What is Digg?66 Comments
- deadnoob, on 07/04/2008, -1/+30Well, that won't fit in my driveway.
- sciencesays, on 07/04/2008, -0/+9Not affordable for everyone, no, but i's the same as a lot of those BMWs and Mercedes that seem to be EVERYWHERE. Seems like those are the people who are most interested in alternative energy anyhow.
- strafefire, on 07/04/2008, -0/+9Its pricey because of the battery, nothing else.
The Li-Ion battery is expensive to make. More expensive than the just as good NiMH batteries.
The problem with NiMH batteries are that the patents for them are owned by Chevron Texaco:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_metal_hydride_ ...
They do not allow people to purchase them in bulk without major surcharges [thereby making it cheaper to use the Li-Ion batteries].
Now, Tesla could use just plain ole Lead Acid batteries, but they weigh a freaking lot, and there is a point where you would reach diminished returns because of the weight.
Unless someone comes up with a way to cheaply improve Li-Ion battery chemistry, OR somehow get Chervon to pull their head out of their asses and jump aboard the electric revolution [which aint going to happen], electric cars are stuck.
BTW, why is it that NO ONE on digg ever talks about Water Hybrid Vehicles? There are many communities out there that are using electrolysis to turn water into HHO, and sending the hydrogen into a car's engine to burn with the car's gasoline.
Now, you may be saying that electrolysis is not economical, but it is....if you use Pulsating DC [PWM'd] vice just normal DC.
Try here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DL90PDiceQ8
and here: http://www.panacea-bocaf.org/meyerswatercell.htm
The purpose of this group is to take the OPEN SOURCE approach in replicating fuel cell and battery technologies. This way, it is believed that the information can get out sooner, and that no will accidentally commit suicide once work is completed... - LetitDrop, on 07/04/2008, -0/+6I'm glad it's not just a cool concept car that we will never see and that it's actually coming out.
Go Tesla! - gannondork, on 07/04/2008, -0/+6well it's a start i guess.
- dwu182, on 07/04/2008, -1/+6i thought it was going to be $30,000?
- PabloIV, on 07/04/2008, -0/+5I was having this affordability discussion with a much wealthier friend of mine.
And, he made the good point that most technologies are initially for the rich, with this money; economies of scale and new research bring down the price for the masses.
So just give it time, it's a great first step. - mfaith, on 07/04/2008, -0/+5They also said that they were in the process of creating a version in the sub $30,000 range that should be available a few years after that. So, while the $60,000 is not outrageous, the $30,000 is a great price point for major acceptance. Also, if this creates even more competition with other car makers, then that would be outstanding.
- inactive, on 07/04/2008, -0/+5They said they anticipate being able to sell one at $30,000 within four years - this is a different car
- diggydougie, on 07/04/2008, -0/+3HHO doesn't work. No matter how you slice it . The energy it takes to break down the hydrogen from water will ALWAYS be greater than the energy provided by the hydrogen. It's basic physics.
- EtherGnat, on 07/04/2008, -0/+3I'm going to go out on a limb and say they'll build an affordable electric car when it's affordable to make an electric car that people want. Be thankful there are any electric cars now, and wealthy early adopters to buy them--they're the ones that will drive prices down.
- gradivus, on 07/04/2008, -0/+3So when will they get around to actually building a REAL electric car(that I can actually drive around) instead of building hype and press releases?
- wildfire, on 07/04/2008, -1/+4I guess Arnold's bratwurst-powered car was a flop then.
- inactive, on 07/04/2008, -0/+3 Is that 250 mile range with just the driver or with 5 passengers in the car? With as light as electric cars are 5 passengers adds a huge percentage to the weight.
- MarkusX, on 07/04/2008, -2/+5Any pictures available, yet?
- init100, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2Electric cars are light? I think you forgot the heavy batteries.
- EtherGnat, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2The Tesla Roadster *is* being manufactured now, albeit slowly. Do you expect them to build a new model and not tell anybody about it first?
- Ramble, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2You had gay sex for money??
- antonio97b, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2Says you. I love road trips.
- init100, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2Leading edge technology always is, it is how they recuperate the development costs. If this becomes a hit among the rich, expect cheaper electric cars a few years in the future.
- inactive, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2In 2 years the gov't will have knocked off a zero on all out currency just like Argentina is going to do.
- grantmoore3d, on 07/05/2008, -0/+2Not to mention... it looks like a big sperm on wheels
- aserer511, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2About 60% of the price of the Roadster. If it is marketed well and atleast 60% as quick, it'll be a hit amongst would-be 550i/E500 buyers, as it is just a tad pricier.
- PinkChicken, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2I want one, I'll just get free energy from your outdoor outlets.
- diggydougie, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2Hopefully they will eventually have a complete line of tiny cars, sports cars, trucks, Sedans, etc.
- StandardsDT, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2This article is basically stating what the original submission from 4 days ago said, just with company background information along with a celebrity/governor being mentioned.
Original Submission:
http://digg.com/tech_news/Tesla_to_produce_sub_30k ... - TheSkinsFactory, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1The Aptera is cool but would you really trust it to take a hit in a car accident? I have a 2002 BMW 5 Series and was rear-ended while i was stopped and the other driver was going about 30-40 MPH. Barely any damage to my car. I don't think I'd want to get rear-ended in an Aptera.
- Jschluet, on 07/04/2008, -2/+3Can you just pull over and find an outlet?
- nedzeve, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1So, like my cell phone and my laptop, at first, I'll get great battery life -- but within a couple years, I'll be lucky if there's enough charge to make it to the grocery store and back.
- diggydougie, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1About the same as an SUV though. Besides, in 2 years 60,000 will be more like 40,000 of today's money.
- EtherGnat, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Actually I'd *love* to bike to work, but it's two miles of dangerous two lane highway with no shoulder. Thanks for the constructive suggestion though.
- EtherGnat, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1You're the dumb one if you can't realize that people have different needs. If you buy a Tesla Roadster presumably it meets your needs, or you have other methods of transportation at your disposal.
I live 2 miles from work and could probably go a month between recharges in the Tesla. We take my wife's car for any long trips anyway. Yes, we all realize electric cars aren't for everybody yet. Thank you Captain Obvious, but that's no reason to be a jerk about it. - jermm, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1NiMH is heavy, that's why laptops, iPods, PSPs/DSs, and the Tesla uses Li-Ion.
- goodinohio, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1Free? By the time it gets to your house it will be much more expensive than what we pay now.
- inactive, on 07/04/2008, -4/+5Methink Tesla is in business of manufacturing press releases.
- PinkChicken, on 07/04/2008, -1/+2Maybe for you, but I've got Kevin Rose money.
- BESTenemy, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1Even before that, what are we going to do about all the added electric power consumption? Every car takes about 30 kW of energy to charge, plug all of those puppies into the grid and watch the power lines melt.
- czernel, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsaD0Iq59aY
- SilverBlade2k, on 07/04/2008, -3/+4When are they going to get around to actually building a real electric car that is AFFORDABLE? 60K is NOT affordable.
- inactive, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1 Maybe a presidential candidate will have the foresight to see we need better battery technology and propose some money to do something about it? People would love that idea right?
- grantmoore3d, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Curious, how much would it cost to re-charge from "empty"?
- goodinohio, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1If we go all electric cars what will we do with used batteries?
- shoover, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1No, there is no magic free energy.
Well, unless you consider tidal, hydro, sun or wind. - init100, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1No, it is far too weak.
- Ramble, on 07/04/2008, -1/+2What's the point in creating hydrogen and then burning it when you can use the electricity to directly power the motors? All you're doing is adding an extra step which makes the car heavier and less efficient.
- Philbert, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1As EtherGnat said the Tesla Roadster is available now, there are dozens of videos about it on Youtube.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y4tW9V64sBA - robbiedo, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1When do the patents expire?
- stephantabor, on 07/04/2008, -2/+2with the rising cost of fuel road trips don't seem too appealing anyway
- Sanduu, on 07/04/2008, -3/+3That's great, but quite pricy.
- Ramble, on 07/04/2008, -1/+1No, it is very very weak and it doesn't change that much (a changing magnetic field is needed to produce power).
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