EV thread

[BlueC]

$340,000 for this??????????????????????????????????????????? View attachment 485570 View attachment 485571 View attachment 485572 https://www.cadillac.com/electric/celestiq

Man, that thing is ugly. It looks like they glued some "Cadillac" panels onto a wrecked Audi S7.

 

[Apparition]

Man, that thing is ugly. It looks like they glued some "Cadillac" panels onto a wrecked Audi S7.

View attachment 485582

View attachment 485583

Looks like it needs wheelie bars.

 

[Zorba]

Basically it threads into the front differential and uses a heating element to expand a gas to move the shift collar that engages the differential.
A full blow Rube Goldberg way to make some move used 88 -98 in GM trucks.

View attachment 485558

Da FUQ? They might as well have used a spark plug and ignited a bit of gasoline - would make about as much sense...

 

[Zorba]

https://nypost.com/2023/12/26/busin...acked-by-robot-which-dug-claws-into-back-arm/

Tesla factory worker attacked by robot that dug its claws into back and arm:

A Tesla software engineer suffered serious injuries when he was attacked by a malfunctioning robot on the floor of the electric car maker’s factory in Austin, Texas.

Witnesses told the Information last month that the robot, which was designed to move aluminum car parts, pinned the engineer and sank its metal claws into his back and arm, leaving a trail of blood along the floor.

The engineer was programming software that controls robots whose job it is to cut car parts from freshly cast pieces of aluminum.

While two of the robots were disabled so that the engineer and his crew could work on the machines, a third was inadvertently left on — resulting in the attack two years ago, witnesses told the Information.

The news site said it obtained an injury report that was submitted to federal officials as well as to health authorities in Travis County.

The engineer suffered a “laceration, cut or open wound” on his left hand, according to the Information.

The injury was apparently not severe enough to require the employee to take time off from work.

Tesla declined to comment.

Injury reports submitted to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration alleged that nearly one out of every 21 workers at the Giga Texas factory got hurt last year.

In the automotive industry, the median injury rate last year was one in every 30 workers.

Several current and former Tesla workers employed at the factory told the Information that the company regularly cut corners on construction, maintenance and operations in a manner that placed them at risk

Sources told the Information that management’s demands for speedy production have led to safety lapses.

Witnesses reported that heavy machinery including a crane, a steel beam and an air conditioning duct have fallen near workers on car production lines.

Records reviewed by The Information found that workers at the factory fell ill after they were exposed to toxins such as ammonia.

In the summer of last year, an employee’s ankle was caught under a moving cart, forcing them to miss more than four months of work.

Days later, another worker was struck in the head by a metal object, forcing them to miss 85 days of work, according to The Information.

Tesla employees at the factory said they witnessed forklifts collide with workers on the assembly floor.

On or around the New Year 2023, water was accidentally submerged in molten aluminum used in the castings area that produces the underbody of Tesla’s Model Y — resulting in an explosion that witnesses reported sounded like a “sonic boom,” according to The Information.

The explosion sent a ball of fire and then smoke into the air and caused employees to run off in terror, according to the report.

However it is unknown how many people were injured since that information is not included in documents submitted to safety inspectors in Texas, The Information reported.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s company began construction on the factory in the summer of 2020 after the mogul was outraged by California regulators who limited business operations due to the spread of the coronavirus.



View attachment 485574

Obviously not programmed to Asimov's Robotics Rules!

At least Elon had the sense to get the hell out of Commiefornia.

 

[srimes]

https://nypost.com/2023/12/26/busin...acked-by-robot-which-dug-claws-into-back-arm/

Tesla factory worker attacked by robot that dug its claws into back and arm:

A Tesla software engineer suffered serious injuries when he was attacked by a malfunctioning robot on the floor of the electric car maker’s factory in Austin, Texas.

Witnesses told the Information last month that the robot, which was designed to move aluminum car parts, pinned the engineer and sank its metal claws into his back and arm, leaving a trail of blood along the floor.

The engineer was programming software that controls robots whose job it is to cut car parts from freshly cast pieces of aluminum.

While two of the robots were disabled so that the engineer and his crew could work on the machines, a third was inadvertently left on — resulting in the attack two years ago, witnesses told the Information.

The news site said it obtained an injury report that was submitted to federal officials as well as to health authorities in Travis County.

The engineer suffered a “laceration, cut or open wound” on his left hand, according to the Information.

The injury was apparently not severe enough to require the employee to take time off from work.

Tesla declined to comment.

Injury reports submitted to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration alleged that nearly one out of every 21 workers at the Giga Texas factory got hurt last year.

In the automotive industry, the median injury rate last year was one in every 30 workers.

Several current and former Tesla workers employed at the factory told the Information that the company regularly cut corners on construction, maintenance and operations in a manner that placed them at risk

Sources told the Information that management’s demands for speedy production have led to safety lapses.

Witnesses reported that heavy machinery including a crane, a steel beam and an air conditioning duct have fallen near workers on car production lines.

Records reviewed by The Information found that workers at the factory fell ill after they were exposed to toxins such as ammonia.

In the summer of last year, an employee’s ankle was caught under a moving cart, forcing them to miss more than four months of work.

Days later, another worker was struck in the head by a metal object, forcing them to miss 85 days of work, according to The Information.

Tesla employees at the factory said they witnessed forklifts collide with workers on the assembly floor.

On or around the New Year 2023, water was accidentally submerged in molten aluminum used in the castings area that produces the underbody of Tesla’s Model Y — resulting in an explosion that witnesses reported sounded like a “sonic boom,” according to The Information.

The explosion sent a ball of fire and then smoke into the air and caused employees to run off in terror, according to the report.

However it is unknown how many people were injured since that information is not included in documents submitted to safety inspectors in Texas, The Information reported.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s company began construction on the factory in the summer of 2020 after the mogul was outraged by California regulators who limited business operations due to the spread of the coronavirus.



View attachment 485574

"Lockout violation that resulted in injury" would be the industry standard way to report this, but that doesn't sound as exciting.

 

[Apparition]

https://www.reviewjournal.com/local...ey hit by power outage over Christmas weekend

Death Valley hit by power outage over Christmas weekend
Santa brought Death Valley a power outage this year.

The California national park was hit by a 65-hour power outage over Christmas weekend that ended at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Park Service said the park was unable to pump water wells or power water treatment plants on the park’s two biggest water systems.

Park staff had to truck water to fill the tank at Stovepipe Wells Resort. Hotels had no power or heat in their rooms over the weekend, and restaurants had limited food options.

The park also had no cell service, and eight electric vehicles were towed out of the park after running out of electricity, park officials said in a news release Tuesday.

In total, 450 residents were affected by the weekend power outage, the Park Service said.

 

[InOmaha]

Our hybrid is getting crap mileage now that it's winter. Interstate trips are 20-22 mpg. In town 25 mpg. Our 2011 Honda Oddysey was getting 23-25 mpg on the interstate. It had 150,000 miles on it.

I should have purchased a more efficient gas version because of all the highway driving we do this time of year. It's not even cold yet. Highs are in the 30s.

 

[steelhd]

Someone remind me again what "problem" all this bullshit "technology" is supposed to solve?

The problem is regulators and consumers. Regulators require safety systems on top of safety systems and consumers demand lots of electronic bells and whistles. You are a fairly rare outlier in the marketplace.

 

[Zorba]

The problem is regulators and consumers. Regulators require safety systems on top of safety systems and consumers demand lots of electronic bells and whistles. You are a fairly rare outlier in the marketplace.

I know there are a lot of fools who want this crap - but there are a lot of us who do not. Thus I put part of the blame on the CarCos for not giving us choices - I want to purchase by LINE ITEM like you used to be able to do. Then, as you note, our Benevolent OverLords cause a huge amount of the problem as well.

 

[Rickyd]

I know there are a lot of fools who want this crap - but there are a lot of us who do not. Thus I put part of the blame on the CarCos for not giving us choices - I want to purchase by LINE ITEM like you used to be able to do. Then, as you note, our Benevolent OverLords cause a huge amount of the problem as well.

I imagine there are quite a few young and or poorer peeps who would love to drop 10k$ off the price of a new car or truck by opting out of 20 or so "features"

 

[Zorba]

I imagine there are quite a few young and or poorer peeps who would love to drop 10k$ off the price of a new car or truck by opting out of 20 or so "features"

Or those of us who actually have more brains than money.

 

[steelhd]

I know there are a lot of fools who want this crap - but there are a lot of us who do not. Thus I put part of the blame on the CarCos for not giving us choices - I want to purchase by LINE ITEM like you used to be able to do. Then, as you note, our Benevolent OverLords cause a huge amount of the problem as well.

Apparently they have calculated that it would cost them more to build vehicles for people like you and me than to build them the way they are building them.

 

[Zorba]

Apparently they have calculated that it would cost them more to build vehicles for people like you and me than to build them the way they are building them.

I hear that a lot - and I don't particularly believe it. I think that they make more money off of the things by forcing everyone to pay for the crap whether they want it or not. They've learned from the CableCos and TelCos.

 

[Apparition]

Supercharged loss: EV charger companies watch profits plummet as drivers pump the brakes​

Several electric vehicle charging companies are experiencing sharp declines in their share prices, with some projecting significant annual losses as sales for EVs level off and market leaders worry about the future of the industry and economy.

ChargePoint Holdings reported that its shares dropped 74% in 2023 and missed its initial revenue projections for the third quarter, according to the Wall Street Journal. Blink Charging and EVgo shares also have dropped 67% and 21%, respectively.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/...ss-ev-charger-companies-watch-profits-plummet

 

[Westtown Willy]

another interesting barometer of American's attitudes towards EVs

by the way having seen this video, my recent experience in Ubering around New Orleans going 3 for 3 in plain white Teslas now makes perfect sense; since the public has no interest in these as rental cars Hertz had to shift gears & do longer term rentals to ride-share drivers

 

[Apparition]

another interesting barometer of American's attitudes towards EVs

by the way having seen this video, my recent experience in Ubering around New Orleans going 3 for 3 in plain white Teslas now makes perfect sense; since the public has no interest in these as rental cars Hertz had to shift gears & do longer term rentals to ride-share drivers

Interesting as earlier in this thread I discussed renting a Tesla from Hertz.

Based on that experience I'd do it again but it all depends on the rental.

I knew I'd only drive 100 miles or so total for the trip so I wouldn't have to recharge. I didn't have to fill it for the return so I didn't waste time or money, dropped it off with 20% battery left and walked away. Was nice.

If I had to do any charging, I wouldn't have rented it.

At the same location that I had the Tesla one of my guys later rented a Toyota SUV and had his catalytic converter stolen while at the hotel. Last I saw that cost $3500 to correct so that's one advantage to renting a Tesla.

 

[Westtown Willy]

Interesting as earlier in this thread I discussed renting a Tesla from Hertz.

Based on that experience I'd do it again but it all depends on the rental.

I knew I'd only drive 100 miles or so total for the trip so I wouldn't have to recharge. I didn't have to fill it for the return so I didn't waste time or money, dropped it off with 20% battery left and walked away. Was nice.

If I had to do any charging, I wouldn't have rented it.

At the same location that I had the Tesla one of my guys later rented a Toyota SUV and had his catalytic converter stolen while at the hotel. Last I saw that cost $3500 to correct so that's one advantage to renting a Tesla.

I would imagine as a perk that Hertz would not require a 'full tank' upon return lest you suffer a surcharge, as they do with gas. But apparently that hasn't worked.

I guess the lack of interest in renting them is based upon the price and range anxiety, a lot of people renting cars probably drive more than the full charge range they'd pick it up with & they clearly want no part in fucking around with the charger situation...

I don't rent cars anymore when I travel since Uber became a thing, it just doesn't make sense for me since I only travel for vacation to places where I park the thing for the entire stay anyway, it's literally a glorified airport transfer mechanism. It makes no sense to go through all the rental horseshit when you can avoid reservations, pay less, get an instant ride, stand in no lines, deal with no idiots, and take on zero responsibility. No matter what airport I pop out of an Uber will appear within minutes of hitting the button, apparently in a Tesla , I'm happy to let them fall on those grenades

 

[Rickyd]

I would imagine as a perk that Hertz would not require a 'full tank' upon return lest you suffer a surcharge, as they do with gas. But apparently that hasn't worked.

I guess the lack of interest in renting them is based upon the price and range anxiety, a lot of people renting cars probably drive more than the full charge range they'd pick it up with & they clearly want no part in fucking around with the charger situation...

I don't rent cars anymore when I travel since Uber became a thing, it just doesn't make sense for me since I only travel for vacation to places where I park the thing for the entire stay anyway, it's literally a glorified airport transfer mechanism. It makes no sense to go through all the rental horseshit when you can avoid reservations, pay less, get an instant ride, stand in no lines, deal with no idiots, and take on zero responsibility. No matter what airport I pop out of an Uber will appear within minutes of hitting the button, apparently in a Tesla , I'm happy to let them fall on those grenades

Companies like uber put taxi services out of business. I can see how they would do the same to car rental companies to a degree

 

[Apparition]

First Cybertruck accident reported in California after Tesla EV was hit head-on by a Toyota - but only one vehicle was demolished​

• The first accident involving a Cybertruck occurred Thursday in California
• The report stated the Cybertruck was not driving in autonomous mode
• READ MORE: Tesla's long-awaited Cybertruck is FINALLY 'on its way'

The Japanese-made vehicle was demolished in the woods. No major injuries were reported

Elon Musk has long boasted about the 'superior strength and endurance' of Tesla's Cybertruck, and the first accident of the new electric vehicle may prove it.

The California Highway Patrol was called to a scene in Palo Alto on Thursday due to an accident involving the futuristic truck and a Toyota Corolla.

The Japanese-made vehicle was demolished in the woods while the Cybertruck sat on the road with minor dents.

The accident happened when the Toyota driver turned right and struck a dirt patch in the embankment that sent it back onto the road and into the opposite lane - hitting the Cybertruck.

'It does not appear that the Tesla Cybertruck was being operated in autonomous mode,' the police report states, noting that only the Tesla driver sustained a suspected minor injury and declined medical transportation.


More

 

[Apparition]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1740672987102155085