New 'affordable' Tesla Model 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35940302

I do like the look of this especially the profile of the car, 0-60 sub 6secs not too shabby either with a range of 215miles. Looks like a 5 door amalgamation and hotch potch of the Laguna and Jaguar.

I hope Tesla can survive.

I trust they have bought enough Lithium to build the batteries. The price should start to come down once he's building a few more of them, but looking to treble his production this year... could be interesting.

Looks pretty good, and has enough range and performance to persuade people, I think. If only the UK price doesn't equal the US price, with $ crossed out and £ written in with crayon.

Unsurprisingly, range anxiety has proven to be the biggest single drawback to my parents' ownership experience with their e-UP! If (and it's by no means a certainty), the range of this Tesla is routinely achievable, then it could signal a new push forward for EVs.
As you say, though, Barnacle, the idiotic $:£ parity trick needs to vanish if it's to become truly "affordable".

That and a doubling of the UK power generation/distribution system, and brace yourself for an increase in costs to replace the £26B in fuel duty that won't be received, if electric cars go mainstream...

Well, obviously...!

Although, there will be (presumably) some long-term benefits that might mitigate for the loss of fuel duty.

The way the economy is going we may well be pound for dollar before you know it....

It was close to parity in 1984-85 during the unrest of the miners’ strike. The pound had been wavering just below the $1.40 mark for several months when, in late June 1984, it slid below. It made its way lower for a period of several months, before reaching an eventual low of $1.04 on February 26, 1985.

Source Money Week in 2013.

they need to incorporate solar panels into the vehicles somehow to top up the batteries, as most cars are stationary/parked up for long periods, also may be used for emergency charging (just don't run out of juice at night)

A guy at work just got the Tesla S on Wednesday, only option he went for was the auto-pilot or self drive thing whatever it's called.
It does actually work, used it on the motorway from Birmingham to Banbury then on the country roads Banbury to Brackley.
As long as the car can see the road ahead it works, it does switch off when going over the brow of of a steep because it can't see the rest of the road.
As for the range it's just the same as any other car, manufacture states xxx miles and the car does a bit less.

There's just one small problem: surface area of a car is about 5 square meters, to be generous. Insolation is a maximum of about 800W at these latitudes; solar panel efficiency is at best 15% or so. That means you can generate a maximum of 5 * 800 * 0.15 * 12 = 7.2kWh or somewhat under a tenth of a charge... it helps, but it's not sufficient in itself.

What you need is (a) a roof full of panels - 50 square metres or so - and (b) two cars, so you can drive one while the other charges

How much is an actual charge when out and about, saw one at my local Asda and there's one on the M20 services coast bound?

Ecotricity provide charges free. One issue is the lack of a standardised charging system. VW has a different one from Renault/Nissan for instance, meaning that some users can't benefit from the most rapid charging (the only one worthwhile whilst on a journey - unless you like 3-hour stops at services).

Another issue is non-EV drivers parking in the allocated charging spaces. One bloke got really angry when my (80-year-old) Dad asked if he'd mind moving so he could get to the charger.

There is one in our local Morrisons carpark.

I have yet to see an electric car charging at it. As it's near the entrance and by the disabled and parent and child bays, it is always being used by non-electric vehicles.

I guess it depends where you are, plenty of electric cars and teslas in MK - Tesla regularly display in the shopping centre.

But, you get free parking (£2 per hour) and a free charge so it seems well worth having one here

I have just invented a portable charging unit that can be plugged into any 240 socket.
It's not rocket science!

Went out in the Tesla today, it's got some poke.
Can only describe it as a 'magic carpet' feel. No noise one gear and instant shove.
Used the auto pilot thingy, seems odd the car steering and breaking itself.

What model?

interesting review here ... click

Tesla S, just the base model