Coming developments for the Tesla Models S, X, E & the Supercharger fast charging network (video)

Transcript: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/26861-Elon-and-JB-speak-in-Oslo-Feb-1st-2014-1000-CET-%284AM-EST%29/page4?p=568100#post568100

Tesla's Model S is very popular in Norway. 527 units delivered in November 2013 alone, in a country with a population of just over 5 million. Elon Musk & Tesla CTO JB Straubel spoke to a group of Norwegian Tesla owners recently & revealed some interesting future plans. See video or transcript of the event above (hint: video is 1.5 hours & audio not sharp — read the transcript), but some of the interesting details included:

･ Battery swapping will be trialed between San Francisco & Los Angeles. If it proves popular, it will be expanded. Tesla's expectation is that as charging improves, battery swapping will become superfluous.

･ AWD will be a future option on the Model S, using a separate motor for the front wheels. Range will be unaffected!

･ Improved seats are under development for the Model S. Retrofitting to existing vehicles will be available.

･ Existing Supercharger quick charging stations are 90 or 120 kilowatts. Upgrades to 135 kW are coming.

･ Model S offsets the carbon emissions produced in its manufacture in less than 10,000 miles of driving.

･ Battery cost for the Model E ("mass market car" planned for 2016 or 2017) will be 30 to 40% less per killowatt hour than the S.

･ Model X — Falcon Doors will be in the producton vehicle — all wheel drive using separate motors for the front & back wheels — energy consumption will be approximately 10% higher than in the S due to greater frontal area & mass.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1090225_elon-musk-talks-tesla-model-x-details-model-s-upgrades-at-europe-qa-sessions / Tesla Motors car electric vehicle EV cars car future plans owners owner fan fans Q & A session Tesla CEO Elon Musk company company's Chief Technical Officer CTO JB Straubel Model S Model X electric SUV mass-market Model E sedan Tesla Model X all-electric crossover SUV 4 wheel drive Falcon Doors Model X wheelbase Model S cd dc lower drag coefficient increased frontal area, the total drag will be higher. Combined with a slightly heavier weight the Model X energy consumption 10 percent higher range production Model X double hinged double-hinged doors sensor sensors adjust opening sequence all-wheel drive separate electric drive motor rear front wheels future upgrades improved front seats more comfortable modified spring force cushion retrofit retrofitted carbon footprint manufacturing process internal study process manufacture battery cost Model E of 30 to 40 percent less per kilowatt-hour price target $30,000 $40,000 cost reduction giga-factory Tesla Model E batteries battery lithium ion LiIon Oslo Norway Tesla Motors Club transcript /