Tesla in deal with Daimler - Page 3

doug · 06-25-2008, 04:51 PM

The recent PBS News Hour interview with Elon had a possible reference to this Daimler deal:

Quote:

ELON MUSK: ... But one other thing I should say is we're actually very happy to sell batteries and motors, we're happy to sell power train components to other car companies. So we're not trying to keep the power train to ourselves, we're happy to sell that to other companies.

SPENCER MICHELS: Any buyers?

ELON MUSK: We actually have some, yes, we do. It's still confidential, but we think we'll be able to announce a deal with a major car company maybe later this year.

Searching the forum, there are a few other threads that have to do with Daimler and batteries:

Daimler Battery Tech Breakthrough??
Daimler / Chrysler to do Li-Ion "in house"?
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/elect...ev-coming.html

doug · 06-29-2008, 03:45 PM

Daimler plans electric Mercedes vehicles: report - MarketWatch

Quote:

Separately, weekly Automobilwoche reported that U.S. car supplier Tesla Motors is expected to deliver the needed lithium ion batteries for the Mercedes cars. The magazine didn't reveal the sources for its story.

Sounds like the same speculation we've already made here.

doug · 07-02-2008, 11:46 AM

Tesla Motors to Supply Mercedes-Benz with Lithium Ion Batteries*|*BenzInsider.com - The Official Mercedes-Benz Fan Blog

Quote:

A couple of weeks ago, we reported on a technology deal that Daimler AG and Tesla Motors are working on. While we thought the deal might involve the 1.0l smart fortwo engines, as Autoblog was claiming. According to AutomobilWoche, the deal involves lithium ion batteries that Tesla Motors will be supplying for the Mercedes-Benz electric cars. Mercedes probably realized that Tesla is much farther ahead in the development of long-lasting and durable lithium ion batteries than they are, which is why they opted to purchasing the batteries, instead of making them.

A-Class Mercedes: Goodbye fuel cell, hello Tesla battery? - AutoblogGreen

Quote:

Another magazine, Automobilwoche, as well as reporting 2010 as the year of the e-Mercedes arrival, states that the supplier of the battery for the cars would be none other than the American firm Tesla Motors. The source of their information was not revealed and since this has not been officially stated by either company, it's still somewhat speculative. We know from talking with Tesla's Elon Musk that something is going on between them and Mercedes and it's definitely not a motor for the Whitestar, since Musk made it clear that Tesla products will remain gasoline-free. We also know that Daimler claims to have solved the thermal issues associated with lithium ion batteries of a certain chemistry by integrating battery cooling systems with that of the car. Then again, Continental has already been named a battery supplier for the Mercedes S 400 hybrid.

My comment over at ABG:

Quote:

7-01-2008 @ 11:59AM
Doug said...

Hmmm... here's what I think:
Perhaps the "small deal" Musk referred to was that Tesla is supplying Daimler with a few battery packs just for evaluation. This would seem plausible given that Mercedes appears to still be looking at other options. Then the potential "very big deal" would be an actual contract to provide battery packs for Mercedes EVs. For a small company like Tesla, that certainly would be a big deal.

doug · 07-03-2008, 12:11 AM

Tesla may supply lithium-ion batteries to Daimler | Automotive News Blog - Wide Open Throttle

Quote:

Mercedes is reportedly pushing to have all-electic versions of the vehicles on the road by 2010, and the possible purchase of Tesla's battery tech for the vehicles could speed their time to market. The deal could also be a potential boon for Tesla, which has struggled to build series production vehicles but could end up with a potentially more lucrative role as an electric powertrain supplier as it further hones its technology through the Roadster and Model S.

graham · 08-16-2008, 09:06 PM

Some complete speculation on the Daimler-Tesla deal - AutoblogGreen

TEG · 08-16-2008, 10:33 PM

I had already contemplated the idea of a Tesla battery pack (and maybe even drivetrain) in a US bound electric Smart car, but I kept it to myself... Tesla seems to have enough on their hands just to deliver the Roadster (and upcoming sedan) according to existing commitments, so a hyperactive rumor mill just offers distractions at this point. These days, I am content to just wait and see what Tesla decides to announce on their own without trying to speculate on all the various possible scenarios of things they ~might~ be doing.

With all that said, I could see myself becoming a customer of an electric Smart given that I can't afford a Roadster right now. My current RangerEV is working out well as a commuter vehicle, but the range is slowly deteriorating (now at about 55 miles) so it will need to be replaced someday.

By the way, my commute it just straight/flat freeway, so a commuting car with modest handling capability works out for me. The Roadster is much better for those with twisty mountain road commutes (e.g.: Martin, EM, SJ, etc.).

Looking forward to 2010+ when we have multiple choices at the "low end"... MiEV, Miles/Javlon, SmartEV, TeslaBlueStar, etc.

malcolm · 08-17-2008, 03:14 AM

Could be a licensing deal.

JRP3 · 08-17-2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

With all that said, I could see myself becoming a customer of an electric Smart given that I can't afford a Roadster right now. My current RangerEV is working out well as a commuter vehicle, but the range is slowly deteriorating (now at about 55 miles) so it will need to be replaced someday.

Actually all you should need to replace are the batteries, and maybe with better ones improving your range. What is in the vehicle now, who did the conversion? Have you described the vehicle somewhere previously?

vfx · 08-17-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

... but I kept it to myself...so a hyperactive rumor mill just offers distractions at this point. These days, I am content to just wait and see

Self censorship. Very sad considering that TEG's speculations were the engine (motor!) that drove this site in the early days.

But Tony was also an architect as well but he has also tossed his keys so maybe it's just time to get over it and let the new drivers get behind the wheel...

TEG · 08-17-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRP3

Actually all you should need to replace are the batteries, and maybe with better ones improving your range. What is in the vehicle now, who did the conversion? Have you described the vehicle somewhere previously?

2000 Factory Ford RangerEV with NiMH batteries.
Cobasys lawsuit stopped Toyota/Panasonic from bringing any more of the NiMH batteries to the USA, and besides the price skyrocketed, so it isn't really a viable option to replace them.

The costs to replace the NiMH with Li-Ion would likely be cost prohibitive as well.