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The New All electric California due in Autumn 2019. What are you thoughts?

One of the big changes on the T6.1 is the move to electromechanical steering, for more driver assists.

I know that autonomous driving is one of the things that people are most sceptical about. Me too. However, I keep an open mind. Advances in chip technology and machine learning, is accelerating at a mind boggling rate, it's hard to comprehend.

I'm a software developer, with an interest in neural networks and will readily admit that I struggle.

Tesla recently ran an 'autonomous day', where they explained some of their recent advances, here are a few snippets.
  • Tesla's new chip is 21 times faster than it's previous one
  • It can perform 144 trillion operations per second
  • It can process video at 2300 frames per second
  • An estimated 2.7 million miles are driven with Tesla AutoPilot engaged every day !
  • A Tesla has 8 HD video cameras, 12 sonars, 1 radar, GPS, steering and pedal sensors, all producing data
  • All this data is fed back to Tesla to train the neural network
Volkswagen still has some work to do
 
I saw a video of Elon Musk talking about an over-the-air update to Teslas (and owners app) - a single click will add your car to their robotaxi fleet so it can be out earning it's keep whilst you sleep / work / eat. NPV of a Model 3 estimated at $2-300K, as they're good for 1M miles.

Our current way of 'owning' a personal vehicle is on the way out, with current PCP leasing of 8 out of 10 new cars being the first taste - eg: everything seemingly being £289 pcm, they no longer quote On The Road Prices in adverts anymore.

The above points made about the battery industry are all true, but it seems far the lesser of two evils - the entire oil business has been disastrous on many levels - and those complaining of vested-interests in "the green lobby" are surely looking first to protect their own investments at the expense of what billions of people breathe in all day every day.
 
B J G said:
I did read that Hybrid development had been abandoned by most vehicle manufacturers as it still utilises carbon fuels with the associated emission problems. The development costs didn't justify the long term banning of fossil powered engines. ie get it all working and Governments don't permit it on the road so no sales.

Shan't get into politicians and cart before horse scenario.
Click to expand...
In terms of the problem I think the cart has already left leaving the horse with a lot of catching up to do
 
willwander said:
One of the big changes on the T6.1 is the move to electromechanical steering, for more driver assists.

I know that autonomous driving is one of the things that people are most sceptical about. Me too. However, I keep an open mind. Advances in chip technology and machine learning, is accelerating at a mind boggling rate, it's hard to comprehend.

I'm a software developer, with an interest in neural networks and will readily admit that I struggle.

Tesla recently ran an 'autonomous day', where they explained some of their recent advances, here are a few snippets.
  • Tesla's new chip is 21 times faster than it's previous one
  • It can perform 144 trillion operations per second
  • It can process video at 2300 frames per second
  • An estimated 2.7 million miles are driven with Tesla AutoPilot engaged every day !
  • A Tesla has 8 HD video cameras, 12 sonars, 1 radar, GPS, steering and pedal sensors, all producing data
  • All this data is fed back to Tesla to train the neural network
Volkswagen still has some work to do
Click to expand...
Having recently bought a Land Rover with electromechanical steering I really don’t want to drive anything else so the sooner I can chop the Cali in for one with same the better
 
Borris said:
Will the UK have the generating capacity to cope with a rapid expansion in the electric vehicle fleet?

Are electric vehicles as environmentaly friendly as we are all being led to believe?

When will the charging network be fit for purpose?

Will electric vehicles become the subject to a future scapage scheme due to environmental concerns over the batteries.

Will battery range ever be extended to make a fully electric Cali a viable proposition?

What happens when your battery pack has reached the end of it's life?

I think I stick with my diesel Cali thank you.
Click to expand...
And leave the environment for everyone else to worry about !!
 
Might all seem unrealistic for now but once we have enough nuclear power stations to supply the power, a charging network to distribute it and have extracted the necessary natural resources for the batteries just think of the possibilities.......

Tesla now claim 400miles from a 100kwh battery.
A Cali or similar likely to be 1/2 as efficient which means 2x battery capacity for the same range.
My rough (and potentially wrong) maths / physics means that extracting the same capacity as the Cali leisure batteries would use just 4 miles of range!
We could camp off grid without EHU for weeks and use all sorts of appliances, maybe even hot water.
There are far more plug sockets than petrol stations, all we need to do is upgrade them!
 
Definately nuclear as we have more than 30 million cars and vans on UK roads now. Will require a lot of batteries and electricity. Scottish Power want planning restrictions removed for wind farms so look forward to visiting the new Scotland as it will be an eyesore if uncontrolled. Nuclear is the future regretfully.
 
tim downes said:
And leave the environment for everyone else to worry about !!
Click to expand...
An odd response!

Who's "leaving the environment for for everyone else to worry about?" ......and who's sticking their head in the sand?

Haven't you just bought a Land Rover and don't you also own a three tonne Cali 204bhp 4motion?
 
Last edited:
National Grid says we're good for 9M so that's a start
theenergyst.com

Electric vehicle boom no sweat, says National Grid | theenergyst.com

National Grid has said the power system could cope with an overnight boom in electric vehicles (EVs) and that the extra generation capacity required to handle millions of vehicles is no big deal.
theenergyst.com theenergyst.com

Every little helps right?
www.theguardian.com

Revealed: air pollution may be damaging 'every organ in the body'

Exclusive: Comprehensive analysis finds harm from head to toe, including dementia, heart and lung disease, fertility problems and reduced intelligence
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
The future looks like electric but read in depth and we are 15 to 20 years away and that also means smart meters and tarrifs control. I am all for reducing pollution but as long as I drive a Cali or similar I will drive sensibly and not listen to the soundbites by the companies looking to benefit and make vast profits by controlling my freedom of choice.
 
Borris said:
I don't think the Cali windows and roof would be waterproof enough for that. :thumb
Click to expand...

Rolls Royce are developing small nuclear reactors. Perhaps they could be persuaded to produce a nuclear RR Cali. No need for hook up or solar panels.:)
 
briwy said:
Rolls Royce are developing small nuclear reactors. Perhaps they could be persuaded to produce a nuclear RR Cali. No need for hook up or solar panels.:)
Click to expand...
And you could make pots of Tea for all the eco warriors who would follow you around protesting.... It would be a virtuous circle rather than virtue signalling.
 
ArunAlec said:
The price of copper is going to rocket with all those charging points being installed!
Click to expand...
I have just taken out two bag loads and a hot water cylinder from my house, replaced the entire central heating system, cut it into lengths so will wait a bit longer to weigh it in then. Might get back more than the new it replaced ;)
 
2into1 said:
And you could make pots of Tea for all the eco warriors who would follow you around protesting.... It would be a virtuous circle rather than virtue signalling.
Click to expand...
No need for a parking heater either looking a really good proposition.:)
 
Borris said:
Doing nothing isn't an option. My point is that this issue is far too important for users to be sent off down another blind alley. Not so long ago Diesel was heralded as the best way to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Now it's demonised.

I just hope that we won't be looking at an EV scrapage scheme in a few years time.
Click to expand...

The new Tesla Model 3 is good for 1,000,000 miles.

There are many ways to generate electricity, the sun harnesses enough power for the whole planet and plenty more.
 
reserves said:
The new Tesla Model 3 is good for 1,000,000 miles.

There are many ways to generate electricity, the sun harnesses enough power for the whole planet and plenty more.
Click to expand...
True, but you have to get it from the sun to the vehicle in a timely manner. That is where the problems lie.
 
reserves said:
The new Tesla Model 3 is good for 1,000,000 miles.

There are many ways to generate electricity, the sun harnesses enough power for the whole planet and plenty more.
Click to expand...
I agree but we're not there yet. My original point was that there are many issues still to be resolved, some of which are being airbrushed over. I'm not against EVs, I'm just not fully convinced that they are the only way forward. If, as stated earlier, the manufacturers are not continuing with Hybrid development then aren't we placing all our eggs in one basket? Not a good policy!

As for Tesla's claim, that remains to be seen. It will be some time before the few people that can afford one actually find out.
 
WelshGas said:
True, but you have to get it from the sun to the vehicle in a timely manner. That is where the problems lie.
Click to expand...
The typical UK car is parked 96% of the time according to an RAC report:

Spaced Out parking report

The rise in the number of vehicles and the shortage of parking spaces means millions of front gardens have been paved over to make room for cars. Figures analys
www.racfoundation.org www.racfoundation.org

Even the slowest of home chargers can provide an hour of motoring from 23 hours of charging.
 
Amarillo said:
The typical UK car is parked 96% of the time according to an RAC report:

Spaced Out parking report

The rise in the number of vehicles and the shortage of parking spaces means millions of front gardens have been paved over to make room for cars. Figures analys
www.racfoundation.org www.racfoundation.org

Even the slowest of home chargers can provide an hour of motoring from 23 hours of charging.
Click to expand...

Yes if you are fortunate enough to be able to park your vehicle near the charging point.

And apparently, paving over gardens is now causing overload on the drain system as rainwater which previously soaked into the ground now goes into the sewer system.
No easy answers.
 
Newtons 3rd law does not just apply to motion it would seem
:Nailbiting
 
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