It's the Batteries, Stupid!

[jkirkebo]

I'm a fan of longer range over faster recharge time.

Give a single choice, I go for longer range.

Not me. Given a choice of 300 mile range and no fast charge or 200 mile range and 50kWh CHAdeMO fast charge, I'd definately go for the latter. The former would make long trips impossible for me, the latter would make them easy.

[Norbert]

Give a single choice, I go for longer range.

Agreed, however with range needing to be balanced with cost and weight, we'll need fast chargers at least until maybe we have affordable 800 - 1000 mile range batteries, and that's a long time. And given this being the case, a functional fast charging network will not only be truly useful, but also one of the biggest possible perception/game changers which current technology already allows. Plus, most rarely need more than 300 miles.

[dsm363]

I'd settle for realistic 300-400 mile range (highway speed at 65-70mph) and 80A level 2 charging at multiple locations.

[Norbert]

I'd settle for realistic 300-400 mile range (highway speed at 65-70mph) and 80A level 2 charging at multiple locations.

Why "settle"?

[dsm363]

Why "settle"?

I guess I mean that's what I'd consider the minimum for what I would be really happy with for travel. Having a 600 mile realistic range with Supercharging every 100 miles would be even better of course. We'll get there someday hopefully but fast level 2 charging would be great too.

[jerry33]

Being able to drive 600-700 miles in a day is a requirement for replacing the primary car, which is what Tesla says you're supposed to be able to do with the Model S. This means if you have an 85 kW pack, you'll need superchargers every 200 miles at a minimum. And if you don't live in California...

[dsm363]

I haven't driven 600 miles in a day in over 3 years so it's not a requirement for everyone. For some people it may be though. The larger the range, the less need for frequent Superchargers.

[JRP3]

Exactly. Tesla is simply addressing the reality that most people rarely or never take a 600+ mile trip.

[jerry33]

Exactly. Tesla is simply addressing the reality that most people rarely or never take a 600+ mile trip.

Maybe in California. Here in Texas 600 miles might not even get you out of the state depending upon which direction you go and where you start from. 600 to 700 miles is a comfortable level for a day's driving (as opposed to 1400+ that some of my co-workers do and that I did when I was younger). I don't know anyone who doesn't drive at least 600 miles when they take a vacation--and that's one way not round trip.

[JRP3]

DSM363 lives in Texas