Electric motors have more torque than gas engines.
300 miles is IF they meet their battery targets becuase the batter does not exist yet.
This is Tesla we're talking about here. They've got a pretty good track record so far.
This theoretical battery on a perfect day with perfect temperature and humidity with a feather left foot will reach 300 mile range.
We all know how often perfection with multiple variables happens.
Yeah, there are going to be variables. I'm sure they know that ... just like the EPA knows that a car they say is going to get 25 city miles is likely not to get exactly that.
What if your destination is 150-200 miles away?
What if your destination is only 100 miles away but you get stuck on the freeway for hours or get detoured?
I may be wrong here, but if you're not moving, the vehicle's not using up the battery power, is it?
It looks like a standard 5 passenger sedan but it says it is 7 passenger?
7 ... 5 adults, 2 children. Must be some sort of jump seats in there.
The Volt is a political statement for rich Greenies and Anti-Oil Hawks.
Yeah, but it didn't start out that way. Too bad it ended up like that and with a more boring style than the concept had.
The Tesla is a toy for the super rich.
The roadster, perhaps. But at 49k, the Model S is not out of the question.
Nobody is his right mind that can afford one $50-60K car will get a Tesla.
Definitely not the first one off the assembly line. But maybe as it progresses and looks like the real deal, maybe it will catch on.
No shi! They still use up more energy going uphill and reduce electricity for range. Therefore range is reduced.
This is Tesla we're talking about here. They've got a pretty good track record so far.
No they don't. They almost have no track record. The introduction of their $100K roadster was delayed,delayed,delayed. When introduced it was $119k, a one speed transmission instead of the two speed transmission they promised when they took deposits from customers. It is not as efficicient as they promised because the roadster needs to be plugged in almost around the clock when not used. Plug in to cool batteries after use. Plug in to warm up batteries before use. Owners reported range of 50-70% of what was promised. Top management fired again and again. Former president started a blog poo-pooing Tesla. Big layoffs last year.
Yeah, there are going to be variables. I'm sure they know that ... just like the EPA knows that a car they say is going to get 25 city miles is likely not to get exactly that. Your mileage may very on a 25 mpg car of 20-25% is maybe $10-15 a week. On a Tesla it may mean it is useable on a commute or it is not. It is the difference between getting stuck in the middle of nowheresville and not.
I may be wrong here, but if you're not moving, the vehicle's not using up the battery power, is it? Radio,AC,Lights,Cooling System for battery pack run on electricity generated by a Unicorn riding a Unicycle.
Yeah, but it didn't start out that way. Too bad it ended up like that and with a more boring style than the concept had. Even if GM would never admit it was always the plan.That is the nature of the relationship between brand new technology and first adopters. Concept car had concept car syle. It can't meet federal safety requirements. Roof is too low to meet crush standards and ordinary folks would hate having to bend so low to get in. Production Volt is real world perameters for real people. By the 3rd or 4th year of production upper middle class people will be driving this car. By the 2nd or 3rd Generation everyday people smack in the middle class will be driving this car.
The roadster, perhaps. But at 49k, the Model S is not out of the question.
A car that starts out at $49k is not out of the question. A toy that starts out at $49K is out of the question. That is what the Model S is with it's limited range. Plus the roadster was supposed to be $100k but ended up at $119. If the Model S follows suit it will be $59K.
Definitely not the first one off the assembly line. But maybe as it progresses and looks like the real deal, maybe it will catch on. No it will not. Not with current specs. Not even close. The Volt(EREV) is 5-10 years away from mass adoption. The Model S(BEV) is 15-20 years from mass adoption. And that is an optimistic view of battery technology advancement. Then again there could be some 19 year old genius at MIT or Cal Tech that developes a battery technology that completely changes the electric car paradigm.