Tag: Model Y Juniper

  • Tesla’s V4 Supercharger: 30% Faster Charging for Cybertruck & Model Y

    Tesla’s V4 Supercharger: 30% Faster Charging for Cybertruck & Model Y

    Tesla is set to introduce its speedy V4 power supply cabinets to the taller Supercharger stations it has been setting up since last spring.

    New Charging Capabilities

    With the V4 cabinets currently awaiting regulatory approvals, they are expected to arrive at charging locations next quarter. These updated Superchargers will have a maximum output of 500 kW per post. This means that owners of the Cybertruck, which features an 800V system, will see a 30% increase in charging speed compared to the current setup. This aligns with Tesla’s goal of allowing the pickup to recharge in under 20 minutes. The upcoming Model Y Juniper refresh, the second vehicle to feature an 800V powertrain, will benefit similarly.

    Impact on Current Models

    However, existing Model 3 and Model Y drivers won’t see much change, as these vehicles still utilize Tesla’s older 400V platform. When the Model Y Juniper facelift launches next quarter, it might coincide with the introduction of the first V4 cabinets, enabling the vehicle to gain over 250 miles of range in about 15 minutes.

    Tesla’s new V4 Supercharger cabinets aren’t just more powerful; they also have several notable improvements regarding costs and installation speed. Each cabinet now supports eight Supercharger posts instead of four, eliminating the need for a DC bus between them. This results in requiring fewer power cabinets at each Supercharger station, which means quicker and cheaper setups and improved uptime for the chargers.

    Innovative Design Features

    Tesla emphasizes that the new 500 kW cabinets are crafted with the latest and most dependable electronics, boasting three times the power density of the existing 250 kW V3 cabinets in the same space. Nevertheless, having fewer cabinets per station does come with some challenges. Max de Zegher from Tesla noted that while the V4 cabinets can provide up to 1.2 MW of power, typically only a fraction of that is needed to “deliver maximum power to cars 99% of the time.” The power would be shared across eight posts, resulting in a peak charging rate of about 125 kW per stall.

    In peak situations when all posts are occupied, charging would still be significantly quicker than the current options.

    Competing with Other Brands

    It’s worth mentioning that Tesla has now matched the offerings from Chinese brands like Nio and Xpeng, who have been rolling out fast chargers capable of up to 800 kW for some time, primarily because many of their EVs operate on an 800V architecture.

    The next step for Tesla is to launch more 800V vehicles, with the Cybertruck and the forthcoming Model Y Juniper refresh poised to make a substantial impact in that area.

    Source: Link

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  • Tesla Model Y Juniper Trial Production Begins, Early Release Possible

    Tesla Model Y Juniper Trial Production Begins, Early Release Possible

    Tesla has rolled out various deals for the Model Y, such as 0% APR financing and no down payment. This move seems aimed not just at boosting Q4 sales figures, but also at encouraging potential buyers who are hesitating, especially with the upcoming Juniper refresh that could be launching soon.

    Early Pilot Production

    A well-known Chinese auto blogger has suggested that the Model Y Juniper might debut sooner than expected. Reports indicate that Tesla plans to kick off pilot production of a limited batch of Model Y Juniper vehicles at its Gigafactory located in Shanghai as early as this week.

    Interestingly, the team at Giga Shanghai recently achieved a production milestone of 3 million vehicles, producing one Tesla every 30 seconds. However, they are said to be making only around 12 Model Y Juniper units daily. This limited output suggests that it is indeed a trial production phase, similar to what Tesla did with the Model 3 Highland refresh, which began its pilot production in small quantities a few months prior to its official launch to refine the mass manufacturing process.

    Comparison to Model 3 Highland

    The Model 3 Highland, which is reported to influence the front design of the Model Y Juniper, started its pilot manufacturing last August at Giga Shanghai. Tesla officially launched it in China by the end of October, and it was announced for the US in January. Therefore, even if these rumors are true, we are likely several months away from the actual Juniper launch.

    To keep the design specifics under wraps until the official reveal, workers at the Gigafactory who are assembling the test batches of Model Y Juniper have reportedly been prohibited from bringing phones onto the site. We’ve caught glimpses of what appears to be a new rear light bar, but the rest of the vehicle has been camouflaged, possibly spotted during testing in the US and Europe. This follows the same strategy Tesla employed while preparing for the Highland release.

    Speculations on Features

    As for the precise specifications of the Model Y Juniper, they remain uncertain. However, it is rumored to include a robust 95 kWh battery and an 800V powertrain architecture for quicker charging capabilities. There may also be a 48V low-voltage system similar to that of the Cybertruck, as Tesla has open-sourced its efforts in this area and mentioned it will be used even in its more affordable models like the Robotaxi or the future Model 2. Additionally, the Model Y Juniper is expected to feature a touchless frunk opening and a 6-seater variant for the Chinese market, which is presumably what Tesla is currently testing in their pilot production.

    FatTigerShawn (Weibo) via CarNewsChina

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  • Huawei’s Juniper to Compete with Tesla Model Y at a Loss

    Huawei’s Juniper to Compete with Tesla Model Y at a Loss

    As the release of the Model Y Juniper refresh approaches, various electric vehicle manufacturers are rushing to introduce their own competitors to Tesla’s most popular model.

    Rising Electric SUVs

    Recently, several electric SUVs in the Model Y category have been announced, including the impressive Onvo L60, which boasts better specifications than Tesla’s offering at a significantly lower price. Onvo is a new midrange brand from the well-known EV producer NIO, recognized for its top-quality electric vehicles. However, other brands with less experience in manufacturing are struggling to keep up with Tesla’s updates.

    Huawei’s New Entry

    One such brand is Huawei, a major player in telecommunications and consumer electronics, but still relatively new to the electric vehicle sector. Its sub-brand, Luxeed, which is developed in collaboration with Chery—one of China’s largest automakers—has just unveiled its own competitor to the Model Y Juniper called the R7. This stylish SUV has some advantages over the aging Model Y, including an 800V powertrain. However, the upcoming Juniper facelift will also feature an 800V architecture, along with numerous enhancements in both performance and design.

    Specifications and Pricing

    The Luxeed R7’s specifications, however, are not particularly impressive; it offers either an 82 kWh or a 100 kWh long-range battery, with only the top variant equipped with a dual-motor setup for all-wheel drive. Acceleration figures are comparable to Tesla’s or even slower. While the larger batteries provide a slightly longer range than the current Model Y, this edge might be diminished by the time the Juniper is launched in Q1. The R7 includes appealing features like a mini fridge in the center console and heated, ventilated massage seats, but similar offerings are available in NIO’s Onvo L60.

    Huawei is also relying on its software expertise to ensure a seamless self-driving experience, equipping the Luxeed R7 with its Qiankun ADS 3.0 driver-assist system, which includes LiDAR and is AI-driven like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system, approved for both highway and city use.

    Market Challenges

    Despite these features, Huawei has struggled to price the Luxeed R7 lower than the Model Y. It starts at approximately $36,940, which is slightly more expensive than Tesla’s base model. Huawei’s CEO, Richard Yu, acknowledged that the company would still incur losses of around 30,000 RMB (about $4,267) on each R7 sold. He remains optimistic that increased production could lead to profitability.

    This situation is common for many new entrants in the industry, except for Xiaomi, which has leveraged its experience in consumer electronics manufacturing to quickly ramp up production of its first SU7 electric vehicle. Xiaomi’s EV business is now profitable, even with a competitive package in terms of specifications. The company is also developing its own direct competitor to the Model Y Juniper, which is expected to launch next year, coinciding with Tesla’s facelift.

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