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Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by jesusmichael on Sunday April 13, 2014 @07:46PM (#7583693)
Electric motor fail on average on par with similarly serviced gas engines.

Failure of motor bearings is usually the result of improper mechanical installation causing undesirable forces acting on the bearings, or simply poor maintenance. Bearings should be inspected regularly for lubrication and uncharacteristic noises. Their life expectancy depends on factors previously cited. Most motor vendors typically recommend bearing replacement every two years, which I think will put a cramp in the Tesla maintenance scheme

What really is off-putting is that even if the car is well maintained and even parked. It will brick as from the degradation of the batteries. At some point the owner will have to invest in a new power pack. Not true of gas motors. I have a 66' galaxie in my driveway with its original motor its never had more than an oil and spark plug change and it has a life of nearly 50 years. I'd have bought at least 3 tesla power packs in the same time frame, even if the car just sat there.

Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by jamesaguilar on Sunday April 13, 2014 @08:10PM (#7583774)
What you have here is a fairly atypical fuel engine lifetime that you are treating as typical.
Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by mikeash on Sunday April 13, 2014 @07:51PM (#7583719)
How much does a new electric motor for a Tesla cost versus a new gas motor for a similar car? I'd guess it would be significantly cheaper, but I certainly could be wrong. I don't know that much about cars.

Downvoted an honest question stated in a reasonable manner? Come on.

Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by dangrossman on Monday April 14, 2014 @02:40AM (#7584828)
$10-20,000 for a 400hp electric motor. A gas engine would cost a couple hundred bucks.
Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by greedo on Monday April 14, 2014 @09:39AM (#7586041)
$200 for a 400HP car engine... They hyperbole is strong with this one.

The last time I had an engine rebuilt (mid 1980s) it was over $1100, and this was for a 67 HP VW Beetle engine.

Re:Tesla Model S – Cost of Ownership vs. Honda Odyssey by mikeash on Monday April 14, 2014 @10:09AM (#7586219)
Where can you get a new 400hp gas engine for a couple hundred bucks?