Stories developed in the past week around the Model 3’s efficiency rating, lawmakers efforts to help encourage self-driving vehicle research, and Tesla’s effort to help Hurricane Irma evacuees. Check out the news roundup below.
Long Range Version Model 3 Has 126 MPGe Efficiency Rating – A photo of a Model 3 window sticker has emerged on TMC that suggests the long range version of the car will get an EPA-rated 126 MPGe.
Nissan Debuts the Redesigned 2018 Leaf – Nissan says the new Leaf’s 40 kWh battery will provide 150 miles of range under EPA testing, a significant improvement over the 107-mile range achieved by the previous model’s 30 kWh battery.
SpaceX Launched a Secret Spy Craft – SpaceX completed a mission this week that launched the United States Air Force’s X-37B experimental space plane.
Lawmakers Consider Autonomous Vehicles With ‘Self Drive Act’ – The “Self Drive Act” (H.R. 3388) gives companies more freedom to develop and test the technology without dealing with varying regulations in each individual state. The law also allows 25,000 autonomous cars on the road in the first year and says manufacturers can eventually deploy up to 100,000 self-driving test vehicles per year that wouldn’t comply with normal safety standards.
Finding Supercharger Status During Hurricane Irma – TMC Member Larry Chanin offered the best means of determining the status of Supercharger stations during emergencies such as Hurricane Irma.
Tesla Remotely Extends Range To Help Owners Escape Hurricane Irma – In an effort to help owners in Hurricane Irma’s evacuation zone, Tesla has released a software update for them to increase the range in their Model S/X 60/60D vehicles.