2018 Tesla Model S P100d Ludicrous+ Full Self Driving $98k Msrp on 2040-cars

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Ecotricity says Tesla acting the bully in UK supercharging situation

As Tesla Motors stands ready to expand its presence in the oh-so-polite UK, green-energy company Ecotricity is accusing the California-based automaker of being a little less than civilized. The term bullying is being thrown around, and Ecotricity founder Dale Vince told The Guardian that Tesla's communication was "very dark", "shocking" and "brutal." All in the name of some well-placed Supercharger stations. Ecotricity says it had been in talks with Tesla about collaborating on charging station locations. Tesla is looking to deploy the first part of its UK Superchager network this month, but Ecotricity now says it was contacted by Tesla saying that Tesla was going to take over many of Ecotrocity's prime sites, according to The Guardian. Moreover, Tesla is taking advantage of information gleaned from a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), Ecotricity alleges. Tesla did not respond to our request for comment on this issue. Tesla said at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year that it would significantly expand its Supercharger network throughout Europe in 2014 as it introduces the right-hand-drive version of the Model S sedan to the UK. Ecotricity, which specializes in getting its energy from renewable sources, said in February that it would start offering the UK's electric-vehicle drivers 1,000 miles of free fast charging annually on Ecotricity's so-called Electric Highway. The company said at the time that it aimed to deploy fast-charging stations at 90 percent of service stations along UK highways. Tesla sold its first EV, the Roadster, in the UK all the way back in 2010.

Aston Martin CEO calls Tesla Model S 'Ludicrous' mode stupid

To be fair, some would say paying as much as a quarter-million dollars for a car in itself qualifies as "ludicrous." But the CEO of Aston Martin, a company that is readying a pricier electric-vehicle competitor to the Tesla Model S, didn't mince words in discussing Tesla's newest gizmo that can propel the sedan from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than three seconds. In fact, Andy Palmer, Aston's CEO, prefers a slightly more balanced approach. Palmer was quoted in Automotive News as saying that Tesla's Ludicrous Mode was "stupid." He added that he'd rather have an electric vehicle that could last "a few laps of a decent race course" instead of one that does its best imitation of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Palmer also took to his Twitter account to note, among other things, that the Aston's "insane mode comes as standard - no button required." Aston Martin said earlier this week that it planned to make a battery-electric variant of its Rapide Sedan. That model will have 800 horsepower as well as a 200-mile single-charge range. The car will also cost between $200,000 and $250,000, or about twice the cost of a top-of-the-line Model S. As for the Tesla, its Ludicrous mode was announced last month for the Model S and it will eventually be added to the Model X for those who are big on flipping SUVs. Tesla said that the feature cuts the sedan's 0-60 mpg time to a tidy 2.8 seconds, though the option does cost about $10,000. Which is probably about the price of an Aston Martin door handle. Featured Gallery 2015 Aston Martin Rapide S View 32 Photos News Source: Automotive News (subs req'd) Green Aston Martin Tesla Electric ludicrous mode

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Launches In Australia, Model S makes for a popular limo

A Chicago limousine company that uses the Tesla Model S in its fleet is finding demand overwhelming. E-Motion Chauffeurs and Hires introduced six Model S EVs to its lineup in October, which resulted in the company's website server crashing due to high demand. "We are completely booked and I've been looking for other Tesla owners to try to cover some of our overflows," says E-Motion owner Abdullah Illahi. E-Motion has ordered another six of the all-wheel-drive P85D model, set to arrive in January. Illahi says that he chose the Model S in order to gain a competitive edge, as it is a car customers would find interesting. It also has the benefit of lower operating costs than traditionally fueled vehicles. Read more at Hybrid Cars. The province of Quebec is offering EV incentives, as well as penalties based on engine size. Quebec is offering an $8,000 (about $6,997 US) rebate for EV purchases, plus up to $1,000 ($874) toward the installation of a home charger. The government is also imposing additional registration fees for traditional vehicles based on the size of their engines beginning in 2016 (on top of the ones already in place). This will mean that cars with engines displacing 4.0 to 4.9 liters will be charged an extra $50, 5.0 to 5.9 liters an extra $100, and cars with engines larger than 6.0 liters will cost an added $200 to register. Read more at Montreal Gazette or at Green Car Reports. Battery company Seeo has closed a successful round of investment funding. Samsung Ventures, Khosla Ventures and GSR Ventures all invested in Seeo, making this funding round it largest yet. Seeo will use the money it secured to commercialize its DryLyte lithium polymer batteries. The solid polymer electrolyte in these batteries is especially energy-dense, and or not flammable or volatile. Seeo also claims they are lighter and longer lasting than other lithium batteries. Read more in the press release below. Tesla has officially launched in Australia. The company delivered the first nine units of its Model S EV to customers on Tuesday, December 9, with more to come on Wednesday and beyond. Tesla powered up its first Superchargers at the Star and Darling Hotel at Pyrmont and at the North Sydney Retail and Service Center. Wednesday, Telsa will open its first store and service center in St Leonards, Sydney. By the end of 2015, Tesla will have stores in Sydney and Melbourne, and a Supercharger network connecting Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.