Times are changing folks. We can no longer look at electric cars as cute, well-meaning, prototypes built in twos or threes that will undoubtedly become some green freak's collector's item. Toyota and Honda helped plant the seed of a viable alternative to the standard internal combustion engine with their hybrid setups, namely the Prius and the Insight respectively. Heck, even GM dabbled with the EV-1 concept that it later decided was just too risky, or too dangerous to their bottom line to put into mass production.
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| Given the styling maybe it was smart to kill this one... |
But through all the trials and tribulations of attempting to make a viable all electric car, nobody could come close to the desired range demanded by consumers. When you think about this, people demanding an electric car that goes hundreds of miles on a single charge is a little silly. The average commuter rarely drives over 40 to 60 miles per day. The need for longer range comes only when a vacation or road trip is in order. And where do we look to for that kind of range? Certainly not the failed GM prototype nor even the new Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt. Those cars make fine commuters but as far as range, there is only one player in the game: Tesla Motors.
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| The future of the car, ladies and gentlemen |
Tesla offers cars that are not only capable of hundreds of miles worth of range on a single charge, they also offer cars that are a blast to drive. Electric motors provide maximum torque nearly instantly after the accelerator is pressed which is why you see headlines and funny YouTube videos of a Tesla Model S, a family sedan, wiping the floor with say a Dodge Challenger Hellcat.
Tesla doesn't stop at long range on a single charge nor the oodles of power on tap. The Model S in particular comes loaded with technology. The main console features a touchscreen that controls the various functionalities of the entire car and offers a view into all the data a car guy would ever need from his ride. Does it stop there? NO. Just like your iPhone or Android smartphone, a Tesla Model S can receive updates over the air. That means it is constantly connected to Tesla HQ and if they find a way to improve the car they can beam that improvement straight into your automobile with you being none the wiser. You just benefit from the improvement automatically without any hassle or bothering to take it to a car dealership for the upgrade.
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| The Tesla Roadster that started it all |
I will always be a fan of the standard internal combustion engine. I will especially always be a fan of the Wankel rotary internal combustion engine. But when you line up internal combustion automobiles next to the technological marvel that is the Tesla Model S, there is really no comparison. In nearly every category, except perhaps styling which is subjective anyway, the Tesla comes out on top. Another great thing about Tesla? They are made in the good old USA. Until the bankruptcies of the big three automakers in the US, we were considered the automotive powerhouse of the world. Tesla Motors is bringing that trophy back to the shores of the United States and I personally could not be happier. The era of the electric car is here, and if you aren't excited, you need to read the performance stats again my friend...
