Tesla Roadster now being delivered.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Also, with electric vehicles, one could argue that every public / public stall should have an electrical outlet, so that people do not get stuck.

Who then pays for the extra power usage? The business, the vehicle owner? Either way, it would require a lot more meters to track the electrical usage.

Just run the outlet like a parking meter...put in a loonie and get a 15 min recharge...

[SebC]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

This argument gets so very old. Yes, if I was an environmentalist I would buy a car that plugs in to a coal power plant.

It's not just CO2 though. Coal doesn't burn nearly as clean as gasoline. Also it's not really clear what that first column represents. Mainly fossil fuel? That could include natural gas burning plants, perhaps even nuclear (covered by "mainly" fossil fuel) etc. Coal has the lowest hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, so if those are any type of average then coal would be higher than what's there.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

This argument gets so very old. Yes, if I was an environmentalist I would buy a car that plugs in to a coal power plant.

Lots of people also should realize that it may talk a lot more energy to make a high-tech car like a hybrid or Telsa (they just don't appear). So one should consider the pollutants required to make the car and average them over a typical lifespan of a car...

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by SebC

It's not just CO2 though. Coal doesn't burn nearly as clean as gasoline. Also it's not really clear what that first column represents. Mainly fossil fuel? That could include natural gas burning plants, perhaps even nuclear (covered by "mainly" fossil fuel) etc. Coal has the lowest hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, so if those are any type of average then coal would be higher than what's there.

Modern coal plants burn significantly cleaner than gasoline.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Lots of people also should realize that it may talk a lot more energy to make a high-tech car like a hybrid or Telsa (they just don't appear). So one should consider the pollutants required to make the car and average them over a typical lifespan of a car...

The battery manufacturing process is pretty dirty, but there are already companies with alternative batteries that aren't nearly as bad to produce, but their life span isn't quite there yet compared to conventional batteries.

The NiMH batteries which have been used on a lot of electric cars already have shown no problems hitting over 200,000 km. Think of how many parts an internal combustion car goes through in that time as well as fluids. Electric cars are as close as you can get to zero maintenance.

I'm not just another hippie spouting this stuff off either, I'm currently driving a gas guzzling V8 sedan (getting my share of the gas before it's gone ) but it's just foolish to deny this as a viable alternative that is much better for the environment.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Electric cars are wonderful. I just see are too many logistical, infrastructure problems with them. Hydrogen is a much better solution.

Huh? Hydrogen is the epitome of logistical and infrastructure problems.
a) It doesn't exist - we have to MAKE it. That takes energy.
b) Zero distribution infrastructure exists.

Electric cars make great sense, especially when they become paired up with solar panels on the roof of every house.

[arsenal]

Ok.. I'll concede.
Electricity powered vehicles for urban, day to day driving is a better solution than hydrogen.

For long distance travel, electricity powered vehicles are impracticable. And I'll admit, building a hydrogen infrastructure long distance travel only is not a very good solution either.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Ok.. I'll concede.
Electricity powered vehicles for urban, day to day driving is a better solution than hydrogen.

For long distance travel, electricity powered vehicles are impracticable. And I'll admit, building a hydrogen infrastructure long distance travel only is not a very good solution either.

Like you said before, there probobly is multiple solutions.

[PowerPlayoffs06]

http://gas2.org/2008/07/24/how-to-bu...versal-access/

An article I found this morning on Digg which talks about building infrastructure for electric cars and how three companies are colobrating to maybe make it a reality.

[Bobblehead]

The new Model S looks pretty nice.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php

[CaptainCrunch]

Military applications rock

[BavarianHorde]

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but wouldn't making and using electric cars just replace the non-renewable resource? I suppose it depends on the way that electricity is made.

My thinking is that it would use more energy, so you would have to burn more coal, or would have to build more hydro electric dams that would harm the environment. So you are not really winning.

I don't know. I am just wondering...

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by BavarianHorde

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but wouldn't making and using electric cars just replace the non-renewable resource? I suppose it depends on the way that electricity is made.

My thinking is that it would use more energy, so you would have to burn more coal, or would have to build more hydro electric dams that would harm the environment. So you are not really winning.

I don't know. I am just wondering...

It will definitely use more coal and put a strain on our existing power plants/grid infrastructure were we to transition directly to electric cars.

However, that's why there's a big push to increase the non-renewable power generating methods right now (wind, solar, geothermal, etc) and to start to ramp up the efficiency of these options.

[Bobblehead]

One the other hand, with internal combustion engines a lot of energy is lost in the form of heat, used to overcome friction in the engine, etc. A lot goes on.

Lots of questions, but at least a firm is trying to push in a different direction, and if that forces other manufacturers to be more responsive to this side of things, or more discoveries and efficiencies are developed, then it is a win.


They are already starting to spin some of their technology off into profit centres.

He also signaled that Tesla was expanding its side business of building electric powertrains for other car companies. That has been the only part of Tesla’s business that is profitable. In January, the company signed on to build battery packs for Daimler’s electric Smart cars. “The deal is likely to be the first in a series of strategic partnerships between Tesla and other auto manufacturers to engineer and produce electric cars,” Mr. Musk wrote.

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/20...-despite-woes/

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by BavarianHorde

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but wouldn't making and using electric cars just replace the non-renewable resource? I suppose it depends on the way that electricity is made.

My thinking is that it would use more energy, so you would have to burn more coal, or would have to build more hydro electric dams that would harm the environment. So you are not really winning.

I don't know. I am just wondering...

Right now, let's say you've got a hydro dam powering a town. The amount of electricity the dam generates is geared for the maximum amount the town consumes during peak times (varies from one region and season to the next, but often early evening). During the rest of the day, the hydro system is producing a lot of energy that just becomes wasted: it goes out onto the grid, but nobody is using it.
Now, let's say you've got a hundred electric cars out there with really good battery systems: they draw all that otherwise wasted energy and save it. If the grid is designed properly, the cars don't draw power during peak usage, so no additional sources of power are needed.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

The new Model S looks pretty nice.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php

Pretty much my new dream car right there. It looks awesome.

First deliveries of the model S in late 2011.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Pretty much my new dream car right there. It looks awesome.

First deliveries of the model S in late 2011.

Damn thats nice, very exciting to see what Tesla motors does, love their approach to electrics.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

The new Model S looks pretty nice.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php

Unless Ian Callum designed it, how are they not being sued by Aston Martin for stealing their design? As good as the car is (it is pretty good), what is the recharge time? Last time I heard was over 10 hours for a full charge.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

As good as the car is (it is pretty good), what is the recharge time? Last time I heard was over 10 hours for a full charge.

45 mins.

I'm more curious how you expect to fit 7 people in there?!?! Even if 2 are kids it still doesn't look big enough to me.

From the website.
* - 300 mile range
* - 45 minute QuickCharge
* - 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
* - Seats 7 people
* - More Cargo space than station wagons
* - 2X as efficient as hybrids
* - 17 inch infotainment touchscreen

With a range up to 300 miles and 45-minute QuickCharge, the Model S can carry five adults and two children in quiet comfort – and you can charge it from any outlet, without ever stopping for gas. World’s first mass-produced electric vehicle offers performance, efficiency and unrivaled utility for a base price of $49,900*, making it the only car you’ll ever need.

[Thor]

More pictures, check out the interior:



http://www.leftlanenews.com/tesla-model-s.html