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Tesla is racking up speeding tickets, and YOU are on the hook
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- DeepHorus
The latest episode of Electrek's Quick Charge podcast spotlights three pivotal events in the electric vehicle sector: President Donald Trump's claim that EV drivers have a "disease," Tesla's Full Self-Driving system racking up speeding tickets, and Waymo's CEO explaining why Tesla's autonomous tech falls short of human drivers. These developments underscore the volatile intersection of politics, technology, and public safety. During a rally at Red Rock, Trump made false statements about gas bans and EV mandates, while also correctly noting that America's charging infrastructure remains largely invisible. He further claimed that Elon Musk had opposed policies Musk's $250 million lobbying supported, adding to the controversy. In a viral video, a Tesla driver pleads with police after FSD allegedly drove 64 mph in a 45 mph zone, resulting in a ticket. Waymo Co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov spent over 40 minutes explaining that Tesla's camera-only system is insufficient, asserting that a successful demo is only 1% of the work. Meanwhile, a 500 MWh Tesla Megapack battery went live in Texas, showing progress in energy storage. The speeding ticket incident raises questions about FSD's readiness for public roads, as even basic speed limit compliance fails. Dolgov's comments highlight the technological divide between lidar-based and camera-only approaches. Trump's rhetoric, while factually flawed, draws attention to real infrastructure gaps that could hinder EV adoption. Electrek's hosts analyzed these events, noting that Trump's speech contained a kernel of truth about charging station visibility. They also emphasized the irony of a president criticizing EVs while inadvertently acknowledging a genuine industry challenge. Waymo's perspective suggests robotaxis require robust sensory systems beyond Tesla's current offering. As autonomous vehicles and EVs become mainstream, addressing safety and infrastructure will be critical. The Texas Megapack project signals a shift toward renewable energy storage, complementing EV growth. Listeners are urged to stay informed as these technologies evolve, with Quick Charge providing regular updates.
