1. Tesla Model S
Price Range ($75,000 | $67,500)
Note: I don’t feel nearly as confident about the order of this list as I did the 10 best hybrid cars list. In fact, I changed the order several times while writing it. Such is the challenge when evaluating and comparing all of these great options, which come in at very different price points.
Price Range ($75,000 | $67,500)
The Tesla model S has a range of 270 miles (435 km), and this range makes all the difference. The reason Tesla doesn’t currently have competition is because they managed to develop a high capacity (long range) battery. All other car manufacturers have not been able to do this and therefore stick with the hybrid system. Think about this, if the whole world is driving hybrid cars, we will still be burning fuel in our cars, how clean will the environment be then? The plugin-hybrid is still not good enough, full electric vehicles is the way to go. The Tesla Model S isn’t an electric car, but rather a car that is 100% powered by an electric drivetrain. The reason the previous statement holds is that the model S isn’t designed to look odd like other EVs. The model S looks just like another ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car, but more beautifully designed.
There is so much to say about this car, if I miss anything at all you are interested in, kindly ask in the comments section. Everybody who loves technology should know about this vehicle because the car receives function/software updates OTA (Over the Air); and also everyone should know about it because it is an EV, we will all be driving an EV in the future. Thinking of a model S as a mobile phone isn’t fully accurate, think of it as the Google project Ara (http://www.projectara.com/); in that, apart from this car receiving updates over the air like a mobile phone (latest OTA update added automatic notification of nearby charging locations, trip planning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning and valet mode), you can swap the car’s improved hardware to transform a 2012 model into a 2015 model; yes the model S was first launched in 2012.
Everything about this car is extraordinary. As you approach your model S, the door handles extend from the body of the car to greet you so you can conveniently open the door. Upon closing the doors, the handles move back into the body of the car to improve the cars aerodynamics and drag coefficient. There is no push to start button, so for those of you who thought the push to start button technology could not be improved, well it has, how? It was removed. The inside of the car welcomes you with all screens turning on automatically, just switch your gear to drive, and go.
I am shaking as I write now, it will mean a lot to me if I got my hands on a Tesla model S. I really have too much to say about the car, I should probably blog that separately. As difficult as this is let me move onto the second and main reason I was inspired to write this post.
After my infatuation with this beauty and functionality I am convinced this car will survive here in Ghana or Africa for that matter, with proof. Ok not actual proof, because I do not have the actual car, but my aim is that this article helps someone decide to confidently drive an EV in Ghana.
Electricity:
The most important feature about the model S that also makes it a very good option for Ghana is the range that a fully charged model S can achieve; depending on the trim (70D, 85D, P85D, P90D) you choose you can get between 225 miles (362 km) to 257 miles (413 km) of drive, then the hidden emergency range before the car comes to a complete stop. The range I have provided constitutes driving at 70 mph (113 kph), with the air conditioning on and an outside temperature of 43˚ on 19" wheels, bigger wheels will reduce range slightly. So I am obviously creating a worst case scenario here. The model S can achieve 300 miles (482 km) at 65 mph (105 kph) but let’s continue with the worst case scenario.
The biggest battery size the model S offers currently has 90 kWh capacity. It will cost you 37 Ghana Cedis (0.4121 * 90; http://www.ecgonline.info/index.php/customer-care/approved-tarrif) to fully charge this battery. So you will appreciate how much electricity you have in your model S (worst case 413 km), take note of the following;
Accra mall (Accra) to Breman (Kumasi) is 253 km
Accra mall (Accra) to Savelugu (Northern Region) is 633 km
So do the math. I did mine and my results are as follows; its 44 km from my home to work (community 25 in Tema to Adjuma Crescent in Kaneshie). This typically means that I will drive to and from work about 9 times, mind you I am still using worst case scenario range. 9 times means I will drive to and from work for 4 days, and to work on the 5th day before I will completely run out of electricity; all for 37 Ghana Cedis ($9 as at August 27, 2015). Using a wall connector designed by Tesla, on our 240 volt source, and also with the model S ability to double charge at once, right at home, you can transfer 58 miles (93 km) of range per hour of charge. In just over 4 hours the car is fully charged. Because of the car’s long range, there isn’t a constant need for electricity to charge it, forget the “dumsor” excuse.
Maintenance:
The model S unlike many cars people assume to be EV is a pure electric vehicle, this means that there is no internal combustion engine.
It is very true there isn’t a service center in Ghana, here is the fact; every car company with a service center in Ghana imports parts. Your concern then should be labor. YouTube together with your electrician will be a great way to ensure your part is properly fixed.
Note: I don’t feel nearly as confident about the order of this list as I did the 10 best hybrid cars list. In fact, I changed the order several times while writing it. Such is the challenge when evaluating and comparing all of these great options, which come in at very different price points.
