EV Daily | Tesla Completes First Fully Autonomous Model Y Delivery Amidst Safety and Self-Driving Concerns

【Tesla】

Tesla has completed the first fully autonomous delivery of a Model Y from the factory to a customer's home. This milestone marks an improvement over the Robotaxi service, which requires a Tesla employee in the passenger seat. Despite the achievement, Tesla's full self-driving programs have yet to demonstrate reliable autonomous operation over long distances without supervision. Concerns about safety remain, especially for pedestrians and other road users. Tesla's Powerwall installations have increased significantly, driving growth in the US distributed solar-plus-storage market. The attachment rate for home solar systems with batteries has grown from 6% in 2020 to 25% in 2024, largely due to Tesla Powerwall. Tesla has paid Powerwall customers $9.9 million in 2024 alone. The Virtual Power Plant, launched alongside PG&E, compensates Powerwall owners $2 per kWh during load reduction events. Tesla has a new executive-level hire, Henry Kuang, as Director of AI and Deep Learning for Autonomous Driving. However, Tesla has faced difficulties with turnover in its Autopilot and self-driving division, losing several leaders over the years. Despite these challenges, Tesla continues to prefer hiring younger, more junior engineers and promoting from within.

【BYD】

BYD is reportedly testing solid-state batteries in its Seal sedan, a Model 3 rival. However, the company has not confirmed the rumors, stating the parameters and model are unknown at this time.

【Others】

Toyota has begun construction on its first wholly owned Lexus EV plant in China, expected to produce 100,000 NEVs annually starting in 2027. The Lexus ES electric sedan prototype and bZ3X electric SUV are part of Toyota's strategy to compete in the Chinese market amidst intense competition. The bZ3X has become Toyota's most affordable EV in China, starting at around $15,000. Nissan Ariya, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and IONIQ 6 offer attractive EV lease deals, with prices ranging from $129 to $179 per month for 24-36 months. These deals include incentives like loyalty cash and free charging equipment, making them appealing options for consumers. Similarly, Honda Prologue and Subaru Solterra leases are available with various incentives. Genesis is preparing to introduce its flagship GV90 EV, which boasts a luxurious interior and advanced technology. The production-ready interior closely resembles the Neolun Concept, featuring premium materials and a futuristic design. Meyer Burger faces financial challenges, filing for bankruptcy in the US after insolvency proceedings in Germany. The company has shut down its Arizona solar factory due to a lack of funding. Meyer Burger struggles against competition from cheaper Chinese imports and is negotiating debt restructuring with bondholders. Huntington Beach, California, has launched a police-led e-bike safety course for kids due to rising e-bike accidents. The program focuses on teaching safe riding skills, emphasizing experiential learning to address the unique challenges of e-bikes. Early feedback suggests positive outcomes, and the program may become mandatory for students who ride e-bikes to school. Huawei has filed a patent for sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries offering up to 3,000 km range and fast charging in five minutes. However, experts in Korea remain skeptical about the practicality of these claims, citing challenges in real-world conditions and mass production.