Just yesterday Bernie Sanders (a senator for Vermont - Independent) came to the high school to speak to the kids about whatever was on their minds. It was during this talk that my students and Bernie brought up Tesla Motors and their electric Roadster. This electric sports car isn't meant for mere mortals, but rather it's all souped up to make it attractive to that upper echelon who can afford carbon morality and (hopefully) will jump-start the industry to make it more attainable for us little people.
Their website touts some pretty impressive specs: 0-60 in 4 seconds, range of 245 miles per charge (granted, you're probably not going 60 miles/hour that whole time). This car seems to have the Zenn beat, but only if you're willing to part with nearly $100,000. oooohhh ouch. :/
They do claim, however that you effectively get 2cents/mile and that the battery is good for 100,000 miles. And now for a little math:
(2cents/mile)*(100,000 miles) = $2,000 operational costs over the life of the car
Ah, and how does that compare to my Honda Civic (35miles/gallon)?
(to do this right i ought to find the function which describes the rate of gas prices over the last 5 years), but for now let's make things simple and assume that the average price of gas over the last 5 years has been about $2.50/gallon. And that I'll probably drive it to 100,000 miles.
100,000 miles * (1 gallon/35 miles) * ($2.50/gallon) = $7,143.
I don't think anyone's going to run out and buy a Tesla Roadster for the operating cost savings, but it is a handy piece of knowledge in case they come out with a more affordable model.
Oh, right, one caveat: where does your electricity come from?
2 comments:
i'm gonna say solar panels on my roof - do I win one? ;)
If only solar panels were as easy to make as a wine or cordage I'd send you one, my compliments. :)
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