Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sports/GTs, Green
AutoblogGreen does Q&A with Elon Musk of Tesla Motors
AutoblogGreen continues its excellent coverage of the Tesla Roadster unveiling from last week with an exclusive one-on-one chat with the chairman of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk. The discussion tells us much more than the press releases revealed, like how far Mr. Musk and Tesla Motors want to take this whole "electric vehicle" thing, why getting power from the grid is still cleaner than driving a Prius, and what happens with the battery pack at the end of its 100,000-mile life cycle.
Below are a few Elon Musk quotes we snatched straight from the Q&A. You'lll have to click over to AutoblogGreen to read them in context.
"...it would be really cool to do a DOT-approved GT version with a 0-60mph under 3 seconds. That would even beat my McLaren F1."
"If you travel less than 350 miles per week, you will therefore be 'energy positive' with respect to your personal transportation."
"I think we will one day see truck batteries with a 2000-mile transcontinental range."
"I think electric cars will be the primary, but not exclusive solution."
"The Tesla Lithium-Ion battery pack is actually non-toxic and landfill safe, although dumping it would be pointless, since it can be sold to recycling companies (unsubsidized) at the end of its 100,000-mile design life."
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z 8:11PM (7/27/2006)
I figured the math out on a back of an envelope, and I figured that if the Tesla Roadster were connected to a generator that was 40% efficient at converting gas to electricity (Something that would be a technical challendge), the roadster would get 75 mpg--And would only need a 45hp engine to do it(this does not include acceleration).
I really wish Tesla would go the plug-in hybrid route, unless they can make a EV that can charge in 15 minutes of course.
I would personally prefer a PHEV with 50 mile range EV-only route and 70 mpg the rest of the way rather than a pure EV with the need for a second car.
Personal idea: A great business start-up right now would be someone that could build a small ultra-efficient gas generator to incorporate into EVs.
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John B 9:56PM (7/27/2006)
Mike Z
I read an interview five or so years ago with Burt Rutan and he had the same idea.
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Andy 2:06AM (7/28/2006)
I have rarely wanted something as much as I want that car.
Not even that car in particular(although, yes, that car) but a nice electric car that doesnt look retarded, is sporty and handles very well and has awesome range like the Tesla. If it was resonably priced near a normal car I would buy it in an instant
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Roger P 4:44AM (7/28/2006)
Mike Z wrote:
> I would personally prefer a PHEV with 50 mile range EV-only route and 70 mpg the rest of the way rather than a pure EV with the need for a second car.
So buy a Prius and get the plug-in conversion kit for ~$10k. Or wait for the 2008 Prius, which is rumored to get lithium-ion batteries and plug-in charging, comparable to 94 MPG (probably city).
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Moot 3:39PM (7/28/2006)
i think elon should start a cologne line
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john kerry 7:33AM (8/03/2006)
We provides high quality cng,lpg kits.
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