Can I top Tesla Tesla Roadster vs Opel

Can I top Tesla? Tesla Roadster vs Opel Corsa Lite

Problem statement n. A donor is offering me a Tesla Roadster or any other car. I must choose.

Outline of this presentation n n n Issues to consider Specifications of the cars under consideration: Tesla Roadster and Corsa Lite Environmental considerations My requirements Strengths and weaknesses in my context My decision

Issues to consider Car specifications in the light of: n My requirements n Feasibility and sustainability n Responsible citizenship

Tesla Roadster http: //news. com/2300 -11386_3 -6096355 -4. html? tag=ne. gall. pg

Opel Corsa Lite http: //www. reeds. co. za/corsalite. php

Specifications: Engine Roadster Corsa Lite Top speed 220 km/h 166 km/h Acceleration 6, 9 m/s/s 2, 3 m/s/s Power 180 k. W 65 k. W

Acceleration

Top speed

Power

Specifications: Fuel Roadster Corsa Lite Fuel type electricity petrol Efficiency 95% 20% Cost / km 4 c/km 30 c/km Refuel time 3, 5 hours recharge per 400 km 10 minutes refuel per 500 km

Specifications: Price The donor is willing to donate either car to me. I, though, could possibly resell the car of my choice.

Specifications: Utility Roadster Corsa Lite Seating capacity Boot capacity 2 4 140 litres 260 litres Status level high low Purpose Sports car Small city car

Energy efficiency n An engine converts input energy into a form usable to the car. n Energy cannot be created or destroyed, so the engine outputs as much energy as was input. However, only some of this is useful. Input energy Engine Output energy

Energy efficiency n The energy efficiency is the ratio between the usable output energy and the input energy. n Efficiency = Useful output x 100% Input

Energy efficiency: Petrol engine n 20% of input energy is outputted usefully n 80% of input energy is ‘wasted’ in output Output energy Input energy useful Petrol Engine wasted

Energy efficiency: Electric motor n 95% of input energy is outputted usefully n 5% of input energy is ‘wasted’ in output Output energy Input energy useful Electric Motor wasted

Environmental impact of fossil fuel combustion n Fossil fuels consist largely of Carbon, which burns to produce CO 2, a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming by trapping the long waves of earth’s radiation in. n Burning fossil fuels usually also forms pollutants e. g. SO 2, smog and NO 2, which are poisonous.

Environmental impact: electric vehicles (e. g. Roadster) No combustion in engine, therefore no exhaust fumes, but generation of electricity for powering vehicle may involve fossil fuel combustion. n However, electricity can be produced in more environmentally friendly ways than fossil fuel combustion (e. g. hydro-electric, wind, solar, geothermal power). n Also, even if the electricity extracted was generated from fossil fuels, the electric motor’s higher energy efficiency means less pollution needs be formed for a certain output. n

My requirements n Cheap long distance and in-town travel. n Boot and passenger space for at least two passengers.

Roadster: strengths Strength Relevance to my context Environmentally friendly Important for me to be a responsible citizen, but otherwise has little direct impact on me Extremely cheap to run Very desirable High acceleration rate; higher power and top speeds than Corsa Nice, but unnecessary, features High status appearance Not important to me

Roadster: weaknesses Weakness Relevance to my context Needs to be charged for 3, 5 h each 400 km, and specialised equipment needed for recharge I need to be able to drive long distances (e. g. 700 km) per day. South Africa does not yet have electric recharge stations Limited boot space, and only 2 seats I need more boot and passenger space Very high initial cost Donation makes this personally irrelevant except for resale, in which case this is a strength

Corsa Lite: strengths Strength Relevance to my context Compared to other While not as environmentally petrol cars has a low friendly and cost-effective in petrol consumption rate running as Roadster, positive relative to other petrol cars More boot and passenger space than Roadster A necessary feature Refuelling much quicker A necessary feature for long and easier than distance driving Roadster

Corsa Lite: weaknesses Weakness Relevance to my context Lower power, top speed and acceleration than Roadster Lower status value than Roadster Not very important to me More expensive to run, and A pity, but at least less environmentally expensive to run and more friendly than Roadster environmentally friendly than other petrol cars

My decision n If I may resell my choice, I would choose the Tesla Roadster, and then sell it, using a little of the money to buy a Corsa Lite.

My decision n If I may not resell the car I choose and the donation is to be made now, I would choose the Corsa Lite, mainly because of the Roadster’s limited range, long recharge times, and my long distance travelling need.

My decision n If the donation does not allow for resale, and is to be made after battery powered car technology has increased range between recharges and South Africa has developed electric recharge stations, I might choose the Roadster, mainly because of its low running cost and environmental friendliness. This would especially be so if a 4 -seat version of the Roadster were developed.