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Tesla is the new “Eco-friendly”

Tesla is an innovation to automobiles, created not only to help the environment but to give the driver a joy ride. With smooth travel and a design that is both aerodynamic and appealing to the eye, Tesla cars are the new and smarter way of becoming eco-friendly.

Tesla motors CEO and Chairman Elon Musk, along with the rest of the workers, have come up with exhilarating designs that both eliminate the dependence on gasoline and are a luxury to the driver.

These cars are sold all over the world, starting in the United States and working their way to Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. Tesla Motors has become very popular around the world since the company’s start-up in 2003.

Tesla Motors was created to commercialize electric vehicles (EV’s), starting with sports cars and then moving towards mainstream vehicles like sedans and affordable compacts.

This car is worth purchasing because of the fuel efficiency, but it may put a dent in your pocket. The first car designed by Musk was the Tesla Roadster in 2006, starting at $109,000. This car resembles a sports car, so the price would be expected to be high.

The newest model, Model 3, will appear on the market in 2017 with a price ranging between $30,000 and $40,000 possibly resembling a minivan, crossover SUV or even a truck.

I personally am starting to think about what type of car I want to buy in the future. The fact that an affordable compact is going on the market around the time I will be able to drive, I would try to buy a car that is both cheap and environmental.

The eco-friendliness doesn’t compromise the safety of Tesla vehicles, however, and the Model S (another Tesla EV) has a safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTAS).

With its electric drivetrain sitting beneath the car’s aluminum cell in the subframe, the center of gravity in the car is lowered, which improves rollover risks and replaces heavy engine blocks with boron steel rails. This car protects the battery pack and occupants with aluminum pillars reinforced with improving intrusion and roof stiffness.

Autopilot is also a feature of the Model S, allowing cars to automatically change lanes and speed to match traffic flow.

This accessory of the Tesla isn’t always reliable because it may not always be safe, with possible circuit malfunction and stopping at undesignated times (or not at all). Accidents could possibly happen, and eyes should be kept on the road and hands on the wheel at all times.

As an EV, Tesla cars have to recharge for use again. The battery pack in all Tesla vehicles uses lithium-ion cells, just like batteries in people’s smartphones. Tesla is a very good start to becoming a completely eco-friendly car. The development of these EVs is another step closer to allowing us to travel at little cost to the environment.

Electric vehicles definitely save the user money. With the quick and easy access to a socket at the driver’s home, a driver doesn’t always have to make pit-stops at a gas station.

There are Power Stations across the world to fill up on electricity for these types of cars, making it easier for drivers who are trying to be more eco-friendly. The number of stations still doesn’t compare, however, to the number of gas stations.

The smart way to fix this problem is to set up more power stations around the world, and more gas stations should be shut down. For this to happen though, more people have to switch the EV’s.

Tesla motors aren’t the only ones out there with the idea of eco-friendly cars, however. Tesla’s main competitor is the Chevrolet Volt.

There is already a clear winner though: the Tesla. In comparison with the Chevrolet Volt, the charging time may take longer, but the battery lasts longer.

For a Tesla vehicle, it would take 52 hours to generate an average full charge of 220 miles, using a regular socket. There are quicker methods, but more money would have to be spent.

The charging time for a Chevrolet Volt is 16 hours, but it only gives the car 38 miles. If the battery runs low the car will automatically switch to gasoline.

EV’s should eliminate the use of gas at all cost, so users won’t be able to switch back to gas when their battery runs out. The reason why the Chevrolet Volt doesn’t have that long of a battery span in the first place is because the battery doesn’t have as much lithium-ion cells in the pack. The car switches to gas as a replacement when the short life span of the battery runs out.

As for the price of the car, the Chevrolet Volt wins. Starting at $34,670, this is a big difference from Tesla vehicles, which could mean that it’s the more preferable choice for many drivers.

Even though Tesla Motors is trying to make a new model in 2017 between the price of $30,000 and $40,000, it may never fully catch up with cheaper models, like the Chevrolet Volt, because the company is starting so late trying to make an affordable EV.

More people should consider buying a Tesla, or at least buying one in the future if they can’t afford one now.

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About the Contributor
Freddy Roberts
Freddy Roberts, PSA managing editor
Freddy Roberts is currently a senior at Middletown High School. This is his sixth semester in journalism, and will be interning with the instructor next semester. Freddy is an avid journalist who loves to write and is interested in film study. Freddy is also currently a part of the Frederick News Post internship where he was chosen to write two profiles on CTE alumni. He is known for his ideographlm study skills and has been hired for many side jobs. Freddy has been a part of the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for two years and has been to JEA Conventions and even New York City. Freddy is a key member for the live-stream producing of the morning announcements and the Game of the Week, hoping to continue his work with live-streaming and hopefully broaden his abilities in journalism. He plans to apply to an internship with Fox in the next upcoming year. Freddy’s major upcoming plans include applying to three of the service academies, hoping to continue his studies through the military. Freddy finally enjoys running cross country and pole vaulting, working at the Main Cup and spending time with family and friends.

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Tesla is the new “Eco-friendly”