RE: Tesla to post first-ever profits

[kambites]

PaulMoor said:

My big problem with plug in electric cars is where people without a drive are going to charge cars. Or are we going to go back to the days where only those who can afford to stable there transport can have it?

As is often said though, no-one is claiming that electric cars will replace all ICE cars. I could be wrong, but I think the majority of the population of the UK have either a drive or a garage.

[RichB]

kambites said:

...I could be wrong, but I think the majority of the population of the UK have either a drive or a garage.

I suspect you're way out on that assumption. It's easy to forget millions of terraced houses, flats and apartments etc.

[kambites]

RichB said:

kambites said:

...I could be wrong, but I think the majority of the population of the UK have either a drive or a garage.

I suspect you're way out on that assumption. It's easy to forget millions of terraced houses, flats and apartments etc.

Hard to say. According to government stats, in 2008 the population's housing distribution was as follows:

Terrace: 29%
Flat/apartment: 19%
Detached: 27%
Semi: 26%

Some of those terraces and flats will have secure parking or garages and some of the detached/semis wont. I still think over 50% will, but I'd say from that it's close to 50% either way.

[Talksteer]

PaulMoor said:

zebedee said:

JonnyVTEC said:

Charge a large tariff for that period that is cheaper after 8pm.... Still 10hrs left to fill most people's cars aswell.

Exactly. So because other people want to charge electric cars, you are happy to pay even more for putting your oven, kettle and TV on when you get home from work, even though you don't own an electric car?

It shouldn't have that effect. Industrial electricity use is probably far in excess of what we would use charging cars even if we all had electric cars.

My big problem with plug in electric cars is where people without a drive are going to charge cars. Or are we going to go back to the days where only those who can afford to stable there transport can have it?

The slightly longer term solution is that once self driving cars become commonplace most people who live in a terrace or flat won't bother owning one. The cars will go a limited number of on street charging points and trickle charge from there or existing car parks will become very large charging stations.

[RichB]

kambites said:

RichB said:

kambites said:

...I could be wrong, but I think the majority of the population of the UK have either a drive or a garage.

I suspect you're way out on that assumption. It's easy to forget millions of terraced houses, flats and apartments etc.

Hard to say. According to government stats, in 2008 the population's housing distribution was as follows:
Terrace: 29%
Flat/apartment: 19%
Detached: 27%
Semi: 26%

Some of those terraces and flats will have secure parking or garages and some of the detached/semis wont. I still think over 50% will, but I'd say from that it's close to 50% either way.

Okay, I'm surprised...

[k-ink]

A Scotsman said:

In 2009 there were 254.4 million cars in the USA. 4750 Tesla registrations doesn't seem like a major market penetration.

It shows there are 4750 people with enough spare cash they can buy a second car and not even care if it makes it to the next town. Allegedly

Still, at least manufacturing, distrubuting and disposing of those batteries will not contribute to pollution of the world. Oh wait... best ignore that.

[McWigglebum4th]

k-ink said:

It shows there are 4750 people with enough spare cash they can buy a second car and not even care if it makes it to the next town. Allegedly

Have you seen many cars Renault have sold in the UK

[k-ink]

McWigglebum4th said:

Have you seen many cars Renault have sold in the UK

27? Who cares. The relevance?

[Captain Muppet]

k-ink said:

McWigglebum4th said:

Have you seen many cars Renault have sold in the UK

27? Who cares. The relevance?

I suspect humour based on "not even care if it makes it to the next town"

[norty]

on the electricity demand point, the bright sparks at Tesla allow you to program the charging time so it starts up in the middle of the night when demand is down, and therefore so is price. Tesla is installing superchargers across the US supported by solar arrays so you must admire their conviction.

I've had my Roadster 3 years now, and still love it. Electric motor power delivery is sensational. So much so I am now on an electric motorbike as well. My commute into London is 32 miles so it is perfectly suited to the task.

Embrace change people... it means more fuel for where it is really needed - aviation, bulk transportation and historic racing cars, not idling engines on the M25 in rush hour tailbacks.

[Prof Prolapse]

norty said:

So much so I am now on an electric motorbike as well. My commute into London is 32 miles so it is perfectly suited to the task.

You going for a Zero?

If so let us know in Biker Banter when you've got one man. I'm very curious about these!

[norty]

not a zero, the British now have a radical looking contender: http://www.agilitymotors.com/

[Prof Prolapse]

norty said:

not a zero, the British now have a radical looking contender: http://www.agilitymotors.com/

Definately Marmite!

Surely you'd want a longer seat for strapping things to if nothing else as well?

[RichB]

Prof Prolapse said:

norty said:

not a zero, the British now have a radical looking contender: http://www.agilitymotors.com/

Definately Marmite! Surely you'd want a longer seat for strapping things to if nothing else as well?

For commuting that would certainly need panniers or something.

[zebedee]

norty said:

on the electricity demand point, the bright sparks at Tesla allow you to program the charging time so it starts up in the middle of the night when demand is down, and therefore so is price.

Can you opt into split rate billing for free at any time then? I pay the same rate whenever I use my electricity.

[norty]

RichB said:

For commuting that would certainly need panniers or something.

yes it is very naked at the rear, panniers and extended seat/top box are in development, meantime it is backpack so granted not yet perfect!

[norty]

zebedee said:

Can you opt into split rate billing for free at any time then? I pay the same rate whenever I use my electricity.

I think it depends on the meter you have, I have an off peak tariff in the small hours but the peak rate is a bit higher than a flat rate might be. Horses for course but that suits an EV charging pattern.

[bleunos]

I for one can't wait to have a go in a decent electric sports car, once they get the batteries half the weight and cost and twice the power and range they will become a very attractive proposition especially for a second car (either sports or commuting).

I can really see the appeal of instant torque, greater reliability (compared to turbos etc), improved effeciency / cheapness per mile and stealth performance potential.

As has already been said it needn't mean the end of petrol cars or bikes for people like us that appreciate them - at least not in our driving lifetimes anyway.

It's frustrating that it's taking so long - the Telsa has been around quite a while, and no one has yet nailed the best system. In design terms we live in interesting times, the pace and scale of automotive developement must surely be greater now than ever before.

I think BMW will really shake things up with their i8 and i3 models in the next couple of years, they seem to have been ahead of the curve, spent big and really redesigned the whole concept and manufacturing process of electric vehicles. It also seems to have gone rather quiet from BMW in this area (ice lake pax rides aside) which makes me think there must be a lot of intense preparation going on behind the scenes. I guess we can't be that far from the pre pre launch BS build up now.

Porsche are also investing big on hybrid tech, they won't be messing about either.

Ze Germans are coming! what a shame it wasn't Lotus, TVR, LDV Vans, McLaren, Jaguar etc etc. It could've been a massive British success story that we would have been able to sell to the whole world. Doh.

Edited by bleunos on Wednesday 3rd April 17:19

[dvs_dave]

Captain Muppet said:

Limited range is an issue. Unless you tend to use your car for a commute that is within that range, in which case it isn't a problem any more. It isn't a solution that works for everyone, but it works for enough people for Tesla to make a profit. It helps that the people who are buying them can afford a long distance car too if they want.

It's not really more of a restriction than only having two seats - there are some trips you can't use that particular car for.

This is true, but if the only real practical use for it is local trips on busy urban roads, it makes little sense to buy one over the likes of a Prius or Volt etc. A sporty car that due to it's own limitations is essentially restricted to local trips in busy urban environments makes justifying the premium for it's unusable sporty characteristics rather difficult.

They have sold well and I see them around Chicago regularly, but I feel that the current typical buyer who essentially has the cash to burn on one, will probably get tired of the compromises they involve and start dropping them like hot potatos. The used market for them will be interesting, and I fear probably not great for the current owners. As an indicator, I was just offered a 6 month old Fisker with 6k on the clock that has lost not far off 40% of its list price. Ouch!

Edited by dvs_dave on Wednesday 3rd April 19:03

[bertie]

I've been lucky enough to get to try a Tesla Model S and it's deeply impressive.

Tremendously quick, comfortable, quiet and the tech is awesome.

If you tried a Model S and a normal exec like an Audi A6, Merc E clas or even a BMW 5 series, I chalenge anyone not to be impressed.