Tesla's Model S Sets a New Standard for Battery

Top Speed:130 mph
Range: 300 miles
Seats: Five adults, two children
Price: $77,400

Until now, there hasn't been an all-electric car fit for road-tripping. But Tesla's Model S, due out late in 2012, is made for extended drives. Its battery goes up to 300 miles on a charge. Its cabin is spacious enough for seven passengers. And it can get up to cruising speed fast the Model S accelerates from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds.

BIGGER BATTERY
At 85 kilowatt-hours, the Model S boasts more than triple the battery capacity of the Nissan Leaf. Its thousands of lithium-ion cells use a new electrode chemistry from Panasonic, which could allow them to store more power than other comparably sized cells.

FAST CHARGE
Tesla plans to install proprietary 440-volt charging stations (first along the I-5 Corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco) built to match up with the Model S's circuitry. They will provide a full charge in an hour. Standard chargers will require a full night.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL
To protect the motor, circuitry and battery from heat, channels filled with liquid coolant run through the components. Pumps cycle coolant through a front radiator and a pair of A/C condensers. This helps the motor deliver twice the power of its Roadster predecessor.

LIGHT BODY
To increase the sedan's range, the designers of the Model S kept its weight low with a body constructed from 97 percent aluminum. They added heavier structural steel only where necessary for safety: in central supports and front-end crash zones.

ROOMY CABIN
The Model S's batteries sit beneath the floor in a large flat pack that spreads the width of the car and about two thirds of its length. This arrangement leaves ample space in the trunk for cargo or two backward-facing jump seats. The main interior holds five adults.

By John Voelcker

Comments

  1. I think the fischer karma or whatever its called looks much more classy for a bit more

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  2. Nice, I'm sure more cars will become electric soon.

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  3. Sounds good for the money, looks nice.

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  4. Wish I had the money to buy a Tesla.

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  5. If someone gifted this to me, I'd so drive it! :P

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  6. Looks great - but I'm just not convinced by the battery life. Admittedly this is mainly due to Apple lying to me about battery life for so many years...but still only an hour to fully charge?

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  7. 300 miles is a great range if it's true. and it's the car manufacturer's fault people doubt the numbers becuz they have been inaccurate lately, such as the civic, if i remember correctly. cool car, but the price tag is totally outrageous.

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  8. you know it got its name from Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla, who gave us all the electric things we have today?

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  9. I want that car, now! Too bad there won't be any charging station close by when the batteries runs out.

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