Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y dominate China's real-world efficiency tests, achieving impressive energy consumption figures of 20.8 kWh/100 km and 21.8 kWh/100 km, respectively. This performance has sparked discussions about the future of electric vehicles and the role of companies like Xiaomi in the industry.
The results of the Autohome test, conducted under controlled conditions, showcased Tesla's continued leadership in long-range efficiency. The vehicles were evaluated with a full 375-kg load, a cabin temperature of 24°C, and a steady cruising speed of 120 km/h. These figures positioned Tesla's models at the top of the ranking, highlighting their superior performance in high-speed, cold-weather scenarios.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun acknowledged Tesla's efficiency advantage and pledged to continue learning from the veteran EV maker. He noted that the Xiaomi SU7 performed well but consumed more energy due to its larger size and higher specifications. Lei Jun emphasized the importance of factors like size and weight in real-world consumption and expressed a commitment to further optimize energy consumption.
The test results also sparked discussions about the future of electric vehicles and the role of companies like Xiaomi in the industry. While Tesla continues to lead the way in efficiency, other manufacturers like Xiaomi are working to close the gap and improve their own models.
In other news, Tesla is expanding its factory shuttle service in Germany, adding direct rail trips from Berlin Ostbahnhof to Giga Berlin-Brandenburg in Grünheide. The upgraded link, which includes six daily services aligned with shift schedules, reduces travel time to roughly 35 minutes despite ongoing station construction. Tesla aims to boost the number of Gigafactory Berlin employees commuting by rail while keeping the shuttle free for all riders.
Elon Musk has also revealed a plan to achieve Optimus' production goals, suggesting that Tesla will not rely on traditional production systems. The CEO hinted at a strategy involving self-replication, where Optimus robots could produce other Optimus robots, allowing them to self-replicate. This ambitious target could make Optimus the highest-volume product ever created, potentially changing the world.
Additionally, SpaceX has a standing policy to offer free Starlink service during natural disasters worldwide, demonstrating the company's commitment to aid over profit. This policy was recently activated in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, where Starlink provided free service to those affected by severe flooding and Cyclone Ditwah, respectively. SpaceX's proactive ethos in providing critical support during crises challenges portrayals of Musk as a profit-driven individual.
