On 02/05/15 21:41, Simon Brown wrote:


"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
On 02/05/15 13:34, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Chris Hogg wrote:
Tesla have a track record in such batteries, with their Roadster car.

Oh indeed. Both the examples they supplied broke down on the Top Gear
test
track. To the point where the test had to be abandoned.

A replacement battery pack costs about $30,000.

Well - such things have to start somewhere - you'd not have a laptop
if everyone said in 1990 "ha, look at that "portable" computer - what
a joke..."

I'd love a Tesla for the kick-assness - the 0-60 on the 2 motor
version is insane. But alas, a bit beyond my savings...

However, as they all come:

http://my.teslamotors.com/en_GB/models/design

with an 8 year infinite milage battery and power train warranty, it's
clear that Elon Musk is aware of the worry that people have about the
batteries and has put the risk on Tesla's side.

So you have something, now, with does cost a bomb, but gives 275-310
miles of range with the acceleration comparable to a Ferrari.

Given time (perhaps quite some time) the cost will come down.

Unlike previous efforts involving boat loads of lead acid batteries,
the Tesla has 3 advantages to give it a bit of impetus:

1) Mineral fuels are very expensive compared to electricity;

2) The government (not just ours) is "making a thing" about local
pollution in cities so loves electric with the various perks that
entails;

3) The battery technology is used so widely with pressure globally for
smaller/lighter/more capacity;


I think the timing is fortuitous and electric cars might go somewhere
this time around.

Not a chance, you watch. For the same reason you don’t have one, the price.



And you don't think the price might halve over time? Like petrol cars
(originally only for the very rich), or computers or all manner of other
technology?


That was rather the entire point of my post above:

Older electric cars were dog slow, pathetic range and used battery
technology that was not going to be developed for other reasons.

The Tesla is the antithesis of that so IMO it has a damn good chance of
going places.