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Battery Economics The story of Elon Musk and GM’s race to build the first mass-market electric car
4evriders ^

Posted on 08/30/2014 11:30:35 AM PDT by ckilmer

One of the hottest clashes in technology pits two pathmakers in the new era of electric cars—Tesla and General Motors. Both are developing pure electrics that cost roughly $35,000, travel 200 miles on a single charge, and appeal to the mass luxury market.

The stakes are enormous. Most electrics have less than 100 miles of range. Experts regard 200 miles as a tipping point, enough to cure many potential electric-car buyers of “range anxiety,” the fear of being stranded when their battery expires. If GM and Tesla crack this, sales of individual electrics could jump from 2,000 or 3,000 vehicles a month to 15 to 20 times that rate, shaking up industries from cars to oil, which were until now certain that large-scale acceptance of electrics was perhaps decades away.

It is a substantial gamble for both companies. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has more or less bet his company on the contest. GM’s existence is not in jeopardy if it loses, but the outcome could still determine its place in the next generation of automaking.


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: electriccar; gm; musk; tesla
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To: Beagle8U

“It’s like betting it all on a Big and Tall shop in Japan, good luck with that plan.”

Good analogy.


61 posted on 08/30/2014 1:08:40 PM PDT by SharpRightTurn (White, black, and red all over--America's affirmative action, metrosexual president.)
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To: BobL

You still have liberals claim that GM killed the electric car when they refused to sell those first shitty leased elec cars that they crushed.

Logic tells you that they had serious safety defects, but liberals don’t understand logic.


62 posted on 08/30/2014 1:15:12 PM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
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To: Beagle8U

Maybe if I show you a picture of a Tesla Charging Station that will change your mind.

LOL.


63 posted on 08/30/2014 1:20:32 PM PDT by BobL (...part of Agenda 21 (whatever that is))
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To: Beagle8U

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bkcn8ZkvKKc


64 posted on 08/30/2014 1:21:41 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Fresh Wind; Shadow44

Tesla’s station concept is to swap out the battery pack entirely and they have shown it can be done in less time than it takes to fill a tank with gas.

check out the article and videos on this page:
http://www.treehugger.com/cars/1st-tesla-battery-swapping-stations-roll-out-soon-model-s-prices-drop-europe.html


65 posted on 08/30/2014 1:26:45 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: hosepipe

That is a kewel idea.


66 posted on 08/30/2014 1:28:35 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: BobL

I don’t think so.


67 posted on 08/30/2014 1:29:42 PM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
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To: smokingfrog

I heard that wind-powered cars can operate indefinitely without a SINGLE DROP of external energy being added. Let’s hope the BIG OIL doesn’t find out.

Oh yea, you do have to maintain a 3% downslope for the zero-carbon ride.


68 posted on 08/30/2014 1:37:59 PM PDT by BobL (...part of Agenda 21 (whatever that is))
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To: ridesthemiles
I'm pretty sure 200 miles isn't enough for anyone, when you consider that it takes hours to refuel, and that most of us are somewhat scatterbrained and will sometimes forget to plug the thing in.

When I forget to get gas, the idiot light comes on to tell me to go to the gas station, I pull in, swipe a debit card, and 2 minutes later I'm on my way.

69 posted on 08/30/2014 1:43:56 PM PDT by j. earl carter
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To: smokingfrog

LOl, some of the Tards that commented to that think it works.


70 posted on 08/30/2014 1:46:41 PM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
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To: devolve

I was at the local Toyota dealer today for service and out in the lot was a vintage landcruiser that a guy who works there and his son restored.

It was a thing of beauty. The son moved away and wasn’t interested in it. If the dad ever decides to sell, he will do well. It is way out of my price range. I got some phone photos. I wished I had my DSLR.


71 posted on 08/30/2014 1:47:24 PM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.q)
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To: Beagle8U

The market is reduced to some rich Peace Queers in CA, and those living in the desert.

I live in the desert and there is no way I’d purchase an electric only automobile. Most months here require air conditioning ALL the time which would cut down on driving range.

Secondly, I would never gamble taking a trip with a partial charge. Anything could happen on route that would delay the trip. There is no way I’d gamble on being stuck in the desert in 100+ degree heat waiting for help.

Even my gas operated car is filled up to full when I still have 3/4 tank.


72 posted on 08/30/2014 1:50:00 PM PDT by Joan Kerrey (The larger the government, the smaller the people)
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To: Joan Kerrey

OK, that only leaves the queers in CA. This isn’t a project I’d invest in.


73 posted on 08/30/2014 2:00:55 PM PDT by Beagle8U (Unions are an Affirmative Action program for Slackers! .)
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To: all the best

The car of this age converts fossil fuel into motion more efficiently than a coal plant transmitting power over the grid to charge a battery. Cleaner too.


74 posted on 08/30/2014 2:31:05 PM PDT by SpeakerToAnimals (I hope to earn a name in battle)
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To: morphing libertarian; Pollster1

Its not just going to be GM vs Tesla. Its going to be all the majors around the world because now they have to play.


75 posted on 08/30/2014 2:35:17 PM PDT by ckilmer (q)
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To: hosepipe

This has been around for years but nothing has come of it. Put a prototype in a running vehicle and drive it around at the yearly SEMA show. As it stands, a very interesting exercise in mechanical engineering. One that appears to have real promise but, it is up to them to make the next step.


76 posted on 08/30/2014 3:03:53 PM PDT by Nuc 1.1 (Nuc 1 Liberals aren't Patriots. Remember 1789!)
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To: Beagle8U

Yes, apartment dwellers do not have a chance.
But home owners and town houses usually have a garage with electrical power. In Chicago where I spent many years, there are millions of small bungalow type and speedy public transport is very difficult the way city is laid out. I drove a Ford Pinto there for many years. It was small and thus easy to park in cramped spaces.


77 posted on 08/30/2014 3:35:27 PM PDT by entropy12 (Let's suffer thru 2 more years of Obummer to make "principled" conservatives happy.)
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To: wally_bert

.

- If his son ever sees the Barrett-Jackson auctions on TV and sees the value of classic cars he may get his head screwed on right -

- The trick is to find nice popular cars that have already been restored - if you attempt to have someone qualified to restore it will likely cost you much more than buying a nicely restored car that is finished and has paid for by someone else -

- Many people do not mind not getting their investment in restoration back - they have the big bucks and just like to play the auction game and get new wheels -

- ‘67-’69 Camaros are hot now - even if upgraded from a basic 6 cylinder commuting car to clone with a zippy 350ci with upgraded suspension and brakes - the jazzy red Camaro SS-396 convertible Guy Fiero drives on the Food Channel is a great example of that. Is it authentic - or is ir a Retro-Mod?

- Who knows -

.


78 posted on 08/30/2014 3:42:17 PM PDT by devolve (- "If Obama puts on a USMC t-shirt to play basketball it does not mean he has any balls! -)
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To: Fresh Wind
The Supercharger charge (50% charge in 20 minutes)

The 50 kWh in 20 minutes means they will need 150kW divided by 10W or 15,000 square feet of solar panels for each car. Of course the stations will have solar panels strictly for show along with a 33,000 volt transmission line from the nearest substation. Solar is a sad joke but it fools a lot of people.

79 posted on 08/30/2014 4:52:47 PM PDT by palmer (This comment is not approved or cleared by FDA)
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To: smokingfrog; BobL

See my last post. 15,000 square feet of solar panels for each car to obtain a 20 minute 50% charge.


80 posted on 08/30/2014 4:54:35 PM PDT by palmer (This comment is not approved or cleared by FDA)
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