Sub-$30,000 Tesla Coming In 2016
Tesla's are interesting cars. They seem to be the first real stab at making an electric vehicle that works in an every day sense, and they look and perform like real cars. Not like so many EVs that seem like overgrown golf carts or some sort of bad joke from the design department geeks.
Tesla's are interesting cars. They seem to be the first real stab at making an electric vehicle that works in an every day sense, and they look and perform like real cars. Not like so many EVs that seem like overgrown golf carts or some sort of bad joke from the design department geeks. The main problem with Teslas (as far as I'm concerned) is the price.
The Tesla Roadster which is essentially a Lotus Elise with batteries and an electric motor, is around 100K U.S. and their upcoming Model S sedan is supposed to come in at less than 50K, Those are still pretty pricy figures, relegating them into the "rich man's play things" realm for many.
Now comes word that there might be another Tesla model on the way for a much more affordable sub-$30,000 price tag. Tesla is planning the new model for launch in 2016, according to Automotive News, and they are dropping the price down via considerable cost reductions in the manufacturing process and the cost of battery technology dropping significantly. Details are scarce at the moment, but the word is that it will likely be similar to the upcoming Model S sedan.
A below $30,000 price tag for a Tesla might seem crazy at the moment, considering that the Roadster’s battery pack costs $30,000 alone, but Tesla is dropping production costs like an anchor and comparing future models to the Roadster might be a bit unfair.
The Roadster is essentially hand built, and makes extensive use of expensive carbon fiber, but the company’s Model S, and assumedly future Tesla models, will be produced in factories with aluminum body parts, greatly reducing the cost of production. So a ride for less than $30k might be within reach.
Also battery prices have been steadily dropping 8 to 10 percent a year, while getting more powerful and more compact, which would also lower costs in a number of areas. For example, the Model S will be available with three different battery options, and that strategy would likely be applied to this rumored third model.
Source: LeftLaneNews. Photos from Flickr users theregeneration and dpstyles™
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