Can I top Tesla

1
Can I top Tesla?

• Tesla Roadster vs Opel Corsa Lite

2
Problem statement

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

3
Outline of this presentation

• 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

4
Issues to consider

• Car specifications in the light of
• My requirements
• Feasibility and sustainability
• Responsible citizenship

5
Tesla Roadster

http//news.com.com/2300-11386_3-6096355-4.html?ta
gne.gall.pg
6
Opel Corsa Lite
http//www.reeds.co.za/corsalite.php
7
Specifications Engine
8
Acceleration
9
Top speed
10
Power
11
Specifications Fuel
12
Specifications Price

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

13
Specifications Utility
14
Energy efficiency

• An engine converts input energy into a form
  usable to the car.
• 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
15
Energy efficiency

• The energy efficiency is the ratio between the
  usable output energy and the input energy.
• Efficiency Useful output x 100
• Input

16
Energy efficiency Petrol engine

• 20 of input energy is outputted usefully
• 80 of input energy is wasted in output

useful
Output energy
Input energy
Petrol Engine
wasted
17
Energy efficiency Electric motor

• 95 of input energy is outputted usefully
• 5 of input energy is wasted in output

useful
Output energy
Input energy
Electric Motor
wasted
18
Environmental impact of fossil fuel combustion

• Fossil fuels consist largely of Carbon, which
  burns to produce CO2, a greenhouse gas which
  contributes to global warming by trapping the
  long waves of earths radiation in.
• Burning fossil fuels usually also forms
  pollutants e.g. SO2, smog and NO2, which are
  poisonous.

19
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.
• However, electricity can be produced in more
  environmentally friendly ways than fossil fuel
  combustion (e.g. hydro-electric, wind, solar,
  geothermal power).
• Also, even if the electricity extracted was
  generated from fossil fuels, the electric motors
  higher energy efficiency means less pollution
  needs be formed for a certain output.

20
My requirements

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

21
Roadster strengths
22
Roadster weaknesses
23
Corsa Lite strengths
24
Corsa Lite weaknesses
25
My decision

• 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.

26
My decision

• 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 Roadsters
  limited range, long recharge times, and my long
  distance travelling need.

27
My decision

• 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.