Saturday 11 October 2014

All of questions on Tesla, Answered to my best knowledge.


I am not a sales person for tesla, But I, beside other very satisfied owners, are their best advertisers. In fact I am so good at talking about this car and I am such a fan of the company and everything they do, that I should call them and ask for commission on some of the deals they close. (Jks) I am always asked so many questions about Tesla, I thought this might help answer everyones questions, I know some are hesitant to ask.

Below is a full insight on Tesla, All that I know, all that you need to know. Lots of info, But if you want to know everything about these cars and understand the benefits, and how easily it is to comprehend owning one of these, and why I am spending less money than most of you even though I own a luxury car, then read on. It will answer all of your questions, and if not, I am more than happy to answer anything else. These are answers that you have to search to find, but I did my full research on the car before I purchase it, I don't think you will find such a complete report on Tesla anywhere, but if you do, share it please. :)

The owner, Elon Musk, known for being a successful and ambitious business man, and an environmental person who works on creating products and services that is sustainable which benefits the public, future, it's users, has built this company with great intentions and great passion, and he stands behind everything he sells, and continues to provide the best support and service possible to all Tesla Owners. He has built a company that has a friendly working environment, extremely happy staff members, he stays true to his core values and from my point of view, he cares less about the profit and more about creating something that matters and makes a positive impact on this earth. And thus, following his ultimate dream and risking everything he had for a sustainable driving future, he has become so successful. Unlike other companies, he truly tries his best to save money in the long run for his customers, and is always working on keeping them happy, which is the reason, The minute you own a Tesla, you are not a customer, you become part of a family. (we actually say hi to each other when we see each other on the street ;) )  It's not like other car dealerships that are only good to you when you purchase it, and then try to get more out of you through servicing your car, and forget about you and try to get more from you when you return their car. (it's actually scary, what I had to deal with before becoming a Tesla Owner)

I get approached by so many asking me about the car, I thought I would share my thoughts and answer some of the questions everyone has. I see so many people with BMW and Benz and even Honda's and Lexus, they complain about the maintenance and high price in gas and the ridiculous insurance rates (especially on the Honda's, Ford's and the German cars). I am so glad I am not there anymore. I am so glad I don't have to deal with all that. I felt like I was getting robbed, just owning a car. Now I drive a car that is environmentally friendly, fun and easy to drive, safe and saves me $1000/month! (really!!) , although a luxury car, compared with the honda Odyssey, The Tesla is still cheaper to own.

This is calculated and proven... I am personally saving much more than what is below, but I guess the below is the least amount you can save. Take into account your insurance rate, and the time you are saving not going to gas stations, and finding parking spaces and being in car-pole lanes. My average electrical bill on the car charging has been  $0/ month so far, partly because its been difficult to put a meter (so I guess me and management just gave up) and partly because I live in a GOLD LEED accredited Condo, so they support electrical car outlets. Another owner was telling me he pays between $35 to $37 a month. Another was saying his never went above $45, and One lady said her electricity bill at home has changed by less than $20 . I use public chargers and my office charger, it varies by how much you drive and how much you charge, but live in LEED building, and they might have chargers available to you at no cost (mine do)

To help some understand why the Model S could be "cheaper" to own vs a Honda Odyssey it's important to understand a few factors:
1. Low fuel costs - electricity is way cheaper than gas and when you factor in gas savings over 8 years, you get substantial savings (ie., $20k over 8 years if driving 15k miles a year, of course depends on gas prices and electricity prices).
2. Low maintenance costs - there's no oil changes, timing belt, etc. It's basically tires. Even brakes you don't need to change often because of regenerative braking.
3. High residual value due to upgradeability - the battery pack is swappable, so after 8 years (or longer) you can swap out battery packs to a bigger pack (ie., 400+ mile range). This is a great feature and will add residual value to the Model S. Also, over-the-air updates keeps the software always up to date.
4. High residual value due to battery pack - the battery pack for the Model S is holding up well with customers so far, and after 8 years it should show minimal degradation (ie., 10-15% likely, max 20%). In other words, the battery will still hold substantial value and when a person buys a 8-year-old Model S in the future, they are not only buying the car but they are buying the battery pack (ie., fuel savings) as well. This is why the residual value of a Model S (or another EV with a large battery pack) will be substantially higher than a comparable ICE car.

Having said that, the Tesla company stands behind their vehicles and will buy it back from you anytime between 36 to 39 month of your ownership, at a value that you actually make a bit back in your pocket. !!! The new cars are being sold more than they are bought, the car is literally an investment. You get a credit back from the government for owning a car, in Ontario it's $8,500.

Which they are doing good with, like always. 

Their company is doing everything they can to make these cars more affordable, their ultimate goal is to have all cars electric on the road. This is the reason Gas companies don't like Tesla, Cause other cars like Ford and BMW are trying to catch on to the Tesla concept, which is not making things any easier for gas companies. 

They have an infinite mile warranty:

The test was done in extreme cold conditions, and the Tesla is currently the best one to drive in winter. The video (english subtitles, Explains it all):

I have no maintenance on the car(no oil change and no engine) , zero gas, and I get to drive in Car pole lanes which saves me time during rush hour. My insurance is cut by more than half of my past vehicle as it is the safest car on the road by Consumer report (link below), and they have an amazing support system. Tesla Rangers stop by if you ever get stuck somewhere and on the weekend they came within 30 mins (with their personal vehicle) because I was having a problem with my charger (attached pictures), Anytime I have an issue I call a number in my car, and there is always someone to answer my questions. The car updates like an update, keeping it new all the time, and they are always watching out for me through their internet to make sure everything is ok with the car. Any problems, and They will know before it becomes a problem. 


Supercharging stations to make road trips easier;

Tesla Superchargers allow Model S owners to travel for free between cities along well-traveled highways in North America, Europe and Asia. Superchargers provide half a charge in as little as 20 minutes and are strategically placed to allow owners to drive from station to station with minimal stops.

Coverage
North America
Today – 117 stations
Complete West and East Coast coverage
Coast-to-coast travel
2014 – 80% of the US population and parts of Canada
2015 – 98% of the US population and parts of Canada
Superchargers are located near amenities like roadside diners, cafes, and shopping centers. Road trippers can stop for a quick meal and have their Model S charged when they’re done

You have plugshare to find other electric chargers, (most hotels and public areas also offer chargers), and you can find other Tesla owners that are more than happy to allow one of their own use their charger. 

A few other fun facts:
- I control my car through an app on my iphone. I can locate it, control its charging, start it so it warms up or cools down, open the doors. It's all possible through the free 3G internet service provided with the car (an example picture is attached)
- with the new update, my calendar connects to the car, reminding me of my daily appointments
- I check emails on the car screen (when parked ;) ) and view plans and drawings! its great! 
- To get faster internet, I have my own wifi that I sometimes connect, if I need to load larger emails. 
- The car can find any song you want, you command it through the voice system, and it searches the internet, finds it for you and plays.
- You have access to all the radio stations from all over the world (its internet) and your radio signal never dies anywhere. So listen to Dubai station, or an asia, or Z103.5 in Montreal.
- The car has the only and the best camera for reversing, which can also be used while driving to check blind spots.
- Everything is controlled through touch screens. And you can access all on your wheels.
- Amazing navigation system and traffic info. 
- I get my own parking space at most places.
- They say the car should be serviced once a year, but that is just to be safe, I see owners needing as little service as once every 24 or 30 months. Each service, if once a year or so, is $600. (that is all your maintenance cost!!!, maybe once a year)
- They have a valet service, so that your car is seamlessly picked up and replaced with a loaner and then returned as soon as we are done. There is no additional charge for this.
- 24 hour roadside assistance
System monitoring
Remote diagnostics
Hardware upgrades (all controlled, I feel so safe driving it)
- Front is a trunk, back is a trunk, no engine, the car has so much space!!!
- The car doesn't make any sound and it's very fast, so sometimes I don't know I am speeding, even the cops understand this. I have had them drive next to me and just point out that I'm going too fast, they know it's not intentional, so I just use the cruise control more often now to make sure I am on the speed limit.
-Their stocks are also part of the top ones to invest in, the company is very healthy, and the owner works hard to never let the investors and owners down. Happy customer stories : http://www.teslamotors.com/customers


I mean, I know it's a lot of info, but it's good to know it all before you decide to make your next car purchase. Look at the long term savings and safety features. And maybe even be patient for the more affordable models. These cars are an investment, and once you own one, you can never look at another car or drive anything else. 
In general anything sustainable, like LEED accredited condos, or going off the grid with your homes (solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling system, ect.) are a great long term investment. Energy efficiency and environmentally friendly products are expensive at first, but governments are supporting them, there are tons of rebates, and if you calculate the cost, they make their money back within a few short years (most 3 to 5 years), and after that you are not only saving money, but making money, and your home has a higher selling value. Do the math , it makes sense.
I provide interior design services and manage all aspects of residential and commercial projects, I love clients that are open minded about using environmentally friendly material, and when They give me a chance to explain the longterm benefits if switching to green, they are more than happy to invest in it. Some home are done at much lower cost of same cost as expected initially with regular renovations, because the owners get so much back from the government. One of my clients is getting paid because the government is using his system to provide sustainable energy to the street. He provides, and gets a cheque every month. The possibilities are endless, and so much more to know. If anytime you are interested in going green with your home, I will be more than happy to show you how, and assist you every step of the way. 

By: Aisan Ahmadi, Principal Designer, Tesla Enthusiast, Environmentalist, Organic food lover, chemical free,  
 Creative Group Interiors Inc.e
instagram : cginteriors 

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