New blog & first Model X impression
 

I've started a new blog on clean energy. There should be something there for most of you, whether it's solar energy, cars, or home efficiency. Maybe the most interesting so far is my first Model X sighting...

http://pvcharts.com/blog/assets/images/mx1.jpg

http://pvcharts.com/blog/assets/images/mx2.jpg

http://pvcharts.com/blog/assets/images/mx3.jpg

I'm seeing the first Tesla Model X's around town, and I even stopped by the repair center to snap these photos. First impressions: this car looks very, very sleek and (dare I say) sexy. I'm sure it has a very low coefficient of drag. Because it's a crossover, I expected something like a Honda CRV. I was pleasantly surprised. The Model X is just unbelievably better-looking than a traditional crossover.

However, there are a few things I don't like. The design of the 'Falcon doors' is just insane and it's going to lead to reliability issues. Furthermore, there isn't the ground clearance that one would expect from a crossover. If you live in a snowy region, this may not be the car for you. That low-slung look may be why it seemed a bit on the small side. Perhaps that's an illusion but I won't know until I sit in one. Finally, the car that I snapped photos of had "headliner issues" and it was being reworked by the techs. It's clear that Tesla Motors hasn't ironed out all the bugs in their assembly process just yet.

I saw 3 Model X at the shop on one particular day, but on this day, there was just the one vehicle with the headliner issue. There was also a man who appeared to be trading in his Porsche SUV, which was fantastic. Nobody should be buying Porsche/Audi/BMW etc. in this day and age.

Considering the vast majority of "crossover" (or SUV) owners never go off pavement, the ground clearance shouldn't be an issue.

Also, I'm pretty sure the X has adjustable ride height, which is ideal.

I'm not a fan of its appearance. Great that it's slippery, but there's something going on at the rear of the vehicle (C pillar back) that just doesn't work for me. It looks like a fat egg from most angles. Hopefully it's better in person.