Octopus Overlords

The truck is quick, too: Musk said it would go from zero to 60 in five seconds without a load, or zero to 60 in 20 seconds with an 80,000-pound load. The ride should also be much smoother, he added, since you don’t have to shift gears—a clunky, grinding process in older semis. Tesla will put the Semi’s four independent motors to use in an advanced traction control system that Musk claimed will make jackknifing “impossible.”

In the long run, the big selling points will likely be the fuel savings and Tesla’s autopilot technology, which could be especially valuable to long-haul truckers. (In the long run, there are concerns it will replace them entirely, but the technology for that is not yet ready, and no one can say with confidence when it will be.) Whether that’s enough to convince truck companies to buy in, we’ll see. The cost equation matters a lot more to a commercial trucking enterprise than it does to the average well-to-do Model S buyer. But if it does pencil out, it’s easy to imagine the Tesla Semi capturing significant market share. (Tesla didn’t announce the semi’s price, but is already taking reservations for a $5,000 deposit. Production begins in 2019.)

Zaxxon wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:14 pm Also, a new Roadster that does 0-60 in 1.9s. For 'only' $200k.

wonderpug wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:40 pm

Zaxxon wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:14 pm Also, a new Roadster that does 0-60 in 1.9s. For 'only' $200k.

Hello? That's why you finance! With a 5 year loan at 3% interest, the roadster is yours for only $3,600 a month.

Zaxxon wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 12:14 pm Also, a new Roadster that does 0-60 in 1.9s. For 'only' $200k.

Zaxxon wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:42 pm As soon as nine women learn how to gestate a baby in one month.

Tesla's got their hands full with the Model 3, for sure. But that's no reason to put blinders on in a company of 30,000+.

Zaxxon wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:52 pm The UAW interest & recent attempted 'class action' racism suit with a class size of one by an attorney with a history of similar shenanigans are a lot more agenda-driven than fair and accurate, from what I've read.

The company has some growing up to do, for sure. That somewhat comes with the territory when growing at the rate they have been. And Musk has always given timelines that are at best highly unlikely of being hit without at least one delay. But if you read up on Musk's history and motivations with an open mind, it's pretty tough (IMO) to come out thinking that his desire at Tesla and SpaceX is anything but genuine.

If nothing else, he sure could have made out like a bandit with a lot less risk by investing his PayPal lotto ticket in something other than rockets and electric cars.

I think prior discussions have established that I'm a lot more bullish on Tesla than most here, so I'll bow out with 'we shall see.'

noxiousdog wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:03 pmBut I'm paying closer attention.

Daehawk wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 4:12 pm I wonder how long it takes to recharge the batteries after those 500 miles are used up?

mori wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:17 pm Tesla is going out of business. Everyone knows that Bob Lutz is full of hot air but he does bring up some interesting points.

Jaymann wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:28 pm

mori wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:17 pm Tesla is going out of business. Everyone knows that Bob Lutz is full of hot air but he does bring up some interesting points.

If Tesla is not doing anything that GM can't do, then why aren't they doing it?

Zaxxon wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:08 pm This isn't a Tesla thing, but since this is our de-facto EV thread...

New UCS report shows that driving an EV is cheaper than a gasoline vehicle in all 50 states.

It really is Mars or bust for Elon Musk. The billionaire says he's going to launch his own Tesla Roadster on the first test flight of SpaceX's new giant rocket next month, and the car will play David Bowie's "Space Oddity" full blast on the way to Mars (if the rocket doesn't explode during liftoff).

Zaxxon wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:15 am With that said, there are many approved body shops in the Chicagoland area, including 3 in the city itself: Linky.

wonderpug wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:51 am I'm surprised a company like Tesla doesn't give him a loaner Tesla for while he's waiting for the repair.

LawBeefaroni wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2018 10:10 am The other driver listed her occupation as "Uber driver." Of course she claims she wasn't on the clock but attorneys are getting involved and Uber records are getting requested. If her app was on, Uber is on the hook.