I’m going to let this article and video (also below) by TechCrunch do most of the talking on this post, but just a few words about the Tesla Model S Sedan. Its “Flat-Pack battery” lays along the bottom of the car allowing 7 people to ride up to 300 miles in the car on one charge, all while not getting rid of trunk space. This kind of improvement in electric cars should continue, allowing for better range and lower prices that will bring the electric vehicle to mass market. Right now, they are still pricey. According to TechCrunch,
“the baseline $57,600 version can travel as respectable 160 miles per charge, and there’s a mid-level 230 mile option. For closer to $100,000, though drivers can get a 300 mile version that can travel over 3x farther than cars from Tesla’s major competitors. At this point, Tesla biggest problem is that the EV consumer base isn’t growing as fast as it or environmental advocates want. Just 10,000 Nissan Leafs have been sold to date.”
This doesn’t sound good for mass market adoption. However, Tesla is also planning a $30,000 electric vehicle that should bring affordability closer to the average consumer. Check out the video for a nice overview of the current model. There are a slew of descriptions of internet and IT related capabilities in the car in the beginning of the video, so jump to 4min 25seconds if you’re more interested in overall info and eco aspects.
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