Most People are Clueless about Tesla: The 4 Things I learned driving a Tesla S

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How/Why are they Clueless?

Based on the most frequent questions my wife and I are asked, here are the “Top 3” things people do not know:

1.  Who makes the Tesla S Sedan

Tesla_S_

2.  There is an all wheel drive version of the S

3.  About the Supercharger Network (145 Supercharger stations in the US; 338 globally)

Who wrote this article?

Daniel Sparks, Senior Technology Analyst, Motley Fool:  “4 things I learned about driving a Tesla for 10,000 miles”

He and his wife drove the car for 10,000 miles, from a 2.200 mile round trip to CA to driving on hilly snow packed streets) in <4 months.

The 4 Biggest Takeaways:

Charging is easier than you think

I rarely have to charge the car anywhere but home and not having to stop at gas stations is refreshing.

Only once during the 10,000 miles did I have to stop to recharge when I didn’t want to, but had to.

Tesla’s Supercharger Network is a game changer

We can recharge 50% in 20 minutes and 80% in 40 minutes. 80% of the US population is now within 150 miles of a Supercharging station.

We own the 85 kWh S and recharging is “Free for Life.”  For those who purchase the 65 kWh model, the one time cost is $2K on ordering the car or $2.5K when taking delivery

Range Anxiety is Overstated

The three things that David Sparks shared you need to watch out for are:

  • Lots of uphill driving

The screen capture taken of the 17″ LCD display shows the energy used and regenerated  during a 30 mile section of driving on I-70 in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado:

Tesla_Energy_Usage_Regenerated_150120

  • Freezing temperatures in a snow storm and heater use
  • A combination of both

What’s the connection to Value Innovation?

Tesla Motors embodies Value innovation in many ways:  New Business Model (sell direct, separate sales from service); Make EVs sexy (look great and they are great to drive…Formula 1 performance from a sedan that weighs over 5,000lb and seats 7); Manufacture on site (the body is manufactured on site starting with coils of Aluminum); Free fuel for a lifetime, and much more…WOW!

Want to up your innovation game? Want to up your organization’s innovation game? Attending one of our Mastering Value Innovation Workshops is a great place to start. In 2016 we are going to change our approach. We will work with you to develop your own custom workshop that addresses your problems and you define the length and location. More information can be found in the Workshop Brochure.