Daimler AG has taken up a 10% stake worth US$50 million in electric car maker Tesla Motors, a move that depends their already pre-existing relationship where Tesla would equip 1,000 Smart cars with their electric motor and battery technology. According to Daimler chairman and Mercedes-Benz head Dieter Zetsche, Daimler wanted more than a supplier-customer relationship with Tesla.
“We are in a time of change. This industry is going through a kind of paradigm shift, and has to reinvent itself ultimately to be independent of petroleum and without CO2 emissions. We need fast technology change,” said Zetsche, and it seems that he sees Tesla’s technology as a way to achieve that fast technology change.
Of course this is a big score for the electric car camp. Any big manufacturers who votes yes for electric cars will steer the industry more towards electric motors and batteries instead of fuel cell cars or extended range hybrids as the defacto method of car propulsion in the future. Daimler has also invested in German battery company Li-Tec, and founded a battery production JV with Evonik Industries. These might end up supplying batteries for both Tesla and Daimler electric cars.
This could also mean Mercedes-Benz platforms could be used for future Tesla like a replacement for the Model S (shown above) in the future, but then again with the versatility in packaging with an electric car, a platform designed for a combustion engine might not be the completely optimal solution.
“We are in a time of change. This industry is going through a kind of paradigm shift, and has to reinvent itself ultimately to be independent of petroleum and without CO2 emissions. We need fast technology change,” said Zetsche, and it seems that he sees Tesla’s technology as a way to achieve that fast technology change.
Of course this is a big score for the electric car camp. Any big manufacturers who votes yes for electric cars will steer the industry more towards electric motors and batteries instead of fuel cell cars or extended range hybrids as the defacto method of car propulsion in the future. Daimler has also invested in German battery company Li-Tec, and founded a battery production JV with Evonik Industries. These might end up supplying batteries for both Tesla and Daimler electric cars.
This could also mean Mercedes-Benz platforms could be used for future Tesla like a replacement for the Model S (shown above) in the future, but then again with the versatility in packaging with an electric car, a platform designed for a combustion engine might not be the completely optimal solution.
Besides being a 4 person affordable electric car that looks good it has some nice Convenience and utility bullet points:
Up to 300-mile range
45-minute QuickCharge
5-minute battery swap
Charges from 110V, 220V or 440V
Seating for 5 adults + 2 child seats
Unique hatch for oversized items
60/40 flat-folding rear seat
2nd trunk under hood
EPA Roominess Index 121.6
More room than station wagons
17-inch infotainment touchscreen
3G wireless connectivityTesla Model S powertrain includes a liquid-cooled 9-inch motor, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity - no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Tesla Model S costs as little as $4 to fully charge - a bargain even if gasoline dropped to $1 per gallon. You can have affordable fun while being socially responsible.
Technical specs:
0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
¼ mile in 14 seconds
120 mph top speed
Braking 60-0 mph 135 feet
42 kWh battery storage system standard
70 kWh and greater battery storage systems optional
9- inch liquid cooled electric motor
Single-speed transaxle gearbox
Curb Weight 3825 lbs
Overall Length 196″
Wheelbase 116.5″
All-wheel-drive available (option available in future production models)
Right hand drive available
Up to 300-mile range
45-minute QuickCharge
5-minute battery swap
Charges from 110V, 220V or 440V
Seating for 5 adults + 2 child seats
Unique hatch for oversized items
60/40 flat-folding rear seat
2nd trunk under hood
EPA Roominess Index 121.6
More room than station wagons
17-inch infotainment touchscreen
3G wireless connectivityTesla Model S powertrain includes a liquid-cooled 9-inch motor, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity - no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Tesla Model S costs as little as $4 to fully charge - a bargain even if gasoline dropped to $1 per gallon. You can have affordable fun while being socially responsible.
Technical specs:
0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
¼ mile in 14 seconds
120 mph top speed
Braking 60-0 mph 135 feet
42 kWh battery storage system standard
70 kWh and greater battery storage systems optional
9- inch liquid cooled electric motor
Single-speed transaxle gearbox
Curb Weight 3825 lbs
Overall Length 196″
Wheelbase 116.5″
All-wheel-drive available (option available in future production models)
Right hand drive available
