Tesla, Electric Motor.

Vince

Vince

Vince

Man of Honour
Joined
30 Oct 2003
Posts
14,122
Location
Essex
Hi All,

I had a quick search and this is something I have been following for a while now... Take a quick look at this page:

http://www.teslamotors.com/design/gallery-body.php

Now with performance figures like 0-60 in just over 3 seconds, 135mpg and almost non existant servicing costs why are these not becoming more popular on britains roads?

Research tells me that they are now being produced by Lotus in the UK. Thought it makes some good friday reading.
 
Last edited:
Because, and I have said it 100000000000000000000 times, sports cars are MUCH more than a set of numbers on a bit of paper for most people. Imagine driving a Caterham that sound like a milk float.
 
It's not becoming popular in the UK because they don't sell it in the UK. The company is American, Californian based IIRC and they only pretty much sell to a small area around California. You can buy it elsewhere in the states but you have to pay a huge premium and return it to base (Cali) for services.

Although I agree with you, being that it is built in the UK I am very surprised someone hasn't set up a franchise over here... the absence of shipping costs must be a bonus; and what with the fact it is a 'super car' spec that could drive around London for free you have to think there would be quite a big market there. Also it would be fairly unique which has to be a plus for someone with that much money to spend.

I wish I knew the first thing about business or car dealership 'cos I reckon someone would make a packet as a sole UK distributor.
 
The whole car apart from the electric motor and battery pack is basically a Lotus Elise. Tesla will (and do) deny it until the cows come home but they are lying.

Problem is the battery pack uses Lithium Ion batteries. These deteriorate very quickly. Remember when you Ipod used to last days and days? Then gradually its battery life got worse and worse? That's because it uses a Lithium Ion battery.

Tesla state it has a 230 mile range on a single charge. And it probably does for the first 6 months. But then you will start noticing it decrease. By year 3 it will be more like 150 miles or less.
 
109000 dollars not too pricey for a 4 second 0-60 :)

now if only skoda would do an electric octavia my taxiing woes would be over
 
housemaster said:
...and it takes 2 mins to fill up a 911 not 3.5 hours!
Click to expand...

Difference is the majority of london commuters dont do 220 mile round trips.. I commute in from south east and drive 150 miles a day so I could comute in and have miles to spare.

As the guy above said a UK distribution chain could easily capatalise on such a thing, I see a big market in the UK for these.

As for the sound I bet the Torque alone would put a whole different type of smile on your face :D
 
NathanE said:
The whole car apart from the electric motor and battery pack is basically a Lotus Elise. Tesla will (and do) deny it until the cows come home but they are lying.

Problem is the battery pack uses Lithium Ion batteries. These deteriorate very quickly. Remember when you Ipod used to last days and days? Then gradually its battery life got worse and worse? That's because it uses a Lithium Ion battery.

Tesla state it has a 230 mile range on a single charge. And it probably does for the first 6 months. But then you will start noticing it decrease. By year 3 it will be more like 150 miles or less.
Click to expand...

I take your point here, would be interesting to break this down and do a direct comparison in cost of ownership to something of a similar performance and purchace cost.
 
VinceB1 said:
Difference is the majority of london commuters dont do 220 mile round trips.. I commute in from south east and drive 150 miles a day so I could comute in and have miles to spare.

As the guy above said a UK distribution chain could easily capatalise on such a thing, I see a big market in the UK for these.

As for the sound I bet the Torque alone would put a whole different type of smile on your face :D
Click to expand...

I don't live in London, and most of my journies would be over 200 miles.
 
That car looks pure sex on wheels in red. The Black version in the papers just doesn't look all that good tbh.

So if this went into mass production, what sort of additional drain would there be on the national grid :p
 
Foxtrot26 said:
what does it cost to commute into london daily? in terms of congestion charging etc?
Click to expand...

It costs me £15 in fuel, I don't hit a congestion charge area as work in Canary Wharf. The train would cost around £20 a day. I also have a garage to park in so thats not an issue either.

FYI. Congestion charge is £8 daily.
 
An interesting concept but you can see why they don't sell it in the UK. London is horrendous for driving in so I've no idea why anyone would buy an Elise for London commuting. Also can you imagine how many people will step out into your path if you're driving at speed and no one can hear you coming?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom