Monday, April 06, 2009

Tesla: Where We SHOULD Invest $$$

Instead of ... or in addition to ... keeping an ailing gasoline-powered auto industry on life support, why not invest in the future? As blogger ProgressiveTokyo writes:
"Why don't we take a huge chunk of those BILLIONS we are throwing at GM et. al. and throw them to a company which is at the forefront of design and technology which could wean us away from foreign oil, and move us in the Green direction?

Lets take a look at Tesla's newest offering:
Tell me this is not a sexy car that you wouldn't be proud to own and sport around town? Its range before recharge? 300 miles!

I remember when I was working as an advertising executive for a small yellow pages firm back home, I used to have to travel all over the county meeting clients and making sales pitches. I dont think I EVER drove more than 300 miles in a day.

How long to recharge? 4 hours on a regular 220V plug. If you get a home 480V outlet you can charge this baby up in just 45 minutes.

The current cost? That is the part that would need serious government and private investment to bring down (the former would encourage the latter):
around 50,000 dollars.

If the US Government was serious about "going Green" and building a 21st century transportation infrastructure why not invest in a company which could be scaled UP right now, creating high paying manufacturing jobs and helping the environment in one fell swoop?

For more info on the Model S see here

Here is something the comments that I think everyone should see:
Lead Story In Tomorrow's Times, meanwhile, concerns a new Chinese govt. initiative to corner the electric car market.
China Vies to Be World’s Leader in Electric Cars
By KEITH BRADSHER
Published: April 1, 2009
TIANJIN, China — Chinese leaders have adopted a plan aimed at turning the country into one of the leading producers of hybrid and all-electric vehicles within three years, and making it the world leader in electric cars and buses after that.

The goal, which radiates from the very top of the Chinese government, suggests that Detroit’s Big Three, already struggling to stay alive, will face even stiffer foreign competition on the next field of automotive technology than they do today.

“China is well positioned to lead in this,” said David Tulauskas, director of China government policy at General Motors."
Please give a thanks and a rec to Mogolori for finding this new piece. We will keep falling behind if we don't invest NOW!"

Kudos to ProgressiveTokyo for a smart piece, linking important information together in a helpful way! You have just made us all a little bit smarter.
Now: where can I get me one of those Teslas???

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