Monday, September 22, 2014

Tesla - Model 3 “mass market” electric car





Going to start this post with a picture of a beautiful car. Beautiful AND ELECTRIC. I see one every once in awhile in the 495 hot lanes and then coming out of the first exit of the Dulles Toll Road. It's a Tesla Model S. Black.




Although the news about which state got the new Tesla factory and the how's and why's of giant incentives (tax breaks to the tune of $500 million) to private companies is interesting and all, what you really want to know is in this L.A. Times article. Such as:

The "company’s founder and CEO Elon has said it would use the increased production of batteries in its new factory to drive production of a lower-priced Model 3 'mass market' electric car. Tesla has said it could market such a car at under $40,000."

Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer said:

“This is a critical step in Elon Musk’s long-term goal of creating a viable, high-volume electric car,”

“The battery pack makes up a sizable portion of any electric car’s total price, but if Tesla can reduce the cost of this component with its own factory, it has a real shot at producing a $30,000 electric car with a 200-plus mile range.”

“This is all about the Model 3,” said Thilo Koslowski, automotive practice leader at the technology research company Gartner. “The factory will not have a huge influence on the Model S or Model X, but they need to offer cars at a better price point. That will really ensure the longevity of this company.”

The factory is slated to open in 2017.

I wanna Tesla! Even a little Tesla.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

I found my perfect commute. I think.

I know that's a serious declaration.

The Silver Line opened July 26, 2014. I rode it to work on the first Monday it ran as part of my multi-modal commute. I biked 5 miles to EFC and then caught the Silver Line and took it 4 stops to the Spring Hill Station then walked to my office. This commute should never take me more than an hour, and if all goes smoothly maybe about 45 minutes. It will provide an hour of exercise anytime I do this. If/when I want to ride longer, I can try to reach the stops further out.

As I was waiting for the metro (one train had just left the station as I came up the escalator), I read the free daily express which had SV in bold letters on the cover page announcing the new Silver Line. I read that during rush hour, the trains would run every 6 minutes (reality that a.m.: 12 minutes). Also, my 4-stop commute was to take 8 minutes (reality that a.m.: 13 minutes). Ok, ok...it was the first weekday morning rush. By the evening commute I saw the board displaying a SV line train every 6 minutes. My largest complaint is the cost: $3.55 one way.

The view from the train is nice. You ride over 66, Chain Bridge Rd, and along Route 7. The tracks are a couple stories above traffic. The pedestrian bridge over Rt. 7 is wonderful.

I really wanted to take a picture from the station as a memento of my first trip on the SV but I didn't want any questions from the law enforcement which was heavily present that day.

So instead, here's a link to a YouTube video of the ride from Ballston to Wiehle in time lapse.