Messages

1

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 14, 2019, 09:36:00 PM »

Founder of Electric Vehicle Startup Faraday Future Files for Bankruptcy
October 14, 2019,

Jia Yueting, an entrepreneur who ran up billions of dollars in personal debts trying to build a business empire in China, has filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. with plans to turn over his latest venture, an electric vehicle startup, to creditors.

In a proposed debt-restructuring plan filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, Jia will use his ownership stake in Los Angeles-based Faraday & Future Inc. to set up a creditor trust to repay his debts.

Jia faces $2.3 billion in claims, according to the plan. In a statement on Faraday’s website, the company said Jia’s debts were owed to creditors in China.

The plan is also designed to help Faraday put together “equity financing efforts and prepare for an IPO,” according to the statement. Depending on the value of that proposed initial public offering, creditors may recover from 49% to 100% of what they are owed, according to reorganization plan documents filed in court.

Faraday is trying to develop an electric vehicle for sale in the U.S. and China. The company recently hired Carsten Breitfeld, BMW AG veteran, to take over the chief executive officer role from Jia. …

…
In his bankruptcy filing, Jia warned that his IPO plans for Faraday may not raise as much as projected. That was due in part to “negative press related to his debts and an investigation by the China Securities Regulatory Commission into the delisting from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange” of a company where Jia served as chief executive officer.

https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-10-14/founder-of-electric-vehicle-startup-faraday-files-for-bankruptcy

2

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 14, 2019, 09:02:51 PM »

GM
Economic impact of UAW strike balloons
October 13, 2019

DETROIT — Damage from the UAW's nearly monthlong strike against General Motors goes far beyond the plants that have been surrounded by picket lines, and recovery after it ends could take significant time for the dealerships, suppliers and other employers that depend on GM. Some small businesses have warned they're in danger of failing from the lost revenue.

By the end of last week, some 150,000 workers either had been laid off or had their pay reduced as the walkout "ballooned in scope," Anderson Economic Group said. The Michigan consulting firm's figure includes 75,000 supplier employees and 25,000 GM salaried workers. But it doesn't account for restaurants and shops in factory towns that are seeing sales slump as GM workers adjust to living on just $250 a week in strike pay.

Dealers had to tell irritated customers that some repairs couldn't be done because parts weren't available. ...
…
Workers have been laid off at suppliers including Adient, Cooper-Standard, American Axle & Manufacturing, Lear Corp., Magna, ZF North American, Busche Performance Products, Android Industries and others.

Phoenix Transit & Logistics, a trucking company in Dearborn, Mich., laid off almost its entire staff, owner Wael Tlaib told The New York Times. Tlaib said he pulled from his personal savings to keep the company running and was afraid he could lose the business as early as this week, the newspaper reported.

A manager at a Michigan supplier that has laid off more than half of its work force because of the strike told Automotive News that Anderson Economic Group's estimate of 75,000 supplier layoffs as of last week might be understated. The vast majority of the supplier's business is from GM. ...

https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/economic-impact-uaw-strike-balloons

—-
The strike has already cost the company more than $1 billion.
“Credit Suisse estimated the loss could hit about $1.5 billion, and the Center for Automotive Research estimated the weekly costs to GM and the UAW strike fund at $450 million and $12 million, respectively.”
GM appeals directly to employees as strike losses mount, riling UAW
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1WQ1O1

—-
“GM’s current bond ratings (Moody’s: Baa3, S&P: BBB) sit in the last rung of the investment grade category. A move into junk status would materially increase GM’s funding costs, and an extended strike could be just what it takes for the ratings agencies to pull that trigger.”
GM’s Multiple Giveaways To The UAW Will Hamper Its Creditworthiness For Years To Come
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimcollins/2019/10/11/gms-multiple-giveaways-to-the-uaw-will-hamper-its-creditworthiness-for-years-to-come/

—-
Will GM CEO Mary Barra survive this?  Will the company give in to UAW anti-EV demands that would lead GM even more quickly to obsolescence?  And those failing suppliers support manufacturers other than GM....

3

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 14, 2019, 05:07:00 PM »

Tesla Driver (@M_xalher) 10/13/19, 4:48 AM
Norway ministry of environment today says to DN business daily:
- EV benefits likely to continue in 2021 and beyond
- Will be “extremely careful” not to disturb current “exponential growth” of EV adaption.
https://www.dn.no/politikk/sveinung-rotevatn/regjeringen/klima/na-faller-ogsa-salget-av-dieselbiler-vi-skal-vare-uhyre-forsiktige-med-a-vri-pa-systemet/2-1-687379
https://twitter.com/m_xalher/status/1183303607812263937

Via Google translate:

Since 2010, Norway's population has increased by more than 440,000 people, while the diesel and gasoline car park has only increased by 13,000 cars. In the same period, the electric car park has gone from 2,000 cars in 2010 - to 250,000 cars today.

For the first time since 2010, diesel car sales are now also declining. In September, three out of four cars sold were either zero or low emission cars. This shows figures from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Statistics Norway.

Read also:  This year's electric car sales have already passed last year

- Up until now, it has been seen that many people buy an electric car as the number two car, but it has a short reach and they have kept their fossil car. Now we hear from many that they buy only electric car, and it is also shown in the statistics that it will be the primary car for many families, says Rotevatn.
…
The Government has a goal that all new passenger cars will be zero emission vehicles in 2025.
- There is exponential growth in the electric car market. So if it continues like now, then we will be in goal well before 2025, says Rotevatn.

Protected policy
Today's favorable electric car regime is protected in the government declaration until 2021. ...

https://www.dn.no/politikk/sveinung-rotevatn/regjeringen/klima/na-faller-ogsa-salget-av-dieselbiler-vi-skal-vare-uhyre-forsiktige-med-a-vri-pa-systemet/2-1-687379

======

ValueAnalyst (@ValueAnalyst1) 10/14/19, 7:12 AM
Porsche releasing the base-model Taycan only five weeks after the higher-end models can only mean one thing...

Go all EVs etc etc.
https://twitter.com/valueanalyst1/status/1183702085860233216
[ /sarc ]
Tesla Driver  (@M_xalher) 10/14/19, 8:07 AM
Porsche Norway told DN business daily today that they have sold less than 300 Taycans. They expect more to sign up for the new “cheaper” version, but with normal extras it is still over NOK 1 million, so significantly above Model S.

https://www.dn.no/motor/elbil/porsche/nye-biler/el-porschen-blir-425000-kroner-billigere/2-1-687874

Google translate:  “Only two Taycan are registered in Norway so far….”

=====

Uniti announces $19,600 price for its small crowdfunded electric car, updates specs
https://electrek.co/2019/10/14/uniti-one-electric-car-price-specs/

4

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 14, 2019, 03:24:29 PM »

Wow, TSLAQ is fading fast.  Even GSY realizes his arguments are fruitless, and gets out now.  Nothing succeeds like success!

Obligatory link :
Tesla FUD: I Was Wrong
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/10/07/tesla-fud-i-was-wrong/

5

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 14, 2019, 03:06:51 PM »

Mass-producing cars is hard!  Longread on the Dyson EV story.

It started with a dream in 1993 and ended due to economic uncertainty in 2019. This is how Dyson’s attempt to compete with Tesla foundered.

Inside the collapse of Dyson's electric car dream

The economics never added up. “What Dyson underestimated is the difficulty of getting into the car industry,” says Bailey. “There are significant sunk costs and very high capital costs.”

While the company reportedly set aside some £2.5 billion for the electric vehicle project, that pales into comparison with the £50 billion-plus Volkswagen is spending on producing its own electric vehicle – and it has pre-existing experience designing and manufacturing cars. Volkswagen has even recognised that amount isn’t enough, partnering with Ford to share costs and collaborate on ideas. “I think Dyson hugely underestimated what it costs,” Bailey adds. ...

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/dyson-electric-car-cancelled-inside-story

6

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 14, 2019, 03:04:14 PM »

Sig, VW is just following the EU government's.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmauldin/2017/10/03/the-pension-storm-is-coming-to-europe-it-may-be-the-end-of-europe-as-we-know-it/amp/

The most high profile failures in the UK, recently, all have massively underfunded pension funds.

Governments allowed them to defer the payments and like good corporates they paid dividend out of workers pension contributions.

Who do you blame? The government's for allowing it or the companies for doing what the government's allow.

I’m not blaming anyone.  But as you say, there are signs that VW could be the next “high profile failure.”  Meaning the government will need to step in — at which point, pensions will hardly be their top concern.

7

Consequences / Re: Places becoming less livable

« on: October 14, 2019, 03:22:08 AM »

Northeast coast of the U.S.

Wind driven high tides flooding New Jersey Shore
Oct 11, 2019 | 11:15 AM

High tides and strong winds caused flooding in some parts of the New Jersey shore Friday.

No major problems were reported. But Sea Bright's fire department conducted numerous rescues of people who had become stranded in flood waters overnight Thursday into Friday morning in the particularly flood-prone community, which is wedged between the ocean and the Shrewsbury River.

Ocean City and Ventnor opened schools two hours late Friday to let flood waters subside before parents and school buses tried to navigate the roadways. And Wildwood closed a bridge into the city during the morning high tide.

Parts of Long Beach Boulevard, the main road through Long Beach Island, also were impassible Friday morning because of flooding. ...

https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-jersey-shore-flooding-wind-20191011-q2bws53pg5fhloigjtlf7v2o7i-story.html

For Jersey Shore homeowners, hurricane and flood threats are worth the risk
https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/jersey-shore-hurricane-climate-change-flooding-risk-20191007.html

8

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 13, 2019, 09:56:38 PM »

Just a curiosity: my day job as a regulator had me overhear a 'hallway conference' about who was claiming certain petroleum storage tanks - The feds or SpaceX - and the need for paperwork to be submitted to determine who claimed what.  (One of my colleagues had never heard of SpaceX before, not that that was relevant to the discussion.)  I hadn't previously thought to wonder if I would ever be asked to review SpaceX documents.  (If they are properly prepared, I'm unlikely to ever see or hear about them.)

I can’t find the reference at the moment, but there is a huge old (oxygen? fuel?) tank from the Apollo era still sitting on the grounds of LC-39A in Florida (which is now leased to SpaceX).  SpaceX isn’t using it, although they might find a use for it at some point.  I wonder if this is the object of discussion you heard. 

Found it!

Julia (@julia_bergeron) 9/14/19, 11:33 AM
I took a bus ride today. Could it be that construction is about to start on the Starship pad at 39A? It looks like it to me! #SpaceX #Starship @elonmusk
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1172896260241666054
[Photo below; others at the link.]
< That looks like it's in the right location for the Starship pad!
< And the grass are already cleared there
< It makes sense that they begin Starship pad construction soon. I mean, @SpaceX probably wants it ready *before* they move #StarshipMk2 (aka #StarshipEast) from their #CocoaFL facility to Pad 39A.
< What do they use hydrogen for on falcon launches? [the huge round tank]
< For nothing. It is a relic from the Apollo and Shuttle eras. It is being considered for use to store liquid methane per the latest FAA Environmental Report regarding Starship and Super Heavy launch and landings at 39A but nothing solid yet

9

Consequences / Re: Weird Weather and anecdotal stories about climate change

« on: October 13, 2019, 09:38:52 PM »

The recent winter storm hit Manitoba, Canada hard.

Kyle Brittain on Twitter: "Unreal. Seeing longer stretches of snapped hydro poles in a row on the west side of Portage than I've ever seen with any severe thunderstorm or tornado in summer. #mbstorm @weathernetwork”
https://twitter.com/KyleTWN/status/1183094703912181761

October winter weather pummels Manitoba, storm expected to last into weekend | CTV News
https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/october-winter-weather-pummels-manitoba-storm-expected-to-last-into-weekend-1.4634223

10

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 13, 2019, 09:29:16 PM »

An engineering team at the University of British Columbia is examining what would be needed to produce methane and oxygen fuel for a SpaceX Starship on Mars. 

It would make sense to send a Starship rigged for that purpose: the plant is mounted in the cargo area and the Starship’s own tanks are used for storage of the gasses.

Commenter “Martianspirit” wrote:

The tanks can be used for propellant storage.
The plant can be self contained in the cargo area of a Starship.
The solar arrays need to be set up outside. Quite possible this too can be done automated, at least partially. Maybe not for an array with several MW.
What is tricky and probably needs crew on site is digging and processing the water before it can be fed into the plant. At least for an extended time of operation problem solving by humans will be needed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/dhbmx1/a_proposed_mars_sabatier_fuel_plant_for_starship/

(The first, uncrewed Starships may well remain on Mars, providing a source of supplies for the following crewed missions.)

11

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 13, 2019, 09:25:35 PM »

Just a curiosity: my day job as a regulator had me overhear a 'hallway conference' about who was claiming certain petroleum storage tanks - The feds or SpaceX - and the need for paperwork to be submitted to determine who claimed what.  (One of my colleagues had never heard of SpaceX before, not that that was relevant to the discussion.)  I hadn't previously thought to wonder if I would ever be asked to review SpaceX documents.  (If they are properly prepared, I'm unlikely to ever see or hear about them.)

I can’t find the reference at the moment, but there is a huge old (oxygen? fuel?) tank from the Apollo era still sitting on the grounds of LC-39A in Florida (which is now leased to SpaceX).  SpaceX isn’t using it, although they might find a use for it at some point.  I wonder if this is the object of discussion you heard. 

12

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 13, 2019, 08:12:53 PM »

These Are The Surprising Cars More People Get Rid Of In The First Year (Wait, How Many Are BMW's?)
https://www.inc.com/chris-matyszczyk/these-are-surprising-cars-more-people-get-rid-of-in-first-year-wait-how-many-are-bmws.html

=====
VW NEEDS CASH!

VW Is Considering Options for Lamborghini Brand in Overhaul
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vw-said-mull-options-lamborghini-193453760.html

—-

JPR007 (@jpr007) 10/11/19, 5:38 PM
VW appears to be in more serious cash flow trouble than we have generally been considering.
When you short your employees’ Pension Fund by €33 billion, apparently including pulling real Cash out of it, things must be pretty desperate . . .
https://twitter.com/jpr007/status/1182772468609478656
ValueAnalyst (@ValueAnalyst1) 10/12/19, 3:54 AM
I wonder what the German government has to say about this.
Should companies be required to always fully fund future pension obligations?
This is a travesty:
VA: VW didn’t literally “short” the pension fund. What @jpr007 is saying is that VW has failed to keep up with the growing pension obligations in terms of setting aside cash to ensure such obligations are fully funded.
JPR007: But it is right there on their audited and published Balance Sheet.
If they had funded the Pension obligation that €33 billion should not be there on the Liability side of the Balance Sheet.
€33 billion.
And now they no longer have the Cash to fund it.

Images below.

=====

ValueAnalyst (@ValueAnalyst1) 10/1/19, 6:52 AM
Q4 2019 will be the last profitable quarter for many legacy automakers.

https://twitter.com/valueanalyst1/status/1178985955996442624

ValueAnalyst (@ValueAnalyst1) 10/12/19, 9:49 AM
If you think some of the stuff I tweet is edgy, you should see the stuff I type and delete...

https://twitter.com/valueanalyst1/status/1183016918816440322

13

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 13, 2019, 08:01:59 PM »

New Yorkers could face battery-charging station shortage for electric cars

In a new survey by consulting firm West Monroe Partners, 57% of New Yorkers are forecast to buy an electric vehicle (EV) within the next 24 months.

The same survey found that 45% of Connecticut respondents planned to snap up an EV within the next two years, and that 49% of participants in New Jersey would do so.

“The orders for our electric vehicles are coming in from excited consumers to our offices at several locations in New York City — and it’s all good,” one worker at a Tesla sales office in Manhattan, who declined to be named, told The Post. …

https://nypost.com/2019/10/12/new-yorkers-could-face-battery-charging-station-shortage-for-electric-cars/

—-
In The U.S., Electric Vehicle Charging Prospects Are Bleak Out There (For The Rest Of Us Who Don’t Drive A Tesla Model 3)

Getting a fast charge is often anything but fast.

I live in an EV hot spot within the hot EV market of Los Angeles. Electric vehicles are now one of the most common new cars in my community. If there was ever a perfect spot for a fast charge station, it would be here.

Except there aren’t any. Yes, there are a few Level 2 charge pumps (two at a local Whole Foods) but public Level 2* doesn’t cut it for me.
The closest faster charger (Level 3) station is 10 miles. But that’s only two pumps. Not worth it because the wait times are usually too long.
So, if I’m heading toward places I frequent like Century City, the only viable option is taking a detour to a charging station in Tarzana (a neighborhood in Los Angeles) where the wait times aren’t as long.

But that’s 15 minutes out of the way. Then another 15 minute wait (often) for a pump to free up, then 30-60 minutes to charge (adding 50 to 100 miles of range). Then another 15 minutes to get back on 405 – if there’s no traffic.

Pardon the vernacular, but that sucks. …

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookecrothers/2019/10/13/in-the-us-electric-vehicle-charging-prospects-are-bleak-out-there-for-the-rest-of-us-who-dont-drive-a-tesla-model-3/

—-
 Morten Grove (@mortenlund89) 10/13/19, 4:13 AM
Nice, just got this ad on Danish news site 
#EVsAreComing
#2020wave
https://twitter.com/mortenlund89/status/1183294613945225216
Image below.

14

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 13, 2019, 07:31:01 PM »

City garage chargers will soon pop up everywhere

In a new survey by consulting firm West Monroe Partners, 57% of New Yorkers are forecast to buy an electric vehicle (EV) within the next 24 months.

The same survey found that 45% of Connecticut respondents planned to snap up an EV within the next two years, and that 49% of participants in New Jersey would do so.

“The orders for our electric vehicles are coming in from excited consumers to our offices at several locations in New York City — and it’s all good,” one worker at a Tesla sales office in Manhattan, who declined to be named, told The Post.

https://nypost.com/2019/10/12/new-yorkers-could-face-battery-charging-station-shortage-for-electric-cars/

=====
TSLA short interest is decreasing, meaning more people think the stock price will rise.

Ihor Dusaniwsky (@ihors3) 10/10/19, 11:13 AM
$TSLA short int is $8.62bn; 35.23mm shs shorted; 24.98% of float, 0.55% fee. Shs shorted down -3.7mm shs, -9.6%, over last 30 days as price rose +5.5% & down -329k shs, -0.9%, over last week. Shorts up+$2.27bn in mark-to-market YTD profits & down -$223mm in Oct, down -$91mm today

https://twitter.com/ihors3/status/1182313288782229504
Chart below.

—-
Model 3 cuts were part of the plan
Why Investors Shouldn't Panic Over Tesla's Price Cuts
https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/10/12/why-investors-shouldnt-panic-over-teslas-price-cut.aspx

—-
Tesla FUD: I Was Wrong
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/10/07/tesla-fud-i-was-wrong/

=====
The smaller cells means “a shorter length of electrode material that is devoid of material defects would be required.”
Tesla patent paves way for compact battery systems that are easier to produce
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-compact-battery-patent-easy-production/

——-
Tesla’s ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’ is proving invaluable once more amid CA’s wildfires
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-bioweapon-defense-mode-saves-owners/

=====
Speed races just got p0wned.  This is hilarious!

TOCAlberta (@TOCAlberta) 10/12/19, 10:29 PM
Today we had our first Smart Summon Race in Edmonton, AB, Canada. Thank you @Tesla and @elonmusk for this great feature. #tesla #SmartSummon #tocalberta #ev #canadaeh

https://twitter.com/tocalberta/status/1183208190516744194
2-minute Video at the link.

15

Consequences / Re: Hurricane Season 2019

« on: October 13, 2019, 04:23:46 PM »

One man was killed when a tornado flipped his car.

Typhoon Hagibis makes landfall in Japan, leaving at least 10 dead

Tokyo (CNN)Typhoon Hagibis made landfall Saturday night local time, as the country braces for hurricane-force winds that have killed at least 10 people and injured more than 140.

The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the typhoon made landfall just before 7 p.m. local time on the Izu Peninsula, southwest of Tokyo.  The agency called for the public to remain vigilant for rain and gusts of wind, after it issued an "Emergency Weather Warning (Level 5)."  The warning was issued for towns and cities in 12 prefectures including areas in Tochigi, Ibaragi, Fukushima, Miyagi, and NIigat.

"It is a level 5 situation; some sort of disaster may have already taken place," said JMA weather forecaster, Yasushi Kajiwara. "People are strongly advised to act to protect their lives right away."

Authorities have confirmed at least 10 deaths due to the storm so far. Around 140 people have been injured, and nine are missing, according to Japan's Fire Disaster and Management Agency. ...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/12/asia/japan-typhoon-hagibis-intl-hnk/index.html

16

Consequences / Re: Floods

« on: October 13, 2019, 04:15:10 PM »

U.S. East coast
Seasonal tides + Tropical Storm Melissa =

Tidal flooding submerges roads in areas along Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay
https://wtop.com/weather-news/2019/10/tidal-flooding-closes-roads-in-areas-along-potomac-river-chesapeake-bay/

Lots of photos in this thread:
Capital Weather Gang on Twitter: "Anyone awake and have a photo of coastal flooding in DC, Old Town, or Annapolis we could use for a story with a credit to you? thanks for considering..."
https://mobile.twitter.com/capitalweather/status/1183235158398386177

17

Policy and solutions / Re: What's New in Climate Change Acceptance and Action

« on: October 13, 2019, 02:47:35 PM »

Farmers in the U.S. midwest were one of the last great bastions of climate change denial.  Not anymore.

How Iowa Farmers Are Influencing Climate Policy in 2020 Presidential Race

Voters across Iowa say the real-life effects of climate change have sparked a political awakening of sorts. Hogg, the state senator from Cedar Rapids, says record flooding in 2008 all but eliminated climate-change skepticism in the city. Recurring flooding contributed to the Iowa City council’s recent decision to declare a climate crisis. The council made a commitment in August to reduce the city’s greenhouse-gas emissions 45% by 2030. “It’s not just about climate strikers,” says Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton, referring to the global movement of schoolchildren striking to call for action on climate change, and “not just about the IPCC report, but also about our own experience and own observation.”

Flooding, and the extreme precipitation that caused it, has had a range of effects across Iowa, disrupting the cycles that farmers rely on to plant, grow and harvest their crops. This spring alone, extreme rain put 100,000 acres of farmland underwater in the state, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in damage to farmers. To top it off, July was exceptionally dry, throwing another wrinkle at farmers. By 2050, climate change threatens to erase all the gains made in agricultural productivity since the 1980s in the Midwest, meaning farmers will need to spend heavily or cut production, according to the National Climate Assessment, a report from more than a dozen U.S. federal agencies on the impacts of climate change.

Surveys have historically identified farmers as skeptical of climate science, but in Iowa there are hints that this may be changing. Aaron Heley Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, says climate has become a regular topic of conversation among farmers. Greg Franck, a self-described “farm boy” who lives in the Des Moines area but has worked in agriculture, described a recent meeting he attended in southwest Iowa, where farmers gathered to hear advice from federal government scientists on how to adapt to the effects of climate change. “There’s hope there,” he says.

https://time.com/5669023/iowa-farmers-climate-policy/

18

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 13, 2019, 04:05:53 AM »

YUAN TALKS (@YuanTalks) 10/12/19, 4:07 AM
#China’s passenger car sales fell 6.6% y/y in September, down for the 3rd straight month, according to China passenger car association.

https://twitter.com/yuantalks/status/1182930758744170496


India's September passenger vehicle sales dive 24% as slowdown persists

...passenger car sales dived 33.4% to 131,281 units.
SIAM's data comes as the domestic automobile industry faces a crippling slowdown in demand that has led to production cuts and thousands of job losses. The industry is seeing its longest ever streak of sales decline.

https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN1WQ0GN

19

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 05:20:46 PM »

Learnings from a very special Giga 1 tour:
• How Tesla went from manufacturing zero lithium batteries to supplying as much as the rest of the world combined.
• How new battery production lines from Grohman made the Model 3 battery ramp possible — and why it’s not yet possible elsewhere…
• and why it will make China’s Giga 3 ramp much, much faster than the original Model 3 ramp.
• Panasonic; and why Tesla’s recent acquisitions point toward the Terawatt-hour goal mentioned in the prior earnings call;
• And why Tesla’s upcoming Battery and Drivetrain Day may reveal yet another step-change in battery manufacturing

Hyperchange GigaNotes: Analysis From My Tesla Gigafactory Tour - YouTube

20

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 04:25:31 PM »

Tesla Gigafactory 3 Phase 2 area rises as onsite Supercharger takes shape

The pace of Phase 2’s construction shows that the buildout in the new area appears to be faster than the construction of the general assembly building, which is part of the Phase 1 zone. Roof trusses in the Phase 1 area took months, after all, yet it only seemed to take a few weeks for workers to begin the setup of the same pillars and roof trusses for Phase 2. 

Apart from the flurry of activity in the Phase 2 area, Tesla and its construction partner also appear to be making great progress in the buildout of an onsite Supercharger station for the electric car production facility. Recent images taken of the Supercharger reveal that several parts of the station have mostly been finished, save for the installation of the actual charging stalls.

Reports from China suggest that Tesla is gaining momentum in the country’s local electric vehicle market. Even before Gigafactory 3 is activated, import data from Tesla China showed that the electric car maker imported 168% more vehicles year-over-year, thanks in no small part to the Model 3. In August 2019 alone, China imported over 3,700 vehicles, a 468% growth year-over-year. ...
...
Leaked images from the general assembly building have also shown vehicles that were fully painted, suggesting that the facility’s paint shop is already operational.

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-gigafactory-3-phase-2-supercharger-buildout-video/

21

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 12, 2019, 02:41:07 PM »

Mercedes-Benz EQB Electric SUV Spied: Multiple Range Variants Expected

The boxy shape of the EQB will hide a relatively large 60-kWh battery, which should provide a range of 310 miles (500 kilometers) between two charges (yes, we understand this is a very odd metric, but it's the figure M-B is providing right now) in the base model. Word on the street is the range-topping variant will come with an even larger battery pack.

https://insideevs.com/news/375674/mercedes-benz-eqb-spy-images/amp/

——
U.S.
Startup Volta will charge your electric car for free.  (But there will be ads.)
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/volta-free-electric-car-charging-ev/

—-
Hate the Nissan LEAF app?  You are not alone.
The Nissan LEAF Has An Issue With Its App: It Does Not Work
https://insideevs.com/news/375852/nissan-leaf-app-doesnt-work/

—-
Josh Thomas (@SabrToothSqrl) 10/10/19, 1:51 PM
I always give Bolt owners the thumbs up from my @Tesla. It takes a lot of courage to drive that thing.
https://twitter.com/sabrtoothsqrl/status/1182353001962496000

—-
Jawad Khalid (@JawadKhalid89)10/11/19, 11:46 AM
How dare you!
https://twitter.com/jawadkhalid89/status/1182683831628791809
Brief video message at the link.

22

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 02:15:14 PM »

Recent analyst upgrades to Tesla…

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1181687993360359425.html

https://twitter.com/vincent13031925/status/1179751120467451905


While Waymo and Mobileye self-driving progress has stalled:

Morgan Stanley cut its valuation of Waymo, a driverless-car firm, by 40% in September, citing delays in its technology

https://twitter.com/theeconomist/status/1182531528347279361

https://twitter.com/valueanalyst1/status/1182371547618656258
- OK, I wasn’t dreaming. The last major news cycle on @Mobileye was 9 months ago at CES, and since then, nada... mobileye.com/in-the-news/
- Don’t be surprised if @Intel writes off its $15B @Mobileye purchase by next year.

—-

Steve Jobs Ghost (@tesla_truth) 10/10/19, 4:23 PM
It took Tesla more than 4 years to hit 1 billion AutoPilot miles in November 2018.
Before the end of the year, they’ll hit 2 billion AutoPilot miles
The first billion took more than four years. The second billion will take less than one
And the 3rd billion will be even faster

https://twitter.com/tesla_truth/status/1182391174918656001
Image below.

——

Ming Zhao (@mingcalls) 10/9/19, 11:40 PM
Important news positive for $tsla and $nio: more and more municipal governments in China mandate that new vehicles added in car hailing platforms and taxi services must be electric vehicles.

https://twitter.com/mingcalls/status/1182138843681579008
Text images in chinese at the link.

23

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 02:11:06 PM »

Tesla-hater Ed Niedermeyer has been fired from The Drive.

https://twitter.com/tesla_truth/status/1182752034748948480

https://twitter.com/tesla_truth/status/1182757633184256000

https://twitter.com/tweetermeyer/status/1182679188286754816

———-
Tesla shorties are begging for divine intervention to save them from their January 2020 Tesla stock short positions.

https://twitter.com/groggytbear/status/1182734753470074882

https://twitter.com/aceinmysleeve1/status/1182756975316127745

“… Rest of their lives, they will tell everyone how it's the fault of [NHTSA|Elon|owners|media|fans|me] that it didn't pay off. …”
https://twitter.com/bonnienorman/status/1182738357119377408

—-
And the armies of “Parking Lot Truthers” have decamped and gone back to live in their parents’ basement.

https://twitter.com/tesla_truth/status/1182773369688584192

——

The Short Shorts Historian (@TeslaHistorian) 10/9/19, 5:36 PM
THIS DAY IN $TSLAQ HISTORY:
Sorry @markbspiegel, it didn't quite work out like you planned.

https://twitter.com/teslahistorian/status/1182047281962520578
Twitpic and data at the link.

——
ICYMI:  Tesla Gigafactory China: Mud, "Basically An Open Field," Not Gonna Happen — Skeptical Claims Revisited
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/10/03/tesla-gigafactory-china-mud-basically-an-open-field-not-gonna-happen-skeptical-claims-revisited/

24

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 02:09:33 PM »

...
You putting in a garden one of these years ?

My garden has no bearing on Tesla’s glory or failure.  However, my solar and my Model Y order do....

25

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 03:39:20 AM »

Watch the FUDsters here spin this negatively.

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/11/19, 8:18 PM
Get Tesla Solar plus Powerwall battery for 24/7 clean power & no more blackouts! Tesla.com/solar

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/11/19, 9:22 PM
Price for fully installed solar plus battery has been reduced ~10% to help those affected by blackouts

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1182828744748044288

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/11/19, 9:16 PM
V important: pure solar subscription is guaranteed to be a net money-maker for the homeowner or Tesla will take the panels back. Adding Powerwall negatively affects economics, but gives homeowner power protection in event of a blackout.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1182827425551380482
- Allows homeowner potential to go completely off grid

26

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 12, 2019, 03:02:28 AM »

cyberGRID software connects Tesla large-scale battery to Slovenian energy markets

cyberGRID’s award-winning cyberNOC software* met an important milestone today with its integration with Ngen’s Tesla 12MW/24MWh battery storage system located in Jesenice, Slovenia. This represents the largest battery system installed in Slovenia and one of the largest operational energy storage systems in Europe.
...
With regards to the integration of renewable energy, cyberGRID’s platform thus plays a pivotal role in EU-wide efforts towards decarbonisation. cyberNOC also reduces the risk of investment in large-scale battery storage systems by enabling the participation in various energy markets, not just the primary reserve. More specifically, cyberNOC can provide battery operators at C&I locations the opportunity to participate in markets such as the primary, secondary (aFRR) and tertiary (mFRR) control markets, offer grid stability, peak shaving services, frequency and voltage control, and community-level storage.

https://www.cyber-grid.com/cybergrid-software-connects-tesla-large-scale-battery-to-slovenian-energy-markets/

27

Policy and solutions / Re: Batteries: Today's Energy Solution

« on: October 12, 2019, 02:58:45 AM »

cyberGRID software connects Tesla large-scale battery to Slovenian energy markets

cyberGRID’s award-winning cyberNOC software* met an important milestone today with its integration with Ngen’s Tesla 12MW/24MWh battery storage system located in Jesenice, Slovenia. This represents the largest battery system installed in Slovenia and one of the largest operational energy storage systems in Europe.
...
With regards to the integration of renewable energy, cyberGRID’s platform thus plays a pivotal role in EU-wide efforts towards decarbonisation. cyberNOC also reduces the risk of investment in large-scale battery storage systems by enabling the participation in various energy markets, not just the primary reserve. More specifically, cyberNOC can provide battery operators at C&I locations the opportunity to participate in markets such as the primary, secondary (aFRR) and tertiary (mFRR) control markets, offer grid stability, peak shaving services, frequency and voltage control, and community-level storage.

https://www.cyber-grid.com/cybergrid-software-connects-tesla-large-scale-battery-to-slovenian-energy-markets/

28

Policy and solutions / Re: The Boring Company

« on: October 11, 2019, 09:35:37 PM »

Tesla makes their rings out of the bored tunnel rock plus a little cement, meaning less has to be transported or disposed of.

Not Tesla, TBC.
And a lot of TBC "features" are engineering goals, not actual capabilities. Ideas, good ideas probably, design from first principles, but more brochure than product.
Such confusion between roadmap and vision and between actual timeline and product is what gets Musk into the "liar" blame later. Were he to clarify his initial visionary statements, some trouble would be avoided.
The proof, as always, is in the pudding.

Fixed, thanks.

The proof may be in the watchtower. 
The Boring Company cleverly lays bricks on Elon Musk's 'Monty Python' watchtower
https://www.teslarati.com/the-boring-company-lays-bricks-elon-musk-monty-python-watchtower-pictures/

Elon Musk's Boring Company unveils bricks being produced from dirt dug in its tunnels
https://electrek.co/2018/07/13/elon-musk-boring-company-bricks-dirt-tunnels/

Elon Musk's Boring Co. to build concrete batch plant for tunnel
https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-boring-company-concrete-rings-tunnels/

The Las Vegas tunnel project should give us a better look at their progress so far.

29

Policy and solutions / Re: Cars, cars and more cars Part Deux

« on: October 11, 2019, 09:06:09 PM »

Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) 10/10/19, 6:30 AM
A traffic warning sign on Vanderbilt Ave. in #Brooklyn has been flashing anti-car messages over the past month. A company contracted by @MTA who operates it says the lock is changed and the sign is reprogrammed every day but it keeps getting hacked. 

https://twitter.com/ny1/status/1182241941385334784
Image below.  Video clip of the sign in action at the link.

30

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 11, 2019, 01:44:31 PM »

Ford Motor Co’s July-to-September vehicle sales in China fell 30%, as the U.S. automaker continued to lose ground in a prolonged sales decline in its second biggest market.

Ford's China sales decline again despite new models

Ford’s sales in China fell 35.8% in the first quarter and by 21.7% in the second quarter.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ford-china/fords-china-sales-decline-again-despite-new-models-idUSKBN1WQ0QW

31

Consequences / Re: Wildfires

« on: October 11, 2019, 01:06:03 PM »

Fires in California push south forcing evacuations around Los Angeles amid rolling power outages today

Despite an unprecedented effort to prevent wildfires, at least three of them erupted in Southern California on Thursday fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. The fires quickly claimed more ground, destroying homes and by Friday morning at least 100,000 people had been forced to flee under mandatory evacuation orders around Los Angeles.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed evacuation orders after the high winds pushed the Saddleridge fire across two freeways and into communities. Most of the residents ordered out were in neighborhoods about 20 miles northwest of central Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said early Friday that the blaze had grown to 2,000 acres, and it was being battled by more than 400 firefighters, but it was still moving.
...
“We have found multiple cases of damage or hazards" caused by heavy winds, including fallen branches that came in contact with overhead lines, said Sumeet Singh, a vice president for the utility. "If they were energized, they could've ignited."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-fires-power-outages-today-wildfires-santa-ana-high-winds-evacuations-2019-10-11/

32

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 11, 2019, 03:27:49 AM »

The Bridenstine/Musk SpaceX tour and reassurance media event 

SpaceX’s astronaut launch debut Crew Dragon capsule shown off in first public photos

As part of a last-second media event at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, CA rocket factory and headquarters, members of the media were allowed to take the first public photos of the Crew Dragon spacecraft expected to support the company’s astronaut launch debut.

According to NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, that inaugural Crew Dragon astronaut launch (known as Demo-2) could come as early as the first quarter of 2020*. A great amount of work remains before NASA is likely to give SpaceX permission to launch, but both leaders were fairly confident that Crew Dragon’s first crewed launch is likely to come sooner than later. ...

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-first-photos-astronaut-rated-crew-dragon/
*IF upcoming final tests succeed as expected. 
Video of the event at the link.
Below: Excluding Falcon 9, all pieces of SpaceX's first astronaut-rated Crew Dragon spacecraft are visible in this one frame. (Teslarati - Pauline Acalin)

33

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 11, 2019, 02:54:07 AM »

Automotive News (@Automotive_News) 10/10/19, 8:20 AM
GM's Q3 China sales slip 18%   dlvr.it/RFvQCk
https://twitter.com/automotive_news/status/1182269684206329856

34

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 11, 2019, 01:11:13 AM »

UAW Demands GM Stop Importing Cars
The auto workers' union also demands that General Motors turn back its move toward electric vehicles.
Oct 10, 2019
• Proposals continue to be rejected on both sides as the United Auto Workers enters day 24 of its strike against General Motors.
• UAW vice president Terry Dittes said union leaders "don't understand GM's opposition" to reducing its Mexican exports to the United States.
• The UAW also does not want GM to prioritize production on electric or autonomous vehicles even though the automaker promised a new battery plant in Ohio.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a29418582/uaw-strike-general-motors-imported-car-demands/

35

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 11, 2019, 01:02:03 AM »

Dyson has scrapped their electric vehicle plans

In 2017, Sir James Dyson of the well-known Dyson Vacuum Company launched a project to produce an electric car. But recently, the company has unfortunately decided to scrap the project after determining that it was “not commercially viable.”

Dyson and its engineers had developed a “fantastic electric car” according to the company’s founder, but the £2.5 billion project that employs 523 people has failed to attract a buyer that would help develop the future vehicles. ...

https://www.teslarati.com/dyson-scrapped-their-electric-vehicle-plans-heres-why/

36

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 11, 2019, 12:37:43 AM »

Exclusive: carmakers among key opponents of climate action

The research revealed that since 2015, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Daimler, BMW, Toyota and General Motors have been among the strongest opponents of regulations to help countries meet the 1.5C warming limit in the Paris agreement.

In the four years since then, lobbying from the car industry in the US and Europe has attempted to block, delay and frustrate initiatives to regulate and reduce emissions from the transport sector – which is responsible for 15% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – and slow the move to electric vehicles, the report says.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/exclusive-carmakers-opponents-climate-action-us-europe-emissions

37

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 10, 2019, 08:37:23 PM »

  Not gonna happen:
BMW bets on doubling of luxury car sales to boost margins
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bmw-cfo-luxury/bmw-bets-on-doubling-of-luxury-car-sales-to-boost-margins-idUSKBN1WP1MS
BMW hopes to sell around 135,000 premium models such as the i8, 8-series, X7 and 7-series in 2020, up from around 65,000 in 2018.

What would happen to car sales if manufacturers could no longer afford to advertise?

ValueAnalyst (@ValueAnalyst1) 10/10/19, 3:35 AM
Most automakers spend billions of marketing dollars per year; Tesla spends 0.
Elon’s most popular tweets attract as many eyeballs as [Superbowl] commercials, which cost $5M for just 30 seconds.
Hundreds of millions of people use Twitter
Tens of millions of people saw this tweet:

        Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/9/19, 1:41 PM
        Tesla software V10.0 comes with karaoke
        But we call it “caraoke”, because it’s in a car
        https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1181988180326633472

https://twitter.com/valueanalyst1/status/1182198041807376384
VA:  If Tesla were to spend as much on marketing and sales incentives as, say, Volkswagen, it would have to increase its prices by $10,000 to $20,000 per vehicle.
Interestingly, Tesla is the only automaker that is seeing surging demand, while sales of other brands are plunging. ...
VA:  Here’s the kicker: What happens to legacy automakers’ already-plunging sales when they can no longer afford to waste billions of marketing dollars as soon as 2020?
I predict a 50% drop in ICE sales in 2021.

38

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 10, 2019, 06:49:45 PM »

Video:  All gas stations in Auburn, California are closed due to power outage, occurring due to shutoffs by the utility to help prevent wildfires.  At least one station expects to be closed all week.  Nearest open station (at the moment) is 16 miles away.  Traffic is clogged and slow because traffic signal lights are out. 

Where to fuel up your car during a power outage
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/pge-outage-gas-stations/103-5263193d-19de-4659-9ecd-6f62abada8ea

39

Policy and solutions / Re: Renewable Energy

« on: October 10, 2019, 04:10:46 PM »

“In the 18th century, Nantucket was the energy capital of the world. Ships departed the island, sailing to distant seas, hunting right whales for their oil.

On Tuesday, Nantucket is adding another page to the history books, as officials unveil a new energy source for the island: a giant battery. The battery will serve as backup for two insulated cables that run from Cape Cod to Nantucket, carrying the electric lifeblood that makes modern life on this timeless island possible.”

Biggest Battery In New England Is Unveiled In Nantucket
https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2019/10/08/nantucket-energy-storage-lithium-ion-giant-battery

Tesla's grid-scalable battery is supporting this popular East Coast island destination with power
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-powerpack-nantucket-massachusetts-backup-power/

40

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 10, 2019, 04:09:11 PM »

Re California:  It’s almost as if Tesla is pulling another Puerto Rico:  nimbly turning its attention to a crisis that has suddenly developed — and taking responsibility on itself to invest the money, resources and time to help.

——

Meanwhile, Tesla is also “making waves” (in the news) off the U.S. east coast.  October 9, 2019:

Biggest Battery In New England Is Unveiled In Nantucket
https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2019/10/08/nantucket-energy-storage-lithium-ion-giant-battery

Tesla's grid-scalable battery is supporting this popular East Coast island destination with power
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-powerpack-nantucket-massachusetts-backup-power/

41

Policy and solutions / Re: If not Capitalism... then What? And, How?

« on: October 10, 2019, 03:56:29 PM »

A very brave Wall Street reporter

nylah burton (@yumcoconutmilk) 10/9/19, 5:51 PM
Y’all found my child

https://twitter.com/yumcoconutmilk/status/1182050923624845313
Brief video at the link.

42

Policy and solutions / Re: Electric cars

« on: October 10, 2019, 02:57:50 PM »

Home solar provider Sunrun Inc. said hundreds of customers were spared from recent planned shutoffs because of their solar panels and batteries -- and it expects that to number to be in the thousands after this week’s blackout.
California’s Blackout Becomes a Selling Point for Back-Up Power
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-10-09/california-s-blackout-becomes-a-selling-point-for-back-up-power

Tesla Superchargers will have Powerpacks to help with outages, says Elon Musk
October 9, 2019

After Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has started to shut down energy up to 800,000 homes across the Bay Area, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced earlier today that he would begin installing Tesla Powerpacks in the areas that are to be affected by outages.

“All Tesla Supercharger stations in regions affected by California power outages will have Tesla Powerpacks within next few weeks. Just waiting on permits,” the CEO said on Twitter. The Powerpacks would supply energy via Tesla battery cells that would help owners charge their vehicles at Superchargers within the affected area without gas or electric.

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-superchargers-will-have-powerpacks-to-help-with-outages-says-elon-musk/
Tesla is also adding solar to their supercharger stations “as fast as possible.”

43

Policy and solutions / Re: Renewable Energy

« on: October 10, 2019, 02:55:57 PM »

Home solar provider Sunrun Inc. said hundreds of customers were spared from recent planned shutoffs because of their solar panels and batteries -- and it expects that to number to be in the thousands after this week’s blackout.
California’s Blackout Becomes a Selling Point for Back-Up Power
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-10-09/california-s-blackout-becomes-a-selling-point-for-back-up-power

Tesla Superchargers will have Powerpacks to help with outages, says Elon Musk
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-superchargers-will-have-powerpacks-to-help-with-outages-says-elon-musk/
Tesla is also adding solar to their supercharger stations “as fast as possible.”

44

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 10, 2019, 02:43:23 PM »

Tesla Superchargers will have Powerpacks to help with outages, says Elon Musk
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-superchargers-will-have-powerpacks-to-help-with-outages-says-elon-musk/

45

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 10, 2019, 02:21:25 PM »

Because politics.  And a cow.

SpaceX to shift Falcon 9’s next West Coast launch to Florida, the first of its kind in decades

According to NASASpaceflight spaceflight reporter Michael Baylor and an Argentinian government website, SpaceX appears to have decided to move its next West Coast launch from California to Florida, signifying the first East Coast polar launch in half a century could be just four months away.
...
In Monteith’s 2017 statement, it was stated that there is one major condition on the reopening: all launch vehicles intending to fly it must feature autonomous flight termination systems (AFTS). This is due to the risk that the rocket’s plume might prevent the reliable reception of radio telemetry at Florida-based tracking stations. SpaceX is currently the only launch provider in the world to have implemented AFTS and is thus the only provider currently capable of launching polar missions from Florida.

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-9-next-west-coast-launch-moves-east/

46

Policy and solutions / Re: The Boring Company

« on: October 10, 2019, 01:54:13 PM »

That Robbins Company site is interesting.  They do mention “variable frequency electric motors,” but I can find no other details except “multi-speed gearboxes.”

They do not tout a lack of need for power cables, so they probably do not use batteries to power their TBM.  The use of a gearbox brings to mind the fact that the predecessor to the original Tesla Roadster had a two-speed transmission (as does the Porsche Taycan), but Tesla eliminated it for their cars.  Teslas electric motor expertise would be of benefit here.

From the 2018 Recode interview with Elon Musk:

In talking to the engineering heads of the various tunneling companies, he found that they had no idea if their machines were power-limited or thermal-limited.  “Things like increasing power is relatively easy, and then you hit the threshold where youʼve added so much power that youʼre melting the drill head.”  So he took “rocket technology and automotive technology and applying it to drilling.”  And made it electric, which eliminates deadly fumes in the tunnel, and used batteries, which eliminates the need for a huge, very long power cable.  “We need to massively crank up the power to the drill head, and then ... we need to cool it.”  And automate the placement of the tunnel reinforcements, so digging doesn’t have to stop while that is done.

The Robbins equipment has several pre- and post-digging features, but I don’t see that it installs cement tunnel reinforcement rings as it digs.  (Tesla TBC makes their rings out of the bored tunnel rock plus a little cement, meaning less has to be transported or disposed of.)

Robbins is proud of their conveyor systems.  They note that with a continuous conveyor, “Trains can be fewer and smaller” and “Ventilation requirements reduced,” suggesting diesel locomotives are the most common option.  Extending a muckout line with a few rails for a battery-powered locomotive would require much less effort and equipment than extending a conveyor behind the TBM for miles as it digs.  Also, using rails leaves the tunnel open to comfortably transport personnel and supplies in, as well as the carloads of muck out.

47

Policy and solutions / Re: Renewable Energy

« on: October 10, 2019, 04:16:24 AM »

Home solar provider Sunrun Inc. said hundreds of customers were spared from recent planned shutoffs because of their solar panels and batteries -- and it expects that to number to be in the thousands after this week’s blackout.

California’s Blackout Becomes a Selling Point for Back-Up Power
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-10-09/california-s-blackout-becomes-a-selling-point-for-back-up-power

48

Policy and solutions / Re: Batteries: Today's Energy Solution

« on: October 10, 2019, 04:06:49 AM »

...
Also as Sigmetnow points out, the battery chemistry in Powerwalls might be completely different from automotive batteries. It makes all the sense in the world. The specific chemistry of these batteries was chosen with Powerwall use in mind, not driving. It may be that the sweet spot of Bruce's batteries is right at 99%.

Powerwall 2 uses different chemistry from even Powerwall 1 (remember those original curved cabinets?).  It now also incorporates inverters inside the cabinet.

49

Policy and solutions / Re: Tesla glory/failure

« on: October 10, 2019, 03:53:25 AM »

TeslaOwnersofMA (@TeslaOwnersofMA) 10/9/19, 8:16 PM
Check out @Tesla #Model Y. These mules looks a lot more complete than prior #Model3. @MotorTrend

https://twitter.com/teslaownersofma/status/1182087588322168832
Photo below.

50

The rest / Re: SpaceX

« on: October 10, 2019, 03:36:21 AM »

After NASA chief Bridenstine’s bizarre Twitter comment, a hastily arranged SpaceX factory tour and media event is scheduled for tomorrow.

NASA says that the post-tour media Q&A with Bridenstine and Musk will be streamed on the NASA administrator’s Twitter account and will kick off around 2pm PDT (19:00 UTC) on Thursday, October 10th.

NASA administrator set to tour SpaceX’s rocket, spaceship factory with Elon Musk

...Perhaps most notably, news of this surprise media event comes a little over a week after the NASA administrator published a bizarre and widely-criticized statement essentially equating Musk’s public Starship presentation to a company-wide lack of focus on Crew Dragon and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP). As recently discussed on Teslarati, Bridenstine’s statement was tone-deaf at best and delusional at worst.

“Ironically, despite literally receiving almost seven times as much funding as Crew Dragon and Starliner, SLS and Orion are arguably just as – if not even more – delayed than their commercial brethren. Originally intended to launch an uncrewed test flight in 2017, there is now little to no chance that that mission (known then as EM-1 and now as Artemis-1) will launch before 2022, a delay of roughly half a decade. The cost of the SLS/Orion program recently crested $30B, a figure likely to grow to ~$40B before it has conducted a single launch. Of that funding, approximately a third has gone to Boeing, the primary contractor responsible for NASA’s comically-delayed SLS Core Stage – the orange booster pictured above.

Put simply, if Bridenstine actually cared about defending “the investments of the American taxpayer” more than wielding their sanctity as a political weapon, he wouldn’t have folded like a house of cards at the slightest resistance to his attempts to cull SLS/Orion delays and cost overruns, and he certainly wouldn’t be wasting breath complaining about what SpaceX’s CEO is or isn’t talking about.”

Teslarati – October 4th, 2019

https://www.teslarati.com/nasa-admin-elon-musk-schedule-spacex-factory-tour/

——-
Teslarati’s Oct 4 op-ed:
NASA head calls out SpaceX CEO Elon Musk over Starship event in bizarre statement
https://www.teslarati.com/nasa-head-calls-out-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-starship-event/