re: #233 kirkspencer

All of which are either gas users (implying electrical is still just a gimmick) or have typical ranges of less than 100 miles. The Teslas get 200+.

The other thing Tesla did which I think was long-term brilliant is started investment in independent recharge stations. If you have a Tesla and you’re driving in California you can get from LA to San Francisco in a “normal” driving day, not needing to either kick in the gas engine or stop for a few hours every hundred miles. Just stop for ten minutes or so at the recharge station and continue on your way.

Yes, it’s a rich person’s toy. But it’s the only full electric that’s directly competitive against gasoline engine cars, and so proves it’s doable.

I dunno. I’m more in favor of the Volt’s model, since, for example, if I owned one, I’d almost never need to do anything but charge it every night, but if I needed to go farther, I would not need to worry about finding a charging station and waiting the requisite time. I think the future ultimately belongs to whatever technology can take over seamlessly.

But I gotta tell you - seeing all the Tesla Model S’s on the Peninsula is pretty cool!