Connect with us

News

Tesla China launches new massive Delivery Center with Grand Opening Ceremony

Credit: @JayInShanghai | Twitter

Published

on

One of Tesla China’s largest delivery centers had a massive Grand Opening Ceremony today with an event for initial deliveries of its vehicles.

The Tesla China Minhang Delivery Center is located in the Minhang District of Shanghai and is a massive 11,800 square meters with 101 parking spaces that are designated for delivery. It is the second-largest delivery center in China, trailing only the Xiedao, Crab Island, Beijing Delivery Center that launched in September. The Crab Island facility was built to handle excessive demand for the Model Y Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive.

Today, the Minhang Delivery Center launched with a massive Grand Opening event to celebrate the first day of deliveries at the facility. The Event had a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a seminar about Tesla vehicles, and a delivery session for those in attendance to pick up their all-electric vehicles. Images of the ceremony were shared by @JayinShanghai.

Tesla has made significant strides in China through the past several years, and it has become one of the company’s most significant advantages in terms of growth. Not only has China become a mainstay of Tesla’s all-electric vehicles despite numerous attempts to derail the automaker’s momentum, but it has also contributed to the growth of the company on a global scale. Due to the need for Tesla’s vehicles in Europe, Tesla transitioned Gigafactory Shanghai into somewhat of an export hub. Gigafactory Shanghai has ramped to produce more than 450,000 vehicles annually, composed of the Model 3 and Model Y.

Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai is now a primary vehicle export hub

Because of Giga Shanghai’s increased manufacturing rates and the imminent start of production at Tesla’s European factory, Giga Berlin, the automaker can now begin to focus on making cars for Chinese customers in China instead of splitting the production output between the Chinese and European markets. As demand for Tesla’s vehicles continues to rise in China, the company is opening more service centers and delivery hubs for customers to come to pick up their cars. Now that exporting vehicles to Europe will come to a close soon, Tesla will have their hands full with China’s demand, which has not slowed down since the company delivered its first vehicle in China in early 2020.

Advertisement

Don’t hesitate to contact us with tips! Email us at tips@teslarati.com, or you can email me directly at joey@teslarati.com.

Joey has been a journalist covering electric mobility at TESLARATI since August 2019. In his spare time, Joey is playing golf, watching MMA, or cheering on any of his favorite sports teams, including the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, Miami Heat, Washington Capitals, and Penn State Nittany Lions. You can get in touch with joey at joey@teslarati.com. He is also on X @KlenderJoey. If you're looking for great Tesla accessories, check out shop.teslarati.com

Advertisement
Comments

Elon Musk

Tesla reveals major info about the Semi as it heads toward ‘mass production’

Some information, like trim levels and their specs were not revealed by Tesla, but now that the Semi is headed toward mass production this year, the company finally revealed those specifics.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

Tesla has revealed some major information about the all-electric Semi as it heads toward “mass production,” according to CEO Elon Musk.

The Semi has been working toward a wider production phase after several years of development, pilot programs, and the construction of a dedicated production facility that is specifically catered to the manufacturing of the vehicle.

However, some information, like trim levels and their specs were not revealed by Tesla, but now that the Semi is headed toward mass production this year, the company finally revealed those specifics.

Tesla Semi undergoes major redesign as dedicated factory preps for deliveries

Advertisement

Tesla plans to build a Standard Range and Long Range Trim level of the Semi, and while the range is noted in the company’s newly-released spec list, there is no indication of what battery size will be equipped by them. However, there is a notable weight difference between the two of roughly 3,000 lbs, and the Long Range configuration has a lightning-fast peak charging speed of 1.2 MW.

This information is not available for the Standard Range quite yet.

The spec list is as follows:

  • Standard Range:
    • 325 miles of range (at 82,000 lbs gross combination weight
    • Curb Weight: <20,000
    •  Energy Consumption: 1.7 kWh per mile
    • Powertrain: 3 independent motors on rear axles
    • Charging: Up to 60% of range in 30 minutes
    • Charge Type: MCS 3.2
    • Drive Power: Up to 800 kW
    • ePTO (Electric Power Take Off): Up to 25 kW
  • Long Range:
    • Range: 500 miles (at 82,000 lbs gross combination weight)
    • Curb Weight: 23,000 lbs
    • Energy Consumption: 1.7 kWh per mile
    • Powertrain: 3 independent motors on rear axles
    • Charging: Up to 60% of range in 30 minutes
    • Charge Type: MCS 3.2
    • Peak charging speed: 1.2MW (1,200kW)
    • Drive Power: Up to 800 kW
    • ePTO (Electric Power Take Off): Up to 25 kW

It is important to keep in mind that the Semi is currently spec’d for local runs, and Tesla has not yet released or developed a sleeper cabin that would be more suitable for longer trips, cross-country hauls, and overnight travel.

Tesla Semi sleeper section and large side storage teased in new video

Advertisement

Instead, the vehicle will be initially used for regional deliveries, as it has in the pilot programs for Pepsi Co. and Frito-Lay for the past several years.

It will enter mass production this year, Musk confirmed on X over the weekend.

Now that the company’s dedicated Semi production facility in Sparks, Nevada, is standing, the timeline seems much more realistic as the vehicle has had its mass manufacturing date adjusted on several occasions.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Ferrari Luce EV: Italian supercar maker reveals interior and interface design

Published

on

Ferrari, the Italian supercar maker, has revealed the name, interior, and interface design of its first-ever electric vehicle project, the Luce, initiating a new chapter in the rich history of the company’s automotive books.

This is the first time Ferrari has revealed such intimate details regarding its introductory EV offering, which has been in the realm of possibility for several years.

As more companies continue to take on EV projects, and some recede from them, supercar companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini are preparing to offer electric powertrains, offering super-fast performance and a new era of speed and acceleration.

Luce – a New Chapter in Ferrari

The company said that the name Luce is “more than a name. It is a vision.” Instead of looking at its first EV offering as a means to enter a new era of design, engineering, and imagination. The company did not want to compromise any of its reputation, high standards, or performance with this new project. It sees it as simply a page turn, and not the closing of a book:

Advertisement

“This new naming strategy reflects how the Ferrari Luce marks a significant addition to the Prancing Horse’s line-up, embodying the seamless expression of tradition and innovation. With its cutting-edge technology, unique design, and best-in-class driving thrills, it unites Ferrari’s racing heritage, the timeless spirit of its sports cars, and the evolving reality of contemporary lifestyles. It testifies to Ferrari’s determination to go beyond expectations: to imagine the future, and to dare. Because leading means illuminating the path ahead – and Luce embodies that mindset.”

Ferrari Luce Design

Ferrari collaborated with LoveFrom, a creative collective founded by Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The pair has been working with Ferrari for five years on the Luce design; everything from materials, ergonomics, interface, and user experience has been designed by the two entities.

The big focus with the interior was to offer “a first, tangible insight into the design philosophy…where innovation meets craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. The team focused on perfecting and refining every solution to its purest form — not to reinvent what already works, but to create a new, carefully considered expression of Ferrari.”

RELATED:

Advertisement

Ferrari CEO compliments Tesla for shaking up the automotive industry

The company also said:

“Ultimately, the design of the Ferrari Luce’s interior is a synthesis of meticulous craftsmanship, respect for tradition, and thoughtful innovation. It offers a new choice for Ferrari enthusiasts – one that honours the past while embracing the future, and exemplifies the brand’s enduring commitment to quality, performance, and cultural significance.”

The appearance of the elements that make up the interior are both an ode to past designs, like the steering wheel, which is a reinterpretation of the iconic 1950s and 1960s wooden three-spoke Nardi wheel, and fresh, new designs, which aim to show the innovation Ferrari is adopting with this new project.

Advertisement

Interior Highlights

Steering Wheel

The Ferrari Luce is a shout-out to the Nardi wheel from the 1950s and 60s. It is constructed of 100% recycled aluminum, and the alloy was developed specifically for the vehicle to “ensure mechanical resistance and a superb surface quality for the anodisation process.”

It weighs 400 grams less than a standard Ferrari steering wheel:

Credit: Ferrari

It features two analogue control modules, ensuring both functionality and clarity, Ferrari said. The carmaker drew inspiration from Formula One single-seaters, and every button has been developed to provide “the most harmonious combination of mechanical and acoustic feedback based on more than 20 evaluation tests with Ferrari test drivers.”

Instrument Cluster and Displays

There are three displays in the Luce — a driver binnacle, control panel, and rear control panel, which have all been “meticulously designed for clarity and purpose.”

The binnacle moves with the steering wheel and is optimized for the driver’s view of the instrumentation and supporting driver performance.

Advertisement

Displays are crafted by Samsung and were specifically designed for the car, using a “world first – three large cutouts strategically reveal the information generated by a second display behind the top panel, creating a fascinating visual depth that captures the eye.”

Samsung Display engineers created an ultra-light, ultra-thin OLED panel for the vehicle.

Credit: Ferrari

Pricing is still what remains a mystery within the Luce project. Past reports have speculated that the price could be at least €500,000, or $535,000.

Continue Reading

Elon Musk

Elon Musk pivots SpaceX plans to Moon base before Mars

The shift, Musk explained, is driven by launch cadence and the urgency of securing humanity’s long-term survival beyond Earth, among others.

Published

on

Credit: @SecWar/X

Elon Musk has clarified that SpaceX is prioritizing the Moon over Mars as the fastest path to establishing a self-growing off-world civilization. 

The shift, Musk explained, is driven by launch cadence and the urgency of securing humanity’s long-term survival beyond Earth, among others.

Why the Moon is now SpaceX’s priority

In a series of posts on X, Elon Musk stated that SpaceX is focusing on building a self-growing city on the Moon because it can be achieved significantly faster than a comparable settlement on Mars. As per Musk, a Moon city could possibly be completed in under 10 years, while a similar settlement on Mars would likely require more than 20.

“For those unaware, SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon, as we can potentially achieve that in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years. The mission of SpaceX remains the same: extend consciousness and life as we know it to the stars,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Advertisement

Musk highlighted that launch windows to Mars only open roughly every 26 months, with a six-month transit time, whereas missions to the Moon can launch approximately every 10 days and arrive in about two days. That difference, Musk stated, allows SpaceX to iterate far more rapidly on infrastructure, logistics, and survival systems.

“The critical path to a self-growing Moon city is faster,” Musk noted in a follow-up post.

Mars still matters, but runs in parallel

Despite the pivot to the Moon, Musk stressed that SpaceX has not abandoned Mars. Instead, Mars development is expected to begin in about five to seven years and proceed alongside the company’s lunar efforts.

Musk explained that SpaceX would continue launching directly from Earth to Mars when possible, rather than routing missions through the Moon, citing limited fuel availability on the lunar surface. The Moon’s role, he stated, is not as a staging point for Mars, but as the fastest achievable location for a self-sustaining off-world civilization.

Advertisement

“The Moon would establish a foothold beyond Earth quickly, to protect life against risk of a natural or manmade disaster on Earth,” Musk wrote.

Continue Reading