The development of new technology in electric cars has sparked much interest, not only with the public but with SAIT’s automotive service faculty. GLENN KELLY PHOTO

The Model S roadster from Tesla Motors is an impressive all-electric vehicle that has pushed modern day engineering limits far beyond any other fully electric car on the road today.

But will society accept a fully electric car and more importantly, is an electric vehicle practical for every day usage?

The Tesla Model S has several battery load-out options to choose from: 40, 60 and 85 kilowatt batteries as well as an 85 kilowatt performance battery.

The top range of 480 kilometers would get you from Calgary to Sicamous, BC in one charge.

And after it’s drained, a high powered 240 volt wall connector promises to charge your Tesla’s car battery system in less than four hours.

According to teslamotors.com, reservations sold out even before 2012 production had begun.  More reservations will be available by the end of January with an asking price starting at US $49,400.

The “Signature Performance” vehicle load-out for the Tesla Model S, essentially all the bells and whistles that Tesla Motors can offer with this car, will set the intrepid enthusiast back a cool US $97,900.

There is also a danger with driving an electric car because once it runs out of energy, getting more power while the car is in the middle of nowhere can be extremely difficult.

Unfortunately, it isn’t technologically possible to transport battery energy as conveniently as gasoline, so all-electric car owners will need to plan ahead when taking extended road trips.

In other words, make sure your electric car is near an electrical wall outlet when your battery gets low.

The Ford motor company’s mass production of gas powered vehicles during the 1920s flushed out electric vehicles from the market economy and secured the down-but-not-out existence of electric cars until today.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) conducted a study in 2009 involving the business feasibility of car battery technology. One of the findings concluded, “The electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery businesses hold the promise of large potential profits for both incumbents and new players; however, investing in these technologies entails substantial risks.”

SAIT students’ opinions were cautious towards all-electric vehicles, with many interested in the technology but turned off for economic reasons.

Steamfitter and pipefitter student Jacob MacPherson said he might look into upgrading if gas prices rise too high.

“But for now, my gas powered truck is way better,” said MacPherson. “I would worry about running out of energy [in an electric car] because you can’t carry energy in a jug like gasoline.”

Accounting for oil and gas production student Johana De Gracia said she would like to own an electric model, but can not afford to.

“I would probably go for a hybrid vehicle first,” said De Gracia. “I would feel safer with a hybrid and I would be worried about running out of electricity.”

SAIT dean of transportation Brian Moukperian said, “All-electric vehicles are pretty cutting edge and I think society is about five years away from fully accepting such a vehicle.”

“I think the Tesla Model S’s range is an acceptable amount at 480 kilometers,” said Moukperian. “The big question is, can you park in a place where you can charge your car while you work so you can get home after?”

“I always look at the practical means for a vehicle.  A [gas-electric] hybrid system on a truck was a very big step for society to take and it’s going to be a while before an all-electric vehicle system becomes mainstream.”

“Even if one out of a thousand cars on the road today were electric, it would still be pre-mature for us to introduce electric car training in SAIT’s curriculum,” said Moukperian. “We are just now thinking about introducing a module on hybrid vehicles for students to train on, so fully electric vehicle training is a ways off still.”

Tesla Motors was founded in 2003, and based in Palo Alto, California by, “A group of Silicon Valley engineers who set out to prove that electric vehicles could be awesome.”

Tesla Motors has 18 stores in North America that will offer the Tesla Model S with one location in Toronto.  Production will begin this year.

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