Electric cars exist, for the most part, in the shadow of combustion vehicles. The first commercial production of motor vehicles with internal combustion engines began in 1886. Only in the late 1990s were electric cars deemed practical for the masses. Since then, electric vehicles (EV’s) have come a long way.
Tesla’s Model S had a starting average of about 300 miles per charge when released in 2012 (which is really good). The Model S, however, was sold to an extremely niche market. The price was very high (at around $95,000) for a middle-of-the-road model in 2012. The volume was low and there weren’t many charging stations around – it was more a less a statement to own a Model S.
But for a relatively new company and industry, that was necessary. The Model S and its predecessor, the Tesla Roadster, inspired many other electric initiatives with other brands. The Nissan LEAF, the Chevrolet Bolt, and others credit their inspiration to the image of Tesla’s EV’s.
These new initiatives have led to an increased awareness of EV’s among the people, and a desire to have more available charging stations. Although EV’s have been considered impractical and generally inaccessible to the public, interest has been growing at a rapid rate. Many consumers with eyes on the EV industry have been waiting for a breakthrough model they can finally get their hands on.
And it’s here.
On March 31, Tesla had their unveiling event for the brand new Model 3. The Model 3 has been stirring excitement on almost every consumer level. Why? Because the Model 3 has been blowing away expectations. First and foremost, due to previous prices, consumers were expecting a relatively high price tag. The Model 3, without any additional features/upgrades, will cost $35,000. Now some may see this completely out of their price range, but the main takeaway here is that prices are coming down, and fast. I believe, however, that this is a great price for the car. Within just two days, over 232,000 orders have been placed for the Model 3. Many people have been looking for a catalyst to make the switch to driving electric, and now they can.
What else about the Model 3 is exciting?
The Model 3 is incredibly safe. Tesla really went above and beyond with safety features in this vehicle. The Model 3 does not only have a 5-star overall safety rating, it got 5 stars in every single category. The Model 3 even has semi-autopilot. While you can’t doze off, the car will be able to steer itself. However, keeping your hands on the wheel in some fashion will be required. But even this feature is considered to be in beta, and soon enough the car will be completely self-driving.
The Model 3, with no additional features/upgrades, will get a minimum of 215 miles on a single charge (and can get to 60 in under 6 seconds). And that is without supercharging. The battery will take under an hour to charge completely at home, and even less time at an EV charging station. With the revenue generated from the Model 3, Tesla intends on more than doubling their repair stations and tripling the number of charge stations in North America (the Model 3 can charge at any EV station). The better news? It only costs about $3.48 to go 100 miles with the national electricity average of 12 cents per kWh.
The Model 3 is unbelievably sexy. As a sedan lover, I was completely blown away by the aesthetic of this car. The whole vehicle is completely sleek and smooth. The curves are elegant, and the body is incredibly efficient when concerning wind resistance. The whole top of the car is one large, curved glass pane, which lends the car good ambient lighting and headspace. The interior is beautifully designed, seemingly minimalist and attractive. There is a 17-inch touch screen (it looks like a large tablet) hitched to the dashboard in the middle with which the car can be easily controlled. There is also ample storage space in the hood and in the trunk.
Tesla’s reveal of the Model 3 is definitely a game changer. The car is predicted to be available by the end of 2017, but the impact it has already had is influencing the entire industry. Switching to EV’s and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels has never been more important. We can thank Tesla for setting a high bar with the quality of EV’s, as well as a more affordable price tag. So get excited for the Model 3, and everything that it is doing to promote a happy consumer and Earth.
