Tesla is Steaming Hot

vfx · 08-26-2008, 11:45 AM

ABG
Tesla Roadsters reportedly experience glitches during Euro test drives - AutoblogGreen

It's good DS is all over this one.

stopcrazypp · 08-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Tesla Roadsters reportedly experience glitches during Euro test drives - AutoblogGreen

Autobloggreen reports one of the drivers in the media test drives in Europe reported smoke from the battery, however the battery smoke alarm didn't detect smoke, the battery was examined throughly to have no problems, and the battery was used in the next remaining 2 weeks of consecutive media drives with no problems. Darryl explains it's most likely a wet leaf (it was raining) hitting the hot motor and giving off steam, given the car was driven at Vmax with repetitive high acceleration.

The next was a faulty parking pawl sensor which prevent one car from moving.

They had three cars in total, 2 with 1.5 drivetrains and 1 with 1.0. One was reported to have smoke and another couldn't drive because of the sensor. I wonder how the media will report this, even given the "battery smoke" issue wasn't really an issue; the sensor issue might concern some drivers though given it locks the car and you can't drive it.

Edit: turns out this is a repost given vfx posted earlier than me:
Tesla is Steaming Hot

dpeilow · 08-26-2008, 12:41 PM

So that's where Finkenbusch went

JRP3 · 08-26-2008, 08:13 PM

I see a reporting problem, not a battery problem.

doug · 08-26-2008, 08:37 PM

Yeah, it's not much of a story.
The only interesting thing is it gives an idea of the thermal limits of the motor.

dpeilow · 08-27-2008, 01:22 AM

A while ago at one of the events, I was discussing the limitations of the car for track use and I pointed out that this was not much different to autobahn driving. The answer was "yes that is a concern".

Tesla really needs to ensure its customers know that flat out on the autobahn is not a good idea. Even if the thermal issue can be resolved, I think it was vfx that showed you would empty the battery in no time as well (and some of the gaps between interchanges on there are quite long).

It is true that even old grannies drive at 120mph over there - I've been once and you really have to be on your game. If Germany is looking like a promising market, at least it could be an incentive to engineer in better thermal protection and - I hope - eventually look at a 2nd or taller gear again. The rumoured race program would be useful in this regard.

TEG · 08-27-2008, 09:40 AM

Yeah, I was just re-watching an old JB lecture at PARC. When asked about why the top speed was less than the Elise he more or less said that speeds over 100MPH are really only used for brief instants out in the empty desert to be able to say you did it. That was probably when the plan was to sell in the USA only. EVs with limited energy storage (compared to a gas tank) just don't seem appropriate for the Autobahn. Besides, Autobahn speeds are really inefficient. EVs are trying to show that they can have a viable range, and if people try to drive them "flat out" they will probably find the range unacceptable.

vfx · 08-27-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

... Autobahn speeds are really inefficient...

This really says it. The Germans are Solar and Wind but the old wasteful (but fun) roads are still there. They should be working on the long range high speed EV issues.

JRP3 · 08-27-2008, 06:11 PM

The reality is that no one needs to do 100mph+ for extended periods, as much fun as it may be, and there are few places where it's even possible. It's not a real world problem that needs addressing.

SByer · 08-27-2008, 10:09 PM

I... don't know. The fatality rate PPM is a bunch lower on the Autobahn because you really have to pay attention. What is the right speed given that? Or given that the PPM fatalities went down when the US federal 55mph cap was removed way back when? What's the value of human life vs. the extra energy expended? Or lost productivity due to the lost time for going slower? What if the cars could "train" up to minimize the extra lossage? Would that change the balance?