SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Plug In America Research Launches Second Landmark Battery Performance Survey: Tesla Roadster
Plug In America has shepherded the drive to electric transportation for nearly a decade, first calling for production of highway-capable vehicles and more recently promoting consumer adoption, supporting market-enabling policy, and providing technical assistance.
I have a lifelong phobia of organizing get-togethers. I avoid anything more complicated than having my book club over for a potluck.
So what did I say when Zan Dubin Scott, Plug In America's Communications Director, asked me to recruit EVs for National Plug In Day’s Santa Monica parade?
I said yes, of course.
Did I mention she wanted to make it the biggest assembly of plug-in vehicles in the world?
Last week, Cathy and I took the Roadster for a car show and week of island hopping through Washington's San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
If you live in California, there's no doubt that you've heard about "Carmageddon", the closure of I-405 on the weekend of July 16th. To escape from this traffic nightmare, Plug In America member Renee Swenson organized an "Escape from LA" Tesla Roadster rally.
As I write this, at least two of Plug In America's co-founders have taken possession of their new Nissan Leaf electric cars, and three drive Tesla Roadsters. Other drivers are steering new Chevy Volt plug-in hybrids on the roads. More are being delivered every day. Is Plug In America's work done? Hardly. We need to accelerate the drive to electrification of transportation.
Trading a gas pump for a plug is a wonderful thing. It's far more convenient, takes less of your time, and saves you from breathing toxic fumes and smelling like gas for hours after fueling. Charging is a different experience than pumping gas and understanding the subtleties takes time. I've been driving electric for over two years and I'm still learning. Potential EV owners might want to get a head start on the learning curve, and maybe save a bunch of money as a result.
With all of the talk about the coming electric cars, I'd like to share ten reasons why we should be excited about finally having an electric choice in affordable, practical, freeway-capable cars. My wife and I have been driving pure electric vehicles for over two years now, we no longer own a gas car, and don't plan on ever owning one again. Now that we're used to driving electric, we have no interest in going back to gas. Here are ten reasons why.
Plug In America's third PSA, "Hype," ran on national television today, from start to finish. This is a historic first for us. Sure, we've been on the big screen ("Who Killed the Electric Car?") and our protests and talking-points covered by local TV news. But whodathunk FOX would be the first network to go so far for not-so-little-old us?
My wife and I both drive electric cars, so we get asked that question a lot.
It is almost identical to the "what MPG will I get?" question in a gas car, which also cannot be answered with a single number. The same things affect it, although some in different amounts. It depends on speed, acceleration, wind, temperature, terrain, cargo, tire condition, accessories and other factors. Top Gear got 18mpg running a 48-mpg-rated-Prius around a track, and hypermilers have seen 90mpg--so the variation can be very wide.
The hand-built carbon fiber Tesla roadster has been upgraded, redefined and slightly redesigned resulting in the roadster sport model. As with the basic roadster, expect effortless acceleration to 125 mph top speed. However, the newer sport model will take you from 0 to 60 in a mind-numbing 3.7 seconds (rather than 3.9 seconds) with the same liquid-cooled 56 kWh Li-on battery pack consisting of 6,831 cells. This 288 hp high-performance two-seater electric beauty will charge in 3.5 hours via a 240/70 charger and has the capability of charging at any 120 volt outlet.