Tesla Model X takes on intense off-road challenge against Hummer H1 and Dacia Duster


A Tesla Model X flexed its electronic traction control capabilities after taking on a Hummer H1 and a Dacia Duster SUV in an intense off-road course. The all-electric Model X navigated through the hilly course with the help of its All-Wheel Drive powertrain and dual motors that digitally control the front and rear wheel independently.

The test of the three vehicles managed to expose each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses when confronted by the challenging off-road course. Many of the hill challenges and twists within the dirt track lifted one of the vehicle’s wheels off of the ground due to the rigid structure of each vehicle. The Model X was the only vehicle of the three tested that uses an All-Wheel Drive powertrain, powered by dual motors which Tesla describes as two independent motors that digitally control torque to the front and rear wheels. “Your car can drive on either motor, so you never need to worry about getting stuck on the road.”

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With dual motors and precision traction control, the Tesla Model X was the only vehicle in the challenge that was able to traverse a steep uphill section of the off-road course with relative ease while the Dacia Duster and Hummer H1 needed to leverage speed and momentum to navigate through the course. This could present challenges if conditions are wet, or momentum is lost during a steep climb.

Unlike the simple electric powertrain found in the Tesla with instant torque, the combustion engine Hummer H1 and Duster utilize a traditional transmission and drivetrain assembly to transfers energy from the engine to the wheels.

Many would believe the Four-Wheel drive option that is offered by both gas vehicles in the off-road challenge to be the ideal choice for taking on hilly terrains, especially when considering the ruggedness that a Hummer has to offer. However, the luxury electric Model X SUV manufactured by Tesla maintained the most control and navigated through the track in an elegant fashion, making it the best option for off-road driving when it comes to tackling some of the toughest terrains.

Watch Teslicka CZ video of a Tesla Model X, a Dacia Duster 4WD, and a Hummer H1 try to navigate a tough off-road course below.

Tesla Model X takes on intense off-road challenge against Hummer H1 and Dacia Duster

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SpaceX sets date for first Florida launch of its kind in more than half a century


Argentinian space agency CONAE says that both its SAOCOM 1B satellite and SpaceX are on track for a type of launch that the United States’ East Coast hasn’t supported in more than half a century.

CONAE has revealed that SpaceX aims to launch the ~2800 kg (6200 lb) radar Earth observation satellite into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket as early as March 30th, 2020 – late next month. With such a light payload, the Falcon 9 booster – presumably reused – will be able to perform a Return to Launch Site (RTLS) recovery, touching down at one of SpaceX’s two Landing Zone (LZ) pads located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). While Landing Zone rocket recoveries have become increasingly rare for SpaceX, that’s not actually why the SAOCOM 1B mission is so unique.

Instead, it’s exceptional because it will be the United States’ first East Coast polar launch in nearly six decades. The mission’s “polar” launch profile refers to the fact that the Argentinian radar satellite will ultimately orbit Earth’s poles, effectively perpendicular to more common equatorial orbits. If successful and repeatable, the mission could ultimately spark a new era for CCAFS and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and raises big questions about the future of California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) — or at least SpaceX’s presence there.

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Previously discussed on Teslarati late last year, the story behind why Cape Canaveral stopped polar launches is quite a weird one. A 2008 article in the Naval History Magazine sums up the events nicely.

“In what somewhat inaccurately became known as “the herd shot around the world,” some..falling rocket debris apparently splattered on a Cuban farm and killed a cow. “This is a Yankee provocation,” accused Revolucion, an official Cuban publication, insisting that the rocket was deliberately exploded over the country. Government radio stations cited the incident as further proof that the United States was trying to destroy the regime of Cuban President Fidel Castro. One cow was even paraded in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana wearing a placard reading “Eisenhower, you murdered one of my sisters.”

Castro filed a complaint at the United Nations, and Washington sheepishly conceded the possibility that “fragments from the rocket booster” could have landed in Cuba. CIA Director George Tenet later quipped somewhat tastelessly that it was “the first, and last, time that a satellite had been used in the production of ground beef.” Further launches overflying Cuba were postponed, and improvements were made to the Cape Canaveral range-safety system. In any case, it was a dejected NRL group that returned to Washington.”

Naval History Magazine – April 2008

That November 1960 launch thus shut down East Coast polar launches to avoid overflying Cuba and raising the country’s ire near the height of Cold War tensions. It’s believed that the Cape actually launched two more semi-polar missions in the mid-1960s, some five years later, but the fact remains that SpaceX’s prospective March 30th, 2020 launch will mark the United States’ first East Coast launch in more than half a century.

Falcon 9 B1048 produced a truly spectacular nebula-like cloud of sunlit exhaust during its October 2018 launch of SAOCOM-1A. (Tom Cross)

Back in October 2019, while SpaceX had effectively confirmed that it would try to move SAOCOM 1B’s launch from California to Cape Canaveral, CCAFS hadn’t fully approved the change or literally reopened the East Coast’s polar launch corridor. Now, given that CONAE has officially announced a specific launch date (March 30th), it seems safe to say that CCAFS has fully given SpaceX the go-ahead for the launch.

While Falcon 9’s upper stage will still technically overfly Cuba over the course of the launch, the combination of a rare ‘dogleg’ maneuver shortly after launch and the fact that said upper stage will be far above the Earth’s surface have effectively mitigated any technical or legal showstoppers. Around eight minutes after liftoff, the mission’s Falcon 9 booster will also attempt to return to Florida and land at SpaceX’s LZ-1 or 2 landing pad. SpaceX’s October 2018 Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) SAOCOM 1A launch coincidentally marked the first-ever use of Landing Zone-4 (LZ-4), a dedicated landing pad built for SpaceX’s West Coast launch site.

SpaceX christened its LZ-4 West Coast landing zone in October 2018. (Pauline Acalin)
Falcon 9 B1048’s SLC-4E launch and LZ-4 landing in one camera frame. (Pauline Acalin)

If successful, a polar Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral also raises the question: if SpaceX can potentially perform all conceivable launch profiles from its two Florida pads, why go the effort and expense of maintaining a third pad – entirely dedicated to polar launches – in California? Aside from one lone launch six months later, SpaceX’s last California launch occurred in January 2019 and the next one is expected no earlier than November 2020 – and could very well never happen at all. The only plausible reasons to continue launching from SpaceX’s Vandenberg pad would be if Florida’s polar capabilities were somehow limited or if conservative, bureaucratic customers like NASA and the US military were dead-set on their polar missions only launching from semi-arbitrarily selected launch pads.

Without any modifications whatsoever, Falcon Heavy could also immediately begin performing polar launches from Cape Canaveral, whereas SpaceX would likely need tens of millions of dollars and 6-12 months to modify its California pad to support the massive rocket. Perhaps keeping that pad quietly mothballed and flying launch staff in from Florida and Texas for occasional missions is a much smaller ordeal than it seems. Still, the allure (and efficiency) of a one-stop-launch-shop at Cape Canaveral is almost certainly hard to ignore for a company like SpaceX.

For the SAOCOM 1B launch, the next milestone will be the Argentinian satellite’s arrival at SpaceX’s Florida payload processing facilities, likely to occur within the next week. Already, March is lining up to be an exceptionally busy month for SpaceX, with two separate Falcon 9 launches currently scheduled on March 2nd and March 4th and another Starlink mission likely later in the month. With a little luck, SpaceX might be able to end Q1 2020 with its first four-launch month ever.

Check out Teslarati’s newsletters for prompt updates, on-the-ground perspectives, and unique glimpses of SpaceX’s rocket launch and recovery processes.

SpaceX sets date for first Florida launch of its kind in more than half a century

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Edmunds talks Tesla Cybertruck and its industry appeal amid growing competition


In a recent talk about the emerging electric truck market, Edmunds believes that the Tesla Cybertruck is one of the more exciting players to compete with the likes of Rivian’s R1T and the GMC Hummer EV.

Edmunds’ Feature Content Manager Carlos Lago and Content Strategist Will Kaufman talked about the growing electric truck sector. “There are a lot of ETs (electric trucks) coming our way, seemingly out of nowhere. There used to be just a bunch of rumors and now we seem to have a crowded market place,” Lago said.

With Rivian’s R1T hitting the production lines at the end of 2020, GM unveiling its Hummer EV during Super Bowl Sunday, and Ford releasing a battery-electric version of its popular F-150 pickup, truck owners have a lot to look forward to if they’re looking for “guilt-free” travel and towing. But the Cybertruck is unlike any truck before it, and Edmunds recognizes that.

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The Cybertruck’s futuristic and Blade Runner inspired look resonates nicely with both Lago and Kaufman, who state they would love seeing an unorthodox vehicle design on the road. More impressive, however, is the Cybertruck’s expected specifications for towing capacity, payload rating, and range.

According to Lago and Kaufman, one of the most compelling questions Tesla will need to answer is how to handle a decrease in range when owners are towing. Edmunds‘ towing test with the Tesla Model X proved to provide plenty of hoops to jump through, like frequent charging stops because of decreased range. This is one of the biggest tests Tesla faces according to Lago and Kaufman.

Tesla has stated the Cybertruck will be capable of hauling 3,500-lbs of payload. This is an impressive number considering the Ford F-150’s heavy-duty payload package offers a best-in-class 3,270-lbs. Lago was curious to see how Tesla plans to combat the notoriously rough ride of a truck with a heavy payload rating. The drawbacks of a heavy payload bring on increased suspension stiffness and decreased ride comfortability, something Tesla plans to address with its four-corner air suspension system to fight this issue that has plagued numerous pickups in the past.

The Cybertruck was without a doubt one of the most talked-about stories in the auto industry in 2019 when it made its grand debut. While Tesla still has to figure out some details with the Cybertruck, like working on headlights and taillights that are Department of Transportation compliant, there is time. The Cybertruck is expected to begin production in late 2021 with its Dual and Tri-Motor variants.

Watch Edmunds team discuss the Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, and the GMC Hummer EV in the segment below.

Edmunds talks Tesla Cybertruck and its industry appeal amid growing competition

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Tesla Cybertruck RC car is coming to Hot Wheels in two flavors


The Tesla Cybertruck will be Hot Wheels’ newest remote-controlled creation. Designed in partnership with Tesla, Hot Wheels’  parent company Mattel has announced that they will produce the Cybertruck in a smaller 1:64 scale and large 1:10 scale and taking preorders for a December 2020 ship date – just in time for the holidays.

Mattel announced the introduction of the Tesla Cybertruck Hot Wheels remote-controlled car at the 2020 Toy Fair in New York City. The company has already produced the Tesla Cybertruck in a 1:64 scale die-cast version, and now taking it a step further by producing two different remote-controlled variants.

A 1:64 scale model will be available for $19.99, and a much larger 1:10 scale model Cybertruck that will be sold for $400.

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The 1:64 scale model RC version of the truck will have 20 minutes of drive time before needing a charge, while the larger 1:10 scale Tesla Cybertruck will offer an additional 10 minutes of playtime. The truck bed rolls off into a loading ramp, just like it did at the unveiling ceremony. But don’t get too excited, because Hot Wheels has not included the Tesla ATV with the RC Cybertruck.

Both RC models will be outfitted with the actual vehicle’s headlights and taillights. A piece of the plastic chassis is also removable for those who want to take a peek at the Cybertruck’s unique interior that includes a recycled paper dashboard. This feature gives owners a realistic, but slightly smaller, feel of what it is like to have the most talked-about pickup truck in years.

When Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled the Cybertruck in November 2019, he was starting a revolution in some ways. Nobody had ever seen a truck like this in the real world and perhaps no other automaker even thought about making a truck that looks like the Cybertruck does. The gamble inevitably paid off for Musk and Tesla. A quarter-million confirmed pre-orders later (and probably way more now), and the Cybertruck’s Blade Runner design has become the inspiration for a variety of different things.

Vice President of Design for Hot Wheels Ted Wu said, “We think for a Tesla fanatic this would be perfect.” And it is. The detail and effort Mattel and Hot Wheels put into the design of the RC Cybertruck is sure to turn some heads. Some of those who don’t have the resources to purchase the actual truck have the opportunity to bring a little bit of Tesla into their household.

Wu added that the 1:10 scale Cybertruck will be available for purchase in “extremely limited” quantities. So if your taste is big, but not quite big enough for the real thing, pre-orders are already being accepted and the RC Cybertruck will begin arriving at your doorstep in November. If you can’t put a Cybertruck in your garage, one under the Christmas tree might be the next best thing.

Tesla Cybertruck RC car is coming to Hot Wheels in two flavors

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Elon Musk tapped for suggestion on Tesla Cybertruck as police car for Canadian law enforcement


The Ontario Provincial Police Highway Safety Division tapped Elon Musk for a suggestion on whether a Tesla Cybertruck or Model X would be better suited as a police cruiser.

The OPP Highway Safety Division tagged the Tesla founder and CEO in a tweet with images of the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck and the Model X flagship SUV sporting the traditional black and white cop colors. “Hey @elonmusk can you suggest which model would make a better police car? #Cybertruck or #TeslaX?” read the tweet.

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Tesla vehicles are popular among police forces, not only in the United States but overseas as well. The electric vehicles, aside from looking sleek, have access to instant torque that may come handy when responding to different situations.

The Performance version of the Tesla Model X, for example, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of 2.7 seconds, a performance that exceeds most premium sports cars. The vehicle can also carry up to 7 adults and has Falcon Wing Doors that may allow for easy passenger access when used as a police cruiser.

On the other hand, the all-electric Tesla Cybertruck’s dystopian design adds to its dominant presence that can be likened to an armored personnel carrier. To boot, the upcoming Tesla pickup truck is made from an impenetrable exoskeleton and equipped with armor glass. It is designed for utility but offers flexibility that may come useful for police forces too. The bed of the Cybertruck is big enough to carry a Tesla Cyberquad, an electric quad-bike that the OPP might also want to consider.

The performance and features of Tesla vehicles make them top choices for police forces. For example, a Mexico Mayor has ordered Cybertrucks for police use in a municipality in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The Tesla Model S has also been tapped by the LAPD Hollywood Division as one of its latest patrol cars as the police force tries to explore greener options for its fleet.

Likewise, the Tesla Model 3 has been receiving praises as a police cruiser. In fact, the Bargersville, Indiana Police Department said that it’s a big hit among officers but even more popular among those who were pulled over by the police EV. The Bargersville Police force added the electric sedan to its force to replace one of the Dodge Chargers it used for patrolling streets.

 

Elon Musk tapped for suggestion on Tesla Cybertruck as police car for Canadian law enforcement

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Tesla gets green light from German court to resume clearing operations at Giga Berlin site


Tesla takes a step closer to laying the first brick of its first Gigafactory in Europe as a German court ruled that the electric carmaker can resume clearing trees at the forest where it plans to build Giga Berlin.

The Berlin-Brandenburg court gave Tesla the green light to continue its work, noting that Brandenburg authorities did not violate laws and did not take any shortcuts when they allowed work to begin in Grunheide.

State authorities gave Tesla the initial go signal to clear about 90 hectares of land that will be used for the first phase of Giga Berlin. On Feb. 15 the clearing operation was halted after a complaint was filed by environmental group Gruene Liga Brandenburg that voiced concerns on the local water supply. The group also appealed that the carmaker must not clear trees until after March 5 when the deadline was set for the community and concerned groups to comment about Tesla’s project.

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The favorable decision of the court would help Tesla keep to a proposed timeline to begin construction by mid-March. An unfavorable decision would have delayed construction by six to nine months and risk plans to vehicle production slated for July 2021. Tesla aims to produce 10,000 Model Y crossovers per week and expected to create 12,000 job opportunities for Germany and nearby countries.

The ruling was seen as a positive development by state Economics Minister Jorg Steinbach. “We are very pleased to see the verdict,” Steinbach said.

Tesla tried to address concerns of local residents and environmental groups in Grunheide by opening a community center where it held talks to inform locals that the carmaker is taking all the necessary steps to take care of the environment such as replanting trees three times the number it would cut and relocating wildlife as necessary.

Amid environmental protests, Tesla has won the heightened support of the economic minister and industry leaders who all called for faster review processes in Germany so as not to delay big projects such as Tesla. They warned that such long delays may weaken the appeal of Germany to investors.

German government’s Green Party also voiced out displeasure with the complaints lodged by the environmental groups.

You don’t always have to be against everything,” Green Party member and Berlin’s deputy governing mayor Ramona Pop said.

Tesla gets green light from German court to resume clearing operations at Giga Berlin site

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Tesla gets courted by Brazil to establish a Gigafactory in the country


Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications Marcos Pontes and Congressman Daniel Freitas are reportedly in early talks about the potential for a Tesla Gigafactory in Brazil.

Both Pontes and Freitas did not disclose what company they’re negotiating with, only they hinted that it is one of the most valuable automakers in the world today. The officials also noted that they are hoping the talks will eventually result in the company opening one of its facilities in the country by 2023, the Brazilian publication NSC Total first reported.

However, a Tweet posted on Thursday by Eduardo Bolsonaro, son to Brazil’s President and a lawmaker in the country, would later confirm that talks have taken place between Brazilian authorities and William Popp, charge d’affaires at the U.S. embassy in Brasilia, on the prospect of Tesla opening up a factory in South America’s largest country.

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Bolsonaro’s tweet follows earlier reports that officials met on Feb. 12 to discuss the initial plans to help the federal government convince Tesla of the benefits of setting up shop in the country. The plan is to form a delegation that may include President Jair Bolsonaro to visit the Tesla headquarters in the United States.

The official entry plotted on the schedule of Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications reveals that Tesla’s Senior Staff Manufacturing Engineer Anderson Pacheco was present via video conference in the office of Pontes. Pachecho graduated with a Master of Science in Production Engineering from Brazil’s Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. He has been with Tesla for over 4 years now and works both at the Fremont facility and Gigafactory 1 in Sparks, NV.

Details are limited as of reporting but the proponents may encourage Tesla to put its first Gigafactory in South America at Santa Catarina, a state in Southern Brazil and roughly 1.5 hours by plane from Rio De Janeiro.

Meanwhile, Freitas is the author of a bill that pushes for the exemption of electric vehicles from import tax. The said bill also proposes tax incentives for EVs or hybrid vehicles produced in Brazil.

If the talks of the Brazilian government and Tesla prospers and results in the building of Giga Brazil, it would be another step towards Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s goal of having Gigafactories in every continent.

Elon Musk also recently hinted that Tesla is considering a Giga Texas, which could be a perfect solution to ramp battery production or may even be the facility to help produce its upcoming all-electric Cybertruck.

Gigafactory Brazil also makes perfect sense as the country is considered a sleeping tech giant and is one of the countries of the future. With a Tesla strong foothold in Brazil, the distribution of Tesla vehicles in South America will be easier just like how the carmaker plans to do it in Asia with Giga Shanghai and in Europe with Giga Berlin.

Tesla gets courted by Brazil to establish a Gigafactory in the country

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Tesla Model 3 ranks as only American-made car in Consumer Reports’ Top Picks of 2020


The Tesla Model 3 was the only American vehicle in Consumer Reports‘ Top 10 Picks of 2020. The list is comprised of CR’s highest-rated vehicles by factoring in road tests, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety ratings.

The 2020 Top Picks’ list recognized the best Small Car, small SUV, Hybrid, Midsized Sedan, Large Sedan, Midsized Three-Row SUV, Compact Pickup Truck, Midsized SUV, Sports Car, and Electric Car available to consumers today.

The Tesla Model 3 was recognized by the publication as the best available electric vehicle on the market. But even more impressive is that the Model 3 was also the only domestic, American-made vehicle on the list. Meaning, not only has the most affordable Tesla become the best EV for mainstream buyers today, but the Model 3 has established itself as one of the best American-made cars today, period.

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CR notes that the Model 3’s performance as a “high-tech” piece of the auto industry is impressive in its own right. “It boasts rapid acceleration that’s delivered in near silence, with instant passing power available at any speed and enough thrust to push the driver back into the seat. The car’s superb handling and quick, precise steering help it feel like a sports car,” the organization wrote.

The Model 3 is also one of the safest vehicles in the world, receiving top marks and recommendations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and several international safety programs.

Based on the results of Consumer Reports’ rankings, it appears that American carmakers are being outmaneuvered by international competition, with Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler getting beaten by European and Asian car companies.

International carmakers have taken advantage of the growing U.S. crossover market by offering new models for better prices. American-made trucks are feeling the pressure and other types of vehicles made by U.S. companies simply are not as appealing as their international competition. This is according to independent auto analyst Alan Baum.

While gas-powered vehicles are being dominated by car companies located in different countries, only one American company seems to be ahead of everyone else: Tesla.

Tesla has established itself as a key player in electric vehicle development. Nobody is even close to the company’s battery technology, pricing, or efficiency when battery electric vehicles are the subject. Despite a tumultuous relationship with CR in the past, they could not deny the Model 3 is the best electric car today.

Check out Consumer Reports’ full list of Top 10 Picks of 2020 here.

Tesla Model 3 ranks as only American-made car in Consumer Reports’ Top Picks of 2020

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Tesla’s Big Battery in South Australia just had its most impressive quarter yet


Revenues for Tesla’s big battery in South Australia, officially known as the Hornsdale Power Reserve, spiked 56% in the final quarter of 2019, thanks to an increase in the value of frequency and ancillary services in the region. This marks yet another milestone for Telsa’s Powerpack farm, emphasizing once more that grid-scale batteries are feasible.

French renewable energy developer Neoen’s 2019 revenue statement was recently released on February 19, and it showed a 14% rise in battery storage revenues for the entire year. Nearly all of the rise in Neoen’s revenues came from the 100MW/129MWh Hornsdale Power Reserve.

The big battery’s revenue jump in Q4 was somewhat expected, according to Renew Economy. The Tesla battery at Hornsdale pocketed $4 million of revenue in the fourth quarter according to the Australian Energy Market Operator’s most recent Quarterly Dynamics report. The report also highlighted a shift in focus toward energy storage, time-shifting, and energy arbitrage.

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Neoen CEO Xavier Barbaro stated that the Hornsdale facility has been a “wonderful” success for his company and the South Australian grid as its power has provided a “valuable service” to those who are in need of energy.

“We keep proving that what we do with lithium-ion batteries is the right solution and a competitive one for the grid. We are asked often to inject electricity for FCAS. It has proven to be well placed in terms of merit order in Australia, and has dramatically reduced costs,” he added.

However, the impressive performance of the Big Battery in Q4 2019 may be overshadowed by its performance in Q1 2020. A series of wind farms are currently out of commission after a tornado pulled down main power lines in Victoria, Australia. This will effectively cause South Australia to become an “energy island” that will be responsible for supplying power to residents in the region for two weeks.

Allan O’Neil of Watt Clarity expects the two weeks of dependence on Victoria’s big batteries to result in an additional $45 million of revenue. At least half of this amount will likely be captured by Tesla’s Hornsdale battery.

Tesla’s 100MW battery in Hornsdale was installed in less than 100 days in 2017 after a public Twitter conversation between Elon Musk and Australian software tycoon Mike Cannon-Brookes. The Twitter conversation revealed the Tesla CEO’s willingness to put his money where his mouth is. “Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you,” Musk said. True to his words, the Powerpack Farm was established in less than 100 working days, and it was promptly deployed to help support the region’s grid.

 

Tesla’s Big Battery in South Australia just had its most impressive quarter yet

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Tesla Giga Berlin halt upsets Green Party: ‘You don’t always have to be against everything’


Tesla’s Giga Berlin plans have the support of the German government’s Green Party. Various members of the political group have spoken out against the recent complaints the Brandenburg Green League has filed against Tesla.

“You don’t always have to be against everything,” Deputy Governing Mayor of Berlin and Green Party Member Ramona Pop said when speaking of the Green League, according to German media outlet Berliner-Zeitung. 

The Romanian-born politician has been outspoken against the Green League since the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court ruled in favor of a complaint the environmental group submitted about Tesla. The decision ultimately resulted in a halt of the tree removal process Tesla had been working on for two days.

Pop recognizes the land Tesla purchased in January from previous landowners as a plantation of low-quality trees that have no real environmental importance. “How absurd to declare a pine plantation to be a forest,” she said.

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The pine trees that Tesla’s construction crews have been removing have already been deemed to be of “inferior quality” by Grünheide Mayor Arne Christiani. The trees have been used for commercial cardboard production and give a very little amount of positive environmental impact. Local agencies requested that at least half of the trees that are replanted in surrounding areas must be deciduous and provide some sort of environmental benefit.

Martin Kühne of the Cottbus environmental group has also been open about his criticism of the Green League. The Deputy Group Leader of Cottbus believes legal action should not have been brought on by the environmental group, and if there was a problem, it should have been confronted by government officials.

“The right to bring legal action on our behalf belongs in competent and reliable hands,” he said.

Interestingly enough, politicians who represent the country’s economic and environmental interests are vocally supportive of the tree-removal process because they acknowledge Tesla’s positive long-term impact. Pop believes those responsible for halting the clearing of the land should remove their complaint and “make Tesla’s future investment possible quickly. For clean mobility and climate protection.”

Brandenburg Economic Minister Jörg Steinbach, for his part, believes Tesla will be able to continue its progress next week.

Tesla Giga Berlin halt upsets Green Party: ‘You don’t always have to be against everything’

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var disqus_title = «Tesla Giga Berlin halt upsets Green Party: ‹You don’t always have to be against everything'»;
var disqus_url = «https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-giga-halt-green-party-upset/»;
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