Everything we know about the Tesla ‘Model 2’ – Not a Tesla App
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The Tesla Model 2 aims to make electric vehicle ownership more affordable. Tesla probably won’t use the name “Model 2” because it implies a smaller version of the Model 3 when it will really be a more economic version. Tesla’s target is a $25k car, but the Model 3 was also supposed to be $35k but ended up being more expensive. The Model 3 currently sits at just under $47k in the US.
When Tesla created the Model 3, they essentially built a scaled-down, more efficient version of the Model S by removing features that were more expensive or hard to manufacture. Many of the switches, vents, and features were either simplified or completely removed, including the instrument cluster.
This includes replacing physical controls with on screen controls, like the handle for the glove box, mirror adjustment buttons, windshield wiper controls and many others.
Other controls were simplified to reduce complexity and therefore cost. Some examples include the simplified vent system and steering wheel buttons. The interior and exterior door handles were also redesigned to reduce the amount of moving parts.
Back in 2016 when the Model 3 was unveiled it wasn’t entirely clear which features were cost-cutting measures and which were feature iterations and would become standard in all future Teslas.
When Tesla debuted the new Model S in 2021 it became clearer which features may have been cost-cutting measures. We saw a lot of Model 3 features carry over to the redesigned Model S, such as a horizontal center screen, one continuous vent with on screen controls, but not every feature made it over.
These were seen as the compromises Tesla made to create a vehicle that is cheaper to manufacture when compared to the Model S.
The Model 3 doesn’t have an air suspension, cooled seats, a rear screen, or an instrument cluster. It also has a slightly smaller center screen. So what more can Tesla remove or simplify from a Model 3 to create a more affordable, scaled-down vehicle?
Tesla would likely keep all software-only features since they don’t add much to the cost of the vehicle. Some possibilities may include fewer speakers, removing heated seats in the rear, removal of wireless chargers, and removal of the glass roof. Removing any cameras or the FSD computer is unlikely since the FSD package is profitable for Tesla and there are also safety features that depend on that hardware.
It’s possible that Tesla’s Model 2 has transformed into the supposed Robotaxi mentioned at the Giga Rodeo Event. Elon has previously talked about creating a car without steering wheels or pedals, which would be fitting for a fully autonomous vehicle.
At Battery Day, Tesla said that standard range vehicles and future models will use lithium iron phosphate batteries. LFP batteries are cheaper to produce and have some advantages and disadvantages when compared to nickel batteries. Tesla would likely use the 4680 LFP battery for the Model 2. This would make the vehicle smaller and lighter, but may also offer less range.
Tesla’s 4680 cell is named after its dimension, 46mm x 80mm. They are much cheaper to manufacture, producing 5x more energy, 16% more range, and 6x more power, making them far more economic than traditional batteries. Using 4680 batteries, the Model 2 is expected to have a travel range of 250 to 300 miles.
Tesla will use a structural 4680 cell pack in a single body cast to manufacture the Model 2 as efficiently as possible. This along with advanced robotics will help Tesla achieve economies of scale and mass-manufacture their most affordable car yet.
Don’t expect the “Model 2” anytime soon, Elon has talked about Tesla finishing the CyberTruck this year and starting production in 2023. Tesla also has the Roadster and Semi to produce, which are very likely to be ahead of the Model 2.
By that time, we may see drastic improvements in FSD that could warrant a fully autonomous Robotaxi. I wouldn’t expect the Model 2 before 2024 at very best, but we could see prototypes before then.
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Earlier this week Elon Musk spoke to the Financial Times at the Future of the Car conference. The Chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX gave a few interesting quotes in this exclusive interview.
The interview started with a bit of overlap with Elon Musk and Co-Founder of Tesla JB Straubel both talking together. JB mentioned that it’s “tougher now for EV startups because what are they going to do that Tesla hasn’t or won’t do. What is their niche?”
Elon added “Companies are jumping in at the deep end, trying to make a high volume vehicle without having ever made a vehicle before. Start small and make mistakes at a small scale with a lot of reserve capital.”
Elon was asked who he views as the most impressive EV startup and he answered “Volkswagen is making the most progress aside from Tesla.” He also noted that there will be some strong EV companies coming out of China.
When asked about supply constraints, Elon said that he sees constraints in lithium coming in about three years, in large part due to the difficulty of converting the ore into battery-grade material.
Elon said that Tesla may have to get involved in mining/refining raw materials. When discussing supply constraints, Elon also iterated that the 20 million vehicle target for 2030 is simply an aspiration; “We may achieve it, but we may not.”
When asked about the current situation in China, Elon stated that he has had recent conversations with government officials. From these conversations he believes that it is clear that the lockdowns are being lifted rapidly, adding “I would not expect this to be a significant issue in the coming weeks.” This statement is optimistic as the lockdowns have posed huge supply chain challenges for Tesla and the broader economy.
When asked about demand, Elon said “now its demand is exceeding production to a ridiculous degree. We’re probably gonna just stop taking orders for anything beyond a certain period of time because some of that timing is like a year away.
Elon stated that there is some probability that Tesla would make a car smaller than the Model 3. Tesla has alluded to increasing efficiency when discussing the Robotaxi, so it would make sense that it would be smaller than the Model 3.
This would be an interesting move for the automaker. Tesla has previously alluded to the idea on their Q1 earnings call where they discussed the difficulty of setting their prices so far out because they don’t know what their future costs will be.
When asked about how long he would stay at Tesla, Elon responded: “as long as I can be useful.”
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The CCS (Combined Charging System) has become the standard for electric vehicle charging over the last few years.
When Tesla first debuted the 2012 Model S, the CCS charging connector didn’t exist. In fact Tesla developed its proprietary Tesla connector because there wasn’t anything capable of fast DC charging.
Today, the CCS connector supports charging speeds up to 350kW.
For comparison, Tesla’s latest v3 Superchargers can currently charge at speeds up to 250kW, although Tesla plans to update v3 Superchargers later this year to support up to 324kW.
Tesla already offers Superchargers with CCS connectors in several regions, but they will now begin adding CCS connectors to Superchargers in the United States.
Tesla will add the CCS connector in addition to Tesla’s own connector. This will give non-Tesla owners access the extensive charging network, Elon Musk said.
This announcement follows the path announced by the CEO to eventually open its Supercharger network to all-electric vehicles globally.
Non-Tesla electric cars have been allowed to charge at select Tesla Supercharger locations in France, the Netherlands, and Norway since November.
Allowing Superchargers – which account for more than half of all fast chargers in the United States to charge all electric vehicles would be easier and less expensive for everyone involved, and it would substantially improve the landscape of the current fast-charging infrastructure.
CCS is the obvious charging standard to go with, given that Tesla, like many other manufacturers, has already accepted CCS standards in Europe and its Supercharger stations are already equipped with CCS connectors.
Tesla’s cars and Supercharger stations in North America use its own proprietary connector, which has rendered Non-Tesla owners unable to use Tesla’s fast-charging infrastructure.
It also prevents Tesla owners from charging at other DC charging stations, unless they spend a considerable amount of money purchasing a CHAdeMO or CCS adapter.
Speaking at the Financial Times Future of the Car summit, Musk said they will add the connectors even if it lessens their competitive advantage over other automakers.
“It’s a little trickier in the US because we have a different connector than the rest of the industry, but we will be adding the rest of the industry connectors as an option to Superchargers in the US. We are trying as best as possible to do the right thing for the advancement of electrification, even if that diminishes our competitive advantage,” Musk said.
This is comparable to Tesla’s approach in Europe when the Model 3 was originally introduced with the CCS standard. Both Tesla and CCS connectors were installed at new Supercharger stations, and the carmaker also began retrofitting some existing stations.
Last year, the Taiwan EV Charger Equipment Supplier and Manufacturer Advancement Alliance declared that CCS should be the country’s charging standard, forcing Tesla to retrofit CCS connectors to all Superchargers.
Tesla upgraded Superchargers with CCS connectors in addition to their proprietary connectors a few months after the decision.
Tesla’s CEO gave no indication of when the company planned to begin installing CCS connectors at stations in the United States.
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Earlier this week Elon Musk spoke to the Financial Times at the Future of the Car conference. The Chie…
The CCS (Combined Charging System) has become the standard for electric vehicle charging over the last few …
Tesla has issued a new recall affecting 129,960 vehicles from 2021 and 2022, due to an overheating issue with the…
View the release notes for the upcoming version 2022.12.22.
One of Tesla’s brilliant moves with the first Model S and more recently with the Model 3 was moving to a mostly touch i…
Take a look at features that Elon Musk has said will be coming soon.
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We expect version 2022.16 to be released imminently.
Subscribe to be notified when new software is released.
The Jeda 256GB SSD drive custom-made for Teslas. Get $20 off with promo: NotATeslaApp
View all known voice commands for your Tesla.
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May 13, 2022 at 12:15AM