Received this e-mail today:
Since I live in Quebec where the electricity is cheap and most of it comes from Hydro, owning a pure electric vehicle would be awesome. :smile: I recently completed building my house and pre-wired my garage with a 70A 240V circuit for a future electric car. I'm also subscribed to a dual energy heating program where when the temperature is above -12C, my rate is 4.33 cents/kWh. (I heat electric when temperatures are above -12C and below -12C my heating system automatically switches to propane). I know a lot of people think heating with electricity is stupid (including Martin E.) but it is quite common in Quebec. In many places, the only other option is oil or propane, both of which are more expensive then even the regular electricity rates. (First 30kWh per day 5.4c/kWh, remaining 7.33c/kWh, averaged over two months. The only other cost is a fixed charge of 40.64 c/day.)
I've been dreaming of owning an electric car since I was 16. I even bought a Honda CRX in the hopes of converting it. I guess the only remaining obstacle in me getting a Tesla is $$$. Can't wait to see the Model S!!!
I'm excited to announce that Tesla Motors will begin taking orders today from customers in Canada, and we'll begin delivering Canadian cars later this year. This is great news for Canada's many car enthusiasts, including scores of Tesla fans who have written passionate e-mails over the years about why Tesla should go north. We listened to you - and we look forward to delivering your cars starting in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Canada is uniquely positioned to become a premier showcase for Tesla, still the only production automaker selling highway-capable electric vehicles in North America. Canada is one of two countries in the world (the other is Norway) where the majority of electricity comes from renewable resources, including run-of-river small hydro, wind, biomass, ocean, geothermal and solar energy.
An EV recharged from the current Canadian grid, on average, would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 85 percent compared to an equivalent gasoline-powered vehicle. In hydro-dominant British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba, the reduction would be an impressive 98 percent.
We are already busy considering retail opportunities in this vast country. In the short term, we are confident that we can serve a large percentage of our customers through retail stores in Seattle and New York, which we plan to open in the first half of this year. Eventually, we envision Tesla-owned retail and service centers in Ontario, British Columbia and possibly Quebec.
The base price for Roadsters in Canada will be set closer to the start of deliveries in the fourth quarter, and pricing will reflect exchange rates at that time. The CA$60,000 reservation fee is refundable, and the remainder of the balance is due upon the start of production, a few months prior to delivery. In the United States, the base price is $109,000.
These Roadsters will comply with all Canadian safety regulations for mass-produced, highway-capable vehicles. As they have for Americans and Europeans, we're certain Roadsters will quickly become the automobile of choice for Canadians who refuse to compromise between performance and efficiency. You can order your Roadster today online, or call us directly at +1-650-413-6300. We look forward to hearing from you!
Doreen Allen
Director of Sales Operations
Since I live in Quebec where the electricity is cheap and most of it comes from Hydro, owning a pure electric vehicle would be awesome. :smile: I recently completed building my house and pre-wired my garage with a 70A 240V circuit for a future electric car. I'm also subscribed to a dual energy heating program where when the temperature is above -12C, my rate is 4.33 cents/kWh. (I heat electric when temperatures are above -12C and below -12C my heating system automatically switches to propane). I know a lot of people think heating with electricity is stupid (including Martin E.) but it is quite common in Quebec. In many places, the only other option is oil or propane, both of which are more expensive then even the regular electricity rates. (First 30kWh per day 5.4c/kWh, remaining 7.33c/kWh, averaged over two months. The only other cost is a fixed charge of 40.64 c/day.)
I've been dreaming of owning an electric car since I was 16. I even bought a Honda CRX in the hopes of converting it. I guess the only remaining obstacle in me getting a Tesla is $$$. Can't wait to see the Model S!!!