Tesla is on a roll, unveiling a series of innovative projects that are shaping the future of transportation. This week, the company debuted its highly anticipated “Giga Train” in Germany, marking its foray into the all-electric battery-powered train market. This train, designed to transport Tesla employees to and from the Gigafactory in Berlin, boasts a remarkable passenger capacity of 500 people and will eventually handle 4,500 employees across three eight-hour shifts. This move comes as Tesla aims to improve its image in Germany after facing backlash for clearing trees to build the Gigafactory. The company has pledged to plant one million trees this year to compensate for the ecological damage.
But Tesla’s ambitions don’t stop there. On October 10th, the company is hosting a “Robotaxi Day” in Hollywood, showcasing its self-driving technology. This event will feature a demonstration of Tesla’s latest software and a fully autonomous “cyber-cab.” While the EV future seems within reach, even Tesla acknowledges that establishing a self-driving taxi network won’t happen overnight. Currently, Tesla holds a permit for autonomous vehicle testing with a driver, but not for deployment without a driver.
Meanwhile, a new partnership could be brewing between Tesla and Worksport, a U.S.-based clean energy innovator. Worksport is known for its hybrid and clean energy solutions for light trucks and has developed a solution to ease range anxiety for EV owners. The company is scheduled to release Alpha versions of its SOLIS solar-powered tonneau cover and COR portable battery system this September.
Worksport recently conducted successful lab tests of its COR portable energy system as a range extender for Tesla’s EVs. The tests revealed that the COR system can add approximately seven miles of range to a Tesla Model 3 when used as a Level 1 power source. The COR Hub + Battery, carrying over 1.7 kWh of power, is expected to be compatible with a range of EVs. Worksport envisions future iterations of the COR system acting as range extenders for Tesla and other EVs. The company’s power duo, which includes the SOLIS cover capable of charging the COR battery up to two to three times daily with optimal sun conditions, will benefit both EV and ICE vehicle owners, providing them with powerful off-grid renewable energy on the go. Worksport’s solution could prove invaluable for Tesla drivers and other EV owners, offering a convenient and sustainable way to power their vehicles in remote locations, during emergencies, or while working on a project site.
Tesla’s ambitious projects, coupled with Worksport’s innovative range-extending technology, are driving us closer to a more sustainable and connected future for transportation. As these technologies continue to evolve, they hold the potential to revolutionize the way we travel and power our lives.
