Tesla’s all-electric Roadster isn’t exactly cheap at over $100,000, but the California-based company is hopeful that it can reduce the cost of entry into its electric cars as it rolls out more and more models. Next in the pipeline for Tesla is the Model S luxury sedan – which will retail for somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000 – and now comes word that an even cheaper family car, dubbed the Bluestar, will follow soon after.
JB Straubel, Tesla’s chief technology officer, revealed on Wednesday that a budget family car has been in the works for a few years now. Called the Bluestar, Tesla is hopeful that it can get the all-electric people hauler to market with a retail price between $20,000 and $30,000.
In order to hit this price point, Tesla is currently exploring opportunity with other OEM manufacturers. “It could use the same or similar architecture, and we may partner with an existing OEM to leverage their scale,” Straubel told Green Tech. “(But) lower cost is the target.” With large companies like General Motors and Chrysler ramping up their electric car plans, Tesla could even have a few options to choose from.
Technology used in the company’s Model S program would likely serve as the basis for the Bluestar, and lessons learned from the Model S program would also be crucial to Tesla’s model expansion plans. In the next few years, Tesla plans to rollout a minivan, coupe and ever a small pickup model – all scheduled to be run exclusively on battery power.
Once Tesla’s new range is on the market, the electric car maker plans to sell hundreds of thousands of vehicles per year. Although that figure seems a bit lofty for a company that is still building cars by hand, Tesla plans to sell its Bluestar – and possibly other models – in the U.S. and China, which could prove to be a large enough market to move sales well into the six-digit range.
09/25, 4:26 PM
posted by:
tzu13
Look out Volt! I wonder how GM is going to feel when their competition is getting ∞ MPG compared to their piddly 100…
09/25, 5:18 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Tesla is on it’s way to being a big player in the market, I’m going to start looking in to some stock.
09/25, 10:15 PM
posted by:
A4
EVEN CHEAPER THAN 60k?? WOW!!!! idiots
i guarantee itll jump from predicted price just like the volt
09/26, 1:27 AM
posted by:
maxcar
it’s probably the sedan that coachbuilder fisker designed for tesla that they are going down-market with, since tesla was so dissatisfied with it.
09/26, 7:47 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Wow, I think they are going to be irrelevant in 10 years,,, That’s pretty optimistic for a company that I haven’t seen them deliver one car yet. Unless they get their basic car from another manufacturer who builds it for them, it could be 5 to 10 years to make a car like that from scratch or even with OEM parts. Look at how long it’s taken them with their first model – and that’s a pretty basic machine as it is being a slightly rebodied Elise.
09/26, 10:36 AM
posted by:
MikeFX
I guesss I’ll be the one to tell JakeK that his argument is outdated. Cars are being delivered, larger shop is being set up, and if they can pull this off it could really be a good thing for enthusiasts. A plug in family sedan with some style and performance getting great mileage would be the perfect storm. Who cares if they miss the $20K benchmark, since this could see easily for around $35K. You can’t even buy a nicely equipped Altima hybrid for less than $30K, and the useless Volt is looking to come in around there as well.
09/26, 11:48 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
As supply increases, prices will fall. The good news about this is that it may actually drive down the price of the Volt, as well. We’re seeing a shift, and soon there will be motor options for just about any car. “So, how would you like your minivan? ICE, EV, Plug-in Hybrid? Pick your powertrain.” Exciting times.
Jake, the first Tesla that was delivered made headlines…
…because the guy wrecked it.
That was a long time ago.