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Consumer Reports says Tesla Model S reliability is just 'average'

Tesla Motors chief Elon Musk strikes us as someone who retches at the word "average," especially when it's applied to one of his companies. But that's the reliability grade his company's Model S all-electric sedan has received from Consumer Reports. From what others have reported, that might not be a bad thing. CR reached its conclusion by factoring in both its own experiences and the responses from more than 1,300 Model S owners. Slow response from retractable door handles and creaky windshields were two widely reported issues, but it should be noted that Tesla scored good marks for being willing to foot the bill for all repairs. In the grand scheme of things, CR says Tesla is comparable, reliability-wise, to the Acura RLX. While luxury models from Audi and Lexus have scored better, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz models have recorded scores "far worse," the magazine said. After almost 16,000 miles in its Model S, CR needed to have the car's infotainment screen hard reset and had one unscheduled service. Meanwhile, Edmunds reported that its 17 months with a $105,000 2013 Model S required seven unscheduled service visits, and it needed nine information screen resets. The drive unit needed to be replaced three times. We think CR would not have found that "average."

Here are 12 electric pickups in the works

With the unveiling of the GMC Hummer EV, the list of planned electric pickups is expanding. Legacy automakers like Ford and Chevy have theirs coming, as do startups like Tesla, Rivian and Bollinger, as well as some lesser known brands. Here are all the electric pickup trucks we know to be in the works, along with a few that are being discussed or mulled over. GMC Hummer EV The 2022 GMC HUMMER EV is a first-of-its kind supertruck develop View 40 Photos We’ve seen it now, and itÂ’s the business. The GMC Hummer EV comes out swinging with 1,000 horsepower from GMÂ’s new Ultium electric powertrain program, a wealth of off-road features, a removable roof, Super Cruise and the revival of the Hummer name. WeÂ’ll see the first ones on the road next fall. Tesla Cybertruck Tesla Cybertruck at the Petersen Museum View 14 Photos Tesla revealed the Cybertruck last year with, ahem, unique styling, a number of powertrain options and a claimed range of up to 500 miles. It has a compressed paper dash, a ramp for the bed, and “shatterproof” windows. It has already racked up hundreds of thousands of reservations. It will be built in Texas. Rivian R1T 2021 Rivian R1T View 15 Photos EV startup Rivian revealed its R1T electric pickup toward the end of 2018 with a claimed 0-60 time of 3 seconds and a towing capability of 11,000 pounds. Preproduction began in September 2020 at RivianÂ’s factory in Normal, Illinois. Bollinger Motors B2 Bollinger Motors B2 side outdoors View 31 Photos BollingerÂ’s B2 electric pickup is a Class 3 off-roader with retro styling, removable roof panels, and a unique “frunkgate” with a pass-through down the center of the vehicle. It was created with both enthusiasts and workers in mind, with features that can get it to remote places (portal axles, hydro-pneumatic suspension) and to get things done (room for 40 2x4s, equipped with eight 110-volt outlets and one 220-volt outlet). Bollinger also plans to make the B2 Chassis Cab available for fleet customization. Ford F-150 Electric Electric Ford F-150 Towing View 9 Photos WeÂ’ve known this to be in the works since early 2019. Since then, details have trickled out. Back in June, Ford announced its F-150 Electric would be coming within two years. WeÂ’ve seen it pull a million pounds worth of train and trucks, heard it will have more power than any other F-150, and seen its LED-laden front end.

Tesla goes Down Under December 9th

Not too long after Tesla stepped in to scoop up some of the engineers left behind as Ford, GM and Toyota announced shuttering production Down Under, the California-based EV company will start selling its Model S in Australia. Beginning Tuesday, December 9, sales will begin in Sydney, bringing a California-style plug-in change to the country's automotive landscape. The Model S will start at $81,729 US in Australia. Come Tuesday, we can expect to hear what Tesla's plans are in regard to distribution, creating charging networks and the like. So far, we know that its Supercharger network will likely be powered at least in part by solar energy and that the first Model S deliveries will go to solar-powered homes. This isn't surprising, considering the company's ties to SolarCity, for whom Tesla will set aside a certain amount of battery production in its Reno-based Gigafactory. If Tesla's solar strategy is successful, it could open up conversations about larger-scale reliance on renewable energy in Australia. We'll have to wait and see. The Model S will start at $97,245 ($81,729 US) in Australia, and that includes taxes and registration fees, but customers outside of the Australian Capital Territory could see their base prices start at over $103,000. Tesla believes, though, that its prices will be competitive with the other big players in Australia's luxury segment. Right now, there are still a lot of questions to be answered regarding Tesla's future in Australia. Some of those answers should arrive next week, while we'll just have to wait for the market to respond for others. If you'd like to be part of that market, head on over to Tesla's Australia page. Featured Gallery Tesla Model S View 24 Photos News Source: Clean TechnicaImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Drew Phillips / AOL Green Tesla Electric Solar Cars supercharger gigafactory sydney