Tesla Model S News

The idea is good, and the green power pluses are mostly fine, but no-one wants to pay to play this way.Global sales of plug-in cars are currently little more than a trickle, even if Tesla of America is currently trumpeting a showroom success - thanks to massive government subsidies across the Pacific - that means its Model S outsold the about-to-be-replaced Benz C-Class last month in the USA.Here in Australia, Nissan has slashed the price of its plug-in Leaf by $7000 and has an $85-a-week repayment plan to try and entice buyers.But the numbers are not good and even Carlos Ghosn, global boss of the Nissan-Renault alliance that leads the mainstream conversion to battery power, says it's going to take time - and large-scale conversion work in China - to turn electric power into anything beyond an oddity.We're expecting the Renault Zoe in 2014 and it drives well and looks good, but Renault Australia has effectively cancelled its plan for a Fluence electric car because Better Place - the start-up energy company that's in all sorts of trouble - cannot deliver on its plans for battery-swap stations across Australia.But there is something new that could also help and it plugs into one of the oldest maxims in the car business - Racing improves the Breed.This tagline is mostly applied to V8-powered racers that have fuelled our appetite for V8 muscle cars, but it applies just as well - or better - to a new category called Formula E. Think of it as F1 with batteries.The plug-in racers are set to run in 2014 in a new world championship that's also intended to take the whisper-quiet contenders into the hearts of some of the world's biggest and best-known cities, including Rome, Rio, London and even Bangkok. The organisers are planning for 20 cars in 10 teams.Not surprisingly, Renault is an early adopter for Formula E and will supply cars and power packs, while TAG-Heuer wants to time the action and get a nice green rub-off for its watch business.“We believe that motorsport is an efficient manner to promote the efficiency of new technologies, and we’re eager to use that single-seater in FIA Formula E championship to show our technology is the best,” says Patric Ratti, managing director of Renault Sport Technologies.But the key to Formula E is huge support from Paris, and the global headquarters of the FIA. The French organisation is responsible for overall governance of world motorsport but is taking a growing role in road safety and the future of the automobile, including its electrification.It believes Formula E can be a powerful tool to drive electric power forward, as well as showcasing the advantages of plug-in power and the performance potential of battery cars.The conversion plan looks shakier in Australia, because we rely on dirty coal combustion for almost all our power, but it still has plenty going for it.A bunch of high-tech single seaters will highlight the latest developments in electric power and, provided no-one runs out of zap, it's a formula for potential success that could revive another of those hoary old slogans from the past.You know it - Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

Australia can no longer look forward to getting a Tesla Model S under the luxury car tax level when the car launches here -- after delays likely December this year or early 2014.In what feels more like a bait-and-switch marketing tactic than a legitimate business decision, Tesla Motors has announced that it will not build the most affordable, smallest battery pack version of the Model S electric sedan.Why? Because of a “lack of demand”. According to Tesla, only four per cent of buyers placing deposits reserved the 40-kWh version of the Model S. The 40-kWh model remains on Tesla's retail site for the moment, at a promised price of US$52,400 -- after $7,500 in US tax rebates that are not echoed here in Australia.Tesla had previously said it would start the Model S range below the luxury car tax level, which would have meant the base variant coming in under $77,000. That leaves us with the prospect of the two higher variants -- 60kWh and 85kWh -- which will cost much more.And while just how much more has not yet been revealed, it's likely we'll see the 85kWh one at around $150,000. Tesla had claimed a range of 257 km for the 40kWh Model S, along with a 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 177 km/h. A 173 kilowatts motor generating 420 Newton metres of torque was specified, with production to begin this year.According to Tesla, “Customers are voting with their wallet that they want a car that gives them the freedom to travel long distances when needed.”American buyers that reserved a slot for the 40kWh model won't be left in the cold, however. Instead, they'll get a crippled version of the US$62,400 (after credit) 60 kWh car. It'll have the same battery pack as the mid-range Model S, but software will limit it to use of 40kWh of the pack's energy.This limited version of the electric sedan will also offer the 60-kWh car's more powerful motor and attendant quicker acceleration (100km/h in 5.9 seconds) and higher top speed (193 km/h).www.motorauthority.com 

Tesla Motors' Australian boss Jay McCormack says the Model S and a performance version will begin deliveries in Australia next year starting at about $85,000 through to $130,000 depending on battery pack option and model.The five-seater Model S begins deliveries in the US from June 22 at just under $60,000, but McCormack says import costs such as duty, GST and luxury car tax will add to the price. "But it will still be comparable with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class," he says."The biggest holdback is the lack of Australian government incentives for EV. "With a significant focus by the government like in California, there would be a far greater take-up of EV."This is the only Tesla market in the world where there is no element of incentive. I'm not just talking about monetary incentives but also use of bus and transit lanes and extra parking benefits." Tesla Motors says worldwide reservations for the electric sedan exceed 10,000 and they plan to deliver about half by the end of the year.McCormack said last October they had 50 Australian customers who had paid deposits of $6000 for the Model S or $40,000 for the limited-edition Model S Signature, but he would not confirm current order numbers."We've taken a considerable amount more since then but I must admit there is a decree from California to not specifically not talk about market numbers which is a disappointment for me as I'd like to talk about our success," he says."However, I can tell you we've been able to increase our volume by about another 25 per cent from our previous number." So that's about 60-odd Australian orders. McCormack says they have customer reservations from every state of Australia as well as New Zealand.The Model S four-door liftback is powered by an AC electric motor with an 85 kilowatt-hour battery pack made of more than 8000 lithium-ion cells. It has a reported 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds which is quick for a family car but slow compared with the 3.7 seconds for the now-defunct two-door Tesla Roadster, which was the world's fastest production electric vehicle.The performance version of the Model S which will also be available in Australia "from day one" is capable of reaching 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, which is faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera. The model range includes Model S with four battery packs from 40kWh to 85kWh performance and Model S Signature with 85kWh and 85kWh performance battery packs.Battery range will vary from 260km to 485km which is more than any other mass-produced EV available. It will charge from any conventional 240V outlet while an optional three-phase 480V charger will top up the battery in 45 minutes.The powertrain sits under the floor, creating a low centre of gravity and, with no transmission tunnel, a generous amount of cabin space and two cargo areas. It also features an aluminium body, air suspension and two optional rear-facing children's seats.McCormack says one of the biggest selling points will be the large 43cm central touch screen. "It's like the size of an iPad and three-quarters," he says. "The centre display commands the whole vehicle from lighting to climate control to Google maps and even live streaming of the internet."Tesla Motors currently only has a corporate office in Sydney but is "on track" to open a shopfront in a shopping centre. McCormack says the store will resemble an Apple store. Customers can also book test drives and pay deposits over the internet.McCormack says they have sold 23 Roadsters and have four left. "We should sell out of Roadsters about six months earlier than we thought," he says. "We do about five to 10 test drives in Sydney weekly and we bounce around the other states with about 20 to 30 test drives at a time."Tesla is based in Palo Alto, California, and makes EVs and EV powertrain components for partners such as Toyota and Daimler.Tesla Model S and SignaturePrices: about $85,000-$130,000Motor: AC electric, 270kW/415NmBattery: 40kWh-85kWh, 5000 lithium-ion cells Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000kmBody: 4.9m (l), 2.2m (w), 1.4m (h)Weight: 1735kg 

The sleek electric four-door liftback will take over from two-door Roadster which is the world's fastest production electric vehicle.In response to scepticism that the Model S will go into production after several months of delays, the car will be rolled out for prospective customers on October 1 at the company's California factory, says Tesla Motors' Australian boss Jay McCormack. However, customers will only be able to "see and touch" the car, he says. There will be no test drives as full production will not begin until the middle of next year.McCormack says the Model S will begin deliveries in Australia by early 2013. "There are already 6000 reservations worldwide and about 50 in Australia," he says."Prices will be a bit more competitive than the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E Class if you consider the technology involved." It will come in three variants with different battery packs for varying range.The base model will have 260km of range. Another will have 370km and the Signature Series will have 480km of range. Tesla will begin production with the top-end model. "Most of our reservations are for the high-range model," McCormack says. "It will cost about $90,000 for the top model."The Model S will also have an optional quick-charging three-phase 480V unit available which will charge the battery in 45 minutes, but prices have not yet been set for the charger, McCormack says.Tesla Motors currently only has a corporate office in Sydney, but plans to open a shop front. "We will open a store like an Apple store in 18 months in Sydney in a high-traffic retail environment like a Westfield shopping centre," he says."People visit us over the internet and we do test drives around the country or customers fly to Sydney for a drive. McCormack says he is disappointed in the lack of incentives for electric vehicles in Australia except for the zero stamp duty."This is the only Tesla market in the world where there is no element of incentive," he says. "I'm not just talking about monetary incentives but also use of bus and transit lanes and extra parking benefits."Tesla Model SPrice: up to $90,000Motor: AC electricBattery: 5000 lithium-ion cellsTransmission: single-speedDimensions: 4978mm (L), 2959mm (WB)Kerb weight: 1735kg

Niche US electric carmaker Tesla Motors is likely to become the first brand to sell an electric car in Australia, beating both the Mitsubishi i-MIEV and Nissan Leaf to market. Industry website GoAuto says the US-owned company is readying a local launch of its Lotus Elise-based two-seater Roadster. The company's first dealership is expected to be in Sydney.One Melbourne-based dealer keen to watch the Tesla rollout is the managing director of Zagame Ferrari and Maserati, Bobby Zagame. "It will certainly be interesting," he says. Zagame has seen the cars in the UK and believes they present an interesting option for cashed-up buyers in the supercar market. Would he like to get on board with a dealership?"Not really, I don't know what to expect out of something like that," he says. "I understand they will still be expensive but they may appeal to a wealthy client who wants that technology."The Roadsters sells in the US for about $130,000 and is expected to have a local pricetag above $200,000, according to GoAuto. The first cars are tipped to go on sale in August after completing homologation. The Roadster has been on sale in the UK since January.The Tesla uses lithium-ion batteries and a 375-volt air-cooled electric motor to generate 215kW/370Nm. A Sport version adds an extra 30Nm of torque. Like the Elise, the car is a light-weight rear-drive two-seater that with the battery pack, tips the scales at 1238kg.It has supercar-like acceleration, hitting 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 200km/h. The Roadster has a combined highway and city range of 393km with an expected battery life of seven-years or 160,000km.To fully charge the car takes about 3.5 hours using a conventional 240-volt outlet. GoAuto says the cars are expected to have Tesla's standard power connectors that allow low, medium and high charging options. The low-charge system allows overnight charging while the high-charge takes about four hours.In the US these connectors cost between $US600 and $US3000 and the battery pack costs $US12,000 to replace. Tesla sells the Roadster in 21 countries and has so far sold more than 1000 globally.It is well advanced with plans to build a sleek family sedan, called the S with deliveries to start in the US in 2012.The S has a similar range to the Roadster but proper sedan-like seating for five plus two child seats. In the US it will have a starter price of $US49,900, which includes a $US7500 government tax credit.The car is expected to be built in right-hand drive.Tesla's fortunes have risen in recent weeks after Japanese giant Toyota announced it was investing more than $50 million into the company to help develop cars and electric components.What makes it go?Battery: Microprocessor controlled lithium-ion battery packMotor: 215kW three-phase electric with 14,000 rev limit and regenerative brakingTorque: 370Nm from zero to 5500 revsTransmission: Single-speed gearboxChassis: Bonded extruded aluminium monocoque chassisBrakes: Four-wheel Brembo discsBody: Hand-crafted carbon fibre.

The US-based Tesla, which uses lithium-ion batteries and the Lotus Elise as its donor vehicle, is the only producer of highway-capable electric cars in the North American and European markets.Mercedes-Benz parent, Daimler AG, says it bought the stake and will form a co-operative to make and develop battery systems, electric drivetrains and vehicles.Tesla provided technology to create the Daimler-owned electric Smart car.Daimler has 100 Smart electric cars on trial in London and later this year will start production of 1000 versions.This year Daimler is also starting small-series production of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class with a fuel-cell drive system.In 2010 it will introduce its first battery-powered Mercedes-Benz and from 2012, Daimler plans to equip all Smart and Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles with its inhouse-produced lithium-ion batteries.In 2004, Tesla began development of its first electric vehicle, the Roadster, which remains the only highway-capable EV for sale in North America or Europe.The Tesla Roadster is the first production battery electric vehicle to travel more than 320km per charge. It accelerates from zero to 100km/h in about in 4 seconds.Tesla will start making its four-door Model S in California in late 2011.

After making headlines and friends with its battery-powered Roadster sports car based on the Lotus Elise, and selling more than 250 cars with the promise of a 3.9-second sprint to 100km/h, the American company is pushing into the luxury class with its Model S.The Model S is expected to be built with right-hand drive, which would make it suitable for Australia, but production will not begin until sometime in 2011.The newcomer comes with all sorts of impressive claims, including a cashed-up first customer called Steve Jurvetson who already has a Roadster in the garage and has had a ride in the first pre-production Model S.Teslar says the Model S has a range up to 480 kilometres, is capable of a 45-minute QuickCharge and can carry five adults and two children with boot space that beats a station wagon, thanks to space under both the bonnet and rear end.It is forecasting a starting price of $US49,990 for the Model S and says it is "the only car you'll ever need".Just like the Roadster, Tesla is pushing performance as one of the selling points on the new four-door, with a claimed top speed of 200km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds.But the Model S is more likely to sell for its styling, which could easily have come from the Jaguar design studio. It is a good looking, full-sized prestige car with all the usual luxury gear inside, from leather seats and aircon to a giant TFT display screen that monitors operation of the electric powerpack.Tesla says it will cost about $US4 to fully charge the car.Apart from the multi-purpose cabin - with fold-flat seats to rival the interior space of an SUV - Tesla says the car will be available with either two or four-wheel drive.The car is built around a liquid-cooled, floor-mounted battery pack with a single-speed gearbox. There are no details of the battery system, or even the type of batteries in the car, beyond a choice of 42-70 kiloWatt-hour systems made up of 8000 individual cells.It is likely that the car will use a similar system to the Roadster, which has more than 1000 laptop computer batteries wired into a single pack.The key to the short charge time for the Model S is a 480-volt system, which requires Tesla's new QuickCharger, although the batteries can also be recharged from 120 and 240-volt sockets.The batteries can be charged via either a 120V, 240V or 480V power outlet, with the 480V taking only 45 minutes to a full charge. There is of course no country in the world with a 480V system, so this requires a special QuickCharger.Telsa's CEO, Elon Musk, says the battery packs can also be swapped in less time than it takes to refill a convention petrol car.