Anyone interested in buying a $50,000(with $7500 government credit) pure electric car with a range of 160 miles? If I won the lottery, I'd seriously think about buying one of these in 5 years or so. I'm not too keen on being a guinea pig and buying a brand new car right out of the start, but within 5-10 years Tesla should have this down pretty good. Not to mention we'll have some real hard data on battery life and range. I'm interested in hearing how the batteries do in the extreme cold or heat, when the air conditioning and heater will be running full time.

The base model is supposed to have a range of 160 miles with a 45 minute quick charge. Other battery packs for 230 and 300 mile ranges are going to be available. 0 - 60 in 5.6 seconds, 120 MPH top speed, absolutely no gas required, seats 5 (plus two little ones in the "trunk") the car looks very nice.

I've heard that Tesla wants to have a $30,000 model within a few years, plus they are looking to make a pure electric SUV. This seems to me to be the only car company in the U.S. that is making true electric vehicles, unlike the Chevy Volt which still uses a gas engine. All in all, a very nice looking car if someone wants to spend $50,000 and cut their dependence on oil.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models

If I could I would.

160 miles right now costs me about $15-20 at 30mpg and $3/gallon. I wonder how many kWh a 160 mile charge would require so I can figure the true cost efficiency.

Fueling with electricity instead of petroleum is a sound financial decision. Depending on utility rates, the Tesla Roadster costs as little as $5 to charge, equivalent to $0.02 per mile. Alternatively, a gasoline-powered car rated to 20 mpg costs about $0.15 per mile.

This is bad ass as well

chicago510;658657 wrote:160 miles right now costs me about $15-20 at 30mpg and $3/gallon. I wonder how many kWh a 160 mile charge would require so I can figure the true cost efficiency.

The base model 160 mile range battery pack is 42 kWh and I get charged 6c/kWh so I can charge the battery fully for around $2.50. So, that's 160 miles (probably less with real world conditions but still lets say 120-130) for less than $3.

In Ohio, you're probably paying on the order of 10c/kWh.

fan_from_texas;658682 wrote:In Ohio, you're probably paying on the order of 10c/kWh.

Even then, it's less than 5 dollars for a charge.

Let's say you have a 30 MPG car, for a 130 mile trip, that's 13 dollars.

Sweet car. Maybe I'll buy one with the money I got for selling the site.

No way I give up driving my Lamborghini that is a pussy magnet.

chicago510;658662 wrote:This is bad ass as well

That is bad ass and not a bad idea if you have the money. I've always thought about buying a house and covering the roof with solar panels.

THE4RINGZ;658696 wrote:No way I give up driving my Lamborghini that is a pussy magnet.

Here you go, pussy magnet without all the guilt.

I've had my eye on the Tesla lines for awhile.

Sick cars, but the price tag is just too much.

O-Trap;658735 wrote:I've had my eye on the Tesla lines for awhile.

Sick cars, but the price tag is just too much.

Yeah, I'm hoping they do develop their next model for around $30,000. A lot more potential buyers at that price point.

Tesla makes some sweet cars.

tk421;658738 wrote:Yeah, I'm hoping they do develop their next model for around $30,000. A lot more potential buyers at that price point.

I'm sure they will, the Roadster and it's high price were a method of generating the money needed to start production of the Model S. Now they're getting some better production facilities and such (sharing or borrowing or something a plant from Toyota somewhere in the states) I'm sure their next car will be even more economical.

I checked out the Tesla showroom in Boulder, CO. back in December. Pretty sweet but out of my price range.