Tesla Model Y ownership two weeks in: what I love and what I don’t
I am officially two weeks into Tesla ownership, having picked up my Model Y Long Range All-Wheel-Drive on Saturday, August 30. I have many things I really love, and I’ll do my best to come up with a few things I don’t, although I find that to be very difficult currently. With any new car, I don’t really find things I dislike within the first few months; the novelty of a shiny new vehicle usually wears off eventually. In the past, I’ve had a car I only kept for nine months, but I loved it for the first two months. I am sure down the road, some things about the Tesla will bother me, but right now, I don’t have too much to complain about. As for the things I love, I’ll try to keep it to just five, and as I continue to write about my ownership experience in the coming months, I’ll see if these things change. A Quick Rundown In the two weeks I have had my new Model Y, I have driven 783 miles. I have driven it manually, used Full Self-Driving, navigated tight city streets in Baltimore, and driven spiritedly on the winding back roads of Pennsylvania. I traded my ICE vehicle for a Tesla Model Y: here’s how it went I have had the opportunity to put it to the test in a variety of ways, and I feel like I have a great idea of this car and how it handles and drives just two weeks in. Here’s my vehicle ownership lineage: ’98 VW Jetta K2 > 2002 Ford Taurus > 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid > 2019 Honda Civic > 2021 Ford Bronco Sport > 2026 Tesla Model Y — Joey Klender (@KlenderJoey) September 2, 2025 What I Love About My Tesla Model Y I am only going to pick a handful of things, but do not take this list as a complete one. I truly have so many things I love about this car, but I want to mention the ones that are not necessarily “novelties.” I love the A/C seats, but it’s not something I feel deserves a mention here, because it would not likely sway someone to consider the car. Instead, I want to highlight what I feel are things that truly set the Model Y apart from cars I’ve had in the past. Tesla Full Self-Driving Available on all Teslas, Full Self-Driving is something I use every day. It is not only a convenience thing, but it is also truly a fun feature to track improvements, and it’s been fun to show a lot of my friends who are not familiar with its capabilities just how safe and impressive it is. My Fiancè and I have watched Full Self-Driving make slight changes in performance in the two weeks we’ve been using it. I tracked one instance on a Pennsylvania back road when the car stopped at an “Except Right Turn” Stop Sign. Initially, the car stopped, holding up traffic behind it. Just days later, FSD proceeded through that same Stop Sign cautiously, but without coming to a complete stop, which is the proper way to navigate through it. I took the same route home last night as I did when I took this drive last week. FSD has *already* improved. Model Y did not stop at the “Except Right Turn” Stop Sign, and instead proceeded through at a confident, yet careful rate of speed in a safe manner I believe the… — TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 11, 2025 This quick adjustment was very impressive, and it even caught the attention of my better half. I will say it has been very fun to watch her fall in love with this car after being very reluctant to watch me get rid of our Bronco Sport. The Handling Tesla refined the suspension with the new Model Y, and you can surely feel it. Coming from a larger SUV, I did miss being able to really push the limits of my car on a beautiful, sunny, and warm day, and the winding roads of Pennsylvania are calling me for a drive. The way this car hugs turns and genuinely puts a smile on my face when I’m pushing it. Dare I say I like driving it more than I like it driving me? Interior Storage One of my biggest complaints about my Bronco Sport was that, despite being an SUV, it felt smaller than it was supposed to be. I had trouble fitting golf bags and luggage in the back without having other storage options. It led me to install a roof rack and get a cargo container. I would have to put longer clubs in the back seat so the bags could lie without clubs getting bent. I don’t seem to have a significant problem with this in the Model Y. Plus, the frunk and the additional cargo under the floor of the trunk are great for bags and other things. It offers 10 cubic feet more of space with the seats down than the Bronco Sport does. The Entertainment Not only is the sound system in this car absolutely unbelievable, but I also really enjoy the Tesla Theater, which is really something that has revolutionized how we spend our time in the car. Charging at the Superchargers has become a new way for us to spend time together. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, my Fiancé’s busy work schedule at the hospital means we don’t get to spend as much time together as we would like. The charging lets us go grab a snack, watch a movie or show in the car, and just be with each other. It’s honestly my favorite thing about the car so far, that we’ve both truly enjoyed what it has done for us. It put a smile on my face to hear her say, “It’s just so much fun to be in this car” last night when we met friends for dinner. What I
Tesla adjusts one key detail of Robotaxi operations in Austin
Tesla is adjusting one key detail of Robotaxi operations in Austin: service hours. Tesla’s Robotaxi platform in Austin has been active since late June and has been running smoothly since then. It has its limits, as Tesla has set hours that Robotaxis can operate, as well as a distinct Service Area, also known as a geofence, which has expanded three times already. While the geofence is currently approximately 170 square miles in size, Tesla has recently enabled freeway drives, which also necessitated an adjustment to the company’s strategy with its “Safety Monitors.” Tesla explains why Robotaxis now have safety monitors in the driver’s seat Traditionally, they sit in the passenger’s seat. During highway driving, they move to the driver’s seat. These are just a few adjustments that have been made over the past two and a half months. Now, Tesla is adjusting the service hours of Robotaxi operation in Austin, but only slightly. Tesla will now operate its Robotaxi ride-hailing service from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., extending the hours by two hours. It previously shut down at midnight. Tesla Robotaxi operation in Austin now will end at 2 a.m., a two-hour extension from its previous end time of midnight. Its new service hours are now 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. local time pic.twitter.com/wXdYO6ARPB — TESLARATI (@Teslarati) September 13, 2025 Tesla has implemented a variety of safeguards to ensure riders and drivers are safe during Robotaxi rides, and they have made it a point to adjust things when they feel confident that it will not cause any issues. Many people have been critical of Robotaxi, especially because a person sits in the front of the car. However, an accident or some type of mistake could do more damage to the autonomous travel sector than anything else. This would not just impact Tesla, but any company operating an autonomous ride-hailing service in the country. The post Tesla adjusts one key detail of Robotaxi operations in Austin appeared first on TESLARATI.
NFPA 70B: What do you need to stay compliant?
Schneider Electric has sponsored this post. (Image: Schneider Electric.) Most electrical equipment failures stem from inadequate maintenance. That’s exactly what the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70B was established to prevent. It provides an electrical equipment maintenance framework to reduce the risk of equipment failure, costly downtime, and energy inefficiency. But despite its importance, many facilities, from office buildings and industrial plants to commercial sites, remain unprepared to meet the NFPA 70B requirements introduced in the 2023 update. That’s a growing concern, especially now that NFPA 70B, previously a recommended practice, has become a formal standard with mandatory language. There are two main reasons for this gap. A study from Schneider Electric found nearly 89 percent of facilities lack a documented electrical single-line diagram, which is the most fundamental requirement for compliance. Approximately 84 percent of sites in the United States report that they lack the time and resources to implement the new standard. Experts at Schneider Electric have simplified compliance for electrical equipment owners by structuring an eight-step Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) framework. 8 steps to compliance With the shift from “Recommended Practice” to a “Standard” with mandatory requirements, organizations must take a structured approach to achieve compliance. Schneider Electric outlines an eight-step process to help streamline the process. Assign an Electrical Maintenance Program Coordinator The first step is to designate an individual to monitor the implementation and operation of the maintenance program. This coordinator serves as the central hub for the facility, ensuring that the maintenance plan includes all the necessary components and pieces of infrastructure. Conduct a condition assessment of electrical infrastructure Before establishing a maintenance plan, perform a comprehensive assessment of the current condition of all electrical equipment and infrastructure on site. “If there is no existing maintenance program, this can be an invasive inspection to see what condition everything is in and what the starting point should be for your maintenance plan,” Brown explains. Update documentation (SLDs, studies, records) This step involves updating all electrical documentation, including single-line diagrams, electrical drawings, arc flash analyses, short-circuit studies, and other relevant system studies. As outlined in NFPA 70B Chapter 6, once the existing documents are assessed, they must be updated at least every five years. Perform remediation In this step, the facility operator must execute remediation measures to address any issues or deficiencies found during the assessment. This step involves implementing the needed repairs, replacements, and improvements to the electrical equipment. Define maintenance intervals It is essential to define the scope of maintenance tasks and determine the maintenance intervals depending on the post-remediation conditions of each piece of equipment. In contrast to traditional maintenance schedules that occur every 2-3 years, NFPA 70B Chapter 9 provides guidelines for determining condition-based intervals. Keep detailed EMP records Maintaining detailed records is important for tracking compliance. Documentation will involve details on the maintenance activities, inspection findings, equipment conditions, and the schedule for each asset in the electrical infrastructure. “The EMP Coordinator will make sure everything stays up to date,” Brown notes. “The records are key because they tell us what must be maintained and when. Audit EMP every 5 years or less The coordinator must set up a regular audit to review the entire electrical maintenance program at intervals not more than five years. This step involves continuous improvement, comparing the current EMP records against NFPA 70B requirements and industry best practices. Embrace digitalization Digital tools enhance every step of the compliance process. By digitizing records, monitoring equipment health in real-time, and integrating analytics, facilities can shift from reactive to proactive maintenance. “Going forward, digitalization is going to be a huge part—or at least a highly recommended part—of efficiently maintaining a system,” Brown emphasizes. Digital tools to support compliance To support compliance with NFPA 70B, Schneider Electric offers a suite of digital tools and services to help facilities implement their Electrical Maintenance Program. EcoCare is a membership-based service plan that gives facility owners access to Schneider Electric’s expert and emergency support. “Depending on the subscription level, EcoCare can offer everything from prioritized services and spare parts access to performance dashboards showing what’s covered under the plan,” Brown adds. In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, downtime isn’t just inconvenient—it’s costly. That’s where EcoCare steps in, a next-generation service plan designed to keep operations running smoothly through a powerful blend of expert support, AI-driven analytics, and condition-based maintenance. Members gain exclusive access and fast-track emergency support, a dedicated Customer Success Manager, and preferential rates on training, spare parts, and on-site interventions. “EcoCare isn’t just a service plan—it’s peace of mind, powered by innovation,” Brown explains. Conclusion The 2023 update of NFPA 70B has made electrical maintenance a key aspect for ensuring reliable operation and safety. By following the eight-step outline above, from assigning a maintenance coordinator and assessing equipment conditions, to maintaining up-to-date records and leveraging digital tools, facilities can build an Electrical Maintenance Program that meets the standard. To learn more about Schneider Electric’s compliance solutions, visit their website. The post NFPA 70B: What do you need to stay compliant? appeared first on Engineering.com.
China’s surge pushes global wind toward fastest growth ever
The global wind industry is going to hit some unprecedented growth milestones, according to Wood Mackenzie’s Global Wind Power Market Outlook for Q3 2025. The world is on track to add its second terawatt of wind capacity by 2030. To put that in perspective, it took 23 years to install the first terawatt, which was reached in 2023. The second will come in just seven. more…
Webinar: Inside the EU’s battery requirements— future-proofing EVs
Join this webinar at next week’s Virtual Conference, presented by Intertek, where we will break down what the EU battery regulation means for electric vehicles. Join us to learn about the responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and distributors, understand the role of CE marking and Notified Bodies, and get up to speed on the latest timelines and guidance. September 15, 2025, 12:30 pm EDTRegister now—it’s free! See the complete session list for the Virtual Conference on EV Engineering here. Broadcast live from September 15 to 18, 2025, the conference content will encompass the entire EV engineering supply chain and ecosystem, including motor and power electronics design and manufacturing, cell development, battery systems, testing, powertrains, thermal management, circuit protection, wire and cable, EMI/EMC and more.
For stakeholder trust, prioritize human dialogue over AI
It’s getting harder to build or maintain trust with diverse groups these days, so it’s no wonder people are turning to innovative methods to try to boost engagement. But recent research conducted by GlobeScan and the Corporate Affairs Academy at the University of Oxford, finds that stakeholder engagement ranks among the top five priorities for corporate affairs professionals. At the same time, other GlobeScan research shows that many sustainability experts don’t see stakeholder management as a highly effective lever for advancing sustainability. This disconnect highlights a critical challenge: how can engagement be redefined to deliver trust and meaningful sustainability outcomes? Corporate affairs practitioners surveyed say the most innovative ways to build trust with diverse groups is to return to the fundamentals, especially with stakeholders who are skeptical and critical: direct, in-person engagement and open dialogue, followed by clear communication and transparency. While digital tools and AI are part of the mix, they’re viewed as less powerful than authentic, human-centered approaches. What this means In a world of eroding trust and rising stakeholder expectations, organizations must focus on the quality of stakeholder engagement. By combining the relationship-building expertise of corporate affairs with the leadership of sustainability teams, companies can elevate engagement to drive credibility and impact. This means investing time in face-to-face dialogue to co-create solutions with stakeholders directly and, when possible, in person to ensure engagement not only builds and maintains trust but also contributes to tangible sustainability progress. Based on a survey of 245 corporate affairs practitioners, February-March 2025. The post For stakeholder trust, prioritize human dialogue over AI appeared first on Trellis.
Dude, where’s my 3D printed car?
It may be hard to believe, but it’s been more than a decade since we saw a car 3D printed at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS). That was back in 2014 (there’s a great write-up of the entire process by Gary Vasilash on the IMTS website) and, at the time, it seemed to presage a coming revolution in the automotive industry. One day soon, the promoters predicted, we’ll be able to walk into a dealership and order our very own 3D printed automobile. Of course, that’s not how things have played out. Local Motors, which was central to the 3D printed car at IMTS, shut down in 2022. Today, the idea that our roads will soon be filled with 3D printed vehicles – even vehicles containing a substantial portion of 3D printed components – seems less likely than ever. Nevertheless, additive manufacturing (AM) still has an important part to play in the auto industry; it’s just not the one many of us expected. Additive manufacturing uptake in the auto industry Fadi Abro, senior director for transportation and mobility at Stratasys, distinctly remembers his first encounter with 3D printing. “I started at a company called Solid Concepts, which was acquired by Stratasys back in 2010,” he tells me. “It was literally my first day, and somebody handed me an SLA part. While they were explaining how it was 3D printed, I flexed the part ever so slightly, and it shattered. Things have changed dramatically in terms of material properties since then, but it was a quick lesson.” No doubt there are many engineers who can recall similar early encounters with additive parts, though probably not quite so dramatic. And while additive materials have certainly advanced since those early days, those initial encounters likely shaped the perceptions of many engineers regarding the capabilities of 3D printed parts. As a result, the technology spent years largely confined to the realm of prototyping, where its lead times and capacity for iteration outweighed any issues with mechanical durability. Of course, AM eventually found its way into other applications, specifically those involving high-value, low-volume components, chiefly in the aerospace and medical device industries. In contrast, the high volumes of the auto industry kept 3D printed parts from seeing end-use applications outside of the occasional luxury case. As Abro sees it, part of what explains the slower adoption of AM in the auto industry versus aerospace or medical devices is that 3D printing as a technology is a double-edged sword. “The beautiful thing about additive is that it can do everything,” he explains, “The negative is that it can do everything, so people lose focus when they don’t get into it with a use case in mind.” That’s one reason that the AM industry as a whole has been shifting to emphasize specific applications of the technology over its general capabilities. In the case of the auto industry, many of the most promising applications involve jigs, fixtures, and tooling. Automotive applications for 3D printing “We use those terms,” Abro says, “but really it’s production support rather than production components. You can make production components on a Stratasys 3D printer but the volumes have to be low and the value of the part has to be high for it to make sense.” However, when it comes to production support (i.e., jigs, fixtures, and tooling), the calculation of the potential value of 3D printing is different. Because the auto industry works in such high volumes, shaving seconds off of assembly times can result in six or even seven figure returns on investment. That’s why, according to Abro, “You’d be hard pressed to walk into a major OEM plant and not find a bunch of Stratasys-printed tools helping to put the cars together. Basically, the money’s in the tooling.” What makes 3D printing such a good fit for tooling? It’s a combination of the usual advantages associated with the technology: flexibility, on-demand production, and rapid iteration. Automakers can potentially save hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars in tooling costs by adopting additive manufacturing because these advantages enable them to manufacture the production supports they need and adjust them as needed without having to wait for the tooling necessary to produce them. Given that, it’s natural to wonder why, at least according to Abro, the proportion of additive tooling is still in the single-digit percentages. Robotic arm that is being used in the new North American Stratasys Tooling Center. (IMAGE: Stratasys) “It really boils down to two things,” he tells me, “It’s awareness and confidence. Let’s say you have a Tier 2 job shop that makes a couple of different components for a Tier 1. They don’t really have the awareness that 3D printing can be industrial. They still think of it as a hobbyist’s toy. Then there’s confidence: recognizing that 3D printing can do the things that we’re saying it can do.” As an example, he cites Toyota using AM to produce plastic end-of-arm tools that would typically be fabricated in metal. Looking a bit more closely at the automotive supply chain, the AM adoption rate is pretty much what you’d expect, with OEMs accounting for the majority, Tier 1s making up significantly less, and little to no adoption in the Tier 2s and beyond. If AM were being used for more end-use parts, that might not be the case, since the OEMs could push their suppliers more directly to adopt the technology. In the case of tooling, however, OEMs have less ability to dictate the manufacturing process, so adoption is naturally less widespread. “It’s hard to say to a Tier 1 supplier, ‘Buy this half-million-dollar printer and you’ll recognize the revenue from it in your tooling,’” Abro explains. “They’re going to want to know that it works, and that’s what the Stratasys Tooling Center of Excellence is intended to support. If you’re a Tier 1 supplier and you have a couple of projects you want to try out, you don’t have to buy
Wheel-E Podcast: Boost’s flat e-bikes, Dahon IPO, LiveWire sale, more
This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from British bike maker Boost, Dahon launching an IPO, the NYPD may soon confiscate non UL-certified e-bikes, Honda has a new e-motorcycle coming, and more. more…
Webinar: Use of residue free pastes in vacuum soldering equipment
Residue-free pastes provide tackiness and printability, and do not leave residues behind after reflow. The advantage is a noticeable cost saving, as there is no need to clean the substrates after soldering. Residue-free pastes do not contain any activators. Therefore, formic acid must be used to deoxidize the solder powder and the interconnect surfaces for successful soldering. Residue-free pastes also release significantly more volatiles than resin-based solder pastes, which require special handling of the volatiles in the oven, e.g., to avoid frequent maintenance. Join this webinar at next week’s Virtual Conference, presented by PINK GmbH Thermosysteme, where we will discuss the properties of residue-free pastes and technical solutions for vacuum reflow equipment. September 16, 2025, 9:30 am EDTRegister now—it’s free! See the complete session list for the Virtual Conference on EV Engineering here. Broadcast live from September 15 to 18, 2025, the conference content will encompass the entire EV engineering supply chain and ecosystem, including motor and power electronics design and manufacturing, cell development, battery systems, testing, powertrains, thermal management, circuit protection, wire and cable, EMI/EMC and more.
Tesla looks to make a big splash with Robotaxi in a new market
Tesla is looking to make a big splash with Robotaxi in a new market, as the company was spotted testing validation vehicles in one region where it has not yet launched its ride-hailing service. After launching Robotaxi in Austin in late June, Tesla followed up with a relatively quick expansion to the Bay Area of California. Both service areas are operating with a geofence that is expansive: In Texas, it is 173 square miles, while in the Bay Area, it is roughly 400 square miles. Tesla has been transparent that it is prioritizing safety, but it believes it can expand to basically any geographical location within the United States and find success with its Robotaxi suite. CEO Elon Musk said it could be available to half of the U.S. population by the end of the year. There have been plenty of reports out there that have speculated as to where Tesla would land next to test Robotaxi, and Nevada, Florida, Arizona, and New York have all been in the realm of possibility. These regions will need to approve Tesla for regulatory purposes before Robotaxi can officially operate. Tesla is still testing and performing validation in several regions, and in Tempe, Arizona, things are moving forward as a Model Y with a LiDAR rig was spotted performing ground truth for the platform: BREAKING: Just caught Tesla Robotaxi test vehicles cruising in Tempe, AZ! Rollout coming soon! pic.twitter.com/Oanw0Zx5pP — Adub08 (@adub0808) September 10, 2025 With the LiDAR unit, many followers of the self-driving and autonomy space might wonder why Tesla uses these apparatuses during validation, especially considering the company’s stance and vision-based approach. LiDAR is used for “ground truth,” which is basically a solidification or confirmation of what the cameras on the car are seeing. It is a great way to essentially confirm the accuracy of the vision-based suite, and will not be used on Robotaxi units used within the ride-hailing suite. The Robotaxi platform was made available to the public earlier this month, as Tesla launched its app for iOS users. Tesla Robotaxi app download rate demolishes Uber, Waymo all-time highs Downloading the app allows you to join a waitlist, giving you the opportunity to utilize and test the Robotaxi platform in either Austin or the Bay Area. The post Tesla looks to make a big splash with Robotaxi in a new market appeared first on TESLARATI.
JBS pledged to be net-zero by 2040. It’s far off track
JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in June, marking a comeback for a company that in 2020 had paid billions in fines to Brazilian and U.S. authorities to settle sweeping bribery and corruption cases. The rebrand included setting ambitious climate goals to appeal to ESG-focused investors: zero deforestation in its cattle supply from the Amazon by 2025 and net-zero emissions in its global operations — which span from Brazil to the U.S. and Australia — by 2040. Four years later, though, the company’s plans still lack transparency and credibility, according to sustainability experts. Jason Weller, its global chief sustainability officer, told Reuters in January that JBS’s net-zero pledge “was never a promise,” but an “aspiration.” The Brazilian company hasn’t disclosed how much of its greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to land-use changes like deforestation, likely a significant source of its emissions, given that beef production accounts for more than three-quarters of the Amazon’s destruction. The meatpacker, which supplies McDonald’s, Walmart and other big retailers, reported small cuts to emissions between 2019 and 2023 and is investing in new tools to monitor its network of cattle farmers in Brazil. But those actions aren’t enough to meet its climate goals, according to environmental watchdogs, sustainable investment analysts and groups that evaluate corporate climate plans. They noted that JBS’s public listing in the U.S. means it can raise more cash from investors to help fund expansion into countries like Vietnam and Nigeria. Since June, JBS’s share price has risen to $15.60, an increase from its debut at nearly $14. JBS didn’t respond to requests for comment. Chief Financial Officer Guilherme Cavalcanti told The Financial Times in June that it’s in the company’s interest to end deforestation “because we depend on the climate to have pasture for animals.” Track record In 2021, JBS was the first global meatpacker to announce a net-zero emissions goal. However, JBS’s net-zero plan now lags behind that of its peers, including Danone, Mars, Nestlé, and PepsiCo, according to an analysis by the NewClimate Institute in June. The think tank rated JBS’s strategy as “very poor,” citing little evidence that the company is embarking on deep emissions cuts. That would require shifting to more plant-based products, reducing fertilizer use and food waste, and eliminating deforestation. JBS hasn’t disclosed whether it will rely on carbon offsets to achieve its 2040 goal. “Without major innovations to drastically reduce the emissions footprint of meat production or diversifying away from this highly GHG emissions-intensive industry, it is not credible for livestock agribusinesses to claim that they are on a path to deep decarbonization,” the NewClimate Institute said. JBS’s targets cover only Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which, even if achieved by 2030, would lead to a 1.1 percent overall reduction compared to 2019. That’s because 97 percent of JBS’s emissions are Scope 3 — the result of tens of thousands of individual farming operations and millions of consumers cooking, refrigerating and disposing of its products. Biggest challenge: deforestation JBS slaughters some 76,000 head of cattle a day from farms across the globe. In Brazil, it’s particularly difficult for agribusinesses to link cattle to deforested lands because the animals pass through many different farms before reaching the slaughterhouse, said Pablo Majer, conservation specialist at WWF-Brazil. “The problem is those indirect suppliers, and meatpackers don’t have information on them,” Majer said. Brazil’s federal databases of land records and livestock movements aren’t interlinked and have quality issues, reported Angela Flaemrich, director of stewardship services for Morningstar Sustainalytics, who traveled to Brazil in October 2024 to engage with companies, including JBS, on behalf of institutional investors. Satellites can show where trees are cleared, but not when cattle move or who owns the land. “I think JBS has put in a tremendous amount of work into this,” Flaemrich said, noting that the company traces direct suppliers — i.e., farms that are one step away from the slaughterhouse. JBS created a Transparent Livestock Platform, which enables direct suppliers to submit information about the sources from which they purchased cattle. That doesn’t solve the problem of tracing cattle from birth, however, which would require a nationwide animal identification system using tags affixed to calves’ ears at birth, said Flaemrich. JBS has pilots underway, including with the government of Pará. The Brazilian state, which has some of the highest rates of deforestation in the Amazon, aims to tag all the cattle in the state by 2026. JBS said it will invest $43 million over three years to help farmers offset their costs. Morningstar Sustainalytics gave JBS a “severe risk” rating on ESG issues. Sydney Krisanda, a research analyst, said the company has some strong initiatives to manage carbon within its own operations but continues to receive fines for sourcing cattle from deforested lands in Brazil. Political and economic realities There likely won’t be deforestation-free cattle from Brazil until its largest customers demand it — namely, China, the U.S. and Middle Eastern countries like Egypt. China buys about 40% of Brazil’s beef exports, Majer said, but the country is more interested in food security than ending deforestation. The U.S., the second-largest buyer, has rolled back its climate agenda under President Donald Trump. While the European Union is requiring traders to prove that cattle, soy, coffee and other imports don’t come from deforested land, the bloc is a relatively small customer for Brazil’s beef companies. Between 2022 and 2024, the environmental watchdog groups Mighty Earth and AidEnvironment alerted JBS to more than 100 cases of deforestation in its cattle supply chain in the Amazon and Cerrado regions. JBS said the majority weren’t their suppliers, but provided no evidence to support those claims, Mighty Earth said. Meanwhile, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is focused on boosting the country’s economy, Majer said. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of beef and soybeans, and agribusiness accounts for about 25 percent of the country’s annual GDP. “It’s very tricky to balance these two agendas, economic and
Together launches Instant Clusters for self-service GPU access
Together has introduced Instant Clusters to provide an API-first developer experience. The service automates self-service provisioning of AI infrastructure, from single-node (8 GPUs) to large multi-node clusters with hundreds of interconnected GPUs, supporting NVIDIA Hopper and Blackwell GPUs. The offering is designed to help AI-focused companies address variable demand, such as training workloads or increased inference traffic, by adding capacity quickly with orchestration through Kubernetes (K8S) or Slurm. Instant Clusters can be set up within minutes, preconfigured for distributed training and low-latency inference. Cloud ergonomics for GPU clusters Developers often expect cloud infrastructure to be API-first, self-service, and consistent. Traditionally, GPU clusters required manual setup of drivers, schedulers, and networking. Together Instant Clusters aim to align GPU infrastructure with common cloud practices by automating deployment, maintaining consistency across environments, and supporting scaling from a single node to larger clusters without requiring workflow changes. Self‑service, ready in minutes Provision through console, CLI, or API, and integrate with Terraform or SkyPilot for IaC and multi‑cloud workflows. Choose and lock NVIDIA driver/CUDA versions, bring your own container images, attach shared storage, and be ready to run in minutes. Batteries included Clusters come pre-loaded with the components teams usually spend days wiring up themselves: GPU Operator to manage drivers and runtime software. Ingress controller to handle traffic into your cluster. NVIDIA Network Operator for high-performance InfiniBand and RoCE networking. Cert Manager for secure certificates and HTTPS endpoints. These and other essentials are already in place, so your cluster is production-ready out of the box. Optimized for distributed training Training at scale demands the right interconnect and orchestration. Clusters are wired with non‑blocking NVIDIA Quantum‑2 InfiniBand across nodes and NVIDIA NVLink/NVSwitch inside the node, delivering ultra‑low‑latency, high‑throughput communication for multi‑node training. Run with Kubernetes or Slurm‑on‑K8s (SSH when you need it), keep environments reproducible with version‑pinned drivers/CUDA, and checkpoint to shared storage—high‑bandwidth, parallel storage colocated with your compute; durable, resizable, and billed on demand. Ideal for pre‑training, reinforcement learning, and multi‑phase training schedules. Scalable burst capacity for production inference When usage surges, services need to burst — not re‑architect. Use Together Instant Clusters to add inference capacity quickly and keep latency SLAs intact. Deploy your serving stack on clusters sized for the moment, resize clusters as user traffic spikes or subsides, and keep one operational model from test to production. Reliable at scale Training on large GPU clusters requires reliable performance, as issues such as faulty NICs, miswired cables, or overheating GPUs can interrupt jobs or affect results. For general availability, reliability measures have been added to ensure stability before and during training. Each node undergoes burn-in and NVLink/NVSwitch testing, with inter-node connections validated through NCCL all-reduce checks. Reference training runs are used to confirm tokens per second and Model FLOPs Utilization (MFU) benchmarks. Once deployed, clusters are continuously monitored—idle nodes repeat tests, real-time observability identifies anomalies, and SLAs provide clear communication and defined compensation in case of issues. For more information, visit together.ai. The post Together launches Instant Clusters for self-service GPU access appeared first on Engineering.com.
Nissan EVs will help power Silicon Valley’s data centers
Nissan and ChargeScape just launched a new EV-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, where demand on the power grid is growing fast thanks to the rapid rise of AI-driven data centers. The pilot is backed by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program and is happening in utility Silicon Valley Power (SVP) territory. more…
Lectron’s NACS/CCS EV charging adapters pass UL 2252 testing
Lectron’s DC fast charging adapters for the North American Charging Standard (NACS or SAE J3400) and Combined Charging System (CCS) have successfully passed UL 2252 testing. Both adapters were tested and certified by SGS, a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). This certification confirms that both adapters meet rigorous benchmarks for electrical safety, thermal performance and mechanical durability. The Lectron Vortex Plus is an NACS-to-CCS adapter that enables non-Tesla EVs to fast charge at Tesla Supercharger locations in the US. The Lectron CCS-to-NACS adapter performs the trick in reverse, enabling Tesla and other NACS-equipped vehicles to connect to any CCS fast charger. “UL 2252 certification confirms what our customers expect from Lectron: safe, reliable and future-ready technology,” said Christopher Maiwald, CEO of Lectron. “These adapters demonstrate our commitment to performance and quality across all charging standards.” Tesla’s opening up of its Supercharger network to EVs from other brands was a huge step forward for the EV industry, and Lectron’s adapters make it work. Your correspondent recently tested the Lectron Vortex Plus at two Superchargers in Florida, and can report that the whole process worked flawlessly. Source: Lectron
Tesla’s new Megablock system can power 400,000 homes in under a month
Tesla has unveiled the Megablock and Megapack 3, the latest additions to its industrial-scale battery storage solution lineup. The products highlight Tesla Energy’s growing role in the company, as well as the division’s growing efforts to provide sustainable energy solutions for industrial-scale applications. Megablock targets speed and scale During the “Las Megas” event in Las Vegas, Tesla launched Megablock, a pre-engineered medium-voltage block designed to integrate Megapack 3 units in a plug-and-play system. Capable of 20 MWh AC with a 25-year life cycle and more than 10,000 cycles, the Megablock could achieve 91% round-trip efficiency at medium voltage, inclusive of auxiliary loads. Tesla emphasized that Megablock can be installed 23% faster with up to 40% lower construction costs. The platform eliminates above-ground cabling through a new flexible busbar assembly and delivers site-level density of 248 MWh per acre. With Megablock, Tesla is also aiming to commission 1 GWh in just 20 business days, or enough to power 400,000 homes in less than a month. “With Megablock, we are targeting to commission 1 GWh in 20 business days, which is the equivalent of bringing power to 400,000 homes in less than a month. It’s crazy. How are we planning to do that? Like most things at Tesla, we are ruthlessly attacking every opportunity to save our customers time, simplify the process, remove steps, (and) automate as much as we can,” the company said. Megapack upgrades https://t.co/YLaN0hMpXO — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2025 Megapack is our utility-scale energy storage platform, a key part of our mission to achieve sustainable abundance via sustainable energy.@Tesla_Megapack stores energy when production is high & discharges/releases it when the grid needs it – balancing renewables & supporting a… https://t.co/CGXfALsUSG — Tesla (@Tesla) September 9, 2025 Megapack 3 is all about simplicity The Megapack 3 is Tesla’s next-generation utility battery, designed with a simplified architecture that cuts 78% of connections compared to the previous version. Its thermal bay is drastically simplified, and it uses a Model Y heat pump on steroids. The battery weighs about 86,000 pounds and holds 5 MWh of usable AC energy. Tesla engineers incorporated a larger battery module and a new 2.8-liter LFP cell co-developed with the company’s cell team. The Megapack 3 is designed for serviceability, and it features easier front access and no roof penetrations. About 75% of Megapack 3’s total mass is battery cells, with individual modules weighing as much as a Cybertruck. It’s also tough, with an ambient operating temperature range from -40C to 60C. This should allow the Megapack 3 to operate optimally from the coldest to the hottest regions on the planet. Production is set to begin at Tesla’s Houston Megafactory in late 2026, with planned capacity of 50 GWh per year. Additional supply will come from Tesla’s 7 GWh LFP facility in Nevada, which is expected to open in 2025, as well as with third-party partners. Here's everything you need to know about @Tesla's newly announced Megablock, the latest in the company's industrial storage product lineup, which includes the new Megapack version 3:Megablock:• 23% faster to install with up to 40% lower construction costs• Plug and play… pic.twitter.com/AZMhzdTNlu — Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) September 9, 2025 Tesla's MASSIVE Reveal on Megapack Keynote00:00 Tesla’s Vision for a Sustainable Future00:49 Master Plan Part 3: Energy Economy01:46 Energy Demand04:38 Mega Block Introduction10:49 Global Impact & Future$TSLA pic.twitter.com/5qRyLg5F1n — Herbert Ong (@herbertong) September 9, 2025 The post Tesla’s new Megablock system can power 400,000 homes in under a month appeared first on TESLARATI.
Tesla China’s new six-seat Model Y L already sold out through October
Tesla’s new Model Y L is sold out for October in China, with new orders showing an estimated delivery date of November 2025 at the earliest. The extended-wheelbase variant, launched in August and first delivered this month, has quickly become one of Tesla’s strongest-selling vehicles in its key overseas market. Demand and expectations Tesla China initially positioned the Model Y L for September deliveries, with Vice President Grace Tao confirming on Weibo that the vehicle would begin reaching customers this September. True to that promise, the first handovers of the vehicle started last week. Since its launch, the six-seat crossover has sold out its September and October allocations, hinting at healthy demand. Industry estimates suggested that Tesla received more than 35,000 orders for the Model Y L on launch day alone. While some Model Y L orders may overlap with those of the standard Model Y, industry watchers have noted that the six-seat, extended wheelbase variant is expanding the company’s total addressable market by appealing to car buyers who need more space and seating. Credit: Tesla China Tesla China boost The Model Y L’s strong momentum is significant as Tesla navigates a competitive Chinese EV sector. With deliveries now stretching into November, the new crossover could potentially lift Tesla’s quarterly sales performance and help maintain its relevance in a market dominated by fast-moving domestic brands. Beyond China, the extended-wheelbase Model Y L may also serve as a strategic export product for markets where larger family vehicles are in demand. Its early sellout performance suggests that Tesla has tapped into a new growth lever within its most successful vehicle lineup. With a starting price of RMB 339,000 ($47,180), after all, the Model Y L has the makings of a true bang-for-the-buck vehicle. The post Tesla China’s new six-seat Model Y L already sold out through October appeared first on TESLARATI.
Cadence expands Digital Twin Platform library with NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD
Cadence has expanded Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform library with a digital twin of NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 systems. The new NVIDIA model of its high-performance accelerated computing platform allows data center designers and operators to deploy AI accelerators in building AI factories. Cadence’s Reality Digital Twin Platform enables users to model AI factories and data centers with precision, considering factors such as cost, space, energy, cooling, and environmental impact before physical implementation. The Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform allows designers to create data center digital twins by dragging and dropping vendor-provided digital models that replicate the behavior of their physical counterparts. Using these advanced digital models enables engineers to design entire data centers and campuses to specified power, space, cooling and performance requirements with high accuracy. Users can explore failure and upgrade scenarios with a few simple clicks. Once these data centers are up and running, this same Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform can be used to track and maintain optimal performance as the data centers evolve throughout their lifecycle. The addition of the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 systems to the library is part of an ongoing collaboration between Cadence and NVIDIA. Earlier this year, the two companies announced the Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform’s support of the NVIDIA Omniverse blueprint for AI factory design and operations. Cadence and NVIDIA continue to improve the data center and AI factory build process by expanding the capabilities of the Cadence Reality Data Center Digital Ecosystem, ensuring it stays highly relevant to the latest design and operational needs of the engineers who use it. The Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform includes a library of over 14,000 items from more than 750 vendors. Most data center parts are represented in the library, and any missing parts can be added upon request through Cadence’s software support. For more information or to inquire about the Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform, please visit this webpage. For more information, visit cadence.com. The post Cadence expands Digital Twin Platform library with NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD appeared first on Engineering.com.
World’s first: Hitachi Energy powers up construction site with hydrogen genset
There’s an odd irony in utility-scale construction: working for the power company doesn’t always mean you have power. That lack of accessible grid power makes it tough to fully decarbonize some construction sites, no matter how committed they are to reducing emissions. That’s where Hitachi Energy’s new HyFlex hydrogen generator comes in, offering off-grid charging without the harmful emissions of diesel. more…
