SteveEnergi Posted April 1, 2014 at 12:00 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 12:00 PM If anyone watched 60 Minutes this past weekend, there was a story on Tesla (Elon Musk) and the Model S. Toward the end of the segment, Elon Musk mentioned that he is in the process of building an electric battery manufacturing facility in the United States. The goal of this facility is to not only supply the Model S with batteries, but all electric car batteries. Musk wants to be the #1 battery manufacturer in the world. If anyone can do it, he certainly can (ie SpaceX). Musk also mentioned the driving cost for these cars are the batteries, so solving this problem will really drop the price of the cars with a goal of perhaps manufacturing a less expensive Tesla. In my mind, I started to speculate that one day, if he succeeds with his battery manufacturing facility, that Tesla may make a smaller, higher capacity replacement battery for our Energi's. Now that would be cool, replacing our battery with one that is perhaps 3 times the capacity and the same size, or smaller/lighter. Only time will tell. Comments? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted April 1, 2014 at 12:22 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 12:22 PM Ya know... I think he's going to be the one who single handedly changes the world in terms of the fuel we drive on. Every time someone tells him, "You won't succeed," or "You can't do that," is nothing more than motivation to prove them wrong. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionEnergi Posted April 1, 2014 at 01:29 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 01:29 PM I looked at the Model S, the only remaining reason for not getting one is the price.Unless someone else coming out with a roomy and safe EV available in the USA in the next few years, I am either going to get a used model S or put a reservation in for the Model E(provided it is large enough) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted April 1, 2014 at 01:44 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 01:44 PM Currently the asking price for a used model S is equal to or higher than the new price.And for all of that money it doesn't have active cruise control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted April 1, 2014 at 03:51 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 03:51 PM One of the few cars I could ditch the active cruise for would be a Tesla... but the price has to come down. Not that I do not think that the car is worth the money (I do) it is just that I can not bring myself to drop that much money into a depreciating asset like a car. I am also out of the car buying market for the next 5-7 years as I recently purchased a very nice car :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted April 1, 2014 at 04:19 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 04:19 PM The cost is way too prohibitive for me, but that was the car I REALLY wanted (the Model S). I like the Model X too and would consider replacing my 15 year old Expedition with one, but again, those are going to go for 6 figures with the options I'd want. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionEnergi Posted April 1, 2014 at 04:23 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 04:23 PM The model E is said to start at 35k. Time will tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEnergi Posted April 1, 2014 at 05:01 PM Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 05:01 PM While there is no disputing the Tesla as an awesome car, I'm looking at the battery technology and whether or not Elon Musk and his battery manufacturing facility will manufacture batteries that are compatible with other e vehicles (it seemed so from the interview). I think at some point, you might be able to get an "after market" replacement battery back for the FFE that is more efficient. In 3-4 years, would you spend say $3k to $8k for a FFE replacement battery manufactured by Tesla that could get triple or quadruple the mileage (60-100mpc)? Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blars Posted April 1, 2014 at 06:02 PM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 06:02 PM In 3-4 years, would you spend say $3k to $8k for a FFE replacement battery manufactured by Tesla that could get triple or quadruple the mileage (60-100mpc)? For me, absolutely not...it has to make financial sense. Are you going to make up that $3k-$8k investment over the life of the car? I would certainly not. Those who have longer commutes, possibly. It comes down to how you justify gas savings/convenience vs cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEnergi Posted April 1, 2014 at 06:15 PM Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 06:15 PM Another bit of information I discovered from the user videos up at the Tesla site, is how they have an option to "fully" charge their battery for a scheduled longer trip. The video mentions if you know you need extra mileage the following day to set the charge to "maximum" (some term). This will charge the battery to 100% rather than 85% which is the default charge level. If you don't set it back, the car will automatically set it back to 85% after 3 days. The 85% is to prolong the health of the battery. Since the Tesla batteries have such a great capacity, this is a pretty good feature. If it were in our FFE's, I imagine everyone would have the setting to max every day so we can glean another 3 to 5 miles out of the battery but to the detriment of the battery. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted April 14, 2014 at 07:53 PM Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 07:53 PM I PRAY some 3rd party will be making Energi replacement batteries in 10-15 years. You know, double density, maybe smaller... /sigh to dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted April 14, 2014 at 08:29 PM Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 at 08:29 PM I PRAY some 3rd party will be making Energi replacement batteries in 10-15 years. You know, double density, maybe smaller... /sigh to dream.That would require a software update. The current software has the wrong parameters for a bigger battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.