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> Despite initial projections of producing 250,000 units annually, it appears Tesla might struggle to sell even 20,000 Cybertrucks per year in the current marke

> Despite initial projections of producing 250,000 units annually, it appears Tesla might struggle to sell even 20,000 Cybertrucks per year in the current market climate. I don't think it's the "market climate", instead, this truck doesn't suit many truck users' purpose. I know blue-collar general contractors who were genuinely looking forward to this truck, especially at the original price point. They were thinking all their projects were around town so they wouldn't need to worry about charging, and being an EV it would require less maintenance, which costs both time and money. The Cybertruck isn't fit for their purpose as a truck. Ford and Chevy have better offerings, but they cost more than the Cybertruck's original price point, and people are concerned about Ford and Chevy's dealerships being able to support and service these vehicles. They were thinking Tesla had the answers. On the upside, the market is still there for the taking...

altruios 1y ago
If BYD ever gets into the American market, it's (the competition I mean) over. Megawatt charging is insane... But our poor electrical grid: it could use some work to support that massive demand.
- toomuchtodo 1y ago
  Battery storage colocated at fast chargers, as Tesla and Electrify America do today at some locations.
  - altruios 1y ago
    ah, but of course. Here I was thinking of improving our electrical grid. Nothing more permanent than the quickest fix possible. But yes, that's a good idea.
    - deleted 1y ago
      [deleted]
    - taylodl 1y ago
      The electrical grid can support increased demand if loads are distributed over time. Industrial batteries can be charged overnight, when demand is typically lower, and discharged during the day, effectively shifting the load. This strategy not only eases grid strain but also supports fast DC charging.
- Zigurd 1y ago
  A lot of Americans don't realize that electricity demand in the US is growing very slowly and maybe not at all. Growth projections to 2050 continue to look about the same as recent years: Under 1% per year. AI isn't moving the needle. We need to continue to replace coal plants. But those are down to 16% of supply. Renewables are growing at 9% per year. No crisis detected. On HN we're maximally exposed to the perhaps wishful thinking of people who have invested in SMRs, which are less economically efficient than conventional nuclear power plants, which suffer from high project risk. I'm glad people like Bill Gates are investing in new generation nuclear technology. He can afford to not make money on that anytime soon.
tim333 1y ago
I was looking at the top HN comment on the cybertruck when it was announced >A 6 seat truck with a 6.5 foot truck bed and a 3500 pound capacity for $40k is genuinely competitive with GM/ Ford... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21602437 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21602437 and remember thinking it was cool. However $40k seems to have been wishful thinking.

altruios 1y ago

If BYD ever gets into the American market, it's (the competition I mean) over. Megawatt charging is insane... But our poor electrical grid: it could use some work to support that massive demand.

toomuchtodo 1y ago
Battery storage colocated at fast chargers, as Tesla and Electrify America do today at some locations.
- altruios 1y ago
  ah, but of course. Here I was thinking of improving our electrical grid. Nothing more permanent than the quickest fix possible. But yes, that's a good idea.
  - deleted 1y ago
    [deleted]
  - taylodl 1y ago
    The electrical grid can support increased demand if loads are distributed over time. Industrial batteries can be charged overnight, when demand is typically lower, and discharged during the day, effectively shifting the load. This strategy not only eases grid strain but also supports fast DC charging.
Zigurd 1y ago
A lot of Americans don't realize that electricity demand in the US is growing very slowly and maybe not at all. Growth projections to 2050 continue to look about the same as recent years: Under 1% per year. AI isn't moving the needle. We need to continue to replace coal plants. But those are down to 16% of supply. Renewables are growing at 9% per year. No crisis detected. On HN we're maximally exposed to the perhaps wishful thinking of people who have invested in SMRs, which are less economically efficient than conventional nuclear power plants, which suffer from high project risk. I'm glad people like Bill Gates are investing in new generation nuclear technology. He can afford to not make money on that anytime soon.

tim333 1y ago

I was looking at the top HN comment on the cybertruck when it was announced >A 6 seat truck with a 6.5 foot truck bed and a 3500 pound capacity for $40k is genuinely competitive with GM/ Ford... https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21602437 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21602437 and remember thinking it was cool. However $40k seems to have been wishful thinking.