They are coming.

Customers in Europe eagerly await the news about Tesla Model 3 deliveries (from February) and Tesla just released a photo with Model 3 Dual Motor versions off the production line at Fremont factory.

We know that the first units were already sent, so these three aren’t among those on we’ve been tracking on ships to Europe.

The tweet encourages one to visit the online design studio, which means that Tesla – after not much of a marketing effort in the first year, when the car was available only in North America – seems to be attempting to gather more orders in Europe.

European Model 3s off the production line. Design yours at https://t.co/7Ol1BvJoj8 pic.twitter.com/7PouXWbwGz

— Tesla (@Tesla) January 21, 2019

Voluntary dataset (unofficial) gives us a glimpse at the number of orders. As of January 22, 2019 the counter shows 15,786.

Charging inlet

The European charging inlet in the Model 3 is compatible with CCS Combo 2 for 1- and 3-phase charging, as well as DC fast charging from both CCS chargers and Superchargers.

European Tesla Model 3 – CCS Combo-compatible charging inlet

Source: Tesla Model 3: Europe Orders

Source: Electric Vehicle News

It turns out the Tesla Semi is an aircraft carrier of sorts.

While the Tesla Model X is not a real aircraft in any way, it does have wings … Falcon Wing Doors that is. Who knows, perhaps one day it will gain the ability to fly like the upcoming Tesla Roadster. All jokes aside, Tesla’s President of Automotive Jerome Guillen took to social media (LinkedIn of all outlets) to post an image of a Tesla Semi hauling a single Model X.

Guillen’s first love and former primary role at Tesla was related to the electric semi, so it’s truly his baby. He was Tesla’s Vice President for Trucks and Programs for over three years. Guillen also has plenty of prior experience with semi trucks from his previous job at Daimler. He doesn’t post often on public social media, so this image garnered the attention of many Tesla fans.

The above image was taken at one of Tesla’s newest and largest Supercharger stations, in Kettleman City, California. The state-of-the-art charging station is strategically located partway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and is a model of what some upcoming Tesla Supercharger stations may look like. It offers 40 stalls, a solar roof, and plenty of family-friendly facilities. It’s also the site where people have spotted the Tesla Semi on a regular basis.

Many people continue to have doubts about Tesla’s future. While it showed a profit in Q3 2018, and will show another (lesser) profit for Q4, times are tough. Naysayers seem especially skeptical of the upcoming Tesla Semi and Roadster. However, we continue to see proof that the prototypes are out testing and Tesla is serious about bringing these vehicles to market in the not-too-far future.

Source: Teslarati

10 photos

Source: Electric Vehicle News

ELON MUSK BREAKS NEW GROUND IN CHINA – IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

It’s common enough for a CEO to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new factory, but few of these photo-op events are as historic as Elon Musk’s recent trip to China. Gigafactory 3, now under construction near Shanghai, will be of critical importance for the company, allowing it to deliver cars at competitive prices to the world’s largest auto market. The accelerated timeline – Tesla expects the facility to begin production this year – signals a new way of doing things in the auto industry. Musk also highlighted the importance of international cooperation – in stark contrast to the current global trend of economic isolationism. Many are hoping his trip will herald a thaw in trade relations between the world’s economic superpowers.

*This article comes to us courtesy of EVANNEX (which also makes aftermarket Tesla accessories). Authored by Charles Morris. The opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily our own at InsideEVs.

Above: After breaking ground in Shanghai, Elon Musk discusses plans for Tesla’s Gigafactory 3 (Twitter: @vincent13031925)

“We hope you can get a firm foothold and expand the market,” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told Musk. “We hope your company can become an in-depth participant of China’s opening and a promoter of the stability of China-US relations.”

Apparently, Musk made such a positive impression that he was offered permanent residency. “I love China and want to come here more often,” said Musk, according to government news site Gov.cn. “If you do, we can issue you a Chinese green card,” the Premier replied.

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Above: Elon Musk discusses the Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai (Source: CCTV / Youtube: HelloZtar)

Tesla’s construction of the plant is a win for both parties. The trend-setting automaker has much to offer China, which aspires to become a player in the global auto industry. “Tesla has proprietary electric vehicle and battery technology and is willing to transfer its valuable physical production assets to assemble its vehicles in a wholly owned plant in Shanghai,” wrote Morgan Stanley Analyst Adam Jonas. “Tesla may have some negotiating power to secure more favorable (or less unfavorable) trading parameters for the import and sale of its electric vehicles in China while the plant is being ramped up.”

The Chinese have rolled out the red carpet for Tesla – the new Gig is to be built with mostly local funding, and it will be the first auto plant in the country to be wholly owned by a foreign automaker. On his trip, Musk was “fed, feted and shown a lot of love…everything he’s been missing in the US,” as Bloomberg put it.

Above: All three Tesla vehicles parked outside the Tower of Violet Light in Beijing (Twitter: @vincent13031925)

“Can Mr. Musk’s ‘EV Diplomacy’ offer the bottom-up US corporate leadership that could potentially catalyze an improvement in trade relations between the world’s two largest economies?” Adam Jonas asks. “One of the most well-known US CEOs physically traveled to China. This alone, in our opinion, is notable given the current climate of elevated tensions.”

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Written by: Charles Morris; This article originally appeared in Charged; Sources: Barron’s, Politico, Bloomberg

*Editor’s Note: EVANNEX, which also sells aftermarket gear for Teslas, has kindly allowed us to share some of its content with our readers, free of charge. Our thanks go out to EVANNEX. Check out the site here.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Taycan to be one of the best-selling vehicles for Porsche

According to German magazine Automobilwoche, Porsche decided to set the Taycan production target at 40,000 per year.

The first signs that the initial goal of 20,000 will be increased appeared several weeks ago and it seems that Porsche is encouraged by the feedback from customers and the number of reservations (in Norway alone about 3,000).

It’s hard to definitely say what production level will be achieved in the first year and whether it concerns solely the Taycan model or Taycan plus other derivatives.

In 2018, sales of Porsche increased by 4% to an all-time record of 256,255. A big part of growth were new versions of the plug-in hybrid Panamera.

With the addition of Taycan, Porsche will be selling some 300,000 cars per year, and plug-ins will become a significant part of the brand.

Market introduction of Taycan is expected at the end of this year.

Source: automobilwoche.de via Electrek

Source: Electric Vehicle News

We are finally getting an e-Ducati, we just don’t know when.

Source: Electric Vehicle News

Up 56.3% from the past year.

In 2018, China’s installed power battery capacity totaled 56.9GWh, leaping 56.3% from the previous year. Of that, the annual installed energy capacity for ternary batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries reached 33.1GWh and 22.2GWh respectively, according to data released by China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance (CAPBIIA).

In addition, 33.1GWh of batteries were installed in new energy PVs and 23.8GWh were used for new energy CVs.

CATL had 23.5GWh of power batteries installed into vehicles last year, taking the championship among all China-based battery makers. The runner-up is BYD whose annual installed battery capacity reached 11.4GWh.

China’s power battery outputs totaled 70.6GWh in 2018, among which the outputs of ternary batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries chalked up 39.2GWh and 28.0GWh respectively, accounting for 55.5% and 39.7% of total battery outputs.

Last year, the power battery sales in China recorded 62.3GWh. The ternary battery became the absolute mainstay with a total of 34.5GWh sold throughout 2018. Besides, the annual sales of lithium iron phosphate batteries amounted to 24.4GWh, making up 39.1% of total sales.

The top 3 power battery makers by annual sales sold 38.5GWh in total, accounting for 61.7% of total power sales. The sales of top 5 battery makers aggregated 44.0 GWh with a share of 70.6%. As to the top 10 makers, they made up 85.7% of 2018 sales for entire power battery market with 53.4GWh sold in total.

Source: Gasgoo

Source: Electric Vehicle News