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With the recent announcement of the new Tesla Model III, the company run by Elon Musk is looking to strike gold in the near future and further build on the success recorded by the Model S in the past. However, things might not go as well as they think.
When the Model S was launched, back in 2012, no matter how hard we’re trying to deny it, the world was still reluctant towards electric cars. EVs were still considered something new, fancy and trendy by most people, something too good to be true.
It’s also noteworthy to mention that the Model S managed to destroy some of the myths surrounding electric cars, offering good reliability, range and easy to run maintenance. But that’s all gone now.
By the time the Model III will start selling in 2017, most manufacturers will have their own alternatives. Sure, they might not all be all-electric, but sometimes a hybrid is better than the EV alternative.
Manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi don’t just sit around and wait for others to create new niches, segments and cars. They’re always at the forefront of research and development and we’re pretty sure they won’t just stand and take it.
Now, most publications quote a starting price of $35,000 for the Model III and a similar size to a 3 Series with which it will be battling for sales. Both will be premium cars and both will have similar starting prices but what will make the difference?
Well, BMW is already testing a hybrid version of the 3 Series. Most likely, it will have over 300 HP and plenty of torque coming from an i3-sourced electric motor and a conventional internal combustion engine. While, it might not be as clean as the Tesla, it will get the job done on electricity alone inside cities during the week and allow you to go out of town and across the US, on petrol. That’s something the Model III, with its 200 mile range, won’t be able to do.
Furthermore, the surprise element of the EV will be gone by 2017 and won’t be there to help it out as it did for the Model S. Those are things Musk should take into consideration.
On top of all this, other companies will surely bring out hybrid or completely electric cars in this segment as well, not to mention the rumored i5 that will be a direct hit at the Model S in the future. Things are heating up.
It’s also noteworthy to mention that the Model S managed to destroy some of the myths surrounding electric cars, offering good reliability, range and easy to run maintenance. But that’s all gone now.
By the time the Model III will start selling in 2017, most manufacturers will have their own alternatives. Sure, they might not all be all-electric, but sometimes a hybrid is better than the EV alternative.
Manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi don’t just sit around and wait for others to create new niches, segments and cars. They’re always at the forefront of research and development and we’re pretty sure they won’t just stand and take it.
Now, most publications quote a starting price of $35,000 for the Model III and a similar size to a 3 Series with which it will be battling for sales. Both will be premium cars and both will have similar starting prices but what will make the difference?
Well, BMW is already testing a hybrid version of the 3 Series. Most likely, it will have over 300 HP and plenty of torque coming from an i3-sourced electric motor and a conventional internal combustion engine. While, it might not be as clean as the Tesla, it will get the job done on electricity alone inside cities during the week and allow you to go out of town and across the US, on petrol. That’s something the Model III, with its 200 mile range, won’t be able to do.
Furthermore, the surprise element of the EV will be gone by 2017 and won’t be there to help it out as it did for the Model S. Those are things Musk should take into consideration.
On top of all this, other companies will surely bring out hybrid or completely electric cars in this segment as well, not to mention the rumored i5 that will be a direct hit at the Model S in the future. Things are heating up.
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