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ChargePoint and Uber partner to bring flying electric cars to the sky

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While Uber continues its quest to dominate our streets with its peer-to-peer on-demand ride sharing network, the Silicon Valley tech company is looking beyond ground transportation and into the skies. Uber announced at its first ever Elevate conference in Dallas today that the company has partnered with the world’s largest charging network ChargePoint to create rapid-charging stations for Uber’s planned network of on-demand flying electric cars that will be capable of vertical take-off and landings.

ChargePoint is going to design, develop, and manufacture chargers with the goal for them to be utilized at Uber Elevate Vertiports by 2020, according to a press release issued by the company.

“As Uber works to bring vertical take-off and landing vehicles to the world, we are seeking out the most innovative, forward leaning companies to create the necessary pieces to scale this product. Rapid recharging is essential to this vision. ChargePoint has proven their unmatched ability to build and support electric vehicle charging networks and now, together, we’re going to make VTOLs a reality.”

Nikhil Goel, Uber’s Head of Product for Advanced Programs

Uber’s Elevate network of flying electric cars will consist of vertical take-off and landing vehicles, or VTOL. The network of VTOL vehicles is expected to launch in 2020 and will use ChargePoint VTOL charging technology to rapidly recharge the vehicles at their home stations. Uber is calling these stations for the VTOL vehicles, “vertiports” and views their partnership with ChargePoint as a crucial step in bringing this vision to fruition on a massive scale.

In a white paper Uber released in October the company states, “On-demand aviation, has the potential to radically improve urban mobility, giving people back time lost in their daily commutes. Uber is close to the commute pain that citizens in cities around the world feel. We view helping to solve this problem as core to our mission and our commitment to our rider base.”

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Will it really happen? Why does this matter?

We’ve heard about flying cars for decades, why is Uber able to complete this vision now? Technology has finally reached a point to support the evolution of electric VTOL aircraft, and allow them to make short trips. The company expects VTOL distances to max out at 140 miles (225 km) and needs the trips to be 40% faster than alternative modes of transport. Uber is targeting shorter distance trips to help alleviate congestion in large cities and shorten commutes. Since Uber imagines a future with significantly less cars on the road, the company expects to use the top level of existing parking structures to house the vertiport stations.

ChargePoint has raised nearly $255M since inception in 2007 and hosts over 34,500 chargers globally to provide over 23M charges to electric vehicles. Most recently the company raised $82M in March, with the lead investor being Daimler. By venturing into the charging space for VTOL, ChargePoint continues to assert itself as the global leader of independent charging stations. ChargePoint’s President and CEO, Pasquale Romano states, “We continue to build upon that foundation by not only innovating the EV space, but by creating solutions for the electrified mobility models of tomorrow regardless of whether they roll, float, or fly.”

“Each vertiport will have multiple high voltage rapid chargers, as well as sufficient lower voltage chargers for each vehicle vertiport parking slot to recharge at a slower rate.”

Based on Uber Elevate’s white paper that the company released in October, they expect a nice mix of slow chargers and rapid chargers to help remove the intense degradation that rapid chargers may have on batteries. Uber is choosing not to pursue battery swap operations, referencing Tesla’s failed battery swap program as a key reason, stating, “while swapping optimizes the vehicle performance, it causes a significant logistics burden.”

Christian Prenzler is currently the VP of Business Development at Teslarati, leading strategic partnerships, content development, email newsletters, and subscription programs. Additionally, Christian thoroughly enjoys investigating pivotal moments in the emerging mobility sector and sharing these stories with Teslarati's readers. He has been closely following and writing on Tesla and disruptive technology for over seven years. You can contact Christian here: christian@teslarati.com

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Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp

The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

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Credit: Douyin 老高懂电车

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.

Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.

Epic FSD Journey

As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive. 

Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.

Previous Everest Trips

This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp.  That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination. 

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In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.

Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.

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