Thursday 7th August 2014

Tesla Model S: Delivery Miles

First of a new series compares delivery miles prices with RRPs ... and finds the only way is up with Teslas

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Electric cars really haven't sparked the imagination of car buyers yet, have they? In fact, their performance in the market has been, er, distinctly flat. No surprise, you may say, given their anxiety-inducing range, chasmically long recharge times and elevated prices compared to fossil-fuelled machinery.

But look hard and there are some real EV bargains around. How about a Nissan Leaf with just 10 miles on the clock for £14,499? Or a 144-mile Renault Zoe for £8,988, down from a starting price of £13,995 after the government grant?

First premium leccy car commans a premium

While the juice is being firmly squeezed out of EV values in general, there's one battery-powered vehicle that's the definite Duracell of the breed: desirable enough to hold on to its value, quick to recharge and with all the range of a petrol-powered car. Of course, it's the Tesla's Model S.

Everyone I know who's driven a Tesla has always come back with the same reaction: what an amazing car to drive. I myself said exactly the same thing, particularly after driving the new right-hand drive version, which is far less daunting in traffic versus the LHD versions Tesla handed out to journalists earlier this year. This is one wide car, so having the steering wheel on the correct side gives you a whole lot more confidence.

In P85 spec (see line up here), the Model S is a mighty machine. 416hp delivers 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, and there's a full hunk of torque available instantly from zero mph. Oh, and did I mention the EV range? Officially it's 312 miles, but just like official mpg figures that's a tad optimistic - reckon on an easy 250 miles. But that's easily as much as many petrol-powered performance beasties, and it marks the 'range revolution' that the electric car world has been craving. Anxiety there is none; it's very much blood pressure at normal in a Model S. And using Tesla's 'supercharger' brings the batteries back to 50 per cent of full beans in a rapid 30 minutes.

Are you going to be able to offset the fuel savings?

The Model S has undeniably got that Apple-like cool. And just like the latest iPhone, people are queuing up to buy one. And that now includes UK customers, with the first RHD Model S being delivered to its owner back in June. But if you want one, you'll have to wait: Tesla quotes four to five months for delivery if you order today, despite an entry-level price as high as £49,900 and approaching six figures for a fully-specced high-end model.

Because the Model S is such a hot property - with a buzz so strong that you can almost hear the electric hum around it - it's the only battery-fuelled car that's actually appreciating in value. People who simply have to have the latest thing are realising they might have missed the boat, but luckily for them there is now a handful of RHD Teslas appearing in the classifieds with almost no miles on the clock.

This example is up for just shy of £95K. It's a 14-plate one-owner 85kWh Performance example in metallic grey, with a mere 800 miles on the clock. It has a few extras on board, too: panoramic sunroof, air suspension, Tech Package, 21-inch alloys and twin electric chargers. We've done the configuration on Tesla's website and a car in this spec will cost you £82,380. So the asking price of £94,950 (including VAT) represents a hike of over £12K.

Well-specced cars still commanding six figures

This isn't even the most desirable spec. That'll be the P85+ model with its uprated suspension and slightly longer range. And I reckon you really need a full leather interior in a car of this class, rather than the fabric-trimmed seats of the car in our pictures. This one has leather but that's reflected in its even higher price tag of £116,388.

The Model S will eventually depreciate, of course, but it's still a great bet. The indications are that it will be one of the best performers in the used car market, with CAP quoting a retained value of somewhere around 55 per cent after three years and 30,000 miles. Having a four-year, 50,000-mile manufacturer warranty and an eight-year unlimited-mileage warranty on the batteries certainly helps its cause. Add in the benefit-in-kind tax advantages, zero VED and London congestion charge exemption, and suddenly the premiums being asked for Teslas don't look quite so silly.

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TESLA MODEL S
RRP: £68,700 before options, c. £82,380 as specced
Mileage: 800
Registered owners: One; '14' plate
Asking price: £94,950
Saving: Saving? You'd be lucky - more like a £12K premium right now...
See the ad here

More Teslas in the PH classifieds

[MissChief]

Until a car like this becomes available to the 'average' car buyer electric vehicles will never become truly successful. Battery technology is, so far at least, lagging behind electric motor technology.

[MissChief]

A Scotsman said:

I drive quite regularly from the N of Scotland to Plymouth. It's about 650 miles which I can do comfortably in about 12hrs. I do not somehow envisage buying a car which would take me up to three days to do the same trip especially at Tesla prices.

In fairness though that's not what it was designed for?

Edited by MissChief on Friday 8th August 02:34