In this newsletter:
Post: Why the Only EV You Consider Should be a Tesla
In Case You Missed It: Apple’s WWDC
Pick of the Week: Father’s Day Picks
Featured Product: Apple TV
Why the Only EV You Consider Should be a Tesla
Just in case you’re not aware. I’m a pretty big fan of Tesla. About 3 years ago, I bought a used 2013 Model S. The plan was to drive it for a year or two to make sure I was okay driving an electric vehicle before spending more money on a newer one with more tech. I’m not sure when, but somehow, I enjoyed it so much and became so satisfied I never planned to replace it.
In fact, later on, my wife and I decided to replace her vehicle, which was also the same age. Long story short, it’s not an EV, but is a nicer SUV that we use for family trips since it has more room and is easier overall. Then, out of nowhere, I was involved in a hit-and-run, which put my vehicle at a total loss. Needless to say, I had to replace it. But with what? Back to a gas-powered vehicle? Another EV? Another Tesla? Short answer - No, Yes, and Yes!
Having just bought a new vehicle, I didn’t want to buy another new vehicle. Not to mention, I always joked that my next vehicle would not just be another EV but another Tesla. So, why Tesla?
When Tesla first started out selling vehicles, they were able to break the mold on the typical car. Things gas-powered vehicles, also known as an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine), have to do, they don’t follow the same rules. The main differences are a lack of engine and drivetrain. For example, Tesla’s have a front trunk spaced (called a Frunk) that gives extra storage under the hood in place of a motor. The lack of the drivetrain (and transmission) allows for more interior leg room and storage – particularly for the middle seat area (front and rear).
On the electrical side of things, you’d think an EV has tons of wires running everywhere, right? But in reality, it’s really not as much as you think, and even less than a typical ICE vehicle. That’s because, on an ICE vehicle, just about every component has its own computer chip (called an ECU). And there are multiple other computer chips to make sure all of those ECUs talk together and work properly. A computer connecting computers, if you will.
Since Tesla is starting essentially from scratch, they were able to innovate in some ways. For example, most of the electrical systems in the car were developed from scratch. They could then make sure all of the devices speak to their main ECU – which the driver can also interact with through the main display. This limits the number of ECUs across the vehicle, especially those needing to interact with a motor, or motor-related functions (the fluid and cooling systems, for example).
In this main ECU display, all settings that can be changed can also be saved: seating, steering, and mirror positions; settings in the apps for how you like to drive – tighter or looser steering, regenerative breaking or not, one-pedal driving, radio stations, and the list goes on. Literally, any setting you can set is stored in your profile. Including the PIN to open the glove box.
Then, all settings can be tied to a profile. A second or third driver can change their profile, thereby changing all settings within, not just the typical seat position. If you have a younger driver, or need to drop your vehicle off for Valet parking, these profiles can also limit the top speed, acceleration curve, access to Autopilot or Full-Self Driving, among access to storage locations, and other privacy settings and features.
These cars are essentially computers on wheels that happen to be some of the safest cars available, even breaking the NHTSAA test for safety in some instances. Which also brings about other considerations. The air conditioner (or heater) can be turned on whenever without the need to “start” the car. This is useful here in the south as there is also a setting that will automatically turn the air on for a bit anytime the cabin temperature rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I don’t necessarily suggest it, but I’ve seen multiple people live out of their EVs as it can be on 24/7 without having carbon dioxide issues.
But what can a Tesla do that an ICE vehicle can’t?
For starters, they simplify driving. And this comes from someone who actually enjoys driving, too. First, your phone is your key. There’s no pressing buttons or fidgeting. Just walk up to your car, open the door, press the brake, put it in drive, and go! During the drive, there are a few major features that give it Level 2 or 3 self-driving capabilities. This mainly includes their version of adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane-keep assist (LKA). Except with Tesla, these features are night and day compared to any other manufacturer I’ve personally tested or heard about. The biggest feature here is that it works under 20 mph. I don’t know of any other manufacturers where you can start ACC or LKA from a stop. Meaning you can’t use it stop and go traffic!
Other perks or features are potentially minor but add up to a great driving experience. When you start the blinker, it will stay on until you switch lanes. And the side camera of the way you’re merging shows on the main screen. Here, you can see if there’s a vehicle in the way, and it will even alert you if so. When stopped at a traffic signal, the ‘hold’ feature allows you to depress the brake, but the system will keep it on. If you still have ACC on, it will follow traffic as it moves. And if you were first in line, the car will chime when the light turns green.
It's not a complete secret, but I’ve gone the Apple route of technology. In that sense, there’s this notion that Google always does something first, and Apple just “does it right (or better).” I don’t think that’s always the case, but the argument is there. Regardless, I’d argue if your vehicle does something Tesla does, I bet Tesla does it better. There are still issues or things that can be improved upon, but overall, the experience is great.
That said, just like any EV, there are issues potentially with long-distance trips. You’ll need to stop every 2-300 miles to recharge, depending on your model. Which typically takes between 10-30 minutes depending on your current charge level, how high you need to charge to get to the next station, how many other vehicles are charging, and the capability of the charging station. While this is still cheaper than fuel for an ICE vehicle, it does take longer comparing the same trip.
But consider this, most households with 2 or more vehicles could potentially benefit from only one EV. And you could still take the long trips with your ICE vehicle. If you commute less than 200 miles a day, an EV can be a perfect vehicle. By installing a 240v outlet in your garage (the same plug used by most dryers or deep freezers), you could ‘fill’ your EV up every night while you sleep. Depending on where you live, electricity is generally cheaper overnight, too.
These cars generally measure their battery size (or miles of range) in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Tesla battery packs range from 60-100 kWh (or ~250-400 miles). If you drive 50 miles a day (more than the average commute round trip), that would equate to roughly 12kWh of charge on an EV. The average house pulls 30 kWh a day. So this is about 1/3 of the power of your house. However, for those of you wondering about the power grid, let’s compare this to your AC unit.
There are varying levels of power consumed by AC units, so it’s hard to get an exact number. But – the ranges I’m seeing are as low as .5 kWh to 5 kWh per hour of use. Meaning that even a 1–2-ton unit is using the same power to recharge your car. If you have a 5-ton (or more unit), you’re potentially pulling more electricity than 3-4 EVs would per day. A dryer is using around 2 kWh per hour for comparison.
In my opinion, the electricity ‘issue’ is a non-issue. While it may become a much larger issue in the future, not everyone is going out and buying EVs (nor should they). Again, they’re not for everyone, but those who may find themselves a great candidate for one may be surprisingly pleased. The push for EV adoption as a whole may be a bit over exacerbated, but it may also be necessary to help start the push toward the innovation curve.
So, let’s say you are the least bit interested in an EV. And possibly even a Tesla. Check back next week, and we’ll discuss the various available options, new or used.
ICYMI: Apple’s WWDC
I’m sure in this week or next week's news we’ll hear how Apple has taken back the first or second place spot for most valuable company in the world after their WWDC. Their investors have been waiting for anything and everything AI for a year or so now. However, in Apple fashion, they never talked about how they were integrating “Artificial Intelligence.” Instead, AI has a new name in the Apple world - Apple Intelligence. And their AI is not an app, but an integration across their platform of devices, services, and software.
This integration does come with a partnership with OpenAI as ChatGPT will be used throughout the Apple OSes, including a massive update to Siri. Which among many new updates, can now be used via text - not just voice. Further pushing the younger generations to not even have to interact with their digital assistants verbally anymore. However, note they have doubled down on security and say they have no access to your data. This is very believable, especially with things we’ve seen in the past how they cannot access data on user’s devices - at least remotely.
During WWDC, Apple also announced the winners of the 2024 Apple Design Awards, which showcases some really cool things developers are doing hardware and software wise. Not to mention a pretty substantial update to Apple CarPlay.
POTW: Father’s Day Picks
In honor of Father’s Day, here are some picks that may not warrant their own POTW but, in unison, can help shed some light on what some Fathers may like…
Shoebill: The human-sized African bird that eats baby crocodiles and kills its siblings
Star Wars: Millennium Falcon 50p coin unveiled by Royal Mint
‘The Race of Gentlemen’ is a Beachy Battle of Retro Motorcycles and Hot Rods
These Mysterious Objects Still Puzzle Scientists Thousands of Years Later
Featured Product
Again, in honor of dads and WWDC, assuming streaming has taken over your household - you owe it to yourself. Go ahead and splurge on the best streaming device on the market, the Apple TV. This model is 4K compatible, has wired Ethernet, and more storage space than you’ll probably fill, which also lets it perform faster. I’d bet it’s at minimum twice as fast as the Amazon Fire or Roku devices you probably already have.