Slashdot Mirror


Tesla Preps Bigger 100 KWh Battery For Model S and Model X (theverge.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Tesla will soon offer a 100 kWh battery for the Model S and Model X that will allow for increased range -- perhaps as much as 380 miles for the Model S. Currently, the 90 kWh batteries are the company's largest capacity. Kenteken.TV is reporting that the Dutch regulator that certifies Tesla's vehicles for use in the European Union, RDW, has recently published a number of new Tesla variants. RDW's public database now includes entries for a Tesla "100D" and "100X," which are titles that follow Tesla's current naming system based on battery capacity. The listing for the 100D claims the vehicle has a range of 381 miles or 613 kilometers. The motor output is reported as 90 kilowatts (121 horsepower), which is the maximum output the Tesla motors can sustain without overheating. Autoblog notes that EU range estimates tend to be more optimistic than those issued by the U.S. EPA. A more realistic range might be 310 to 320 miles.

113 comments

  1. Hmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So it can go 300mph for an hour?

    1. Re: Hmm by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 1

      600mph for 30 minutes IMO

  2. Mileage - pinch of salt by danhuby · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Those mileage figures need to be taken with a huge pinch of salt. Based on my own experience with my 70D (my real world range estimate = 200 miles) I estimate a 100D would have a range of around 285 miles. Which is still excellent.

    I think 381 miles will only be possible driving 30mph on a flat road with no wind.

    1. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 4, Informative

      Well the 381 mile estimate is based on European figures; the US EPA figures are tighter and would estimate closer to what you said.

    2. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Because the European test cycle is more lenient?

    3. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by wagnerrp · · Score: 1

      No, but the estimate changes based off whose methods you're using to produce them.

    4. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In Europe you drive downhill both ways.

    5. Re:Mileage - pinch of salt by imgod2u · · Score: 3, Informative

      With about 10% of the battery reserved, you have roughly 90kWH to play with. To get 380 miles of range, you'd need to use ~237 WH/mile. I've done that, but it's a pain. Basically constant speed without slowing down or speeding up at ~40 mph on a flat road.

      Still, lifetime averages seem to be around 315 WH/mile so 90kWH should result in about 285 miles before the car shuts down (without bricking).

    6. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think in addition to physics, EU mile is less than US mile.

    7. Re:Mileage - pinch of salt by larien · · Score: 2

      Tesla have a range calculator to show expected range based on speed, temperature, whether air con is on etc. Various factors will reduce your range from the optimum so you'll almost never get the full range quoted.

    8. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Correct, the US uses the imperial mile whilst Europe uses the metric mile.

    9. Re:Mileage - pinch of salt by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 1

      Those mileage figures need to be taken with a huge pinch of salt. Based on my own experience with my 70D (my real world range estimate = 200 miles) I estimate a 100D would have a range of around 285 miles. Which is still excellent.

      I think 381 miles will only be possible driving 30mph on a flat road with no wind.

      Do they publish the basis for the range numbers? I'd be most curious to know how using air conditioning on a hot day impacts range, or driving on hills, etc. 300ish miles is pretty darn good either way.

    10. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      The "metric mile"? Ah yes, abbreviated "mm", I believe.

    11. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A huge pinch of salt is not what you meant to say. Is it?
      Probably you meant to say it....
      Sigh.

    12. Re: Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Metric mile is a defined unit, but typically the usage of mile is discouraged since it can be confused with the Scandinavian mile on top of every country specific mile that were used before everyone who isn't a British buttboy switched to SI units.

    13. Re:Mileage - pinch of salt by Ost99 · · Score: 2

      With 90% of the battery available for use, and a typical usage of 180wh/km, you get close to 315 miles (500km).

      Real world numbers for the 100D should be between 450 and 500 km (280 - 315 miles).

      --
      ---- Sig. gone.
    14. Re:Mileage - pinch of salt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your comment made my day. I've been feeling very lonely since I to cannot get 380km which is what the EPA number is for a 70D, I get a very consistent 350km and have done since I picked the car up from new even though I generally drive with a light right foot in a very EV friendly climate. Your 200 mile range equals 320km i.e. even worse than mine.

  3. Well, which one is it? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

    ... the vehicle has a range of 381 miles or 613 kilometers.

    'Cause the kilometer range sounds way better... Is there a switch or something?

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    1. Re:Well, which one is it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1609 meters to the mile, looks OK to me.

      And to put things in perspective: you can't drive 318 miles/613 kilometers in a straight line in the Netherlands; the furthest parts are about 250 miles apart. Tesla's are actually pretty common, I see on average 4 on my bike ride to work.

  4. Meh by dbialac · · Score: 0

    Well with that the range will about catch up with my M3, but the horsepower and refuel time remain lacking. Regardless, as somebody who actually likes driving, I would still never buy one.

    1. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yes. The Tesla X with it's measly 532 horsepower is clearly lacking compared to the impressive 444 horsepower from the M3.

      Dumbass.

    2. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hows its weight? Because the Model S is surprisingly heavy for the vehicle size. Also, how does it do in the bends? You know that there's more to driving then straight line acceleration.

    3. Re:Meh by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 3, Informative

      Well with that the range will about catch up with my M3, but the horsepower and refuel time remain lacking.

      1. A Tesla has more HP than a M3.
      2. The "refueling" happens in your home, while you get on with your life, rather than waiting in line at the gas station.
      For long trips, you either pre-plan so that your recharges coincide with a meal at a nice restaurant, or just use your spouse's car (or maybe your mom's).

      Regardless, as somebody who actually likes driving, I would still never buy one.

      Have you ever actually driven a Tesla?

    4. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Does extremely well in bends due to very low center of gravity.

    5. Re:Meh by Sax+Russell+5449D29A · · Score: 1

      Tesla S's power-to-weight ratio is around 0.27 and the M3's power-to-weight ratio is equally around 0.27. We need another season of Initial D to find out which one is better.

      --
      -SR
    6. Re:Meh by AaronW · · Score: 2

      My model S actually handles quite well in turns. It also is not surprisingly heavy for a car in its class, largely in part due to the all-aluminum body. Now the newer versions of my car have even better handling. My car weigh around 4700lbs (P85, 2013). A Lexus LS weighs between 4233 and 5115lbs according to Google.

      Despite the weight, the car handling is supurb since all the weight is so low.

      --
      This post is encrypted twice with ROT-13. Documenting or attempting to crack this encryption is illegal.
    7. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      1. A Tesla has more HP than a M3.

      A lot of things have more HP than an M3. There is a point where you don't really need more though.

      2. The "refueling" happens in your home, while you get on with your life, rather than waiting in line at the gas station.

      Some of us don't want to be tied to multi-hour waits for a charge. We want to go when we want to go. Gas station lineups are usually rare because refuelling times are quick.

      3. For long trips, you either pre-plan so that your recharges coincide with a meal at a nice restaurant, or just use your spouse's car (or maybe your mom's).

      Or I can just not have to worry about little things like not being able to charge because someone local is already using the charging station for the next 8 hours.

      Have you ever actually driven a Tesla?

      Have you ever actually driven an M3?

    8. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Can I point out the Model S is about the size of an Accord, yet weighs the same as a mid size pickup truck. It's heavy. Really heavy. I'm trying not to compare it to my vehicles as I avoid huge vehicles and compare it to things similar in size, but damn, it's heavy (an accord is over half a ton lighter btw, the M3 is even lighter). And as for "handles quite well" there's always the caveat. It handles quite well for a luxury sedan. Translation for that is, it handles quite poorly, but when you consider its size, it's impressive. I live near Boulder, trust me I'm familiar with them. They're astonishingly quick off the line, but you try to put it around a corner at any speed and well, it does about as well as you'd expect a 2.5 ton vehicle to go around a corner. Physics limits what can be done. It's a damn big car. If you really test it, it'll shred its tires, its what all big cars like this do.

      I don't understand why Tesla fanbois seem to insist that the their cars are perfect in every way. You guys are worse then Pious, sorry, Prius owners who insist that "it's actually pretty quick". The model S doesn't handle as well as the Tesla roadster, and the Tesla roadster didn't handle as well as the Lotus it was based off of. Weight kills, it's a fact. It doesn't make the Tesla a bad car, it just means it doesn't handle all that well compared to other vehicles out there.

    9. Re: Meh by ffejie · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I really love this argument of a "nice restaurant" while recharging. When I'm in the middle of a 350 mile, 7 hour drive up the traffic hellscape that is I-95, I'm definitely looking to add 30-60 minutes at a "nice restaurant" at the Darien rest stop. I have my choice between a McDonald's, a Pinkberry, a S'barros, and maybe a Subway, if I recall. The point is not the lack of nice restaurants, it's the lack of me wanting to extend a trip an extra 30 min to squeak out an extra 50 miles.

      --
      Disagreeing with me does not mean you get to mod me troll.
    10. Re:Meh by mspohr · · Score: 1

      Whatever you do, don't take a Tesla test drive. Just don't.
      It will make you hate your slow, noisy, polluting M3.

      --
      I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
    11. Re: Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, but an M3 tho. What you could do is electrify the highway and charge that way.
      Maybe even like a train, except they have those already.
      What about solar sails, with them you can go to Pluto. According to the space nutter, electric car types.

    12. Re: Meh by Gavagai80 · · Score: 2

      It's really not safe, let alone desirable, to drive 7 hours non-stop without a rest break or food.

      --
      This space intentionally left blank
    13. Re:Meh by zwede · · Score: 1

      Different poster here: I have not only driven an M3, I owned a 2005 M3 for 4 years. Traded it in on a 2012 Mustang Boss 302 (which was faster and better handling than the M3, but had a crappy interior). I traded the Boss 302 in on my 2013 Tesla P85+. The M3 is more nimble than the Tesla, although the Tesla does handle really well. As far as acceleration the Tesla blows the M3 away. The Tesla is much better to drive and live with than the M3.

    14. Re:Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I REALLY don't think the average Tesla owner and M3 owner are in the same market for cars. Generally M3 owners are either track day enthusiasts, posers, or asshats. Tesla owners tend to be environmentally enlightened folks with cash to toss around, plus some asshats with cash too, but NOT track day ppl. MOST people don't need half of what an M3 offers, not know what to do with it. .

    15. Re: Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He doesn't care, he just wants to be right. Let him be right please.

      As someone who used to routinely drive 5_ hours straight with no rest or food, he/she will soon remove their self from the gene pool.

    16. Re: Meh by swb · · Score: 1

      Fuck, who has the bladder to go 7 hours non-stop?

      The way I drink coffee or diet Coke when I drive, I have to piss every couple of hours.

    17. Re: Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tesla.

      AUTOPILOT.

      Sit back, relax, and let the car do most of the work.

    18. Re: Meh by mea_culpa · · Score: 1

      It's relative. Just like going on a long hike if you are conditioned to it, it really isn't anymore dangerous.

      When I do long drives I time my stops where I'll run out of fuel. My current car that is roughly 455 miles or about 6 hours of constant highway driving. I spend no more than 10 minutes refueling and draining my bladder and am back on the road. If my car could drive more than 455 I still feel like I could go further, I wish I could get 7 hrs per stop then it'd be only 2 stops from Phoenix to Spokane.

      Maybe I'm conditioned to this because I never need to stop for a bathroom break before the car runs out of fuel. It really bugs me when someone want's to go with me because I know they are going to need to stop much more often. Of course they're guzzling a 44oz soda while I sip water as needed.

    19. Re:Meh by cmorgan503 · · Score: 2

      Too late. We went for a test drive on a 70D model, and I'm already looking at finances on affording a model s. Maybe if I work 2 50-hour a week jobs? The girls (my wife included) loved the acceleration. I loved the free LTE data, and was considering finding a way to set up a local hotspot for us.

    20. Re: Meh by mspohr · · Score: 1

      Good to hear.
      Whatever it takes, make it work. It will be worth it.

      --
      I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
    21. Re: Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I routinely do 6 hours, stop to refuel and bio, resume. It's not a huge feat of human endurance but it's more than a Tesla can handle presently. I believe that electrics are the future of automobiles (so are self drivers most likely) but the current crop of Tesla and other electrics are notably less capable for more money than a more traditional car.

    22. Re: Meh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a difference between driving 7 hours straight with a 10 minute stop for bio break and leg stretch and fuel, vs. 30-45 min stop to let the car charge. I don't think walking around a rest stop for 30 extra minutes is a great way to relax.

    23. Re: Meh by lars_stefan_axelsson · · Score: 1

      Just like going on a long hike if you are conditioned to it, it really isn't anymore dangerous.

      Peeing only once in seven hours isn't dangerous to you? Not short term no, and not once in a while. But to say that that level of hydration and urination is good for your and A-OK is also a stretch.

      You should both drink and piss more to stay safe in the long run, and I have that advice from a nephrologist.

      --
      Stefan Axelsson
    24. Re: Meh by stoatwblr · · Score: 1

      One solution for long-haul EV trips is to use a pusher or generator trailer.

      Think of it as a hybrid you can detach the engine from when you don't need it.

    25. Re: Meh by ffejie · · Score: 1

      Maybe I'm conditioned to this because I never need to stop for a bathroom break before the car runs out of fuel. It really bugs me when someone want's to go with me because I know they are going to need to stop much more often. Of course they're guzzling a 44oz soda while I sip water as needed.

      This.

      I usually do my 5-6 hour drive with no stops, or one quick bio break, but I recently took it with 2 other people and this forced 3 stops on us. One of the stops was 20+ min. This turned what should have been a 5.5 hour drive into a 6.25 hour drive. Absolutely horrible.

      I'm no fan of distance driving, but it's a lot better to get it done and over with rather than add 10-15% to the total time.

      Also, Phoenix to Spokane? Wow. Hope you don't have to do that more than twice a year.

      --
      Disagreeing with me does not mean you get to mod me troll.
    26. Re:Meh by smithmc · · Score: 1

      Re #2: Where do you live that you have to "wait on line" at gas stations? This isn't 1973...?

      --
      Downmodding is the refuge of the weak. Don't downmod, make a better argument!
  5. Not Really Required.... by foxalopex · · Score: 2

    Batteries are generally extremely heavy in their weight to energy ratio compared to gasoline. They also cost a fair bit of money and take a while to charge if you manage to drain that huge of a battery. Even your regular 240v home outlet could take a while. At some point aside from bragging rights it becomes impractical to have a battery that big. The Volt only has about a 40 mile battery and I've made it through the entire summer without having to resort to gas on my daily trips. I've even forgotten to plug the thing in at times and it still had enough. Granted I live in a small city so that helps but I can't see what having past 200 miles gains for you. It might be a bit easier for cross-country trips if you're hopping supercharger stations but I have a bad feeling that you're paying a huge amount in extra weight and costs for that minuscule usage situation. (Unless driving hundreds of miles a day is normal for you.)

    1. Re:Not Really Required.... by imgod2u · · Score: 4, Informative

      For me, I don't have a charger at home (live in a condo with garage parking). I charge at work. So having the extra range means I don't need to fight for chargers as often. Right now, with a 85kWH battery, I find myself charging about twice a week (including the weekend trips) at work. If I can knock that down to once a week, it'd make a big difference to me.

      In dense urban places, that kind of mentality is probably pretty common.

      The other benefit of a bigger battery is that superchargers will give you more range before going into the trickle-charge range. That should make refueling on a road trip faster.

    2. Re:Not Really Required.... by MMC+Monster · · Score: 1

      On my Model S, I get about 29 miles for every hour of charge. At 10 hours a night, that's 290 miles.

      So, true, for home charging you're getting close to the upper limit ... and it's quite rare that I travel > 200 miles in a day.

      But it's so comforting to know that I have a lot of extra wiggle room on those road trips with the family, when we don't know exactly which place we're going.

      BTW, on the supercharger it's pretty common to get >190 miles for at least the first hour of charge. It slows down dramatically as you get close to the full charge, of course.

      --
      Help! I'm a slashdot refugee.
    3. Re:Not Really Required.... by amiga3D · · Score: 1

      I couldn't survive with a 40 mile range. I really would like at least 200 miles so that I never have to sweat it. For cross country driving I think it's still gas only for me. I'll think about an electric vehicle when I can drive 300 miles on a charge and recharge it in an hour or less.

    4. Re:Not Really Required.... by G00F · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Unfortunately not everyone is as luck as you with their commute, and some people do things on the weekend. 40 mile range is laughable. If it didn't also have gas engine it would sell as well as electric bikes...

      What would be cool, is a quick way to add batteries. 150 mile standard, and add/remove battery where you can add multiple 25lb batteries under the back seat to get up to 300.

      300, which isn't high(comparing to gas) is respectable and 20 min charge times are not much longer than normal fueling.

      --
      The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive
    5. Re:Not Really Required.... by swillden · · Score: 2

      For me, I don't have a charger at home (live in a condo with garage parking). I charge at work. So having the extra range means I don't need to fight for chargers as often. Right now, with a 85kWH battery, I find myself charging about twice a week (including the weekend trips) at work. If I can knock that down to once a week, it'd make a big difference to me.

      Could you knock it down, though? How much amperage can your employer's chargers deliver? Most of them are limited to 30A, which means it's going to take better than 12 hours to get 80 kWh on board. If they support the J1772-2009 80A mode then your car can take 72A (17.2 kW) and you can get a full charge in 4-5 hours. Otherwise, you may have to plug in twice per week just because you can't get enough during a single session.

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
    6. Re:Not Really Required.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The average M3 owner doesn't often use their outrageous handling, HP, or penis lengthening abilities fully either. I like the looks, but I like the looks of the Model S also. But when I see a Model S in traffic, I don't think "what a waste driving that in the city in stop and go traffic getting 15MPG", Plus, like the Model S, most M3's spend 90% of their time parked, LOLZ.

    7. Re:Not Really Required.... by heybiff · · Score: 1

      My GOD! I wish I could suck off the jobs gasoline teet for free. Even if it did take 12hrs to fill the tank.

      --
      Even the Sun goes down.
    8. Re:Not Really Required.... by heybiff · · Score: 1

      I live in the 4th largest city in the US, and work on the opposite side of the city from my home with NO highway route between. I drive 23M round trip during rush hour traffic with a mix of stoplights, stop signs and one way streets. I's happily take a 40M all electric range with charging overnight. I HATE gas stations, and hate the variability of the price that seems to have next to no connection to supply/demand. I just wish I could afford it -- but that's what I get for going into education.

      --
      Even the Sun goes down.
    9. Re:Not Really Required.... by heybiff · · Score: 1

      Some one thought that already, including Tesla https://youtu.be/HlaQuKk9bFg All of the major carmakers refuse to play nice together. Crazy, but at least they are consistent. That would solve most of the range issues.

      --
      Even the Sun goes down.
    10. Re:Not Really Required.... by beanpoppa · · Score: 1

      It comes to less than $15 of electricity per week. As far as employer perks go, it's relatively cheap.

    11. Re:Not Really Required.... by amiga3D · · Score: 1

      I think you're right, if I lived in a city an electric car would be great. In a few years they'll probably be at the level where it would make sense for me too. Maybe in 5 or so years. Battery technology continues to improve.

    12. Re:Not Really Required.... by stoatwblr · · Score: 1

      "Even your regular 240v home outlet could take a while."

      Like.... overnight?

      If you need it to charge faster, get yourself a 3-phase power hookup. They're not terribly expensive.

    13. Re:Not Really Required.... by stoatwblr · · Score: 1

      "For cross country driving I think it's still gas only for me"

      Then hire a gasser when you need it.

      Or fly cross country and hire a car when you land.

  6. What a joke... by drew_92123 · · Score: 1

    I know they have to start somewhere, but electric cars still suck ass when it comes to range and convenience.

    I can get in my 8000lb truck and drive 600+ miles before needing to refuel... and I can stop at nearly any fuel station to fill her up with 30+ gallons in 2-3 minutes(diesel pumps tend to be MUCH faster than gas pumps).

    Then there is the problem of towing and hauling, with the technology available in the near future I can't see any way for an electric vehicle to be even remotely as capable as one that runs on dead dinosaurs.

    I might be open to a heavy duty hybrid truck, or even a diesel electric setup like what we have on trains... but unless they drastically improve battery technology purely electric vehicles will only ever fill a niche market. And quite frankly, by the time they improve batteries to the point where they might be able to compete the oil companies will probably be manufacturing hydrocarbons from water and waste CO2 and selling it at the pump because batteries will likely never have the same power density as hydrocarbon based fuels.

    1. Re:What a joke... by gmack · · Score: 3, Informative

      I think people who actually need to tow things are the niche market since most people don't. Most people here go from home to work, home to drop the kids at school, home to the store etc and for that the range of the Tesla is good enough. On top of that, instead of 2-5 minutes filling up, you can fill up overnight or use one of the higher power chargers at the shopping mall (Several malls here in Montreal have them) and have a full charge when you are done shopping or eating. If you think about it, it's actually a more efficient use of your time since you no longer have to supervise the car while it charges. It's just a matter of not thinking of "refueling the car" as a separate task the way we do now. If we can get the low hanging fruit of small car needs, we will vastly reduce how much crap we put unto the air and reduce the money we are sending to crazy Monarchies in the middle east who then use a bunch of that money in ways that cause us trouble.

    2. Re:What a joke... by imgod2u · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "niche market" is kind of an overstatement. In fact, your usage scenario -- according to statistics -- is the "niche market". Very very few people actually need the ability to get into an 8000lb truck and drive 600+ miles before needing to refuel.

      Most people need to drive 5-40 miles twice a day with a ~8 hour gap in between. Hardly a "niche market".

      As for hauling and towing...it depends on your fleet size. Electric motors are actually far more ideal for the job of towing due to the flat torque curve. But if you're a one-truck-shop and can't swap trucks out to recharge (like larger businesses can) then ya, electric would be very impractical.

      I could totally see shipping trucks being an ideal situation for electric. Regular schedules, a lot of dead-time and regular routes where chargers could be installed.

      Realistically, gas cars *are* the niche market. The cost is what's keeping electric sales down. But battery cost/kWH is actually dropping quite a bit in recent years due to all the advances made for smartphones.

    3. Re:What a joke... by Jeremi · · Score: 1

      I can get in my 8000lb truck and drive 600+ miles before needing to refuel... and I can stop at nearly any fuel station to fill her up with 30+ gallons in 2-3 minutes(diesel pumps tend to be MUCH faster than gas pumps).

      All very true, and a definite advantage for fuel-powered cars over battery-powered cars, in scenarios involving long-distance travel.

      However, most people do not drive 600 miles at a stretch, so for them, there is not much advantage in being theoretically able to do so.

      Just like with cell phones, as long as the car's battery can reliably last you until you're ready to plug in for the night and go to sleep, that's good enough. It will be fully charged again in the morning; any capacity above that is gravy.

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
    4. Re:What a joke... by RightSaidFred99 · · Score: 1

      The Tesla isn't a practical only car. With that in mind, all of the complaints against it melt away. If you have the wealth to buy a Tesla, you have the wealth to get a second (or third) car for the situations where the Tesla doesn't fit.

    5. Re:What a joke... by Maxo-Texas · · Score: 1

      It's a balance of costs to benefits.

      Until quite recently you were paying about $16,000 more for fuel over the life of your truck for that capability. Now it's about $8,000. (It may be much worse for your truck than I'm stating tho as those figured are based on 28mpg car vs the cost of electricity at 10 cents per kwh. Electric contracts go down as low as 8cpkwh and truck mileage can easily drop below 28mpg).

      Your truck is actually more of a niche vehicle than electric cars. Electric cars match the most common use cases except they are about $25,000 too expensive. As the price drops, they could take over 75% of the market.

      --
      She was like chocolate when she drank... semi-sweet at first and then increasingly bitter.
    6. Re:What a joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I know they have to start somewhere, but electric cars still suck ass when it comes to range and convenience.

      Start somewhere? It's just a matter of technological parameters and engineering.

      I can get in my 8000lb truck and drive 600+ miles before needing to refuel... and I can stop at nearly any fuel station to fill her up with 30+ gallons in 2-3 minutes(diesel pumps tend to be MUCH faster than gas pumps).

      And at a price of 2.00 a gallon, you just spent 60+ bucks. Plus you had to go to a gas station, which has an electrical connection, so a moot point there, but what are the odds you're going to be able to fuel up at home? Not great. On the other hand, your home will be having an electrical connection, won't you?

      Then there is the problem of towing and hauling, with the technology available in the near future I can't see any way for an electric vehicle to be even remotely as capable as one that runs on dead dinosaurs.

      That isn't a problem at all, towing and hauling is easy to do with electric motors, if anything, they may be easier for some users as the torque profile is simpler.

      No need for manual gear shift systems, or complicated automatic transmissions.

      I might be open to a heavy duty hybrid truck, or even a diesel electric setup like what we have on trains... but unless they drastically improve battery technology purely electric vehicles will only ever fill a niche market. And quite frankly, by the time they improve batteries to the point where they might be able to compete the oil companies will probably be manufacturing hydrocarbons from water and waste CO2 and selling it at the pump because batteries will likely never have the same power density as hydrocarbon based fuels.

      You realize that would be blisteringly expensive, right? Fuel can be synthesized today, but it's a greater bother. And you'd still have a lot of pollution issues.

      Besides, so what, you want a heavy duty truck, what's the average person need? Not that. And it's an utter waste for them to tote it around, and the same for you. If you want to keep your big tow wagon around, ok, but don't you think you might enjoy a nice quiet ride with a vehicle that isn't choking others around you, or towing around a lot of useless mass when you don't need to tow anything?

      Maybe you're the joke here.

    7. Re:What a joke... by Octorian · · Score: 1

      "niche market" is kind of an overstatement. In fact, your usage scenario -- according to statistics -- is the "niche market". Very very few people actually need the ability to get into an 8000lb truck and drive 600+ miles before needing to refuel.

      But a very high percentage of people who bash Tesla in online forums seem to have this as a critically important use case :-P

    8. Re:What a joke... by zwede · · Score: 2

      It's a perfectly practical only car. I've never needed another car the 2.5 years I've had my Tesla. I'm trying to remember the last time I drove over 500 miles. I think it was in 2004. If I need to go far I fly.

    9. Re:What a joke... by Kjella · · Score: 2

      I think people who actually need to tow things are the niche market since most people don't. Most people here go from home to work, home to drop the kids at school, home to the store etc and for that the range of the Tesla is good enough.

      For that a Nissan Leaf will do, really. But how often do you do those not so everyday things? If it's one trip a year maybe, if it's ten trips a year I have to take out a lease, go collect the car, inspect it for any damage so they don't blame me, transfer all my belongings, deal with an all new car and once I'm done drop it off and get home I'm not going to do it. Actually a Tesla would be pretty sweet, but it's also a premium car. I can get a compact that serves my needs for half the price if all I need is the occasional range. Not to mention my Ford Focus can pull a trailer, no need for the Model X.

      On top of that, instead of 2-5 minutes filling up, you can fill up overnight or use one of the higher power chargers at the shopping mall (Several malls here in Montreal have them) and have a full charge when you are done shopping or eating. If you think about it, it's actually a more efficient use of your time since you no longer have to supervise the car while it charges.

      Of course my gas engine car has a 55L tank and uses about 0.7L / 10km so it's 6-700 km between tanking with 100 km to spare. Also unlike an electric car it's not a big deal if I run close to empty, while being stuck at a charger when you don't want to sucks so I'd probably top off the EV all the time though I technically didn't need to. Maybe you can shave off a few seconds but you only need to screw up once because you were in a hurry or distracted or the charger malfunctioned and you could be stuck for half an hour or more.

      Here in Norway they've given huge incentives to EVs, built out a massive number of chargers but the sales peaked at about 15% and is now trending back towards 10% market share. And that's in a market where a Tesla P90D costs less than a Ford Mustang V8... okay so muscle cars are punished horribly. Anyway the Leaf has been doing well paired with a big "family car" as the commute car, but I think they have a long way to go to make any serious dent in the ICE market. Globally the need for cars probably grows faster than EVs can, so at best it's slowing a trend not turning it.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    10. Re:What a joke... by heybiff · · Score: 1

      Clearly that thought has occurred to someone with the wherewithal to do something about it: https://electrek.co/2016/06/13...

      --
      Even the Sun goes down.
    11. Re: What a joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      If a job's worth doing, it's worth over-doing. I wouldn't be happy unless I had several thousand horsepower available, and a good few tens of tons so I can take a few knocks.

      A tank. What I need is a tank. Armor plated for those dangerous 5 mile drives to the bus depot or Safeway. Enough power to tow my wife's Honda along with all the other cars in the neighborhood...simultaneously. Cuz you know that happens EVERY SINGLE FREAKIN DAY. I need a good size gas can on board for when I need the range. 200 gal cans on the side should be good.

      Except parking is a bitch, you can't use compact spaces. You can park on top of other cars but the owners might get mad. You have machine guns for that though...

    12. Re:What a joke... by Dog-Cow · · Score: 1

      I could drive about 2/3rds of the way across my country in a fully-charged Tesla S, but I couldn't charge it at home, nor at work. Even a free EV would be useless to me.

    13. Re:What a joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most people in America "need" to walk or bike that 5 miles instead anyway.

    14. Re:What a joke... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It might even be a practical only car for a relatively well heeled urbanite. As a person who walks most of the time and has a lot of family a State away in a quite rural area, the Tesla is a terrible choice for me. For others obviously it's a good choice.

    15. Re:What a joke... by stoatwblr · · Score: 1

      "I could totally see shipping trucks being an ideal situation for electric"

      Any kind of drayage work would be an ideal EV truck solution - and being a truck chassis you can hang a _lot_ more battery on the thing.

      For long-haul transport regular IC (no hybrid) is still likely to be the most cost-effective solution.

  7. Re:Why not by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mr. Fusion generator

  8. Only 121 Horses? by newcastlejon · · Score: 0

    Most of the other models are 380hp or above. Even if the article writer forgot to include the other motor that still leaves quite a shortfall.

    --
    If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
    1. Re:Only 121 Horses? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      From TFA (this is Slashdot, you're excused for not reading it):

      [NOTE: An earlier version of this article suggested that the quotation of 90 kw (121 hp) for the Tesla's motor output was a typo or an error. We thank our reader Vigge50 for pointing out that EU requirements appear to require quoting maximum sustainable power over a long period, rather the peak outputs quoted by Tesla in North America. We've corrected the error.]

    2. Re:Only 121 Horses? by mdm-adph · · Score: 1

      it's measured weirdly with an electric car -- I'll let someone with much more knowledge of it than me explain.

      --
      It is by my will alone my thoughts acquire motion; it is by the juice of the coffee bean that the thoughts acquire speed
    3. Re:Only 121 Horses? by AaronW · · Score: 2

      That seems surprising to me, since I have taken my Tesla P85 up numerous long steep grades in the Sierra Nevada mountains, usually driving well over the speed limit. The only thing I notice about going up grades like that is the battery drains rather faster than normal. 120HP (90KW) for steady driving is a lot. For freeway cruising in my model S I average around 35KW.

      --
      This post is encrypted twice with ROT-13. Documenting or attempting to crack this encryption is illegal.
    4. Re:Only 121 Horses? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tesla often uses misleading power figures in advertising that the cars can only deliver for a very short time (or even never, like the "combined" power figure they got in trouble for in Norway). 90 kW (122 hp) is the maximum sustained power for the 100D. If I remember correctly, numbers for the existing Model S variants are similar.

  9. EU mileage is higher than US EPA mileage?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is that possible? I've never once seen the US mileage come close to being accurate except in the most ideal circumstances.

    Does the EU test on a closed track, with no wind, with a constant downhill grade?

    Mileage ratings should be per state (or equivalent) at best. Geographies vary far too much to make it useful otherwise.

  10. So it's about halfway where I would need it to be by chuckugly · · Score: 1

    If they can double that and make it recharge fully in about 5 minutes it'll be as good as a diesel.

  11. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by KingMotley · · Score: 1

    As good as a diesel in trying to cheat to actually pass emissions? Or is that in cost per mile?

  12. FBI BurEAU HeaD asks: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why don't you have an electric car today pleb?

    Slashdot readers, of the former civilian Slashdot, know this about Slashdot.

    F B I

    As for electric cars to break up the hacker leaker Microsoft update 10 spy stories..

    Electric cars require far more oil to produce than they ever save by driving one.

    End of subject.

    1. Re:FBI BurEAU HeaD asks: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      PRESUME IT'S A LIE (FBI) (FBI) (FBI) [singing]

      but shh don't tell the Russians

  13. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If your only parameter to owning a car is to be able to drive 600 miles, and fill up in 5 minutes and drive 600 miles again, then you're correct.

  14. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    +1 Passat TDI 2013. Got 715 miles on my last 18 gal tank, refilled at truck stop with the super fast diesel pumps for the semis, took maybe 40 seconds to fill up.

    Range is the issue with all electric, yes all the you drive around town for the most part, 5-50 miles /day. That's great, yes I do that too, every day, 5 miles each way to work, would I buy an all electric then, no. Since on the weekends I drive to Chicago, about 200 miles away, I have no reliable way to recharge in chicago without leaving my car somewhere I'd rather not, and if I didn't recharge I couldn't get home. Oh well I could own another car for that. Sure I could, I could buy a 100K car so I could drive 5 miles every day to work "greenly" (debatable) and another car for 10K to drive to Chicago on the weekends. Or I could buy by 15K used 2013 Passat TDI, and do both, and I am going to go out on a limb and guess that I won't be spending 95K in diesel in my entire life. It is laughable to think that people justify a Tesla for "fuel economy", arguments like "green tech", "neat gadget", "autopilot death machine" - maybe, but certainly not to save money on gas. I mean is you only other option a Audi R8. Take a look at a honda.

    Secondly as for the cheating, honestly I don't really care. I get great mileage and the EPA diesel requirements are a sham, they only apply to passenger cars, no to buses, big truck, ambulances, etc. The amount of additional pollution generated by the cars that the strict emissions standards apply to is dwarfed by the diesels that it doesn't.

  15. Must switch to Premium Electricity. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To get 30% more range out of a roughly 11% larger capacity. Probably helps with preventing knocking as well.

  16. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by laserhead · · Score: 1

    As good as a diesel in trying to cheat to actually pass emissions? Or is that in cost per mile?

    Why not both? Electricity produced by burning coal/natural gas/gas has the same environmental impact as directly burning gas in cars. And in the future the EV owner need to pay extra road construction/maintenance fee because they don't pay through pump.

  17. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wrong. The efficiency of an electric motor is way higher (95%) than a gas motor (15%). Even runnig electric cars with electricity completely generated by coal produces less carbon emmision than efficient gas cars. Further battery electric cars can regenerate kinetic energy into electric energy, while gas cars can only loose it by heating the environement even more.

  18. weight (was: Re:Meh) by nicolaiplum · · Score: 1, Informative

    The Model S is quite heavy. Bear in mind the Model S has the interior space of a Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3-series.

    Comparing the curbside weights of the high-performance versions of saloon (American: sedan), as the Tesla markets itself as a high-performance car.

    Tesla Model S 85D: 2188kg
    Mercedes AMG C63: 1785kg
    BMW M3: 1646kg
    Audi A4 3.0V6 TDI: 1540kg

    The Tesla is over 400kg heavier than a comparable internal combustion car.

    Considering larger cars, the Mercedes AMG E63 estate (American: wagon), a significantly larger car with significantly more space inside, weighs 1945kg. The Lexus LS, also a larger car weighs 1965kg. The Tesla still weighs over 200kg more.

    The Tesla is heavy. Significantly heavier than its direct internal combustion equivalents.

    --
    "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled"
    1. Re:weight (was: Re:Meh) by Ost99 · · Score: 2

      Model S is SIGNIFICANTLY larger than a BMW M3, Mercedes C or Audi A4.

      Model S is wider than the Mercedes S or Audi A8, and about the length of a Mercedes E or Audi A6.

      Drove a A4 for a week this summer, and it was ridiculously small.

      --
      ---- Sig. gone.
    2. Re:weight (was: Re:Meh) by boristdog · · Score: 1

      Do those figures include fuel load? 80 litres of gasoline only weighs about 56Kg, but it is not light.

    3. Re:weight (was: Re:Meh) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Model S is SIGNIFICANTLY larger than a BMW M3, Mercedes C or Audi A4.

      Only on the scales, and the outside. Interior space is about the same.

    4. Re:weight (was: Re:Meh) by stoatwblr · · Score: 1

      "Model S is SIGNIFICANTLY larger than a BMW M3, Mercedes C or Audi A4."

      What counts is internal space. I've been in some large cars which are ridiculously cramped inside (Jgauar XJ12 being a classic example)

      When comparing mass of a EV vs IC vehicle, you're not comparing apples with apples.

      Acceleration is different as all the power and torque is available from stationary

      Milage isn't affected nearly as much in a EV because mass doesn't affect rolling resistance much and acceleration energy losses are offset by braking regeneration gains.

      Whilst not a Tesla, I took a Leaf for a few days test drive and found that the there was virtually no difference in overall round trip energy consumption between 2 routes to work - one of 11 miles with a 400 foot climb and descent in it over narrow and winding english lanes and the other of 16 miles with under 50 feet of elevation change over much straighter, wider roads (less braking and acceleration required. Both routes take about 30 minutes), with a 200 foot climb on the last mile for both routes.

      Contrast that with a 2 litre petrol Nissan which uses 20% more fuel on the shorter route than the longer one (that 400 foot climb is a hogback type ridge)

      The practical effect is that route planning is less critical for commuting. For blasting down freeways at 70+mph you're going to be expending most of your energy punching through the air but below 55mph the difference is strongly around regeneration.

      Once you hit stop/start traffic or "urban mum runs" then any efficiency you might get from an IC engine goes out the window, especially for the latter cases when the engine barely gets a chance to start warming up. In such cases if you can get 1/2 to 1/4 of the claimed milage you're doing well - but this kind of operation doesn't affect EV efficiency at all.

  19. Cost? by Locke2005 · · Score: 2

    Obviously bigger batteries are going to give you more range and possible better acceleration (at the risk of melting the motor). But at some point, aren't you limited by the physical space available to store the battery? Or have they figured out how to pack more kilowatt-hours into the same physical space? I would be inclined to spend more upfront for better range, but I can't afford the Telsa I want anyway.

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    1. Re:Cost? by Thelasko · · Score: 3, Informative

      Or have they figured out how to pack more kilowatt-hours into the same physical space?

      That one.

      Tesla is changing the battery format it uses now that the Gigafactory is open and they produce their own cells. This new cell design is optimized for the needs of Tesla, and not other things like laptops.

      --
      One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
  20. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

    Regenerative breaking make electric or hybrid a big win in city driving, but not so much in constant-speed freeway touring. But... I still want a vehicle with a constant-speed diesel charging batteries that drive a separate motor in each wheel.

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  21. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In other words, you wants a locomotive.
    Seriously, though, you're kinda describing the Volt: battery car, with on-board ICE charger (i.e., "range extender"). BMW has one too in the i3. Now, if they could only make 'em with better interiors (the Chevy) or better exteriors (the BMW).

  22. ANd who the fuck cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    And Ford increased the gas tank size on Fusion from 14 to 16 US gallons....

    1. Re:ANd who the fuck cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Didn't they replace the Fusion with the B-Max years ago?

  23. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by chuckugly · · Score: 1

    Range in a day. I generally walk to the office, groceries and so on are delivered. When I drive, I drive about 800 miles in an 11 hour day. I'm unaware of any electric that can pull that off. Plug-in hybrids are a great fit though.

  24. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by chuckugly · · Score: 1

    Yes, the I3 is loud, and the Volt is a GM product. I'd have an Audi hybrid though.

  25. Re:So it's about halfway where I would need it to by chuckugly · · Score: 1

    Exactly. Ideally something like the Audi Q7 e-tron would be in my garage except, as you point out, an expensive car is just a large wasting asset. Fun sometimes, but when you drive as seldom and as briefly as I typically drive it's hard to justify.

  26. Why do you feel the need to lie? by Brannon · · Score: 1

    30 minutes of super-charging gives you an extra 180 miles, not an extra 50.

    This is how I know that Tesla is going to be super-successful, because the fact that most arguments against EVs include over-the-top lies indicates that the fundamental problem is (a) ignorance and (b) an irrational fear of change. History has taught us that both (a) & (b) will auto-correct.

    1. Re: Why do you feel the need to lie? by ffejie · · Score: 1

      I'm not lying. If I have a 350 mile drive, I only need an extra 50-75 miles to top off, in ideal conditions. How long will this take? Superchargers do a better job when the battery is very low, and also, are only placed in certain spots. This means that when I drive from Philadelphia to Cape Cod (350 miles), I have a choice to make as to which supercharger to stop at. I probably can't make it 320 miles to the last Supercharger, so I need to stop somewhere earlier. I'll probably have to stop when there is 100 - 150 miles left on the current charge. This means slower charging to get to my 50 to 75 mile top up. While exact numbers aren't available from Tesla, it certainly looks like it will take 25-35 minutes to get that 50-75 miles top off. My drive is specific to me. It may seem like I'm creating a scenario where I've set Tesla to fail, but it's just my real world scenario. And for the record: I *love* Tesla. I own stock. I want them to succeed. I badly want autopilot (specifically for this drive!). I test drove a Model S, and didn't love the huge sedan feel (I currently drive a coupe, and prefer the way it handles). I have range anxiety, which is the biggest thing that keeps me on a gas car. It sucks. I think Tesla fans need a dose of reality when it comes to this Supercharger fantasy of breaking up a long drive by resting 1 hour every 4. You don't get a "nice dinner". You're sitting around and waiting, when you don't want to be. It's not good. That's really all I was saying in my original post.

      --
      Disagreeing with me does not mean you get to mod me troll.
  27. tesla stock must be slow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    need another Musk/Tesla tech blog promise/hype cycle, stat! let's get all the Gawker sites circulating this and Facebook trending it!

  28. Fair enough, my apologies. by Brannon · · Score: 1

    (nt)

  29. yeah up the battery...what could go wrong... by KimmoV · · Score: 1

    I am just waiting for Tesla to start using a well known song by Five Finger Deathpunch as their marketing-jingle

    --
    This text has been written completely with recycled bits and bytes.