The official Electric Car discussion thread

[smackababy]

Wow, how was it IRL? Looks amazing in the pics! I actually really like the design, super TRON-like! :thumbsup:

That has to be a prototype. I don't think gullwing doors like that are legal in the US. I know the Mercedes SLS AMG GT (new one) got around it by having a controlled explosion system to blow the doors off in the event of a roll over, because you can't open the doors if you're upside down.

 

[Kaido]

Another couple of Tesla accidents, one with a fire:

http://green.autoblog.com/2014/07/07/questions-surround-fiery-tesla-model-s-crash-in-los-angeles/

Both drivers survived. The scary part is, the Tesla is basically a battering ram (5+ star crash safety rating & huge battery). In one accident, the Tesla rear-ended a Corolla and killed three people inside, while the Tesla owner walked away with minor injuries:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...lision-in-antelope-valley-20140705-story.html

 

[Phanuel]

So we can run into SUVs and come out a winner for once?

 

[smackababy]

So we can run into SUVs and come out a winner for once?

That is what I was thinking! Finally a small car I don't have to worry about an SUV in!

 

[JCH13]

That is what I was thinking! Finally a small car I don't have to worry about an SUV in!

Lulz @ calling a Tesla a "small car."

 

[smackababy]

Lulz @ calling a Tesla a "small car."

It is not large. There are plenty around here and I've been inside one on numerous occasions. It isn't Chevy Spark small, but it isn't a boat.

 

[JCH13]

It is not large. There are plenty around here and I've been inside one on numerous occasions. It isn't Chevy Spark small, but it isn't a boat.

It weighs 4,647lbs curb. A new V6 F150 regular bed 4x2 weighs 4,685lbs. The panther-chassis Crown Victoria was under 4,100lbs. The Tesla is a goddamn heavy car. (but heavy doesn't mean big! semantics) That's 1,000lbs more than (pick any normal mid-size sedan) and twice that of (pick any normal subcompact).

It's a big, heavy, car.

 

[Kaido]

It weighs 4,647lbs curb. A new V6 F150 regular bed 4x2 weighs 4,685lbs. The panther-chassis Crown Victoria was under 4,100lbs. The Tesla is a goddamn heavy car. (but heavy doesn't mean big! semantics) That's 1,000lbs more than (pick any normal mid-size sedan) and twice that of (pick any normal subcompact).

It's a big, heavy, car.

It's like Camaro-big. I parked next to one the other day. It is surprisingly wide. They make the body look like a Ford Fusion, but once you get close to it, you get kind of weirded out by just how large it is. Giant battery packs FTW! :thumbsup:

 

[smackababy]

It weighs 4,647lbs curb. A new V6 F150 regular bed 4x2 weighs 4,685lbs. The panther-chassis Crown Victoria was under 4,100lbs. The Tesla is a goddamn heavy car. (but heavy doesn't mean big! semantics) That's 1,000lbs more than (pick any normal mid-size sedan) and twice that of (pick any normal subcompact).

It's a big, heavy, car.

Heavy != big. Yes, it is heavy, hence the problem with it blasting through Corollas. It is deceptively heavy. However, it isn't larger than any other normal sedan.

 

[JCH13]

Heavy != big. Yes, it is heavy, hence the problem with it blasting through Corollas. It is deceptively heavy. However, it isn't larger than any other normal sedan.

How the specs measure up (rimshot):

Dimension Tesla Accord Fusion Camry Camaro BMW 5-Series
Length [in] 196 191 192 189 191 193
Wdith [in] 77 73 73 72 76 73
Height [in] 56.5 58 58 58 54 58
Headrm f/r [in] 39/35 39/38 39/38 39/38 37/35 x/x
Legrm f/r [in] 43/35 43/39 55/38 42/39 42/30 x/x
Hiprm f/r [in] 55/55 56/55 55/54 55/55 na/na x/x

So, the Tesla is larger is length and width than the Accord, Fusion, Camry, Camaro, and BMW 5-Series despite having similar or inferior interior space (excepting the Camaro, being a sports car, couldn't find BMW 5-series info). The Tesla is slightly lower than all but the Camaro.

The Tesla is big for a sedan. The Tesla is heavy for a sedan. It has great styling that hides how big it is. But don't kid yourself, and don't feel obligated to stick by your initial knee-jerk reaction, the Tesla is a large sedan.

Edit: all of my carefully laid white space was for naught.

 

[Kaido]

BMW developing wireless inductive charging system for electric vehicles:

http://www.gizmag.com/bmw-induction-charging/32863/

Bosch has had a system out for awhile for the Leaf & Volt:

http://www.pluglesspower.com/

 

[Raghu]

http://www.dailytech.com/Tesla+Conf...e+Blames+Ford+for+Missed+SEX/article36224.htm

Hope they can hit the price points they are promise. Will be a huge jump in unit sales at ~$30k.

 

[Kaido]

http://www.dailytech.com/Tesla+Conf...e+Blames+Ford+for+Missed+SEX/article36224.htm

Hope they can hit the price points they are promise. Will be a huge jump in unit sales at ~$30k.

Dang, beat me to it!

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/87867/tesla-model-iii-to-challenge-bmw-3-series-world-exclusive

Per Tesla's Facebook page:

Confirmed: Our Gen III car, due out after Model X, will be named Model 3.
(FYI, the Model 3 images used by Auto Express were mock-ups based on their own speculation.)

1. $30k car will be called the Model III (Ford is keeping the Model E trademark)
2. Unveiling is in 2016, for sale in 2017
3. 200+ mile range
4. BMW 3 series rival
5. Original Tesla Roadster to get a range boost to about 400 miles

 

[desy]

See the Chev volt commercials?
worlds first EV with a gasoline backup generator as thye show a kid and his father drving through the desert?
I'd be interested but batteries around here where it gets so cold is toooo limiting

 

[smackababy]

I really like the Tesla Model 3 over the Model S, in terms of looks. Can't wait to see it in person.

 

[bigi]

I really like the Tesla Model 3 over the Model S, in terms of looks. Can't wait to see it in person.

How can you like gen3 if pics ain't released yet.

Those on the web are just speculative renderings.

 

[smackababy]

How can you like gen3 if pics ain't released yet.

Those on the web are just speculative renderings.

I didn't see those were mock ups. I hope it looks like that. =(

 

[Midwayman]

$30k*

*Stripped. I've heard others complain that Telsa is one of those brands that the MSRP is a lie.

 

[smackababy]

$30k*

*Stripped. I've heard others complain that Telsa is one of those brands that the MSRP is a lie.

From what I've been told, the $70k Model S really is over $100k when you put in things you actually want in a car.

 

[Rebel44]

From what I've been told, the $70k Model S really is over $100k when you put in things you actually want in a car.

I actually configured MS on their website and ended under €70K (including 20% VAT).

 

[smackababy]

I actually configured MS on their website and ended under €70K (including 20% VAT).

That is still ~$95k (a guess, as I don't know the exact exchange rate of Euros to USD), which is a lot more above the base price than it should be. Granted, in my state I get like $12k in tax credits for it.

 

[Kaido]

Engadget: "Why Tesla Motors can't sell cars in most of the United States"

http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/17/tesla-motors-us-sales/

I see both sides of the coin: people have jobs as car dealers and they want to protect those jobs...I can understand that. But Tesla sells a relatively simple electric car that you can simply configure online & have delivered within a month or two. As a consumer, I like that. I've pretty much hated every single dealer experience I've ever had to go through & would much prefer to just do it via a webpage, so +1 for Tesla's business model.

 

[smackababy]

"Why Tesla Motors can't sell cars: because it isn't the way the old system worked when we needed the old system, and we don't want to evolve any market unless absolutely forced to."

Car companies don't operate on a JIT model like Tesla does. They make thousands upon thousands of cars and sell those to dealers for a lower cost. I get they needed this kind of model in the 1920s. It is damn near the 2020s... Either change with the market or die. But, that isn't the American way. Business model eroding? Legislate your way to relevancy! Hell, the Big 3 don't even have to buy politicians anymore. They politicians they've bought have kids that are politicians now and conditioned to be loyal from birth.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Has anyone seen the price of used Nissan Leafs?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=nissan leaf&sort=rel
Seems tons are in the $12-13k asking price and they might even be flexible. I bet the new cars with higher range will put these ~100 mile down a lot more

 

[cabri]

Leaf Battery replacement

Last month, electric-car owners finally learned the price of a replacement battery pack for the Nissan Leaf: a surprisingly low $5,500 after the old pack is traded in.

....


Nissan makes zero margin on the replacement program," he wrote. "In fact, we subvent every exchange."

To "subvent" means to subsidize.

In other words, selling a replacement Leaf battery for $5,500 requires Nissan to subsidize that price--the actual cost to the company is higher.

10 year life span on a $30K vehicle.