The next generation fuel source:
Posted on 04/02/2016 8:31:40 AM PDT by samtheman
Tesla Motors Inc.’s unveiling of its new electric vehicle yesterday had the marks of an iPhone release—long lines of enthusiastic consumers, a glossy product and a CEO presenting in a simple black shirt.
Little new information came out about the Model 3, but with the car’s comparably more affordable $35,000 price tag and 215-mile range, Tesla is making a bid to become a mass-market auto manufacturer.
(Excerpt) Read more at scientificamerican.com ...
Why am I not impressed?
And then what? Pull into a charge station and sit an wait? How long? And where are the charge stations?
Oh, and by the way... what is the FUEL SOURCE of the generator creating the ELECTRICITY that you are charging this magic car with?
Heaven forbid, it cannot be nuclear! (Because that would actually make some sense)
Of course, it could be solar or wind (good luck with that).
But you know, most likely... it is going to be BURNING FOSSIL FUEL.
So what, exactly, have you accomplished (climate-wise) with this magic electric car?
(Just curious.)
In a shocking development, Tesla Releases Its Electric Car for the Masses (batteries not included)
For the masses? Hey elon. It ain’t a Volkswagon beetle. Not at $35K.
Elon Musk is a genius. He is every bit as smart as David Axlerod and David Plouffe, the guys who sold Baraq Obama to the American public.
You’ll be sorry you don’t have one when the next OPEC oil embargo comes around.
20% of the cost is paying for the ‘privilege’.
I’ve seen the press releases, it’s a nice-looking car with one exception. I realize that a grille is merely decorative on an electric car, but this car needs one. The hint of one in the bumper looks somehow unfinished to me. Other than that, it’s got nice lines.
Is this model also going to have “free” charges with the Tesla network of charging stations? If so, and adding in the various subsidies, I can see this making economic sense for a fair number of people who don’t have long commutes.
The subsidies are not something I favor, but they’re there and people will make decisions based upon the total cost and that includes them. For now.
You’ll be sorry you don’t have one when the next OPEC oil embargo comes around.
“And then what? Pull into a charge station and sit an wait? How long? And where are the charge stations?”
Starbucks? Want a $6 extra half caf skim latte with that fill up?
The next generation fuel source:
If the charges are free and the distances you normally drive are small and local, I guess this is a fun toy to impress your friends with.
“Heaven forbid, it cannot be nuclear! (Because that would actually make some sense)”
Of course, it can be nuclear. We’re building some new plants in this general area (Georgia and South Carolina) now. Next-gen nuclear is looking extremely promising as well, including the capability of using most current “nuclear waste” as fuel - with no possibility of meltdown either. Next-gen nuclear plants won’t have to be sited near water either.
Electric cars have some distinct advantages. Less maintenance, higher reliability, very little noise, and no pollution coming out of the tailpipe. Even if electricity is produced by natural gas generation, that is less pollution than burning gas, or especially diesel.
It will be interesting to see what happens when Tesla hits 200,000 units sold and the $7500 federal tax credit subsidy is scheduled to start ramping down.
I’m betting (assuming Dem control of the WH) that the rules will be changed to extend it.
A very large network of nuclear power stations (possible but unlikely) would make electric cars more practical than they are now.
But they are not now practical.
“But you know, most likely... it is going to be BURNING FOSSIL FUEL.”
Obama has been shutting down coal plants. I think 250 have been targeted and half of those already shut down.
Replaced by natural gas, not by solar, wind or nuclear, for the most part.
I’m not too worried about OPEC these days.
The frackers have brought us to near self-sufficiency.
And the new “bestie” customer for OPEC is China, those wonderful folks with mafia business practices and 1.5 billion expendable people to enforce them.
My flex-fuel truck can use 85% ethanol. So much for that argument.
It's not for road trips obviously.
And what it accomplishes is not having to buy gas which saves people money. That cost to plug it in at home overnight wont even be noticeable.
The 215 mile range will be 35 miles after cold or hilly terrain is factored in.
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