Tesla CEO Not a Fan of Plug-in Hybrids, Specifically: the Chevy Volt
Dr. Lyle Dennis of GM-Volt.com reported today that Tesla Motors’ CEO Elon Musk is not a fan of the plug-in hybrid concept—specifically the Chevy Volt—saying that it is “neither fish nor fowl and ends up being worse. . .than either a gasoline or pure electric vehicle.”
Just last week, Tesla officially announced their Model S 4-door electric sedan. The Model S has a range of about 300 miles and costs roughly $49,000 after Federal Tax Credits.
- » See also: Is the Renault-Nissan Alliance Going in Two Different Electric Car Directions?
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In comparison, the Chevy Volt has an estimated total range of about 400 miles—the first 40 miles on battery power and another 360 miles on a full tank (6-7 gallons) of gasoline/E85. The goal price for the Volt is less than $30,000 but initial models could be closer to $40,000.
So which car will consumers actually buy?
Price and convenience will ultimately decide. While the allure of electric cars is strong—we think—the Volt is not as much of a departure from tradition: in a pinch, you can still you still stop at any gas station and fill it up. More simply, it seems that a sub-$30K option is going to be more attractive for the general public.
You can read the rest of Dr. Lyle’s analysis at GM-Volt.com.
More: Is the Tesla Model S Really For the Rest of Us?
Not so fast, there … the Model S will have an optional 300-mile battery pack, but that’s not what you get with the $50,000 base price.
True. the Model S is not going to be in the driveway of many. It’s for the wealthy only.
@Captain Morgan: Right. I think the interesting thing here is that, at least initially, it looked like plug-in hybrids would have much better range than fully electric vehicles. But if they’re comparable, which one will people want?
By making the statement that only 520 cars were booked in a set of weeks, Tesla is, basically, saying they are dead. With the current debt ratio, overhead and competitors they need to be booking 800 customers per day to even have a bare chance of surviving. The CEO of Tesla is detailed elsewhere online as doing over 40 things that are almost clinically insane, every investors has said they will never put money in Tesla again. The US DOE has already said that they have a failed financial model. They are gone. Bright and Fisker will crush them. Any 3Rd rate controller can run the numbers in a pro forma spreadsheet and see that they are unsurvivable and wait until the UAW gets done with them! My brother is in a Nissan UAW group and the bosses are already meeting about how to force Tesla to sign.
To Mr. Pung;
Exactly HOW did you calculate that he needs 800 cars a day for a pre-order? In fact, exactly what do you base the 800 number on????
Also, where did DOE say that they have a FAILED financial model? Some investors were wondering if he was profitable with the roadster, and it turned out that it was low, but that has been taken care of.
Seriously, I find it interesting that ppl like yourself run around trying to hang the man for his work with Tesla. Personally, I am holding out to buy one of his in the near future. I know that he will produce a minivan at some point, and my wife wants that.
Of course the CEO of Tesla motors is saying this. His business model failed and his company is doomed.
The Chevy Volt is actually doable for two reasons (1) reasonable price and (2) ability to refuel quickly.
Tesla is a play toy for the rich. The Volt will be a middle class success!
I for one think that the Volt is the best possible scenario for a (first gen) electric car.
A 40 mile full electric range will allow the vast majority of my driving to be fully electric.
However a Volt will be fully capable of having stuff thrown into the back and to be driven 600km to the inlaws house, in the winter. A battery only car would be stopped for the night partway (hopefully in a town! And hopefully someplace where they can get a charge.) In a Volt it means stopping to empty the bladder and fill the tank, just like any other car using the existing infrastructure.
I live in Bermuda where we pay about $8.00 a gallon for gas, and I did a similar calculation some time ago. It still takes me more than 5 years to break even, just because of the huge import tax on vechicles, (about 75%) but within 6-8 years there are substantial savings. Since people here typically keep their cars 10-15 years anyway I look at this as a good environmental investment.
AJ
[...] a matter of fact, David Letterman asked that very same question to Musk who has been vocal about his dislike of plug-in hybrids like the Volt. “The Volt has a range of 40 miles….that’s ridiculous…Oh Boy, we have the [...]