When discussing electric cars, most focus on the distance the car can cover on a full charge. Rarely does the conversation digress towards the performance and comfort the car delivers. It almost seems as if people have given up hope that an electric car can possess these attributes. However, the Tesla Model S has proved to be the exception to the rule. Not only does the car alleviate the concern that you can complete a return trip without running out of battery, it brings with it numerous features that place it among the top bracket of cars available on the market today.
The only potential drawback of the vehicle is the price. You have to pay close to $100k to buy it. Though the government does provide tax rebates of a few thousand dollars, even then the price will still be over $90,000. Then there are all the options you can include in your car, each of which will further increase the cost of the car for you. So, is it worth shelling out so much cash for the Tesla Model S when there is no dearth of high-quality luxury cars on the market? Let’s go over a number of factors that determine whether or not the car offers value for money.
Distance
According to the official Tesla website, the P85 model can cover a distance of 480km on a single charge. Keeping in mind the commuting needs of the average car owner, a single charge should last the best part of a week. Even if you have to travel a long distance, you can take the car and charge it at your destination. A mobile charger comes with the car, so you can plug it into any outlet. The other two models, 60 and 85 cover less distance than the P85. The numbers denote the power of the car’s motor in kW.
Power
Customers have to plug the charger into a supercharge station to charge the car quicker. Plugging it into the usual household outlet requires that you to leave the car charging overnight. This makes it difficult for you to commute large distances if your car is running out of battery power. Tesla has announced that the company will set up charging stations across the country. That way customers can take their car to the nearest supercharge station and power their car up. A 30-minute charge will get the battery up to 80%, which is enough for 320km. This facility will be free, allowing customers to save on their power bill.
Control
One of the striking features of the new Tesla Model S is the inclusion of a large touch-screen. The 17-inch screen has replaced the screen console in previous models. It helps drivers control everything, from the car’s navigation system to the audio and all the way to the temperature. Moreover, it is quite easy to use even when driving.
Acceleration
The car accelerates quickly, quick enough to surprise most drivers the first time. There is no lag or any other issues. The deceleration is just as smooth. As soon as you let go of the accelerator, the car slows down. You don’t have to apply the brakes. In fact, you can conserve power by letting the car slow down on its own.
Room
The height of the driving seat can be adjusted. So if you want to sit higher or lower, you can. However, there is little headroom for the people sitting in the back. This is one problem Tesla would have to address. As of now, only children can sit on the rear seats comfortably.
As you can see, most of the features of the Tesla Model S are superb and can rival any high-end car on the market today. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other features and specifications this electric car offers you. So, is it worth the price? You be the judge of that.