Tesla Model S

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Seems a bit of a special case. I've done the same analysis on my Vectrix VX-1 electric scooter vs my SV650 motorcycle, and I would be saving $21 per week if I were paying for the electricity. I'm not, though, so I really save $27/wk vs the ice motorcycle, $50/wk vs S2000 :-)

Eventually the difference will narrow further. At some point in time "the man" will have to figure out how to recoup the highway taxes being lost through use of electric vehicles on the road. Basically, eCars are getting a free ride right now because they are such a low percentage of the US fleet.

In addition, I think once you factor in the the cost of acquisition you'll find you aren't really saving money. If, for example, the Vectrix cost you $10,000 it would take you about 3.5 years at $50/wk before you are really "saving" money, particularly if you kept your S2000 and did not use it to offset the cost of purchase.

That doesn't mean buying it wasn't a good decision, it just means it really isn't "saving" money, if money is your only concern. The FR-S, for example, saves me $4 a day on fuel over my previous DD because it gets 32MPG over 18MPG. So, it will actually pay for itself if I manage to drive it for about 300,000 miles. Until then, I'm not really "saving" money.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Eventually the difference will narrow further. At some point in time "the man" will have to figure out how to recoup the highway taxes being lost through use of electric vehicles on the road. Basically, eCars are getting a free ride right now because they are such a low percentage of the US fleet.

Of course. Just pointing out that *right now*, for *most* people, getting around on battery electric power will be a lot cheaper.

In addition, I think once you factor in the the cost of acquisition you'll find you aren't really saving money. If, for example, the Vectrix cost you $10,000 it would take you about 3.5 years at $50/wk before you are really "saving" money, particularly if you kept your S2000 and did not use it to offset the cost of purchase.

For sure people are not buying Vectrix VX-1 scooters or Tesla cars because they need to save money.

People who need to save money will buy a Chevy Spark, or Honda Sh150i (or better, Ninja 250 or Honda CBR250R!).

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by ZDan

People who need to save money will lease a Chevy Spark, or Honda Sh150i (or better, Ninja 250 or Honda CBR250R!).

Fixed that one. Buying is ok, but leasing is where you get the great deals on electric vehicles right now.

I don't think I'd buy a Tesla to save money... Anyone buying a 100k car to save money is nuts, imo... But I'd buy one because it's badass.

[red bread]

Poor dude's electricity cost is 3x what mine is.

[Allch Chcar]

God damn PG&E.

[serialk11r]

I wasn't aware of that tiered electricity pricing around the bay, no wonder I thought the electricity bill didn't quite make sense sometimes. Anyways the point of the Tesla is to lure away the folks who would otherwise get an Audi or MB or BMW by offering a badass luxury car that happens to save on cost of ownership.

[ZDan]

I don't think "saving on cost of ownership" is that big a deal for people spending this kinda jack on a car. Full-performance alternative transportation with a low carbon footprint is more of a factor.

One thing that is more of a factor than most might think about: NEVER having to stop at a gas station. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but when I'm commuting on the electric bike, not having to stop at gas stations a few times a week is appreciated. Ride to work, plug in, ride home, plug in, repeat ad infinitum (or until the batteries are done!).

[serialk11r]

Not really, 60-90k is in the range where a lot of upper middle class would consider shopping, and if you pull in low to mid 6 figures a few thousand bucks on gas and maintenance isn't exactly throw away money yet. Green image is a huge chunk of it obviously.

Interesting that you brought up stopping for gas vs plugging in at home, I had never thought of that as a convenience before. You must have a long commute if you can spend 27 bucks a week filling up a motorcycle!

[Leonardo]

Cool review!

Cost per mile can add up especially if you amortize the cost of the car in the miles. My electricity is 10 times cheaper than my dads in Hawaii! WOW!

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Not really, 60-90k is in the range where a lot of upper middle class would consider shopping, and if you pull in low to mid 6 figures a few thousand bucks on gas and maintenance isn't exactly throw away money yet.

But you can save tens of thousands more, all up front, just getting a different car! People are *very* penny-wise/pound-foolish, though...

Interesting that you brought up stopping for gas vs plugging in at home, I had never thought of that as a convenience before. You must have a long commute if you can spend 27 bucks a week filling up a motorcycle!

The "luxury" of not stopping for gas is even greater for a car vs. fair-weather 2-wheel transportation. No getting out in the rain or cold to fill up

My commute is 35 miles one way, 350 miles per week. My SV650 gets only 46mpg (vs. 50mpg prior to airbox mods that free up power but enrichen the mixture in cruise conditions).

[P@ul]

Wierd, no time of use metering? He needs to get that second meter and get the night discount.

[Cameronghanson]

Im pretty happy with mine!

[Whitigir]

Well. Electric cars are not even that clean and green as you might think. Because most of the electricity come from coal, and coal burn in the most polutting manner of all things. Unless you are looking toward Atomic fusion or Gasoline generated electric (hybrid). The japanese did just that..hybrid.

Now their next move is Hydrogen Hybrid. It will use hydrogen to generate electricity. Soon, cars will run on water.....

[serialk11r]

Coal is dirty but the entire process of producing gasoline is dirty too, and pollutants are emitted closer to people, where they cause more health damage. Oil also has heavy metal contamination and such, just because there's 3 cats on all cars nowadays doesn't mean it's totally clean.