Electric Vehicle TECHNICAL Discussion
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 1,514
From: San Diego, CA
That Oasis charger at Lost Hills is phenomenal and a real nod to the future. Unless you've driven down that part of California, it's hard to overstate just how much in the middle of nowhere this is, and also hard to overstate that 30 acres of solar plus a bunch of megapacks may very well be the absolute best use for that land. So sure, you can't do this in downtown LA or anywhere urban for that matter. But it isn't about that. It's about getting to and from LA, or to and from the Bay Area with 100% sustainable and 100% renewable energy. And it is quite brilliant.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 508
From: PA
The more I look at this charging station, the more impressed I get. 
It's going to suck that vandals will inevitably steal anything of value in there. Taggers will end up putting awful graffiti on it. Maybe Tesla will have private security on site?
It's going to suck that vandals will inevitably steal anything of value in there. Taggers will end up putting awful graffiti on it. Maybe Tesla will have private security on site?
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,917
Likes: 4,274
From: Alberta
Tesla patent for a "paintless" body panel. This process injects paint as the panel is being formed which eliminates the paint shop and will make it easy to repair. Simply add same colour body filler, sand and polish. Downside: potentially huge these panels will be difficult to recycle and they won't be suitable to make more body panels as the material degrades on reuse versus virgin process. Could be used to make plastic furniture, doors etc. but either way I really don't like poly based materials.
Still, saving 20% was something Tesla could not ignore Cybercab has to have the lowest cost BOM as possible.
Still, saving 20% was something Tesla could not ignore Cybercab has to have the lowest cost BOM as possible.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,126
Likes: 1,560
From: FL
Tesla patent for a "paintless" body panel. This process injects paint as the panel is being formed which eliminates the paint shop and will make it easy to repair. Simply add same colour body filler, sand and polish. Downside: potentially huge these panels will be difficult to recycle and they won't be suitable to make more body panels as the material degrades on reuse versus virgin process. Could be used to make plastic furniture, doors etc. but either way I really don't like poly based materials.
Still, saving 20% was something Tesla could not ignore Cybercab has to have the lowest cost BOM as possible.
https://x.com/muskonomy/status/1945819396833968439
Still, saving 20% was something Tesla could not ignore Cybercab has to have the lowest cost BOM as possible.
https://x.com/muskonomy/status/1945819396833968439
If so, I don't like it.
And it will probably look cheap. Lol
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,481
Likes: 198
From: San Francisco, CA
I thought we already using plastic type material for panels already, like the bumper covers, some fenders and rear quarters...though im not sure. Whatever they use, they sure aren't using metal.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 266
Depends. I remember a time when GE plastics, now Sabic industries did the rd/mfg of Saturns plastic (thermoplastics) panels. Really neat design, but the fit and finish iqs were decent (designed gaps were bigger then usual due to temp/material changes). The real gem was longevity wise. I assume they are using similar concepts but inhouse?