> The next-gen “universal” EV platform is the product of Ford’s Silicon Valley-based skunkworks team helmed by Alan Clarke, executive director of advanced EV production and a 12-year veteran of Tesla.
Whatever happens to Tesla the company, its impact on the world's vehicles is indelible.
/s the breakthrough: A basic car with that happens to have EV power train.
The anti-secret: EV power train that accelerated 0-60 in 1s and all the software engineering going into a software defined, internet connected autonomous vehicle with subscription services and such that balloon the costs of a modern vehicle?
Reality is that EV vehicle costs are heavily dependent on battery material prices and any breakthrough process would either use cheaper minerals or reduce the price of existing minerals. ICE engines are made from widely available steel and aluminum and lots of labor and factories that build the complex mechanisms involved. EV’s require much less labor but the cost is mostly driven by the cost of minerals in the battery packs that is very expensive.
Maybe we should have expanding mining and made the underlying minerals much cheaper as opposed to subsidizing each individual vehicle.
The battery in this new truck is worth less than $3000, today. I don't think Ford can build an engine and a transmission for under $3K. The difference will be even more stark in 2027.
That article could definitely use some history and or dates. GM AUTOnomy (2002) for example feels like the first time I really recall seeing this design suggested. https://www.adrianchernoff.com/project/autonomy/
Unfortunately, the trend seems to be that as manufacturability of a product increases, repairability decreases. A simple example is the heavy use of fragile, easily broken clips to hold on parts that used to be held on with bolts and screws.
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[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 33.6 ms ] threadWhatever happens to Tesla the company, its impact on the world's vehicles is indelible.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a64580484/slate-truck-ev-p...
The anti-secret: EV power train that accelerated 0-60 in 1s and all the software engineering going into a software defined, internet connected autonomous vehicle with subscription services and such that balloon the costs of a modern vehicle?
Maybe we should have expanding mining and made the underlying minerals much cheaper as opposed to subsidizing each individual vehicle.
That article could definitely use some history and or dates. GM AUTOnomy (2002) for example feels like the first time I really recall seeing this design suggested. https://www.adrianchernoff.com/project/autonomy/