Tesla Car? Anyone read about it?

45degreeN · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: Tesla Car? Anyone read about it?

www.teslamotors.com/

looks fantastic but very expensive.

P1234567890 · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Yup, it's been in the works for a while. We really need to start pushing electric cars.

Tesla's sports car isn't supposed to be a normal electric car, though. It isn't exactly a family sedan. It's a sexy sports car designed to catch people's attention.

45degreeN · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:37 am Post subject:

It certainly does, it got my attention at least. Have you read the spec on it? A range of over 200 miles at speed prior to a recharge! My gasoline powered car only gets about 250 miles range prior to refueling. However, it takes only takes a few minutes to refuel whereas this electric requires about 3.5 hours to recharge.

This is not good enough for a cross country trip unless you intend to stop over night every 200 miles or so. But around town I could go almost two weeks between charges.

P1234567890 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

Yes, amount of power transferred per second of refueling is the major problem with electric cars. If you forget to plug it in one night, then you might run out of juice on your way to work the next day.

Other than that, electric cars win in every category hands down. They require less maintenance, they cost WAY less to refuel. They get much better acceleration. And the big one: they produce no greenhouse gases.

The best compromise solutions right now are hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

But Chevy is making the next generation right now called the Volt:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevy_Volt

It's essentially an electric car with a gasoline motor backup in case you run out of batteries.

I'm totally going to get one if it's still the best technology on the market when it comes out in 2010.

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6671 Location: USA

2010? In the meantime how much CO2 will you be putting into the atmosphere?

P1234567890 · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:32 am Post subject:

45degreeN · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

I dont live in a situation where I can do the things you do. I dont even own a bicycle since my legs dont work well with the pedals (knee problems). My work requires me to drive great distances and that is to transport other people who otherwise cannot get around at all.

If I owned a Prius I might just start out my own company doing this but I cant afford such a good car.