Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tesla Model S: First drive of the electric sedan that will change the world or die trying
autos.yahoo.com ^ | June 22, 2012 | Justin Hyde

Posted on 06/23/2012 4:39:20 PM PDT by grundle

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-171 next last
To: NavVet

“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.


141 posted on 06/24/2012 6:06:24 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“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.


142 posted on 06/24/2012 6:13:27 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: CodeToad; NavVet
Add to what the others have said, that an electric car is much heavier, and you use energy in repeatedly accelerating and breaking that extra weight (even with regenerative braking).

Plus you really don't want to be in a heavy car, going down hill, on an icy street.

143 posted on 06/24/2012 6:15:04 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (If I can't be persuasive, I at least hope to be fun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: twistedwrench

Hehe...now that’s what I’m talking about!


144 posted on 06/24/2012 6:21:00 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (Rush Limbaugh = the Beethoven of talk radio - http://www.istandwithrush.org/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625

“an icy street.”

Not to mention an electric motor breaks free on icy roads and the batteries supply less total energy when cold.


145 posted on 06/24/2012 6:24:17 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“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.


146 posted on 06/24/2012 6:27:39 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 113 | View Replies]

To: CodeToad
When visiting an elderly relative in Florida, I noticed that several people in her gated adult community kept golf carts instead of cars, for trips around the complex, and to the supermarket and movie theater (all accessible by private road, they don't go on the public streets).

In that context, an electric vehicle makes some sense.

147 posted on 06/24/2012 6:34:03 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (If I can't be persuasive, I at least hope to be fun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 145 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“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.


148 posted on 06/24/2012 8:21:21 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 113 | View Replies]

To: CodeToad

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.


149 posted on 06/24/2012 8:52:18 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: B.O. Plenty; NavVet

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. :)


150 posted on 06/24/2012 5:01:52 PM PDT by Dartman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625; NavVet
Plus you really don't want to be in a heavy car, going down hill, on an icy street.

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.

151 posted on 06/24/2012 6:25:39 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2
going to work and back in urban or suburban venues, where steep hills covered with ice and snow are no where to be seen.

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.

152 posted on 06/25/2012 5:53:00 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (If I can't be persuasive, I at least hope to be fun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 151 | View Replies]

To: grundle
"It makes a fossil fuel-powered car seem to be working so much harder than necessary. Which is the point."

Except that electric cars are, for the most part, driven by fossil fuels.

153 posted on 06/25/2012 6:22:12 AM PDT by cookcounty ("We're all born idiots, and we only get over that condition as we get less young." -J Goldberg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2

“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.


154 posted on 06/25/2012 6:30:05 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625

“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.


155 posted on 06/25/2012 6:32:01 AM PDT by CodeToad (Homosexuals are homophobes. They insist on being called 'gay' instead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625

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...


156 posted on 06/25/2012 8:45:30 AM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2
See the 7th line down regarding places like Wisconsin and extreme weather.

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.

157 posted on 06/25/2012 9:34:36 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (If I can't be persuasive, I at least hope to be fun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625

BTW, the S Model starts at around 50k. There are choices of models and prices, like most all other vehicles.


158 posted on 06/25/2012 2:35:32 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2
The only model currently being delivered is the $100K model. The lowest cost model costs $57K and has less than half the range.

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.

159 posted on 06/25/2012 2:50:13 PM PDT by PapaBear3625 (If I can't be persuasive, I at least hope to be fun.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: PapaBear3625
The lowest cost model costs $57K

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.

160 posted on 06/25/2012 3:01:11 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 159 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-171 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson