Tesla's long-delayed Model X SUV is testing in California

[haraldo]

We do have a hang for electrical cars in this country, wherever you go, wherever you turn there's a Tesla Model S.

Now the X-SUV is testing, I'm sure it will be a new bestseller

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Batteries? It's 2015 goddammit.
I expect mr fusion to be ready before end of the year.

 

[Adam]

Batteries? It's 2015 goddammit.
I expect mr fusion to be ready before end of the year.

Ha! I was just thinking earlier this morning about how reality compares to that movie.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I recently took a P85D on a test drive. It was the most exciting and compelling car I've driven in, well, ever. On the large side for me, but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway. Better steering, brakes, and handling than I thought possible for a 5000 pound electric car with regenerative braking. Acceleration is to die for. From a dead stop it's merely entertainment, for passing it's a new sport. 45-100 is a revelation. It makes a C7 Corvette feel unresponsive.

 

[Adam]

I looked up the P85D. Got really excited...then saw the price. Oh, well. Perhaps I'll have the chance to see one in a parking lot someday.

Irv, if you get one - congrats! I look forward to reading about your impression of it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yea, testa S, even the low end one, is a major drool factor for me

 

[Rickster71]

I recently took a P85D on a test drive. It was the most exciting and compelling car I've driven in, well, ever. On the large side for me, but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway. Better steering, brakes, and handling than I thought possible for a 5000 pound electric car with regenerative braking. Acceleration is to die for. From a dead stop it's merely entertainment, for passing it's a new sport. 45-100 is revelation. It makes a C7 Corvette feel unresponsive.

Any info on the range and recharge time at 120V?
I really like electric cars, until I get to that part.

 

[Swerd]

Also, what is the range in cold weather?

How much does running the heat or air conditioning affect the range?

 

[Adam]

How much does running the heat or air conditioning affect the range?

That doesn't affect the range because they don't come with heat or A/C. Your pride will keep you warm in the winter, and let's face it - nothing is cooler than driving a Tesla.

 

[Rickster71]

That doesn't affect the range because they don't come with heat or A/C. Your pride will keep you warm in the winter, and let's face it - nothing is cooler than driving a Tesla.

It reminds me so much of when Alex and Doug insisted on using a white fur Twister mat.
Seemed like a good idea at first. Ultimately, just not practical.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I looked up the P85D. Got really excited...then saw the price. Oh, well. Perhaps I'll have the chance to see one in a parking lot someday.

Irv, if you get one - congrats! I look forward to reading about your impression of it.

Yeah, the price is ridiculous, but compared to the competition (Porsche Panamera Turbo S) it actually looks affordable. (Ha!) It would be a damn silly purchase, but unless I do something silly every once in a while by plan I'm more likely to do it by accident.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Any info on the range and recharge time at 120V?
I really like electric cars, until I get to that part.

Recharge time on 120v is about nine or ten hours, overnight. On the interstates Tesla is setting up "Supercharger" stations that do it in 40min, for free. Small consolation though with premium going for $2.25 per gallon in most places.

 

[Irvrobinson]

That doesn't affect the range because they don't come with heat or A/C. Your pride will keep you warm in the winter, and let's face it - nothing is cooler than driving a Tesla.

I'm not sure how the AC affects range. I think heating works off waste heat from the rear electric motor. I don't see anything about it on the web site.

 

[Irvrobinson]

It reminds me so much of when Alex and Doug insisted on using a white fur Twister mat.
Seemed like a good idea at first. Ultimately, just not practical.

I dunno about that. Range when keeping your foot out of it is over 220 miles. The problem is when you're in the middle of nowhere and you miscalculate. You can't walk to the nearest power plant and bring back a can of electrons. Of course, getting a flat with specialty performance tires on 19" wheels in the middle of nowhere is daunting in a lot of modern high-end cars. I'm just as reticent to take the Cayman S out to places where I see signs like "Next Gas 99 miles".

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Keep in mind - current Tesla supercharger stations are free. The very new breed of station is in development - batteries swap in 3mins or less. 100% charge. it wont be free, but i expect to compete prices wise with gas.

Heat and cooling do affect range. check out arstechnica tesla articles

 

[Irvrobinson]

Keep in mind - current Tesla supercharger stations are free. The very new breed of station is in development - batteries swap in 3mins or less. 100% charge. it wont be free, but i expect to compete prices wise with gas.

Heat and cooling do affect range. check out arstechnica tesla articles

I'm more patient. Walking around for 40min while a supercharger works every 20 miles sounds healthier anyway. I haven't seen details of battery swapping yet, like how it affects the 8-year warranty.

 

[Swerd]

Heat and cooling do affect range. check out arstechnica tesla articles

Of course they do. But I don't hear by how much.

And perhaps more importantly, when the weather is cold, how much less range comes with a fully charged battery?

Batteries store electricity by chemistry, and temperature has a large effect on that. Cold temperatures will limit the range of an electric car. The question is, how much?

 

[Irvrobinson]

Of course they do. But I don't hear by how much.

And perhaps more importantly, when the weather is cold, how much less range comes with a fully charged battery?

Batteries store electricity by chemistry, and temperature has a large effect on that. Cold temperatures will limit the range of an electric car. The question is, how much?

Tesla doesn't talk about it, so there aren't engineering specifics available. Here's one eyewitness report with the 85KW battery:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/02/winter-chills-limit-range-of-the-tesla-model-s-electric-car/index.htm

 

[Swerd]

Tesla doesn't talk about it, so there aren't engineering specifics available. Here's one eyewitness report with the 85KW battery:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/02/winter-chills-limit-range-of-the-tesla-model-s-electric-car/index.htm

Thanks for that. Apparently Tesla has a "projected range" indicator. I didn't know that, but I'm glad to see it. This seems like it could be easily predicted.

As more 100% electric cars become available, people will have to learn about those "less than optimal" range conditions.

"To be clear, cold temperatures, need for cabin heat, and a high portion of freeway driving, which minimizes the opportunity for regenerative braking, are the most adverse conditions for any electric vehicle."

"To its credit, the Model S delivered 176 miles from a full charge in cold weather--considerably more than any other EV on the planet. While it was in line with what the car predicted, it proved well short of the rated 240 miles the car promised when I started, let alone the 265 estimated by the EPA or the 300 touted by Tesla. So even for the impressive Model S, it turns out that range anxiety is not completely eliminated. Adapting to EVs needs and limitations is still relevant. But the Tesla has proven to have far less limitations than other EVs."

 

[haraldo]

I recently took a P85D on a test drive. It was the most exciting and compelling car I've driven in, well, ever. On the large side for me, but I'm thinking of ordering one anyway. Better steering, brakes, and handling than I thought possible for a 5000 pound electric car with regenerative braking. Acceleration is to die for. From a dead stop it's merely entertainment, for passing it's a new sport. 45-100 is a revelation. It makes a C7 Corvette feel unresponsive.

The insane mode is said to be, well insane ....

In Norway, Tesla Model S is quite affordable compared to competition, as it's without VAT and without any taxes
Which means other cars are darn bl%¤#y expensive

And you can drive in the bus lane, there are no road taxes, no tolls on any toll roads, and you can take it for free on any ferries, free charging in all public places, free parking .... anywhere

Pretty good incentives for electric cars