Tesla, sunshine and EV range (13 Sep, 2018)

[aardvark_admin]

This column is archived at: https://aardvark.co.nz/daily/2018/0913.shtml

Could the synergy of better battery technology and vastly improved solar cell performance result in a car that (at least for some parts of the year) never even needs recharging?

What will Tesla do if they find themselves having invested billions of dollars in "last generation battery technology" whilst their competitors start rolling out EVs based on batteries that are much more efficient, smaller, lighter and safer? Could that be the end of Tesla?

And what effect will solar cells with an 85% efficiency have on other products such as smartphones, home-energy systems, etc?

Isn't technology exciting??

[namartinnz]

If Tesla can effectively retool their Megafactory to make solid state batteries (under licence $$$) then they'll be just another cog in the electric car market of the future and not get left behind? Depends on how the tech will be shared I suppose....

And Lion is a proven tech, when will we see solid state as standard (just a few years away like Fusion?)

[goosemoose]

What will Tesla do if they find themselves having invested billions of dollars in "last generation battery technology" whilst their competitors start rolling out EVs based on batteries that are much more efficient, smaller, lighter and safer?

Wouldn't they do what all US companies do and purchase laws banning the imports of, or massive tariffs on, said products into the US and then start pressuring "allies" around the place to use said technology "or else".

[Hiro Protagonist]

And what effect will solar cells with an 85% efficiency have

If 85% is achievable at a decent price, that will be a game-changer. While having these attached to your E.V. would be worthwhile, keep in mind that solar panels need to be aimed at the sun to achieve peak efficiency, which is something that will never happen when your cells are built into the car body.

[phill]

flexible solar panels on all non transparent panels
plus panels third use as capacitors for braking and solar generation storage / use
( umbrella, solar generation, capacitor )

4wd
direct drive motors become bearings and first stage braking ( drive train, diff and most of the suspension then not required )
in braking its going to generate so may as well use it
the conversion to a battery is inefficient
but to a capacitor there is little loss


the capacitors are a sandwich layer of the panels ( stiffness plus electrical storage )

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