9 ms·

Tesla better hurry and bring their lower range car to market

by lingben 13y ago

gilgoomesh 13y ago
They're still flat out working to expand their factory to get the Model S built. According to interviews I've seen, most of the next 2 years will be slowly growing the factory size. They'd be selling 2-3 times more if they could actually build them.
prostoalex 13y ago
Or wait a few more years when Leaf batteries reach their lifetime expiration, and those buyers are back on the market.
- sliverstorm 13y ago
  The car has been on the market, what, 3-4 years? Just how fast do you think the batteries will expire?
  - prostoalex 13y ago
    I think the official estimate is 8 years, give or take 3 depending on average temperatures.
    - dangrossman 13y ago
      > The battery pack is expected to retain 70% to 80% of its capacity after 10 years http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf#Battery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf#Battery 8 years happens to be the length of the warranty on 2011/2012 Leaf batteries. Either way, combined with the optional $100/mo protection plan that gives you a new battery if yours ever loses 30% capacity, I doubt any Leaf buyers will be on the market before 2021 for any reason other than wanting a new car.
  - hatbert 13y ago
    Because Nissan was a little stupid and didn't include any sort of active cooling system for the battery. No heat pump, no liquid cooling, not even an air-cooled heat sink (unless you count the flat outer surface of the battery). There is a resistance heater, yes, and that helps in cold climates, but it does nothing beneficial in warm climates. As a result, many (if not most) SoCal and Arizona owners have experienced quite significant battery degradation [0]. That translates into reduced range. Almost every other manufacturer includes some sort of battery thermal management system. That is why, for example, Tesla Roadster batteries average about 85% of initial capacity after 100,000 miles in real-world use[1]. [0] http://www.autoevolution.com/news/arizona-nissan-leaf-battery-problem-thickens-46508.html http://www.autoevolution.com/news/arizona-nissan-leaf-batter... [1] http://www.plugincars.com/tesla-roadster-battery-life-study-85-percent-after-100000-miles-127733.html http://www.plugincars.com/tesla-roadster-battery-life-study-...
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]

Tesla better hurry and bring their lower range car to market

by lingben 13y ago

Tesla better hurry and bring their lower range car to market

They're still flat out working to expand their factory to get the Model S built. According to interviews I've seen, most of the next 2 years will be slowly growing the factory size. They'd be selling 2-3 times more if they could actually build them.

prostoalex 13y ago

Or wait a few more years when Leaf batteries reach their lifetime expiration, and those buyers are back on the market.

sliverstorm 13y ago
The car has been on the market, what, 3-4 years? Just how fast do you think the batteries will expire?
- prostoalex 13y ago
  I think the official estimate is 8 years, give or take 3 depending on average temperatures.
  - dangrossman 13y ago
    > The battery pack is expected to retain 70% to 80% of its capacity after 10 years http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf#Battery http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf#Battery 8 years happens to be the length of the warranty on 2011/2012 Leaf batteries. Either way, combined with the optional $100/mo protection plan that gives you a new battery if yours ever loses 30% capacity, I doubt any Leaf buyers will be on the market before 2021 for any reason other than wanting a new car.
- hatbert 13y ago
  Because Nissan was a little stupid and didn't include any sort of active cooling system for the battery. No heat pump, no liquid cooling, not even an air-cooled heat sink (unless you count the flat outer surface of the battery). There is a resistance heater, yes, and that helps in cold climates, but it does nothing beneficial in warm climates. As a result, many (if not most) SoCal and Arizona owners have experienced quite significant battery degradation [0]. That translates into reduced range. Almost every other manufacturer includes some sort of battery thermal management system. That is why, for example, Tesla Roadster batteries average about 85% of initial capacity after 100,000 miles in real-world use[1]. [0] http://www.autoevolution.com/news/arizona-nissan-leaf-battery-problem-thickens-46508.html http://www.autoevolution.com/news/arizona-nissan-leaf-batter... [1] http://www.plugincars.com/tesla-roadster-battery-life-study-85-percent-after-100000-miles-127733.html http://www.plugincars.com/tesla-roadster-battery-life-study-...
deleted 13y ago
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