What if the 85 kWh Tesla Model S with 300 miles of range were the same price as a LEAF? [Photo Credit: Tesla Motors]

I know, it’s not always the most productive thing to engage in speculative thinking – but it sure can be fun ;-)

So here we go with some admittedly wildly speculative, probably even a bit “pipe-dreamy”, EV fantasizing ->

What if the incredibly hot Tesla Model S 85 kWh model – which can zip from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds, which has an EPA-rated range of 265 miles per charge, and, unfortunately, for which one currently needs to be able to plunk down nearly $90,000 -- were actually affordable, say around $30k, post tax credit, or about the price of a Nissan LEAF, what then?

If it were – and I’m not saying it’s going to happen any time soon, though, damn!, I sure wish it would! C’mon America’s rich, buy a Model S and push the things toward economies of scale so the rest of us can afford one – I’m thoroughly convinced it would change E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

Here’s why -->

No more $#%* range anxiety. Okay, there’d still be a few who would insist they “need” 400, 500 miles per charge, but the vast majority of Americans would be satisfied with 300 miles per charge + strategically placed fast-charging stations along America’s interstate highways and in urban corridors. And, BTW, the rest of the things on this list – they really don’t matter in comparison to the goodbye to range anxiety thing. This – plus the current premium price for an EV, and remember we’re talking about a fantasy world in which the 85 kWh Model S is affordable -- are absolutely, positively, the biggest things keeping America from dumping gasoline like it’s so yesterday (it is!) and enthusiastically plugging into EVs.

Convenience. Yup, it’s a pain in the ass to pump gas, and damn smelly too! With an EV, you kiss this all goodbye. And, with an affordable Tesla 85 kWh Model S – with 300 miles of range, it would finally seem worth it to so many more Americans than it does now to actually take the chance and give the whole plug-it-in-at-home gig a real whirl.

Electric cars are smoother, better, more efficient, more technologically advanced. No current plug-in on the market can come close to the Tesla Model S in terms of sophisticated, elegant design and technology. An affordable 85 kWh Tesla Model S would introduce millions of Americans to the superior driving experience delivered by EVs in a way no other EV could match. Indeed, if you think the whole “you won’t ever go back to gas after you’ve driven electric” has pull now – and, believe me, it does -- WOW!, with an affordable 85 kWh Model S this whole “once you’ve gone electric you’ll never go back” thing would take off as quickly as, well, the lightning fast Signature Performance Model S, which streaks from 0 to 60 in an eye-popping and serious G-force inducing 4.4 seconds!

It’s beautiful – and practical. The Tesla Model S ain’t no ugly duckling LEAF. It’s got sleek, fast, European-style auto design lines that are bound to please just about everyone – except, of course, for the EV techno-nerds who prefer that their EV to scream ugly-duckling-ness ;-). And, you can actually get your whole family into the thing! Tesla claims you can stuff 7 adults into the Model S. That seems a bit of a stretch. But it’s pretty clear that seating a family of five will be no problem for the Model S.

So, there you have it, how, and why, an affordable 85 kWh Tesla Model S would change E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

Fantasy?

Sure. But it’s not as wild and crazy as you might think, and, assuming Tesla manages to get things revving – and, man, how can any true EV fan not hope this, indeed, not pray for it every day! -- it might not be as far off as you, or I, might think.

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