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World’s first industrial electric excavator has a 300 kWh battery pack that triples Tesla’s P100D

The prototype electric excavator prototype modified by Pon Equipment. | Credit: Ole Henrik/Tek.no

Published

6 years ago

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Pon Equipment based in Gjelleråsen, Norway has converted an industrial diesel-powered excavator to operate on batteries alone, the first of its kind. According to the company’s CEO, Erik Sollerud, the machine uses a 300 kWh battery pack that’s three times the capacity of Tesla’s 100 kWh battery that’s found in its flagship Model S and Model X vehicle. After an eight month development process, the first of eight excavators is ready for delivery to Norway’s largest construction company, Veidekke. As a company motivated by the impact of emissions on the environment, Pon Equipment is helping pave the way for an era of emissions-free construction equipment around the world.

The base model used for the electric conversion is the Cat® 323 Hydraulic Excavator, a 28-ton machine built by American construction and mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar. As perhaps can be expected, swapping the original 1 ton C7.1 ACERT industrial engine for 3.4 tons of batteries came with several challenges. The team at Pan first had to find batteries that could withstand the rigors of construction work, ultimately opting for the types used in boats and submarines. The torque was also problematic and had to be scaled back to behave more like a diesel. In an electric car, high torque gives rapid acceleration, but in an excavator, it will wear out the hydraulics and other systems from the stress.

A full charge on the Caterpillar 323F Z-line (zero emission) – Pan’s revised name for the modified machine – will keep it running for 5-7 hours. For reference, a 63 amp charger will give one hour of work per one hour of charging, and another option available is to keep the machine connected to power during the entirety of operation, all details provided by Sollerud as reported by Ole Henrik Johansen of Norwegian tech website Tek.no. The machine includes a built-in 400V charger.

Also, a feature of the excavator’s electric power source is the noise or rather lack of it. During operation, only a low hum and hydraulic pump actions are heard from the 323F Z-line itself, and a swapped out fuel gauge for a battery monitor is the only obvious difference inside the machine’s cabin. While the carbon emissions are negated with the removal of the diesel engine, it appears a reduction in noise pollution is a happy bonus. Each machine is estimated to cost about $650,000.

Caterpillar was supportive of Pon’s modification project, working with the company throughout the process – the industrial equipment manufacturer reportedly has an interest in developing a line of electrically powered machines. Pon has also made it clear that their goal was never to replace the Cat® 323, just create a carbon-neutral option. In a press conference on Monday, Sollerud explained, “We do not want to invent a new excavator. Cat® 323F is one of the world’s best excavators. We only want it in an emissions-free version, with the same performance as the diesel-powered.” Until Caterpillar and companies like it finalize and release its battery-powered fleet into the market, Pon Equipment will hold the title of the first and only producer of clean energy construction excavators.

Watch the below video to see the electric excavator in action:

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

1 month ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

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Tesla releases Cybertruck metal key card—because why not?

Published

2 months ago

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December 31, 2024

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Credit: Tesla Shop

Tesla definitely seems to be determined to release the coolest lineup of accessories for its coolest vehicle. As could be seen in an update to the Tesla Shop, the electric vehicle maker has now launched a metal key card for the Cybertruck—because why not?

Cybertruck keys:

  • The Cybertruck, similar to Tesla’s other vehicles, is shipped with a regular key card. 
  • The vehicle could also be accessed and locked through a phone key. 
  • As per the Cybertruck’s Owner’s Manual, the all-electric pickup truck is capable of supporting a total of 19 keys.

The Cybertruck’s Metal Key Card:

  • Tesla’s Cybertruck Metal Key Card functions much like the vehicle’s regular key card, but it is finished using premium stainless steel
  • As per Tesla’s description of the item: 
  • “Convenient, durable, versatile. The Cybertruck Metal Key Card is a premium stainless-steel alternative to our traditional plastic key cards, making it easy to access your Cybertruck without your Phone Key. Ideal for when your phone is unavailable or when sharing your vehicle with a friend or valet.”
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card costs $60.
  • In comparison, the Cybertruck’s regular key card is sold for $40.
  • The Cybertruck Metal Key Card comes with the metal key card itself, as well as a bifold key card wallet.

Tesla Cybertruck merch push:

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