Tesla Model X Raven subjected to EV veteran’s real-world efficiency test

A veteran electric vehicle enthusiast has given the Tesla Model X a nod of approval after putting the SUV through his trademark real-world efficiency test.

YouTuber Bjørn Nyland recently gave his subscribers a look at the “Raven” Tesla Model X’s features, particularly with regards to the vehicle’s efficiency and range. Through two separate tests, one that would simulate both highway and city driving and another that involves highway speeds, Nyland was able to provide figures for the vehicle’s real-world energy consumption. Both tests were performed on the same stretch of highway that spanned around 46 km (28.5 miles) one way. Nyland would travel the 46 km and then turn around, making the total distance per test around 93.3 km (57.97 miles).

The first test required the vehicle to travel at 90 km/h, or 56 mph, a speed that Nyland stated would best simulate both city and highway driving. It was performed after a short charge that only had the function of resetting the dash’s “since last charge” measurement. The hour-long trip showed that the Model X Long Range used 16.5 kWh of energy and 177 Wh/km. If the SUV were to travel at this speed for an entire charge, the vehicle’s 100 kWh battery pack would likely last around 565 km, or 351 miles, on a single charge.

The “Raven” Tesla Model X Long Range’s statistics after Nyland’s first test (Credit: YouTube/Bjørn Nyland)

After running the first assessment with the Model X, comparisons were made between other manufacturer’s electric cars. The closest to the Model X Raven in terms of energy efficiency was the Mercedes EQC, a vehicle equipped with an 80 kWh battery pack that used 192 Wh/km in the same route. These figures are estimated to give around 417 km, or 258 miles, of range.

The next test involved be a more realistic highway assessment, with Nyland traveling the same distance course at 120 km/h, or 75 mph. This 48-minute test used 21.3 kWh of energy and 229 Wh/km. These numbers would give the car 402 km, or 250 miles of range, outperforming its closest competitor in the test, the Jaguar I-Pace by a considerable margin. Nyland’s previous tests on the I-PACE showed that compared to tge “Raven” Model X, the Jaguar crossover SUV would only give about three-quarters of the range and use 15% more energy.

The “Raven” Tesla Model X Long Range’s statistics after Nyland’s second test (Credit: YouTube/Bjørn Nyland)

The “Raven” Model X Long Range’s efficiency results speaks once more to Tesla’s lead in the range and efficiency segment for electric vehicles. Despite the Model X being in the market for around four years now, rivals from veteran manufacturers such as Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz appear to be having problems catching up to the large, spacious vehicle’s range and efficiency. This is particularly evident in the Audi e-tron, an SUV with a 95 kWh battery pack that is pretty much gaining a reputation for being the electric equivalent of a gas guzzler.

Bjorn Nyland is among the EV community’s most experienced members. Having embraced EVs for years, Nyland has tested numerous electric and electrified vehicles, from Teslas to BMWs and Jaguars. Nyland owns a Model X, fondly named “Optimus Prime,” which was won through a Tesla referral program. He has also won other cars through referrals, including a Model S and the Next-Gen Roadster.

Watch Bjørn Nyland’s Model X Long Range Raven energy efficiency tests in the video below.

[embedded content]

Tesla Model X Raven subjected to EV veteran’s real-world efficiency test

<!–

View Comments

–>

Source

Tesla’s new Gigafactory 3 jobs puts Model 3 production, grassroots marketing in focus

The start of Gigafactory 3’s operations appears to be drawing closer, with Tesla’s China division posting a series of new job listings directly related to the manufacture and promotion of the Model 3. Amidst these updates, footage taken of the Gigafactory 3 complex suggests that the preparations for Phase 2 construction are hitting their stride. 

An announcement from Tesla’s recruitment team in China last week revealed that the electric car maker will be hiring first-line technicians and team leaders at an upcoming job fair on September 26. The announcement came shortly after a job listing for battery-related positions was posted online. 

Another set of job listings uploaded by Tesla China suggests that the company is currently looking to form Gigafactory 3’s Factory Firmware Team. Among the jobs that were listed include Firmware Integration Engineers and Firmware Integration Technicians. This team will be tasked to “deploy, integrate, and assess” smart hardware and programmable logic controllers for Tesla’s vehicles. 

Particularly interesting among Tesla’s new hiring initiatives is a post announcing that the electric car maker is looking to hire a strong “Creative CP” team for China. In its listing, Tesla mentioned that it is looking for individuals who could be part of a “superior” social media team that could effectively tap into the country’s massive online community. This is a key strategy that would likely pay off in spades for Tesla, particularly as the teams could end up fostering a formidable grassroots marketing campaign among real electric car owners in the country. 

Amidst these new hires, Gigafactory 3’s Phase 2 buildout appears to be progressing very well. As could be seen in recent footage from EV enthusiast and drone operator Wuwa Vision, Tesla’s construction partner appears to be progressing forward with the preparations for the buildout of Gigafactory 3’s Phase 2 stage. Few details have been announced about Phase 2, though speculations suggest that the project will involve the creation of a facility that will produce battery packs and drive units for the Model 3. 

Tesla Gigafactory 3 is expected to begin operations as soon as the southwest substation is completed. That being said, leaked images from the interior of Gigafactory 3’s general assembly building have revealed that trial assembly runs for the Model 3 are already starting. A recently shared image on Weibo, for one, featured two painted, partially built Model 3 units in what appeared to be a part of the massive structure’s assembly line. 

Watch a recent drone flyover of Tesla’s Gigafactory 3 complex in the video below. 

[embedded content]

Tesla’s new Gigafactory 3 jobs puts Model 3 production, grassroots marketing in focus

<!–

View Comments

–>

Source

Tesla Model 3 ramps presence in Australia despite government’s questionable EV stance

Tesla is scheduled to deliver over 2,400 units of its Model 3 to Australia this month, making it one of the top-selling cars for the month of September.

Earlier in September, Teslarati reported that the Model 3 was leading the way in terms of popularity of electric vehicles in Australia, but the new numbers are suggesting that it is one of the most popular vehicles in the country.

Model 3s are making their way to Australia in cargo ships in order to fulfill orders that the Silicon Valley-based carmaker received. Tesla confirmed that Model 3s were in Australia on September 1, but reports suggest that the first few units were delivered in late August.

Australian politicians have voiced their displeasure with electric vehicles. Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed in April that the end of the “Australian Weekend” was near due to the increase in presence of electric vehicles. “[An electric vehicle] won’t tow your trailer. It’s not going to tow your boat. It’s not going to get you out to your favorite camping spot with your family,” Morrison said.

In 2017, 1.19 million cars were purchased in the country, but less than 1% of them were electric, and Tesla made more than 80% of them. It seems that the country has already outsold the 2017 mark in the single month of September 2019.

This information supports studies from marketing firm Roy Morgan that showed that the number of people who were considering buying a full-electric vehicle increased by 54%, from 238,000 to 438,000. The number of people considering a hybrid vehicle nearly doubled from 621,000 to 1,174,000.

In a country where the government has taken the initiative to ruin the image of electric vehicles, citizens are beginning to lean more and more toward eco-friendly options. Australia’s Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has reported that petrol sales are on a downward spiral as it has been 17 months since gas vehicles have trended in a positive manner. “Despite the best efforts of the industry, the decrease in sales continues. It is well known that Australia is one of the most competitive markets in the world, and with the current economic environment, it is also one of the most difficult markets in the world,” said Tony Weber, an FCAI chief executive.

Tesla Model 3 ramps presence in Australia despite government’s questionable EV stance

<!–

View Comments

–>

Source