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Eco123 Revista da Economia e Ecologia
There it is in front of the door, and it looks like a completely normal car. Could even be a BMW. You don’t feel the difference until you’re sitting in it. On the dashboard, I find a 17” touch screen. It’s the car’s nerve centre. Roberto explains how it works. The computer (or the NSA) controls the navigation system, the internet connection, the front and rear cameras, the built-in telephone, the media centre, energy consumption and all the other personal control functions which you have to adjust yourself before setting off.
You can say that the car is a machine which continuously updates its apps by downloading. After these first futuristic impressions, we drive off – but I can’t hear anything. The drive though Milan’s city centre is quiet and gentle. I feel as though I’m on a cloud.
This is a car with a double personality. In the showroom window, it sits there like a silent, cold-blooded demonstration model. But once you’re sitting in it and put your foot on the pedal, it turns into a sports car. For anyone needing such a toy and wanting to avoid burning any oil in the process, this is the perfect solution: zero emissions. What’s more, if you have any suggestions for improving the model, you can contact Tesla in California direct via the on-board computer. They’ll presumably send an app which you just have to download.
Eco 123 – Is TESLA the future?
Roberto Toro: From a certain point of view, it’s kind of you to say that Tesla is the future because we realize that Tesla is actually the present.
Is it also possible to build a low-cost electric car?
The goal of Tesla motors is to reach the mass market so we are starting the production of a smaller segment – probably a C-segment – which will have a starting price of about €30,000.
But at the moment the starting price is €72,000.
The price of the model S has been established in accordance to its segment, but what makes the difference are the costs of ownership. You have to consider that for a fully charged model S you need €13 to €14 of electricity for a range of 500km.
What are Tesla’s goals?
Tesla wants to bring some changes, some improvements, some innovation to one of the most static industries, the automotive industry. We think that big companies should take a long-term view in order to consider the next generations.
In conclusion TESLA is the future now but all of us need to get the big picture and do our part in this electrical revolution.
Test drive:
It was a short journey of 4 hours. But it was enough to realise that the whole car was built not only with the daily needs of drivers in mind, but also the little pleasures of driving. It is a dynamic car, assertive and with very balanced performance with moderate use, but also fun and sporty when a bit more is asked of this Model S, P85. The vehicle’s range is 426km. It goes from 0 to 100 in 4.2 seconds and has a maximum speed of 209 kph. With zero emissions, it consumes €3 of electricity for every 100 km, which is excellent (see as well VEECO RT). Although some have already been sold to Portugal, there is no importer yet nor is there a projection for setting up a fast-charging station in this country. An excellent investment opportunity.
Watch the full test drive interview on www.eco123.info
Batteries: 60Kwh: 335 km range, 193 kph maximum speed and 5.9 sec from 0 to 100 kph 85Kwh: 426 km range, 210 kph maximum speed e 5.4 sec from 0 to 100 kph 85Kwh Performance: 426 km range, 209 kph maximum speed and 4.2 sec from 0 to 100 kph
Additional Dimensions: seating capacity 5 + 2
Charging: 10 kW capable on-board charger with the following input compatibility: 85-265 V, 45-65 Hz, 1-40 A (Optional 20 kW capable Twin Chargers increases input compatibility to 80 A) • Peak charger efficiency of 92% • 10 kW capable Universal Mobile Connector with 110 V, 240 V, and J1772 adapters.
Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, new vehicle limited warranty • 60 kWh battery has an 8 year or 125,000 mile warranty, whichever comes first • 85 kWh battery has an 8 year, unlimited mileage warranty
For more information: http://www.teslamotors.com
Departure airport: Lisbon – Lisboa 1x Round-trip flight for 1 Person
Destination airport: Milan – Malpensa
Flight distance: 3,400 km
Total climate impact : 870 kg CO2
