Tesla unveils sticker price for its Model S electric vehicle

As Americans pursue different ways to go green in 2012, some are considering buying electric vehicles. And while sales have been somewhat limited for two of the more popular electric automobiles—the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt—Tesla is hoping to invigorate the market with an updated version of one of its classic electric offerings.
The carmaker recently announced that it would start selling its latest Tesla Model S sometime in 2012. While Tesla has detailed what the Model S looks like and what features it has, it's been tight-lipped about how much it will cost.
But in late December, Tesla announced how much their newest electric model will cost in 2012, a 365-day period which the company dubbed "The Year of Model S."
Model S will fetch $49,900 after tax credits
"There have been a lot of rumors about price increases lately," said George Bankenship, vice president of worldwide sales at Tesla. "I'm happy to say that all Model S pricing remains unchanged, including the basic version with the 40 [kilowatt-hour lithium] battery at the price we announced in 2009 of $49,900 after federal tax credits."
He added that the price includes standard features such as the 17-inch touch screen on the console, 19-inch wheels and a universal mobile connector that will enable motorists to power up their vehicles quickly.
Price higher for models with higher battery capacity
While the price may be costly for some, motorists who have the ability to spend more will be rewarded with improved performance. According to Cars.com, a standard 40-kWh battery will enable a Model S to travel 160 miles while traveling at an average speed of 55 miles per hour. However, Tesla will also offer models that have battery capacities of 60-kWh and 85-kWh. At the same speed of 55 mph, motorists in these cars will be able to travel 230 and 300 miles, respectively.
The increased capacity comes at a cost, though. The website reports that each increase in battery size raises the price by $10,000. Before federal tax credits, that means a 60-kWh Model S will run approximately $77,400.
But the first 1,000 Model S vehicles produced will have an even steeper asking price. Cars.com reports that these vehicles—part of Tesla's special Signature series—will run around $105,400, as they'll be equipped with a 300-mile-range battery.

Mitsubishi Motors unveils new developments in electric car technology

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

In response to the energy crisis—one magnified in Japan as a result of problems with nuclear power plants—the auto industry is working to come up with innovative solutions to improve energy use. While energy-saving cars have rapidly entered the mainstream automotive world, vehicle manufacturers look to further the popularity and use of these vehicles through efficient and impressive technologies.

Mitsubishi announces new features

Japanese car manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled upcoming features for its i-MiEV electric car model. The Wall Street Journal reports the manufacturer is developing a feature that would allow owners to power household appliances with the same battery that powers the engine.

This feature is dependent on the completion of an AC Power Supply EZ adaptor. The news source explains the manufacturer expects to release this new technology before 2012. The company expects the technology to be capable of powering small appliances, such as microwaves, for over 24 hours.

Why would drivers want a microwave?

In a statement, the company stated: "today more and more people are looking to the EV both as a means to address environmental issues and also to address the pressures on the demand and supply of energy."

The news source reports the manufacturer intends to make their battery a new, alternative source of energy. The company believes this energy source will be especially helpful in the event of a disaster like the earthquake and tsunami that plagued Japan earlier this year.

Downsides to vehicle design

Some automotive experts believe the i-MiEV has more drawbacks than perks. Car and Driver points out that this model, after test drives, is not expected to be capable of reaching 100 miles a charge. Additionally, the costs of the car are projected to be around $30,000, while the standard recharge times can take up to 12 hours.

Still, the automotive magazine believes this car will be useful for certain drivers, as the primary purpose of the model is not cross-country drives. Rather, the car is intended as an eco-friendly solution for consumers with a need for cheap, short-distance drives.

With the addition of features such as the AC Power Supply EZ adapter, this model appears to be a creative step toward combating the effects of the energy crisis on the transportation industry.  

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