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Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla factory tour video, Obama rejects Keystone XL

Tesla takes us on a 90-second factory tour in a new video. In the footage, we see humans and robots hard at work putting together the electric cars we all know and love. Pieces of the manufacturing process are interspersed with larger shots of the factory floor. In the end, we see the finished product leave the factory and speed off onto a cone course. Check it out in the video above. President Obama has rejected the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline. After a seven-year review, he says it would not be in America's interest to build the 1,179-mile pipeline to bring oil from Canada's tar sands to the Gulf of Mexico. He cites passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill as a better way to create jobs, says US gas prices are already falling, and that reducing reliance on fossil fuels is a better way toward energy security. "The industry can find a different way to move that oil," says Christine Tezak, energy market analyst at ClearView Energy Partners. "If prices go up, companies will get the oil out." Read more at The New York Times. Chevrolet is donating a 2016 Volt to support For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST). Donations raised from the auction will help the organization bring student robotics projects to communities in need of greater science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education representation. "The Volt exemplifies technology, and behind the next-generation Chevrolet Volt is a diverse team of engineers who understand the power of science and math," says Chevrolet Marketing Director Steve Majoros. "FIRST brings science and math alive outside the classroom, just like we are bringing it alive on the road." Read more from Chevrolet. Nissan has been ranked among the top five percent of global corporations in the Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) 2015 Climate Change Report. Nissan scored a perfect 100 points in CDP's Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. Nissan's successful Leaf EV, as well as its efforts to reduce well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 90 percent by 2050, earned the automaker its high marks. "Nissan is providing customers with innovative products and promoting effective use of energy and resource by increasing sourcing diversity, such as with renewable energy and recycled materials," says Nissan Corporate Vice President Joji Tagawa. "We will continue our activities to achieve our environmental philosophy of 'a Symbiosis of People, Vehicles and Nature.'" Read more in the press release below.

Tesla Model X reservations 20,000 strong and counting

Those falcon wing doors appear appropriate for the Tesla Model X, as pre-orders for the battery-electric SUV are flying. That's what Gas2.0 is saying, citing various sources. So despite Model X deliveries not happening until the spring of 2015, folks are lining up. Company spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson called the estimated sales figures "merely speculation." All told, more than 20,000 Model X vehicles have been pre-ordered from Tesla's retooled Fremont, CA, plant. In fact, sales are accelerating, as about 8,000 of the SUVs have been ordered during the past six months, and more than 1,300 were pre-ordered in August alone. And that's despite the fact that Tesla has disclosed neither the Model X's price nor its single-charge range. Either way, the percentage split is about 75/25 for North America vs. oversees orders, according to Gas2.0. If there were really 1,300 units ordered in August, the Model X would be the fourth best-selling plug-in in the US, trailing only the Nissan Leaf battery-electric, Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in and, of course, the Tesla Model S sedan. Tesla itself is being quiet about its figures. Company spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson, in an e-mail to AutoblogGreen, called the estimated sales figures "merely speculation" and declined to confirm them. In late July, Tesla said it delivered a quarterly record 7,579 vehicles for the three months that ended June 30 and that it was on track to deliver more than 35,000 vehicles this year. And more recently, Tesla said it planned to build its massive gigafactory near Reno, NV, as the Silver State promised an incentive package worth over $1.2 billion over the next two decades.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla software suggestions, 'Audi at home' car sharing

Norwegian Tesla buff Bjorn Nyland wants the Tesla community to offer suggestions for the Firmware 7.1 over-the-air update. 7.0 includes a variety of small changes to the interface design, which Nyland discusses in depth in the video above. He offers constructive criticism, especially for things like the placement of certain data within the display. He calls upon other drivers to suggest their own changes and features they'd like to see in future updates. Nyland plans to tweet at Elon Musk once there are enough comments with hopes that Tesla will take the community's suggestions into consideration. See the video above, and read more at Teslarati. A survey of NRG eVgo stations found that drivers use DC fast charging over Level 2 charging by a ratio of 12 to 1. While businesses might prefer to install a Level 2 charger because it is cheaper and could help convince the customer to linger longer while they wait for a charge, this study suggests that DC charging could actually be a better way to attract customers. But the question is how to make DC charging sustainable for businesses with regard to the costs. Read more at Green Car Reports. Audi is launching its vehicle sharing program at luxury residences in San Francisco and Miami this week. Called "Audi at home," the program provides residents with a fleet of Audi vehicles at their disposal at either hourly or daily rates. The cars – the S7, S5 Cabriolet, SQ5, TT Roadster, Q7, and RS5 Cabriolet – are all of the Prestige trim level. Drivers needn't worry about mileage charges, tolls, fuel costs, insurance, or cleaning. Just reserve the car online, and drop it off at the property's valet when finished. Audi at home is launching at the Lumina luxury condos in San Francisco and at the Four Seasons Residences in Miami, with expansion to more cities planned for the future. Read more from Audi. Ballard is partnering with bus manufacturer King Long to build fuel cell buses in China. The two companies will work together to design and deploy the hydrogen-powered buses first in China, then in King Long's global network. "We are delighted to be working with the second largest bus OEM in the world on this important fuel cell bus design and market opportunity," says Ballard President and CEO Randy MacEwen. "Together, we are looking to optimize the design in order to improve performance, while lowering cost.