Need your help with a University Project!

[wise-1]

Over our generation, we have had huge technological advancements in our automotive industry. We have seen computer driven cars, we have seen speed records being beaten one after the other, and we have seen huge advancements in the hybrid/green motoring industry. Ever since GM bought the rights to the EV-1, the worlds first electric car, and destroyed it, we haven't really seen any Zero emission, Zero combustion vehicles being put out onto the market. Until recently. Tesla, a Californian company, has produced what people think could be a start to a revolution. Or so SOME people think.

I'm doing a small project for my research class at UofT. What I hope to find out is if in fact Tesla Motors has a supportive base of interested and enthusiastic consumers. I wanted to see what the enthusiast communities had to say about this electric car.

So my question to you is. Would you buy it? Why? And if you were seriously considering the Tesla, what would be your concerns revolve around?

I chose the Toronto market because Tesla is expanding operations to Toronto. Also because it makes life easier for me. So, PLEASE PLEASE take 4 minutes out of your busy day to help me out. I greatly appreciate your response.

All information will be anonymous, and since this is a public forum filled with opinion I don't think it will be difficult for anyone either!



For those who do not know the company I am talking about, here is a Top Gear Video and a link to the official website.

http://www.teslamotors.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f_6FIU8 ... re=related



Thank you all in advance for your time!

[LLZuB]

hells no, in my opinion the words electric and enthusiasts don't go to well together just yet, the cost is ridiculous for electric cars, and sure you'll save at the pump, but that money just goes towards your electric bill which isn't much cheaper. Not to mention how much it will cost once your battery dies after numerous charges and needs to be replaced. And I wouldn't even want to show people whats under my hood, because well that would just be embarrassing lol...if I was a secretary that needed to go to and from work, an electric car might make sense, but as an enthusiasts who enjoys driving, it just doesn't have a place in my world

[knight_yyz]

I think i'd rather go the route of the Honda hydrogen based car, at least you can hit a station and refill it. How the heck are you supposed to travel far distances in a car that needs recharging every 100k?

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/

[wise-1]

Good points guys! Keep them coming! I personally will never take a electric car over a petrol car, and the points stated by Knight and LLZuB are very valid. Anyone else? Let's keep the responses coming! I very much appreciate it!

[bamboomerang]

I'd rather have a BTTF De-Lorean.


or

Neil Young's Electric 1959 Lincoln Continental Linc-Volt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vzNH0nkX4

[wise-1]

I'd rather have a BTTF De-Lorean.


or

Neil Young's Electric 1959 Lincoln Continental Linc-Volt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_vzNH0nkX4

Are you saying that Tesla doesn't have the "cool" appeal? If so, why? I agree with what you're saying because Tesla doesn't have a heritage behind it. Nore does it have the "wow" factor. Sure they are fast and such, but they just seem like regular cars.

[dcnded]

..once they figure out the battery issue , as far as charge times and longevity , asside from batteries themselves being an environmental mess. an electric powered vehicle can be a a very very very fast machine and not only that very easy to mod , but its def. to soon or maybe too late , lol , as knight says hydrogen is the way to go for many reasons, but lets get ubber cynical here , until oil companies(cartels) dont have a strangle hold on everything we do and make an d have and use ... we can at least know the electric car would still be getting its charge from something burning fossil fuels!! lol , i mean after all we are now being charged more money on our hydro bills for less electricity use...why do we make an effort to conserve if it ends up costing us more once the powers that be see less revenue in their pockets, i say lets get a volume discount lets use more and get charged less , lets all get electric cars plug them all in and then all turn our a/c on in house ..!!!! lol

[bamboomerang]

If I could front the coin, I'd buy a tesla for a DD, kick around town and charge it on the weekends. It is by far the coolest environmentally friendly car out there, despite the fact that Arnold drives one. But my wallet hates playing the guinea-pig. There are so many new and unknown ways of harvesting energy and making fire, the car 'format wars' are just about to begin so I personally am skeptical to jump in. The long charge time and inability to (in the tesla's case, travel beyond 480kms on a charge) leaves out the possibilty of owning just 1 car IMO. Hydrogen is a much more realistic option.

[wise-1]

So in retrospect, you would like to see what else the industry has to bring, correct?

Very smart. I personally have hope for hydrogen powered cars. But it seems as though battery powered cars have taken a jump into the market first because of the simple fact that Hydrogen powered cars still have a long way to go in terms of safety development.

Another point you brought up that I found very interesting is the idea of having two cars, instead of relying on the Tesla completely. With that in regard, would you say people who can dish the coin would go out and buy the Tesla for the sole use of a DD?

We're getting to a good discussion, lets keep it up!

[knight_yyz]

My biggest worry right now about electric cars is this... Right now they want me to turn my air conditioning off during peak hours to prevent brown outs. What the hell is going to happen when 1/2 the population has to plug in their car? And how much do you think the electricity rates are going to jump when everyone absolutely must recharge their batteries?