Tesla Model S due in 2011
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@remus said:
I wonder how much one of these would add to your electricity bill
Yeah, nothing's free. From what's out there so far, it seems to be a savings. I'm hoping that lighter electric vehicles and improved (lighter batteries) can improve on the energy cost. The point of these vehicles is that the electrical power comes from power plants that may use renewable sources or any CO2 and pollution is more controllable. Also I hope to see the day when the local noise and air pollution is reduced by having fewer internal combustion engines about. (You'll be able to hear the subwoofers better.)
But wait, Mike, that Persu's only for Robots.
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@mike lucey said:
It maybe if the 'designated stations' become common. Again, these stations would be under the control of the Big Oil Companies. At least with the Model S's 45 min charge, it can be done at home, the office, a drive-in restaurant, parking garages etc. How many of us journey more than 300 miles without taking a meal break?
Alas, if you read the fine print: the "standard" S has range of 160 miles and takes 5-6 hours to recharge at a normal outlet. When Top Gear tested the Tesla roadster they found a range of 47 miles when driven hard, 16 hours to recharge at a normal outlet, and it broke down twice - first overheated, then just died.
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Some time ago it was reported that Think was in difficulties, but looking at it today they seem to have found a way to continue. They already seem to have a functioning product.
http://www.think.no/Anssi
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@pmiller said:
@mike lucey said:
It maybe if the 'designated stations' become common. Again, these stations would be under the control of the Big Oil Companies. At least with the Model S's 45 min charge, it can be done at home, the office, a drive-in restaurant, parking garages etc. How many of us journey more than 300 miles without taking a meal break?
Alas, if you read the fine print: the "standard" S has range of 160 miles and takes 5-6 hours to recharge at a normal outlet. When Top Gear tested the Tesla roadster they found a range of 47 miles when driven hard, 16 hours to recharge at a normal outlet, and it broke down twice - first overheated, then just died.
Paul,
I would not take too much notice the the finding of those idiots at Top Gear, Clarkson and Hammond seriously need some growing up pills (I wont add to this comment in Hammonds's case! People in glass houses ...), James May seems to be the only one with some common sense. I try not to miss them though
Here is a link, http://www.gizmag.com/tesla-model-s/11386/, Closer look: the Tesla Model S, which explains the various battery options that will be available. I agree it still has a way to go but feel they are heading in the right direction.
I think I will wait to see the 4 x 4 version before reaching any conclusions, that and an on-site electricity wind generator should be the ticket
Mike
PS: The Windspire might be worth looking at!
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I would love to have an electric car. I wouldn't be able to afford the Tesla even in ten years, but there is an affordable thing from India.
http://www.revaindia.com/
It is a solution for city commuting, but if I would have such a car, I would employ some of exotic 'joule theft - like' inventions to increase its efficiency/range.Obviously it is not beautiful but I prefer giving a miniature kick in the oil companies a** rather then increasing their income. There are some sources of electricity that does not require fuel (sun\wind).
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Hi folks.
About ways to produce electricity without fuel, dont forget water (hydroelectric power plants). This fluid is more predictable and more stable than wind. It is also much denser and thus, the same mass flow can produce a lot more energy. It is also more reliable than sun, unless you live in an area where there are very few clouds.
Also, for electric car, dont forget heating. Of course in warm climates you dont car much but here in Canada, winter can be quite cold. Temperatures of -30°C (-25°C) are common during the heart of winter. Using an electric heater would run down a battery real fast. Maybe a gaz (natural gaz maybe) heater would be required.
Just ideas.
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There is also one seater electric plane that can take off using electric power and fully recharge during a flight. The author shares his knowledge about efficiency of today's electric motors and batteries.
[flash=425,344:282sq50f]http://www.youtube.com/v/WcWSI03NKo0[/flash:282sq50f]
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@johnsenior1973 said:
@mike lucey said:
...Ferrari good looks...
You need to book an appointment with an optician.
.... it just reminded me of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti for some reason. You are right about me needing an appointment with an optician though! My long distance sight is improving while short distance viewing needs more help. The optician noticed this and advised me this was starting to happen. He was right
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Maybe it could be powered by nano batteries which are up to 10 times more efficient that currently available electricity storage technologies ... in 2015?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320173859.htm -
@mike lucey said:
@johnsenior1973 said:
@mike lucey said:
...Ferrari good looks...
You need to book an appointment with an optician.
.... it just reminded me of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti for some reason...
Seeing the pictures you've every reason to say that the car shares a very similar shape with the 612 S'. I'd argue that neither care deserves to share the description of having "Ferrari good looks". IMO the 612 is one of the ugliest offerings by Ferrari since the dog's dinner of the the one-off P4/5
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I think the Tesla looks better than the Ferrari.
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Maybe Opel Ampera will suit you Mike?
@unknownuser said:
The Ampera is scheduled to go on sale in 2011, and shares GM's "Voltec" plug-in hybrid system that's set to be introduced in the Chevrolet Volt. Propulsion is provided by a full-time electric motor, with a small gasoline engine/generator aboard to charge the lithium-ion batteries when needed. GM says that the Voltec system will propel the Volt and Ampera up to forty miles (65 km) on a single charge. The engine/generator increases the range to about 500 miles (800 km). Recharging is expected to take 2-3 hours from a standard 230-volt European outlet.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090219.027/opel-ampera-spied-completely-uncovered
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....... or maybe the Electric Porsche 911 by RUF: "Emotions without emissions"?
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This is an interesting talk about electric cars and the future...
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/shai_agassi_on_electric_cars.html -
Thanks for the link TIG. Did you notice the first written comment?
'Kyle W – April 16 2009
Why is this guy giving a talk? This is the same idea almost every engineer has come up with. Hint: it's the battery stupid.'I don't think Klye listened to the full talk
Mike
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It's all about the infrastructure - now we have service-stations and oil-wells etc - we used to have coaching-inns, livery-stables and hay-fields etc - in the future we'll need charging-points, battery-exchange-points and 'clean' electricity-production by wind/solar etc...
If we decided that we HAD to run transport on anything we choose, whilst minimising how much we screwed with the planet, then we could do it with enough effort - but an electric future seems the obvious choice now - time will tell... in 100 years maybe something else will have arrived - 'anti-gravity plasma-flux modules' powered by organic chicken-s**t would be good - but until then...
Seems eminently sensible to me to go this route - why it's taken so long is I expect it's because of the powerful vested interests in the old technology (oil, big-auto-co's etc) - in earlier times this attitude gave us men walking in front of slow moving cars waving red-flags - that was surely from the horse-buggy lobby ! That didn't prevail.
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Someone fancy an electric Ford Mustang?
0 to 60 Miles/Hour in 3.9 Seconds
120 Mph Top Speed
Vehicle Weight 3300 lbs
Range: Base Model with Power Cells 110 Miles
*Range can be increased to 200+ Miles
Engine
Proprietary DC Electric Motor System
300 HP, in Excess of 1000 ft/lbs of TorquePure "Plug In" with 110/220V Hook up Capability
Recharge Time 3 1/2 hours/220V and 8 hours/110V
Faster Recharging Capability Optional
Dual Driving Mode Racing/Economyhttp://www.hstintl.com/index.php?menu=1&submenu=122
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