Life Between 0 and 1

We Drove Tesla’s Crazy Fast Model X SUV

I’m really really really interested in electric motor vehicles!  I don’t think they’re the wave of the future, but rather they’re a transition technology that will give people the option to embrace something other than a gasoline fueled vehicle.  Hybrids are great and achieve good gas mileage, but I know for a fact that we have the technology to let cars get 100 or more miles per gallon with current technology.  The reason we don’t, and I’m sure you know, is that government and the lobby’s that fund them, don’t want their oil based cash cow to go away anytime soon.  No, I won’t get on my soapbox this time.

The Tesla Model X SUV joins the ranks along side the Tesla Model S Sedan.  Both vehicles achive 0-60 in under 4 seconds making them the fastest production sedan and SUV in the world.  The Tesla X is completely electric and can be equipped with one (FWD) and two (AWD) motors making it a versatile SUV for your needs.  The price tag at $130,000 is a bit steep for most people, however Tesla is already working on more reasonably priced cars in the $30-50,000 range.

Going back to my point, this is a transition technology in that it gives people an opportunity to drive something that is completely independent of petroleum.  The United States on average consumes approximately 35 million barrels (55 gallons each) of oil each day with no sign of slowing down anytime in the future.  There are literally hundreds of thousands of products that require petroleum or petroleum based chemicals, so not all of that oil is utilized for gasoline directly.  I’m amazed how Americans have choice in the supermarket, department stores, housing, vehicles, etc. but only ONE choice for the most part at the pump.  Electric cars pose a threat to the oil companies and their ridiculously high profits, so they’re going to fight a fierce and dirty battle over the coming years.

Regardless of this blocking, Elon Musk and his Tesla Motors company are bucking the system and selling cars all over the country.  I live in the Northeast of the country and I see at least 1 Tesla a week, most often more than that.  They’re gaining popularity with others like the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf.  I’m excited to see how this progresses and if I’m in a position to purchase an electric car I most certainly will as I see the premium to own one a small price to pay to never have to purchase gasoline again.

The next revolution is to change coal/oil/gas electricity plants and replace them with Breeder Nuclear Reactors, wind power and solar power stations.  All it will take is people to demand change and the government will have no choice.