Holiday Update from Tesla

I never got that email. But then, I told them that I'm not in the market for the S. I'm happy with my Roadster, I need to keep my Prius for road trips, and I only have a two-car garage.

I think you said you would probably get the middle battery pack, and I know you have a low reservation number, so I guess that means you should get yours in the fall next year.

So, they're confirming the $57,400 base price for the 165-mile model, but not saying what the price will be for the other models yet. I wonder what the price will be once you put all the options in. Apparently the Signature series, which will have the 300-mile pack and ALL the options, will come close to the price of the base model Roadster. But it will be a fine car. I've already told them that if they ever bring one to Spokane for test drives I want to drive one.

Well, thanks for posting that.

 

Cool. Good choice! You'll get more range, longer battery life, and earlier delivery.

In anticipation of the electric Porsche, I had an electrician install an RV-style outlet in my garage on a dedicated circuit. (240 v. 50 a.) Since I have no need ever to charge during the day, I passed on the high-powered wall-mounted charger and just got the 240 v. 40 a. mobile connector, which I could take with me if I ever wanted to, but which actually lives in the garage. A 120 v. mobile connector comes with the car, but at less than 1/4 the power, that seemed inadequate.

If you want the high-power connector, you'll need to install a heavier circuit. I think (but I am not at all sure, so check with Tesla) that the HPC draws 70 amps, so it needs a 240 v 80 a. circuit. But you can then charge almost twice as fast. I have no need of fast. It would be nice if you have Tesla-driving friends who visit you from far away and need a top-off.

 

There should be a "charging station buddies" thread on TeslaChat, advertising that very thing.

 

With prices falling, I sense PV solar in your future. :thumb:

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Model S Facts | Tesla Motors says

The above prices for more battery capacity are the same numbers that Tesla reps at their showrooms have been telling people, including me.

Yeah, I've heard about a fully decked out model S w/300 mile pack being almost $100K.

 

For the Roadster, I think the 40 amp mobile connector (requiring a 50-amp circuit) is the biggest portable connector. So you won't need a heavier circuit unless you plan on installing the HPC, or you want to be able to service more than one charger at a time.

The only advantage of the HPC is if you need faster charging than the almost 10 kW of the 240/40 connector. And the only need I can see for faster charging is for visitors who want to get some charge during a short visit.

I have only once been visited by out-of-towners traveling by car, and they don't drive a plug-in.

 

I wouldn't expect a big difference in labor. But the heavier cable will cost more. I have no idea how much more. A lot depends on where your entry box is. If you are anticipating three (or more) EVs, it might be cheaper to have a second breaker box installed, in the garage. Then a new car and charger just means popping in a breaker and a short run of heavy wire to the outlet or EVSE.

BTW, has Tesla said whether the S will take one of the standard plug formats, or the proprietary format the Roadster uses? I cannot charge from a Leaf EVSE and a Leaf cannot charge from my mobile connector. They'd have to have their own portable EVSE that plugs into an RV outlet. Or else use the 120 v. household outlet.

 

The post was moved to a new thread, but its a standard "RV Camper" setup, has the NEMA 14-50R 50A 240V camper outlet, a "TT-30R" (Travel Trailer 30A 120V) outlet, and a standard L5-20R GFCI 20A 120V duplex outlet... Its fed by a 100A 2-pole breaker from the 125A subpanel that was brought into the garage.

Here is where I got it: 50, 30, 20 amp Surface Mount RV Power Outlet - RV Park Supplies

its mfr by a US company, made in Jamestown, NY: RV Power Outlets

RV Park Supplies just had Jamestown drop ship it to me, since Jamestown doesn't really deal with individuals. It wasn't to pricey, even with UPS shipping it was under $130 total.

I would suggest running a subpanel to your garage, 6 or 12 circuit should do it, I would get at least a 125A subpanel run, if you go with the Tesla HPC someday, you can put in a 100A breaker for it, and still have a 30-40A breaker for a standard 6.6KW EVSE as well. If its a long run, you might be able to get a separate electrical service for yout garage, but that entails a separate meter, and a meter charge as well, and it will certainly be way more than $1,000.00, having a subpanel gives you options, (1) 40A breaker, (1) 50A breaker, etc, etc. Just get at least 6 positions (3 2-pole breakers), I got a 12 circuit box (6 2-pole breakers)