicle Association and NAF have such chips. I have a chip from Recharge (Fortum Charge & Go) which also covers IONITY and many - to me - completely unknown charging operators in Germany, France and Spain. Not only are the main roads covered, but I can charge locally in our little town too. But just to be safe, you should have multiple options in case the payment solution for one app is down. IONITY and E.ON are good alternatives for the whole of Europe.

If you depend on a well-developed charging network, it is also important to have mapped the travel routes – not just one route, but also be prepared for alternative routes. Our main route went through Hamburg, Hannover and Frankfurt. If we had chosen to drive via Luxembourg to France, the distance between the charging stations would have been greater. No problem for today's electric cars, but I fear that large distances between charging stations create charging queues during the holiday season. By checking the charging map for various operators, you can quickly find the driving routes with the best coverage.

Ferry or Sweden?

Part of the planning is finding out which ferry to take, or whether to drive through Sweden. With the Kielfergen, you start in Germany and can drive across the country in one day, provided you have the time and money to spend almost a day on the boat. DFDS from Oslo arrives in Fredrikshavn around midnight and then you either have to take in an accommodation or bet that the driver has had enough sleep during the voyage. The Larvik-Fredrikshavn ferry departs at 08.00 and 12.00 and arrives after approx. 4 hours. The advantage of ferries is that you don't have to spend as many hours in the car.

Sweden

We chose to drive through Sweden. Do you live in Oslo and start at 8, you can arrive in Southern Denmark at approximately the same time as you would have arrived with the boat that leaves Larvik at 12. Our reason for driving was that we would feel bound by having a "mammadalt" dog on the boat. Also, it feels liberating not to be bound by departure times either. The trip through Sweden went well. We loaded up in Kungälv, but took the lunch break in Falkenberg. Our next stop was Löddeköpinge in Scania. It was very busy at the Tesla station there and you could only charge up to 80%. To make sure we got to the last stop of the day, we chose to top up at E.On right next door while eating ice cream.

Sweden has good charging networks near service centers with easy access from the E6. The charging terminals were clearly visible.

Denmark

Did you know that AutoPass tags also work on the Øresund Bridge and the Storebælt Bridge? We have a toll subscription without a tag, but on the occasion of the trip over the Danish bridges we had found an old AutoPass tag. I optimistically held it up to the windscreen in front of the barrier in the "Biz field" to the Øresund Bridge - but the barrier would not budge. A nice guard came to our rescue and scanned the code on the chip - and found that it was blocked. Fortunately, we were able to pay on the spot and didn't have to back up to choose another hatch - which the cars behind us probably appreciated.

My wife revealed that crossing the Øresund Bridge had been on her "bucket list" for a long time. The bridge is a fantastic piece of construction, but the main road through Zealand and Funen is, in return, terribly boring. The only thing we saw was the road. What the world looked like behind the bushes, we could only guess by studying the map on the screen.

Germany

After spending the night at Comwell Middelfart, we entered Germany. We hadn't booked a hotel in advance, but I had set my sights on a hotel in Herbolzheim just before Freiburg. When we arrived there in the evening, the hotel was unfortunately full. In the last week of the holiday season in Germany, many were out on the same errand. What were we supposed to do? Drive on, or try to find another hotel?

The main roads in Germany are well developed with rest areas and service points, where you can also charge from local - and unknown to me - charging stations, but the large Tesla charging stations are located in places without service facilities. This meant that we stopped more times than we strictly needed - once to charge and once to eat, drink and stretch our legs. If I had wanted, I could have charged at almost all the stations that were located at the service points with the code tag from Recharge, but I noticed that these chargers were widely used by other car brands, so I thought to myself that "you who have a Tesla, can well charge in a quieter place”. What's more, the electricity is cheapest at Tesla. Back home, we will probably make more use of local electricity companies.

Driving at night

With holiday time and full hotels in the border area between Switzerland, Germany and France, we found that we might as well drive on into nocturnal France. Driving at night has several advantages. There are fewer cars - and a greater proportion of steady drivers, so that you can drive efficiently on cruise control. Driving on French motorways costs money. The trip from Mulhouse to the exit just before the border with Spain cost us €80 (NOK 925) but is worth every penny. Not just offers Vinci Autoroutes the best roads, but also good night-time service offers where you can relax before driving on. At night, I think it is important to take breaks at least once an hour to feel the body whether it is safe to continue driving.

In France, as in Germany, you rarely find Tesla chargers at the 24-hour rest areas. In France, we experienced finding brand new chargers in rather secluded places. In the darkness of the night, they became even more secluded, because in many places the street lights are switched off after midnight. A couple of times we had to take detours, and soon found out that when maneuvering in tight urban areas, you have to drive at a snail's pace so that the navigation system has time to update itself. It's an advantage to have two - one to drive and one to scout for hidden charging stations. It's almost like a game - Find the charging station!

toilets

Toilets are important welfare when you are on the road. We were disappointed by the McDonalds along the main thoroughfare. Bad food and wretched sanitary conditions throughout Europe. When we chose a McDonalds restaurant a couple of km outside the motorway system, the quality increased considerably. We are also left with the impression that organized rest areas with joint service offers (Serways and Vinci) generally have good sanitary conditions.

Beware of heat wave

In Europe, there is now a heat wave. This can result in shorter ranges, although we didn't notice anything about that since we had the ventilation system on right from the start in Denmark - also for the dog when he had to be alone in the car. A negative experience was that the windscreen cracked a few hours after we arrived. Perhaps it was not very smart to park a car with a cooled compartment in the scorching sun when the thermometer approached 40 degrees.

A positive experience is that the charging chip from Recharge (Fortum Charge & Go) works at the local charging stations here.

Power Dot is available in Spain, France and Belgium, but can be used with a charging chip from Recharge

Nice to have charging options nearby.

See

E.ON — Rechargeable roads with induction

nine norway — NIO changes batteries in 3 minutes

Tesla's new prices - should you laugh or cry?

Posted 20/01/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

Tesla's new prices - should you laugh or cry?

Is there any reason to cry that Tesla dumped prices overnight? What consequences does this have for us car buyers? Tesla has done it before, and will do it again. I'm laughing - read why.

A slap in the face?

The announced tax changes meant that many were in a hurry to order and have an electric car delivered before the New Year. Last year's best-selling car was the Tesla Model Y. From January 2023, the price of the Long Range AWD rose by NOK 33 due to taxes. "Money saved", probably thought many new owners. But the joy was short-lived. Just 14 days later, Tesla lowered the price of the same model so that the retail price was NOK 104 lower, - or NOK 995 compared to the price before the New Year. It's hardly a disaster, but it doesn't give a good feeling either.

Price reduction in kroner

It is easy to get confused by the frequent price changes. I have taken as a starting point the car prices for a ready-to-drive car - exclusive of winter tires and extra equipment. The prices before the turn of the year is picked up from Bilnytt.no - period today prices are taken from BilNorge.no - all numbers with presumed origin from OFV.no. Subject to errors, the figures are intended to show the effect of Tesla's price reduction seen in relation to the prices before the tax change. It is the which applies to the vast majority.

Model	Price now *	Change in January 2023	Change from December 2022
Model Y SR RWD	420 000	-125 000	-102 390
Model Y LR AWD	490 880	-104 995	-71 510
Model And Performance	580 310	-65 790	-22 080
Model 3 SR RWD	388 140	-50 000	-34 250
Model 3 LR AWD	489 190	-36 708	-18 200
Model 3 performance	553 400	-9 537	+16 010

* Prices include VAT, weight tax and scrap deposit. Tesla quotes its prices without taxes.

Affects the used car trade

- "Many people laugh at Elon Musk's many stunts in the car industry, but everyone who has an electric car in their garage should cry. We have spent ten years building up the company and then the angel of death Elon Musk spends a day bringing us down, says owner and CEO Magnus Grosseth in the used car shop K Bil på Rud to Finansavisen" (quote Budstikka.no)

Several independent car dealers hastily imported the Tesla Model Y for sale to customers before the tax change. At the moment, there are 104 brand new, fully registered cars out there Finn.no bought in and priced before Tesla lowered the prices. Dealers, such as K Bil, may lose millions due to the price reduction. This is not Tesla's business, but that can touching everyone who has a Tesla in their garage. Since Tesla Norway does not take trade-in cars, the owners have to sell the cars themselves. After what has happened, serious used car dealers hardly dare to sit with particularly many Teslas in stock. It's bad news for today's Tesla owners when they have to sell.

Tesla Model Y (Photo: Depositphotos/Viktor4ik)

Opens for new times

There are many things in society that have changed, for example in tourism. The car industry, on the other hand, is in the same place as when I bought my first new car from Chrico, Ensjø, in the early 1980s. One of the factors that has hampered development in the car industry is the large, powerful and static dealer chains. Tesla's price changes have unfortunately hit several independent dealers hard. They have also given many Tesla owners a slap in the face. But I laugh out loud when I think about that Elon Musk is in the process of speeding up a reform in the industry that could have been carried out several years ago - and which consumers will ultimately benefit from.

The large dealer chains, tied to stocks of used cars and leased cars, cannot follow Tesla's price reductions without heavy losses. Maybe smaller, new players can?

Tesla has done it before

If you bought a Tesla Model 3 in Q3 2020, you bought at an "all time high". The dollar exchange rate was high, and Tesla prices increased. But then Tesla opened its new factory in Shanghai and more Teslas than ever rolled out. Norway got cars from China and the prices were lowered - not just once. It has never been cheaper to buy a Tesla. Last autumn, Tesla's Gigafactory opened in Berlin and we are seeing the same thing happen again. Tesla does not produce cars for long-term storage. They will be issued in the same quarter - whatever the cost.

Will Tesla lower prices again?
Guaranteed!

This Tesla Model 3 from Q3 2020 was bought when prices were "all time high".

See

price reduction — Electric car on the smooth

InsideEVs.com – Tesla Giga Berlin Production 3000 Cars per Week

Electric car on the smooth

Posted 08/01/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

regenerative — Peugeot e-2008 is safe and predictable on smooth roads (photo: Bublik_polina/Depositphotos.com)

A woman experienced several times that the Tesla lost traction on winter roads. It slid into the wrong lane. Elbil24.no wrote about this earlier. NAF warns drivers of electric cars against regenerative braking on winter roads. Is driving with one pedal unsuitable for smooth winter roads?

Are electric cars more dangerous than other cars on the road?

The incidents occurred in a Tesla Model Y, but can certainly be provoked in other electric cars with regenerative braking. The woman who experienced slipping into the opposite lane said the following:

"Out of habit, I let off the gas on the way into a bend, and find that the car brakes sharply, then slides into the opposite lane."

Winter driving is no problem for the i3.

When the BMW i3 came with a one-pedal solution, I imagined that this could happen. I drove up to Sørkedalen to test how one-pedal worked over a parking lot with mirror-like ice on a slope. I hit the gas, aimed diagonally across the icy section and let off the gas abruptly. If you release the accelerator suddenly, the car brakes more strongly than if you release it slowly. Since the BMW is rear-wheel drive, I expected the rear wheels to lock and the rear end to drag down the slope in the same way as when you grab the handbrake. But nothing happened. The car did not brake as usual. I assumed the ABS system was preventing the brakes from taking effect. On the way back I had to speed up to get over the icy place - it was so slippery. I tested several times, and "cleared" the BMW i3 for the same thing that the woman with the Tesla Y reported.

Left to the car manufacturers

Both the BMW i3 and Tesla drive with a so-called e-pedal, where the drive wheels decelerate as soon as you lift the accelerator. During normal driving, the 4-wheel drive Tesla "Dual Motor" primarily pulls on the rear wheels. Locking the rear wheels against a bend can throw the car off course on slippery roads. The problem with cars like the BMW i3 and Tesla is that we can't switch off the one-pedal driving. We have to trust that they don't lock the wheels unwanted. Tesla reports that they have made several improvements to their software.

The Tesla Model 3 automatically goes into a kind of snow mode when it detects winter conditions. Bjørn Nyland (Tesla Bear) discovered this during their measurements and have documented it on their YouTube channel. This is good news, but still a puzzle as one wonders if the technicians in California manage to imagine Norwegian winter roads at their worst. Furthermore, I hope that they are careful when they "tamper" with the winter driving characteristics, so that the cars do not change character after a program update.

Water vapor looks dramatic in the cold. Here Tine at Tretten.

How should one prepare for wheel locking with regenerative braking?

Although regenerative braking should never lock the wheels, one should be prepared for it. On the Tesla Model 3 of 2020 model or older, you can choose to drive with "Chill" throttle application and "Low" regenerative braking. It works well in winter. On later models, regenerative braking can no longer be set. Since the system is not perfect, it is required that you get used to driving safely with one pedal. At the driving school, we have learned to handle difficult situations by pressing in the clutch and letting the wheels roll freely. You can't do that on an electric car. To let the car roll, you have to keep your foot on the gas so that you neither accelerate nor brake - between consumption and charging. On smooth surfaces, you should gently lift the accelerator to brake carefully. It takes a mental adjustment not to "jump off" the gas when things get scary.

Tesla Model 3 – Chill mode

Tesla Model 3 (2020) – regenerative braking force setting

Favorable weight distribution

Electric cars and hybrid cars with a centrally located battery pack have a more favorable weight distribution than most fossil fuel cars - close to 50/50. I have studied the weight distribution on the most popular models, and they show that cars that pull primarily on the rear wheels have slightly more weight bak, while front-wheel drive cars have more weight at the front. This is absolutely ideal and a great advantage in winter driving. Favorable weight distribution means that the consequences of oversteering or understeering are not as dramatic. Weight on the drive wheels also provides better road grip when starting up.

Use the four-wheel drive correctly!

Many electric cars have 4-wheel drive. That's good, but can give false security. The 4-wheel drive helps you when you step on the gas. For many, it is unusual to step on the gas when things get scary. Intuitively, you will then let off the gas and brake. It is therefore important that you arrange your driving in such a way that there is room to give gas in parts where you can easily lose your grip. Take it easy when you drive into curves, around street corners and roundabouts and you will have room to hit the gas to get out. If you enter the roundabout too quickly and are forced to brake, the 4-wheel drive will not help you.

Electronic systems

All modern cars are equipped with "anti-lock" brakes and anti-skid. Some cars also have their own driving programs for winter driving. Electric cars have good driver assistance systems. The best systems already correct oversteer and understeer before the car loses traction - so that it is difficult to provoke it even on purpose. Test the anti-skid system in a safe place, an open space or similar. Find out how much it takes to get the car out of balance and how much the car can skid before the system catches it again. In many cases, enough to be able to cause significant damage should a situation arise.

Are cars without an e-pedal preferable on smooth roads?

The electric cars from the Volkswagen group (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) cannot be driven in pure one-pedal mode. They still have a functionality that you should be aware of. If the car has "automatic" regenerative braking, the car's adaptive cruise control and navigation system are used to regulate the braking. If there are no obstacles, the car will roll freely and the brakes will automatically apply when it approaches an obstacle. I have not tested this type of braking in freezing rain and ice, but consider that the system can pose a potential risk of locking the wheels in the same way that Tesla Model Y owners have experienced. If, on the other hand, you set recuperation to "manual", the car rolls with no – or very little – regenerative braking. You can adjust the braking force manually - either with "paddles" on the steering wheel, or via the gear lever. This is a great way to drive an electric car and is unlikely to cause any negative surprises on smooth roads.

PSA's electric cars (Citroën, Peugeot, Opel) have manual regenerative braking with paddles on the steering wheel.

Volvo's electric cars optionally offer either manually controlled regenerative braking or the option to drive with one pedal.

Conclusion

New cars must not lock the wheels when braking, either with the use of the foot brake or regenerative braking. The technology for "anti-lock" exists, but we cannot rely on it 100%. After all, it's about life. Therefore, we must realize that there is a risk that the car's regenerative braking can take the car off course on extremely slippery roads. NAF's recommendation not to use regenerative braking - or to set it to the lowest strength - is real. If the car can only be driven with one pedal, it is an advantage to familiarize yourself with the car before taking the car straight out on the winter road.

Especially if you get your new Tesla delivered in the middle of winter.

Take it easy - keep your distance - keep steady - use your turn signals - give your brake lights - give room to other cars 🙂

See

Unfortunate focus winter range
How many kWh does the Tesla 3 lose in the blast cold?
ID.4 GTX when winter comes

Elbil.24 – The Tesla just slipped into the wrong lane

Tesla Model 3 LR Snow Mode demo and explanation by Bjørn Nyland

Tesla removes distance sensors

Posted 04/12/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

Tesla has announced that Model 3 and Y produced from October 2022 will no longer be equipped with either radar or ultrasonic distance sensors. They are to be replaced with a system based exclusively on cameras, the only ones in the world.

Tesla chooses its own path

Elon Musk has stated that a camera-based surveillance system can do as good a job as the human eye, while condemning LIDAR - the system that all other car manufacturers rely on. Tesla has so far used ultrasonic distance sensors together with cameras. Since the sensors are mainly used for parking assistance, the loss should not result in any change to the safety level. Unfortunately, Tesla customers with brand new cars will not have access to the parking alarm, self-parking or summon functions for the time being. This will be supplemented in later software updates.

Musk claims that the camera-based system, Tesla Vision, will be far less expensive than laser and radar-based systems – and make cars cheaper for most people. He predicts that LIDAR will lose steam Tesla Vision and mentions several reasons. Among other things, camera-based systems will provide better accuracy, for example being able to distinguish between a plastic bag and a bump in the road, and more easily see which way the object is moving. Furthermore, camera-based systems will be more precise and dynamic than LIDAR, which is based, among other things, on static map data.

Unjustified sudden stops

In several forums it is now being discussed whether new Teslas are as safe as before. It is reported that several cars without sensors have made unmotivated sudden stops - so-called phantom braking. One wonders whether all previous safety functions will continue to function, for example warning for oncoming traffic when turning left at an intersection.

TO DEAL

LIDAR-based systems are based on a dense belt of laser signals where the return signals indicate the distance between the objects. The density of the signal flow makes it possible to draw the contours of each object, but gives little information about what lies within the contours. LIDAR's strength is that it provides reliable distance measurements and size of the objects - and can tell with a high degree of certainty whether you are on a collision course with something. RADAR follows the same principle as LIDAR, but transmits radio signals instead of laser. The radio signals can reach greater distances, but give a less accurate picture of the objects.

Tesla Vision

Vision-based systems are based on two-dimensional images of the same thing that we see with our own eyes, actually better than the human eye can, including in poor lighting conditions. The disadvantage is that the solution does not provide any exact distance measurements. It makes high demands on software and computing power. Image processing is demanding, and there is a risk that the processing takes a disproportionately long time when many, rapid and large changes occur at the same time, which is predictable in critical situations - when it matters most.

One such case is when someone walks out into the road just after you have turned the car into a side street.

Then everyone missed

In 2019, AAA in the USA tested several car models that all failed in this situation. They let a doll cross the road just as the test car turned the corner. None of the cars in the test were programmed to handle this situation. Car manufacturers understandably prioritize the same tests as Euro NCAP and IIHS because it is de which assesses the car models' safety level. Euro NCAP tests various scenarios with collisions from the rear between vehicles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) covers more scenarios than Euro NCAP, including left turns into crossing traffic and incidents between cars and pedestrians. It is especially the last that seems to cause the most problems.

AAA tested these scenarios in 2019

American Automobile Association (AAA) is the American equivalent of NAF. The tests they did in 2019 were of the same type as the IIHS performs, but not exactly identical. They show that the cars are not (were) as safe as the results in Euro NCAP and IIHS indicate. The AAA tests included the following:

Children who are thrown between two street-parked cars while the car is traveling at 32 km/h. 90% failed.

Children crossing the road at the same time as a car turns around a street corner at 32 km/h. 100% failed.

Two pedestrians walk next to each other while a car approaches from behind at 32 km/h. 80% failed. The same test gave even worse results in the dark.

In 2019, the Tesla Model 3 did neither better nor worse than the other models.

Both?

The problem with Tesla Vision is that the system should interpret 2-dimensional images into 3D. It often goes wrong, as for example when I recently drove on a Class B motorway where the white border strip had a thin strip on the outside - perhaps from a mis-marking. The Tesla interpreted this as a high edge and marked it on the screen. Every time I approached the curb at 100 km/h the collision warning screeched. LIDAR would understand that this was no physical obstacle. LIDAR, for its part, can alert the driver when leaves or light plastic are blowing over the road. Tesla Vision supported with LIDAR would be an ideal solution – at least on more expensive Tesla models. But it is unlikely to work since the company manager has ruled LIDAR north and down?

Do not try this at home!

Testing automatic emergency stops is not something you should do at home. Leave it to the pros. I must admit, however, that I have seen emergency stops a couple of times in connection with pedestrian crossings where there is a close distance between pedestrians and cars. The situations have arisen when I have walked in a row towards the pedestrian crossing with dogs and stopped to let the cars drive over first - both times with eye contact with those behind the wheel. I don't know if it's my brisk walk or the dogs' movements, but the cars chose to oversteer the drivers in such a way that the people sitting in the cars were hanging in their seat belts, terrified. A special feature of the emergency stop is that the wheels are not locked after the sudden stop before the driver puts his foot on the brake. In the shock, it usually takes a couple of seconds. Only then can you go over.

Facts IIHS

The IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Security) includes the following tests between vehicles and pedestrians.

Children crossing the road behind two street-parked cars. The test is carried out for 20 kmh and for 40 kmh.

Crossing adult person. The test is carried out at two speeds, 20 km/h and 40 km/h.

Adult person parallel in the same lane. The test is carried out at two speeds, 40 km/h and 60 km/h.

IIHS tests in 2019 and 2022

Tesla Model 3
In 2019, the car failed quite badly when crossing children. Only a minimal speed reduction was recorded in both 20 and 40 km/h. In the case of an adult pedestrian in the same lane, the car slowed down so much from 60 km/h that it only swerved into the pedestrians. In 2022, Tesla passed all tests without hitting any of the pedestrians.

Volvo XC40 (LIDAR)
The tests in 2019 and 2022 gave exactly the same results. The Volvo passed all the tests, but ran into pedestrians on two occasions.

Hyundai Kona (LIDAR)
The results for 2019 and 2022 are almost identical. Hyundai passed tests carried out at low speed (20 km/h). At 40 km/h, the car was unable to slow down sufficiently and hit the victims at 11 km/h. With an adult pedestrian parallel in the same lane, the car slowed down from 60 km/h to 37 km/h before it ran into the victim. In tests like this, the cars get points for detecting the pedestrian and managing to reduce their speed. Hyundai scored worse than Tesla and Volvo, but was still rated "Advanced".

See

CBS News from October 2019

Replaces ultrasonic sensors with Tesla Vision

Why Tesla Won't Use LIDAR