Item — HN Reader

I don't know if you're addressing what makes a good "EV" or just listing some features you personally care about. If the former, then 360 degree camera and build quality has little to do with an EV. Tesla is a young company and build quality has dramatically improved over the years (see Munro) and will continue to do so. Tesla has close to 360 camera coverage, it just hasn't added it in software. All it takes is a software update on existing hardware. If they haven't done it yet, it probably means they have other priorities at the moment.

Some EV specific advantages of Tesla over competition:

- Range: Teslas continue to lead in range, as result of best aerodynamics, best drive train efficiency and vertically integrated design (see Munro - highly integrated component).

- Charging infrastructure: largest available and most reliable (see MKBHD for e.g.).

- Regular software updates improving everything from range, to charge planning (recently added much better estimate based on wind direction, inclination, tyre pressure, weather, etc) to safety, etc.

- and most important of all: Availability and production volume. Best EV in the world isn't worth anything if you can't buy it.

If you look forward and see what Tesla is doing with its manufacturing innovations, it should become clear that things like in-house battery production, single front and rear casting among numerous other things has already secured their top position for sometime to come.

1 comments

Maybe in US. Tesla has nothing to throw against some serious cars like Mercedes EQS or EQS SUV. Hyundai is also catching up. Charging infrastructure isn’t an issue in Europe anymore and is getting better and better every year. Tesla supercharger for free at the beginning was a big deal. That’s why I am looking for used model X from 2017 right now. 5000€ in free electricity a year is a nice advantage. I also have open order for model Y performance from Berlin factory. Sorry, the lead time shitshow is similar to all others. Every month my order is being delayed by 2 months for months. I have only one additional option ordered - black color. Last time I checked delivery time was updated to “TBD”. Lol.

Edit: this year generous funding for new electric vehicles in Germany is about to end, that’s why the last months of 2022 are so chaotic regarding lead times.

> Tesla has nothing to throw against some serious cars like Mercedes EQS or EQS SUV.

Besides sensationalist comments, do you actually have a list of what areas the Mercedes excel that Tesla doesn't?

I can't take "serious car" seriously - like what, Tesla is kidding?

Let’s talk about my future Model X 2017 with free supercharging. The chassis is disaster from beginning to the end. The car has air suspension, it’s nice. But! You go with low setting, tires don’t last 10k miles. You go with high settings, axles are suddenly broken. After 60000 miles all parts under the car must be replaced. Not funny and not cheap either. Last car I heard of such nonsense was 25 years old Renault Laguna 1. Mercedes or BMW do not need chassis rebuild every 100k km.

Btw EQS has greater range.

> But! You go with low setting, tires don’t last 10k miles.

It's well known that EVs in general due to their weight, and especially those with high torque cause the tyres to wear out much faster than their ICE counteparts. 10K miles sounds too low. Would love to know why low suspension setting on a Model X causes much faster wear, and whether for the same efficiency/range on a different vehicle, the tyres last significantly longer.

> You go with high settings, axles are suddenly broken.

We know media is trigger happy when it comes to the most minor Tesla related incidents and yet, I've never, in the 10 years of following Tesla, heard about this one. Can you link to perhaps a bunch of these?

> After 60000 miles all parts under the car must be replaced.

Again, never heard of these issues and I watch daily Tesla news from multiple sources.

> Let’s talk about my future Model X 2017

I'm puzzled. Despite all the issues you listed, you're still going with Model X just because it has free supercharging? You do realize that broken axels can kill you, right?

This is typical thread talking about tyre wear: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/caution-model-x-hidd...

Nice tire on the outside, completely gone on the inside. There are now enough aftermarket parts and repair shops knowing what parts to replace and how to alight the wheels so that in low suspension setting the car is usable for long time. Sadly full air suspension potential can’t be used, but I can live with that. Internet is full of aftermarket parts claiming to solve these problems for all Tesla models. Finding proper repair shop is however hard. Love for details is not popular trait between underpaid mechanics.

I can tell you one thing: model X has no competition. Mercedes EQV comes closest, but is bigger and the range is very poor. VW buzz has no 7 seats and it’s price is insane. I also don’t like companies gazing apes: https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/29/vw-condemne...