Shanghai Gigafactory given thumbs up to start mass production of...

Shanghai Gigafactory given thumbs up to start mass production of Model 3



Tesla is now able to commence mass production of its top-selling Model 3 electric sedan at its Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai, with Chinese authorities giving the official thumbs on Wednesday (China time).

The ‘Made in China’ (MIC) Model 3s will be the first overseas-produced vehicles by the Californian car maker, which intends to output 3,000 vehicles per week from the Shanghai factory.

Available only in the Standard Range Plus variant, the MIC Model 3 will be identical to the US-made version except for the rear Tesla logo, which is in Chinese.

While it was originally believed that Tesla would commence manufacture on Monday November 11, Chinese authorities did not announce approval until Wednesday November 13.

It is understood, however, that although production of the MIC Model 3 is now approved, sales of the MCI Model 3 still awaits regulator approval according to Nikkei Asian Review.

Chinese residents are now able to order the MIC Model 3 through Tesla’s Chinese website, but these are not considered a sale until the purchase has been finalised and the vehicle delivered.

As part of Tesla’s agreement with the Shanghai municipal government, Tesla will commence paying around $A475 million in taxes as part of its lease agreement from the end of 2023.


Source: Twitter

The news of the start of production at the Shanghai Gigafactory came as Musk announced at the BILD awards on Wednesday that Tesla had decided the location of its fourth Gigafactory in Berlin, Germany.

The Shanghai factory, which was built in just 10 months from break of ground in January and cost 65% less than its US-based EV factories, will now become a template for the build of the German Gigafactory 4.

Both the Shanghai Gigafactory 3 and Berlin Gigafactory 4 will produce the Model 3, as well as the yet-to-be launched mass-market Model Y electric SUV, which will now be launched a full quarter earlier than previously planned thanks to the rapid build.

Musk said at the Q3 earnings call that the opening of the Shanghai factory would also Tesla to triple its output – and with the location of the European Gigafactory now firm the EV maker will now look to further increasing its reach and output in Europe.

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Tesla had previously made several trial Model 3s at the facility, which were then previewed by local media including by Twitter user Jay in Shanghai who posted a video of the media Model 3 drive day.


Tesla MIC Model 3 Driving along another MIC Model 3 on Donghai Bridge, Shanghai, China during Media Test Drive. Video posted on Tesla China Douyin Account.#Tesla #TeslaChina #Model3 #MIC #GF3 #Gigafactory #China #特斯拉 #中国 $TSLA pic.twitter.com/jzFqFNv7cp
— Jay in Shanghai

https://thedriven.io/2019/11/15/sha...humbs-up-to-start-mass-production-of-model-3/


Los Angeles orders 130 BYD electric buses in biggest US order to date


Source: BYD

California, the land of Tesla and home of half of all registered electric vehicles in the USA, has set another benchmark, with the Los Angeles department of transport (LADOT) committing to the largest order of electric buses to date nationally.

Chinese EV maker BYD (which stands for Build Your Dreams) made the announcement at the California Transit Association’s Annual Fall Conference on Wednesday (US time), saying that LADOT will receive 130 electric K7M buses as part of its mission to electrify 100% of its LA Metro and LADOT bus fleet by 2030.

The 130 BYD battery electric buses, which have a driving range of up to around 270km and can be recharged in 2.5-3 hours, will reduce the City of Los Angeles’ CO2 emissions by 8,225 metric tons per year and almost 100,000 metric tons over the 12 year life of the buses.

With a 22-seat capacity, the 30 foot BYD K7M has a 197kWh battery and will reduce the emissions of LADOT’s current compressed natural gas bus fleet by 81%.

They will be built at BYD’s Lancaster, California facility using over 70% US materials, meaning that they will exceed requirements set by the Federal Transit Administration “Buy America” program.

The purchase reflects the city’s commitment to addressing climate change, a strategy for which has been embodied in Los Angeles’ “Green New Deal” which casts a broad range of goals encapsulating energy, housing, water, mobility, waste, food systems, jobs and industry as well as transport.

“We applaud LADOT for its bold leadership, ambition, and desire to improve the air quality for the City of Los Angeles,” said BYD president for North America Stella Li in a statement on the company’s website.

“BYD buses will be an important component of the city’s efforts to meet its sustainability goals. We are proud to partner with an agency that shares our green dream,” she said.

https://thedriven.io/2019/11/15/los...d-electric-buses-in-biggest-us-order-to-date/


Australia’s SEA Electric takes massive order for 100 electric trucks


The Hino 195 EV. Source: Sea Electric

Australian electric truck and bus company SEA Electric has taken its largest order to date from US-based commercial electric fleet provider Zeem Solutions, announcing an order for 100 Hino 195 EVs on Friday.

The Hino 195 EVs, which offer up to 320km driving range, use SEA Electric’s 120a SEA-Drive powertrain built onto a Hino 195 medium duty truck body, and will be constructed in the USA by North Carolina-based Fontaine Modifications on behalf of Zeem Solutions.

With 80kW continuous power, 128 kW maximum power and a hefty maximum torque of 1,500Nm, they will be used by Zeem Solutions as part of a turnkey solution for fleet operators.


The Sea Electric 120a Sea-Drive. Source: Sea Electric

In addition to sourcing and providing customised commercial electric vehicles to fleet partners, Zeem Solutions also provides charging, servicing and and lease financing as part of a packaged service to make transition to electric vehicles easier for fleet operators.

The 100 Hino 195 EVs will first be deployed in California by Zeem Solutions, says Zeem Solutions CEO Paul Gioupis.

“We’re excited to be adding 100 all-electric Hino 195 EV’s from SEA Electric to our fleet in order to service the California market”, he said in a note by email.

“We are starting in our Los Angeles and Sacramento locations because we can efficiently service our trucks as well as inventory spare vehicles to lessen downtime for customers.

“Once we have successfully deployed in Los Angeles and Sacramento, we will be rolling additional units out in San Francisco and San Diego.”


The Hino 195 EV. Source: Sea Electric

SEA Electric founder and president Tony Fairweather says that the deployment to Los Angeles and Sacramento is also thanks to progressive acceleration programs offered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and clean transport market accelerator Calstart.

“SEA Electric is honoured to receive our first 3-digit order from Zeem Solutions, with all units to be delivered throughout 2020 starting in the first quarter,” said Fairweather in a statement to the press.

“The Hino 195 EV’s will be deployed in California, a reflection on the excellent incentive program facilitated by CARB and CALSTART.”

Through the CARB’s Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), vendors and OEMs are able to offer zero emissions commercial vehicles to participating fleets.

To date, more than 4,000 zero emissions vehicles have been provided to more than 1,400 fleets through the scheme.

Sea Electric now has more than 30 zero emissions options available through the program, ranging from electric buses and shuttles such as the Sea E-450 EV to refuse and delivery trucks including the Hino 195 EVs.

By deploying commercial electric vehicles via the CARB initiative as part of a turnkey solution, Zeem Solutions allows fleets to take advantage of the fact that electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and therefore lower operating costs, not to mention helping them to avoid fluctuating fuel costs at the same time as reducing emissions.

You can listen to an interview with Tony Fairweather in a recent episode of The Driven podcast “Why all delivery vans are going electric.

https://thedriven.io/2019/11/15/australias-sea-electric-takes-massive-order-for-100-electric-trucks/