More than any car I’ve seen or driven, the Tesla Model 3 is unusually susceptible to curb rash on both passenger side rims. This can be attributed to the fact that the metal rims stick out farther than the rubber and also to the important subtlety that the design of the Model 3 makes it feel like a much smaller, sportier car.
As we turned out of the dealership for my second 2018 Nissan LEAF test drive, I touched the ProPILOT Assist button. That little press of the button put me on high alert. Yes, that is the opposite of what it is for — but with self-driving technologies, don’t we all have nervous beginnings? It is my first time driving towards our autonomous future, the future that I seem to read about several times a week now.
“A New Reality: Human Evolution for a Sustainable Future” by Jonas Salk and his son, Jonathan, argues that population control is essential to save the planet.
After 10 days with a used Nissan LEAF, I am pleased to say the car has exceeded my expectations in every way. I am now firmly committed to the electric car lifestyle.
My first impressions of owning my first EV are — it’s great!
Our local Tesla Shuttle arm in Poland has been operating for over a year. One of our co-founders, Tomek Gać, has also had a Nissan LEAF for years and he recently test drove the new Nissan LEAF and the Jaguar I-PACE. We decided to have a long chat about our experiences with the Tesla Model S, some of our experiences with Tesla Shuttle (which is now in operation in Europe and the USA), how the new Nissan LEAF & Jaguar I-PACE compare to Tesla vehicles, and how adequate they may be for “average people” — not just EV fanatics.
Electric vehicle activist, early adopter, and now Model 3 owner Paul Fosse was kind enough to take his fresh Tesla Model 3 an hour or so south to let me drive it. He also brought along some friends and their Model 3 for double the chocolate, double the fun. (Actually, I think no chocolate was involved — whoops.)
We took delivery of our Tesla Model 3 last week, and even as a long-time Tesla driver, there were a number of things that stood out — some positive, and a few not so much.
I’ll start out with the fact that Tesla cheats. In fact, so do all fully electric vehicles to some extent. Build an EV and put the battery pack on the floor — instant superior handling is obtained by simple physics. Then, add a silent, dutifully designed and powerful electric motor, and gas cars don’t have a chance. We all have heard about EVs’ low maintenance and instant torque. Put all of this into a low-cost, attractive package and the modern electric vehicle should sell itself. And indeed, this is the tale of Tesla’s success with the Model 3.
The Tesla Model 3 has been shipping for just over a year now in a single powertrain configuration — the Long Range version with the Performance Upgrade Package. Tesla shared that the focus on versions of the car with higher profit margins was key to ramping up production in a financially wise way — leading to what it hopes to be the start of sustainable profitability in Q3 of this year.
