Cybertruck low voltage 48V battery capacity

[CyberGus]

Current Tesla vehicles already have steer by wire, it just works in conjunction with steer by mechanical linkage. And they (presumably) power that function with a 12V 500Wh battery. I don't see full steer by wire using much more (if any) power than the current system. Unless your argument is less about steer by wire, and more about having 4 wheel steering, which would require more power.

For clarity, Teslas do not have "steer-by-wire". The computer can turn the steering without user input via an electric actuator, but the physical linkage remains intact at all times.

"The SbW system electronically transmits the driver’s steering input to the steering actuator assembly. During normal operation, SbW systems do not have a mechanical connection between the driver and the front-wheels."​

https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/13502_812576_steerbywire.pdf

I believe the correct terminology would be "autosteer".

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[Bill906]

Current Teslas use hydraulic power steering with an electric pump and all kinds of reservoirs to buffer the power. Steer-by-wire uses an electric motor for steering, which is more efficient but might require larger power swings, 12V systems cannot easily cope (hundreds of amps!) but 48V will work very well.

I was surprised to see that yes, some Tesla's used electric pump hydraulic power steering. There's not a lot of information out there on it. But from what I read, I think only early Model S and X used hydraulic power steering.

But I did find this video that shows a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance using electric only power steering.



To be clear, I understand the advantages of 48VDC vs. 12VDC. I agree with Tesla's decision to make the change. All I'm saying is 48VDC is not the difference between having steer by wire and not having steer by wire. Steer by wire will, can and does work with 12VDC systems.

For clarity, Teslas do not have "steer-by-wire". The computer can turn the steering without user input via an electric actuator, but the physical linkage remains intact at all times.

I will concede but stipulate that it's a matter of semantics. I'd argue a current Tesla uses a hybrid steer by wire / steer by linkage system. FSD/Autopilot steer by wire (because they have no arms ) and humans steer by linkage. But TRUE steer by wire would mean the steering wheel was a glorified video game controller which is not the case in current Teslas. As far as the argument at hand, power required, true steer by wire would require the same power that FSD steering requires.

 

[CyberGus]

I was surprised to see that yes, some Tesla's used electric pump hydraulic power steering. There's not a lot of information out there on it. But from what I read, I think only early Model S and X used hydraulic power steering.

But I did find this video that shows a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance using electric only power steering.



To be clear, I understand the advantages of 48VDC vs. 12VDC. I agree with Tesla's decision to make the change. All I'm saying is 48VDC is not the difference between having steer by wire and not having steer by wire. Steer by wire will, can and does work with 12VDC systems.




I will concede but stipulate that it's a matter of semantics. I'd argue a current Tesla uses a hybrid steer by wire / steer by linkage system. FSD/Autopilot steer by wire (because they have no arms ) and humans steer by linkage. But TRUE steer by wire would mean the steering wheel was a glorified video game controller which is not the case in current Teslas. As far as the argument at hand, power required, true steer by wire would require the same power that FSD steering requires.

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