Tesla plans $30k car; envisions 45 minute charging, 305 mile range
07/28/2008, 12:33 PM
By Nick Aziz
At $100,000 the Tesla Roadster isn’t aimed at people looking to save money on gas. Rather, it targets affluent early adopters — individuals looking for something environmentally responsible, fun, and rare. But Tesla knows to really capitalize on the potential of electric cars it will have to offer something much cheaper. If founder Elon Musk gets his way, the company could be building a $30,000 car in the near future.
Musk told Newsweek his company should be able to build such a vehicle “either directly or in partnership with a major auto company” in four years. In the meantime, Tesla is expected to find middle ground with the launch of its ‘Model S’ sedan.
A low-cost all-electric car isn’t the only milestone Musk has planned. He said he also expected to offer a car with a 305-mile range in around three years — running strictly on battery power.
Another feature that would surely help make the case of electric cars is a high-speed charging system that Musk says would enable owners to get an 80 percent charge in 45 minutes. He used the example of a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco: “You can drive 200 miles, stop for lunch … and continue the remaining 200 miles to San Francisco.”
The rapid charge system would apparently use some kind of on-board generator, although Musk did not elaborate on the details.
With ever-improving battery technologies, Musk said he’s optimistic electric cars will be the dominant form of automobile in 30 years. He said in that time, he expects all new cars will be electric. “I don’t mean hybrid. I mean pure electric,” he said.
07/28, 12:40 PM
posted by:
archcommus
If he can manage 45 minute charging and a 305-mile range in four years, how come GM can only manage 6 1/2 hour charging and a 40-mile range in 2 years? The answer: he can’t. A visionary thinker, but not practical. I highly doubt this guy is that many light years ahead of all the engineers at GM.
07/28, 12:41 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Honestly, this is what they should develop: an “all-electric” but with a small portable, removable, gas-powered generator that can recharge while underway.
That would be something I could drive as an all-electric 90% of the time, but then install the generator for when I’m making a long trek. When I get on the open road, I don’t stop for lunch – only to pee or tank up. I might run thru a drive-thru if I run out of fruit, but I’ll routinely go effectively 18 hours “non-stop.” I need a system that let’s me do so.
07/28, 12:55 PM
posted by:
archcommus
The Volt is basically what you desire, only that it’s not removable, which no one would want to do anyway.
07/28, 1:00 PM
posted by:
SR
I wish I would’ve wore my big pants today because monkeys will fly outta my ass before this happens.
07/28, 1:05 PM
posted by:
zeeck
45 minutes? i agree with archcommus. besides, if it were to do that it would be draining alot of energy out of the power grid, time to blow a fuse!
07/28, 1:35 PM
posted by:
golf4me
Damn, I left my gulashes at home today.
07/28, 1:41 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
Tesla’s certainly bitten off more than it can chew with some of its promises, but it is getting its act together and has managed to put on the street EV tech that has GM scratching its head.
I predict that Tesla will have a 305 mile range EV–it may not be in three years, but I bet it won’t be much longer. And that definitely has my attention. With fuel prices the way they are, no consumer can afford to turn the other cheek to EV alternatives, especially once they become mainstream and more accessible.
A 305-mile range would do me just fine for over 90% of my driving. I think mayer_ray is right, American hustle-and-bustle culture won’t tolerate any trip where you have to plan on a 45-minute lunch break. But the tech and infrastructure will eventually be there. In the meantime once that 305-mile range comes, I can drive pretty much anywhere and everywhere I need to be during the work week and be home at night without needing a single second’s pitstop at a gas station.
07/28, 2:02 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Of course we are talking future plans here which may or may not become reality, but those blueprints are pretty much like Volt without Lutz being involved.
07/28, 2:46 PM
posted by:
golf4me
Hmm, I’d think they’d get the launch of the roadster right before moving along to other pie in the sky ideas. I’d really like to see what the real world range of a roadster is with 2 people, A/C and a radio on, with only an overnight charge. I’ll wager it’s less than 50 miles. Though I guess the “wealthy early adapters” will have another car in which to drive to Santa Barbara for the weekend…
07/28, 3:20 PM
posted by:
xyunya
I doubt you would want to drive Elise 200 mi on electricity or internal combustion engine. It is not most comfortable road car.
07/28, 3:49 PM
posted by:
longshot
If Musk is even remotely in the ballpark with his claims – I have to wonder how much longer it will be until he is “silenced” in one way or another. Big oil will never allow a “true” electric car with the kind of capability Musk is talking about to be released in large numbers in the U.S. It just won’t happen.
07/28, 4:27 PM
posted by:
golf4me
^^ The black helicopters will pick you up on the grassy knoll…
07/28, 6:28 PM
posted by:
shaver
He really should just STFUP before someone breaks into his office and steals his time machine.
07/29, 1:27 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
Electric fast charge cars are coming…just too slow. The patent on the large format NiMH battery runs out in 2015 and thats when wide spread use of battery electrics will be commonplace. Chevron now owns that patent and it has shelved it for now…we have to wait. Just look at the Coleman Powercell electric screwdriver that quick charges in 90 seconds. Now give that idea some proper funding and it will happen for autos as well as power tools…that is if the oil industry will allow this technology to exist. Why are the Saudi’s so interested in battery research?? Because they want to make sure they control the right patents. Chevron bought the large format battery patent for a mere 220 million $$, and it was a great investment for the cartel that controls it.
07/29, 2:46 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
I know it’s different, but a typical laptop battery charges to 80% in 1/4 of the full charging time. If it takes 4 hours to charge, it gets to 80% in the first hour. Maybe they have a total charging time of 3.5 hours, and the 80% is in 45 minutes.