http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/ Engadget Comments for First batch of Tesla Motors electric cars sold out http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
Maybe the upcoming Porsche Panamera sedan? Not for under $50K I guess.. :P]]>Aug 16th 2006 9:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/This isn't really surprising, and selling 100 cars is no big deal. There are still many open questions that must be answered before these guys can be considered to have any kind of success:

1. Can they actually deliver 100 units?
2. Can they turn a profit in the intermediate term once they ramp up?
3. Will the battery system prove safe once these cars get into the field?
4. Will production units perform as well as the prototype?
.
.
]]>Aug 16th 2006 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
for road trips, a small trailer with a generator should do just fine (and you'd need a trailer anyway to carry more than a couple shirts). On a strait highway trip this should do a bit better than 250miles because the downhills will be a higer speeds and so the regenerative braking will be more effective, so I'd think about 3.5-4 hours per charge assuming 70MPH average. the generator might not even have to run all the time, and shouldn't burn more than a gallon an hour under full load (which it wouldn't be all the time), so that's at least 70MPG at average highway speeds.
]]>Aug 16th 2006 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
And Kelly, you're right. There are still concerns about eletric vehicles. Not so much exhaust, but what to do with the batteries once they expire and electricity from the public power grid isn't much cleaner than gas (coal and nuclear power plants for example).

However, you CAN get off the grid. Solar and wind power is very doable if you are already willing to spend $100K for a car. Also batteries CAN be recycled. Again, if people are willing to cough up a $100K for a vehichle, I'm sure they won't mind spending a few thousand on recycling costs.]]>Aug 16th 2006 10:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
]]>Aug 16th 2006 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
They also already have implemented plans for the recycling of those batteries.

"hate to be the cynic here, but has anyone seen any break down about how "green" this car really is? no tailpipe doesn't mean zero emissions, they're just emitted elsewhere. I just raise an eyebrow when seeing the 6,831 batteries required. there're some stats on their website, but those don't seem to account for the manufacturing costs or expected longevity from what I could tell."


This vehicle produces only hot air when driving as an emmission. The batteries will be recycled. The only problem I see is the rubber your laying down on the road and the tires being replaced.]]>Aug 16th 2006 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 11:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
but I agree, here's hoping this will lead to more cars with even better enviromental specs.]]>Aug 16th 2006 11:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
Kelly, if you go to their website they do the math for you. Even if the source of electricty is from burning coal power plants...which is more inefficient than internal cumbustion engines, the electric car still is more "green" than the average car. I haven't checked out the website for awhile, but they also compared the tesla roadster to the prius and the tesla is 2 times more efficient than the prius. That is 200% increase in efficiency. And, if they can continue to improve battery technology then their efficiency will clearly outpace that of cars and hybrids.]]>Aug 16th 2006 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/That's nice. Now make one that anyone can afford with the running cost and reliablity of a Honda Civic.

And the market for this car and a Hummer is pretty much the same...rich people with money to burn on cool toys.]]>Aug 16th 2006 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
Because gas is still cheap even at $3.00 a gallon. Besides selling a 100K sports car is not the same as being able to produce an affordable car under 35K with all the infrastructure needed.

Besides people that bought the H1 at areond 100K are the same people that would tebd to buy the Tesla. Both are realy just status symbols, of wich there is alwasy a market.

If you just look at some of the numbers, GM reports that it delivered 6,991 Hummers in June 2006 for a CYTD of 39,786. Compare that to the EV1's total production run of only 1,117.

Doe that mean there is no market for electric cars? No they are just still to expensive for the average consumer.]]>Aug 16th 2006 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/The existing regenerative braking and future solar option will make this an energy positive, worth repeating “ENERGY POSITIVE VEHICLE”. Oh, and don’t forget the extremely reduced maintenance cost (sorry my mechanic friends) since these are less complex, sealed electric motors, kinda like what factories run on, non stop for decades.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR BREAKING THROUGH THE CURRENT GRIP OF “GLOBAL ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT” IMPOSED BY OUR OIL BARRON OVERLORDS. KUDOS!!]]>Aug 16th 2006 12:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
If it was $20-30 grand, my dad sell my mom and buy one in a heartbeat...]]>Aug 16th 2006 12:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
But say goodbye to your mechanic? Ya right. I can't remember the last time I had a car in the shop for engine problems. Of course I buy American, and for the most part American engines are bulletproof. It's all the parts that come from China that give me problems. Brakes, AC compressors, interior panels, radio, etc. Things that you'll also have on an EV.
]]>Aug 16th 2006 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Aug 16th 2006 1:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
That being said, this is a huge step in the right direction since electricity can be generated in many other ways besides coal fired power palnts. The majority of people keep bending over and letting the oil companies give it to them. Hopefully this will encourage a revolution, and we can have "green" vehicles that people want to drive, and can afford. ]]>Aug 16th 2006 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
I should mention, there are a lot of questions/concerns mentioned here that are answered/addressed on Tesla's Web site, such as battery recycling and cost of unit-of-energy of coal vs. gasoline. Sure their site is biased, but it does have some good info on it.]]>Aug 16th 2006 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/The mobile phone comment above was good, if it wasn't for the yuppies who everyone hated using mobile phones in the 80s we wouldn't have the cheap, tiny phones we have now.
Also, word is that batteries beats hydrogen, because you need about 3 times the energy to make the hydrogen than you get from burning it. See here for info:
http://www.thewatt.com/article-901-nested-1-0.html]]>Aug 16th 2006 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
it was at the intersection near my work, i was having a smoke and this shiny red car pulls up to the light and caught my eye, upon closer inspection i couldn't tell what kind of car it was, at first it thought it was a lotus then i thought it was a ferrari by the shape of the logo on the hood, but it lacked a horsey. then when it pulled it away it didnt make a SOUND, even as it rounded the corner and sped away.

i was like WTF until yesterday when i found out that about the tesla. makes you wonder about the safety factors of roads filled with next to 'silent' cars.

anyways, i want one. ]]>Aug 16th 2006 3:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Kudos to Tesla for making it 100,000 and not 1,000,000. As others have pointed out, demand remains high, but apparently R&D costs are still too high and production is too low to produce a 50,000 electric speedster. Hopefully the initial sales indicate increased production, auto models, and lower prices, more R&D into battery safety. Another thing I'm waiting to see is a "Battery infrastructure" where the BP on my roadtrip has a 50lb. battery pack I can "swap out" into my trunk (think of the propane tank model).]]>Aug 16th 2006 4:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.caiso.com/outlook/SystemStatus.html).]]>Aug 16th 2006 6:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Thank you to all the people with money who bought one.
]]>Aug 17th 2006 2:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2006/01/eestor_ultracap.html

A car recharged in few minutes. And a "solid state" battery with very high recharge cycles. This could be the disruptive technology needed by electric car! ]]>Aug 17th 2006 3:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
http://news.hspn.com/articles/570/1/PML-Builds-640hp-Electric-MINI]]>Aug 17th 2006 5:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Don't You Americans Get it !!? No Oil Money ... NO MONEY for THEM!!Btw I'd rather the pollution be concentrated on one area rather then EVERYWHER ONE GOES>....]]>Aug 17th 2006 5:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/"but has anyone seen any break down about how "green" this car really is? no tailpipe doesn't mean zero emissions, they're just emitted elsewhere"

As the electric cars / hydrogen cars make their way onto the stage so too does clean energy such as wind towers and solar power.

As well, taking the responsibility from the hands of the many and placing it in the hands of the few make for higher accountability. Cars won't be the pollution to stop any longer and the factories that do spew toxins into the air will be the ones to forced into stricter guidelines placed by the government which will be forced by voter pressure.

The only real problem I see with adopting this is long road trips. But batteries are making steady advances in capacity so perhaps 2010 isn't such a dream.

]]>Aug 17th 2006 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
Imagine "battery filling stations" that let you fill in your battery container with fully charged batteries. You can choose to leave your spent batteries for charging, to be picked up on the way back.

Or you can carry them with you and deposit the picked up batteries at another filling station when these are spent. Good business for the filling stations too.]]>Aug 17th 2006 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
The battery charging system is built in to the car. Any 110V outlet can be used to re-charge the car. A charging station designed for home use allows a quick recharge and can be set to provide charging in the middle of the night. Most power companies allow time-based pricing that allow you to pay less for power used during off-peak periods.

The Lithium-ion cells are designed to last at least 100,000 miles and are recyclable, just like the batteries in your cell phone.

For more complete information, please visit http://www.teslamotors.com]]>Aug 19th 2006 12:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
The Energy Storage System on the Tesla Roadster is a sealed container including appropriate safety equipment as well as the Li-ion cells.

The intent for the Roadster is to be the first of several cars made by Tesla Motors. Future cars are expected to include a sedan, which will be designed to sell for less than the price of the roadster.]]>Aug 19th 2006 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
When can I buy a Tesla four seat vehicle at less than $30k and when are Tesla holding an IPO?]]>Aug 27th 2006 7:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2005_03/pr2901.htm


"But say goodbye to your mechanic? Ya right. I can't remember the last time I had a car in the shop for engine problems." (from Redman above)
When was the last time you had your oil changed, belts tightened, fluids replaced, ect.etc. Tesla says: "We feel confident that the only service your Tesla Roadster will require for the first 100,000 miles is tire and brake inspection. But we’ll be happier to see you once a year or every 25,000 miles or so, just to check in. " (from their faq)
]]>Sep 1st 2006 3:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/today is a must and consideration for 'standard size and voltage'swap battery stations will be
needed and participation by all nations is essential to simplify and minimize the costs
of its infrastructure. Then Saft, Exide, G.E., Westinghouse and thousands of others like
them can enter the fray globally then we will 'go places'.With a possible global Maglev
network in the not too distant future see, http://trllions.topcities.com , more planning
and input to interface the EVs in them is a must. High speed will be tomorrow's need and
at a much cheaper cost. Jack Marchand]]>Aug 29th 2006 7:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/With a possible global Maglev network in the not too distant future see, http://trillions.topcities.com , more planning and input to interface the EVs in them
is a must. High speed will be tomorrow's need and at a much cheaper cost. Jack Marchand]]>Aug 29th 2006 7:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/
I first thought Lou Ann misspoke, but Alex Witt challenged her on the fact that 150 miles per charge wouldn't take you very far and Lou Ann didn't correct the 150 miles per charge number to the correct 250 miles per charge that is correctly reported on carlist.com

http://www.carlist.com/wabc_radio/180806/180806.html

"John Batchelor and Lou Ann Hammond talk to Tesla Motor's CEO and founder, Martin Eberhard.
Tesla will display their $100,000 electric vehicle at the 56th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The Tesla Roadster boasts the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge. The first "Signature One Hundred" vehicles, that go 0-60 in 4 seconds, sold out in three weeks. "

On the Tesla website, 250 miles per charge is listed as a frequently asked question:
http://www.teslamotors.com/learn_more/faqs.php

"Range depends on driving style and conditions. On the EPA highway driving cycle we expect 250 miles on a charge."

Why was this reported incorrectly? Will a correction be made?]]>Sep 30th 2006 8:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/Oct 26th 2006 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/16/first-batch-of-tesla-motors-electric-cars-sold-out/May 15th 2007 11:58AM