Industry Issues, Technology

Auto Tech: Tesla Motors

May 27, 2009

The transmission is a simple unit with a single speed and an overall gear ratio of 8.24 to 1. Reverse gear is accomplished by reversing the rotation of the electric motor and the computer limits vehicle speed to 24 km/h in reverse. Otherwise it would have as much speed in reverse as forward!

Battery power has been the limiting factor for electric cars. Tesla uses a multi-layer 375-volt battery module with 6831 lithium ion cells, the same as found in laptop computers or cell phones. It weighs about 450 kg, which is a significant part of the total weight of the vehicle. The battery pack has over 160,000-km life-cycle and Tesla is already involved in recycling the battery module when it is necessary for a change.

Tesla roadster. Click image to enlarge

When you run low on power, the battery can be fully charged in as little as 3.5 hours by plugging it in to a standard 110-volt outlet. Of course, there is regenerative braking to help keep the battery charge up as long as possible. The only drawback for Canada is that the battery will operate normally only down to minus 17C and can be charged in ambient temperatures above 0C. This could limit winter driving in some areas of the country.

Tesla has plans for the Tesla S sedan to hit the roads in 2012 – it will seat seven and be a true mass-produced vehicle. This will help lower costs to an estimated $50,000 U.S. With over 1,000 deposits from people wanting the Tesla S sedan, the investment by Daimler may make this happen even sooner.

Daimler has already been working with Tesla using the Tesla battery packs and charging electronics in the Smart electric car. Later this year Daimler will build 1000 Smart electric cars for European mobility projects. By 2010, the first battery-powered Mercedes-Benz vehicle will be introduced. The partnership of Tesla, one of the newest automobile companies, with Daimler, one of the oldest companies, combines two groups that think “outside the box”.

Innovation, excellence and sustainability are keys to our driving future. Perhaps the electric car will be the ultimate solution. I don’t have a crystal ball – do you?

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