Tesla Roadster

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Cold Fussion
93
Joined: 19 Dec 2010, 04:51

Tesla Roadster

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https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electr ... a-roadster

Anyone want to hazard a guess at what sort of battery technology they could potentially be using for this? If it really is to have a 200kWh battery, it would surely be too heavy to be a real sports car if it's made from the same technology as the model s for example.

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jjn9128
769
Joined: 02 May 2017, 23:53

Re: Tesla Roadster

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My question would be is it a 200kWh battery or a 200kW output? Sometimes these get confused by the top gear/non EV savvy journo's. That said I think the new new leaf is 50kWh so are current Tesla's ~100kWh?? I think model S range is upwards of 400mi vs ~180mi for the leaf, which would seem to add up. Thinking about it 200kW is only ~270bhp, so not much power.

This is a really good channel on youtube about electric vehicles and renewable technology - at least I enjoy it - anyone in the uk familiar with scrapheap challenge or red dwarf will be familiar with Robert Llewellyn, who is a bit of an EV evangelist...
This is a video on battery research:

This is a segment on battery density progression:


As a non-top gear journalist he also delves more into practicalities of EVs than the usual top trumps 0-60mph and peak power willy measuring stuff, which doesn't really matter to most motorists.
#aerogandalf
"There is one big friend. It is downforce. And once you have this it’s a big mate and it’s helping a lot." Robert Kubica

roon
412
Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Two of their Model S battery arrays I'd guess, maybe better density as well. The chassis will be smaller and lighter than a Model S, so why not? Weight not necessarily an issue here, as their cars have never been light. Acceleration is the headline making stat, and Tesla are the best at it in road cars. Roadholding records are not their goal. 250mph+ is insane. Will it still be single-speed, is my question.

Here's what an 8-second quarter mile looks like: https://youtu.be/YuemJaIvMBg?t=56s

Has quite the windshield wiper...

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The real news is that semi truck!

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Enhanced Autopilot helps avoid collisions, a centered driver position provides maximum visibility and control, and a low center of gravity offers rollover protection.

Electric energy costs are half those of diesel. With fewer systems to maintain, the Tesla Semi provides $200,000+ in fuel savings and a two-year payback period.
.36 drag
Last edited by roon on 17 Nov 2017, 23:35, edited 2 times in total.

Tommy Cookers
617
Joined: 17 Feb 2012, 16:55

Re: Tesla Roadster

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'electric energy costs are half those of diesel'

how much higher are the environmental costs ?
(given the coal and nuclear sources of electricity)

how much higher are the social costs ?
(if the electricity is untaxed but the diesel is taxed)

the liberal toshfest that is our BBC has just told us this vehicle has zero emissions

has Mr Tesla heard of the 50% efficient heat dilution gasoline engines as used in F1 ?
they don't even need a catalyst

NL_Fer
82
Joined: 15 Jun 2014, 09:48

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Diesel taxed? Where...

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VARIANT | one
5
Joined: 30 Mar 2016, 00:56
Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Re: Tesla Roadster

Post

Cold Fussion wrote:
17 Nov 2017, 11:45
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electr ... a-roadster

Anyone want to hazard a guess at what sort of battery technology they could potentially be using for this? If it really is to have a 200kWh battery, it would surely be too heavy to be a real sports car if it's made from the same technology as the model s for example.
I'd be guessing by Moore's Law as it applies to battery technology, we're looking at ever so slightly better gravimetric energy density, and therefore, just shy of twice as heavy as a 100 kWh pack. :?
Last edited by VARIANT | one on 19 Nov 2017, 08:32, edited 1 time in total.

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VARIANT | one
5
Joined: 30 Mar 2016, 00:56
Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Re: Tesla Roadster

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roon wrote:
17 Nov 2017, 22:04
250mph+ is insane.
Not really. It's a slippery car with no visible interest in -L:D ratios for lap times. A LS swap into a Volkswagen XL1 could do the same or better. Low CdA + enough power + a smidge of downforce for stability + tires that are up to job. It's not impressive IMO, nor practical, hence most performance car manufacturers (sans Bugatti and Koenigsegg) not even bothering with the statistic anymore.

Cold Fussion
93
Joined: 19 Dec 2010, 04:51

Re: Tesla Roadster

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VARIANT | one wrote:
19 Nov 2017, 08:25
Cold Fussion wrote:
17 Nov 2017, 11:45
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electr ... a-roadster

Anyone want to hazard a guess at what sort of battery technology they could potentially be using for this? If it really is to have a 200kWh battery, it would surely be too heavy to be a real sports car if it's made from the same technology as the model s for example.
I'd be guessing by Moore's Law as it applies to battery technology, we're looking at ever so slightly better gravimetric energy density, and therefore, just shy of twice as heavy as a 100 kWh pack. :?
How does Moore's Law apply to batteries? Battery energy density has never doubled every 18 months.

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ME4ME
79
Joined: 19 Dec 2014, 16:37

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Tommy Cookers wrote:
17 Nov 2017, 23:20
'electric energy costs are half those of diesel'

how much higher are the environmental costs ?
(given the coal and nuclear sources of electricity)

how much higher are the social costs ?
(if the electricity is untaxed but the diesel is taxed)

the liberal toshfest that is our BBC has just told us this vehicle has zero emissions

has Mr Tesla heard of the 50% efficient heat dilution gasoline engines as used in F1 ?
they don't even need a catalyst
Disapointing to see such an ignorant post from you.

Greg Locock
233
Joined: 30 Jun 2012, 00:48

Re: Tesla Roadster

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200 kWh of Tesla batteries would weigh 1270 kg

hurril
54
Joined: 07 Oct 2014, 13:02

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Tommy Cookers wrote:
17 Nov 2017, 23:20
'electric energy costs are half those of diesel'

how much higher are the environmental costs ?
(given the coal and nuclear sources of electricity)

how much higher are the social costs ?
(if the electricity is untaxed but the diesel is taxed)

the liberal toshfest that is our BBC has just told us this vehicle has zero emissions

has Mr Tesla heard of the 50% efficient heat dilution gasoline engines as used in F1 ?
they don't even need a catalyst
How much CO2 do you think a kWh of truck diesel engine lets out compared to a kWh of that of an electric car? Social costs? Energy is taxed, does your country pay any CO2 taxes?

The fact that you let yourself overract to the extent of calling people this and that makes me lose _all_ respect for you. Liberal toshfest? How does an intelligent and knowledgable person like yourself ever reach a state where they think this is fine?

Even if the tesla were to run off of electricity produced from 100% coal fired turbine plants, they would _still_ let out less emissions than _any_ truck in the US.

roon
412
Joined: 17 Dec 2016, 19:04

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Greg Locock wrote:
19 Nov 2017, 20:56
200 kWh of Tesla batteries would weigh 1270 kg
Plus chassis, body, glass & interior... 3500lbs coupe. Model S weighs 4800+ lbs with the 100kWh battery pack.

Greg Locock
233
Joined: 30 Jun 2012, 00:48

Re: Tesla Roadster

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"Even if the tesla were to run off of electricity produced from 100% coal fired turbine plants, they would _still_ let out less emissions than _any_ truck in the US."

Strange. Many academic studies have been written demonstrating that EVs actually release more CO2 than equivalent diesels, in many countries. Here's a neat little graphic from a biased source

Image

hurril
54
Joined: 07 Oct 2014, 13:02

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Greg Locock wrote:
19 Nov 2017, 22:16
"Even if the tesla were to run off of electricity produced from 100% coal fired turbine plants, they would _still_ let out less emissions than _any_ truck in the US."

Strange. Many academic studies have been written demonstrating that EVs actually release more CO2 than equivalent diesels, in many countries. Here's a neat little graphic from a biased source

http://shrinkthatfootprint.com/wp-conte ... ssions.gif
What do you think that chart shows?

Greg Locock
233
Joined: 30 Jun 2012, 00:48

Re: Tesla Roadster

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Well, on the left hand side is a list of countries. On the right hand side is a list of numbers. At the top it tells you what the numbers mean. At the bottom it gives sources for the data. Which bit didn't you understand?