Hertz orders 100,000 Tesla Model 3 EVs with half available to Uber drivers

Hertz announced its latest foray into the EV marketplace with an order of 100,000 Tesla Model 3 sedans that will be added to Hertz's rental vehicle fleet. Interestingly, half (50,000 EVs) will be available to Uber drivers to be used in major city markets. "Climate change is an urgent global challenge we must all tackle together, and now is the time to drive a green recovery from the pandemic," said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. "This combines the power of Tesla, Hertz and Uber to help accelerate the transition to zero-emissions mobility. We look forward to seeing more EVs on the road right away." Hertz has even gone so far as to enlist the help of Tom Brady to introduce the new initiative with TV (and internet) commercials (after the jump). The Hertz announcement caused Tesla's stock to hit new heights and increased Tesla's overall valuation to more than most automakers except Volkswagen and Toyota. Lofty heights indeed. Beginning in early November and expanding through the end of the year, customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighborhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe. This gives consumers more choice and can even allow one to make a rental "test drive" by renting a Model 3 and living with it for a period of time. Kinda cool. For more info, check out the media releases, and Hertz commercial by clicking on "read more" below. Enjoy! No word if the Hertz Model 3s will all be white.

Source: Hertz - Media releases, pics, and commercial

TA.b Here ya go - 12A-20 AKA John Cooper Works Mini gets electric

This falls into the "well duh" category. BMW's Mini division is developing an electric platform to support the brand's JCW (John Cooper Works) performance models (I'm sure BMW would "borrow" the platform for its own use as well). With Tesla and other automaker's EV sedans and crossovers shaming supercars with better performance and better efficiency to boot, this is an easy to understand development. Can't wait to see the first electric JCW Minis. Brief media release and additional pic after the "read more" jump.

Source: Mini/BMW - Media release and pic

Below are the "Here ya go" articles of interest to me and hopefully you. First off, we have articles about Tesla's possible merger (won't happen,.,for now) with another automaker (and third article). The article includes various car companies' valuations. Interesting. The fourth article talks about the expanding charging infrastructure for Semis and so on and so on... Click to enjoy.

Tesla open to merging - Electrek

Possible that Tesla would acquire legacy automaker - Clean Technica

City of Portland and Daimler create "charging island" for Semis - ElectreK

LG Chem to double battery output for Tesla - Inside EVs

Robotics maker receives order of "bots" to produce VW iD Buzz - Inside EVs

Lucid hits major production milestone - Teslarati

TA.b - Here ya go -10.20

In the Here ya go posts, I'll provide links to articles I think might be of interest as well as info that I've found or been made aware of. 

Recently, I read a couple of articles (one, two) about a new company called EV West that has developed an electric motor conversion that will bolt in anywhere a small-block Chevy will fit. EV Wesr is reconditioning Tesla motors (from crashes?, since Tesla currently doesn't sell individual parts) to be installed in place of the small-block V8s. 

This made me think about a company that I was aware of for some time called Zelectric that is headquartered down near San Diego. Zelectric has been modifying vintage Volkswagens and Porsches for some time. The pic above is an example of their work. Zelectric will convert your VW or Porsche to electric power or you can buy cars that have already been converted. You can also ask them to find you a specific car for conversion. Check out Zelectric's project gallery to see cars that have been converted as well as ones that are in the conversion process.

Some conversions utilize the existing car's transmission and axles, etc. and just replace the motors. One of the joys of EV ownership is the reduced maintenance that EVs provide. I question whether these swaps still require regular maintenance (where would you get it?) and if the mechanical bits will stand up to the unique properties of an electric motor (instant torque, high revs, etc.). I'm sure that either of these companies can answer those and other questions.

Posts I think you should be aware of:

Tesla's record deliveries - Electrek,

Volvo begins XC40 Recharge production - Green Car Reposts,

Polestar 2 experiencing shutdowns - CNET Road Show,

Polestar recall - Inside EVs.

Source: Various

TA.b - EV talk 9.20 - Update

I haven't posted an EV musing in a while, so here goes. I will post rumors, facts, and opinions regarding the EV marketplace today.

A good one (with media release after the "read more" jump) is that the Polestar Precept "commitment car" will enter production. The Precept is intended to compete with the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air luxury sedans. As you can see from the above pic, the Precept is an attractive vehicle that should do well in the marketplace. No specs were released, but the Polestar 2 sedan that is currently available is a competitive EV entry, so the Precept should have decent bona fides. In fact, Polestar is building a new facility for Precept production, so availability is a ways off. Check back as more info is released.

Early (serious) EVs that entered the market, were higher-end, proof-of-concept models for the most part and they have done their jobs. After Tesla set the EV standards. others have rushed in to grab a "slice of the pie" often with sub-par entries. But the one thing Tesla accomplished was to prove that EVs were viable alternatives to ICE (internal-combustion engine) vehicles. EVs are also cheaper to run than ICE vehicles (see Consumer Reports) and create almost zero pollution depending on where the electricity is generated. At some point in the near future, all new vehicles will be either EVs or battery-electric vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids). One positive note regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, was the fact that every city that locked down, saw air pollution drop dramatically. Here in California it was very dramatic and was noted by the International Space Station as the difference was that noticeable. And let's not forget the effect EVs have and will have on climate change. Climate change is responsible for the incredible heat we've been having in California that has spurred on the numerous wildfires. And as the smoke drifts eastward, the fires will effect the whole country if not the world.

Speaking of Tesla, one thing that Tesla did right that others are just realizing is the fact that batteries and battery technology is important and can't be left for others to develop. Tesla creates most of its own batteries (sometimes built by others under license) and has purchased battery development companies to improve battery tech. Tesla's recent battery day reveal showcased their latest developments that should reduce cost and allow for less expensive models (like the smaller vehicles planned for production in China and Germany). VW's new ID 4 SUV will hit the market by the end of the year here in the US, but VW won't bring the compact ID 3 here. Big mistake. Why do automakers ask dealers what they want? Dealers only want big vehicles with big profit margins and to be honest, most don't know how to service or sell EVs. That will change with pressure from manufacturers and when dealers realize that consumers are going elsewhere to get what they want, not what the dealer wants to sell.

One thing I want to remind people is that an electric motor is a powerplant option just like gas or diesel. Folks shouldn't be so threatened by EV adoption. That is unless they have financial ties to the oil and gas industries. Some folks are reluctant to learn new things like KWh, Nm, and charging rates instead of horsepower and torque. And remember that as more green energy alternatives create more of our power needs, oil companies could have invested in new energy sources, but chose not to...at least in the beginning. "May we live in interesting times" indeed. More to come...

Sources: Various

TA.b - Tesla Talk 5.20c

While I've been angry with Elon Muxk and his mouth (fingers?) of late, I must call him out when he goes overboard and when he is right. With this decision, I think he's right.

It has been reported today in two automotive sites ( 1, 2,) that Tesla has decided to build the next Terafactory (up from Gigafactory) in Austin, Texas. That is smart on so many levels. Tesla already has a presence in Austin with an office for AutoPilot programmers and it is smart to build a category-defying truck in the heart of what could be called truckville. Toyota and others build trucks in Texas btw. Hard for haters to hate if they (or their families) are putting the new Cybertruck together. Yes Tesla's bold electric Cybertruck will roll off the Austin assembly lines along with a few Model Ys. I think the Tesla shorts are kicking themselves yet again since Tesla will now have five factories around the globe (including the battery factory in Nevada) with Fremont, Shanghai, Berlin, and now Austin. Build 'em where they buy and use 'em.

Electrec.co (a daily read of mine) even posted about the dust-up around Musk's Tweets (twits) allowing that many of the Tesla faithful were upset or disappointed, but that a fringe group of Tesla folk (Poor Elon! Why are they picking on him?) have Musk's ear, unfortunately.

While I felt somewhat threatened by his actions in Fremont since I'm at risk for COVID-19, his screaming of 45's and the right-wing's arguments was like rubbing salt in an open wound. Time will tell, y'all, time will tell.

TA.b - Tesla Talk 5.20b - Updated

Tesla, or should I say Elon Musk, has been in the news a lot recently. Musk has decided to draw a lime in the sand in regards to the State of California, Alameda County and the steps required to reopen his Fremont factory. (Is this a result of Musk's recent private meeting with his new buddy 45.) Firstly, let's mention that the Bay Area in California (San Francisco, Berkeley, Alameda County - including Fremont, Silicon Valley, etc.) has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and was one of the earliest locales to put social distancing protocols in place which successfully slowing the spread of the disease. Did these steps stop the spread of COVID-19? No and that's why officials are being cautious. People are dying...painfully. So while steps are being taken to re-open the state and the economy, officials may be overly cautious. But then who needs to die so that folks can go to the beach, a restaurant or make more money? Not me. So when Alameda County officials told Tesla, "not yet." Musk went ballistic threatening to move his main offices out of California and move to Texas (where there are few restrictions, if any) or to Nevada (where taxes are almost non-existent mostly due to the State's casinos and gambling industry). I guess Musk forgot how the State of California and Fremont helped him get started a few years ago. Where was Texas then (lining up to protect the Oil Industry I suspect)? Is this an example of the "What have you done for me lately" Janet Jackson stndrome?

What's even more interesting is that Musk wasn't so vocal when the Chinese government put restrictions on his re-opening of his factory in China. China is weeks ahead of the US in this fight and have stalled the disease spread, although after weeks of no new cases of COVID-19 in the region, COVID-19 has recently reared its ugly head once again. The point is that until we get a vaccine or treatment protocol, we're all still at risk.

I understand why Musk is upset. He built his company from scratch and has succeeded against the odds and many pundits. Many of these naysayers are just starting to come around to the idea that Tesla is alive, well, and going to continue. Then COVID-19 changed the world, probably forever. 

Musk lashing out like this doesn't prove his case. Since Fremont was once a GM and Toyota facility, there may be some lingering resentment there, but Tesla is a large employer, so... as the saying goes, get over it. Both of you. We're all suffering from this global pandemic and will for some time.

But folks are starting to notice Musk's behavior. A recent article on CNN.com asked the question, "What happened to Elon Musk?" Muxk reportedly Tweeted that these restrictions were a violation of his rights and freedoms. What about my right to not die due to his uncaring behavior and restlessness. California officials okay-ed Tesla's re-opening but with a phased in schedule over the next week. Not good enough for Musk. He opened fully anyway. I guess laws and safety don't apply to him. The UK's right-wing-leaning Daily Mail reported this morning that Musk has listed several of his California holdings (valued at over $100 million) for sale. As a Californian (born and raised) and former Tesla supporter, I say go and take your company with you. I find it interesting that he sees a move to Texas as a good idea, especially since Big Oil has such a strong foothold on the state and few Tesla's are sold there. Almost half of Tesla's sales come from California. Will folks still line-up for Musk's EVs? Probably, but in reduced numbers. I think I'm angry because I saw the future in Tesla vehicles and Musk's behavior (which I've stood up for in the past) is threatening to stall the US's acceptance of battery-electric vehicles. Since the pandemic and social-distancing have taken most folks off the road, the air is much cleaner (and sweeter) here in the LA area. You know, fewer pollutants emitted by gas-powered vehicles. They even saw the difference at the International Space Station.

What makes this doubly sad is that Tesla's vehicles are years ahead of the competition and superior in many ways. Legacy automakers continued to roll out their products with out any thought to the future. I guess it was all about money. A similar thing happened in the 1950s/60s. Automakers were pushing out these giant road-behemoths and Volkswagen came in with the Beetle and Toyota with the Corolla. The automakers laughed, until they noticed folks were buying large numbers of these small(er) cars. Laughing no more, they rushed to prepare their own small cars and we got the Pinto, Vega, etc. The same thing is happening today. Tesla's cars are years ahead of the competition in design and implementation of software. Legacy automakers are scrambling once again. I guess they had no incentive to improve cars and trucks themselves since we were buying them anyway. That is until a start-up company from Fremont, California showed the public what was possible and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Musk deserves the kudos for Tesla. But maybe it's time for him to step aside and let others take the company forward (or close his Twitter account). I remember when Apple replaced Steve Jobs with a management team from Pepsi. The new team drove the company into the ground and near bankruptcy. Bringing Jobs back, saved the company and it's now one of the largest in the world. I would hate to see that happen to Tesla. Maybe Musk could stay on as a consultant and go to Texas with this young girlfriend and new baby and enjoy his money. I always liked San Antonio myself.

TA.b - Tesla Talk 5.20a - updated

I've been a huge Tesla fan since the brand's first vehicle, the Roadster, hit the market. Because I didn't have the cash to own one, the Roadster was unattainable for me (and I'm over 6 feet tall and have a bad back, so). But today. Tesla's vehicles are more attainable and a better fit for most folks. I've pushed electric vehicles into my friends' minds since Tesla showed what was possible (much to the chagrin of traditional automakers). In fact, an acquaintance rented a Model S and came away totally converted. I mean after all, a battery-electric vehicle showcases a different type of propulsion and that's the main difference (well that and fewer pollutants and...). The fact that most Tesla vehicles are fast, good-looking, handle well, and have a software suite that is years ahead of its competitors should be enough. If it weren't for today's political climate, it probably would be. Imagine that, a car winning sales on its merits. But Big Oil doesn't want to lose sales so the smear began.  Then it was "red-staters" accusing "blue-staters" of pushing their climate-change agenda. No actually, it was people who like breathing clean air that got on board. (I live in the LA area and our air is much cleaner since the anti-smog regulations were put in place.)  

So now we're in 2020 with the world facing a pandemic that is killing thousands, possibly millions. Since we don't have a cure or a vaccine, social-distancing was put in place to minimize the spread of the disease and save lives. It's worked. Two months into this mess though and people are clamoring for the restrictions to be lifted. Not a good idea at this time. Some politicians and news outlets, claim this situation is overblown even though the statistics say otherwise. We expect things to improve with the summer heat, but with the return to cooler weather, the virus could be back with a vengeance. The problem is that in reality, we just don't know. So the question becomes, "Are you willing to risk your life or the life of someone you love when we're years away (if ever) from getting back to a semblance of normal?"

This is where Tesla-founder Elon Musk comes in. 

I understand that companies face financial ruin with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, but are these companies more valuable or important then people's lives? Some say yes (usually the ones with the most money to lose/gain who don't care about you). A lot of folks just want this all to go away (it isn't). Some state governments, including California, have a movement towards "re-opening." But not fast enough for Musk. 

He announced the re-opening of his factories with out getting any kind of approval. I'm sure the government would have worked with him and discussed possible changes that would preserve Tesla worker's health. But Musk acted like a petulant child when told "not yet." Immediately he stated that his headquarters would be moved out of California to Texas or Nevada - which would have zero effect on the reopening of the Fremont factory. Then he filed a lawsuit (that would take years to be adjudicated). trying to get his way.  And now he is ordering his employees to defy government orders and return to work. This could put them into potential harm and possible arrest.

As much as I like(d) Tesla, people are important. Laws are important. The government is important in fighting this pandemic. People are your customers and employees after all. If they die, you end up with fewer sales and trained workers. Not brain-surgery. Musk's total disregard for the safety of his workers makes him sound more like 45 than someone to look up to. If the company is that close to being in trouble get some money from the government. They gave the oil industry a reported $75 million bail out. Or you could give back some (or all) of the reported $750 million the company paid you in back- and current-salary. Lots of options that don't include killing folks needlessly or starting a political stand off with the State of California or the local county. (Which 45 would love btw even though he dislikes Tesla and Musk or at least he did.) Is this about money or being told what to do? Does Musk know who his current customers are (who wouldn't appreciate this)? Does he care?

I once had a fantasy where I owned a house covered with Tesla solar panels feeding electricity to several Tesla Powerwalls and charging my Tesla vehicle (for almost zero cost). Take that smog. But not anymore. I'm no longer on Team Tesla. When Rick Perry and 45 got Toyota to move to Texas (Ivanka was at the official signing), i wrote them off. No more Toyotas for me. And so it goes. 

When I can put my fantasy in place, there will be a lot more choices. There are a lot of solar panel choices now and the energy storage business is booming. Ford's Mustang Mach-E looks to be a strong competitor and Volkswagen's iD models also look strong (although we won't get the Golf-sized iD.3 in the US. Big mistake). I agree that Tesla seems to be at a crossroad. Care about your workers and put a muzzle on Musk if you want to succeed and see what was once a bright future. I honestly hope that I'm wrong about this one.

TA.b - EV talk 4.20

Many want to deride the numerous EVs (electric vehicles) that are appearing in the marketplace today (hold on to your hats, there are lots and lots more coming). While many current EVs are little more than city cars (which would actually be sufficient for many), there are a quite a few, various Teslas, duplicate Kias and Hyundais, Jaguar i-Pace, Audi e-tron, and the Chevy Bolt for example, that make the newer EVs viable as a "daily drivers" for the masses. One thing is sure, this IS your future, so get used to it.

Why are they our future you ask? Many scientists and general smart folk agree that Climate Change is a major oil-related problem, but few talk about something called "Peak Oil Production. and Supply" Peak Oil Production is a theory that suggest that we will hit a point where oil production will generally decline and not rise again, so to speak, and Peak Oil Supply deals with the larger issue of just how much oil is left down there? In other words, have we taken more oil out of the ground then there are reserves left? (And yes Monica, someday we will run our of the gooey stuff). And let's not forget that petroleum oil is the basis for many plastics, fertilizers, and other stuff we depend on besides gasoline, so when supplies get scarce,...

If there is anything that Covid-19 has taught us is that cars do pollute. Since the stay-in-place orders went in to place, the air HAS gotten sweeter. There is much less air pollution. They have pictures and scans from space to prove it. Los Angeles has had the most clean air days since the 70s since we've stopped driving all over the place (of course the work stoppage has assisted as well in lowering emissions). Having lived most of my life in LA, I can tell you that the sky is definitely bluer. Oh, and air-pollution has been found to exacerbate the effects of Covid-19.

Pricing is another issue. Gasoline (where I live at least) is at a high (still lower then Europe and many parts of the world) but charging your EV at home or at a charging station, is much cheaper. If you have solar panels on your roof, you may be able to drive your EV for free (after purchase and installation costs are recovered). So unless you have a personal oil refinery in your backyard...

One way to look at it, is to see that an electric drivetrain is really just another option, like gas or diesel, four, six, eight, or more cylinder engines, etc. EVs require less maintenance currently (no semi-annual oil changes) and are generally more efficient. (Check out the EPA efficiency listings.) Many folks have singled out Tesla for the change in consciousness, but the change was already underway with numerous wind and solar farms popping up all over the globe (clean energy is now cost-effective). I get it. Change is hard. I have a friend that I talk cars with who really loved his gasoline and even diesel engines. We talked about Tesla vehicles and their general improvements of the automobile in structure, technology, and new drive trains (including all-wheel drive). As a result, he rented one when his truck needed service and came back a convert. Today's EVs are getting better and better. Range anxiety is diminishing with larger batteries and improved efficiency with more charging stations being added every day. I think gas stations and truck stops should add chargers for the numerous EVs that are coming like Tesla's Semi. It would become another source of income for them and we all know that "money talks."

Tesla's "Dog Mode" gets updates

Another EV advantage...vehicles can be set (if so equipped) to maintain cabin temperature and protect vehicle occupants even when the car owner or driver leaves the vehicle, such as a quick store stop, etc.  As Tesla points out, their large battery capacities allow the cabin temp to be maintained for hours if needed. As the Model 3 dash (above) shows, the screen announces that the mode is on and that the cabin temperature is being maintained (let's assume, yeah I know, that any dog rescuers will check before breaking a window). This is a very good idea that pet owners will appreciate. With their continued "over-air" updates, Tesla has further enhanced the Cabin Overheat Protection feature that was introduced several years ago. And no, gas-powered vehicles are not going to be left running (and polluting) to achieve the same result. Follow Tesla on Twitter for updates.

Source: Pics from Tesla (on Twitter)