Aero wheels

[richkae]

Just out of curiosity, how do you figure that? Given the cost of electricity, particularly in WA, you won't save enough to make a big difference.

Let's be generous and say .10 per kwh and 85 kwh gets you 300 miles, so you get 3.52 miles per kwh with normal tires. Over 100,000 miles you'll use 28409 kwh. Gaining 5% efficiency means you save 1420 kwh or $142. The 19" aero rims cost $1500. You'd have to drive around 1 million miles to save enough on electricity costs to pay back the aero tires.

Or is there some other valuation I'm missing that would make the aero tires pay for themselves?

70 more miles of range costs $10000
That's $142 per mile.
If the aero wheels give you 15 more miles on the 300 mile pack - that's only $100 per mile.
If they give 11.5 more miles on the 230 mile pack - that's only $130 per mile.

[jerry33]

70 more miles of range costs $10000
That's $142 per mile.
If the aero wheels give you 15 more miles on the 300 mile pack - that's only $100 per mile.
If they give 11.5 more miles on the 230 mile pack - that's only $130 per mile.

There is also the small amount of reduced battery wear because not as much power is used at a given speed. Will this increase battery life by 5%, 10%, 0%? Don't know. Not sure we can know until the end of the battery life. However, for trips--and I really want to take a lot of trips with my Model S--every bit of extra range helps. Because I can beat the EPA on the Prius by 17%, I'm hoping that I can do the same on the Tesla. That would give around 375 miles per charge on a trip. As 600 - 650 miles is the distance I like to travel in a day, it should require only one stop for charging, even in very cold weather. Well, that's the goal anyway.

[Robert.Boston]

I think that @richkae has the right way to think about it -- if one is willing to pay $10k for a battery upgrade to go ~70 miles further, then the "revealed value" of extra miles is $142/mile. At that price, the $1,500 for aero wheels is a bargain. The larger battery, however, also brings greater performance, a longer warranty, and supercharger access, so it might not be as straightforward as this cost comparison

[Dborn]

Picasa Web Albums - Tesla HQ - Wheels
Also posted in error on anther thread, sorry. Photo of what appears to be the definitive aero wheel.


Mod note: Duplicate post deleted. (And thanks for reposting in correct thread!)

[jerry33]

Picasa Web Albums - Tesla HQ - Wheels
Also posted in error on anther thread, sorry. Photo of what appears to be the definitive aero wheel.

That's a mock up, not the actual wheel--at least my assumption is that the aero wheel isn't just a hubcap. There may be some differences in the actual appearance.

[rlawson4]

I hope so. I want aero wheels but the mock up is seriously ugly.

[Robert.Boston]

The aero wheel is definitely on my list of "have to see it to decide".

[JRP3]

Because I can beat the EPA on the Prius by 17%, I'm hoping that I can do the same on the Tesla. That would give around 375 miles per charge on a trip.

Tesla's range estimates are not the EPA numbers last I knew.

[jerry33]

That's true [Tesla's range estimates aren't EPA numbers], but there aren't any EPA numbers yet.

[roblab]

There is also the small amount of reduced battery wear because not as much power is used at a given speed. Will this increase battery life by 5%, 10%, 0%? Don't know. Not sure we can know until the end of the battery life. However, for trips--and I really want to take a lot of trips with my Model S--every bit of extra range helps. Because I can beat the EPA on the Prius by 17%, I'm hoping that I can do the same on the Tesla. That would give around 375 miles per charge on a trip. As 600 - 650 miles is the distance I like to travel in a day, it should require only one stop for charging, even in very cold weather. Well, that's the goal anyway.

I'm with you! I once got 164 miles per charge on my RAV4EV, and I am itching to try my hand (OK, foot) on trying for 400 mi/ch on the Model S. I plan to run up to Canada from Napa Valley, visiting relatives and friends when I get mine. I've already contacted and located all charging spots on the way.