I’ve updated the cost comparison spreadsheet (link below). A few notes:

1- Maintenance costs were never calculated in the initial spreadsheet. There was a placeholder for them, but perhaps I decided to leave them out of the calculation due to uncertainty with the EV costs. (So, initial benefit to the gasmobiles there.)

A study on the difference in costs was recently published on this matter, so the maintenance costs are now based on that, and included in the calculation.

2- Projected battery replacement costs are now included, based on projections by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. (They don’t really change much. The EV savings at 9 years go from $20,746 to $17,896. Not insignificant, but insignifiant when it comes to which car wins based on price alone.)

3- I’ve put a call-out for more input on the assumptions used, and I’ll soon do comparisons with more competitive EVs (the Ford Focus Electric isn’t exactly the most competitive EV on the market. ;D) Thanks for pushing me to do better calculations… which I imagine are simply going to put EVs in better light. But we’ll see….

Link to the spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AsDzwXJeEr1pdDVxT245YWlMLXBPWFF2enB4NjFEeHc#gid=0

Apparently Broder drove differently, went further, went faster.

Broder did not report that he went further, went faster.

But if Tesla’s data is true, the differences with Broder’s account are slight and have no bearing on the basic truth highlighted by the article, which is that a driver won’t get the range promised by Tesla in cold weather; that it’s so-called “supercharger” network is spread too thin; and that Tesla’s tech “support” borders on brain dead.

Elon Musk’s subsequent behavior sends a devastating message: Argue with the company, and they’ll blame all problems on the user and send their Scientology-like zombie cult out to destroy your reputation. Could you imagine being an ordinary customer trying to deal with Tesla? God help you!

But if, for purposes of argument, we accept the authenticity of what Tesla claims to be the record of the reporter’s drive, any discrepancies are immaterial. The story was about the difference bwteen the driving range claimed by Tesla and what actually happens in the real world — not just in the car itself, but with respect to the company’s tech support and its network of so-called superchargers.

The fact is that Tesla’s Model S delivers no more than two-thirds of the promised range on a cold day, and that you’re in real trouble if you leave it outside on a cold night. The “superchargers” on the East Coast are spaced too far apart, and Tesla’s customer service people are borderline morons. The CEO is a cranky billionaire who thinks he’s God’s gift to the world, and he’s supported by a cult-like group of followers who could double as Scientologists.

Whether the reporter drove 45 or 54 miles an hour doesn’t matter, and neither does Tesla’s claim about how warm or how cold the cabin was.

“I began following Tesla’s range-maximization guidelines, which meant dispensing with such battery-draining amenities as warming the cabin and keeping up with traffic. I turned the climate control to low — the temperature was still in the 30s — and planted myself in the far right lane with the cruise control set at 54 miles per hour (the speed limit is 65). Buicks and 18-wheelers flew past, their drivers staring at the nail-polish-red wondercar with California dealer plates.

Nearing New York, I made the first of several calls to Tesla officials about my creeping range anxiety. The woman who had delivered the car told me to turn off the cruise control; company executives later told me that advice was wrong. All the while, my feet were freezing and my knuckles were turning white.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/automobiles/stalled-on-the-ev-highway.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

The driving distance from Washington, D.C. to New York City (midtown) is approximately 225 miles.

Now you look at the data logs posted above. Do you see him driving 54 miles per hour? Do you see the cabin temperature dropping to a foot-freezing temp?

He didn’t fail to full charge when required. He charged to 90% partly because he was warned that charging to 100% would damage the battery. Oooh, and he actually wanted to use the heater! What a sin. Hey, Tesla, my EV has a heater. Doesn’t yours?

I think Tesla’s response is just pathetic. They are soooooo typical computer company here. The customer as beta tester, and all problems are “user error.” If there was ever a reason to buy an EV from a real car company instead of a Silicon Valley vaporware merchant, this incident certainly provides it!

Broder reported that he drove the route and a manner which should have gotten him to his destination. He, in fact, drove extra miles, drove at higher speeds, failed to fully charge when required, and cranked the heater up to “hot”.

The he lied about what he did.

A: Someone who wants to meet a tow-truck driver.

Q: Who fills their car all the way up during a pit-stop on a road trip?

A: Everybody but Broader.

Most people don’t consider making a point that important.

But as a reporter for a very major media outlet he shouldn’t be allowed to lie.

Now it’s time to see if the NYT cuts the cheese….

Every one of these variables has an effect on ANY VEHICLES range and I don’t care if its powered by gasoline, diesel, natural gas, horse poop or electricity. It’s like the EPA saying my car should get 40 MPG but it is only getting 36 MPG therefor this thing is a piece of junk. As the owner of that 36 MPG piece of junk should I demand that it be written up in the N.Y,Times. Of course not – no one would even read the story. When you give a vehicle to someone to test they will test it until it fails. That is what people do – not everyone is going to TRY to achieve the stated mileage. Its like a tire manufacturer – they advertise their tire can achieve 40,000 miles before wearing out. Does that mean that will ALWAYS be the case – of course not.

You know what, I bet this guy drives his gasoline powered vehicle right pass 5 gas stations when the gas gauge tells him its time to refuel. He must because he ignored repeated warnings of a low battery. And really, you didn’t know that cold temperatures effects gasoline or electricity use. If you are that dumb, please let me know when you drive so we don’t share the same road.

I don’t know about most of the people who blog on this site but I don’t want this kind of guy driving my new car. He doesn’t strike me as the sharpest cheddar in the deli case since he willfully ignored numerous instructions and vehicle warnings. And please don’t tell me this guy is typical – you know the type – they ignore dashboard warning lights and low tire pressure monitor system warnings too. It is unfortunate but I think we have just found another flaw in our society – we give people like this drivers licenses, LOL.

I hope everyone can see the humor in this. People in American love this kind of stuff – I mean the 15 minutes of fame stuff. We even have TV shows built around watching people failing and laugh at them. In my opinion there has been WAY TOO much written about this event. But of course the N.Y. Times loves it – it sells papers. The author loves it – they are getting their 15 minutes of fame and Tesla of course appreciates all the free press.

So if you buy a new car and EXPECT it to ACHIEVE the advertised EPA rating – I have some wonderful swamp land for sale I would like to discuss with you, LOL.