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Tesla Model S Electric Sedan Finally Revealed

March 27, 2009 by 24 Comments
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About 7 hours ago (even though pics were leaked a bit earlier), Tesla Motors finally took the wraps off their electric sedan, the Model S. 

The sedan—which will cost about half as much as the Roadster—is intended to be a more practical and affordable alternative to their $109,000 sports car. Tesla anticipates a base price of about $49,900 after taking into account the electric vehicle federal tax credit of $7,500. If you include the cost of buying gas (at $4 per gallon of course) the price drops down to about $35,000.

The Model S is expected to start production in late 2011, but this is entirely dependent on Tesla receiving  a $450 million government loan from the Energy Department. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk said they are “highly confident” that the company will be selected to receive a loan this year.

More like a normal car than many electric vehicles we’ve seen, the Model S has room for up to seven people and a range of 300 miles per charge. It will carry an onboard charger, which allows it to recharge from any 120V, 240V, or 480V outlet (this last one would only take 45 minutes). It appears the sedan might be more than just a “family sedan”, since extra space under the front hood plus a normal amount of cargo space gives it the capacity to “accommodate a 50-inch television, mountain bike *and* surfboard simultaneously.” 

Tesla is currently taking reservations online and in showrooms in California. The company plans to open a store in Chicago this spring and plans to open stores in London, New York, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC and Munich later this year.

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About Clayton

In a past life, Clayton was a professional blogger and editor of Gas 2.0, Important Media’s blog covering the future of sustainable transportation. He was also the Managing Editor for GO Media, the predecessor to Important Media.

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  • onesojourner

    7 people?

  • onesojourner

    7 people?

  • Bob

    Gas is $2 per gallon, not $4. I’m not seeing many indicators that point to a price higher than $2.50-$3 in the next 1-3 years, the global economy is just too bad for a return to prior levels for several years.

  • Bob

    Gas is $2 per gallon, not $4. I’m not seeing many indicators that point to a price higher than $2.50-$3 in the next 1-3 years, the global economy is just too bad for a return to prior levels for several years.

  • Bob

    Gas is $2 per gallon, not $4. I’m not seeing many indicators that point to a price higher than $2.50-$3 in the next 1-3 years, the global economy is just too bad for a return to prior levels for several years.

  • Bob

    Definitely seems marginally nicer and more of a luxury approach than the Volt; however, assuming the Volt will be $35K, I’m not sure many will opt for a $20k+ premium for a “somewhat” nicer car. Especially since its range will be less than the Volt without the gas engine option and $2 gas.

  • Bob

    Definitely seems marginally nicer and more of a luxury approach than the Volt; however, assuming the Volt will be $35K, I’m not sure many will opt for a $20k+ premium for a “somewhat” nicer car. Especially since its range will be less than the Volt without the gas engine option and $2 gas.

  • Bob

    Definitely seems marginally nicer and more of a luxury approach than the Volt; however, assuming the Volt will be $35K, I’m not sure many will opt for a $20k+ premium for a “somewhat” nicer car. Especially since its range will be less than the Volt without the gas engine option and $2 gas.

  • http://greenoptions.com Clayton B. Cornell

    Yes, seats 7. I’m also interested to see what that arrangement looks like.

    @Bob: That’s what I’ve been thinking too.

    Btw, see another perspective at Popular Mechanics: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4310750.html

  • http://greenoptions.com Clayton B. Cornell

    Yes, seats 7. I’m also interested to see what that arrangement looks like.

    @Bob: That’s what I’ve been thinking too.

    Btw, see another perspective at Popular Mechanics: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4310750.html

  • Rick

    Bob, I don’t think Tesla is currently targeting the mass market. They’re selling everything they make at their current low production levels and they can do quite well as a niche auto maker. They certainly don’t have the demand reduction problem like conventional auto makers.

  • Rick

    Bob, I don’t think Tesla is currently targeting the mass market. They’re selling everything they make at their current low production levels and they can do quite well as a niche auto maker. They certainly don’t have the demand reduction problem like conventional auto makers.

  • Rick

    Bob, I don’t think Tesla is currently targeting the mass market. They’re selling everything they make at their current low production levels and they can do quite well as a niche auto maker. They certainly don’t have the demand reduction problem like conventional auto makers.

  • http://www.chemicallygreen.com Steven R. Mason

    Hey guys, this is cool stuff. But heck will freeze over before I pluck this kind of money down for an unproven car. Seat 7 people, yeah but not my size.

    Thanks again.

  • http://www.chemicallygreen.com Steven R. Mason

    Hey guys, this is cool stuff. But heck will freeze over before I pluck this kind of money down for an unproven car. Seat 7 people, yeah but not my size.

    Thanks again.

  • Steve

    I’ve been following Tesla basically since they started so it’s nice to see them stick to the goals they wanted to achieve. I hope they get that gov’t loan and continue to ascend. I would definitely buy one if I had the $$$.

    P.S.: The front of it is very Aston Martin-ish.

  • Steve

    I’ve been following Tesla basically since they started so it’s nice to see them stick to the goals they wanted to achieve. I hope they get that gov’t loan and continue to ascend. I would definitely buy one if I had the $$$.

    P.S.: The front of it is very Aston Martin-ish.

  • Steve

    I’ve been following Tesla basically since they started so it’s nice to see them stick to the goals they wanted to achieve. I hope they get that gov’t loan and continue to ascend. I would definitely buy one if I had the $$$.

    P.S.: The front of it is very Aston Martin-ish.

  • David

    Everyone on here seems like they rather stick with the status qua! Do you guys actually believe the price of gas is going to stay low? OPEC isn’t! If your worried about the cost-lets remember back when LCD flat screen televisions were in the thousands back in the early millennium. Now almost everyone has a LCD TV! Same goes with computers and internet broadband. Electric cars will come down in price overtime.

  • David

    Everyone on here seems like they rather stick with the status qua! Do you guys actually believe the price of gas is going to stay low? OPEC isn’t! If your worried about the cost-lets remember back when LCD flat screen televisions were in the thousands back in the early millennium. Now almost everyone has a LCD TV! Same goes with computers and internet broadband. Electric cars will come down in price overtime.

  • Nicole Desjardins

    Thank you I really appreciate this information. I have 2 Porsche (911+Carrera), one Infiniti M35. I look forward to by a good looking an performant electric car.

  • Nicole Desjardins

    Thank you I really appreciate this information. I have 2 Porsche (911+Carrera), one Infiniti M35. I look forward to by a good looking an performant electric car.

  • Nicole Desjardins

    Thank you I really appreciate this information. I have 2 Porsche (911+Carrera), one Infiniti M35. I look forward to by a good looking an performant electric car.