Electric cars

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

Anyways we have a Tesla dealership near me and when I pass it quite regularly it is ALWAYS empty. Over priced junk is what they are.

Nope! Teslas are actually really nice cars.

They are a over sized and over priced paper weight. The Hugo was more reliable.

“It’s A Brick” – Tesla Motors’ Devastating Design Problem

Tesla Motors’ lineup of all-electric vehicles — its existing Roadster, almost certainly its impending Model S, and possibly its future Model X — apparently suffer from a severe limitation that can largely destroy the value of the vehicle. If the battery is ever totally discharged, the owner is left with what Tesla describes as a “brick”: a completely immobile vehicle that cannot be started or even pushed down the street. The only known remedy is for the owner to pay Tesla approximately $40,000 to replace the entire battery. Unlike practically every other modern car problem, neither Tesla’s warranty nor typical car insurance policies provide any protection from this major financial loss.

Despite this “brick” scenario having occurred several times already, Tesla has publicly downplayed the severity of battery depletion risk to both existing owners and future buyers. Privately though, Tesla has gone to great lengths to prevent this potentially brand-destroying incident from happening more often, including possibly engaging in GPS tracking of a vehicle without the owner’s knowledge.

How To Brick An Electric Car
A Tesla Roadster that is simply parked without being plugged in will eventually become a “brick”. The parasitic load from the car’s always-on subsystems continually drains the battery and if the battery’s charge is ever totally depleted, it is essentially destroyed. Complete discharge can happen even when the car is plugged in if it isn’t receiving sufficient current to charge, which can be caused by something as simple as using an extension cord. After battery death, the car is completely inoperable. At least in the case of the Tesla Roadster, it’s not even possible to enable tow mode, meaning the wheels will not turn and the vehicle cannot be pushed nor transported to a repair facility by traditional means.

http://theunderstatement.com/post/18030062041/its-a-brick-tesla-motors-devastating-design

Consumer Reports' Tesla Model S has more than its share of problems
Chronicling glitches in this luxury electric car
Last updated: August 12, 2014 04:00 PM


Tesla Model S: Problems After 15,000 Miles
Tesla Model S: Problems After 15,000 MilesTesla Model S 2013-2014 Quick Drive
Tesla Model S 2013-2014 Quick Drive


A revolutionary car from an innovative automaker, the Tesla Model S has garnered much attention for its accomplishments as a ground-breaking, 21st-century car. For its impressive performance in our tests, strong safety marks, and decent reliability so far, the Model S earned Consumer Reports’ recommendation. But over the last 15,743 miles, our test car has developed many minor problems that merit some reflection.

Our car has now been driven at some length by many staff members, many of whom aren’t involved in car testing. Car nut or not, EV fan or not, everyone has raved about this car, impressed with its smoothness, effortless glide, and clever, elegant simplicity. In that time, it’s also displayed a few quirks—some unique to Tesla. For instance, we had a problem with the automatic-retracting door handles, which were occasionally reluctant to emerge from the coachwork so we could open the driver’s door. Tesla fixed that with an over-the-air programming update beamed to the car.

One of the cool things about this car is that when it does need to be serviced by a mechanic, a company rep comes with a trailer and picks it up, delivering it back when the work is done—all free. Ordinary customers get a loaner, but with a fleet of test cars at our disposal, we forgo that privilege.

Just before the car went in for its annual service, at a little over 12,000 miles, the center screen went blank, eliminating access to just about every function of the car, including popping open the charge port. The shop, a newly opened service center in Milford, Conn., performed a “hard reset” that restored the car’s functions. It also fixed a creak emanating from the passenger side roof-pillar area, disassembling and refitting some trim panels.

While it was at it, the shop took care of some additional odds and ends, all covered by warranty. One of the buckles for the third row had broken. The shop simply replaced the whole third row with a new, upgraded version. It also replaced the front bumper carrier hardware. On its own initiative, the shop replaced our 12-volt battery, the HVAC filter housing, and the powertrain battery’s coolant pump.

The maintenance service, done at the same time, includes topping off fluids, cabin filter replacement, key fob batteries, and a tire rotation. All told, we paid $636.90 with tax.


Then at about 15,700 miles, we found that the front trunk lid wasn’t responding to the release, which is a virtual button on the central screen. We also had the Tesla-supplied adapter for non-Tesla EV chargers come apart. This had no safety implications, because the exposed high-voltage prongs aren’t energized without a successful “handshake” between the charger and the car. Again, the car went in to the service center for two days and got its front trunk latch replaced, a new charging adapter was thrown in, and the latest firmware 5.12 was downloaded. Unlike other ones, this update actually was not sent over the air. Since everything here fell under warranty, we weren’t charged at all for this visit.

Based on last year’s big auto-reliability survey, we gave the Tesla Model S a score of average, based on input from 637 owners of 2012 and 2013 models. By September, Consumer Reports will be analyzing this year’s reliability survey, which will also include the 2014 models. It will be interesting to see how the Model S will score after we tabulate the new data.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/08/consumer-reports-tesla-model-s-has-more-than-its-share-of-problems/index.htm

 

[wirelessguru1]

Again, they are expensive because they are targeting the high end markets, but they are really nice looking, fast and strong...and of course they are big.
Look, they are not tinny little cars like many of the other low end electric cars in the market right now!
Either case, and obviously, it is not a car for you.

 

[Nebulous]

Even if I was a billionaire I wouldn't want one, I'd rather have what I want because I want it, I don't care about impressing other people. Plus there is plenty of more impressive, better cars out there.

 

[wirelessguru1]

Not better electric cars!

 

[Capt. RiskyBoots]

Electric cars are so ugly, there's no way I'd ever buy one of those. Even if it's environmentally friendly.

 

[wirelessguru1]

Electric cars are so ugly, there's no way I'd ever buy one of those. Even if it's environmentally friendly.

No! Tesla's are actually really nice looking cars.

In terms of who is buying them: Mostly very wealthy people and Toyota Prius owners.

 

[Mike]

Electric cars are still the future, in that they're not 100% the solution in the present time, though if you ignore True Liberty's waffling about how awful Tesla are, you can see that they've made a big step in the right direction.

Main issues with electric cars:
- The range, 'range anxiety' as its become to be known, is a huge issue.
- The source, where is the electricity we charge the batteries coming from, is it a waste of time?
- The cars tend to look quirky and odd, some people just want a normal car, so the design needs changing.
- The price, though this is always a huge issue with new technology and as we've seen it's already heading in the right direction.

 

[Nebulous]

No! Tesla's are actually really nice looking cars.

You speak your opinions as if they are facts.

 

[Mike]

All 4 of them cars are hybrids, are they ugly? Well I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. But my point is that electric cars don't have to be boring.

The technology used in this extortionately expensive fast cars will eventually trickle down into the cars you and I can afford.

 

[Nebulous]

Awesome cars there CarMadMike!

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

All 4 of them cars are hybrids, are they ugly? Well I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. But my point is that electric cars don't have to be boring.

The technology used in this extortionately expensive fast cars will eventually trickle down into the cars you and I can afford.

They look good but if I am looking for that style and money to spend I'm going for a real car like a Lamborghini and such. Electric cars have a lonnngggggg way to go to match the efficiency of good ole gas. They need one very big leap in battery technology.

 

[wirelessguru1]

No! Tesla's are actually really nice looking cars.

You speak your opinions as if they are facts.

Of course it is a fact. Look at the pictures of the Tesla cars!
Many rich people are buying them...
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They look good but if I am looking for that style and money to spend I'm going for a real car like a Lamborghini and such. Electric cars have a lonnngggggg way to go to match the efficiency of good ole gas. They need one very big leap in battery technology.

Good for you then. However that is not stopping others (actually more and more people these days) from buying hybrids and now also electric cars, so no wonder gas prices have been going down.

In terms of better batteries, Tesla and several others are working on new and improved battery technology which will be introduced very soon.
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Main issues with electric cars:
- The range, 'range anxiety' as its become to be known, is a huge issue.
- The source, where is the electricity we charge the batteries coming from, is it a waste of time?
- The cars tend to look quirky and odd, some people just want a normal car, so the design needs changing.
- The price, though this is always a huge issue with new technology and as we've seen it's already heading in the right direction.

Yes, range is still an issue, so more "road" charging stations need to be available.
In terms of the source, solar is becoming more and more of a source of the electricity for these Electric Cars here in California...and no, the new Electric Cars like the Teslas do not look "quirky and odd" at all but rather they look very nice.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

No! Tesla's are actually really nice looking cars.

You speak your opinions as if they are facts.

Of course it is a fact. Look at the pictures of the Tesla cars!
Many rich people are buying them...

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They look good but if I am looking for that style and money to spend I'm going for a real car like a Lamborghini and such. Electric cars have a lonnngggggg way to go to match the efficiency of good ole gas. They need one very big leap in battery technology.

Good for you then. However that is not stopping others (actually more and more people these days) from buying hybrids and now also electric cars, so no wonder gas prices have been going down.

In terms of better batteries, Tesla and several others are working on new and improved battery technology which will be introduced very soon.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Main issues with electric cars:
- The range, 'range anxiety' as its become to be known, is a huge issue.
- The source, where is the electricity we charge the batteries coming from, is it a waste of time?
- The cars tend to look quirky and odd, some people just want a normal car, so the design needs changing.
- The price, though this is always a huge issue with new technology and as we've seen it's already heading in the right direction.

Yes, range is still an issue, so more "road" charging stations need to be available.
In terms of the source, solar is becoming more and more of a source of the electricity for these Electric Cars here in California...and no, the new Electric Cars like the Teslas do not look "quirky and odd" at all but rather they look very nice.

There is nowhere near enough hybrids or electric cars on the streets to effect gas prices. Gas prices are low because of a battle going on between the energy producers on the planet.

 

[wirelessguru1]

On the contrary. The demand for gas is obviously much lower now since even gas engines are a lot more efficient.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

On the contrary. The demand for gas is obviously much lower now since even gas engines are a lot more efficient.

There is some effects from it but it is not the reason why gas prices have gone down so dramatically in a short amount of time.

 

[wirelessguru1]

NO. It is one of the main reasons why gas prices are lower right now. The demand is lower now but the supply is still very high.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

NO. It is one of the main reasons why gas prices are lower right now. The demand is lower now but the supply is still very high.

No, it is because OPEC is selling there product at prices to put Americas fracking competition out of business. Let alone hurting Russia also. I now forget what the exact price is for the fracking industry to sell there gas per barrel but the Saudis are making sure they are selling it below that price.

 

[wirelessguru1]

NO. OPEC and the Saudis are just keeping the oil (gas) supply high even though the demand for oil (gas) is lower now! Either case, the American fracking industry is on the losing side right now because their costs are very high to produce their oil!!!
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Furthermore and as such, even Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway just ditched its stake in ExxonMobil, the world's biggest publicly traded energy company!

 

[~KAGE-008]

Electric cars are almost non-existent where I live. Everyone take their vehicles to annual checkings so no smoke will come out from most of them

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

NO. OPEC and the Saudis are just keeping the oil (gas) supply high even though the demand for oil (gas) is lower now!  Either case, the American fracking industry is on the losing side right now because their costs are very high to produce their oil!!!

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Furthermore and as such, even Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway just ditched its stake in ExxonMobil, the world's biggest publicly traded energy company!

No they are flooding the market to try and keep being the leaders in the oil industry. And put american cracking industry out of business. But it won't work because every year cracking technology gets better and cheaper every year. And demand decreased not because of a few batteries cars on the road but because countries like Japan are in a deep recession.