Earlier this month, it was reported that Tesla was experiencing problems with its Roadster's transmission and was considering shipping the first batch of the all-electric car with the faulty unit. While Tesla is having transmission problems, the company says it never considered using transmissions that would fail after a few thousand miles.
Instead, Tesla says that it is considering fitting the first cars with a single speed transmission instead of the two-speed under development. The one-speed gearbox meets all durability standards, but would take away from the cars performance. However, once the bugs are worked out of the new unit, Tesla would replace all of the cars with the one-speed transmissions.
According to sources familiar with the project, the current transmission can't withstand the torque of the electric engine while shifting gears. Two of Tesla's suppliers are scrambling to find a solution, but it remains unknown when the problem will be solved.
The electric automaker also announced that the Roadster's EPA range ratings have slipped from
245 miles to the 220-230 mile range.
