Tesla Motors Club
That chart over www.pluginamerica.com really took my eye. I think offering a sellection of ranges for the same car model is the answer.
Why build only one package with 500miles range at ridiculus price with a ton of batteries if you can offer say a basic model with say 100miles range and then optionaly offer battery packs that give additional 100 or 200 miles. In this way the car becomes MUCH more accessable to 'normal' people.
You can advertise high maximum range (say 300miles or more with full battery pack) and also offer lower price for models with less batteries and shorter range. If battery pack design is modular, so you can just add one, two or three packs, this is almost trivial. I think ;D
Having less batteries on board not only shortens your range and lowers the price, but also improves the performance. The car is lighter which translates into better acceleration, lower power demands, etc. If battery pack is placed centraly all this could be achieved with a single production model and little suspension tuning.
I think I've nailed it
Why build only one package with 500miles range at ridiculus price with a ton of batteries if you can offer say a basic model with say 100miles range and then optionaly offer battery packs that give additional 100 or 200 miles. In this way the car becomes MUCH more accessable to 'normal' people.
You can advertise high maximum range (say 300miles or more with full battery pack) and also offer lower price for models with less batteries and shorter range. If battery pack design is modular, so you can just add one, two or three packs, this is almost trivial. I think ;D
Having less batteries on board not only shortens your range and lowers the price, but also improves the performance. The car is lighter which translates into better acceleration, lower power demands, etc. If battery pack is placed centraly all this could be achieved with a single production model and little suspension tuning.
I think I've nailed it