The next generation fuel source:
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.
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.
“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:
“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.
“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.
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.
And charging time?? How does 52 hours sound?
It is over 215 miles round trip from were I live to the nearest charging station. The home Powerwall costs an additional $3000 at 6.4 Kw and works only during the day because it uses solar panels to charge - I assume mounting and installation of both units adds even more thousand$ to the price.
Musk’s huddled masses maybe but not the rest of us that do not have trust funds, high paying jobs on some company board etc.
And then the EPA swoops in and closes all the coal fired power pants and then the natural gas fired plants ... so your car is charged but your home is dependent on wind and solar ... I gots a really neat car but the stove don’t work and the pipes have frozen and ...
Apparently in Seattle people were standing in long lines to buy this car. Anxious to get the rebate provided not by the manufacturer but by the rest of us taxpayers.
At $35,000 - for the masses not.
On advanced batteries, some interesting stuff almost here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3416180/posts?page=26#26>
On natural gas generation and note, I am not sure they used "Cogeneration Units" i.e. those that are Gas Turbines powered by Natural Gas that spin a generator and the waste heat then is used to spin it as well for almost 60% of the fuel doing the work, not 30% in this analysis of Nat Gas vs Solar, go here:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3416644/posts
Fwiw, some of the posters on this thread noted Nuclear projects currently going on.
Where is Trump-Cruz-Kasich-Clinton-Sanders on LFTR, aka Liquid Florine ( cooled ) Thorium Reactors?
Nothing all of them same on them. It is the game changer for an energy starved planet and yes would enable an electric car paradigm shift IMHO. let the free-market here do it, but dang it don't give them money to do it, but get the heck out of their way!!!!
Why all the hostility towards this car? I see nothing wrong with advancing technology forward. Sure, the gas powered cars are more efficient today and likely better for the environment. But technology is always improving. So a range of 230 miles today could be 500 plus miles later. A charging time of hours today could be minutes eventually. Let the early adopters buy this car and give Tesla an opportunity to improve on future models.
Why am I not impressed?
...
Because you’re prejudiced and applying standards to the car that other people aren’t.
Electric cars are not powered by unicorn farts?
They should be correctly referred to as coal and natural gas powered cars.