Are you also investing in Tesla?

[Doug_G]

Pretty poor article in general.

Yeah, it's lovely how these "market analysts" render their opinions without really trying to understand the product and market they are analyzing. There's a lot of educating to do.

[JRP3]

What are the advantages that prismatic batteries have over cylindrical batteries and vice versa?

The cylindrical LiCo cells that Tesla uses have high density, and since they are commodity cells the price is low. They are a more volatile chemistry than the LiFePO4 prismatic cells and more sensitive to temperatures so engineering is more complex and energy needs to be expended coddling them. The larger prismatics are, well, larger and you don't need as many, so fewer connections, faster pack assembly, and less of the aforementioned climate control. Constructing a pack of fewer, larger prismatics is much simpler than thousands of small cylindrical cells, with fewer potential failure points. There are trade offs with both systems but I think fewer larger cells make more sense for most vehicles, and is the way that Nissan and GM have gone.

[TEG]

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/b...investors.html

[Fr23shjive]

The cylindrical LiCo cells that Tesla uses have high density, and since they are commodity cells the price is low. They are a more volatile chemistry than the LiFePO4 prismatic cells and more sensitive to temperatures so engineering is more complex and energy needs to be expended coddling them. The larger prismatics are, well, larger and you don't need as many, so fewer connections, faster pack assembly, and less of the aforementioned climate control. Constructing a pack of fewer, larger prismatics is much simpler than thousands of small cylindrical cells, with fewer potential failure points. There are trade offs with both systems but I think fewer larger cells make more sense for most vehicles, and is the way that Nissan and GM have gone.

I was reading something online about prismatic batteries having better power density and cylindrical batteries having better energy density. Apparently because cylindrical are more energy dense they are able to provide more range, where prismatic provides more power.

Is that accurate? Even if it is, Tesla still has the advantage in both departments and will continue to until the other automakers improve their battery technology.

[TEG]

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2424...a-racing-ahead

[JRP3]

I was reading something online about prismatic batteries having better power density and cylindrical batteries having better energy density. Apparently because cylindrical are more energy dense they are able to provide more range, where prismatic provides more power.

Is that accurate? Even if it is, Tesla still has the advantage in both departments and will continue to until the other automakers improve their battery technology.

Tesla does have that advantage but I don't know about assembled pack costs and cycle life, which is also important. A less dense but cheaper and longer lived pack could be a better choice.

[JRod0802]

I just put in my first order of TSLA this afternoon. I wonder if the Tesla Press Conference later today (4:05 PM EST - 4:30 PM EST) at the Detriot Auto Show will have any effect on the price.

[Fr23shjive]

JPMorgan said it’s bullish on Tesla after recently touring the company’s facilities and reiterated its “overweight” rating on the stock with a $30 price target, implying substantial upside from where the shares currently trade. The bank said Tesla shares have the potential to reach $40-$50 over the next three years.

http://www.tickerspy.com/newswire/?p=3931

Sounds like this top analyst from JP morgan is convinced of Tesla's success.

[JRP3]

I recently talked myself into investing in Tesla and wrote a blog post as to why. I might submit it to Seeking Alpha and would be interested in feedback.
http://ephase.blogspot.com/2011/01/w...ught-tsla.html

[benji4]

Not sure if this is good or bad....

On CAPS, 61% of the 557 members who have rated Tesla believe the stock will underperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bears include fellow Fool Rich Smith (TMFDitty), who is ranked in the top 1% of our community, and A6EIntruder.

http://www.fool.com/retirement/gener...0000001&lidx=7