Tesla confirms Model S sedan, 225-mile range and $60k
by Damon Lavrinc on Jun 30th 2008 at 3:28PM 
California Governator and (soon-to-be) Tesla Roadster owner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, addressed the seething throngs of media types at Tesla's San Carlos, California facility. The topics of conversation centered on new incentives for Tesla to continue its production of vehicles in the Golden State, specifically the start-up's second vehicle, codenamed the Model S, which according to Tesla, get 225 miles on a single charge and cost $60,000. Tesla did not officially announce when the new model would go on sale, nor would it say where in California the "multi-use sport sedan" would be produced.The incentive for Tesla to remain in California, rather than move production of the sedan to New Mexico (discussed last year), is part of the CAEATFA program that was approved last Wednesday. The initiative exempts automakers from paying sales and use tax when they purchase manufacturing equipment to build electric vehicles. That's expected to save automakers – and Tesla specifically – millions of dollars when the company invests in building a new plant in California. A Schwarzenegger press conference wouldn't be complete without a lame quote from his erstwhile movie career, and the Governor didn't let us down, saying that he was disappointed by the initial announcement that Tesla was considering a manufacturing center in New Mexico, but that "They'll be back." And they are.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Jared 3:45PM (6/30/2008)
225 miles on a single charge? I don't see how they'll achieve that at any reasonable price, given the cost of batteries.
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Vintage 3:50PM (6/30/2008)
They won't. The tesla's range was supposed to be 275 miles or something, and as it got closer to production the range kept falling lower and lower and lower.
They're just being optimistic.
Ricky 4:35PM (6/30/2008)
Honestly, I would buy one that only went 150miles on a single charge if they dropped the price. Such a great concept but such poor execution by Tesla!
jake 5:14PM (6/30/2008)
Even I don't know how they will get it to be 225 mile range and $60k. I know they will make it lower performance obviously and use an aluminum body instead of carbon fiber. I guess we'll see. It'll be good even if they end up with a 200 mile range. Tesla said their current battery pack on the Roadster already costs around $20k. I expect the price estimate to go up as they get near production like the Roadster's did.
@Vintage
It was actually 250 miles. 220 combined range right now isn't too off target. I would expect the Model S to get around 200 miles given the target of 225. It think that already would be a fairly good.
Dave 7:24PM (6/30/2008)
The sedan won't go 225 miles. And the governator will not fit in his new roadster.
"California Governator and (soon-to-be) Tesla Roadster owner, Arnold Schwarzenegger..."
Mike 8:04PM (6/30/2008)
I don't understand this either. Forgive me for sounding silly by bringing GM into the equation, but I was just reading an article in the Atlantic about the Chevy Volt, and they were saying that it was nearly impossible to build a car with a 40 mile range for 40K. I suppose 60 grand is a lot more dough, so maybe they can do more with that. But it still seems a bit ambitious...
User 9:14PM (6/30/2008)
Economies of scale. :)
Duders 12:37AM (7/01/2008)
Even with a 40 mile range, that seems alright by me. Between going to work today, back home, then to a friends house on the other side of the city, then back home I barely cracked the 30 mile mark. So would 40 miles a day be perfect? Yes. Is 40k still too expensive to make it mainstream? Yes.
But that doesn't exclude it from being useful and,perhaps not at this price bracket, practical.
psarhjinian 3:13PM (7/01/2008)
When you don't make any cars, you theoretically can say anything you like.
Has Tesla managed to deliver more than three or four cars? Have they delivered a single car to a customer who isn't an executive, investor or paid-for journalist?
If not, isn't it a little premature to be talking about a new model? Shouldn't they be at least trying to get the roadster out the door with a real, production transmission?
Jared 3:29PM (7/01/2008)
psarhjinian: amen!
They shouldn't even be thinking about a second car until they've actually learned how to design and produce the roadster.
Jason 3:49PM (6/30/2008)
I wish them the best of luck but I am a bit skeptical. 225 mile range for 60k? They are making a car that is bigger than the roadster and has a longer range (although not by much) for about half the price of said roadster.
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BlackCanary 3:49PM (6/30/2008)
225 miles at $60k sounds good but it is still way too expensive. A $20k Civic and $40K worth of gas is still a better option. Hell a $30k Mustang and $30K worth of gas is a better deal.
I know this is new tech but this better be as fancy as Merc/Bmw/Jag for $60k.
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doc b 8:12PM (6/30/2008)
If you're looking to buy a 60-80K sport sedan, then the price is cheap. In 2010,ill be looking for a sport sedan and if it's nice, the Tesla Sedan will get a look.
If you are selling tech based on off the shelf cheap components, then mass market for cheap. If you are selling new tech, then sell at the high end.
madgamer 3:54PM (6/30/2008)
This is simply awesome stuff. I hope it looks cool and they are able to produce enough of them to go around.
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The Luigiian 3:54PM (6/30/2008)
As a satisfied resident of the State of New Mexico, let me be the first to say:
You can keep 'em, Arnie.
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The Luigiian 3:56PM (6/30/2008)
Also: Yo, Governor Richardson! How's about getting Nissan to build a new facility for their cheaper EV in Albuquerque? Or Chevy to build their Volt here?
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Penguin 4:16PM (6/30/2008)
I think that it gived people different options and thats whats great. I for one am not a super "green" guy but its nice to see that people are pushing to get something that, in their eyes, helps the earth.
That being said you spell it Tesla, not Telsa. I would update the heading ;)
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DanMan 4:13PM (6/30/2008)
Hey why isn't the gov lining up to buy the first one of these sedans like he did for the very first Hummer H1? I would think he wouldn't want to miss the opportunity. :) Especially if he is serious about trying to get the constitution changed and running for president.
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MajorGeek 4:26PM (6/30/2008)
Because he is the Governor. He wont be seen driving in a 4 seater hybrid fror good reason. Typically, they use better security including people, large, multiple vehicles with lead and follow vehicles and more. While I agree that politicians should be better role models, I am afraid their vehicles just simply can not apply. Not to mention a guy of that size might have trouble fitting into some of these.
DanMan 4:53PM (6/30/2008)
He won't be governor forever and he can brag he has one like Hillary and Bill do about their Escape and Mariner Hybrids.