Best car ever? Tesla model S

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#1495222 18-Feb-2016 20:30

clevedon:
noroad:

ev's are so boring though !

Go for a ride in a Tesla model S and you will never say that about EV's again, trust me on this.

If it doesn't have a six speed manual gearbox, they won't sell one to me :)

This species according to Ruki prediction is at risk of extinction :)

Rikkitic

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#1495312 18-Feb-2016 22:38

What happens is that over time EVs become more common and accepted as technology improves and prices go down and infrastructure develops. Gradually the tax system adjusts to accommodate them. Over time they become fully integrated into society. When the tipping point arrives, punitive taxes on internal combustion vehicles begin to be introduced. Government information campaigns pointing out the hazards (carbon monoxide and other emissions) and anti-social nature of fossil fuel vehicles will be launched. People will begin to frown on those who do not drive EVs, and will regard them as anti-social. Once public acceptance is assured, internal combustion will be banned altogether, with limited exemptions (at a cost, of course) for classic cars and special events. It is working with tobacco and it will work with the internal combustion engine. Enjoy your V8s while you can. It won't be long.

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Scott3

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#1495319 18-Feb-2016 22:45

If it doesn't have a six speed manual gearbox, they won't sell one to me :)

Most EV's have a single speed gearbox connected directly to the motor (not clutch or torque converter).

The torque curve is so flat, and "redline" is so high (something like 16000 to 18000rpm in the Tesla model S) that one gear is enough. As the motor stops when the car stops, and spins backwards to reverse, there is no need to disengage the transmission (be that with a manual clutch or an Slushy torque converter).

Net result is that you are always in the correct gear for peak power. Say you want to accelerate quickly from 50kmph to 100kmph. In an auto you would floor the accelerator, and the car would pause while a it threw down a couple of gears, before delivering full power. If the car has a turbo, you can add some more time as the turbo spools up. In a manual you could have predicted the situation, and shifted down a few seconds before, but not everything is predictable.

In a car with fixed ratio gearbox, there are no pauses in power delivery during acceleration, much more comfortable.

When I drove a Tesla the launch reminded me of the smoothness of a linear motor launched roller-coaster I rode in Singapore.

I would say the fixed ratio gearbox is one of the best things about electric cars. Unless you are a gear shifting enthusiast, the model S fixed speed transmission has no practical disadvantages compared to a manual. All the things that annoy me about auto's (being in the wrong gear, shifting when I don't want it too, slushy (torque converter type auto), uneven power delivery when crawling into a carpark (DSG type) and engine flaring (CVT type)) don't exist here.

Batman

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#1495335 18-Feb-2016 23:55

I love the smell of napalm in the morning... Smells like, victory.

clevedon

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#1495359 19-Feb-2016 06:40

Scott3:

If it doesn't have a six speed manual gearbox, they won't sell one to me :)

Most EV's have a single speed gearbox connected directly to the motor (not clutch or torque converter).

The torque curve is so flat, and "redline" is so high (something like 16000 to 18000rpm in the Tesla model S) that one gear is enough. As the motor stops when the car stops, and spins backwards to reverse, there is no need to disengage the transmission (be that with a manual clutch or an Slushy torque converter).

Net result is that you are always in the correct gear for peak power. Say you want to accelerate quickly from 50kmph to 100kmph. In an auto you would floor the accelerator, and the car would pause while a it threw down a couple of gears, before delivering full power. If the car has a turbo, you can add some more time as the turbo spools up. In a manual you could have predicted the situation, and shifted down a few seconds before, but not everything is predictable.

In a car with fixed ratio gearbox, there are no pauses in power delivery during acceleration, much more comfortable.

When I drove a Tesla the launch reminded me of the smoothness of a linear motor launched roller-coaster I rode in Singapore.

I would say the fixed ratio gearbox is one of the best things about electric cars. Unless you are a gear shifting enthusiast, the model S fixed speed transmission has no practical disadvantages compared to a manual. All the things that annoy me about auto's (being in the wrong gear, shifting when I don't want it too, slushy (torque converter type auto), uneven power delivery when crawling into a carpark (DSG type) and engine flaring (CVT type)) don't exist here.

This

eracode

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#1495831 19-Feb-2016 18:11

At last, an affordable option:

http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/15/all-the-cool-kids-drive-a-tesla-model-s/

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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#1496117 20-Feb-2016 10:12

One thing to consider with EV's (though I suspect for those who can afford a Tesla S, it doesn't really figure) is that if you can get onto an electricity retailer who charges by time of day (spot market) like Flick Electric, then charge the car at night when the electricity is much cheaper than the daytime.

I considered getting a Leaf for that reason but cannot get the wife on board.

I have a friend in the US who has a BMW i3. He was able to move onto a time of day tariff so he could be charged less at night. But then living in Northern California, there are so many free charging stations around that the cost of electricity to charge is not an issue. He did note that his i3 and I suspect the Volt's et al cannot use charging stations designed for the Tesla but Musk has chosen to use a proprietary charging cable/plug. Not free rides for non Tesla owners!

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#1496477 21-Feb-2016 09:56

One thing to consider is that not everyone has the facilities to charge an electric car overnight. My off-street car park at home is around the corner and up a reasonably long pathway from my flat, so there is no way I could run a power cable to it.

Rikkitic

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#1496489 21-Feb-2016 10:21

If you did it wouldn't be there by morning.

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lchiu7

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#1496503 21-Feb-2016 11:00

Good point :-)

I guess that's a constraint for some people.

The country has to buy into EV's and setup the infrastructure. I recall one time when I was staying with my friend we had to drive to Fremont from San Ramon in Northern California. It wasn't a sure bet we could get back on one charge in his i3. But the restaurant we were going to was in a mini-mall with many charging stations. So we could park the car, plugin the charger and enjoy dinner knowing the car was being charged. And the car or station (not sure which ) even sent a SMS to say charging was complete.

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#1496506 21-Feb-2016 11:05

I'm looking at buying a Nissan Leaf. Yes, the range is about 170km on a full charge - not great - but it's around $33K (JP import) and extremely low Kms (3k-ish).

Not much use for going inter-city, but more than enough to get me around town. I can probably *just* make it to Piha and back from Greenlane, Assuming lots of recharge from braking going downhill most of each way.

It would be a good, first step.

There may be an after-market for roof-mounted solar panels to add some extra range.

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Linuxluver

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#1496507 21-Feb-2016 11:13

lchiu7:

I considered getting a Leaf for that reason but cannot get the wife on board.

A common problem. :-(

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Linuxluver

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#1496508 21-Feb-2016 11:14

alasta:

One thing to consider is that not everyone has the facilities to charge an electric car overnight. My off-street car park at home is around the corner and up a reasonably long pathway from my flat, so there is no way I could run a power cable to it.

You'd need to shift to accommodation that better suited your revised requirements. I do this all the time. I now live very close to a train station so I could.....take the train. :-)

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lchiu7

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#1496513 21-Feb-2016 11:39

Linuxluver:
lchiu7:

I considered getting a Leaf for that reason but cannot get the wife on board.

A common problem. :-(

Her daily commute is about 10k so there should be no range angst.

And my other car is petrol so I don't get the issue.

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RUKI

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#1496995 22-Feb-2016 14:54

Linuxluver:

I'm looking at buying a Nissan Leaf. Yes, the range is about 170km on a full charge - not great - but it's around $33K (JP import) and extremely low Kms (3k-ish).

Not much use for going inter-city, but more than enough to get me around town. I can probably *just* make it to Piha and back from Greenlane, Assuming lots of recharge from braking going downhill most of each way.

...

I am also in Greenlane and also going to Piha frequently. 90km round trip. Add air con usage and consider that 170 in real life is only about 100K for second hand Leaf - I would be nervous on my back home from Piha....

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