Test drove the Fiat 500e today

Fiat is on a mission and they know how to show up with a bang
The test drive invitation was very compelling.
They had a quick and easy registration process - a hotline to ask any questions, while we waited in line. And once the test drive was done - you had Subway boxed lunch with some choice beverages to go. They intend grabbing market share - and are definitely putting their best foot forward.
How do they compare to the Tesla?
Read on...

Compelling features about the FIAT 500E?
0 to 60 in 9.1 seconds.
87 mile range.
And if you leased it, you received 12 days’ use of a gas-powered car?
83 kW electric motor delivers  111 horsepower
The turning radius is really good...makes an excellent test drive.
The interiors have a very refreshing cutting edge feel - it is a bit cramped sitting at the back seat, but I am a sucker for compacts!
It has a three-phase AC synchronous motor ,  111 horses and 147 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. Energy is lies within a 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that lies underneath the body of the car - just like the Tesla.
How does it compare to the Tesla?
After rebate, it will be 20K. That is where the comparison ends.
Yes, it may not compare to the Tesla when it comes to performance or luxurious feel or range - but hey it provides you the bang for the buck. Tesla has a super charger grid, Fiat doesn't.

Fiat could be an excellent commute car to work or even for your kids.
The exterior styling works very well - and probably the most stylish of all the electric cars.
Spoke with the hotline after my test drive. The charging unit is $2k to $2.5K over and above; what about existing electric car owners who have setup? No answer from that

Tesla - Gory Details

So ....many of our friends reached out trying to get the inside scoop.
If you were considering getting in line- for folks who have ordered in October 2012, they were just asked to pick the options, and their delivery date is end of April. So  about a 7 month wait period. But get in line quickly, this thing is creating a buzz
NOTE: We ordered in May 2009, and we picked our specs in September, and finally delivered in January - even though the target delivery was November/December

Back to the "inside scoop".
Firstly I would recommend the Tesla Forum

http://www.teslamotors.com/forums

But here is a quick summary based on the "usual" questions
In particular, the details of the 220V connection is spelled out below - that is the most complex issue you will deal with, as it pertains to switching to an electric car.

We are overall quite pleased, love the power, and Tesla has truly catered to the *high* end luxury car market segment. If you were driving a fancy sports car, you would not be able to tell the difference. Is it worth the money? Time will tell.

There are simple issues (No spare tire, water entering inside the pop out handle during the car wash etc) so we are considering getting the extended warranty and purchasing the service plan outright. 

REBATE
State rebate of $2500 check apply from here - http://energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/clean-vehicle-rebate-project
Once you are approved, you should see the check arrive into your mail-box.
Federal Tax $7,500 is more complex
Details are here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml
Remember to send the information to your accountant to include in your 2013 tax returns

 
 

 OPTIONS: http://www.teslamotors.com/models/options

Options are really dependent on your interests, But check out the forums on what folks are saying

The one option I would want you to consider is to go with the largest 85kwh battery size / the 320 mile range, for a variety of reasons.
 

BATTERY SIZE:

Tesla provides a standard adapter to charge directly from the 120V socket in the garage. That makes it easy! We are currently working on the 220V connection (see below)

Tesla is building a network of Superchargers throughout North America along well-traveled routes. Superchargers are designed to give road-trippers half a charge in about half an hour. Includes all hardware, software, testing, and unlimited free charging at all Supercharger locations.  Here are the locations of these superchargers

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=212683000211791833625.0004cc70bebc73808f9ec

The new 220V connection in the garage

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

With all the standard cables and power adapters that Tesla provides, you are essentially good to go. You don't need any special install - but may want to consider getting the optional components to get a faster charge.
Read about single versus dual here http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/single-vs-twin-charger
If you have a 220V charger at home, and not planning to take it for long drives, you don't need the Dual Super charger

SUMMARY of work effort for the new 220v connection

Our home amperage was at 125AMPS

The Tesla 70 Amp high power charger will suck up much of it.

It was imperative for us to upgrade to 200 AMPS, and while at it, why not go to 400 amps and have the ability to charge a couple cars simultaneously.

So the new 400 amps line coming into our home will be split into two- 200 amps for the home and 200 amps for the charging stations in the garage.
We currently have a panel that is maxed out with the number of breakers.
We are considering getting an additional breaker panel that will feed into the old panel. Both these are dedicated for the 200amp into the home. The reason we want to keep the old panel - is not to be "that" disruptive and make changes with the electricity being fed into the house.
Then an additional panel dedicated for the charging with about 4 breakers.

 

Also, because you can leverage the subsidized PG&E billing (see details here) for electric cars, you may want to have metering setup separately.PG&E currently offers two "EV plans". E9-A and E9-B. E9-A is timing vary rate that allow you to use electricity as cheap as $0.037/KWh during the summer and as cheap as $0.0468/KWh. But to avail the E9 rates, you need a dedicated line for your charging station. So essentially you need 2 meters - one for the home and one for the charging station.
And ...you need dedicated 220v wiring from your existing panel to your charging location (garage)

Here are the details and the steps 

- Call PG&E and tell them you want to increase the amperage to 200 or 400 amps

- Line up an electrician who can change your panel and install the 220V wiring for your home 

- PG&E will send some docs to sign, along with a bill.  Sign and mail

- PG&E will now send you the specs of the trenching and the work to be done.
You need to trench a 30" x 8" pathway all the way to your panel location. PG&E is willing to do it, but they are super expensive. 

- Before you begin trenching, call 811 and a 3rd party provider will call all the service companies (phone, cable, electric, gas) to come down and mark the lines (areas where you should NOT be digging). 

- Once the trenching is done, making sure you don't dig over the lines 
Once the digging is done, you will need a sand layer of a couple inches at the bottom of the trench, lay the new conduits (schedule 40 and 30)

- Call PG&E to lay the new 400amp wiring.

- Cover the conduit with sand (a few inches) and fill the trench with stone-free soil.

- Call PG&E for 2nd inspection

- Once approved Call your electrician, have them come down to do the following.
PG&E will turn power off before this work begins.
You will need to pull a permit with the city for this step
Ideally, the electrician should start in the morning and wrap by evening

 * Lay the new 220 v wiring all the way to your garage (from the panel)

*  Install the new panel
  * Install the new meter (for the charging station) by the new panel

  * Install any wall charging unit.
* Ideally you want the ability to charge outside the garage as well as inside.
Some folks just run the charging cables to the driveway through the garage door (it will still close). You may consider making a small depression  in the garage floor to help facilitate that.

-  PG&E comes back, does the checks and activates your power.
 

Model S iPhone App available now (also on Android)
You sign in with the same email and password as their website and it automatically links to your car. The menu includes Home, Controls, Charge, Climate, and Location across the bottom of the screen.
Home - shows current status, can sign in and out there.
Controls - vent roof, lock, unlock, honk horn, flash lights
Charge - switch from standard to max range, start and stop charging
Climate - shows current interior temp, turn climate on and off
Location - map view of the car location, direction to get to the car (goes to Maps app)
A San Antonio owner of Tesla Signature writes... the feeling is mutual too. feels like bragging but feeling good.
Yes, MB has sold 3 M cars in USA and Porsche 1.5 M but still this is made in the US. I really hope this car succeeds.

Tesla = Apollo Program
Posted by txcattledog on January 24, 2013
OK before y’all lacerate me, read me out. And no, there are absolutely no Space-X puns coming.
We have had our Model S for exactly two weeks. The reception we’ve received is unbelievable. The public’s fascination with this car is beyond comprehension.
I have been trying to figure out why. People have a crush on this car, complete infatuation. OK, it’s beautiful on the outside, superbly simple on the inside, quiet, crazy fast, unexpected. All those are OK, and unexpected starts to get close to it.
I think it’s this.
I think everyone approaches the Model S with one essential thought – NO WAY.
Not as in a good, “I don’t believe it,” but as in a really skeptical, “I don’t believe it.”
They are in the womb of automotive expectedness – the ICE world of the last few decades – and in a span of about 60 seconds (approach car, beautiful, handles extend, OMG, get in, stunning, flat screen stares at them, panoroof slider bar, foot on break, speedometer flips over, roll away silently, first straightaway punch it, memories of first rollercoaster ride, fat-ass grins all over faces) they are shot out the birth canal into the bright light of a new, awesome world (sorry for the graphic overlay, but it’s like that.)
And then they think, NO WAY, as in NO WAY has this freaking out-of-nowhere company kicked sand in the face of 100 years of automaking. NO WAY have they done it, NO WAY is it American, NO WAY is it 8,000 laptop batteries flipped back and forth in the right kool-aid. NO WAY did you buy another one from that super-sized iPad, NO WAY did I just laugh my head off driving in a 3/4 mile loop around your neighborhood (seriously, there’s NOTHING inherently compelling about that).
When did you hear about Tesla? How long has it been reserved? How many are there in San Antonio? Is it really all electric? Where do they make it? Who makes it? WHO MAKES IT?
My wife’s been chased down in the school parking lot, our kids’ friends want to keep going for rides, laughing their heads off. I’ve been blockaded in my driveway, thumbs up from freeway passers-by, blank stares from Maserati owners, people on cell phones behind me at lights talking about it (it goes like this – person drives up, eyes widen, cell phone comes out, speed dial, big smile hand gestures, pointing, etc.).
Our neighbor was leaving for the airport this morning, her driver (towncar instead of cab, just the way they do it) was parked out front. I parked in front of him, got out and went to the door to get their daughter to take to school. “Sir, excuse me sir, is that your car?” “Yes.” “Sir, that is the nicest car in San Antonio!” “Thank you, well, there are a lot of nic…” “SIR – THAT is the nicest car in San Antonio.” “Umm, thank you.”

It’s our Apollo Program.
People are proud of it. Of the balls to try it. Of the audacity to pull it off. People we don’t even know are proud of us for buying it. They feel like they’ve bought it by seeing it or riding in it. No one is lukewarm about it. Is this how Columbus felt?
I think everyone’s pumped that someone can still kick ass and take names, without going to war to do it.
It’s sort of indescribable.
I’ll add insulation and solar panels if I want to feel greener. This is way beyond that.
Let them make one for you.

Tesla's Macintosh - THE MODEL S

Just got back from a factory tour of the makers of the 2013 Automobile of the year - MODEL S
Ellon Musk was in the building too ...
 Some 13,000 customers had put down $5000 as a reservation, and we had put it down in April 2009 - and today was the big day. We were actually #787 on the wait list. Reminded me of the times when my dad had made his own reservations back in those days... the cycle of life continues. I saw it first on David Letterman and impressed sufficiently to plunk down 5 grand. The Model S was featured on Late Show with David Letterman in April 2009. Because the car uses no gasoline and does not produce any tailpipe emissions, it was allowed on the Late Show set and was the first fully functioning car on stage, and that probably got some of the 13,000 customers interested enough.^,

 With Elon Musk @ TiECON 2009

We had been anticipating the 'arrival' since November last year, but as they say " the fruit of wait is always sweet"!

 Instead of picking up from Menlo Park, we decided to go hang out at the Factory.
Fabulous factory tour, and none of the gimmicks associated with the sale of a car.
No one trying to sell you undercoating, or sleaze balling you for something that you don't need.
These guys made the process a breeze - even though we were passed from team to team - as we progressed towards the final-pick up today.
PEN FED credit union is very popular with TESLA customers @ 1.49APR

So we have it now...
I am still confused about the flush door handles, the lack of an ignition button ;-(
Went to pick up Shivaum, and one of his friends called the Model S WICKED
All-glass panoramic roof, turn-by-turn navigation and a backup camera, along with WI-FI and two USB ports for plugging-in devices. And how about the 17 inch touchscreen dashboard?
Cost to drive 25 miles? A buck
You do the math now 

Brake lights come on when Tesla is losing speed

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/archive/index.php/t-12181.html

Seema was wondering why my brake lights came on so often when I was driving on 880.

Regenerative braking details here

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/regenerative-braking.htm

 

  "It's the performance that won us over," admits editor-in-chief Jean Jennings AUTOMOBILE magazine. "The crazy speed builds silently and then pulls back the edges of your face. It had all of us endangering our licenses." The Signature's AC induction motor puts out 416 hp (weighs 4500 lbs) and that it blasts to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.

The Lithium Ion battery consists of more than 7,000 battery cells (the same cell you see in a laptop) for the 85KW-h pack. The battery uses Panasonic cells with NI-CO AL Cathode. The 60KW-h battery pack is guaranteed for 8 years or 125 miles. The battery is located under the car onto the floor, the last thing assembled, which makes taking out a lot easier, but also provides the MODEL S with a very low center of gravity. THere is a $10K battery replacement option for the 60KWh battery, replaceable anytime after the 8th year or 12K miles

Like most electric cars, the torque is generated instantly. Tesla's torque amounts to a 443 lb-ft and all on the rear axle (it is a rear wheel/ rear engine car).

Someone arranged an informal drag race to 100 mph with a 560-hp BMW M5. The Model S won.


RANDY CARLSON makes a very interesting point about HIGH PERFORMING electric cars
"Low performance electric cars, especially those with limited range (small batteries) fail to exploit inherent advantages of electric drive. Electric drive batteries, power inverters and motors all work more efficiently at part load than they do when delivering maximum output. This is the opposite of an ICE. A relatively underpowered ICE car - where the engine is working hard most of the time - is inherently more efficient than a high performance ICE car where the engine is inefficiently loafing most of the time. In the case of low performance cars, the ICE versions get to operate near their best efficiency while the electric versions end up operating at their least efficient point. For high performance cars, the reverse is true. It follows that the electric car designer has the advantage when designing a high performance car, but when designing a low performance car, not so much. Tesla's Model S is acclaimed as a quicker, quieter, smoother riding, better handling BMW.
Randy points out the Different Approaches


Different Approaches

Strategy	GM, Ford, others	Tesla	Tesla Advantage
Car	Economy	Performance	Greater electric vs. ICE advantage.
Market	TCO driven.	Performance, status driven.	Tolerates premium.
Battery	Custom	Commodity	Cost, availability, performance, reliability.

TESLA's approach is to build the best vehicle possible using electric power, aiming to compete with the best ICE cars, using commodity batteries in comparison to the approach to build the least expensive electric vehicle possible, aiming to compete with lower-end ICE cars on cost, with newly developed specialty batteries. Very smart!
Battery technology developed specifically for electric car applications is not the key to lower cost. The existing battery industry is already being driven to higher capacity, longer cycle life, shorter recharge times and wider operating temperatures - all the things an electric car battery needs to be - by makers of laptop computers, cell-phones and other electronic devices. Development of a 'new' battery, even if the chemistry is the same and only the form-factor differs, presents an economic and manufacturing learning curve challenge. Commodity batteries manufactured by the billions, from experienced suppliers driven by intense competition offer lower cost, greater reliability, better performance and assured availability compared to any custom developed battery. Until the electric car market begins using large volumes of batteries, the custom electric car battery is a dog that just isn't going to hunt."