Tesla vs camels: Showdown in the desert
The tight grip that camels have traditionally held on oil-free driving in the sandy lands of the United Arab Emirates may be loosening. Although those iconic ships-of-the-desert have long held sway for those who did not want to be beholden to oil companies, vehicles from Tesla Motors may soon begin impinging on their turf. Not only is Tesla in talks to supply sedans to act as beasts of burden, carrying visitors and their baggage about, but they may also be getting a toe-hold in another historic camel arena, racing.
Tesla is in talks with separate ventures in Abu Dhabi and Qatar who would both like to set up electric car championships. Could that happen? Tesla's Simon Rochefort said, "The two investor groups are very serious about this, and these projects have a real chance of coming through." The other major deal involves a company who wants a couple dozen Roadsters to offer as rental vehicles for a renewable enery-powered resort located on an island they are currently building. That's in addition to the Roadsters they'd like to pair up with properties they will have available for sale. To top it all off, the un-named company also wants 100 future sedans to operate as Tesla taxis. But how well can this new camel competitor handle the sandy environment? This video may offer a clue.
[Source: The National via Tesla Motors Club]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
realistic_idealist 6:54PM (1/26/2009)
man, i'd rather take a camel ride any day over trying to stick my luggage in taxi with that tiny space Tesla calls a trunk, both front and rear ones.
actually a camel may be worth more than one of their accessories upgrade$. maybe someone should start a camel taxi parade service to tesla motors HQ...
Reply
Chris M 8:29PM (1/26/2009)
They aren't planning on using the 2 seat Roadster for taxi service, they plan to use the upcoming Model S Sedan instead. That's what it said in the article, you must have missed that part. Since Tesla hasn't exhibited the Model S yet, it is silly to assume the trunk is "tiny".
The Tesla Roadster trunk may be small, but just try fitting anything into a camel...
realistic_idealist 3:51AM (1/27/2009)
@Chris M.
You're right I read "sedans" and thought: "let's see, the space necessary to fit one of Tesla's proprietary battery packs is equivalent to a whole trunk minus a bag of golf clubs, so if i'm going for aerodynamic efficiency in a four saloon and not a 2+2, i would still need to cut down the trunk size, make it into a slender nissan/infiniti-esque gentle slope and make the front trunk bigger compared to the 2 seat roadster. so now i can carry 4 overweight humans, one 55" suitcase, and 2 sets of golf clubs!!!"
sarcasm, my mild friend, is an art form used to bring attention to other matters, like Tesla's brand new $3,000 car charger!
AND if i want to go on a camel ride instead of a darn electric taxi, i'll bring an extra camel to carry all the luggage, which is what normally done by tradition in every camel-faring country. don't you watch TV???
lolz...
Chris M 5:52PM (11/01/2009)
Several months later, we now know that the Tesla Model S will have room for 5 adults and 2 children, and lots of trunk space front and back. Batteries are located under the floor, thus not crowding the trunks. Up to 300 miles and a swappable battery pack means quick turnaround, vital for a busy taxi.
It may be the most deluxe taxi service ever, but it is for a luxury resort!