Mini: Car manufacturer offers free fuel for those in the path of Hurricane Florence

[rcmaehl]

Source:

Electrek

Insideevs

 

TL;DR/Summary:

Tesla has provided free supercharging and large battery capacity for owners in the path of the Hurricane

 

Quotes/Excerpts:

Quote

For Tesla owners who don’t have free Supercharging and battery packs with software-limited battery capacity, Tesla is temporarily enabling both for those in Hurricane Florence’s path. Some of those owners on the Carolina coast are reporting this morning receiving this notification from Tesla inside their cars. Hurricane Florence, a potentially dangerous category 4 storm, is currently heading toward the Carolina coast and it is expected to hit North Carolina fairly hard. Tesla did the same thing in Florida last year when Hurricane Irma hit the region. It results in unlocking 15 kWh of battery capacity for approximately 30 to 40 additional miles. Furthermore, Tesla’s Superchargers have often proven to be a more useful way to recharge than gas stations for gasoline cars in those scenarios as long lines are formed as people rush to get out of evacuation zones and other areas at risk.

 

My Thoughts:

Definitely sounds weird if you don't specify it's Tesla. Tesla has ways to easily gain positive PR that most companies would have to spend a fortune on. While this could be twisted as a way the rich stay richer and the poor stay poorer, I'd like to think otherwise especially with the reasonably priced Model 3.

[TVwazhere]

This would be more significant (and to play devils advocate, exploitable) if it were from an actually large car manufacturer like GM or Ford or Toyota.

[rcmaehl]

3 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

This would be more significant (and to play devils advocate, exploitable) if it were from an actually large car manufacturer like GM or Ford or Toyota.

It really would be.

[Emberstone]

Software-limited batteries? Do cars have microtransactions and DLC now?

[Deus Voltage]

Your nuance is really appreciated. Still, it's difficult to gauge the real motivation of a company with a unique purpose such as Tesla. 

[rcmaehl]

4 minutes ago, Emberstone said:

Software-limited batteries? Do cars have microtransactions and DLC now?

Yes, Tesla "allows" you to limit your software features, battery, and HP/Torque output for a lower cost.

[Maslofski]

such title gore lol 

 

it sounds like youre talking about the car manufacturer mini

 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

If it was Toyota/Ford/GM than it might make an effect

[The Benjamins]

1 hour ago, Emberstone said:

Software-limited batteries? Do cars have microtransactions and DLC now?

All hybrid and full electric cars software restrict batteries to never all for a full fill up or drain to preserver the longevity of the battery.

 

It allows for a battery pack to say last 200,000 miles with 200 mile range vs 100,000 miles for 300 mile range.

 

It is like a SSD, it overprovisioned when cells die reserved one are used.

[bcredeur97]

4 minutes ago, The Benjamins said:

All hybrid and full electric cars software restrict batteries to never all for a full fill up or drain to preserver the longevity of the battery.

 

It allows for a battery pack to say last 200,000 miles with 200 mile range vs 100,000 miles for 300 mile range.

 

It is like a SSD, it overprovisioned when cells die reserved one are used.

it is also true of tesla's that they'll reuse battery packs in multiple models, with the lower capacity models just software limited.

It makes sense business wise (dont have to make 2 different sizes), and the consumer will get a longer lasting (wear and tear/longevity) battery in the lower end car.

I don't really care for this myself. but they do it. I just dont like the idea of not being able to access what is physically there.

[aezakmi]

my prediction is that the storm will do a turn or reach the ground with the strenght of a cheap desk fan

[Jito463]

9 hours ago, rcmaehl said:

Furthermore, Tesla’s Superchargers have often proven to be a more useful way to recharge than gas stations for gasoline cars in those scenarios as long lines are formed as people rush to get out of evacuation zones and other areas at risk.

I would counter-point that the only reason they're more efficient, is because there's fewer people charging Tesla's than there are those pumping gasoline.  It's easy to be "more efficient" when you're catering to a smaller market.

[Master Disaster]

14 hours ago, Emberstone said:

Software-limited batteries? Do cars have microtransactions and DLC now?

Linus has covered this multiple times, modern batteries last longest when kept between 20% & 80% charge. Tesla aren't limiting the battery to limit range, they limiting to try and maximise lifespan. It's actually better for the customer to lose 40 miles range from the car if it means the battery will last 12 months longer than it would have otherwise.

 

Btw Florence has been downgraded to a CAT 2 now although apparently that makes it just as bad because it means it's likely to linger for longer allowing more rain to fall.

[WkdPaul]

Thread moved to General Section.

 

While it's a nice gesture, it's not Tech News.