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Everyone loves Tesla. I honestly think that their craziness has spurred electric vehicle research across the board. They wanted to see a green car, and instead of doing it the old "tiny, slow, and impractical" model, they went "tiny, blazingly fast, and impractical" instead. The difference, of course, is that crazy rich people pay top dollar for tiny, blazingly fast and impractical cars every day. So really...why not make them green too?
But the long-term goals of Tesla have little to do with the Roadster, an all-electric car with a zero-to-sixty time of around 4 seconds. What they really want to do is bring EVs into the mainstream by appealing to the ultra-wealthy, then to the wealthy, and then to the middle class.
Well, Tesla is taking that second step now, with plans to build a $250 M plant to create its Model S luxury sedan. The sedan will be all-electric and theoretically cost around $60,000. This is certainly cheaper than the Roadster ($109k) but it's still in the realm of ultra expensive.
The problem with the Model S is that it's quite likely to remain somewhat impractical. With current technology, a vehicle this size couldn't have a range of more than 250 miles. That provides an inconvenience that luxury customers will be very unused to. If there's anything luxury sedan drivers hate, it's inconvenience.
Of course, there is a strong possibility that the car will have a plug-in hybrid option, making the it much more versatile.
The factory will be paid for by $100 M in series E financing and a $150 M government guaranteed loan. At least the big banks aren't the only one's benefiting from the government these days.
Via CNet
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written by Grant, September 18, 2008
I would LOVE to have an electric car with a 250 mile range. I am planning on buying an electric (NOT hybrid) car in about 2-3 years from now. If they work as advertised, I think it will be MORE convenient (and potentially more environmentally friendly) than a gas-powered (or hybrid) car.
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written by tula, September 18, 2008
While some may find those electric "gadgets" wasteful, there are others of us who find them a necessity. I cannot use a manual can opener. My hands aren't strong enough. Similarly, I have an electric jar opener because I can't open jars manually, even with the assistance of manual gadgets (I have a drawer full of those). There are a lot of elderly folks and other who simply don't have strong hands who are in a similar position. Remote-controlled blinds would also be extremely useful for high windows or for those who are handicapped. So what is frivolous for you, may not be for someone else.
This self-righteous attitude of some eco-folks is what turns off a lot of other people, who might otherwise be inclined to go green (or at least "green-er") in their daily lives. Telling people to walk or dismissing such things as electric bicycles because they have the audacity to use electricity is of no help to those who can't walk or who need the assistance such technologies and "gadgets" will give them. Be thankful you're young and healthy enough not to need this help, but don't look down your nose at those of us who do.
Personally, I applaud anything that brings new, cleaner tech to the marketplace and to the attention of the public. Yes, it's sad that it takes such "flash" to gain the attention of the celebrity-crazed masses, but that's life. Denigrating things because they aren't perfect solutions doesn't help anyone. I'd much rather see incremental, imperfect solutions than nothing at all.
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written by DennisSC, September 18, 2008
Still, a hybrid version might have more appeal for all I know, it's all up to the mechanical engineering folks at Tesla.
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written by jello5929, September 18, 2008
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written by Picky Mc Picky, September 19, 2008
That said, Tesla knows what they are doing. They have more plans to take this technology to the next level ith a sedan at half the cost of the Roadster and a mass market vehicle at half the cost of that. Samll steps Sparks, small steps.
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written by Grant, September 22, 2008
Remember that gas-powered cars have a limited range, also, but the infrastructure is in place to refuel them with ease so nobody gives much thought to how much range a gas-powered vehicle has. The same will eventually be true for electric cars. This idea that they are going to be inconvenient because they have a limited range will seem ridiculous soon enough.
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As Hank says, these cars are aimed at the wealthy who hate inconvenience. Hate it with a passion so strong, they'll do buy anything to avoid actually having to lift a finger to do something themselves. Automation is their passion.
Remote controled blinds, electric can openers, air fresheners with motion sensors... today's markets are bulging with gadgets that eat up electricity for no other reason than people can't be bothered getting off their fat butts to actually do something themselves.
I can't see many people wanting a car that has only a 250 mile range. My God, they might have to walk somewhere if it runs out of juice. WALK! Are you crazy?
Sorry, but until the batter technology is improved to give much greater ranges, I don't think vehicles like this are going to storm the markets.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and suspense thriller 'What if...?'