Tesla Model 3 pitched as an 'affordable' electric car

[DVTimes]

Tesla Model 3 pitched as an 'affordable' electric car - BBC News

Interesting.

[slapass]

I am thinking these might be a car you could flip before you buy it.

[NatalieK]

It's a shame on the shaping, it looks between an Aston Martin & a.......



Vauxhall Astra

[AllAboutCams]

Originally Posted by GspotProductions

It's a shame on the shaping, it looks between an Aston Martin & a.......



Vauxhall Astra

[bronco67]

Oh, so Musk finally realized regular people with a normal income would like to drive his cars too?

[2MuchMark]

So far it looks pretty nice - and its cool that auto pilot will be available with it. The price seems right too. I'm looking forward to seeing one in person.

[2MuchMark]

Just found this:



Weird! Looks rather sparse.... but still.

[woj]

Originally Posted by **********

Just found this:



Weird! Looks rather sparse.... but still.

looks kinda weird indeed.... just a steering wheel + a tablet on a dashboard ... certainly would take some getting used to...

[Spunky]

Insane.people lined up around the block and camped out just to put down a k deposit for one here

[Paul&John]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Oh, so Musk finally realized regular people with a normal income would like to drive his cars too?

Read some interviews with him first, this was his plan all along. First build an electric sport car based on a different car - this was the roadster (based on lotus elise) to show a full electric car is doable, then build an expensive, but high-end car to make more money for further development and to bang the costs down - this is the tesla model s. Now they got the money to build the gigafactory - so they can produce shitload of batteries for a lower price -> and all is set for an affordable car.

[Barry-xlovecam]

That tablet looking instrument board should be able to swivel.
The drive range on a charge is 280+ miles.
So, for normal commuting and in town use the drive range is ideal.

[DVTimes]

It has a european look to it.

I bet it sells well in europe.

It may be this is a prototype and the inside of the production model will be different.

[crockett]

Originally Posted by Paul&John

Read some interviews with him first, this was his plan all along. First build an electric sport car based on a different car - this was the roadster (based on lotus elise) to show a full electric car is doable, then build an expensive, but high-end car to make more money for further development and to bang the costs down - this is the tesla model s. Now they got the money to build the gigafactory - so they can produce shitload of batteries for a lower price -> and all is set for an affordable car.

Yea, he's said many times his main goal was to produce affordable electric cars. He also said in order to do it, he had to start with higher end models.

He has said the same about off grid/solar systems for housing.

[PornDiscounts-V]

Say hello to toll booths. The days of paying your way through a gas tax will go the way of the dinosaur.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by vvvvv

Say hello to toll booths. The days of paying your way through a gas tax will go the way of the dinosaur.

Toll booths are a good idea if the money goes towards maintain the roads.

In the short term though, say GOODBYE to Tolls. Here in Quebec, EV drivers no longer have to pay tolls (but gas drivers do). EV Drivers also get to use the reserved lane on all major highways too.

I've always wanted a Tesla Model S and was hoping to get one last year but instead spent money elsewhere. Now that the Model 3 is less than 2 years away, it looks like it might just be my next car if it lives up to the hype.

[Rochard]

This car looks perfect... I love Tesla.

In fact, my plan is to hold onto my Jeep for as long as I can and them move over to either a Tesla SUV or something like this car. If I can hold on to my Jeep another ten years the technology will have come a long way by then.....

Tesla is going to be the first to mass produce a electric car and bring it to the masses.

[SilentKnight]

I'm really hoping Musk succeeds with this new model.

I wonder what that 280mi. range is like at -20c, though.

[DVTimes]

They are building a huge plant with Panasonic to build the batteries.

The idea is to lower the cost of batteries.

Its the batteries which tend to add the cost to the cars.

Lower the cost and the cars get cheap.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by DVTimes

They are building a huge plant with Panasonic to build the batteries.

The idea is to lower the cost of batteries.

Its the batteries which tend to add the cost to the cars.

Lower the cost and the cars get cheap.

You grasped the summation - congrats.

[Colmike9]

Does anyone make aftermarket parts for slow charging, like a spoiler with solar panels?

[Joshua G]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Oh, so Musk finally realized regular people with a normal income would like to drive his cars too?

once again you show off your lazy grasp of reality. its not that your dumb, although you sound it. you just dont make the effort to know the facts when you shoot off your mouth.

nice job.

[Colmike9]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Oh, so Musk finally realized regular people with a normal income would like to drive his cars too?

I'd like to drive a Lamborghini..

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by Colmike7

Does anyone make aftermarket parts for slow charging, like a spoiler with solar panels?

I've seen a Chevy Volt with solar panels on the roof, but even the best panels are not efficient to extend the range enough to justify the expense. However, most afterwork parts are in place just to look cool, so there's that. If I though I could gain an extra 10 kilometres range by spending a thousand or so on solar panels I might do it.

The new Tesla has an all-glass roof, and I read somewhere that some brainiac invented transparent solar panels. I wonder how much range a model 3 would gain with a setup like this?

Even if it sucks now, it exists, and its only going to get better. I love tech.

[Sednub997]

killer design ..would like to buy one some day

[Paul Markham]

Therefore the average person driving an average EV 15,000 miles per year pay about $540.00 per year to charge it. As mentioned, the cost of electricity can vary greatly depending on where you live, but in order to equal the price of the average gasoline car?s fuel costs, the price of electricity would have to be four times the national average, and cost 48 cents per kWh. Nowhere in the continental US does electricity cost even close to that much. So the average person would save roughly $1,600 per year in fuel alone, and that's if gasoline prices remain around $3.53 per gallon. Gasoline prices do frequently spike up and down, but in the long run it always goes up. Electricity costs do eventually increase also, but not nearly at the pace of gasoline. Plus with fewer moving parts, EVs cost much less to maintain. If you combine the fuel savings with the reduced maintenance costs, it's clear to see an EV will cost you much less in the long run, even if it costs a little more up front.

Charging an electric car is seriously cheap. For a typical pure electric car charged from flat to full, the cost could be as little as £0.96p depending on tariff, but it?s very unlikely to be more than £3.40. And that?s for 100 miles range. EVs are also road tax exempt, don't have to pay the London Congestion Charge and benefit from free parking in many pay & display spots

There's more to buying a car than the purchase price.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

There's more to buying a car than the purchase price.

you mean like realistic math that accounts for decreased battery output over over time? or the cost of replacing the battery bank when it wears out?

[candyflip]

My wife today said we are gonna put down a deposit. This is her next car.

[ITraffic]

Saudi Arabia Plans $2 Trillion Megafund for Post-Oil Era: Deputy Crown Prince - Bloomberg

[arock10]

And that's if gasoline prices remain around $3.53 per gallon

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

There's more to buying a car than the purchase price.

That's right. It's about fun, style, speed, technology, comfort, status, etc. I don't envy car designers. They have to take so many things into account. It must be a fairly tough job.

Originally Posted by dyna mo

you mean like realistic math that accounts for decreased battery output over over time? or the cost of replacing the battery bank when it wears out?

You forgot what needs maintenance and replacement in gas cars such as Oil, oil pumps. Gas tanks, gas pumps, mufflers, catalytic converters, spark plugs, filters, etc. Even brakes wear out slower on EV cars because a lot of the energy that might usually be wasted while braking is instead recaptured, so your brakes have to work less.

Originally Posted by arock10

And that's if gasoline prices remain around $3.53 per gallon

Hmm, kinda, sorta, maybe. It really depends. Personally I don't care how much gas costs anymore. Here it dropped to $0.95 per litre about 2 weeks ago. I was thrilled that the price was nice and low for everyone, but even if it was 1 penny, I would still prefer an EV now. I just prefer the high-tech ness of EV I guess.

[kane]

I just looked on their map and there is one of the Tesla Supercharging stations pretty close to where I live. I could easily swing through there every few days and charge the car up and save even more on the cost of operation.

[Paul Markham]

As oil runs out and prices rise. Electric is a good option.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by **********

That's right. It's about fun, style, speed, technology, comfort, status, etc. I don't envy car designers. They have to take so many things into account. It must be a fairly tough job.



You forgot what needs maintenance and replacement in gas cars such as Oil, oil pumps. Gas tanks, gas pumps, mufflers, catalytic converters, spark plugs, filters, etc. Even brakes wear out slower on EV cars because a lot of the energy that might usually be wasted while braking is instead recaptured, so your brakes have to work less.



Hmm, kinda, sorta, maybe. It really depends. Personally I don't care how much gas costs anymore. Here it dropped to $0.95 per litre about 2 weeks ago. I was thrilled that the price was nice and low for everyone, but even if it was 1 penny, I would still prefer an EV now. I just prefer the high-tech ness of EV I guess.

No, I didn't. I factor those in on some purchases. My point was Markham completely overlooked factoring in the life cycle of the battery bank.

Besides, why would I be against the model 3? Made in the USA. I'm the guy googling drone flyovers of the giga factory.


Trivia: Tesla wanted to name it the model S, so the model line would spell out SEX

Model S
Model e
Model x

But rumor has it Ford took issue with the model S name as it is close to model T. So Tesla went with model 3.

[slapass]

If you test drive a Tesla, you instantly realize the game has changed. No one will ever go back to gas once they get a chance with one of these. I went to the annual car show here and nothing was even close to the Tesla for less then 200k. Now if we can get one for 35k, just amazing.

I did put in an order. I wish they had a few more facts like what it is going to cost me to get the upgraded 3 or even if they will have one. Not sure if matters as I will take whatever.

[slapass]

Dyna Mo, I am glad to see that this car is not being treated like a political football.

[SilentKnight]

Originally Posted by **********

The new Tesla has an all-glass roof, and I read somewhere that some brainiac invented transparent solar panels. I wonder how much range a model 3 would gain with a setup like this?

Hopefully more than the Karma Fisker. They also had a solar panel roof option, and the power generated was incredibly low.

[poncabare]

Nothing special

[slapass]

Originally Posted by poncabare

Nothing special

Test drive one. It is special.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Hopefully more than the Karma Fisker. They also had a solar panel roof option, and the power generated was incredibly low.

Thats right. I forget how much energy it could grab but I know it wasn't much.

Originally Posted by poncabare

Nothing special

Originally Posted by slapass

Test drive one. It is special.

Slapass is right poncabare. It really is special. Go for a test drive and you'll see why some people fall head-over-heals in live with this car and the company. Of course not everything may be to your liking (style, price, whatever) but its still amazing.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by slapass

Dyna Mo, I am glad to see that this car is not being treated like a political football.

I've never cared for the hyperbole surrounding Tesla motors and Musk.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by bronco67

Oh, so Musk finally realized regular people with a normal income would like to drive his cars too?

So you think Ferrari does not realize regular people with normal income would like to drive a Ferrari?

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by Spunky

Insane.people lined up around the block and camped out just to put down a k deposit for one here

I read that you can get back your deposit at any time before your car starts being manufactured.
That is not how real deposits work. Although pretty clever from Tesla, since this is fake deposit with no meaning - more people would deposit money and you could tout higher "preorder" numbers.

[mineistaken]

Originally Posted by slapass

If you test drive a Tesla, you instantly realize the game has changed. No one will ever go back to gas once they get a chance with one of these.

Are you saying Tesla is so much different than non Tesla electric cars?

Or is it the same thing as apple fanboys specifying "iphone" instead of "phone"?

[slapass]

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Are you saying Tesla is so much different than non Tesla electric cars?

Or is it the same thing as apple fanboys specifying "iphone" instead of "phone"?

My understanding is Tesla is the premium electric car. I have not driven any others but I have never thought the Leaf or Volt drove like a high end sports car. I might be wrong.

The Tesla drives better then most cars. It is faster then most cars. It crashs tests better. Gets better gas milage. Has less moving parts. Should be easier to service. Etc. It is better in so many metrics. Granted I don't care equally about all of those but it is a ton of fun to drive. The instant acceleration is really cool.

I would equate it to the first time I tried an iphone. The instant realization that this was better in almost every way.

[SekobA]

Future car .but it would be great the roof is solar panel and the battery recharge itself

[Matyko]

I am happy for all the things Musk does, for a long time.
However I am a huge fan of all these Teslas I will keep driving my Subaru for a few more years