Electric Sedan New from Tesla Motors

article image
TESLA MOTORS
The Model S takes three to four hours to charge using a 240-volt outlet, or as few as 45 minutes using a 480-volt outlet.

Tesla Motors started taking orders last week for its Model S, an all-electric family sedan that seats seven and can travel 300 miles per charge.

The company currently sells the Tesla Roadster, a two-seat electric “supercar” that starts at a base price of more than $100,000. Unlike the Roadster sports car, the Model S falls more into the luxury sedan category and is available at about half the cost: $57,400. However, because they are battery-powered, all Tesla vehicles qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500. 

The company points out that if gasoline prices return to $4 per gallon, the Tesla Model S will save enough money to place it on par with a gasoline-fueled sedan priced at $35,000.

Tesla is currently accepting refundable deposits of $5,000 for the Model S and plans to start production in late 2011, with vehicle deliveries starting in 2012.

The company is hoping to finance the construction of the Model S assembly plant using a $350 million federal loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program. If the loan does go through, the Model S will be available with a variety of battery packs, yielding a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles. It can be recharged using a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet (the type used for electric dryers), but it can be recharged in only 45 minutes if the owner has access to a 480-volt outlet. The floor-mounted battery pack is also designed to be changed out in only a few minutes, allowing for battery-swap services.

  • Published on Apr 1, 2009
Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368