Tesla Model 3: End of the Internal-Combustion Engine?

[Archimedes]

The new Tesla Model 3 was whipped out yesterday...beautiful car, $35,000 ($25,000 after incentives), 215-mile range and Tesla already has 135,000 $1000 deposits. Crazy.

It won't be out in significant numbers for a couple of years, but I'm looking at this car and wondering why anybody would want to spend money on a gas-engine car when they could have this for the same price or less.

You wonder why certain car buyers don't only factor cost or economy into their buying decision?

Do you also wonder who certain motorcycle buyers choose a Panigale 899 over a scooter that gets 100mpg?

Looks like they did a better job styling the Model 3 than the prior cars, but a) it ain't gonna really be $35k when you factor in minimum options most buyers will want, b) the incentives are going to be largely used up by Tesla by the time the 3 goes on sale, and c) that back seat looks even smaller than the Model S, which didn't even work for me at 6'2". I would probably spend $22k on the Camry my son drives before I paid likely over $40k for a Model 3. If you're gonna buy a box on wheels, I'd go for the cheapest and the more spacious, of which the Model 3 appears to be neither. That said, I do think it's the best looking car they've made so far and I think they'll sell a lot of them, at least in the first few years it's actually in the market.

 

[Gragorin]

I placed my reservation yesterday for the Model 3 and plan on getting a fully loaded one. I currently have a BMW i3 so I'll already fully electric outside of my moto. Even my wife loves the car and says that she wants one as soon as they make a convertible.

 

[Gragorin]

Depending on how one drives/ weather, etc...fully gonna be a problem. The larger problem will be the pull on the electricity grid mid day. EV's are going to drive CA energy rates higher. Yay.



Like an airplane spec sheet, that's an ideal/ best case situation. I'd expect about 150-180 miles/ day. That's not bad, but a few around town trips in the middle of the day and the asshole puckering starts to happen.

I think there's gonna be a good business in towing huge Military grade generators around with superchargers on them and charging people's Teslas in the middle of the day!

I'm planning on having a large solar panel array installed so that will alleviate some strain from my Model 3 charging.

 

[Surj]

The range is ok for families where this is a second car (commute, shopping trips etc.). I wouldn't want one as an only vehicle though.

Agreed that the range is still not functional for an only vehicle for most, unless you factor in the cost and PITA of getting a rental some weekends that can actually go anywhere and back in a day.

A $35k "second car" is a ludicrous concept for the vast majority of people outside the Bay Area.

 

[Lorry]

Agreed that the range is still not functional for an only vehicle for most, unless you factor in the cost and PITA of getting a rental some weekends that can actually go anywhere and back in a day.

A $35k "second car" is a ludicrous concept for the vast majority of people outside the Bay Area.

Yup, I have lived in this area for too long. $35k is a lot for a second, runabout car.

We drive to LA once every couple of months to visit in-laws and friends. The rental doesn't work for us because we have four dogs, and slobber/shedding happens.

I could get an electric as a commuter, but I'd probably be more inclined to get a Zero. Cheaper, lane-splitting etc.

 

[DReg350]

Agreed that the range is still not functional for an only vehicle for most, unless you factor in the cost and PITA of getting a rental some weekends that can actually go anywhere and back in a day.

A $35k "second car" is a ludicrous concept for the vast majority of people outside the Bay Area.

At 200+ miles it'd be my primary car. The backup car would be the one for road trips.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

At 200+ miles it'd be my primary car. The backup car would be the one for road trips.

That would be my plan. Battery car as primary transportation and a used Tahoe/Suburban for family road trips. I'm not taking a fancy car to Mexico anytime soon anyhow.

 

[Holeshot]

Lolololol. You want to explain why that's funny or should I?

Shoot!

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Agreed that the range is still not functional for an only vehicle for most, unless you factor in the cost and PITA of getting a rental some weekends that can actually go anywhere and back in a day.

A $35k "second car" is a ludicrous concept for the vast majority of people outside the Bay Area.

While you're correct I thought it's obvious that the standard for any family with independent spouses
Outside of a city like SF
Does have two cars anyway.

In any case this may be related to the malfunctions in BART. If the mass transit is not operational, people get second cars albeit with a short range.

This is actually still really hard to understand for anyone outside of the USA who still use their cars to go on far out weekend getaways

 

[tzrider]

...for the 1% of drivers who regularly drive more than 200 miles a day.

No, for the 90% of drivers who ever want to drive more than 200 miles in a day.

 

[louemc]

I'm planning on having a large solar panel array installed so that will alleviate some strain from my Model 3 charging.

(Maybe) There are several ways to do it...

Lowest cost is do everything Yourself... Just buying the components and framework materials.
Do Your own Engineering, and installation.

Having a service do it... Will/can make the cost, hard to factor out.

Do the low cost route, makes it So Sweet

Free power for charging the car, Free power to run Air Conditioning on Hot days..

 

[Gabe]

No, for the 90% of drivers who ever want to drive more than 200 miles in a day.

You can charge them in 20-30 minutes when you do need to go over 200 miles.

Nobody will buy gas cars in 10 years. Trust me.

 

[Tharkûn]

Ambitious

 

[wazzuFreddo]

I'm planning on having a large solar panel array installed so that will alleviate some strain from my Model 3 charging.

I charge my Volt every night and my PG&E bill only went up about $60.

 

[Holeshot]

Ambitious

When did the GM EV1 come out? 90'? Gas will be so cheap, it's gonna be exciting!

 

[Killroy1999]

After buying my Volt, I am pretty sure my next commuter car will be 100% electric.

Judging from photos alone, I'd get the Chevy Bolt instead of the Tesla Model 3.

Why, may I ask.

Model III has the ~6000 Supercharger network and is a little less.

The city car look of the Bolt (like a Honda Fit) is very functional, but I don't think people think its stylish. I like the shape, but I like the shape of the Model III better.

 

[tzrider]

You can charge them in 20-30 minutes when you do need to go over 200 miles.

Nobody will buy gas cars in 10 years. Trust me.

10 years maybe. Today? Not ready.

 

[Blankpage]

Nobody will buy gas cars in 10 years. Trust me.

In only 10 years, I doubt it. There'll be a market for petrol cars for a long time yet.
But by then a 500 mile range car will be the first pick for a large chunk of car shoppers.
Places like China with their pollution problem may very will legislate electric only. Thats a big market that could help make Tesla's stock price look half reasonable.

 

[budman]

To answer your question.

Hell no.

 

[TheRobSJ]

When did the GM EV1 come out? 90'? Gas will be so cheap, it's gonna be exciting!

Not quite that far back. 1996. Was truly ahead of its time. Full aluminum frame, thermoplastic body panels, magnesium wheels, only 3000lbs(with over 1/3 of that being batteries), and a coefficient of drag that a Honda Insight could only dream of.

It'd be interesting if someone could take one of those EV1s (there's only a handful left)and retrofit it with a modern lithium ion pack. I bet it could probably go 400+ miles on a charge.


And yeah I'm hoping the EV demand makes gas cheaper. I like burning gas.