Blade Runner Redux - Tesla Cybertruck!

[ldjessee00]

Stumbled across this video that does the math much better than I did for the solar capabilities of the cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAU01vhHMPw

[redpoint5]

Doesn't matter how big of a solar panel they can figure out to mount to any vehicle; it will never be practical unless they can get much better than 20% efficiency, can lower cost further, or in very special use cases.

What are people supposed to do, not charge their truck for hope that the solar array will charge it? Maybe they get burned because they forget to plug in and solar doesn't deliver what was needed for their trip, so they always plug in... then the solar isn't being utilized because the truck is always fully charged from the wall.

Solar belongs in stationary locations where there is strong sunlight.

If I were gifted a rooftop solar array, I'd work something out with someone in phoenix to install it, since I would benefit from much higher utilization of the solar panels, and they would benefit from some of their electricity being subsidized by me. There's zero point installing solar in the PNW except for those off-grid locations.

[ldjessee00]

Another aspect I forgot about until I was looking over my notes was maybe this can help offset drain from keeping the system running while parked?

I have seen people do videos of Tesla that are parked at the airport or someplace while their owner traveled on vacation, work, etc and the EV was parked for several weeks. The differences in how they left it, how often they checked in on the vehicle via their phone app, etc.

Solar panel efficiency drops as the temperature rises, you might be better putting it on a mountain... Dry, cool, less atmosphere, lower average temps, and more sun days than the average might be better. Say the rain shadow of a mountain covers its southern slope? Not sure where that would be, but it probably exists...

And, we all know that convenience wins over logic and absolute utility. Almost no one would own cars. City trolleys and subways would be the primary way to get around any city. Trains would be the major method for long distance transportation and planes would almost never be used, as they just do not make sense except for those who for some reason have to get there faster than a ship or train can take them. The highway system would be much smaller and trucks only used to move goods from ports and train stations in the local area, not driving 4,000 miles burning so much more fuel than a train would...

[ldjessee00]

Originally Posted by TheEnemy

I am hoping that there will be an option to get the 500 mile pack for the dual motor.

If it was another $10k, that would be very tempting.

I think the reason the longest range will come out later is to get that range it uses newer battery tech and/or more efficient motors. If there was going to be a timeline slip (that used to be standard with Tesla production) it will be the top model. Maybe after that, I could see them put out a model that is two motor but with the larger/newer battery pack, but only after they have produced a lot of the full price tri-motor models first.

With the Model Y coming out ahead of schedule and now the rumors are saying the Semi might come out early as well... Could be the Cybertruck might be early by 3 to 6 months... but if I got in line/queue now, I assume it will still be over 2 years before I got to the front of the line. I just do not see them producing the Cybertruck in Model 3 volume, so getting through the wait-list will take time, even if more than half cancel.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by ldjessee00

I just do not see them producing the Cybertruck in Model 3 volume, so getting through the wait-list will take time, even if more than half cancel.

The whole point of the design is to minimize production cost/ time. Toyota UK quote 'up to' 15hrs per car spent in paint, that's a lot of effort when you're making 250,000 of the things.

Toyota Japan quote 17-18 hours to build a whole car.

Perhaps someone can find a better break down of those numbers, but it's clear not painting a car saves a stack of time and money.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

The whole point of the design is to minimize production cost/ time.

The whole point of the design is to minimize production cost/ time maximize profits.

Perhaps an exoskeleton and no paint is cost effective. Time will tell.

[ldjessee00]

Yes, it should be much simpler to build than some of their other vehicles, but they expected the Model Y to be their next high volume car and said they were not even sure people would like the Cybertruck design and if it did not do well, they would maybe switch to a more normal design. To me, that does not sound like a high volume production, but maybe with all the deposits, they will gear up to produce them more in volume?

[freebeard]

The whole point of the design is to minimize production cost/ time maximize profits deliver a product to market at a competitive price point (whatever Doug DeMuro might say).

Tesla should make a hot hatch this way.

[redpoint5]

Well I'd say that's the whole point of revealing the truck 2 years early and accepting deposits now. It's a gauge of demand, so that production preparation can be made accordingly.

I still don't know why people put deposits down since they are utterly useless. Those that put $1000 deposits down day one for a Model 3 had to wait a year to purchase the $35k version, if that's the one they wanted, and by that time the federal tax credit had been cut in half to $3750... then Tesla cut prices across the board.

OK, I get being excited for something and wanting to support it. If I were serious about owning a CyberTruck maybe I'd put a hundo down just to be able to say I had a deposit and strike up enthusiastic conversation with people.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by ldjessee00

Yes, it should be much simpler to build than some of their other vehicles, but they expected the Model Y to be their next high volume car and said they were not even sure people would like the Cybertruck design and if it did not do well, they would maybe switch to a more normal design. To me, that does not sound like a high volume production, but maybe with all the deposits, they will gear up to produce them more in volume?

I think the CT stands to convert a lot of people. I'm not a fan of Tesla, EV's, Pick up trucks (my '49 excluded), Musk or Sci-Fi - nor do I *need* to replace my work van. Yet here I am chomping at the bit to get one.

Originally Posted by freebeard

Tesla should make a hot hatch this way.

If the CT is a success, I've been wondering if this concept might find it's way into other segments. Flat panel carbon fibre instead though