Funny how the electric car thread points back to here.
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Originally Posted by darcane
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Originally Posted by UltArc
Tesla makes their own cars...they do not convert gas cars.
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But they did to get their foot in the door. Google "Tesla Roadster"... |
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Originally Posted by darcane
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Originally Posted by jamesqf
But the Roadster wasn't a conversion - that is, it didn't take an existing IC-engined car, rip out the motor, and install EV parts. They just chose to have Lotus build a body & chassis based on, but not identical to, the Elise.
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To aid initial development and greatly simplify getting safety approval, they used a platform for an ICE car, modified it as needed, and added electrical bits...
It saves tremendously on R&D costs which is a huge hurdle for a new automotive manufacturer. But it's a far cry from designing an electric car from the ground up like they did with the Model S. Even with Musk's prodigious capital, I don't think Tesla could have started out with the Model S and been successful. |
Turning an industry upside down is like throwing someone. It's a lot easier to accomplish if you use his own momentum against him instead of standing in the middle of the street drunkenly yelling that you're going to kick his ass.