3 ms·

I wonder if Tesla will just sell a drivetrain by itself? Would be cool to just DIY your own electric car.

by matte_black 9y ago

userbinator 9y ago
From what I've read, they don't even sell parts to owners of their cars, only authorised repair centers.
- Scoundreller 9y ago
  Which means a surplus of spare parts because it's too expensive to repair a salvaged car.
  - astronautjones 9y ago
    Perfect HN opportunity to open up a marketplace for said parts, especially with so many early adopters here
- icantdrive55 9y ago
  I've always felt this policy was a mistake. I kinda understand locking down the software, but not parts, especially when said vechicle is out of warranty. Get the parts out to DIY'ers. Don't make enemies right out of the gate? Plus--some of these rebuilders are brilliant.(This guy who out a electric engine in a Honda--for one.) I know the legal aspect, but just put a disclaimer on the part, like the rest of the them? So many people are buying high ticket items, but can't repair the item then it breaks. I guess it's the way the wealthy think? I don't have that luxury. I buy second hand stuff the haves discard. If I buy something, I should be able to fix it when it breaks down. I'll sign whatever legal papers you this at me. Fool me into thinking your company isn't violating The Sherman Antitrust Act? I've been poor all my life, and just don't like Authorized Repair Centers touching my stuff, at their outrageous prices. Especially when that joke of a warranty ends. To the guy who just bought a $25,000 Rolex watch this weekend. When it stops, and is out of warranty, you will not be able to repair it yourself. Even if dad taught you how to repair watches from a early age. You can open it, but buying a part from Rolex is something you can't do. How did I go from Tesla to Rolex? Just a bit off tonight? I do feel like I'm alone though. In the end, I just don't like the feeling I'm being fleeced, and then telling me, "Oh, it's for Quality Assurance. We care about you."
  - toomuchtodo 9y ago
    It’s not a mistake. Tesla needs high margins on every car they sell, both for expansion and because it’s the last unmet requirement of Elon’s compensation package (margins at least 30% for four quarters). Therefore, no parts/drivetrain unless they’re going into vehicles that can command the necessary premium. It’s not a legal issue; if you want the parts, you’ll need to buy the whole car and tear it down.
mikeash 9y ago
I don’t think so, but they can still be obtained: https://hsrmotors.com https://hsrmotors.com I believe those come from wrecked cars.
ocdtrekkie 9y ago
This is Tesla's view on people who want to DIY with Tesla parts/salvage: https://gas2.org/2014/09/27/tesla-wont-activate-mans-salvaged-model-s/ https://gas2.org/2014/09/27/tesla-wont-activate-mans-salvage... Of course, the person in the article probably went low-level enough into the parts not to need the Tesla's software activated, and that's why he didn't manage to run afoul of this.
- taneq 9y ago
  I was hoping they would talk more about what it took to get the drive electronics running. I half expected the motor controller to refuse to run without some kind of authentication module or something present.
  - gonesilent 9y ago
    Http://evtv.me has a controller for Tesla drive line and battery's it's all CAN and serial. You can find videos of the decoding process. The one in the Honda uses a controller and modified firmware from hsrmotorsports.com
    - taneq 9y ago
      Wow, that's awesome! And they have all the Tesla parts for sale too... although holy cow, they're expensive! It'd probably be cheaper to buy a written-off Tesla.
      - gonesilent 9y ago
        Wrecked Tesla go for $20k+ because the batt and driveline are worth so much. See copart.com
Gibbon1 9y ago
One of the European companies, Bosch? Is developing a electric power train module. Far as I could tell, an electric trans-axle and associated power electronics. Searched, it is Bosch. https://electrek.co/2017/01/11/bosch-electrification-drive-units/ https://electrek.co/2017/01/11/bosch-electrification-drive-u...

I wonder if Tesla will just sell a drivetrain by itself? Would be cool to just DIY your own electric car.

userbinator 9y ago

From what I've read, they don't even sell parts to owners of their cars, only authorised repair centers.

Scoundreller 9y ago
Which means a surplus of spare parts because it's too expensive to repair a salvaged car.
- astronautjones 9y ago
  Perfect HN opportunity to open up a marketplace for said parts, especially with so many early adopters here
icantdrive55 9y ago
I've always felt this policy was a mistake. I kinda understand locking down the software, but not parts, especially when said vechicle is out of warranty. Get the parts out to DIY'ers. Don't make enemies right out of the gate? Plus--some of these rebuilders are brilliant.(This guy who out a electric engine in a Honda--for one.) I know the legal aspect, but just put a disclaimer on the part, like the rest of the them? So many people are buying high ticket items, but can't repair the item then it breaks. I guess it's the way the wealthy think? I don't have that luxury. I buy second hand stuff the haves discard. If I buy something, I should be able to fix it when it breaks down. I'll sign whatever legal papers you this at me. Fool me into thinking your company isn't violating The Sherman Antitrust Act? I've been poor all my life, and just don't like Authorized Repair Centers touching my stuff, at their outrageous prices. Especially when that joke of a warranty ends. To the guy who just bought a $25,000 Rolex watch this weekend. When it stops, and is out of warranty, you will not be able to repair it yourself. Even if dad taught you how to repair watches from a early age. You can open it, but buying a part from Rolex is something you can't do. How did I go from Tesla to Rolex? Just a bit off tonight? I do feel like I'm alone though. In the end, I just don't like the feeling I'm being fleeced, and then telling me, "Oh, it's for Quality Assurance. We care about you."
- toomuchtodo 9y ago
  It’s not a mistake. Tesla needs high margins on every car they sell, both for expansion and because it’s the last unmet requirement of Elon’s compensation package (margins at least 30% for four quarters). Therefore, no parts/drivetrain unless they’re going into vehicles that can command the necessary premium. It’s not a legal issue; if you want the parts, you’ll need to buy the whole car and tear it down.

mikeash 9y ago

I don’t think so, but they can still be obtained: https://hsrmotors.com https://hsrmotors.com I believe those come from wrecked cars.

ocdtrekkie 9y ago

This is Tesla's view on people who want to DIY with Tesla parts/salvage: https://gas2.org/2014/09/27/tesla-wont-activate-mans-salvaged-model-s/ https://gas2.org/2014/09/27/tesla-wont-activate-mans-salvage... Of course, the person in the article probably went low-level enough into the parts not to need the Tesla's software activated, and that's why he didn't manage to run afoul of this.

taneq 9y ago
I was hoping they would talk more about what it took to get the drive electronics running. I half expected the motor controller to refuse to run without some kind of authentication module or something present.
- gonesilent 9y ago
  Http://evtv.me has a controller for Tesla drive line and battery's it's all CAN and serial. You can find videos of the decoding process. The one in the Honda uses a controller and modified firmware from hsrmotorsports.com
  - taneq 9y ago
    Wow, that's awesome! And they have all the Tesla parts for sale too... although holy cow, they're expensive! It'd probably be cheaper to buy a written-off Tesla.
    - gonesilent 9y ago
      Wrecked Tesla go for $20k+ because the batt and driveline are worth so much. See copart.com

Gibbon1 9y ago

One of the European companies, Bosch? Is developing a electric power train module. Far as I could tell, an electric trans-axle and associated power electronics. Searched, it is Bosch. https://electrek.co/2017/01/11/bosch-electrification-drive-units/ https://electrek.co/2017/01/11/bosch-electrification-drive-u...