Ford's all-electric F-150 EV Lightning

By Henry Farkas
Ford's F150 Lightning has an impressive frunk
Ford's F150 Lightning has an impressive frunk

It's big news when a legacy auto manufacturer like Ford debuts an all-electric pickup. They’ve announced the Ford F-150 Lightning. You can order one now, but they won't be coming out for about a year.

It has some interesting features so it’s going to be an interesting competitor for Tesla. For one thing, the price for the entry-level utility pickup is around $40,000. And buyers of Ford electric vehicles are still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. The truck has a full club cab that seats five adults and a five-and-a-half-foot bed. It also has a large frunk. The range is either 230 or 300 miles depending on the battery size selected. All the trim levels come with two motor all-wheel drive. That compares with the Cybertruck’s single motor rear-wheel drive for the $40,000 base model and no federal tax credit. The Ford comes with 11 power outlets spread around the truck

On the software side, the Ford comes with over-the-air software updates, like the Cybertruck, but they didn’t mention in the video whether the software updates would be included in the price as Tesla does or whether they’d charge for the software updates. They don’t pretend to have full self-driving on city streets, but they do claim to have hands-free driving on highways.

Ford Lightning EV

Another thing they claim the LIghtning will have is the ability to power your house from the truck battery in the event of a blackout. Tesla doesn’t do that. They say that they can power your house for three days from the truck battery, although I suspect the three-day estimate has hidden parameters such as no need for whole-house A/C (mild weather) and the larger battery size in the truck.

Because Ford is a legacy automaker, they don’t need to build factories from the ground up. They just need to re-tool. And they can make other electric vehicles, too. Toward the end of their video, they brought out prototypes of a new, higher-performance Mustang Mach-E SUV and a new electric transit van.

Ford Lightning EV

Ford Lightning EV

Elon Musk has always said that he expects to have competition in the electric vehicle market and that his goal is to accelerate the world toward electric propulsion. He’s getting what he expected to get. Let’s face it, without Tesla, none of the legacy auto manufacturers would be interested in manufacturing electric vehicles. We have Elon to thank for the new rush to the electrification of personal transportation.

Ford Lightning EV

Tesla Advances with 5G: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity for Cars and Robotics

By Kevin Armstrong
Tesla building 5G private network
Tesla building 5G private network

Tesla appears to be planning an ambitious project to build a private 5G network. This initiative would revolutionize connectivity for its vehicles and the robot, Optimus, as well as any other plans the company is likely to develop in the future.

Innovative Job Posting Reveals Big Plans

Although now removed, a recently spotted job posting for a Cellular Systems Integration Engineer on Tesla's career page shed light on the company's intentions. The role demands expertise to elevate Tesla's vehicle and Optimus robot connectivity, promising to push the boundaries of low latency and high data rates.

Tesla's journey from 3G to the anticipated 5G upgrade will bring about ultra-reliable communication and high-speed data transfer, crucial for over-the-air software updates, autonomous driving features, and real-time data analytics.

The Strategic Role of Private 5G Networks

Deploying its private 5G network, Tesla aims to create a seamlessly connected environment in its manufacturing facilities, research labs, and outdoor spaces. This infrastructure is not just about enhancing vehicle connectivity; it's also pivotal for the operational efficiency of the Optimus robot in various scenarios, including warehouse operations.

Tesla's foray into private 5G networking places it in an advantageous position in the automotive and tech industries. This strategic move aligns with the global trend towards adopting private 5G networks, which promise to revolutionize industries with their reliability and speed. Tesla's efforts to develop a private 5G protocol stack that integrates with any cellular infrastructure globally will set new industry standards.

With 5G, Tesla vehicles and Optimus robots will benefit from significantly reduced latency, offering under 5 milliseconds compared to the 60-98 milliseconds of 4G networks. This technological advancement is expected to enhance the functionality and responsiveness of Tesla's products, paving the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities and efficient robot operations.

Conclusion

Tesla's interest in developing a private 5G network is a logical step. By building an infrastructure that supports the fastest connectivity standards, Tesla is preparing for its vehicles and laying the groundwork for sophisticated robotics applications. This endeavor reflects Tesla's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of transportation and automation.

Tesla Is in Talks To Produce Electric Vans in Italy According to Report

By Kevin Armstrong
Van rendering
Van rendering

Italy has been discussing with Tesla about potentially establishing a factory producing electric trucks and vans. This information came to light in an Italian media outlet, Il Sole 24 Ore, which reported that the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (Mimit) spearheaded talks to secure Tesla's investment.

Tesla and Italy: A Strategic Dialogue

Since last summer, Italy has broadened its industrial horizons by engaging in talks with Tesla, alongside negotiations with prominent Chinese manufacturers such as BYD, Great Wall Motors, and Chery Automobile. Notably, the discussions with Tesla have centered around producing electric commercial vehicles, highlighting a departure from conventional car manufacturing and reflecting the evolving demands of the global market.

Under the leadership of Minister Adolfo Urso, Italy aims to invigorate its automotive sector by encouraging the presence of multiple manufacturers. This approach is designed to stabilize the national components sector, which faces challenges due to the shift towards electric vehicles. Italy aims to produce 1.3 million vehicles annually, including a significant contribution from a new yet-to-be-determined manufacturer.

A Geopolitical and Industrial Balancing Act

Italy's engagement with Tesla occurs amidst a delicate phase of negotiations with Stellantis for increased vehicle production within the country. This strategic dialogue with Tesla, alongside discussions with Chinese competitors, is a pivotal element in Italy's industrial and geopolitical maneuvering.

A multipurpose van is the next logical step for Tesla to produce once the less expensive next-gen platform is released (code name Redwood). However, engineers seem to be busy perfecting the next-gen Roadster, and the van has had little discussion. Given the company's leaks, if a van were in the works, you would think we would’ve heard about it. Perhaps this is the nudge Tesla needs to get the van into production.

As Italy endeavors to become a key player in the electric vehicle industry, its negotiations with Tesla signify a promising development. The possibility of Tesla establishing a facility for electric trucks and vans in Italy underscores the country's commitment to sustainable transportation and positions Italy as an attractive destination for automotive innovation.

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