Tesla Motors' plan to build practical, competitive electric vehicles (EVs) will finally be put to the test this summer, as the upstart car company rolls out its long-awaited Model S.
At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit last week, Tesla representatives showed off the Model S and predicted that it will surprise consumers with its range, acceleration, and styling.
"People are looking for excellent performance and design," Tesla spokeswoman Khobi Brooklyn told us. "We don't want our owners to compromise because they're driving an electric car."
Tesla's Model S will offer three different battery sizes ranging from 40kWh to 85kWh. (Source: Tesla Motors.)
One key to the Model S's design is the use of a flat lithium-ion battery pack that sits at the base of the vehicle. At NAIAS, the company displayed the flat battery pack, which contains at least 7,000 small 18650-type batteries, each measuring 18mm in diameter by about 65mm long (slightly larger than a AA battery). The Model S's battery packs come in three capacities -- 40kWh, 60kWh, and 85kWh -- with successively higher numbers of the 18650-type batteries in each. Tesla said that the flat battery pack contrasts with other lithium-ion EV packs on the market today in that it takes up almost no space in the cabin of the vehicle.
"This enables us to have an unbelievable amount of space," Brooklyn said. "We have more cargo space than a 3 Series BMW." She added that the Model S has no transmission or battery tunnel, and it offers a lower center of gravity than similarly sized vehicles.
With the three battery packs, the Model S will have three all-electric ranges. The 40kWh pack will travel 160 miles between charges; the 60kWh will go 230 miles, and the 85kWh battery will provide 300 miles. Tesla struck a deal with Panasonic Corp. in October to supply lithium-ion cells using nickel-type cathode technology to build 80,000 vehicles over four years.
Thanks for elaborating NaperLou and that strategy does make sense. The 50K range puts it in the same ballpark as other high-end luxury sedans/SUVs like BMWs and Lexus cars and if you consider the profile of early adopters, typically it is the gadget guy (or gal) who wants the latest in new technology, but also wants it nicely packaged in a high-end design. So basically Tesla is betting that the same folks that shelled out the thousands for the flat screen HD TVs before everyone was buying sub $1K flat screens or the pricey tablets before knock-offs hit the market are the ones that will experiment with the "mid-priced" Tesla offering.
Naperlo, in mentioning Tesla's strategy, I wonder if the company introduced a lower-price vehicle (relative to its $100K car) in order to get a higher volume of sales. I can't imagine a car maker could survive long selling cars for $100K. Maybe I'm wrong, but just can't imagine there is sufficient volume at the price point unless you're BMW or Mercedes. Getting vehicles down to the $50k range could make a difference in volume sales.
Good looking car, but I think you are right, Beth. The Model S seems to be made more for the driver who wants an EV, but also expects to stand out from the crowd while driving it. I can't help but wonder if all these car company's will eventually fall flat in their electric efforts because they are all trying to be better than the rest. At what point do they stop trying to impress with infotainment and other features? Yes, they are cool, but isn't a car just supposed to get you from point A to point B?
Acctually, Beth, I have an answer to that. I was at an IEEE meeting where we had a former company executive speak about the car and the company's strategy. Realizing that the battery technology was still way to expensive for a mass market car, Tesla decided on a phased approach. The overall goal was to prove the viability of electric vehicles. That meant getting some on the road and getting real world experience. So, they started at the high end with a vehicle type that would not be a primary commuter car. This was their sports model, which listed at about $100K. The car in the article is the next step, This is a mid-size car that goes up against the BMW 5 Series in size, price and features. As mentioned in the article, the battery pack design is new, and potentially less costly than the battery in the first Tesla.
The whole theory behind this is the new technology adoption curve. A good example is flat screen TVs. Early models, of perhaps 36" size cost over $5K. Today you can buy a 46" or greater with LEDs and 3D capability for $1K or so. New, ultra flat TVs are about to come out that will cost $8K, I have read. There will always be some who are willing to pay for the latest and greatest. As the prodcution ramps up and competitors arrive, the costs come down.
As for the Leaf and Volt, they are not really cheap for what they provide. I think they are both in the upper $30Ks.
While it sounds like Tesla is making strides with addressing the battery life/capacity/size issue, the $50K pricetag puts it way out of the range of practical, mainstream vehicles, in my book, any way. Is this model meant to go up the lower price Nissan Leafs and other less expensive EVs? Doesn't seem like a head to head match.
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