The Tesla Model 3 PerformanceHandout / Tesla Teslas latest over-the-air update adds more performance to the sporty dual-motor Model 3, suggest new reports from owners.The update is available only on the dual-motor Model 3, according to Road Show, and can boost the cars acceleration off the line, leading to a new zero-to-60-mph (96 km/h) time of just 3.9 seconds. Thats 0.5 seconds faster than it used to be, and slots the vehicle just under the Model 3 Performances acceleration time of 3.3 seconds to 60 (96 km/h).There is a caveat to this boost in performance, however. The upgrade will cost US$2,000. Thats a lot of cheddar for a small boost in performance. If you were competing in real drag racing, half-a-second can mean winning or losing the race. But does it really matter when the vehicle is your daily driver? Is that significant an amount of money worth it for just a half-a-second better acceleration time? Users took to Reddit to describe their experiences, and they all seem to be pretty positive. The upgrade is described as noticeable, and worth it. People have even taken to calling updated vehicles 3D+.Tesla has not commented on the upgrade as of yet, but hopefully it will give some insight as to why the upgrade isnt free, and what exact changes were made to give the car its performance
Origin: Tesla reportedly offering a Model 3 acceleration boost for a small fee
Boost
Local authorities called on to boost public EV charge point numbers
Local authorities called on to boost public EV charge point numbers A new league table highlights those areas with good or poor coverage The Transport Secretary has written to local authorities in the UK, urging them to make use of funding available to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The calls from Grant Schapps MP come after the Department for Transport has published a ‘league table’ of data, showing public EV charge point numbers across areas of the UK. Using data from Zap-Map, the information shows how many public EV charge points there are per 100,000 population, broken down by local authority. There is also a separate column indicating how many rapid chargers there are in each area. The government wants driving an electric vehicle to be convenient and viable for those anywhere in the country, and that local authorities have a key role to play in the roll out of infrastructure. London is leading the way in terms of charge point numbers, with the region having almost 4,000 devices. All but two areas to have more than 100 charge points per 100,000 people are London local authorities. The City of London is comfortably top with 414 – well ahead of Westminster in second place with 190 charge points per 100,000 residents. Considering two island local authorities in Scotland are the other areas to have more than 100 points per 100,000 people, it should come as no surprise that Scotland as a region is in second place behind London. At the other end of the scale, there are still 100 local authorities that have fewer than 10 public chargers per 100,000 population. While in itself this may not be much of an issue, considering most EV charging is carried out at home, it does indicate a tougher time of things for those either visiting the area or looking to run an EV without access to off-street parking at home. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Your postcode should play no part in how easy it is to use an electric car, and I’m determined electric vehicles become the new normal for drivers. “It’s good news there are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but the clear gaps in provision are disappointing. I urge local councils to take advantage of all the government support on offer to help ensure drivers in their area don’t miss out. “To help increase the provision of charging locations, the government is offering grants for the installation of charge points on the street, in work and at home. We are also offering grants to lower the upfront cost of these cars so everyone is able to experience the benefits.” Minister for the Future of Transport George Freeman said: “Mapping charge points and producing a league table of availability by council area is intended to raise awareness. “There are now more than 22,500 public charge points and at least one rapid charge point at over 95% of all motorway services areas. To help level up the country, we’ve recently doubled the funding available for councils to build charge points on residential streets.” To take a look at the league table and a map of how local authorities perform per population, visit the DfT website here. Alternatively, click below to find public EV charge points in your area on Zap-Map.
Origin: Local authorities called on to boost public EV charge point numbers
F1 bosses unveil new 2021 rules to boost racing
Formula 1 bosses have revealed dramatically reworked new regulations for the 2021 season, promising new-look cars that will improve on-track battling and close up the gaps between teams. The new regulations, which include both the technical specifications of the cars and new rules, have been developed over the last two years by F1 bosses and the FIA, motorsport’s governing body. There will also be a cost cap in an attempt to make closer competition between the teams. From 2021, F1 cars will have a new look, with simplified aerodynamics designed to put more emphasis on mechanical grip and make it easier for cars to race each other. It’s claimed that a 2021 car will retain 86% of downforce when a car length behind another, compared with 55% on the current machines. F1 boss Chase Carey said the aim of the new rules was “to improve the competition and action on the track and at the same time make the sport a healthier and attractive business for all.” He continued: “We made many changed during the process as we received input by the teams and other stakeholders, and we firmly believe we achieved the goals we had set out to deliver.” Carey also revealed that new engine rules and a commitment to increase the renewable element of the fuel used are designed to reduce F1’s impact on the environment, saying: “In the next few weeks, we will be launching plans to reduce and ultimately eliminate environmental impact of our sport and business.” F1 2021 rules in details Technical regulations Aerodynamics: The new rules will simplify the look of the cars, desensitise certain areas and reduce wake to make it easier for cars to follow each other. There will be a simpler front wing, bargeboards will be banned and ground effect will be added by a long diffuser under each sidepod in order to put an emphasis on mechanical grip. Restrictions will be introduced in a number of areas to limit the impact of aerodynamics, although the rules will still ensure visual differentiation in areas such as the nose, front wing, engine intake and sidepods. Power units: The current 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrains will be carried forward, although to cut costs there will be new restrictions on certain materials, increased weight and the introduction of a standard fuel pump. Engine suppliers will also be obliged to provide equal-spec engines to works and customer teams. Transmission: To make ‘considerable’ savings on gearbox research and development, the configurations will be frozen for a certain period, with more restrictive rules introduced in order to not ‘lock in’ a performance advantage for one team. One complete redesign will be allowed in a five-year cycle. Suspension: Suspension setups will be simplified, with hydraulic systems banned and a requirement to use ‘simpler’ internal systems (springs and dampers). Wheels: The size of wheels will be increased to 18in, while tyre blankets will be retained – albeit at a lower cost – for 2021 and 2022. There will be prescribed-design hubs, nuts and wheel retention systems. Brakes: Front disc sizes will grow from 278mm to 330mm and have a simpler geometry (with fewer vent holes). A standard supply will be delayed until at least 2023. Chassis: There are larger cockpit dimensions so that taller drivers aren’t penalised. A prescribed front floor structure will be introduced to stop teams seeking an advantage from flexible floors and strong side beam protection to aid side impact safety. Fuel: The renewable content of the fuel used will increase to 20% for 2021, with a commitment to increase that percentage in the following years. A number of new standard parts for the fuel systems will also be introduced. Weight: The minimum mass of the cars will increase from 743kg to 768kg to account for the new wheels, tyres, standard parts, safety features and heavier power units. Safety: Cars will feature increased front energy absorbtion and side chassis strength. There will also be improved headrests and wheel tethers and new features to improve debris containment after accidents. Sporting regulations Races: The maximum number of races will increase to 25. Race weekends: Weekends will be reduced to three days from the current four (which currently comprise three days of on-track action and one day of off-track events). Development: There will be reductions in the amount of wind tunnel testing and CFD development allowed and limits on power unit dynamometer testing. Financial regulations The new cost cap for teams will be set at $175 million (£135m) for 21 races, adjusted by $1m (£773,000) for each race above or below that number on the calendar. The cost cap will exclude a number of items, including driver salaries, marketing, non-F1 activities, year-end bonuses, FIA entry fees and the costs for the ‘three highest pair
Origin: F1 bosses unveil new 2021 rules to boost racing
Jaguar Land Rover returns to profit after revenue boost
Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth that the firm’s turnaround programme is firmly on track after it returned to profit in the last financial quarter. Hit by falling sales, the British firm posted a £395 million loss between April and June of this year. But it turned that around in the quarter running from July to September, recording a £156 million pre-tax profit – a £246 million year-on-year improvement. The improved results were driven by Jaguar Land Rover’s revenues rising to £6.1 billion, an 8.0% year-on-year increase. While retail sales dipped by 0.7%, the firm was boosted its performance in China, where sales grew 24.3%. The arrival of the new Range Rover Evoque also helped, with sales of that model up 54.6% compared to the previous year. Range Rover Sport sales rose 17.5% over the same period. Jaguar Land Rover has been undergoing a massive £2.5 billion cost-cutting and restructuring programme, named Project Charge, and Speth said the improved results reflected the success of those efforts. The firm has already achieved £2.2 billion on efficiencies, and is on track to reach its goals by the end of March 2020. It has also invested in new facilities, such as the recentl;y opened Product Creation Centre. “Our people have responded very positively to the challenging circumstances over the past year,” said Speth. “The improved performance this quarter reflects their ongoing passion and
Origin: Jaguar Land Rover returns to profit after revenue boost
China’s BAIC takes 5-per-cent stake in Daimler to boost partnership
The Mercedes-Benz Circle of Excellence holds events for members and offers preferred status at elite hotels. One of Germanys most storied industrial icons just became more Chinese.Daimler AGs Chinese partner, state-backed Beijing Automotive Group Co., is buying a 5-per-cent stake in the Mercedes-Benz maker, cementing a more than decade-long alliance of the auto manufacturers.Together with Daimlers top shareholder Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.s billionaire owner Li Shufu the transaction would take Chinese ownership in the worlds biggest luxury-car maker to almost 15 per cent.This step reinforces our successful partnership and is a signal of trust in the strategy and future potential of our company, Daimler Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius said.BAICs investment another sign of the fast-changing global car industry with deepening partnerships and deals with rivals. Margins at the core Mercedes-Benz cars division are expected to fall as low as 3 per cent this year, trailing typically lower-returning mass-market carmakers.About half of the stake being taken by BAIC, which is backed by Beijings municipal government, is via rights to acquire shares and the remainder via financial instruments, according to a statement. The 5-per-cent holding has a market value of about 2.5 billion euros (US$2.8 billion) as of Monday close.Another Chinese shareholder at one of Germanys automotive giants could stir concerns about influence in the country, while carmakers already battle a trade war that has left global shipments of cars at the mercy of tit-for-tat tariff measures. China and the U.S. are the two largest markets for Mercedes-Benz. BAICs transaction also raises the question of whether Daimler and BAIC may reorganize their joint venture in China after restrictions for foreign investors in the worlds largest auto market eased.For its part, BAIC views the purchase as a natural evolution of its relationship with Daimler.It has been our intention to strengthen our alliance with Daimler through an investment, said Heyi Xu, chairman of BAIC. This step reinforces our alignment with, and strong support for, Daimlers management and strategy.Daimler is exploring additional cooperation projects with Geely, former CEO Dieter Zetsche said at the companys annual general meeting in May and sought to allay concerns about potential conflicts with BAIC. His successor Kallenius said in January hes open to talk about more collaboration with industry peers and technology firms to share surging development cost.Since 2003, BAIC and Daimler have set up a number of cooperations in China, including the joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Company that produces premium cars in the country, as well as separate entities that make vans and trucks. Daimler has held a 9.6-per-cent stake in the BAICs Hong Kong-listed unit, BAIC Motor Corp., since
Origin: China’s BAIC takes 5-per-cent stake in Daimler to boost partnership
RAC develops mobile charger to deliver EV Boost to electric vehicles
RAC develops mobile charger to deliver ‘EV Boost’ to electric vehicles The EV Boost system can be rolled-out across RAC’s patrol fleet In readiness for the UK’s expected electric vehicle boom, the RAC has developed its EV Boost system – the first lightweight mobile EV-charger capable of giving stranded out-of-charge cars a power boost from one of its standard orange roadside rescue vans. The bespoke solution can be rolled-out to hundreds of patrol vehicles ensuring the RAC can match the scale of demand as electric vehicle ownership grows in the coming years. The first six Ford Transit Custom patrol vans equipped with the new EV generators will take to the roads in June in London, Birmingham and Manchester and will be rolled-out to areas with high call-outs. The charger, which was developed by the RAC’s technical experts in partnership with automotive engineering firm Original Ltd, is capable of delivering a ‘top-up’ roadside charge from a standard Euro 6 diesel RAC patrol van sufficient to get a stranded EV safely to a nearby charge point. The RAC EV Boost charger works with all Type 1 and Type 2 connections ensuring it will charge 99% of electric vehicles on UK roads today. EVs present a particular challenge as many cannot be towed normally and ideally should be transported with all wheels off the ground which usually requires a flat-bed vehicle. So, if an electric car runs out of charge in a busy urban location, such as a red route in London or even just a narrow road, it can’t be towed to the nearest charge point – and is likely to cause traffic jams and frustration. RAC head of roadside rescue innovation Chris Millward said: “Our solution enables our patrols to help stranded EV drivers at the roadside with a power boost, equivalent to a top-up from a fuel can for a petrol or diesel car, to get them on their way again. “With nothing like it on the market the real challenge was to develop a mobile EV-charger system which is compact and light enough to fit into our normal patrol vehicles without compromising on space so we can still carry all the normal parts and tools to help our patrols continue to fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside. “Other solutions that are available require valuable van space to be taken up by heavy portable chargers that negatively affect fuel economy and also need to be recharged after use. Our on-demand solution means that the power is always available when needed. “The number of electric vehicles on the road will grow rapidly in the next few years, in particular we are seeing increased interest and take-up from business and fleet managers, so it is critical that we have an effective mobile power source for these cars in an emergency giving EV-owners complete peace of mind. The new mobile RAC EV Boost charger has also been well received by our manufacturer partners. “We also expect it will help address the anxiety some potential EV buyers have about the current charging infrastructure and vehicle range. The RAC is constantly looking to evolve and invest in technology to meet the changing needs of drivers and their modern vehicles, and this EV-charger fits perfectly with this strategy.” Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder of Zap-Map, the UK’s leading EV charging map, said: “It’s great to see the RAC leading the way and introducing this new mobile EV charging system to its fleet of vans. Whilst the UK public charging network already has over 14,000 public charge points and is growing at a rapid rate, this service will give electric car drivers additional confidence as they plan longer electric journeys.” Erik Fairbairn, Pod Point CEO and Founder, said: “The number of EVs on UK roads is increasing exponentially and it’s great to see the RAC adapting its patrol vehicles accordingly. Range anxiety is a common phenomenon, particularly among those new to EVs, and this mobile charger will help reassure drivers that there is help available in the unlikely event that they do run out of charge.”
Origin: RAC develops mobile charger to deliver EV Boost to electric vehicles
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