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The Tesla Roadster - Electric Car

259 messages,  Last post on Jul 09, 2012 at 7:04 AM

You are in the Electric Vehicles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Tesla Roadster, Alternative Fuels, Concept Cars, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 1 of 26

#1 of 259 The Tesla Roadster by tpe

Jul 19, 2006 (11:18 am)

The Tesla Roadster will be unveiled tomorrow. It is an all electric vehicle (EV) that can go 0-60 mph in 4 seconds. It has a range of 250 miles on a single charge and the electricity cost will be less than 2 cents per mile. Oh yeah, it will cost around $100k. The company, Tesla Motors, will start taking orders tomorrow and hopes to begin delivery by mid 2007.
 
IMO, this is a very significant vehicle, far more than the niche status its limited production will indicate. The manufacturer hopes to sell around 4,000 in the next few years. Not even a blip on the radar when it comes to total US car sales but that's not the point. It will be a high profile vehicle that will generate a lot of buzz. Primarily it will dispell the misconception of EVs being nothing but glorified golf carts. I think the other most notable feature about this car is its battery pack. Compared to GM's EV1 of 5 years ago the batteries weigh 20% less, have 3 times more energy storage and can re-charge in half the time. Pretty rapid advancement in a fairly short period. Why again are we wasting time with hydrogen fuel cells?
 
http://www.teslamotors.com
 
Take a look at the management and board of directors before you dismiss this endeavour as "pie in the sky" from a bunch of fringe whackos.

#2 of 259 it is... by objectiveview

Jul 19, 2006 (5:05 pm)

a glorified golf cart
 
seriously though, batteries are not the solution. Its like running from a ghost (oil) and stumbling over the coffin (batteries).
 
Use of batteries and pure electricity in automobiles brings its own very large set of problems, one of which would be the disposal of said batteries from x million of cars once they arent good anymore.

#3 of 259 Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe] by john500

Jul 19, 2006 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: tpe (Jul 19, 2006 11:18 am)
Nice find.
 
It will be interesting to see if Tesla can repeatedly live up to the numbers listed (ie 250 miles per charge). Electric vehicles are a great idea if the power plants in a country are non-hydrocarbon based (ie hydroelectric, nuclear, wind). Otherwise, one is simply transferring pollution from one location to another (although even this may be beneficial in reducing smog).

#4 of 259 Re: The Tesla Roadster [john500] by tpe

Jul 19, 2006 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: john500 (Jul 19, 2006 5:41 pm)
I understand the argument of transferring pollution from the tailpipe to the smokestack as not being a solution.
 
From the oil dependence perspective it is a solution, or partial solution. We have dirty domestic coal that can be used instead of dirty imported oil.
 
From a forward looking perspective we (US) have the potential to produce abundant domestic, green, clean electricity. The average homeowner has far more solar energy hitting his property than he will ever need to use. Within 10 years many experts believe that electricity generated through photovoltaic cells will be cost competitive with grid electricity. At this point, for those that choose to take advantage, no more need for gas stations. This will be the mother of all disruptive technologies. I can't wait.

#5 of 259 Re: it is... [objectiveview] by tpe

Jul 19, 2006 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: objectiveview (Jul 19, 2006 5:05 pm)
The materials used to make modern batteries aren't toxic to the environment.

#6 of 259 Re: The Tesla Roadster [tpe] by rorr

Jul 20, 2006 (6:37 am)

Replying to: tpe (Jul 19, 2006 6:03 pm)
"Within 10 years many experts believe that electricity generated through photovoltaic cells will be cost competitive with grid electricity."
 
I seem to remember essentially that same statement in a Popular Science article circa 1978.....

#7 of 259 Re: The Tesla Roadster [rorr] by tpe

Jul 20, 2006 (7:54 am)

Replying to: rorr (Jul 20, 2006 6:37 am)
In 1978 the cost per watt of solar energy was $20. Today it is around $3. It would be lower except for the fact that there is a global silicon shortage due primarily to the rapidly growing demand for photovoltaic cells. During this same period the maximum attained efficiency of a PV cell has doubled from 15% to 30%.
 
Maybe I am misinterpretting your post but it sounds like you believe the promise of solar energy will always be something in the future. While the PS prediction of 1978 didn't come to fruition the fact is we have come a long way since then. Advancements are currently happening at a rapid pace fueled largely by nanotechnology breakthroughs and thin film manufacturing processes. My estimate of 10 years for cost competitiveness is probably conservative. More like 5 years.

#9 of 259 Tesla Roadster - Electric car that can beat a Porsche by Sylvia

Jul 20, 2006 (6:40 am)

Part of the reason some have shunned electric cars (besides availability) is their looks and the performance. For sports car enthusiast who wants performance couldn't have it in an electric or even hybrid car - until today.
 
Meet the Tesla Roadster.
 
Here's how it works, performance numbers, and of course Tesla Roadster pictures
 
They also do a nice job of spelling out environmental impacts, etc. in the more section of their web site.
 
Let's not just talk about this car - let's celebrate it!

#10 of 259 Re: Tesla Roadster - Electric car that can beat a Porsche [Sylvia] by john500

Jul 20, 2006 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: Sylvia (Jul 20, 2006 6:40 am)
Will Edmunds be getting one of these cars to test?
 
I'm curious about how fun a sports car can be with an automatic transmission. Based upon the comments, a clutch appears to be unnecessary due to the immediate torque output. What about the sound? Will it be a high whiny sound like a Honda CBR motorcycle, no sound, tire roll sound? Will there be an ozone smell at hard launches from arcing of the electric motor?

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