My father, Dr. Lawrence T. Papay, passed away in 2014. He had a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from MIT and spent his entire career working with all forms of energy as a utility and private engineering firm executive. He always was in search of technologies to improve our energy future.
He also loved cars. When I was a boy in the late 60s, we lived in northern Italy for two years and regularly toured the country on the AutoStrada, watching fast-lane dogfights between Ferraris and Lamborghinis from the bubble windows of our red, slow-lane Volkswagen bus.
Three years ago, in honor of both my inherited fascination for energy technology and performance cars, we purchased a Tesla Model S. A year later we purchased a second one and have not owned a gasoline-powered car for the last year and a half.
I will never buy a gasoline-powered car again.
Not because our all-electric Model S is greener, cheaper to operate, and safer to drive and more innovative than our previous cars – which it is.
But simply because it’s a better experience in almost every conceivable way: a better driving experience, a better ownership experience, and it’s a better cultural experience.
The Driving Experience
It all starts with the Tesla’s batteries, 7,104 of them, which are actually modified laptop batteries. These feed the electric motors, which have essentially instantaneous torque, taking this seven-seat sedan from 0-60 mph faster than Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis. And it does this silently with the electric motors, so the driving experience is not unlike piloting one of the pod racers that glide across the desert in Star Wars. Seriously (I think).
The battery is also the floor of the car, a skateboard. This platform gives the car incredible stability and dampening, even weight distribution, a low center of gravity, tremendous torsional rigidity and extra space inside the cab due to lack of a drive tunnel. Performance and safety intertwined.
All of this is packaged in the most aerodynamic production car made, with a teardrop shape, and door handles that retract while in motion but extend to greet you as you approach. This greeting welcomes you into a modern cockpit, simple shapes and a 17-inch touchscreen that eliminates all knobs, buttons and switches – totally intuitive in our digital age.
In all aspects the car’s design is derived from performance, and performance is amplified by design. The two are integrated, purposeful, meaningful and beautiful.
The Ownership Experience
Just as significant as the car is the ownership experience connected to it. It starts with sales. Tesla sells direct to consumers, there is no dealership involved. That direct connection to customers allows Tesla to demystify electric car ownership to a skeptical public.
Once you own the car, it periodically improves. What? Yes, every couple of months, Tesla sends over-the-air updates to its cars. Every year, all cars become more software centric. The Tesla Model S is the first continually upgradeable car, the first where its constant connectivity to the Internet allows data to be collected and analyzed so the car can be improved.
To run, though, the car most be periodically connected to an electrical source. The primary options? Plug in at home every night and leave every morning with “full” batteries – never lose time filling up at a gas station ever again. And if on a road trip, Tesla’s provides a growing network of fast superchargers. These are free, completely free, to all Tesla owners.
But the most dramatic improvement to the ownership experience is Tesla’s integration of autopilot functions in the car. With hardware sensors and software that learns with every mile that any car drives in autopilot mode, Tesla is leading the transition to autonomous driving. This will dramatically increase highway safety and “driver” convenience, and eventually will allow people to purchase driving services rather than a car – like an Uber without the driver.
The Cultural Experience
A month after we received our first Model S, I wrote a blog post extolling its virtues and relating people’s first encounter with the car. Here’s an excerpt:
…in a span of about 60 seconds (approach car, beautiful, the handles extend, THE HANDLES EXTEND, get in, stunning, the touch screen stares back at them, panoramic roof slides open, foot on break, speedometer flips over, roll away silently, first straightaway – punch it, reliving memories of first rollercoaster ride, fat-ass grins all over faces)…
And then they think, NO WAY, as in NO WAY has this freaking out-of-nowhere company kicked sand in the face of 100 years of automaking. NO WAY have they done it, NO WAY is it American, NO WAY is it 7,000 laptop batteries in the right kool-aid. NO WAY did I just laugh my head off driving in a 3/4 mile loop around your neighborhood!
That captures an initial rush of excitement that came with purchasing the car, but it goes deeper. A couple weeks after that post I received the following from an engineer at Tesla:
I read the Tesla forums often and with great intensity. In particular, your brilliant and inspiring piece on Tesla and the Apollo program really hit home for me.
The choice to come to Tesla Motors for me was deeply personal and a very high risk to the comfortable lifestyle of a typical automotive engineer like myself in Detroit. Like many automotive “Detroit expats” at Tesla, I hungered for something more than what the Detroit machine was putting out. I was never really able to put it in words for people who asked why I made the leap, and then I read your Apollo post from a few months back. As I read each line, the smile on my face grew wider and wider, and then tears actually formed in my eyes. I was really moved.
I immediately sent out an email with a link to your post to my most trusted friends, family and Tesla colleagues with the simple title “This is why I work at Tesla.” The response I got was incredible. People finally got it. They got why this company, its products and its people are so different, they got why I made the change.
Working at Tesla (as you might imagine) is far harder than anything I have ever done in my life. When I was interviewing for this position, I read a portion of the job description which said: “You must have a passion for engineering electric vehicles. Without passion, you would find what we are doing too difficult. There are easier jobs.” Your words still reverberate in my mind and often provide the extra energy I need to get through a particularly difficult day.
I could relate dozens of similar stories of strangers becoming friends over a discussion about the car – in supermarket parking lots, at Tesla conventions, in my driveway. It’s a car, hardware, software and a movement all in one.
The Model S is at the intersection of performance an innovation. Their next car, the crossover Model X, extended these themes – and I recently purchased one. In two more years Tesla will introduce the Model 3, a mass-market car that will spread the electric vehicle revolution to millions. Maybe because it’s greener, cheaper, safer and more innovative. Or maybe simply because it’s better.
All electric and all in.
I think my dad would be happy.
*Top image: Tesla Model 3 at Alamo Beer Company’s brewery in the Eastside. Photo by Greg Papay.
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his seven-seat sedan from 0-60 mph faster than Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis.
This is 100% false. I stopped reading the article after this blatant lie
Quoted from Motor Trend.
“With Ludicrous mode engaged and using the new launch control feature, 60 mph in the Tesla comes in a staggeringly quick 2.6 seconds with the driver experiencing a peak of 1.1 g up through 14 mph. Given the Model S P90D hangs with hypercars in acceleration from 0 to 60 mph, the list of cars the P90D beats to 60 mph is a long one, including everything from the vaunted Nissan GT-R to the big, bad Lamborghini Aventador and Bugatti Veyron. Only two cars that we’ve tested can outright beat the P90D to 60 mph: the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari. As for the “other” hybrid hypercar, the McLaren P1, the Tesla ties it in a race to 60 mph.”
Toodles
Probably should do your research before stating that his claim is “100% false”. It isn’t.
Cool infomercial.
“Hey, guys! Look how cool a car I can get for 85 grand! I’ll never buy another gas-powered car again!” #humblebrag #environmental #greenspo
Nice ad, though.
JBM – Tesla’s approach to mass adoption of electric cars was outlined in a secret Master Plan in 2006. That they published on the internet. And shortly thereafter, they opened source all their patents to inspire other manufacturers to follow suit.
https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/secret-tesla-motors-master-plan-just-between-you-and-me
It goes something like this – make an expensive car (Roadster), use the knowledge and proceeds from that to make a more affordable car (Model S and Model X – not as affordable as many would like, but they’ve sold 100,000 to date with 30,000+ on order), use the knowledge and proceeds from that to make a mass market car (Model 3 and Model Y, Model 3 will be unveiled in two months and available in two years).
They’d love other manufacturers to join the game to increase innovation and decrease cost – everyone can help there by letting other car companies know they want to drive electric. Or put an order in for a Model 3 in two months!
Original cell phones and flat panel TVs were dumb, clunky, fat and expensive. But early adopters bought in and we can all thank them for the ability to go to Costco and buy a better version for 1/20th the price. Happily, Tesla’s cars are NOT dumb, clunky and fat, and soon they will be a lot less expensive. I am grateful for the owners who bought one before me and paved the way.
Greg Papay
Good for you for being able to afford it…
I love Greg’s passion for this car. People get excited about Tesla for many reasons. I was ho hum until I drove one (special thank you to Greg Papay for actually letting me get behind the wheel). My ho hum turned to gung ho and giddy up when I floored it and felt my inside organs push back against the seat…yeehaw! Besides the speed, the fit and finish is fantastic and the ride is smooth, smooth, smooth.
The Tesla does not need an “infomercial” when actual owners of one (or two) put such passion into stories like this one. Also, Andy might want to check out outhttp://money.cnn.com/2015/10/29/autos/tesla-fast/ and then read the rest of Greg’s wonderful article. Oh my, there is a Tesla that beats some of those other super cars!
This article seems out of place at the Rivard Report. What does it have to do with SA and how many folks in SA can relate to shopping for cars approaching $100k?
2 of them! Possibly even 3, wasn’t quite clear on that part.
“Cheaper” is mentioned multiple times. Cheaper than what?
@Cici
The word “cheaper” is mentioned exactly twice. Both times Greg is referring to the operating costs of his Model S (applies to EV’s in general). No more oil changes, smog checks, timing belts, tune ups, fuel pumps, transmissions, radiator hoses, etc. Read this parody for another take on the subject.
Remember while getting a Model S or Model X brand new costs $75K plus, you can get used ones from Tesla’s Certified Pre-owned Program (CPO) starting at around $50K. The third-generation Model ≡ will start at $35K. So while we cannot all be like Greg and get two new Teslas, we can join the EV Revolution “soon” day.
Sorry forgot the link:
http://teslaclubsweden.se/test-drive-of-a-petrol-car/
Two is multiple times.
And cheaper a stretch. For most people who buy an average vehicle, it would take a very long(off the top of my head I would guess longer than the vehicle would last and probably longer than the person would last) to recoup the difference in purchase price.
Ok so you can buy a used one… That is still more than most new cars.
I paid $25k for a 2015 pick up truck. I need it for work. I will never spend 50k on the maintenance you mentioned. Ever.
Joey – On the surface it may seem out of place in the Rivard Report, but on closer inspection the topic of electric cars, and Teslas in particular, are very relevant.
Two years ago, San Antonio very nearly landed the Tesla Gigafactory, and enormous battery factory that is instead being built outside of Reno, NV. Tesla will soon build additional car (or germane to Texas, pick-up truck) factories that will almost certainly be paired with additional battery factories. San Antonio’s good showing during the competition for the initial battery factory places it in a great position for the next one. I think a high tech car/truck factory and battery factory would be transformative for San Antonio – think greater than 10,000 high paying, high tech jobs and billions of dollars of economic impact over the next 25 years.
San Antonio also is on the verge of non-compliance for federal air quality standards. Emissions associated with electric vehicles (electricity generation at powerplants) are less than half when compared to those of gas powered cars – and this will continue to improve as the grid continues to get cleaner. For our family, Our 3.8KW array on our roof produces enough electricity to power one of our Teslas. When we at least double that this year, we will effectively be driving emissions free and helping mitigate San Antonio’s air pollution issues.
I appreciate the increased quality of life the oil and gas industry has brought to Texas and San Antonio. If the world, country, state and our city will be transitioning to electric mobility over the next three decades, this impacts a large part of the Texas economy. Figuring out how and oil and gas state can embrace the electrification of transport is critical for our collective economic success.
For these main reasons, and plenty of minor ones, this article is very relevant to San Antonio.
If you wrote about those things I’d feel differently. But your article sounds more like a Chevy or Ford diehard extolling the virtues of their preferred brand.
Tell me how you feel when the battery pack must be replaced at 5 yrs and the (dirty little secret) motor @ 60,000 miles.
As for green: look at mining for the rare earths in the batteries, battery manufacture, and oh yesSA power production for your electric charge.
Most of all~I hope you didn’t use a grant or tax rebate powered by all of your friends, relatives, and me. Ohhhh….
Bob,
Tell me how you feel when the battery pack must be replaced at 5 yrs and the (dirty little secret) motor @ 60,000 miles. – doubtful anyone has had their batteries replaced in any Tesla car, and it would be under warranty anyways
As for green: look at mining for the rare earths in the batteries, battery manufacture, and oh yesSA power production for your electric charge. – rare earth metals are in many electronics cell phones, lap tops, tablets, ICE cars. you cant avoid this unless you ride a bicycle. Would be a good thing to find a replacement for earth metals tho.
– more power production is wasted refining gasoline, let alone transporting it, finding it, drilling for it, etc.
Most of all~I hope you didn’t use a grant or tax rebate powered by all of your friends, relatives, and me. Ohhhh….I hope he did, he has given tons of his money to Tesla in order to create the model 3 for everyone….
pnwed
get over it
BEV’s are the future
The battery, and drive unit (motor/reduction gears/differential/inverter/rectifier) are all covered by an 8 year, unlimited mile warranty. They certainly won’t have to be replaced after 5 years or 60K miles.
No rare earths in Tesla’s lithium ion batteries, or motors.
Even if power is produced from 100% coal, electric cars still produce less CO2 per mile than gas cars. As the power grid gets cleaner, and it does every year, electric cars get cleaner. Many areas, like California, and the Pacific Northwest (some of the primary markets for Teslas) don’t use, or use very little coal, in their electricity mix. Norway (probably the best electric vehicle market) uses nearly 100% hydro power for electricity, so electric cars are very clean there as well.
No rare earth metals in tesla lithium batteries, and not in their motors either.
Bob Bevard opined, “I hope you didn’t use a grant or tax rebate powered by all of your friends, relatives, and me. Ohhhh…”
I see this sort of remark all the time. Within discussions revolving around transportation issues, it’s almost never-ending!
My challenge to Bob (and anyone else who wishes to take up the quest) is this: please give us one example – just one! – of a domestic passenger transport mode which does NOT rely upon the largesse of us taxpayers for its very survival.
[For those who are truly interested in the facts, I’ll go ahead and reveal the answer. There are none. Period.]
Garl Boyd Latham
Battery and drivetrain Warrantee is 8 years Unlimited Miles on the Tesla, so a replacement of either at 5 years or 50,000 miles would be painless.
Model S uses a Synchronous AC Motor (not permanent magnet) which does not use rare earth metals. Production of the whole vehicle uses no more rare earth metals or energy than any other vehicle. How much energy is required to forge an engine block (hint it is A LOT). Sure you have to charge it, that’s the point. How much energy does it take to find, extract, transport and refine crude oil into gas (Hint it is A LOT).
Hope you didn’t use tax rebates for child credits, charitable donations or mortgage interest my friends and relatives and I should not have to pay for that…Ohhhhh….
I’m going to disagree with you on the design of the car. Many of my friends and I frequently mistake them for- a Mazda, a Jaguar, or a Hyundai. They all look pretty much the same until you can make out the emblem or see those flush door handles.
A few years ago, I said that I wouldn’t drive a non 4 wheel drive car anytime in the future. And here I am, driving one of the 50 first model s’ delivered to Europe. Never say never.
I bought a car a few weeks ago for $850. The last vehicle I had went straight to the garage to be examined and fixed to sell to someone who can’t afford an $80,000 car/crossover. In my opinion, cars are disposable objects to be taken apart, played with, used and sold whenever it is convenient. In no way is a car supposed to cost as much as a reasonably priced house. That is ridiculous.
You’re living in the country brotha!
no duh…. gasoline cars have been around for 100+ years, they are a dime a dozen. BEV’s are new tech and are costly RIGHT NOW, 100 years from now who knows you could probably buy one out of a giant gum ball machine….don’t be so near sighted people!
“In no way is a car supposed to cost as much as a reasonably priced house. That is ridiculous.”
In a capitalistic society, a given item costs what it costs. It’s the manufacturer’s business to price its wares, no one else’s.
Tesla will find out soon enough if its automobiles are too pricey for the marketplace.
Our household has a very similar philosophy to yours, David. We don’t buy new cars and, fortunately, my husband pretty much handles all repair and maintenance on the cars we do own. By the way, Sir Nigel, we are right in the middle of the city.
Although even a used Tesla isn’t remotely in our budget, I am intrigued by them and hope that the model for an all electric car is ultimately successful and affordable for a broad range of car buyers. One question, Greg: by what percentage does plugging in your Teslas every night increase your CPS bill? Honest curiosity.
Finding a house under $750,000 in Vancouver, BC: very hard. Finding a Tesla for about 1/10 that: not hard.
Cattledog: Excellent article. Great pictures. Thanks!
You’re welcome.
I agree the Tesla is an amazing vehicle. It remains to be seen if the company can execute on the current business plan. Tesla has yet to turn a profit by selling vehicles. Two of the initial investors (Toyota and GM) have sold their positions. Currently Tesla is making ends meet by selling carbon credits and batteries and still with a huge burn rate.
I also agree it is great to own and drive a “green” vehicle, but what about all of these used batteries after ten years that amount to toxic waste. I have not yet heard of a proper disposal or recycling program for them. What might be green today could be tomorrows EPA superfund.
Larry – Tesla has the highest gross margins on vehicle sales in the business. They are reinvesting those margins to grow the company – technology, engineering, manufacturing plants for cars and batteries, supercharger network, the list goes on. With their mission of spurring the advent of sustainable transport, they are channeling their money in the right direction, IMO.
The batteries are 100% recyclable, either as 85 kWh packs, 7,104 individual cells, or deconstructed into raw minerals. Our 3 year-old battery packs with 45,000 miles on them still have over 95% of their charge capacity, or only 1.5% degradation per year, with that degradation actually slowing. At the 8 year, 125,000 mile warranty mark, they will likely have approximately 90% capacity – plenty of life to stay in the car, be repurposed as stationary storage, or minerals removed and reused. Their 5,000,000 sf gigafactory will have a huge section dedicated to this repurposing/recycling.
Fantastic Article inspiring me to WORk harder, wait a few years with great anticipation and order the Model X. THank you for supporting this incredible company it feels like a world and life changing event watching Tesla Blossom.
PS Haters always gonna hate Keep up the great work GP !
Great article, Greg! And I enjoyed reading your responses to comments as well. I hope you read Ashlee Vance’s biography on Musk — it is quite enlightening on the history of Tesla (in regards to Space X as well) and let us just say I’ve done a little investing recently. 🙂