The new 'multi-use sport sedan', which goes by the internal name of ‘Model S,’ is confirmed to cost $60,000, have a range of 225mi (360km) and will first start production in late 2010. Unlike the current all-electric Roadster model, the new sedan will be a plug-in hybrid vehicle complete with a compact internal combustion engine used to charge the batteries. The car’s sole drive system will be a high powered electric motor running on the batteries, which are expected to be of the lithium-ion type.
This design is similar to rival niche carmaker Fisker Automotive, which Tesla claims stole the original designs to develop its own Karma plug-in hybrid. Both companies are now involved in an arbitration case currently being heard in California.
California's Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) approved a program last Wednesday that gives makers of Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEVs) and other electric and hybrid vehicles significant tax breaks, in an effort to entice production to California. Similarly, to aid their adoption by the driving public in the state, the Alternative Fuel Incentive Program will offer buyers of ZEVs a grant of up $5,000 to help defray the purchase price.
A number of other benefits for owners of EVs and hybrids like Tesla's Roadster or new Model S, include access to the lower-traffic HOV lanes and a rating of 10 on the state's new Environmental Performance label accompany the program's adoption.
Reader Comments
Mon Jun 30 2008 8:47 AM
chris says
that thing had better have an all electric range of at least 100 miles to be able to justify going 20 grand over the volt.
otherwise.... all great news!
Tue Jul 22 2008 7:19 PM
Bob says
This car is the bomb...its CHEAP and it can go FAR with electric power!!
Thu Jul 31 2008 12:22 AM
Michael says
Now, my question is why is it that MULTI-BILLION dollar car companies like GM, Toyota, Honda, that have hybrids, and to all those other companies that don't, leave it up to the LITTLE GUY like Tesla Co. to push the limit.
Think of it. All these car companies right now are pushing these "Fake" green cars - current hybrids onto consumers by charging them more and really not having them make a real impact on green house emissions.
Ohhhhh, I make a Camry emit like a Carolla - whooooo! Is that the best engineering these Multi Billion dollar companies can do ??? I think not, while other smaller companies are surpassing them with their ideas and limited funds.
Why hasn't any big car company taken the simple step of making their CURRENT hybrid fleets PLUG IN? That way your car will be able to go 90 miles per gallon.
check out this company modifying Toyota Prius' http://www.edrivesystems.com/ 98.3 MPG ???
You tell me that Toyota can't figure out this simple modification that will literally reduce your need to fill up on most inner city daily commutes to NEVER! Most people that use their car to drive to work and back maybe put on 40-60 miles per day. With this modification/PLUG IN CAPACITY, that means your entire drive is FREE!
Unbelieveable that major car companies are lacking the insight/dragging their feet for some odd reason at relieving the DRIVERS from technology that already exists. Instead fueling our DREAMS about HYDROGEN and a VOLT that is yet to even come out yet.
Face it they could switch RIGHT NOW, at this very moment their HYBRID FLEETS to become literally gas free, for the common daily commuter. This would reduce our gas consumption by easily 30%.
Unbelieveable
Thu Jul 31 2008 12:49 AM
Michael says
http://finance.yahoo.com/loans/article/103976/Most-and-Least-Cost-Effective-Hybrids
Check out this link, to evaluate the REAL effectiveness of the current FAKE Hybrid cars.
Look at some of these, it is totally disgusting at how they're playing this off to the mass of people as GREEN technology, when it is clearly a half a$$ attempt at calming the publics fear, while entirely not doing much to fix the problem of gas consumption and exploding gas prices.
I love the last one the LEXUS LS600H, check this for FAKE hybrid. You know some Marketer at Lexus designed this H ploy to get people to buy it.
Overall gas consumption comparing hybrid to non-hybrid version: 21.3 mpg vs. 21.3 mpg.
FOR GOD SAKES ITS THE SAME !!! Highlighted by the fact that it would take 3,771 years to recoup the extra $16,000 FAKE HYBRID premium. Oh god.
But even still examine most of the other so called HYBRIDs out there. Most don't even get 5 more miles to the gallon and this technology as they're promoting it is REVOLUTIONARY ??? HA! As they say "In a dark room, the blind man is KING"
Look at all these top 10 Hybrid vehicles that are less than 6 miles per gallon saving, and number of years to recoup the cost premium.
Toyota Highlander 22.8 years
Lexus RX350 11.7 years
Lexus GS460 10.8 years
Saturn Aura Green Line (doesn't give MPG comparison) but only saves 38 gallons or $116 9.4 years
Nissan Altima Hybrid 8.4 years
Saturn View Green Line 5.8 years
and Camry Hybrid coming in at 6.1MPG savings
All these cars that are supposedly GREEN, but are they really ? Why can't seem to figure out the big white elephant in the room, which is the consumer wanting to get off buying gas as much as possible ... is that really such a hard vision to conclude. All these high priced executives making millions of dollars a year, their vision can't be that short sighted, can it ?
Here's the FAQ of that specific company http://www.edrivesystems.com/faq.html
Of course that is not the only company doing this sort of work. Just google "Prius Plug in Modification" and many pop up. Come on car companies you should be ahead of the game, not behind it.
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