How The Tesla Roadster Works
Unlike a traditional gasoline-powered car, the Tesla Roadster doesn't contain hundreds of moving parts. In place of an internal combustion engine, the Tesla Roadster sports a bank of batteries -- the Energy Storage System (ESS). In developing a power source befitting such a high-performance car, Tesla went with technology proven in the laptop computer field -- rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The Roadster contains 6,831 of them. The batteries fit into 11 sectors with 621 batteries each. A separate computer processor controls each sector to make sure all of the charging and discharging is handled smoothly. The Power Electronics Module (PEM) is a power inverter and charging system that converts DC power to AC power using 72 insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). This results in a marked increase in power output compared to first-generation electric cars. Under peak acceleration, the batteries can crank out 200 kW of energy -- enough to light 2,000 incandescent light bulbs. In addition to controlling charge and discharge rates, the Power Electronics Module controls voltage levels, the motor's RPM (revolutions per minute), torque and the regenerative braking system. This braking system captures the kinetic energy usually lost through braking and transfers it back into the ESS.
The efficiency and integration of the battery, PEM and motor systems is between 85 and 95 percent, allowing the motor to put out up to 185 kW of power. Aluminum heat dissipation fins and a rear-mounted ventilation port keep the power transistors from overheating. You can recharge the Roadster in two different ways. An electrician can install a recharging station in your garage. This 220-volt, 70-amp outlet allows for a full recharge in 3.5 hours from a completely dead battery. Tesla likens charging your car to charging your cell phone; you can plug it in at night and have a fully-charged car in the morning. There's also a mobile kit that allows recharging at any electrical outlet, no matter where you are. Although auto owners have been driving around for decades with tankfulls of volatile, flammable gasoline in their cars, having 1,000 pounds of batteries behind their head gives some people pause. The recent recalls of lithium-ion batteries used in laptop computers have increased those fears. Tesla has gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of the Roadster's energy system. First, the battery system was extensively "catastrophe tested," which involved heating individual cells until they burst into flames. Each cell is isolated enough from adjacent cells to prevent any damage to them. If one cell overheats, it will not start a chain reaction explosion. A host of sensors detects acceleration, deceleration, tilt, temperature and smoke. If one senses an abnormal event, like a crash, it immediately shuts down and disconnects the power system.
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The BMW 745e brings a new 6-cylinder engine, with lower fuel-economy ratings, and slightly more electric range for 2020. Los Angeles launches its own Green New Deal. Elon Musk's Twitter followers may face a new reality next week. The Tesla CEO reached a new agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, announced Friday, that he will no longer tweet about the company's finances or sales without preapproval from a Tesla securities lawyer. The Jaguar I-Pace isn't selling well in the U.S. Jaguar is about to start a new marketing campaign, and in the meantime it's sending more I-Pace electric crossovers to Norway. Tesla Model Y might be made in California after all CEO Elon Musk revealed that the company has made more space to assemble its upcoming compact crossover in Fremont, California鈥攁lthough Nevada remains a possibility. Teslas go farther, Ford and Rivian, Sono production, Colorado fines: Today's Car News Two of the most popular electric-car companies had big news moments today. 500 million tie-up with Ford. Tesla revamped its Model S and Model X lineups with both longer and shorter ranges. Colorado plans fines for charging-space violators. Sign up to get the latest green car and environmental news, delivered to your inbox daily! I agree to receive emails from the site. I can withdraw my consent at any time by unsubscribing.