Posted on 06/23/2012 4:39:20 PM PDT by grundle
Of all the new cars unveiled this year, none will be as hotly anticipated as the Model S from Tesla Motors, a luxury sedan doubling as a brash, billion-dollar bet that the era of the electric car has arrived. As the first journalist to test-drive one, I can report the Tesla Model S successfully challenges a century of assumptions about what a great car can be.
Unlike gas engines, electric cars generate their maximum power at start -- and no electric car has ever had as much power as the Model S, whose Performance edition is good for 417 hp. The zero-to-60 mph run ticks by in an impressive 4.4 seconds (5.9 seconds for the 362 hp edition)
the Model S can even do long drives — up to 285 miles in the edition launching today
The revelation of what Tesla has accomplished sunk in when I returned to a gas-powered vehicle. Other luxury cars will keep pace with the Tesla, but after driving the Model S, suddenly you notice the lag between accelerator and power, the exhaust noise, all the energy necessary to keep those parts hurtling forward. It makes a fossil fuel-powered car seem to be working so much harder than necessary. Which is the point.
(Excerpt) Read more at autos.yahoo.com ...
“Electric cars use less energy because electric motors are extremely efficient at converting stored energy into forward motion. Around 90 percent compared to a gasoline engine that may only be around 25 percent efficient.”
The efficiency of coal power plants is about 30%, the stuff electric cars run off of.
“That’s all fine, but the fact is, the 550 Mercedes can’t touch the S from 0-60. “
But it sure can past, what, 40 miles or so? 0-60 is one thing, cruising is another. Besides, just who is stupid enough to shred their tires on every takeoff, not to mention the energy drain from the battery on such takeoffs greatly shortens the total distant the electric car can travel. The ONLY thing the electric car does better than an internal combustion engine is supply massive torque. If we as consumers were worried about that we would install MG sets into our cars and get that torque from an engine. Obviously, that high of torque isn’t that high on our priority list since we already have engines that supply the torque we need.
Electric Cars: A solution looking for a problem to solve.
Plus you really don't want to be in a heavy car, going down hill, on an icy street.
Hehe...now that’s what I’m talking about!
“an icy street.”
Not to mention an electric motor breaks free on icy roads and the batteries supply less total energy when cold.
“When fuel rockets to 5 or 6 bucks a gallon or more”
Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it...that’d be you.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s the same things was said of gas at over $2 a gallon when gas was under $1. Here it is at $4, yet, that prediction is still wrong.
In that context, an electric vehicle makes some sense.
“When fuel rockets to 5 or 6 bucks a gallon or more”
Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it...that’d be you.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s the same things was said of gas at over $2 a gallon when gas was under $1. Here it is at $4, yet, that prediction is still wrong.
It’s the Toad!
I remember you!!
You’re the one who makes really stupid uninformed comments, then when called on it ya quickly head for the tall grass and disappear.
Nice character ya got there toad.
Well, I guess you got me there. I have to admit I didn’t know about the electric dragsters. But ...
They may be quick off the line, but how are they doing at the other end? I know I have to eventually adapt with the times, but a big part of drag racing is the noise and the smells. Ya gotta love the smell of nitro in the morning. :)
That's why they make trucks and jeeps. Something for everyone.
I am confident the S Model was not created for Iowa, or deep rural areas with ever changing extreme weather.
Some might be shocked, but this is a vehicle designed for someone who drives probably 25 or 60 miles a day going to work and back in urban or suburban venues, where steep hills covered with ice and snow are no where to be seen.
Now if one has two vehicles and lives in Wisconsin, during winter ya take the SUV, nice weather ya drive the S Model to work.
Charging up every few days would very likely beat dumping $85 dollars in the tank every few days.
If one desires to drive cross country in extreme weather for a sales meeting or vacation, then I am confident the S Model would likely not be on their short list.
You've lived in California too long. In Philadelphia, icy roads are frequent in winter (after paying for welfare, not much left over for salting the roads), and hills are also common.
Except that electric cars are, for the most part, driven by fossil fuels.
“You’re the one who makes really stupid uninformed comments, then when called on it ya quickly head for the tall grass and disappear.”
Tallgrass? You considering someone not responsing to your high and might self as running away on the Internet? Wow. You’ve always been known a a stupid liberal that only comes here to bash Bush but a narcissist too? Grow up.
“In that context, an electric vehicle makes some sense. “
Sure. Even in mine people are seen on golf carts, but, as you said, they aren’t public streets and they don’t need to go far, caryr much, or even be all that fast.
Please read the post #151 more carefully.
See the 7th line down regarding places like Wisconsin and extreme weather.
This isn’t overly complex.
People who own motorcycles and roofless vehicles such as certain jeeps would likely understand...
And my point is that a large percentage of the people in the US, not just those in Wisconsin, live in places with ice and snow. Unless by "places like Wisconsin" you meant to include the entire northern half of the US (which is why I commented that you lived in California too long). My point about the performance of a heavy car (4,647 lbs curb weight) also applies to rain-slick streets.
While a large percentage of families with cars have more than one, it's generally one per licensed driver or less. In a two-car, two-commuter family it makes things more difficult. But since not too many people can afford a car which costs $100K+ in its extended-range version, I guess you are correct that anybody who can afford it can also afford a conventionally-fueled SUV for bad-weather days.
BTW, the S Model starts at around 50k. There are choices of models and prices, like most all other vehicles.
The range goes down in cold weather, both because batteries deliver less power when cold, and because energy for heating the interior comes from the batteries rather than being a free byproduct of engine operation.
The batteries are a large percentage of the total cost. Tesla is evasive about the cost of replacement batteries. You WILL need replacement batteries eventually.
Bottom line: The Tesla S is a very expensive toy right now.
What I said.
And I really am confident the S Model was not created for Iowa, or deep rural areas with ever changing extreme weather.
Probably the same reason why ya don't see too many Porsche's in Minnesota or rural Ohio...Especially in winter.
Just a wild guess, but I'd say most people purchasing the S Model, will not be located in snow and ice country.
This is not an Oldsmobile nor will it be mass produced like an a typical SUV.
Once again, people who live in snow and ice country would be much better off with a typical SUV.
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