Many comments here seem to be confusing the accessories circuit voltage with the electrical vehicle motor and drive system. The vehicle motors have a combined power output of 450KW which requires a high voltage 800V system or the wiring would be so heavy it would not be feasible.
This spec appears to be the accessories circuit with Tesla pushing for a new 48V standard. That’s super smart because it immediately means you need roughly a quarter of the metal in wiring that you needed previously. It’s cheaper, lighter and more environmentally friendly. And it enables the use of higher power devices. If you’ve ever had to wire your 1000W sub woofer amp directly to your battery you know what I’m talking about.
It’s worth noting that newer GA aircraft like Cessna 172 use a 24 volt system. So non 12V systems for accessory power isn’t a totally new idea. And older 172s have 12 volt systems. So the transition was made in that space anyway.
This spec appears to be the accessories circuit with Tesla pushing for a new 48V standard. That’s super smart because it immediately means you need roughly a quarter of the metal in wiring that you needed previously. It’s cheaper, lighter and more environmentally friendly. And it enables the use of higher power devices. If you’ve ever had to wire your 1000W sub woofer amp directly to your battery you know what I’m talking about.
It’s worth noting that newer GA aircraft like Cessna 172 use a 24 volt system. So non 12V systems for accessory power isn’t a totally new idea. And older 172s have 12 volt systems. So the transition was made in that space anyway.