Tesla Model Y to Have Less Wiring

Tesla’s Model 3 has considerably less wiring than its predecessor, the Model S, according to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk. This has led to greater increase in the architectural efficiency of the car. While the Model S, which made its debut in 2012 needs about 10,000 feet of wiring to run, the Model 3 needs only half of that, just 5,000 feet of wiring.

Musk said the forthcoming Model Y which is a small crossover will need only 328 feet of wiring for its construction. The Model Y will be based closely on the Model 3. The significant reduction in the wiring became possible through the use of new electrical systems comprising different voltage and power transmission hardware. It involves a new approach to electrical distribution, though Musk did explain the specifics.

The electrical wiring for a vehicle is one of the key challenges in auto assembly as the wire harnesses themselves can be quite challenging. Simplifying the distribution of electricity can have a significant impact on the time needed for production and assembly

Tesla said the Model Y is slated to enter production by 2019 or 2020, although this can change. Right now, Tesla will have a tough time coping with the demand for the Model 3, a compact sedan that will have a relatively inexpensive price tag of USD 35,000.

Tesla has already received orders for 500,000 units of the Model 3 and has only one assembly plant that will need to work to full capacity and even exceed them in order to meet demand. So far, Tesla’s plant in Fremont, California has made less than 100,000 sedans and crossovers on an annual basis..

The Tesla Model Y made its digital debut at Tesla’s recent shareholder meeting.

Musk is hoping to ramp up production by increasing plant automation and by making the design of the vehicles simpler as in the case of the wiring of the Model 3 and Model Y.