Pliny Posted May 29, 2013 Report Share Posted May 29, 2013 TimG made the comparison that they are like Walmart in an earlier post.... Did you not read the thread? Did you not read my post and what I quoted you saying commenting on Tim's post re Wal-mart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Update: Tesla will be able to sell directly to customers in North Carolina after all. http://www.engadget.com/2013/06/27/tesla-victory-north-carolina/ I am guessing the North Carolina Car Dealers Association couldn't put enough cash into enough politicians' re-election funds to make the legislation worthwhile. -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pliny Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I am guessing the North Carolina Car Dealers Association couldn't put enough cash into enough politicians' re-election funds to make the legislation worthwhile. -k You mean like crony capitalism failed to deliver? Imagine that. Probably the EPA had something to do with the decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Interesting developments for Tesla in Texas. Texas has been one of the states where Tesla is banned from direct sales. However, Tesla has picked up a powerful ally in none other than Governor Perry himself. Perry has recently gone on record saying that he thinks the auto dealer regulations are "antiquated" and it's time to revisit it. Tesla is planning to spend about $5 billion dollars to build a massive factory for lithium-ion batteries for their cars, and Texas is one of a handful of states in the running to be the site. Rick Perry loves bringing business to Texas, and it looks as if he's willing to use updated auto-dealership rules as a bargaining chip to get Tesla to choose Texas. -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Squid Posted April 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) It's too bad that it takes political bribery to change policy.... Tesla has also gone out on a limb and claim they will source materials for their batteries only from North America... Another interesting move by Musk. Edited April 21, 2014 by The_Squid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilber Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 It's too bad that it takes political bribery to change policy.... Tesla has also gone out on a limb and claim they will source materials for their batteries only from North America... Another interesting move by Musk. Smart move I think. The reason people buy these things is because they are "green". People who will pony up a 100 G's for a car aren't much concerned about fuel economy. Local sourcing of materials just makes them greener in the eyes of prospective customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Smart move I think. The reason people buy these things is because they are "green". People who will pony up a 100 G's for a car aren't much concerned about fuel economy. Local sourcing of materials just makes them greener in the eyes of prospective customers. I disagree that people just buy them to be "green". From what I have read, the Tesla cars are completely viable alternatives to other cars in their price range. As in, if you discount the savings on fuel and the "green" cachet, you still have an excellent luxury automobile. The earlier Tesla Roadster was similar: if you discount the savings on fuel and the "green" cachet, you still have a performance car that will blow the doors off of anything in its price range. I have seen a couple of Teslas rolling around Kim City, and they have an extremely high-end look. -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilber Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 (edited) I disagree that people just buy them to be "green". From what I have read, the Tesla cars are completely viable alternatives to other cars in their price range. As in, if you discount the savings on fuel and the "green" cachet, you still have an excellent luxury automobile. The earlier Tesla Roadster was similar: if you discount the savings on fuel and the "green" cachet, you still have a performance car that will blow the doors off of anything in its price range. I have seen a couple of Teslas rolling around Kim City, and they have an extremely high-end look. -k I see a couple locally and they are very nice looking cars but range and sufficient charging stations are still a limiting factor, particularly in cold weather. Realistically, if you also need a car that can do road trips and want the same kind of luxury, it will have to share the garage with something like a diesel E class, Bimmer or Audi . This is not a car I could run up to Kelowna and back on the same day in January like a Golf or Jetta TDI getting 50 mpg and still have a over a quarter tank left at the end of the day. Edited April 22, 2014 by Wilber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthere Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 One thing for sure: all auto manufacturers will be watching this case closely. Who wouldn't want to cut out the dealers, since they skim a fat layer of profit out of the supply chain? Or maybe not, since as I understand it dealers often don't make much on the actual sale of a standard, midrange new car. The money is allegedly in plump earnings from auto financing schemes and in after sale servicing. But vertical integration of the industry could go very well for carmakers, and by and large it can be done without those pesky dealers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GostHacked Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 I see a couple locally and they are very nice looking cars but range and sufficient charging stations are still a limiting factor, particularly in cold weather. Realistically, if you also need a car that can do road trips and want the same kind of luxury, it will have to share the garage with something like a diesel E class, Bimmer or Audi . This is not a car I could run up to Kelowna and back on the same day in January like a Golf or Jetta TDI getting 50 mpg and still have a over a quarter tank left at the end of the day. A solution is to just rent a car or something for long trips. Most of us drive less than 100kms daily, so the car's range is adequate. This was the concern with the EV1, the short range. But it only meets the needs of about 70% of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilber Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 A solution is to just rent a car or something for long trips. Most of us drive less than 100kms daily, so the car's range is adequate. This was the concern with the EV1, the short range. But it only meets the needs of about 70% of us. That's why I like the Volt concept better. Most of an electric cars good points with none of the bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty AC Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 That's why I like the Volt concept better. Most of an electric cars good points with none of the bad. The wasted bulk and weight of an often unnecessary gas tank and internal combustion engine is a drawback. Tesla charging stations can recharge the batteries in 20 minutes. For those that drive locally most of the time, a 20 minute charging break every 3 hours of driving time isn't unreasonable. What's the average for internal combustion vehicles? Maybe a 10 minute gas stop every 3.5 to 4 hours? The difference isn't significant plus the electric fuel, is cheap to free. Tesla is building a network of free charging stations along major routes. http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger However, for the time being in Canada it seems charging options are fewer and farther between. I see your point about the practicality of an on board charging engine, but I think this concept will be unnecessary very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilber Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 The wasted bulk and weight of an often unnecessary gas tank and internal combustion engine is a drawback. Tesla charging stations can recharge the batteries in 20 minutes. For those that drive locally most of the time, a 20 minute charging break every 3 hours of driving time isn't unreasonable. What's the average for internal combustion vehicles? Maybe a 10 minute gas stop every 3.5 to 4 hours? The difference isn't significant plus the electric fuel, is cheap to free. Tesla is building a network of free charging stations along major routes. http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger Until then, someone else can be the guinea pig. I prefer something I know will get me there, not pay a premium price for something that is going to give me anxiety attacks every time I take a road trip. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/automobiles/stalled-on-the-ev-highway.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 However, for the time being in Canada it seems charging options are fewer and farther between. I see your point about the practicality of an on board charging engine, but I think this concept will be unnecessary very soon. I don't. I think they are quite practical in cities and I am sure we will see lots more of them but if I lived outside a metropolitan area, there is no way I would depend on a pure electric car. Cold weather and the mountain driving in this part of the world will kick the crap out of their advertised range. 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.