Pun intended.
So I am a through and through PETROL guy and scoff at "green" technology that hardly ever proves to be (hardly ever) fiscally sound. But in this case - I might be a believer.
Thanksgiving day - my brother-in-law brings his new (to him) Tesla Model S - I have to admit I was impressed. I could actually see myself driving something like that for local excursions. Forward thinking concepts that went well past the driveline components.
Another bonus: At 6'5" I was able to fit exceedingly comfortably and its a 7 passenger damn car! Impressive.
PS: That car is respectively fast too...
Tony
Yah, but at 100k they won't catch on too fast.
More will be built. Battery technology will improve. Prices will go down. All this in spite of opposition by the oil companies both directly and indirectly.
You're looking at the future. Just another reason I sold my diesel pusher and wouldn't buy any new car with less than 25-30 MPG......
There's so many 100K Teslas here in Silly Con Valley that they call it the Silicon Valley Accord.
They're so common out here no one gives them a second look anymore. I've never driven one myself but they seem to be universally praised for comfort, safety, performance, etc.
The Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car is another that's getting a lot of attention. But the thought of driving a car with two 10,000 PSI tanks filled with hydrogen is just, well ... scary.
The new Volt is much more affordable, and has the advantage of not needing to be charged on long trips. Gas-N-Go... Drive less than 50 miles a day and you won't need gas until you do decide to leave town.
My old one goes all year on 3 gallons of premium, which then has to be used up before it gets stale. That's about 1/2 oz a day, so maybe a shot glass smilie would be more appropriate.
Also, it reminds me of my 914 with it's super low center of gravity. If it had better tires than the LRR POS's it comes with, it could probably handle pretty good. (Not much in the way of after-market parts available for mods though, a few springs and such is about it so far...)
For those that say EV's burn coal and are no cleaner than petrol cars:
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/life-cycle-ev-emissions?autologin=true#.Vln4Y15EzSc
Also a little calculator that lets you put your zipcode in and compare to the average in your area:
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/ev-emissions-tool?autologin=true#.Vln4bV5EzSc
You do realize that the #1 Porsche was a motor in wheel hub EV!
Also, EVs, Hybrids & Steam were as common in the early car years of the late 1800's & early 1900s, as were gassers.
As with $100k Porsches, BMWs, MBZs, etc. - you buy them used at 3-5 years. With fewer moving parts & less mechanical stuff to wear out or go wrong, the Silicon Accords could end up going 300K+ miles easily with little trouble except changing out batteries, which is a significant expense - but hopefully offset by lower ongoing maintenance costs vs gas/diesel cars, if you bank the $s for that loner term expense.
We have quite a few Teslas down here in SoCal too, & I know an ex-914er from on here, who traded in his Cayman S & MBZ for a Tesla S & Roadster & is 100% EV, & has takes XC trips in his S!
Cheers!
Tom
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The last few months I've seen Teslas more and more here in Raleigh. I try to avoid being next to them at stoplights
Actually Tom, WWI dirigibles were practically impossible to bring down until the "incendiary bullet' was invented in mid-war. The new bullets provided the fire spark to ignite the hydrogen/air mixture once a ship was peppered enough. Am teaching a class on this right now.
Ansbacher
We've been toying with the Idea, BMW dealers in the area are advertizing a $269 lease on one of these. Earlier this year my wife was test driving a bunch of cars, as her SUbaru is at 200K miles. She was driving the X1 and 3 Series Wagon, and one of these caught my eye. VERY convincing in real life, and ended up test driving one. WOuld be a great commuter and around town car. Wish they sold it as a true hybrid, would be in my driveway right now.... http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/i/i3/2013/showroom/index.html
The Tesla is an amazing vehicle, and love the USA aspect to it, but is super pricey and from what I hear have terrible resale value.
In the words of the Monty Python's Flying Circus TV show .... "And now for something completely different.....!!" - but still shocking .... let's make this discussion on-topic with some 914 content....
This guy has a 914-EV which he's brought to a few PCA OC Region events, including our 2015 Concours in Dana Point this past June, & he won in street class for 914! It's a very clean conversion with great TQ/power & decent range at speed.
.
Cheaper than a Tesla, but not the range.
Tom
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Questions you may ask:
Were does your Electricity come from ? mainy from burning coal.
Were does your H come from ? Mainly from converting gaz and petrol.
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And he auto crossed it at El Toro. Almost mile long course. Did nicely considering the narrow tire and extra weight. Definitely a well done electric conversion and very cleanly done!
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