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View Full Version : Tesla Surpasses 1,000 Reservations for Model S


xcel
05-12-2009, 03:02 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Low Total Cost of Ownership Drives Interest in Tesla’s Sedan and Sports Car. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=207399)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2011_Tesla_S_Sedan_Drivers_Side_Front_Profile_Headline.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – May 12, 2009

Tesla’s Model S – 7-passenger sedan with 160 miles AER standard. A 230 or 300 mile AER upgrade is available.

One of our own, Efusco, has one on order and will be one of the first to own and drive our transportation future :)

San Carlos, CA. -- Tesla Motors surpassed 1,000 reservations for the Model S, an all-electric family sedan that carries up to seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge.

Tesla launched the car March 26, and reservations immediately began streaming in online and at showrooms in California. The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit. The $5,000 reservation fee is refundable.

But sticker price is only one part of a car’s total cost of ownership. If you account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of more than $5 per gallon, the Model S is equivalent to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $30,000, such as a Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, or even a Toyota Avalon or BMW 3-Series. Those savings are realized immediately if you lease a Model S, so there is no need wait years to earn back the price difference.

“The Model S is a better value than much cheaper conventional cars,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Despite the enormous environmental benefits, lower total cost of ownership will soon become the primary motivation for consumers to evolve from gas guzzlers to EVs.”

Details about the Tesla S sedan can be found at the following: It’s here! Tesla shows its prototype BEV_Sedan (www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20787)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/2011_Tesla_S_Sedan_Drivers_Side_Profile.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/2011_Tesla_S_Sedan_Passenger_Side_Rear_Profile.jpg


Performance with a Clean Conscience

Tesla is the only production automaker selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe. With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class, yet is more than twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius and delivers 244 miles per charge – the only car that offers performance with a clean conscience.

Tesla has delivered more than 400 Roadsters to customers so far. The base price of the Roadster is $101,500 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.

The Roadster has a far lower cost of ownership than comparably priced sports cars -- even after factoring in a battery pack replacement. The lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline, the relative lack of maintenance on an EV, and state and federal tax incentives may result in lifetime savings of at least $26,000 compared with a similarly priced gasoline sports car. The Roadster also liberates owners from detours to the gas station and inconvenient trips to the mechanic for routine oil changes, exhaust system repairs and other internal combustion engine maintenance.

“Some Roadster customers are sports car enthusiasts. Some are environmentalists. Some care about energy security. All are discriminating and value conscious consumers,” Musk said. “Now we’re seeing the same attributes in customers who opt for the Model S. People who drive Tesla’s refuse to compromise on value, performance or efficiency.”

Right Lane Cruiser
05-12-2009, 04:20 PM
If I only had the money for one of these... With 300mi of range it would be the perfect family car! :D

JusBringIt
05-12-2009, 04:25 PM
possibly in the next five years :)

bomber991
05-12-2009, 06:36 PM
Yeah I want one where do I sign? Oh yeah where the heck am I gonna get $50k right now? Well, I should have at least that much saved up by the time I'm 30, but by then I don't know if I want to drop it on a car.

The problem with EV's I see is kind of the same problem there is with solar panels. You're basically paying up-front for the cost of fuel for the car. What I mean is, the car costs $50k, but then it's cheap as all hell to charge up over the next 100k miles. Whereas a gas car, the car's initially cheap, but you end up spending just as much money on fuel as you do on the car over it's life.

Same thing with solar panels. With solar panels it's like you're paying upfront for your electricity for the next 20 years.

efusco
05-12-2009, 07:43 PM
sweet, I get props in the headline! Thanks Wayne.

And yes, this is still a luxury class sedan and thus, is out of the price range of the "average" driver. I think it's clear this will be marketed to Doctors (me), lawyers, upper level management types with families and the cash to spare for a unique sedan in this price range.

I fully expect that my cost will ultimately be between $60-70k with a battery upgrade (probably a 230 mile pack), and various options that are yet to be offered or priced.

For those of you interested, we should see info on the ~$30 "Blue Star" family sedan in the next couple of years.

Radio_tec
05-12-2009, 11:48 PM
It's a good looking car even by conventional ICE standards and you don't have to feel embarrased driving it because it doesn't resemble those EV clown cars and death traps that are currently on the market.

Earthling
05-13-2009, 09:27 AM
Without "early adopters," I wouldn't have a Prius to drive.

Good luck, efusco.

Harry



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