Comments on: Tesla Model S Launches Today

By: Brian H

Brian H — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 06:05:50 +0000

Beta testers were actually, in real-life mixed use, getting almost 10% better than the old 2-cycle ratings. They were just driving normally, not "sedately", or hypermiling.

There are peculiarities in the EPA numbers; city driving should be quite a bit higher MPGe than highway, and it's slightly lower. Perhaps it's trying to accommodate "acceleration to 80 mph" into city driving, then slamming on the brakes (which are almost never touched in real life once you get used to the regen slowing).

By: Yegor_T

Yegor_T — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:32:48 +0000

Wow! Amazing Fuel economy!
89 MPG is only 10% less than Nissan Leaf 99 MPG!
While Model S curb weight is 37%! more than Nissan Leaf's (4,647.3 lbs vs 3,385 lbs)!

OK, I understand that regenerative braking captures lots of energy but still one need a lot more energy just to move 37% heavier vehicle on highway!

For example Lexus GS 450h hybrid is 35% heavier than Prius but delivers 43% less highway MPGs: 35 mpg of GS450h vs 50 mpg of Prius. Both have electric motors and regenerative braking.

Also Model S range is 3.5 times more than Leaf's 265 vs 73 miles. While Model S battery pack has 3.5 times capacity of Leaf's 85 kWh vs 24 kWh nevertheless Model S is 37% heavier!

Tesla did an amazing job! Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Kudos Tesla!

By: Roy_H

Roy_H — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 14:06:59 +0000

"industry watchers saying such things as this vehicle will “make or break” the company,"

Duh, since this is the only product the company is manufacturing, that is pretty obvious.

By: Max Reid

Max Reid — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:40:23 +0000

Mid range and lower range EPA range should be somewhat higher since the battery weight in it is lower.

What an amazing car and a small company has done it. Hope this succeeds in market place.

By: MrEnergyCzar

MrEnergyCzar — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 22:55:02 +0000

Anyone know the EPA range of the middle sized 60KWH battery?

MrEnergyCzar