Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is a company specialized in manufacturing electric vehicles and powetrain components for electric cars. It gained popularity with the release of the first fully electric sports car, the Tesla Roadster. Later another success of the company was the Tesla Model S, a fully electric luxury sedan. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s mission is to become an independent automaker, which produces electric cars at prices affordable to the average consumer.
If Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) succeeds in accomplishing its goals, probably in the future, putting fuel in the tank of your car will not longer be required, since electric vehicles are much more efficient than those with regular engines relying on internal combustion. Tesla uses lithium-ion batteries for their high energy density. In this way the company managed to achieve an efficiency of 88% for its Tesla Roadster model, which is impressive given the fact that cars with internal combustion engines are only about 20% efficient.
However, before they can achieve more sales, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has to find a solution to the battery life problem. Despite their energy efficiency, electric cars have a battery life that allows them to move for about 300 miles. And while it is OK if you only use the car in the city, it can be really challenging in long trips.
Still, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) remains a leader in the niche of electric cars. And even though it now has released only three models, one of which is on its way to being delivered, its future models look set to gain more and more popularity. We have compiled some reviews about Tesla’s models to highlight their pros and cons.
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Tesla Roadster
The Tesla Roadster was the first model built by Tesla Motors and is the first fully electric sports car. Its specifications include acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds, a battery range of 240 miles and the most interesting feature was it had absolutely zero tailpipe emissions.
Driving Experience
“Driving the Tesla [Roadster] is so unlike wheeling a normal vehicle—indeed, even the severely abnormal Lotus Elise on which the Tesla is based—that it’s possible to be transported in mind much farther than in body. Well, anything that extends a Tesla’s range, metaphysical or otherwise, is welcome.” Car and Driver.
Tesla Model S
Tesla introduced its Model S as a luxury sedan. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 miles per hour.
Battery performance
The Tesla Model S comes in three versions equipped with 60 and 85 Kilowatt hour batteries. The third version comes also with a 85 kWh battery but has better acceleration and higher top speed (130 mph). The battery range is 230 miles for the 65 kWh battery and 300 miles for the 85 kWh.
Tesla Model X
The Model X is a version announced by Tesla in 2012. It is not in production yet, but everyone can already reserve his or her own model today if they so choose. This car represents a fully-electric SUV with a great design. It reaches from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds. Like previous Tesla models, the X also comes with either 60 or 85 kWh batteries.
All-wheel-drive with two drivetrains
The Model X comes in three variations one of which is with a single motor and rear drive. The other two versions have two drivetrains allowing in this way, the all-wheel-drive in case you want to take your car on country roads, for example.
