In the top and best of Tesla news this week, we find the Tesla Model S, Australia utilities and not the best crash tests.
Tesla 3 Drives Off Line Ready for Testing
Last night, Elon Musk Tweeted a black and white photo of the first production Tesla Model 3.It received 34,927 Retweets and 118,214 “Likes.” He later posted a photo in full color of the black Tesla Model 3.
Ira Ehrenpreis had rights to first Model 3 because he was the first o to place a full deposit, but gave those rights to Elon Musk for his 46th birthdaay present.
About 30 Model 3’s will be delivered to customers on July 28. Tesla reported it would produce another 1,500 cars in September, and grow to about 20,000 cars per month by December.
Power to the Batteries from Wind Down Under
Meanwhile, Tesla will be harnessing wind to provide battery and power to South Australia.
Through a competitive bidding process, Tesla was selected to provide a 100 MW/129 MWh Powerpack system to be paired with global renewable energy provider Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm near Jamestown, South Australia. Tesla was awarded the entire energy storage system component of the project.
Tesla Powerpack will charge using renewable energy from the Hornsdale Wind Farm and then deliver electricity during peak hours to help maintain the reliable operation of South Australia’s electrical infrastructure. The Tesla Powerpack system will further transform the state’s movement towards renewable energy and see an advancement of a resilient and modern grid.
Upon completion by December 2017, this system will be the largest lithium-ion battery storage project in the world and will provide enough power for more than 30,000 homes, approximately equal to the amount of homes that lost power during the blackout period.
NHSTA vs IIHS Good vs Bad?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that after conducting independent testing, it has awarded Model X a 5-star safety rating in every category and sub-category, making it the first SUV ever to earn the 5-star rating across the board. However the Tesla Model S failed to achieve the IIHS Top Safety Pick+. The Telsa Model S didn’t get a good rating on the IIHS “small front overlap” test.
The front safety belt isn’t strong enough to prevent the driver’s head from striking the steering wheel hard through the deployed air bag, according to the IIHS.
Details The Tesla Model S IIHS Rating
The three cars qualify for Top Safety Pick+, the Institute’s highest award. The Tesla Model S, the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Taurus fall short of any award because they each earn only an acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.
“This group of large cars includes some with stellar ratings, but our small overlap front test remains a hurdle for some vehicles,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer.
Vehicles qualify for either the Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award if they have good ratings from IIHS in five crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — and an available front crash prevention system that earns a superior or advanced rating. To qualify for Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle also must come with good or acceptable headlights.
To rebuke IIHS a Tesla rep claimed IIHS and other private industry groups around the world have methods and motivations that suit their own subjective purposes.