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Apple has acquired an NZ wireless charging company. It's a spinoff startup from the University of Auckland's Electrical Engineering Dept.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/98190457/apple-buys-nzs-powerb-proxi
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Mate of mine in Tauranga is asking about some quotes he got for solar. To me they seem a little steep BUT it's a different regulatory environment over there.
He's been given a quote that is in the order of $18k for a bit over 5kW of panels, installed. I've seen similarly sized systems quoted as $9200 excluding shipping and install.
Anyone had a quote/install done? How many kW of panels? Total install costs?
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Tesla launched their new trucks today.
The main model is a full class 8 prime mover. Can accelerate to 100 in. FIVE SECONDS unladen, or 20 seconds at full GVM.
Range 500 miles+, can run at 110km/h+ up a 5% gradient, centre driving position, smart fun system to assist aerodynamic performance of trailer etc.
Drag coefficient lower than a Bugatti Chiron. Fuck, that's impressive.
Also had a section on their new Roadster - 0-100 in 1.9s with a 1000km range. Won't be cheap.
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Trucks make perfect sense. Weight of batteries is negligible compared to GVM and the instant immense torque of electric engines simply can't be beaten.
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@antipodean said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
Trucks make perfect sense. Weight of batteries is negligible compared to GVM and the instant immense torque of electric engines simply can't be beaten.
And with regenerative braking the range is solid IMHO.
It might not get into long haul trucking at first, but if we're talking a suitably fast charger network, even the transcontinental guys will have to pull over and sleep, so can charge then.
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@nta said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
It might not get into long haul trucking at first,
I see the immediate benefit being small to medium haulage in inner cities.
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@antipodean yep - there is also a bit of momentum going on with public buses and garbage trucks at the moment.
The rigid platform plus the torque (and low noise) is significant.
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@nta said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
@antipodean said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
Trucks make perfect sense. Weight of batteries is negligible compared to GVM and the instant immense torque of electric engines simply can't be beaten.
And with regenerative braking the range is solid IMHO.
It might not get into long haul trucking at first, but if we're talking a suitably fast charger network, even the transcontinental guys will have to pull over and sleep, so can charge then.
Apparently, they can recharge 400 miles' (640km) worth of power in 30 minutes, so can just plug in during the mandatory meal break and keep trucking. Agree that they won't quite make true longhaul yet, but can certainly do a full legal day (11 hours) for 1 person.
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@godder I reckon the exciting part is if they get that charging automated in some fashion. Truck pulls up at depot, robot arm plugs it in while load is happening, truck picks up another 200km range in 15 minutes. Or maybe a wireless option?
A few companies including Loblaw in Canada and Walmart in the US have put in orders with $5000 reservations.
There are still going to be a lot of diesel- and gas-electric hybrids in the next generation of trucks though.
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@nta said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
There are still going to be a lot of diesel- and gas-electric hybrids in the next generation of trucks though.
That's the big win: Electric power to start a heavily laden truck against its massive rolling resistance. Turn on the engine once at cruise speed and recharge.
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@nta said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
@antipodean said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
Trucks make perfect sense. Weight of batteries is negligible compared to GVM and the instant immense torque of electric engines simply can't be beaten.
And with regenerative braking the range is solid IMHO.
It might not get into long haul trucking at first, but if we're talking a suitably fast charger network, even the transcontinental guys will have to pull over and sleep, so can charge then.
And by having motors in each wheel, a simple software patch to stop jack-knifing. That's genius IMO, must be the #1 escalator in truck accidents?
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@tewaio said in Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view:
a simple software patch to stop jack-knifing.
I went and took a model X and a model S for a test drive yesterday. Tesla really do seem to have thought of everything. All of the cars (and I assume the trucks) have a sim card built in and the car's software is updated automatically. People who bought 3 years ago got into their cars last week and had more power and range from a software mod. Very clever. You can also buy the car and if you decide you want auto pilot later on, they just send it to the car (at a cost).
I also didn't realise that you basically never use the brakes and therefor never replace pads. Battery guaranteed for 8 years but probably last longer. 800,000 km expected useful life. More fast chargers popping up around NZ so within a year or so should be able to get all around the country with a 20min recharge stop every 5 hours (depending on model 75 / 100).
Not much difference in performance between the 2 models, both very quick. Both handle O.K, X not quite as good, higher up but massive amount of room in it. S corners O.K but not as good as RS4 (not many cars do). To be fair it weighs almost 500kg more than my car so understandable, even if both are 4WD with traction control.
I am seriously considering getting one next year. They are almost maintenance free as well as being able to use my solar to charge, the high initial cost comes down if you keep it for a reasonable period. They are also really good fun, the acceleration kills both of my V8s and are really nice spaces to be in. The X can also tow, so that solves the boat and trailer problem (kills the range though).
I might miss the noise sometimes...nah. I'll keep the TVR and record it to play in the Tesla.
Solar Power and Storage - a nerd's view